Not so long ago, Misha drew a line by saying:

"I... I like thin men." Em! That means you don't have a man's charm!"

When we got lost in the Witchwood, she said this because she misunderstood my offer of a companionship contract. I was relieved by these words.

They say that there is no friendship between a man and a woman.

I thought that if her tastes were so clear, then we could remain companions for a long time without any discomfort.

But...

"Come on, get in quickly. If you do not eat in between sleep, it is harmful to the body."

Misha's attitude towards me was gradually changing. Every morning she came to wake me up, and we ate homemade food together. She even gave me her share of meat dishes. To be honest, there was a feeling that I did not have a friend, but a girlfriend.

At first I thought it was because I risked my life to save her, and she thanks me so much, but...

«... Yes. I like you. Like a man."

Everything turned out to be wrong.

"Did you know?" she asked.

"I wasn't sure.

To be precise, I ignored her. She didn't talk about it herself. I didn't bring it up, saying that everything could be my fault because, knowing that, there was only one option.

"S-I see...

Watching how Misha trembled, looking at me, I realized how cowardly I was.

If I had encountered this problem earlier, I would have been able to solve it differently. I could have pushed her away with indirect hints, if Misha's feelings hadn't grown to the point where Dvalki told me to stop ignoring them.

Yes, I'm sure I would.

"So... What do you think?

Now there were two options: get close and light a blazing fire or put out the fire before it flares up.

The answer was already predetermined.

"I...

I was an evil spirit and a gambler. I was not Bjorn Yandel, and I did not lose hope of returning home. But since I couldn't say that, and since Dvalki had also said that it would be cowardly to desire sincerity without showing one's true self, I said it honestly.

"I consider you a valuable teammate.

The answer came in a few seconds.

"Yes... It's just like that with me, right?

"It's the same with everyone else. I can't afford it. We don't know when we're going to die. Besides, it hasn't even been a year since I finished my coming-of-age ceremony.

In many ways, it was a time when survival should be a top priority, and Misha had to continue to explore with me. When the emotions of a man and a woman are intertwined, it becomes difficult to make rational decisions when faced with a choice. This will endanger both of us.

Therefore...

"I want you to consider me only a teammate.

I had to face the truth and draw a line. However, even though I embellished it by saying that it would be better for both of us, there was selfishness at the heart of it.

"No!" Misha categorically rejected my offer.

— ... A what?

"Why should I do this?" First of all, I wasn't going to reveal my feelings today, you bad barbarian! You're a crook! After you asked me, it's like you're going to accept it! Mike exclaimed irritably and slammed her fist into my stomach with all her might.

*Blow!*

The damage from the cold even reached the heart. Still angry, Mike continued to scream.

"When did I ask you to accept my feelings?" I know you can't do it! But! Telling me not to love you is too cruel!

*Hit! Hit! Hit!*

The damage from the cold was quickly accumulating.

When I was about to say something, Misha weakly lowered her hand to my stomach.

"I... I don't even wish for much. What I have now is enough for me. So don't say anything like that. And? Why are you trying to take that away from me too...?

A shiver came from Mike. I could not see her face because she lowered her head, but it was not difficult to guess her expression. I said nothing. It seemed to me that I was unable to offer any comforting words or actions. A minute of silence passed, and soon the trembling stopped.

—…

Mike stepped back and stared at me with red, swollen eyes.

And...

"You won't get any food tomorrow," she said, and went away.

I remained standing like a statue and watched her walk away.

*Creak*

When I entered the inn, the owner sitting at the counter looked at me and clicked his tongue.

"You've treated her badly today.

He didn't need to say that, I already knew.

*Top! Top!*

I went up the stairs and opened the door. Bjorn Yandel's room was still cramped. For some reason, it reminded me of Lee Han Su's empty room. It was time to admit it.

—…

I didn't become weak because I became attached. I didn't want to get attached because I was weak.

***

The next morning, Misha, who said that I would not receive any food tomorrow, came to wake me up with a healthy lunchbox full of carrots in her hands.

"Chew well." I got it?

Because of the sins I committed, I chewed and swallowed everything. It was not possible to swallow it immediately. However, seeing how awkwardly I rolled my eyes after eating, Misha was the first to open her mouth.

"Not bad as it is now.

"But...

— No buts. You have no right to decide. So don't worry so much. I just do what I want.

She apparently came to this conclusion last night at home. There was no room for me to intervene. Misha was older than me. She must not have wanted this relationship to become any more awkward.

I was sure that Dvalki did not want such an ambiguous position, but I said:

"Good.

"Okay, then we can't talk about it from now on. Got it?

- I see.

At this point, the question was settled. But, to be honest, nothing has changed compared to the past

"Get yourself in order." It's time for us to go.

After eating, I quickly washed myself and went outside with Misha. We went to the meeting place, met with our comrades and drove together to Commelbi. The atmosphere in the carriage was quite heavy.

