Chapter One: "I'm Not Worthy, So I'll Leave."
"Hey! I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me?"
"I heard you. Go on."
Under a starlit sky in Eofre, inside a small tavern.
Across the round table sat a strikingly beautiful girl.
Her long legs were wrapped in white stockings with butterfly bows. Out of her armor, she was easily one of the most stunning women in the adventuring world.
Her name was Xia—an adventurer from the "Moonlit Bloom" party.
If only I could join her team,That was probably what everyone who met her thought.
Lyle used to think so too.
But ever since he joined the "Moonlit Bloom" as a [Scholar], that thought never crossed his mind again.
Xia slammed her glass down on the table."The 'Crystal Tears' party has already reached the 45th floor today!"
"Huh…"
Lyle thought for a moment. "If we can't get lower yet, let's keep training on the 44th floor."
"But our level and equipment are about the same!"
Xia scowled in frustration. "People are saying I'm worse than them! But just a few days ago, they were also stuck on the 44th floor!"
Lyle shook his head. "Similar level doesn't mean equal team strength."
Xia crossed her arms, tapping her foot coldly."They say their new scholar is a top graduate from the academy. Do you know, he originally wanted to join our party!"
Lyle smiled.
She didn't say the rest.
But it was obvious—The rest of the party probably thought the same, didn't they?
Xia, a noble-born adventurer. The priestess, from the goddess' temple. The mage, from the enchanted forest.
And him, a nobody scholar.
Yeah… maybe he really didn't belong here.
Every time they failed in the dungeon, the noble-born Xia would always dump the blame on him.
The party was unstable.But wasn't it because they never listened to his plans?
"As a scholar, your talent is already lacking—just try harder, alright?"
Try harder…Lyle was lost in thought.
To help them reach deeper floors,he spent sleepless nights buried in the library.
He researched routes, recorded treasures, herbs, crystals—even the best ways to slay monsters.
While they… bathed in hot springs or attended fancy banquets.
Talent? So being a commoner means lacking talent?
"And we're an all-girls team. Do you know how much pressure I'm under letting you stay? And you don't even know how to control yourself!"
That part disgusted Lyle even more.
He never once had such thoughts.
As a transmigrator, he simply wanted to see the depths of this dungeon.
But Xia treated him like a pervert.
Even if he brought her breakfast as a kind gesture—he'd get hit with "Are you trying to climb the social ladder?" "Stay out of my room!" "Just do your job as a scholar!"
Ah… this was a cage.
Lyle felt suffocated.
He met her haughty gaze and asked gently,"Have you ever considered maybe... it's the rest of the team—or even you—that has issues?"
"Ha?! Lyle, it's only out of my kindness that you've even had multiple chances!"
Lyle never understood—
Why did she always talk like she was granting him divine favors?
"I could kick you out anytime and find a better scholar!"
Lyle smiled calmly, as usual. "That's true."
Yep, hopeless.
Come to think of it, Xia had always been like this.
Proud of her noble birth. Proud of her power. Incapable of admitting failure.
"Tomorrow we're entering the dungeon. You better show results!"She stomped on his foot with her white-stockinged heel."Or I really will kick you out!"
Lyle gave a soft smile."Xia, honestly, I don't like you. I think it's time I said that clearly."
"…What did you just say?"
"I said, I quit."
Lyle nodded."You'll find a better scholar. I really don't fit your team."
And just like that, time froze.
Xia's face went pale, eyes wide with disbelief.
Then, furious, she slammed the table.
"Say that again!"
"I've thought this through. Your 'Moonlit Bloom' is too famous."
Lyle buttoned up his coat and stood with ease."I really am just a low-born commoner. You all won't listen to someone like me anyway."
"Let the others know, or don't. Either way, I won't be coming back."
"And don't worry about splitting today's reward. Consider it my tab for the meal."
He expected to feel grief, anger, or even desperation.
But having said it, all he felt was a tiny regret—and relief.
The early days of the party had been so different.
Back when they were just starting out, things were much better.
But people change, once fame comes.
"Lyle! Stop right there!"
As Lyle pushed open the tavern door, Xia shouted after him.
He thought maybe, just maybe, she'd say something to make him stay.
Instead, she said coldly,"Have you really thought this through? Once you leave my team, no one else will want you!"
Lyle turned around. "Why?"
Xia spat each word:"Because they'll all think you were kicked out of Moonlit Bloom!"
Right. People always said Moonlit Bloom deserved a better scholar.Then they'd become legendary—one of Eofre's mythical adventurer teams.
Lyle replied, "You could explain it to them."
Xia stared at him, then slowly shook her head.
That was the final blow to Lyle's faith in her.
He tightened his coat and walked away.
Cleanly. Freely.
He wondered what face she was making behind him.
Angry? Grinding her teeth? Ha…
He paused and looked up at the beautiful night sky of Eofre.
For the first time, Lyle felt truly free.
This was… freedom.