On Why Chilchuck Sticks With The Party (Dungeon Meshi Spoilers)

On why Chilchuck sticks with the party (Dungeon meshi spoilers)

So I think most people believe that Chilchuck sticks with Laios’s party after Falin gets eaten for his canonical stated reason - that he got paid up front, and needs to see things through as a result. But personally I don’t really believe that. After all, the party is now entering the dungeon on a completely different mission (to save Falin) with half their original numbers. Wouldn’t it be reasonable, even expected, to consider this a separate mission and demand separate payment as a result? I think it would be. So then why would Chilchuck, an experienced professional, go on this new, extremely dangerous mission without payment? For friendship, maybe, but I personally am of the opinion that at the beginning of the series, Chilchuck sees the others more as coworkers than friends, though this changes by the end of the series. So then, why would he go?

To answer that, we need to look at the position of half-foots in the world of dungeon meshi. Specifically, how half foots are the most disadvantaged of the human races. (Orcs and kobolds are more disadvantaged, but they’re demihumans and as a result are either ostracized or subjugated, which is a whole different issue that we’re not talking about right now). Half foots are physically the smallest and weakest race, with the shortest lifespan and second lowest mana capacity. Their only advantage is their superior senses, which while handy aren’t exactly the best for fighting against oppression. Additionally, many people see half foots as lesser, as we can gather from Chilchucks succubus bait story and other tidbits. And of those who don’t view half foots as lesser beings, many see them as being essentially children due to their appearance.

While this may not be the best comparison, I can imagine based on this that being an extremely skilled and experienced half foot would be a bit like being a black female doctor in the 1950s who graduated top of her class from Harvard Medical School. Despite your competency, you are constantly being discriminated against for something you can’t control. Top practices aren’t willing to ‘take a chance’ on you, and the only people willing to give you a shot are underperforming institutions desperate for a leg up and willing to try anything. Also, no one is willing to pay you what you’re worth and no one takes you seriously, at all. Plus, pick locking is probably one of the few industries where half foots are at least slightly respected due to their skill, meaning half foot pick locks are probably a dime a dozen, hence the need for a union. Meaning Chilchuck has to compete with tons of others in a highly competitive field for measly wages on top of everything else.

So I think this is why Chilchuck sticks with Laios. Because in the Touden party, he’s basically found a unicorn. He’s found an extremely competent, effective party, with a leader who is both willing to pay him what he’s worth and also sees him for the adult he is, as seen in the shapeshifter episode where Laios’s Chilchuck was only distinguished from the original by slightly different clothing. Granted, Chilchuck definitely sees Laios as a weirdo, as shown by his shapeshifter Laios, but he’s a weirdo that treats Chilchuck as an equal. Going back to the black doctor in the fifties comparison, it’s a bit like finding a job where you’re treated as an equal, but your boss talks obsessively about spiders and is constantly bringing chocolate covered spiders into the office to snack on. Weird, for sure, but definitely preferable to the alternative.

So in the end, I think that’s why Chilchuck really sticks with the party. Because he knows that realistically, this is the best job he’s gonna get, and it’s best he at least try to hold onto it. And also, possibly, because he feels a little bit of fondness towards the weirdo tallman who decided to give him a fair shake for once. But, that’s just my opinion. What do you all think?