I, the “Clock User”, Was Kicked Out of the Craftsmen’s Guild for Being Incompetent, but at the Dungeon’s Depths, I Awakened My True Power – Even Though I Was Told to Return Because They Couldn’t Handle the Work, It’s Too Late Now, and I Will Live Freely as an SSS-class Adventurer V10C9

Translated by Hamster

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### Volume 10: Reunion

**09: Same, Yet Different**

Reflecting on his past self calmed Cyclo down somewhat. After taking a deep breath, he questioned Row again.

"...So, what was your plan? Expelling and discriminating against those with job skills. What was the purpose of using the Artisans' Guild however you wanted?"

By confronting Row once more, Cyclo was trying to resolve the old grudges. Not just harboring resentment for being betrayed, abandoned, and expelled, but seeking his own meaning in it.

"Because you don't understand! I wanted to change it! To return those incompetent job skill holders, who were unfairly privileged, to their rightful place!"

In essence, Row was rebelling against the system that favored job skill holders. He wanted to reverse the roles with those who had general skills, forcibly breaking an unjust hierarchy.

"But you failed, didn't you? You went too far with your whims."

"What's wrong with that!? Gold! Power! All should belong to the truly superior—me! Who else could have changed things!? How could you get rid of incompetent ones like you without me?!"

There was arrogance in his words. The belief that only he could do it, that only he was right, must have clouded Row's judgment, Cyclo thought, speaking up.

"Anyone could have done it. Any method would have worked, but not by force like you did. If it wasn't your way, things could have changed gradually."

"Don't lie! Are you telling me to wait?! While you look down on me now!!"

Indeed, Cyclo thought. To Row, words from Cyclo, who was once privileged as a job skill holder, must have sounded like naive talk from someone ignorant of reality.

"I...wanted to change! I wanted to gain! For that, I had to do what I did!! I had to create a world where those with general skills reign! Eventually, everyone would recognize the value of general skills—"

"People don't change with such a system! If you really wanted change, you should have confronted us job skill holders, not society or an unfair system!"

"You, who rejected me, say that?!?!"

Row struggled to free himself from Cyclo's grip, but couldn't escape due to the status difference.

Perhaps Row had been rejected by someone else, not Cyclo. He must have tried to talk with job skill holders in the past and was denied, and that anger was now directed at Cyclo.

Considering this, Cyclo shook his head.

"I don't know how many times you've been denied, but that's why you shouldn't have given up."

"Lies!"

"You shouldn't give up until you can hear those lies. That's how you change people."

Cyclo thought of those who had changed him—his party members like Mist, Karim, and Alice, not just them, but also the people he met in Northfolia.

Even when Cyclo had an attitude of rejecting others, there were many who did not abandon him. It might have been out of kindness or because he had some utility. But they didn't cut ties. Thanks to them, Cyclo could now pursue his goals.

If those like Deimos, the lord of Northfolia, or Guan, the Guild Master, had given up on him, he wouldn't have returned to the capital for his knighting.

Realizing this, Cyclo thought that perhaps Row never had someone like that. Maybe this was the result of being continuously abandoned.

"...If you truly want to do something about the discrimination caused by skill disparity—"

Maybe offering a helping hand would be okay. Just as Cyclo was about to say this...

"—That's enough, Cyclo Owen!!"

A voice echoed through the area.

Turning towards the voice, Cyclo saw a youth who looked much like Row, accompanied by several thugs from the slums. Likely... Kou Shortock, Row's son.

"...! Kou! Kill him!!"

"Killing him would be a waste, Dad. Since he's a job skill holder, he should fetch a good price."

Kou and the thugs slowly approached Cyclo.

The sympathy Cyclo had felt earlier vanished. Glaring at Kou, he released Row to prepare for battle.

Row rushed to Kou and the thugs, hiding behind them.

"...What's your plan?"

When Cyclo asked, Kou laughed.

"Ha, it's obvious. We're going to sell you off to the slave traders."

"Illegal slavery... Not your first time, huh?"

"Of course. Job skill holders sell for a high price. They'll be our ticket to climb back up!"

I see, Cyclo thought, these guys are different.

Even if he hit rock bottom, he wouldn't become as vile as them. Nor would he want to.

"So, you're after me now?"

"Your insight is commendable! —From what I see, you're doing okay as an adventurer, but a ClockUser like you is nothing special. We're an elite group of former adventurers! You have no chance, Cyclo!"

"Hmph. Begging for a chance to win? How low you've fallen."

"...! Get him!!"

At Kou's command, the thugs attacked Cyclo.

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