The mid-level of the Goblin Cave had become almost routine for Yuuto Tajima. Hunting the goblins that ruled this floor was no longer a struggle; it was a practiced pattern he could run without thinking.
He always began with a quick use of *Sort*—a scan skill—to read the layout and count the enemies. Then he shaped the fight to suit him, using the tunnels and simple tools to pull one target away from the rest. A short ambush, a clean strike, and the goblin fell. After the battle, *Break*, his dismantle skill, took care of the rest, turning the body into materials and experience.
It was not flashy. If anything, it looked like dull, methodical work. But it paid off. His level rose at a steady pace, his pack stayed filled with quality parts, and his income had become stable enough to build a quiet life as an explorer.
That day was no different. He had just lured a goblin behind a rock, taken it down with one hit, and stepped closer to collect the drop when a voice called out from behind him.
"Huh? Tajima-san, right?"
The familiar, overly friendly tone made his shoulders drop. Yuuto did not need to turn to know who it was.
A trio approached—his former coworker, *Suzuki (M)*, and the same two teammates who always followed him around. Their gear was even fancier than last time. Suzuki's long sword shimmered with a faint magical light.
(Just my luck... them again.)
He did not want trouble, but ignoring them would only make it worse. Yuuto kept his face blank and turned.
"Suzuki," he said.
"Knew it! It's Tajima-san! Still hanging around here, ssu?" Suzuki laughed, making no attempt to hide the mockery in his voice.
The other two snickered, eyeing Yuuto up and down as if comparing him to their own polished gear.
"Still solo? I told you before, it's slow and bad for you," Suzuki said. "Without a party, even goblins must be scary, right? Look at us—we're chill, ssu!"
He rushed toward a nearby group of goblins before Yuuto could answer.
"Take this! *Sonic Blade*!" he shouted.
His sword cut through the air with a sharp ring, a flash of light bursting forward. The shock wave dropped one goblin, and his party finished the rest with practiced timing. They really had improved.
Suzuki came striding back a few minutes later, grinning like he expected applause.
"See that? That's how a party works. Way faster than hunting one by one, don't you think, ssu?"
"...Sure," Yuuto said.
He did not argue, explain, or defend himself. He simply agreed, calm and flat.
That answer annoyed Suzuki more than any fight would have. He had wanted Yuuto to look upset—or grateful.
"Well, I guess it's too hard for you anyway. An E-rank only slows everyone down. I doubt any party would even take you, ssu."
The other two laughed at that, piling on.
Not long ago, those words would have cut deep. Now, Yuuto felt almost nothing.
(...Running risk check.)
His mind shifted into the steady, logical mode he carried from his office days. Three against one looked bad, but Suzuki only had ego, not courage. The cave was full of other explorers, and PvP was punished hard. If things went wrong, *Sort* and his speed would let him escape.
Risk: low.
No need to bow his head.
"If you're done, leave. I'm working," he said, turning his back on them and returning to the goblin he had killed.
"Hey—what's with that attitude!?" Suzuki snapped.
Yuuto ignored him and spoke softly.
"Break."
Light wrapped around the body, dissolving it into materials and a small glow of experience.
A notification flashed across Yuuto's vision:
• Goblin Ear (High Quality) received
• Rusted dagger received
• Magic Stone Fragment (Small) received
• Break gained 5 EXP
He stored the items quickly, then looked at the goblins Suzuki's team had left behind. They had not bothered to harvest a single one.
"Suzuki," Yuuto called, glancing over his shoulder. "Those bodies. You taking them? If not, I'll 'process' them."
His tone was flat, businesslike. But, that, more than shouting ever could, scraped directly against Suzuki's pride.
"What's with you!? You think I'm some trash picker!?" Suzuki yelled, face red.
Yuuto met his eyes for the first time that day. His gaze was calm, deep, and unreadable.
"Yes or no. That's all I asked."
"Keep it! It's garbage! If you want it so bad, take it!" Suzuki spat.
"Alright."
Yuuto turned away and began to break down the bodies one after another. Silent and efficient. The so-called trash turned into valuable items in his hands.
Suzuki's party fell quiet. They could not step in—not here, not now—and watching Yuuto harvest value from what they had thrown away made a cold, bitter weight settle in their chests.
"...Forget him. Total waste of time," Suzuki muttered at last.
He spun and marched off, the other two hurrying after him. Their retreat looked a lot like running.
When they were gone, Yuuto broke the last body and the cave grew still again.
He tightened the straps of his now much heavier pack and let out a slow breath.
He had not meant to show them up. He had only followed his own path, the same as always.
Yet it had spoken louder than any argument.
(I'll walk my own road.)
It might be lonely. Few would understand it. But this road would make him strong.
That truth settled deeper in his heart, steady and sure.