Chapter 6: I Was Never Happy Teaming Up With You
Peiya didn’t sleep well at all. When she woke up in the morning, she still felt dizzy and tired, like she hadn’t slept enough.
She kept dreaming about the past. In her dreams, Anna was still blaming her.
“Can’t you even do something this simple? You don’t deserve to play his role.”
The constant scolding over the past days had almost made her mentally unstable.
Back when she was in the guild, she often worked night shifts. While the other team members slept, Peiya would stay outside and keep watch.
She would use that time to study their weapons and think about how to fight monsters the next day. It wasn’t because she liked being treated this way. She simply couldn’t afford such good equipment.
So she could only study the tools her teammates had already used while they were sleeping.
Every time they went on a mission, Peiya would carefully calculate how to use each potion, trying to save some for research or to make emergency items.
Several times, it was these backup resources that helped them escape from continuous monster attacks.
And this habit had continued until now.
Peiya stretched, got up, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and then walked toward the guild.
She knew going there would probably be unpleasant, but many of her personal belongings were still there. If she didn’t take them now, she might never get the chance again.
She picked up her bag and opened the door, but then froze for a moment. She suddenly realized that her current appearance was too feminine. If her teammates saw her like this, they would definitely be shocked.
So she quickly disguised herself, putting on her usual clothes, tying up her hair, and wearing a mask.
After making sure everything was ready, she entered the guild hall. As soon as she stepped in, she heard a familiar voice.
“He really came.”
“This is going to be interesting.”
“He’s just a stray dog. Nothing to worry about.”
When Peiya walked in, the voices suddenly became quieter.
“Peiya, you’re here. But your contract is about to end. Why haven’t you prepared to renew it?”
The tone was mocking and full of contempt. It was clearly meant to provoke her.
“I know,” Peiya replied calmly, lowering her voice and keeping it steady, trying not to reveal her identity. Her tone was cold but controlled.
Her teammates looked a bit confused. Why did Peiya’s voice sound so strange today?
But then they thought about Anna. Losing such a powerful supporter must be devastating.
He probably cried so much that his voice changed.
Thinking of this, they felt a bit pleased. Early this morning, they had received Anna’s order, to “teach Peiya a lesson” and let him know what happens when he drags the team down.
“Peiya, honestly, you’ve worked quite hard recently. But you offended the boss, so don’t blame me for being ruthless. How about this, I have another guild under my name. If you’re having trouble living, you can join it for now and earn some income…”
“...The pay isn’t much, but it’s stable. You’re alone now, and since you came from our guild, who else would dare take you? Besides, we all enjoy adventuring with you. Come back. Be a man. Didn’t we say we’d form a team for life?”
The vice-captain of the team, Stella, spoke without much of a smile. Her short brown hair rested on her shoulders, and her silver armor covered her chest.
She held the handle of a greatsword with one hand. Her amber eyes were full of mockery, and her movements carried the pride of a noble knight.
Go back?
Peiya found it a bit ridiculous. She knew exactly what they were planning, this was most likely connected to Anna.
But she didn’t get angry. When she signed the contract before, she had already thought about leaving one day, to avoid unnecessary conflict.
So from the beginning, Peiya chose a contract job. When the time was up, it would end automatically. No trouble, no debts chasing after her.
“Oh? What’s the benefit of staying?”
“Benefit?”
Lisa, the purple-haired girl sitting across from her, frowned. She wore a black-and-white battle dress, her long purple ponytail tied high, her tone full of arrogance.
As she spoke, she slammed one hand on the table.
“When you took so many things from us before, did you ever think about giving us anything in return? Letting you stay already took us a lot of effort. Do you know how much the vice-captain said to try to keep you? If you’re so capable, go apologize to Anna yourself. Everyone, let’s go, we won’t care about you anymore.”
Peiya looked at Lisa. This fence-sitter hadn’t changed at all.
As for the vice-captain Stella begging for her?
Was that even possible?
It was just one playing the bad role and one playing the good role, trying to force her to stay and keep working for them.
“So I should thank you?”
Peiya let out a cold laugh. Her voice felt like ice, making everyone shiver. They didn’t even notice that her voice was starting to change.
“Of course. Alright, stop being stubborn and come back. We still have a mission today.”
Lisa threw the contract toward her, looking impatient. She really didn’t understand why they had to waste so much time talking to this person.
She still needed to fix her makeup later, what a waste of time.
“Who said I’m renewing it? Find someone else. I’m done.”
Peiya picked up the contract and tore it in half. The clear ripping sound shocked everyone.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
That was an offer from the strongest guild, something people would do anything to get.
And she just tore it apart.
“Are you crazy?!”
Lisa held back her anger, still keeping some control and not standing up.
She forced her expression to look like she cared about talent.
Peiya let out a breath. At first, she wanted to talk calmly. After all, they had once been teammates.
It would be better to part on good terms. But she didn’t expect them to be this unreasonable.
They hadn’t even paid her fully, and now they were blaming her first. On top of that, they wanted to lower her pay and still keep her.
Why did they get all the advantages?
“You act like you really want me to stay.”
“Fine. Then don’t regret it later.”
“Of course I’ll regret it, regret not leaving sooner. I have never once felt happy being on a team with you.”
Lisa clenched her fists. This was the first time Peiya had dared to speak to her like this.
When she came back crying later, Lisa wouldn’t show any mercy.
“Good, very good. Acting so arrogant now. Just like the boss said, you’re nothing but low-class trash. If you have the ability, then leave and never come back. Once you leave this team, don’t even think about returning.”
“Really? That sounds great.”
“What kind of attitude is that? I’m talking to you—hey, stop right there!”
Lisa chased after her, but Peiya ignored them. She returned to her room, planning to leave as soon as she finished packing.
Staying here even one more second felt unbearable.
Peiya didn’t have many belongings, mostly her old research notes from past missions.
That was actually her main reason for coming today.
Those notes contained many of her personal findings and alchemy results. In terms of value, they were worth more than her so-called “top-tier” teammates.
Lisa watched Peiya calmly packing her things and stomped her foot in anger. This girl had really grown bold, she even dared to ignore her now.
Seeing that Peiya was about to leave, Lisa stepped forward and said,
“Stop. You’re taking so many things without saying anything. How do we know you’re not taking our secrets? Let me check your bag.”