Prologue: WEAKLING’S GRIN

Supporter: a noncombatant, dungeon-prowling party member.

Their main role is to collect magic stones and dropped items after battle and bring

them safely to the surface.

They shoulder the load behind the action so that party members fighting monsters on

the front lines aren't weighed down more than necessary.

In short, supporters are just porters. They carry the loot.

"What the hell are ya doing?! Move yer ass!"

Business as usual today. More verbal abuse.

A male adventurer angrily yelled at a supporter just a few steps behind him, who was

almost hidden under the shadow of a massive, bulging backpack.

They were in a labyrinth where the only thing that wasn't a problem was finding

sufficient lighting.

The man's voice was full of unhidden contempt as he railed on his supporter. "At least

carry my stuff properly, ya good-for-nothin'—!"

This was nothing new, just more of the same porter abuse this particular supporter

had heard quite enough of.

But arrogant words could sometimes lead to violence. Adventurers are above

supporters and feel nothing for those they outrank.

Adventurers don't even give them a second glance.

In fact, supporters who fall behind are mocked and become the butt of jokes told later

on.

Adventurers' cruelty to anyone weaker than themselves knows no bounds.

They can take money, dignity, hope—everything.

This particular supporter had heard these words somewhere:

First, an adventurer could not reach their full potential without a good supporter.

Second, it was the efforts of supporters that allowed adventurers to prowl the

dungeon.

Third, supporters had a hidden strength within.

They were very pretty words, and very easy to accept. They stood to reason. They felt

true.

Supporters filled the important role of lightening the strain on adventurers. No one

could refute this fact.

"Like hell I'm gonna pay a lazy-ass weakling who holds me back!"

But just how many adventurers were there who could even begin to comprehend

these facts?

Where were the admirable adventurers who appreciated how much supporters did

for them?

Did an adventurer who didn't look down with contempt on a supporter who is lagging

behind even exist?

"Listen up! Ya better do your job if we get surrounded, clear?! Useless friggin'

supporter!"

Supporters made excellent decoys when being chased by monsters.

The supporter looked up at the honorable adventurer who so honestly made his

expectations known, and lightly smiled.

Yes, yes.

They weren't that hard to understand, really.

All adventurers were the same.