Chapter 3

Silent pounded the ground with a thud and let out a voice that sounded like she was about to cry.

"Uu... Master... What about me is unsatisfactory..."

Nanashino, on the other hand, was unexpected to be able to stop a reroll. Indeed, the game and the real world are different. Even without a tutorial, if this keeps happening every time, rerolling would become a hassle.

I sighed and decided to be persuaded by Silent. Even if I can't get the special magic stone anymore, if this world is Abicor, there will be plenty of opportunities for summoning.

The probability may be low, but it's just a matter of increasing the number of attempts.

I spat out a loud click of my tongue, looked down at Silent, and said dismissively,

"Fine, I'll just make do with Silent for now."

"Ugh... Ah... Thank you..."

"Is Blogger... maybe... crazy?"

Indeed, to Nanashino, who didn't even know the word "reroll," those who would go to the trouble of deleting their account to get a rare character might seem crazy. This is a difference in culture... perhaps.

The first magic stone I can get is five. There's no need to go back to the ruins. Besides, you can summon a familiar anywhere as long as you have a magic stone...

By the way, there was no summoning effect... In a game, there would be an effect like turning over a trash can to mock the player. Of course, there are some differences.

Nanashino followed me out of the ruins with a tense expression, and Silent, who looked completely exhausted, trudged behind me. The initial arrogant tone was gone, and she didn't look like a Netherkind at all.

In the Abyss Calling, there are seven races of familiars that can be summoned:

Netherkind

Heavenkind

Voidkind

Dragonkind

Beastkind

Spiritkind

Otherkind

The seven races correspond to the seven moons floating in the sky. The seven pillars left in the "Ruins of the Beginning" are also related, but I don't know the details. I usually skipped the in-game story.

However, the Netherkind is famous for its excellent offensive abilities and is a race that can be used from the early to the late game. The graphics are also quite cute or stylish, and from that perspective, Silent, who looks like just a silhouette, seems quite lazy.

Nanashino stands beside me, slightly exasperated. At her feet, Iris's single rider moves nimbly.

"Um... What are we going to do now?"

"...We're heading to the city. According to the game."

Abicor has several cities, but the first city players visit is called the "Ancient City of Profondum." It has major facilities such as the Summoner's Guild, which assigns jobs to summoners, and in the game, players perform their first summoning after completing the tutorial there. It can serve as a home town from the early to the mid-game.

Following the road that extends from the "Ruins of the Beginning" will lead us to the "Ancient City of Profondum." The road is straight, so there's no need to worry about getting lost.

We trudge along, two people and two familiars, heading from the "Ruins of the Beginning" to the city.

The sky is still dark, but with seven moons out, visibility is sufficient.

As we walk, Nanashino suddenly asks,

"By the way... Silent can talk, right? My Iris can't talk."

She named it already... And "Iris" is such a lackluster name.

In the game, you could also give characters nicknames. I didn't bother, but I guess Silent can stay as Silent. It's easier that way.

"Of course, little girl! Who do you think I am!"

Hearing this, Silent shouts in indignation. Her shadowy body inflates like a balloon.

Nanashino flinches and grabs my arm, using me as a shield. Don't fight with other people's familiars.

"Well, high-rarity familiars have unique events..."

Basically, familiars are just units, but certain familiars have events that only occur if you have that character, with some dialogue. Abicor is a game with meticulous attention to detail. Some even have voice acting.

However, dialogue only occurs during events, not normally. But it seems to be different in reality.

I punch the inflated Silent and turn to Nanashino's familiar.

"Iris's single rider will be able to talk too... but you'll need to evolve it."

"R-Really!?"

Nanashino's eyes light up. ...Does she want it to talk?

Incidentally, as Iris's single rider evolves, its body grows larger, eventually reaching the size of an average human. Only then are the character's settings, which you don't really need to know, revealed.

I considered whether to mention this but decided against it because it was too much trouble.

---

The "Ancient City of Profondum" is the oldest and most open city in Abyss Calling.

The entire city is surrounded by walls, with four massive gates on each side. Although there are gates, the screening process is minimal, and Nanashino and I were able to enter the city by answering a few simple questions.

Nanashino lets out a short exclamation at the sight of the city.

"Wow... It's different from what I expected."

