Chapter 2

I don't remember the reason I was reincarnated in this world.

There must have been some reason, but since I was just a baby when I was born, my memory is hazy.

I feel like I somehow regained my previous self's consciousness before I reached the age of reason, but as a result, there are still many mysteries about the end of my previous life. Well, it doesn't really bother me since it's a mystery.

I was born in a small village between the Kingdom of Halperia and the Holy Kingdom of Sangrêal. The village apparently belonged to the Kingdom of Halperia.

The Kingdom of Halperia and the Holy Kingdom of Sangrêal have a terrible relationship and repeatedly wage war and make peace over the land near their borders.

When I was born, it was a peaceful time, but the war resumed when I was nine, and my parents died then.

Now, the complicated part is my parents.

My father was from Halperia, and my mother was from Sangrêal.

After losing my parents, I sought out relatives and visited my father's grandfather in a distant town, but he didn't treat me, a half-Sangrêal, kindly.

He probably didn't want to take in a kid with black hair and white streaks, looking like a mixed breed.

Although I wasn't physically abused, I was given some money as if it were a severance pay and kicked out.

If I were an ordinary kid, this would be a life that would end here, but unfortunately, I'm not ordinary.

By the time I was around five, I had awakened to some strange power, whether it was a reincarnation bonus or something else.

Using this power, I could get a job that would allow me to survive, even if I was a weak kid.

Personally, I would have preferred abilities like appraisal or infinite storage, but my gift was so capable that I could manage without them.

When I tell this story, it sounds like I'm a protagonist who is destined to rise to greatness.

A reincarnated orphan who lost his parents in a war and has a gift. Something is bound to happen.

No, I'm not immune to the allure of wealth, and I didn't dislike the idea of a life without family. I did aim for success.

But as I continued to live day by day in the guild, I started to think, "Maybe this is fine as it is."

Well, if I were to defeat powerful enemies, I would probably get stronger, and I wouldn't mind dreaming about a harem life.

But the question is whether I can risk my only life for that.

In fact, I don't even want to get a minor cut or bruise. I only want to do safe jobs.

For the same reason, I haven't used my knowledge cheat.

When I was in the village, I once tried to make a fortune by creating a game similar to Reversi, but it quickly became known as a game developed by the village chief's brat.

Not only that, but the brat went missing a month later.

... Now, Reversi is known as a new game created by some noble in the kingdom and has spread throughout the kingdom.

It's not that many people are enthusiastic about playing it, but it's selling well enough to be found in slightly upscale cafes.

... No, power is scary.

If you ask me if I want to use a knowledge cheat after hearing that, I would say that even if I had multiple lives, it wouldn't be enough.

"Mongrel, are you doing cleaning again?"

"Yeah."

I handed the request form to the receptionist.

The task is a menial job that even the lowest-ranked guild member can take on—city cleaning.

It doesn't pay much and isn't popular, but the contribution points increase relatively quickly.

Most importantly, cleaning isn't a particularly difficult job for me, who likes to keep things tidy.

... This city is dirty. Overall.

I really wish the roads I frequently use were cleaner.

"That's unusual... The cleaning tools are in the usual storage. Please help yourself."

"Sure thing."

City cleaning involves picking up trash, and if necessary, collecting waste.

In modern terms, if you had to choose between picking up paper on the ground and horse manure, most people would probably choose the horse manure. However, in this city, things that don't wash away with rain are treated as more problematic, so the priority is on collecting solid waste. I think it's because it directly affects the clogging of sewers.

There is a separate job for cleaning sewers, but I absolutely won't do that. It's too smelly.

"Oh, Mongrel, are you doing cleaning again? You're not injured or anything?"

"Ah, hello."

While picking up trash, I was called by an acquaintance.

The baker lady is either bored or talkative, as she often approaches me.

The more days I don't buy bread, the more she tends to approach me.

The unspoken pressure to "buy" is intense. Honestly, I wish she would stop.

"By the way, have you heard? About the knight who recently came from the capital?"

"Yeah, I heard they're coming. Some name or another. The inns must be busy, huh?"

"That's right. The innkeeper was complaining. The knight is well-bred but doesn't know how to use the room properly."

"How about the bakery? Any orders or anything?"

"Not at all! Everyone is eating at the cafeteria, and no one is buying. It's so frustrating."

"Ha ha ha."

"What are you laughing at?"

"Sorry. I'll come and buy some next time."

"Oh, that's great! I'll be looking forward to it!"

While talking to the townspeople and cleaning the city, I feel like I'm part of the community, and the city actually gets cleaner.

It's a win-win situation.

Most importantly, the image of doing a poor job. This is crucial.

People who seem to be doing well are often targeted by criminals, but no one would target a poor guy like me.

A harmless and insignificant existence to the city.

I think it's important to be perceived this way as a survival strategy.