Chapter 7

"There's a term called 'Dungeon High.'

It's a phenomenon where, while exploring a dungeon, the adrenaline that numbs your mind surges, making you feel high.

While it can sometimes allow you to push through fatigue, the downside is that it comes back to haunt you.

You might suddenly run out of energy and collapse due to pushing beyond your limits.

After disassembling the corpse of the dragon we defeated and storing the high-quality materials in my [Pocket], by the time we reached the entrance of the 19th floor, the warp point, the excitement had completely cooled off, and we all realized we were in a sorry state.

In other words, we were all suffering from Dungeon High.

The various factors, such as depleted magic, fatigue, and the release of mental tension, weighed heavily on us. Naturally, we couldn't continue exploring, so after a brief rest, we decided to return to the surface.

Thank you, warp point. Thank you, kind ancient people who set up the warp point.

"Ah, I want to take a bath!"

"Yeah, Sandra, do you want to come too?"

"Sure."

After returning to the surface, the women had a conversation like that and headed to the public bath.

A bath... I want to go too. But I had other work to do first, so I had to put it off.

"Rain, go ahead and rest or take a bath. I'll go to the guild to report about the dragon and the hole it opened."

"Oh, right. There's a hole the dragon broke through below the 18th floor."

"Yeah. We can't rule out the possibility that some fool might think it's an easy shortcut."

The guild is an organization that connects adventurer parties and people who want to request quests.

Besides selling materials, solving clients' problems and receiving rewards is one of the ways adventurers earn money.

Given that the guild connects parties, it's the best place to request warnings and measures to seal the hole.

"Can I come too?"

"Idiot, you don't have the energy for that. Leader, just take it easy."

"But, Monog..."

"But what? I'm still energetic because you guys protected me."

Actually, I had pushed the support magic to its limits. I might collapse if I let my guard down now.

But Rain and the others had shown their cool sides, and I wanted to show off a bit too.

Rain hesitated for a moment but then nodded in resignation.

"Sorry, Monog. We caused you trouble..."

"Don't worry about it. Supporting you is my job, right?"

"...Yeah, we can't do anything without Monog."

That's an overly low evaluation of themselves and an overly high evaluation of me.

Not just Rain, but the whole Stormbreaker team lacks confidence. Especially Rain, who was the main force in slaying the dragon this time.

However, despite that, I can't help but feel happy.

Supporting the attackers is the very reason supporters exist.

His evaluation is the ultimate reward for a supporter.

"Thanks for protecting us, Rain."

"I'll protect you, no matter how many times. That's my job."

Rain thrust out his fist. It's a bit embarrassing, but... well, it's fine. That's the mood right now.

I thrust out my fist in response, and Rain showed a smile that could melt anyone's heart—innocent, defenseless, and captivating.

After parting ways with Rain, I explained the situation at the guild and entrusted them with the response. The day had already grown dark because I had to fill out unnecessary paperwork. It wasn't particularly time-consuming, but I dozed off a few times and chatted with the receptionist, so I was tired.

Thus, I walked alone through the lively night town. My destination was, of course, the inn. I'll take a bath... tomorrow. I'm sure I'll have a day off tomorrow.

The town's nights are quite lively. Many adventurers, like we were yesterday, are busy drinking.

But I don't have the habit of drinking alone, and my companions are probably down... Normally, we would have had a celebration, but that's on hold.

Usually, walking alone through the lively streets would make me feel a strange sense of loneliness or emptiness, but today, I don't feel that.

Today, we escaped the brink of death. The fact that we are still alive is the result of all five of us fulfilling our roles to the best of our abilities.

In the world, there's a trend that supporters are unnecessary. I was also influenced by it. Being a supporter is tough.

But if I hadn't been there today, Rain and the others might not have made it. The fact that I was there had a clear meaning.

It's a selfish thought, but it makes me happy.

"...Maybe I'll hang on a bit longer."

I became an adventurer because I wanted to. I shouldn't give up just because it's tough.

If Rain and the others ever tell me I'm unnecessary and should be fired, that will be the time to quit.

So, as long as they don't say that, I'll stay an adventurer.

If possible, I want to reach the deepest part of the dungeon, a dream I once had.

A great achievement that no one has ever accomplished. It might be presumptuous for us, a mid-level party, to dream of it.

But I believe that if it's Stormbreaker, we can reach it someday.

Rekindling the feelings I had when I first met them, I ran through the night streets.

The strange sense of excitement made it impossible for me to stay still.