"This is the first time we have gathered there together.

Hikurod tried his best to speak cheerfully, but, technically, not everyone was here. Now, even if we wanted to, we couldn't.

— ... Let's hurry... Let's finish our business and come back.

After arriving in Commelbi, things went well. We repaired the equipment and sold what needed to be sold. Finally, we went to the central administrative office and drew up a contract to transfer the ownership of the Dvalki house to Hikurodu.

The reason was simple: the dwarf wanted to buy it.

— ... Is there a reason to go this far? I'm sure Dvalki wouldn't want so much either.

"Haha!" It has always been my dream to have my own home. Now I have the money to do it.

"Well, stop worrying about that. Hurry up and sign.

With the help of a notary, the official put his signature, and Dvalka's house became the dwarf's property. The estimated value of the house, confirmed through the administration, was 24 million stones. However, we were told that it would be sold at auction 20% cheaper, so we received only 5 million stones per person.

"Then let's go back and have a drink."

After finishing our business and returning to the residential area, we headed to the tavern. The final payment was made there. All income, including mana stones, was divided among the four. Due to the cost of repairing equipment or the cost of consumables used in the maze, there could be small errors for everyone, but in the end, we ended up with a huge amount of money.

25 million stones...

However, after buying the house, Hikuroda could have only 10 million left. It was also decided that the "Pent-Up Desire" that I used in the maze and the Dragon Slayer Sword would be recognized as part of my share.

"The Vampire Essence disappeared and was replaced by the Ogre Essence?" This is definitely the treasure that the man was looking for. But that happened when you were trying to save us, right?

"I'm not so shameless as to be so greedy. If it wasn't for you, he would have kept the Dragon Slayer Sword.

I was very grateful to hear that. If we converted it into money and divided it among the four of us, I would go bankrupt more than once.

"Now let's have a drink."

After drinking a few more drinks, I quietly opened my mouth.

– Probably, it is worth starting a conversation about the team.

A place in the team became vacant. I was not going to fill this place, but wanted to keep Misha in the team.

However, Hikurod was one step faster than me.

"I have something to say to everyone about this. I'm going to quit being a researcher.

"What?"

"I'm sorry to bring it up at a time like this. However, I have been thinking about it all yesterday, so I hope you will understand me.

In response to the dwarf's statement, Rothmiller asked:

— If you leave this job, what do you plan to do in the future?

"I'm going to open a forge. That's why I bought this house. I thought it was now or never.

No wonder he decided to buy Dvalka's house. He planned to reconstruct it and open a forge.

— Becoming a researcher for me was closer to escaping from reality. I gave up on my dream because I didn't have talent, because I needed money to live. Therefore, I do not want to do anything that I will regret later. That would be an insult to my friend.

No one dared to oppose Hikuroda's emphatic words. All that remained was to root for his future.

— ... I really hope that your dream will come true.

"Oh, does that mean you're going to be the boss?" I will definitely come to visit.

"If I need to go to the blacksmith, I can go to your workshop now."

"Yes, do so!" True, just thinking about it makes me happy! Hahaha!

After the dwarf's resignation became a fait accompli, the conversation turned to Rothmiller.

"Murad, don't regret your decision too much. After all, I was also planning to leave the team after this expedition.

"What?" You will? But why?

"I felt that I wasn't good enough. That's all.

Such a short answer left Hikurod speechless. Perhaps he had already foreseen such a reaction, because Rothmiller calmly continued.

"Actually, I told Bjorn beforehand. But then I could not even imagine that everything would end like this. Now that I have earned a lot of money, I will have time for self-development.

— ... I believe that with your diligence and perseverance, you will one day achieve your goals, whatever they may be.

After Hikuroda's heartfelt words, their eyes focused on Misha and me.

Apparently, they were interested in what we would do.

I briefly described my plans for the future.

"The two of us will create a new team. And we will rise even higher.

"Yes, I knew you would say that.

"Miss Karlštejn has a difficult time ahead of her.

— ... Well, that's my karma, I think. I can't help it.

We all raised our glasses and raised a toast to the last joint drunken team of losers. Blessing and rooting for each other's future, we spent a time of farewell, indulging in memories of the past. As always, time passed inexorably, and soon the dwarf and Mike, drunk, banged their heads on the table.

"I think it's time to wrap up," Rothmiller smiled regretfully. At the end of the drink, we were always alone to sort things out.

We played in the style of a team of losers to the end.

When I got up thinking about it...

"Bjorn, I want to ask you something.

Rothmiller lowered his voice and called to me as if he were waiting for the two of them to fall asleep.

— ... Speak.

I stared at him, feeling a strange pressure on me. Rothmiller paused and asked:

"Are you an evil spirit?"

The most important task was to safely disband the team of losers.