Chapter 181: Adventurers’ Code

“You’re expelled.”

In a tavern for adventurers, a young man found himself on the verge of being kicked out of his party. It was a common scene in places like this.

Adventuring is a risky profession. There’s no reason to keep an ineffective or incompatible companion around. Those who couldn’t discard the sentiment of having been together for so long would often end up dead first.

Party changes were a common occurrence. However, what made this situation unusual was that the one being expelled seemed completely unfazed, sporting a cheerful expression.

“Sure thing.”

The leader, unsure whether this guy really understood, looked at Kasim with concern.

“Hey, this isn’t a joke. I’m serious.”

“I get it, I get it. From today, we’re strangers, right? We won’t acknowledge each other even if we meet in town, won’t say a word. If we encounter each other in a brothel waiting room, we’ll avert our eyes… Well, that was the case even before. Anyway, it’ll be that kind of relationship. Is my interpretation wrong?”

“No, it’s not wrong, but…”

The leader still seemed dissatisfied.

“What’s the matter? Are you hoping I’d cry and beg you not to abandon me? Wanted me to talk about how useless I am in a condescending tone? Too bad, or rather, too bad.”

Kasim’s words carried malice, but they weren’t entirely wrong. While the leader was contemplating how to respond, Kasim nonchalantly walked away and leaned on the counter at the adventurers’ guild.

“Well, I’ve been expelled.”

“It seems so.”

The receptionist responded to Kasim’s smiling face with an expression that conveyed neither amusement nor boredom. Entering and leaving parties was a sight she witnessed regularly from behind the counter, a scene she had grown tired of.

“So, could you withdraw a quarter of the money our party had deposited?”

“Understood.”

The receptionist proceeded with the matter in a businesslike manner. The leader hastily stood up and grabbed Kasim’s shoulder firmly.

“Hey, what the hell are you doing on your own!?”

“Hmm? What’s up?”

Kasim appeared surprised, deliberately feigning ignorance. Clearly, he was mocking the leader. Being already expelled, he had no need to be considerate. Though, it was questionable whether Kasim had ever been considerate towards the leader in the first place.

“We were a four-member party, so one-fourth is mine, right? I’m not saying you need to convert all the items to cash. Isn’t it only fair?”

“You’re joking! I won’t give a useless guy like you any money!”

“Whether someone is useful or not is subjective. I’ve been trying my best, you know. Scary, huh? Seems like this guy wants to throw me out in my underwear. What do you think, miss?”

Ignoring the furious leader, Kasim turned to the receptionist.

“As someone expelled from a four-member party, Kasim-san has the right to receive one-fourth of the money. Also, it’s okay for him to keep all the equipment and items he currently owns.”

The receptionist continues to talk nonchalantly. The leader was getting frustrated, wondering if everyone is on Kasim’s side, but she is really just saying things according to the manual.

“This is our issue; outsiders shouldn’t interfere!”

“Oh, really?”

In response to the leader’s outbreak, the receptionist retorted with a stern voice. She glared at him, her eyes sharp enough to make a child burst into tears. As if peeling away a thin layer, the receptionist’s expression changed from neutral to that of a yakuza.

“Boy, don’t you dare call me an outsider. Got it? If you can’t comply with the guild rules, shall I expel you right away?”

“…I didn’t mean it that way. My apologies.”

“What a disrespectful brat. If you can’t follow the guild rules, should I expel you right now?”

If you cease to be recognized as an adventurer in that region, you will no longer receive various benefits. Carrying a sword is considered a crime, and requests must be accepted individually, not through the guild. Naturally, such requests were always dubious.

Belonging to the guild or not is the boundary that distinguishes adventurers from wanderers.

“This wasn’t my intention. I apologize.”

It’s a world where a single word can end a life, so be careful, you bastard.

The leader, retreating with a resigned expression, received cold glances from the remaining two party members.

Next, the receptionist turned her piercing gaze towards Kasim, who had a wry smile on his face.

“Even if you hate the guy who expelled you, don’t provoke him too much. While you’re free from the guild, remember that dealing with the aftermath of a corpse is your responsibility.”

“My apologies. How about as an apology, we have dinner together tonight?”

Before Kasim could finish his sentence, the receptionist’s hand swiftly struck his forehead. It wasn’t an act; it genuinely hurt, and Kasim clutched his head, groaning.

“Where’s the gratitude? It feels more like a punishment.”

“Ugh, it hurts. My head and heart hurt…”

As Kasim was crying, a leather bag containing coins was handed out to him.

“Check the bag: two gold coins and thirty-five silver coins. Verify it.”

“Sis, you’re so lovely…”

Kasim, with sparkling eyes, received another swift strike from the receptionist.

At a table a little distance away, two men were sitting, sipping on lukewarm beer, observing the exchange.

“Well, no matter when I come, it’s never boring here.”

“A rather tasteless way to pass the time, really…”

The men were Hero Ricardo and Swordsmith Lutz.

“I have no intention of becoming an adventurer. Is it okay for me to be here?”

Lutz asked while glancing left and right. In response, Ricardo, in his ever-relaxed manner, replied.

“It’s fine. The guild knows well that you played a role in the Labyrinth Jar incident and the recent orc subjugation. If you were truly an undesirable outsider, that scary lady over there would have kindly thrown you out.”

Lutz cast a glance at the receptionist, and their eyes met. She had shed the yakuza mask, but her expression remained emotionless as she gave a slight nod.

I see, so that’s how it is. Understanding the situation, Lutz also nodded slightly saying “Hello”

“For now, eat and drink as much as you want. As a thank you for the orc subjugation, tonight’s on me.”

“Oh, thank you so much. Getting a reward and even a treat for a meal…”

“Thanks for coming; it really helped.”

Lutz said in a low voice. Being thanked directly made Ricardo somewhat awkward.

“Well, after all, I am a hero. If anything happens in the future, feel free to call me anytime. Deals with potential profits are always welcome.”

Haha, Ricardo laughed heartily as he continued to eat and drink without hesitation. Regardless of how much they ordered in the adventurers’ tavern, the amount was negligible. Lutz also reached for a mug with relief.

It’s a shame Claudia isn’t here, but he didn’t want to suggest going together into the chimpanzee cage. It was an interesting place, but at the same time, the public order was too bad.

A shadow fell on the table. Looking up, the disgruntled leader was standing there with a scowl.

“Hey, what the hell are you bastards looking at since earlier?”

The overly old-fashioned language made Lutz burst out laughing. Ricardo also chuckled. This was an adventurers’ tavern, and their eyes spoke volumes.

“Truly amusing, a museum of fools.”

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