Kate, who lived next door to the merchant's house where Ryu grew up, had been a close friend of Ryu's since they were babies.

They played together as children and even promised to marry each other when they grew up. Their bond remained strong even as they started school, but eventually, Ryu was exiled from his home and became a slave, leading to their estrangement.

However, fate brought them together again in the city of Mimul, where both had become adventurers.

Reunited after years of separation, the two quickly rekindled their friendship, acting as though the gap in time had never existed. Kate, who had always been kind and protective of Ryu in their childhood, remained the same. She encouraged Ryu, who lamented his own incompetence, telling him that he could become strong if he just kept trying.

Ryu, determined to become a successful adult and a strong adventurer so that he could marry Kate, worked hard with unwavering focus.

While he knew the childhood promise of marriage was just a naive vow from their younger years, he still held onto the hope that it might become a reality someday.

But before his efforts could bear fruit, Ryu was kicked out of his party.

The expulsion was inevitable. He was holding them back, and Ryu himself understood that.

Despite the circumstances, he still believed Kate would comfort him.

After the party's announcement in the guild-attached tavern, Ryu approached Kate, who remained behind. He told her that although things weren't going well now, he would keep trying and catch up to them eventually, asking her to wait for him.

However, Kate’s response was one of disappointment.

"Ugh, that’s so unnecessary..." she said.

"What?" Ryu asked, confused.

"I’m dating Mark, you see," she replied nonchalantly.

Mark, who had appeared out of nowhere, wrapped his arm around Kate's shoulder and said, "Sorry, Ryu." Kate leaned into Mark, her face radiating happiness.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm incompetent, it can't be helped. But even if it's not now, I'll work hard and eventually..." Ryu began, trying to explain.

"I told you, enough with that!" Kate interrupted sharply.

"Did you seriously think you could marry me when we grew up? That was just a childish whim, you know?" she continued, her voice growing colder.

Ryu, shocked by this drastic change in Kate's demeanor, was at a loss for words.

"I felt sorry for you when you became a slave. That's why I was kind to you when we met again as adventurers. Don't get the wrong idea!"

"I felt a bit guilty for not being able to help you when you were a slave, so I treated you kindly. But I don’t have any feelings for you!"

"To be blunt, I hate incompetent men," she declared.

"I knew you were incompetent since childhood, but I hoped that becoming an adventurer would make you improve a little. But nothing has changed, has it?"

"Ryu, you should just give up on being an adventurer. If you keep this up, you'll die sooner or later. I came here today to tell you this. Bye!"

She delivered these harsh words in rapid succession, then left, leaving Ryu completely dumbfounded.

A moment later, he realized that the other adventurers around him were pointing and laughing at him, and he ran out of the guild in tears, his face burning red.