Chapter 61

In this world, there exists a special ability called a "Skill."

This is different from a Gift. Like magic, it requires the consumption of magical power to activate, but it is somewhat easier to acquire than magic.

In the Holy Kingdom of Sangreal, it is said that Skills are powers bestowed by the gods. In the Kingdom of Halperia, while not as strict, it is generally accepted that Skills are techniques that humans have mastered from the divine realm. Even in Halperia, where people do not have a strong attachment to deities, the fact that Skills are often associated with "gods" indicates that they are considered special almost everywhere.

A notable feature of Skills is that the user's eyes glow when they are activated. The color of the glow varies from person to person and from Skill to Skill—red, blue, yellow, pink, and so on. This glowing phenomenon, known as "magical light," is unique to this world and is usually not very noticeable during the day.

In contrast, when magic is activated, the user's eyes do not glow; instead, the wand or hand that manipulates the magic emits light. This is one way to distinguish between Skills and magic. It's a minor detail, but it can be quite important in certain situations.

For example, if you encounter a criminal with a Skill, it's crucial to look into their eyes. If they are about to use a dangerous Skill, you can tell by the glow in their eyes, which helps you avoid a sudden and powerful attack. In prolonged battles, you can even predict their next move by the way their eyes glow. People who can't look into others' eyes, like those who are socially awkward, are likely to be targeted and killed quickly if they are attacked. Be careful!

The frequency of acquiring Skills is unclear.

It is often said that it takes about ten years to acquire one Skill, but there are stories of people who acquire one in five years and others who take fifteen years. There is a lot of individual variation, so it's hard to say definitively. As a rough estimate, in my case, having three Skills would not be unusual. However, my Skills are not particularly impressive, so they may not be a good reference.

That said, all of this applies primarily to guild members and soldiers.

Many ordinary people do not have Skills. Why? Probably because most Skills are combat-oriented.

From what I know, Skills are not acquired unless you engage in combat. Moreover, the combat must be against monsters, not animals. I think it's because you don't accumulate "experience points" or "proficiency points" unless you fight monsters. Therefore, even if you are a butcher or a farmer who slaughters animals for a living, you won't suddenly develop a Skill. It seems that only by fighting uncontrollable monsters can you gain the necessary experience to acquire a Skill. Probably.

As a result, there are no Skills that are useful for daily life.

There are no Skills for blacksmithing or woodworking. Personally, I think the world would be more peaceful if such Skills existed... but then again, it might become a world dominated by violent people. I'm not sure.

Skills are combat-oriented, but there are various types.

Swords, daggers, clubs, spears, bows, blunt weapons, shields, hand-to-hand combat, and support skills... there is a list of Skill names and effects in the guild's library, which is quite interesting to read in your free time. Since you might end up fighting someone with a Skill at some point, it's important to familiarize yourself with them as soon as possible. I'm the type who likes to read strategy guides even for games I don't play, so I quickly memorized the information after joining the guild. However, there are many Skills that are not listed in the books, so it's impossible to learn them all. It's important to be prepared for any Skill your opponent might use.

These Skills are said to increase in proficiency when you use the corresponding weapon in combat.

Once you reach a certain level of proficiency, the name and activation method of the Skill will flash in your mind. For example, if you use swords for a long time, you might learn "Strong Slash," and if you use a shield, you might learn "Shield Bash." If you keep switching weapons and trying to learn a variety of Skills, it will be very difficult. Even if you are versatile, you will end up limiting your combat options. In this world, there are no Skills or Gifts that allow you to carry an infinite number of weapons, so no one carries all kinds of weapons.

To acquire Skills, you need to focus on a specific type of weapon and use it in combat.

...This method of increasing proficiency and growing is very game-like.

To be honest, I have often suspected that this world is some kind of game, but if it is, it lacks a certain flair.

The kind of flair and story that is characteristic of fantasy worlds... there are monsters and even dragons, but they are not the strongest species. The strongest monster in Halperia is a lion. It's strong, but... the strongest monster in Sangreal is a giant jellyfish. Is it really that strong? If this world were based on a game, it would be completely unexciting.

There is also an intelligent species called "demons" on another continent, who once tried to fight humans... but because their diets are so different, they cannot eat each other's crops, and they cannot grow their own crops on the other continent. As a result, they now have a limited trading relationship. Humans are always fighting among themselves, and the demon continent has its own powerful monsters, so they are not in a peaceful enough state to involve themselves with distant humans. Despite the grand world setting, nothing really happens. And the demon continent is so far away that ships often sink. It's a new land with no real appeal.

There are also elves, a fantasy staple with long ears, but they don't have particularly long lifespans... maybe 20 years longer than humans... it feels like the difference is just due to diet or something. They don't live in forests, they don't only eat vegetables, they're not especially skilled with bows, and they don't have a lot of magical power. What are you guys? Sometimes you see elves as merchants, but they don't receive much attention as a race and are often treated as if they don't exist. In fact, their long ears are sometimes treated oddly, and they are less popular in appearance than ordinary humans. I've never seen elves treated so poorly before.

This world is game-like in some ways, but not in others.

What is this world based on? Is there a god? Is my reincarnation related to it?

Are there multiple reincarnated individuals? Have there been similar people in the past?

Is there a god? If there is, what is their purpose?

Is this world a pure fantasy world? A different planet in another galaxy? A game? A light novel? An anime? A manga? A web novel?

If it is some kind of work, am I the protagonist? A minor character? If my popularity determines whether the story continues, will this world suddenly end if it is cut off...?

"...The rain doesn't seem to be stopping."

It's raining outside.

When I'm relaxing at an inn, I tend to think about a lot of things.

These are thoughts that I should keep to myself and never discuss with anyone.

Outside the window, a guard in a cloak is hurrying towards the barracks.

Just another passerby. A city guard.

But he has a name, a life with a few decades of depth, and it will continue for a few more decades.

This is not a fabricated existence, not something that can be fully described in an anime or manga. It is not a trivial thing that can be dismissed as a minor character. Even if this world is based on some foundation, the reality of it is not something that can be ignored. At the very least, I can't bring myself to beat up a random thug without hesitation.

"...An anime, huh?"

If this world were an anime. And if I were a character in it.

"Who would voice me...?"

If that were the case, I would want a veteran voice actor to do my voice. Someone whose voice alone can make a character popular, someone with a calm and slightly gravelly voice. And I would want to be designed as a handsome character. I would be happy if my bastard sword could be a bit shinier.

I'll leave it to you, production studio. And to the veteran voice actor I haven't met yet...

And then, if I become popular. If I rank high in popularity polls and get more screen time and special treatment. At least, I would want to secure a position where I don't get killed off casually halfway through.

And maybe I would become a teacher in a school in the current world, or something like that.

So... so, please let me live in that world.

Even a spin-off that doesn't become very popular would be fine... I'm asking you.