_________
After finishing that mission, we should have already returned to the guild to report it. But for some reason, Herald suggested that we camp in this forest instead.
Even so, I didn't really mind. That was also because of the simple fact that during that mission, I barely contributed anything.
And—
I didn't feel like I had the right to complain.
-
There I was, sitting in front of the campfire, with the others gathered around it as well.
Staring blankly ahead, thinking about several things that had been bothering me since earlier.
For example, about how weak I am in this party… and how useless I feel.
Yeah, basically, I was just thinking about things that were pointless… yet things I was almost certain I would keep thinking about anyway.
Especially now that I had truly realized it.
I mean—
I don't want to stay like this forever.
-
"Hey! Clement, are you alright?"
Clare-san's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I stared at her for a moment, smiled, and said,
"You don't need to worry, Clare-san. I'm fine."
Even so, I wasn't completely fine. I was just… a little tired. That was all.
"I see. Well, that's good then."
After saying that, Clare-san stood up and walked toward Viola, who was sitting near the tent.
And now, the only ones left here were Herald and me.
He sat right in front of me, seemingly maintaining his equipment.
I simply stared at him silently, not knowing how to start a conversation.
But eventually, he noticed me staring.
"Hm… Is there something, Clement?" he asked.
Although I was slightly surprised that he noticed, I quickly responded.
"No, there's nothing really," I said, forming an awkward smile.
"Well… I was just a little curious why we're camping here when there's a village nearby."
He looked at me, then smiled before answering.
"Actually, I wanted you to grow closer to everyone… or at least get to know us better. But you can also think of it as a welcome party."
"Haha, is that so?" I said.
He nodded. "Yeah, something like that."
...
Time passed quickly, and eventually everyone had fallen asleep.
I remained awake in front of the campfire, filled with various thoughts.
Important or not, my mind always wandered to something.
It felt strange… there was a slight sense of emptiness.
Because my thoughts kept circling around myself—things I had done and things I hadn't done.
I traced countless possibilities—
—but in the end, I was simply overthinking.
"Seriously… I feel exhausted right now," I thought.
-
The atmosphere outside was completely silent. There were no human voices anywhere, only the sounds of birds and other nocturnal creatures.
It was so quiet that I could clearly hear the crackling of burning wood.
But like I said before, I never really minded this kind of silence.
It felt like it had been a part of me for a long time. Maybe it was more accurate to say that I was simply used to it.
Huh… Nights like this are what I hate the most.
"Clement, can't you sleep?"
That voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I immediately turned toward the source.
There, near Herald's tent, he was walking toward me.
I stared at him for a moment before answering.
I smiled and nodded. "Mm… I'm just not feeling sleepy."
Herald smiled back. "I see."
Then he sat beside me.
For a while, we remained silent, saying nothing.
It made the atmosphere awkward for me.
But eventually, he started the conversation first.
"By the way, Clement… is there something on your mind? Since this afternoon, you've looked like you've been holding something back."
"I'm not forcing you to tell me… But, you know? You can say it if you want."
That was what he said, smiling as usual.
For a moment, I felt slightly relieved.
"Thanks for that, Herald," I said with a smile.
He simply nodded in response.
The smile that might have looked sincere earlier slowly turned into an awkward one.
And with that, I began telling him what had been on my mind.
"You know, Herald? During this mission… I felt completely useless."
"I didn't help much. Most of the time, I just stood around."
"Everyone else worked so hard, while I just followed behind and tagged along."
"I feel like a burden here."
That was everything I said to him.
"I see… But you know, Clement? You don't have to be too useful right away. After all, you just joined this party."
"And as the leader, I don't think you're a burden. You're just not used to things yet, you know?"
"So—stop thinking that you're useless, and try to become useful from now on."
"Maybe that's all I can say to you."
After saying that, he stood up and walked back toward the tent.
But he stopped for a moment and said,
"I'll head in first."
Then he entered the tent, leaving me alone there.
"Motivational words like that usually don't work on me… you know."
Honestly, even though we only talked for a short time, he managed to restore some of my motivation.
It almost made me want to laugh when I thought about it.
Even so… what he said was true.
It was like he was telling me to stop overthinking and just live.
"Just live, huh…"
A warm feeling spread through my chest. Yeah… it felt like I had gained a little motivation.
And for my current goal…
Maybe—
—becoming stronger.
Because with that, I could become more useful.
-
[Request Detected]
"Hah—?"
Suddenly, a voice echoed inside my head. I recognized it as the same voice I had heard before.
[Resistance to Abnormal Status Effects — Successfully Acquired]
[Resistance to Magic Attacks — Successfully Acquired]
[Extra Skill: Thief — Successfully Acquired]
[Extra Skill: Stealth — Successfully Acquired]
[Attempting to Acquire Unique Skill: Effect]
[Unique Skill: Effect — Successfully Acquired]
[Attempting to Acquire Unique Skill: Execute]
[Unique Skill: Execute — Successfully Acquired]
After the voice stopped, I felt an understanding of something form within my memories.
It felt a little strange, but—
—I knew this would be useful for me.
Because of that, I briefly wondered if I actually had a role in this world.
But I quickly dismissed that thought, because it sounded completely ridiculous.
That's why I shouldn't become satisfied with what I've obtained.
Because this alone still doesn't feel enough.
Yeah… I really am greedy, aren't I?
…
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