I was alone at the guild in the next town.

Leaving the inn, I immediately left town and traveled to the neighboring town, which wasn’t very far. I didn’t want to meet up with Raid and the others, after all.

At the unfamiliar reception, I showed my A-rank adventurer card and requested to take on a quest solo. They handed me a B-rank quest. The task was… to subdue a horde of orcs.

(Well, let’s see how far I can get on my own.)

With a mix of anticipation and anxiety, I headed out for the quest.

Now, in my hand, I held a bag filled with enough gold coins to live leisurely for several months.

Thinking it would be a good test of strength, I went to subdue the orc horde but it felt as easy as an F-rank quest, and I completed it effortlessly without any injuries or damage.

I used all the support magic I normally would have shared with others on myself, and without having to coordinate with teammates, I unleashed techniques freely. As a magic swordsman, I have many techniques that involve swinging a sword while simultaneously casting spells that deal widespread damage. Without any teammates jumping out at me, I could unleash my full power without a second thought.

The result was that I completed the orc subjugation in the designated area in 30 minutes and returned to the guild with more satisfaction than expected.

Back at the reception, the receptionist was startled by my incredibly quick return, and soon after, I was called in by a high-ranking guild official, who praised me, expecting great things in my future.

(It looks like I can manage on my own… I don’t need them anymore.)

I cast aside my future anxieties, ordered a slightly expensive meal at the inn, and ended the day satisfied.

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Side: Fana

It was my first quest since joining the party. It was an A-rank quest, and I thought it would be somewhat challenging, but my expectations were completely off.

In a bad way.

Raid’s sword skills, which he had been so confident about, were completely ineffective against the monsters. If it weren’t for my magical support, he would have been seriously injured.

Lena, for her part, kept failing to cast her spells and ran out of magical power, unable to hold back the enemies. As for Nina, she was completely immobile and failed to fulfill her role of causing confusion.

Contrary to the two depressed women who were disheartened by their own incompetence, Raid just kept making excuses, appearing unseemly both as a leader and as an adventurer.

The quest ended in failure. With almost no conversation, we returned to the guild, and I watched as each returned to their rooms, painfully aware that my bad premonitions had come true.

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Side: Lena

Since forming the party, this was the first time we ended up with such a disappointing result.

I had never had problems casting spells or running out of magical power before.

I had underestimated the impact of not having Shin’s support magic, thinking it wouldn’t make such a big difference, but that was a big mistake.

We couldn’t do anything without his power.

Regardless of Raid, Nina also seemed painfully aware of her own powerlessness, returning to her room with a very gloomy expression.

What should we do, or rather, what should I do?

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In the following days, I freely continued to tackle high-difficulty quests.

I took on tasks like dragon subjugation and searching for rare items, jumping at anything interesting I saw, and without much trouble, I completed them and collected my rewards.

During this time, I was approached by several parties who had heard rumors about me, but I politely declined all of them.

I’m tired of being manipulated and betrayed by others.

“Excuse me, are you the magic swordsman, Shin?”

“…Yes, who are you?”

I was eating in the guild’s cafeteria when a young woman approached me.

Looking up, a young sorceress stood there.

“Um, I’m from the party called ‘Dragon’s Breath,’ and we’ve heard about you, Shin. We’d really like you to join us if possible.”

“Oh… is that what this is about?”

She seemed somewhat like Lena, perhaps because she was wearing a similar robe.

“What do you think? I’d appreciate it if you’d consider it…”

Although her robe was similar to Lena’s, it was quite different in one major aspect.

Lena’s robe fully covered her body, but this girl’s was tailored for mobility, noticeably short and exposing her dazzlingly white thighs. Her upper body was also significantly revealed, showing a deep cleavage, not as large as Lena’s or Nina’s, but still softly ample.

My silence must have been interpreted as considering joining because she began to pitch her party.

“Umm, our party is quite strong, and we can just about clear A-rank quests! If you joined us, I’m sure we could even clear S-rank quests!”

Every time she energetically spoke, the visible cleavage in her robe jiggled.

“…Also! Um, did something happen, Shin?”

“No, no, it’s nothing! While I appreciate the invitation, I’m planning to continue soloing quests for a while, so I’m afraid I must decline.”

“Is that so… Please feel free to speak up if you change your mind! We’d welcome you anytime, Shin!”

She left with a slightly disappointed look, moving away from me.

(Phew, that was close. If she realized I was captivated by her cleavage, it might start some weird rumors.)

Having been with Lena and Nina all this time, since joining the party, my eyes have often been drawn to large breasts.

Raid didn’t care about such things, often sending inappropriate glances their way, but I couldn’t be so brazen, always trying not to look.

Still, whenever they caught my eye, it was a struggle to keep my gaze and instincts from seeking out those breasts. This is something I need to correct moving forward.

That girl didn’t seem bad, but after what happened, I want to be alone for now.

I drained my glass of water, reaffirming my decision to stay solo.

Several days later, as I was returning to the inn from the guild, Raid and the other three were waiting for me.

Rather than wondering why they were in this town, my attention was drawn to their appearance.

(They’re all beat up. Did they fight some tough monster?)

Lena, who usually didn’t show much skin, had her robe badly torn, revealing her plump thighs and her nearly spilling breasts.

Nina’s hot pants were torn, revealing her underwear, and her top was so tattered it seemed ready to fall off.

It was a nice, no, a poisonous sight. I averted my eyes and looked at Fana, who was standing behind them. She was the only one without noticeable disarray in her clothes, yet her breasts were just as large and imposing as the other two’s.

(…! No, I can’t keep looking.)

Flustered, I turned back to Raid, who had no interest in anything but himself.