The world of Abyss Calling is a fantasy setting, but it's not the typical medieval world.

Even though it's called the oldest city, it's not old-fashioned.

If I had to describe the city of "Ancient City of Profondum" with my limited vocabulary, it would be a modern European-style city. Of course, I've never been to Europe, but it's clean, with paved roads and industrial products. The main difference from reality is the use of magic in addition to electricity, and the existence of fantastical flora and fauna.

Not everything from modern society is perfectly replicated, but I didn't feel much out of place.

There are no cars, but instead, there are frequent horse-drawn carriages pulled by strange four-legged creatures. I don't know their names. They don't appear as familiars, and they weren't mentioned in the game. What are they?

Anyway, the city, despite being called "ancient," doesn't look ancient at all. According to rumors among Abicor players, the developers were lazy about setting the historical background. Probably, the world setting didn't matter much... I don't care either.

"Well, medieval Europe apparently had feces scattered on the roads, but that would be a problem to depict."

"Um! ...Is Blogger lacking in tact?"

We check the map we received upon entering the city and head straight to the Summoner's Guild.

The Summoner's Guild.

It's an organization that assigns jobs to summoners. In Abyss Calling, it's the first organization players join.

At the Summoner's Guild, you can buy and sell summoner items, find mentors or apprentices, gather information, and occasionally participate in events. In the real world, summoners are not recognized unless they join the Summoner's Guild.

Since I'm familiar with Abyss Calling but not yet with this world, the Summoner's Guild is a good place to start.

Thanks to the streetlights, we can see where we're going. We soon arrive at the Summoner's Guild.

The Summoner's Guild is not a particularly large building.

However, it is much larger than a private home, but it looks smaller in comparison to the massive Mage's Guild and Warrior's Guild on either side. In the world of Abicor, summoners are a rarer profession compared to mages and warriors.

Although Abicor is a game about becoming a summoner, mages and warriors only appear occasionally as enemy or ally units. The difference in scale is clear when you see the buildings in reality.

Even though it's still night, there are quite a few people walking in front of the guild. People in fantastical armor and robes are entering and exiting the neighboring guilds.

"Wow... Wow..."

By the way, where are we going to stay...?

I think about this while Nanashino, who is completely awed by the scene, exclaims.

It wasn't mentioned in the game. My stomach is starting to hurt, and I have no money, neither real nor in-game.

Do I have to deal with these real-life complications myself? I hate taking the initiative.

With a difficult expression, the shadow at my feet speaks up.

"Master, there's no need to worry. As long as I am here, you have no enemies."

"...Yeah."

I swallowed the words, "Then you find us a place to stay, earn money, and bring me food and a magic stone." It would be pointless to say that to Silent, and I don't do pointless things. Of course, it would be pointless to say it to Nanashino as well.

For now, I suggest to the overly enthusiastic Silent,

"Silent, you're in the way. Get on my head. Can you shrink?"

"...It's easy."

Silent's body wavers and changes from half my height to the size of a mouse. She jumps up and lands on my head.

As expected, I can hardly feel Silent's weight. Since she's a shadow, it's natural, but at this size, she won't be noticeable.

I take a deep breath and push against the large door of the Summoner's Guild to open it.

---

"Our Summoner's Guild welcomes two new members."

The guild operates 24 hours a day, and we were able to register without any obstacles.

No fee was required (it wasn't required in the game either), and I was able to register my name with the guild without any trouble. Of course, this was possible because we already had familiars. Only summoners can register with the Summoner's Guild, but that's not important.

Nanashino smiles broadly and hangs the summoner's badge—a pendant with a seven-pointed star—around her neck. The pendant glitters in seven colors above her somewhat ample chest.

Female summoners are rare, and if they are beautiful, their value is even higher. Some of the male summoners nearby are glancing at her.

Maybe it's because she's Japanese, or maybe it's just her nature, but even to me, who isn't particularly perceptive, Nanashino seems defenseless.

I don't mind if she does what she wants, but I don't want her to cause me any trouble.

Nanashino, who is clearly overjoyed, asks in a casual tone,

"Hey, Blogger. Where are we going to stay tonight?"

"I'd like to sell Nanashino and use the money to stay in a fancy inn."

"...Again."

Nanashino seems a bit deflated, sensing the seriousness in my words.

I decide