Chapter 8

"Yamagata Kosei. I came from Kuritsu Middle School. Nice to meet you..."

Heh heh heh. It's over. I can't do anything bad, after all.

Sitting in my seat, with a heart as white as ash, I was numbly savoring the meaning of the word 'divine punishment.'

That handsome senior explorer, Sekiguchi-kun's self-introduction made it impossible for me to say that I was an explorer.

More handsome than me? More experienced? And a capable explorer?

How could I possibly have the nerve to promote myself as an explorer after someone like that? I've only been an explorer for two days, just two days. I haven't even lasted three days.

In the end, I couldn't do anything and just gave a safe greeting. I vowed to live these three years quietly, plainly, and like a weed growing in the shade.

Yeah... When I think about it, it was reckless for a shut-in like me to try to make a high school debut with just a self-introduction. Maybe being doused with cold water was for the best.

Thank you, Sekiguchi-kun. Your cold water, which was icy, hurt like hell.

"Hey, Yamagata, isn't it amazing that there's an explorer here at this high school? I didn't expect that!"

"Huh? Ah, yeah, sure."

Homeroom was over, and school was half-day today, so it was after school.

As I was getting ready to leave, Matsuda-kun came up to me. Of course, the topic was about the explorer, but not me—Sekiguchi-kun.

Everyone in the class was talking about Sekiguchi-kun. The man himself was already surrounded by girls, flashing his cool, handsome smile. It was something else.

"Really, it's amazing."

"I wish I were an explorer. I could have been like that, right? So cool~"

"...Yeah."

I don't think you could have. Even if you could, you'd just end up feeling inferior to him, just like me.

After saying goodbye to Matsuda-kun, I hurriedly headed home. I tried to act like nothing was wrong, but inside, I was filled with selfish feelings of inferiority.

I didn't hear that there would be a cool, experienced, and confident explorer in my class... I feel so pathetic for getting so excited. Yeah, I'm just a useless explorer who can't even use weapons. My skills are so bad, I can't even brag about them. Why are they so poetic? Damn it.

In a fit of frustration, I displayed my status.

"Status"

Name: Yamagata Kosei

Level: 3

Title: One Who Hasn't Noticed the Glow

Skill:

Name: Walking Through a Desert Where Not Even the Wind Blows

"...Huh?"

What? The title changed again? I haven't even explored a dungeon yet?

I've never heard of a title changing during daily life. Trembling, I pointed at the title with a shaking finger.

The details appeared, and it read:

Title: One Who Hasn't Noticed the Glow

Explanation: The world will soon realize that the true glow is here.

Effect: When leveling up, all abilities receive a growth bonus.

[Title 'One Who Hasn't Noticed the Glow' confirmed as the world's first acquisition]

[First acquisition bonus approved. All base abilities will be raised by one level]

[...It is foolish for a soaring dragon to envy a worm crawling on the ground. The world will soon notice you]

"Who are you!? That's scary!?"

I couldn't help but shout. I could see my classmates, who were nearby, staring at me in shock. Still, I was getting goosebumps from the abnormality of the situation.

What is this?

The title, the status system, something on the other side is clearly trying to make me do something. It's expecting something from me.

If taken at face value, this is encouragement. It's also a comfort, or perhaps even a prophecy. The world will soon notice me? I don't understand what that means, but at the very least, it seems to be trying to discourage me from envying Sekiguchi-kun.

What is this?

I forced my confused mind to stay calm. Maybe even the skill 'Walking Through a Desert Where Not Even the Wind Blows' was activated. I was in a mental battle.

By banning weapons, discouraging jealousy, and interfering with me, what is the something on the other side of the system—let's call it System-san—trying to achieve? Its intentions are so unclear that it's honestly scary.

Even a monkey would know who's making it dance on whose palm. This makes me feel like I'm even lower than that. The illusion of being manipulated makes me feel a strong sense of rebellion.

No, I can't do this alone. I might lose my cool.

I called Mido-san, trying to stay calm and knowing it was a pathetic thing to do.

"Yes, this is Mido. Is something wrong, Kosei-kun? I can come to you anytime."

"You answered so quickly without even one ring!? Ah, no, I'm fine. Sorry, I just need some advice."

The call connected at a speed that would be impossible unless he was on standby. What is this guy? Even though I'm relying on him, the fact that he and System-san are in sync is scary.

Anyway, I told him that my title had just changed, and that the system was clearly interfering with me with some intention.

Mido-san must have sensed that I was half-panicking. He calmly and slowly said in a soothing voice:

"I'll come to pick you up now. We'll talk in detail at the guild headquarters with Director Hirose. Don't worry, I'll always be on your side no matter what happens."

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