“Shin! I’ve changed my mind! I’m letting you back into the party!”

Raid crossed his arms and told me pompously.

(What is he even talking about?)

“Raid! What are you saying!”

“That’s right! What are you acting all high and mighty for!”

“Shut up! I won’t lower my head to someone like Shin!”

They started arguing among themselves, but my heart had already cooled off. It would be a waste of time to get involved with them again.

“Sorry, but I’m going solo. I’ve realized I can handle S-rank quests alone. I have no intention of teaming up with you again… Goodbye.”

With that, I turned my back on the four of them and started walking towards the inn.

“Shin! Wait—”

I heard Lena calling out to stop me, hesitated for a moment, but I didn’t turn back and entered the inn.

That day, as soon as I entered my room at the inn, I fell onto the bed and forced my thoughts towards future solo quests, drifting off to sleep.

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Side: Fana

Joining this party was a mistake.

Not only was the reduction in capability a problem after expelling Shin, but the real issue was the incompetent leader.

After the initial failure, we tried several quests at a lower rank, but none were successful. Raid would just make excuses every time.

He complained about bad coordination, insufficient support from Lena’s magic, and other issues, always shifting the blame without looking at himself.

I suggested that we apologize to Shin and ask him to return to the party, but that idea was dismissed with disdain.

It was astonishing how this man couldn’t grasp the difference in capabilities between himself and others.

Moreover, the night after Shin bluntly refused us, I overheard Raid at a tavern bragging among his adventurer friends, and it was disgraceful.

“Useless Shin wanted to come back to the party, but I kicked him out!”

“Classic Raid! No wonder you’re the future S-rank hero!”

“S-rank candidate and his party members are all busty beauties, right? I’m so jealous!”

“Right? I couldn’t stand Shin making eyes at my women. Now it’s truly a harem party!”

Hearing such vulgar laughter mixed into the conversation, various thoughts flickered and disappeared in my mind.

Even now, this pathetic man was still putting on a ridiculous facade.

To hurl such insulting words at a former party member, especially someone as capable as Shin, showed just how shallow he was.

And, Lena and Nina aren’t your women.

Was he even eyeing me like that now?

A mix of anger, disdain, astonishment, and disappointment surged through me, and I made a quiet decision.

I can’t stay with him any longer.

I turned on my heel and walked to the inn where Lena and Nina were staying.

I called them to my room to talk.

“Lena, Nina, I need to confirm something with you… Between Raid and Shin, who do you choose?”

After conveying Raid’s words from the tavern, I asked them this.

As they listened, they grew angry about how Shin was treated and being considered ‘Raid’s women’.

During the conversation, I learned why they had agreed to expel Shin. Lena had been coerced by Raid, and Nina agreed out of fear because Shin had been getting injured more frequently. It seemed they didn’t truly understand Shin’s abilities because they were so close to him, but I was relieved to know that their decision wasn’t out of hatred for him.

“I… I want to adventure with Shin too…”

“Me too… Shin was fun and a good guy. If Raid is that bad, then of course, I’d prefer to be in a party with Shin.”

Lena spoke tearfully, and Nina expressed her feelings with regret.

“But we did something terrible to him. Shin must hate us by now…”

“True… Getting rejected today was quite a shock.”

Indeed, from what I observed, Shin was rejecting us. It would be difficult to propose we all be friends and party together again.

However, seeing Shin today gave me an idea.

It wasn’t straightforward and was somewhat underhanded. But at the moment, that was all I could think of, and it was also a specialty from my previous job.

“I have a plan for that… So, you’re both choosing Shin, right?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s right.”

It seemed their minds were made up.

“Can you follow my instructions for that?”

Both nodded nervously as I looked at them seriously.

“Then, first thing tomorrow morning, we’ll start by calling out Raid. And then…”

We spent the rest of the night discussing our strategy.

The next morning.

The three of us gathered and directed stern looks at Raid.

“Good morning? Wh-What’s with all of you so early in the morning…?”

Feeling the odd atmosphere, Raid looked around confused.

“Raid, we need to talk to you… is that okay?”

“Oh, sure…”

My voice was icy, and he shuddered slightly, giving a faint reply.

“Raid, you are being expelled from this party.”

“Wh-What!? What are you talking about!?”

Startled, his voice cracked in panic. The others quickly joined in.

“I agree.”

“Me too.”

“Lena! Nina! What are you guys saying? I’m the leader here!”

After showing such incompetence, he still acted like a leader, truly a shallow man.

“It doesn’t matter. We’ve decided by majority vote to expel you.”

Raid turned pale and collapsed on the spot, and even if he resorted to violence, his poor sword skills meant we could easily counter him before he could strike.

“Lena, Nina… anything you want to say last?”

They stepped forward slightly, looking down on Raid with disdain.

“What you said to Shin, I can’t forgive. If you try anything with Shin, I will make sure you pay.”

Lena’s voice trembled a bit, but she managed to speak her mind.

“Raid, we are not your women. If you want to play harem, go to a brothel, you pervert!”

Nina was clearly furious about being treated as Raid’s woman.

Finally, I spoke up.

“I joined your party thinking I was getting closer to my goals, but I never imagined the leader would be so vile, incompetent, and weak. You’re an eyesore. I suggest you quit being an adventurer, hole up in a tavern, and keep impressing your cronies with your delusions as you play the big boss.”

Raid, his dignity shattered by the insult, turned away with tears in his eyes and staggered off.

“Well, that solves one problem.”

“So now…”

“Next is Shin.”

Both looked at me expectantly, and I responded with confidence.

“Yes. Let me handle this first!”

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