Chapter 40

While walking towards the Adventurer's Guild, I checked my skills to pass the time.

"Initiate Self-Recognition"

As usual, a board appeared in my field of vision.

◇Skill Information◇

『Scholar』

『Recognition』

『Acquisition』

『Stealth』 0.16

『Bravery』 1.00

『Common Language of the Fuar Continent (Conversation)』 0.29

『Common Language of the Fuar Continent (Reading)』 0.07

『Common Language of the Fuar Continent (Writing)』 0.01

『Spear Technique』 0.18

『Vigilance』 0.35

『Prayer』 1.60

『Ritual Control』 1.14

『Attribute Control (Wind)』 1.37

『Attribute Control (Water)』 0.36

Hmm, they're all gradually increasing. Probably from the slime and the subsequent events.

The increase in 『Prayer』 is abnormal, but if I was talking directly to a god, it makes sense.

The ritual-related skills haven't increased as much as I thought. The wolf-like creature's part was assisted by the god, so it wasn't really due to my own improvement.

What? There's something new. 『Attribute Control (Water)』... from the slime, I guess. There was no report.

<Notice. At the time, the mental environment was severely disrupted, leading to unstable reception. There is a possibility that the report did not reach correctly.>

Ah, that's why. The 『Scholar』 teacher also calmed down after that.

<Notice. For the guarantee of communication integrity, an appropriate reception environment on your side is necessary.>

Indeed, I was almost collapsing from overexertion. I don't think I received anything at that time.

I understand the situation. Well, I can check it later, so it's not a problem.

In that sense, it might be troublesome to report too frequently. I'd like to adjust the frequency.

<Notice. In the future, reports will be triggered by new acquisitions and increases to the ones place.>

As expected, the 『Scholar』 teacher is quick to respond.

By the way, from the name "proficiency," it seems like it can decrease as well as increase.

<Explanation. Proficiency indicates how much you have mastered relative to the standard value. Therefore, if you forget the content or operation, it will decrease.>

I see. So, it's not good to be too broad and shallow.

<Explanation. Generally, living beings maintain specialized skill sets for their roles. It is more efficient to improve the required skill set for a role.>

So, Hartheis' specialization in 『Stealth』, 『Vigilance』, 『Dagger Technique』, and 『Throwing Dagger Technique』 has a meaning.

I thought he had fewer skills for a veteran, but it's for living as a scout.

"Cancel Self-Recognition"

While glancing at the board sinking, I looked up at the Adventurer's Guild building.

First, I'll talk to Hartheis.

Inside the building, it was quite crowded, probably because it was early in the morning.

The registration clerk was free, so I called her and asked her to summon Hartheis.

He seemed to be inside, and soon disappeared to the back. Shortly after, Hartheis appeared.

"Good morning. Thank you for your help the other day."

I was shaken up and down with a firm handshake. I thought he was more calm, but maybe he's a passionate person. He is extremely grateful.

The details of the retreat were almost the same as what I heard from Liz.

Thanks to Hartheis' use of 『Vigilance』, they managed to escape without any encounters.

Once they reached the village, the guild in the lord's town sent fast horses and wagons, and the audience was quickly arranged.

The town guild sent fast horses to check the surrounding areas, but there were no reports of wolf-like creatures, so it was recognized as a new species.

"The fur is very fine and strong. Most importantly, the size and the fact that it's a new species earned a very high evaluation."

The town guild determined it had high commercial value, and the audience was granted and reported.

Since the Northern Forest is within the viscount's territory, he was very pleased and an unusual reward was granted.

"The reward is 1 million wyr. It's about the annual income of a farmer. This will be split among the discoverers, excluding Hartheis."

Regarding Hartheis, since the guild is still auditing, it will be considered part of his job.

Since the discovery of a new species is the reason for the reward, there are no complaints. In fact, it's unexpected income.

"Here is the completion fee and reward from Deed and the others."

I received 140,000 wyr for this case and 250,000 wyr as a reward, totaling 390,000 wyr. I had never seen 100,000 wyr gold coins before. I carefully put them in a pouch.

"The creature has been named Dire Wolf."

This is probably a translation. It was the largest wolf in history on Earth, so it makes sense.

"Normally, an 8th-grade party is suitable for hunting creatures that form packs. However, considering the size of the pack, it is judged that even a 7th-grade party would find it difficult."

I learned that a party is minimally composed of a front-liner, a back-liner, and a support or scout for the front-liner.

Indeed, with the front-liner holding them off and the back-liner finishing them off, while the support or scout keeps watch, three people are necessary.

In fact, a 7th-grade party couldn't even lay a hand on them. This fact is clearly reported.

"For a 6th-grade party, it is assumed that they would face a larger pack, so it will be treated as a 6th-grade task."

Guard duty is generally a 7th-grade task, which is based on the assumption of a party.

Indeed, it's impossible to guard alone without a replacement.

A 6th-grade task assumes at least two parties. I need to find five people before reaching that level. It's tough for someone with social anxiety. Is there a bar where I can register companions?

"All the discoverers have confirmed your slaying of the Dire Wolves. As a special case, we will add 35 Dire Wolves to your completion count. However, this will be added when you reach 10th grade."

I killed one, and 34 more. Indeed, 35. The guild's business is based on contracts, so there are generally no retroactive rewards.

"The viscount has ordered that you be rewarded for bringing back a discovery that will enrich the territory."

Wow. As expected of a person in power. They can bend contracts. Well, it's just the completion count, so the guild won't have to pay much. My evaluation will be slightly unfairly high, but I'll accept it quietly.

"Adding 30 from the previous contract and 35 from this special case, totaling 65, to your current 10th-grade completion count."

I was sure I had exceeded 80, so will my grade go up?

"By the way, what happens to the remainder when your grade goes up? Is it rounded down?"

"When your grade goes up, past requests are reviewed. The completion count within the new grade is added."

Ah, that's why you looked apologetic. 35 completions for 6th grade is quite significant. I finally understand.

"Is there an exam? What does it involve?"

"For 9th grade, it involves an audit and slaying creatures like goblins. Since you already have the experience, it is waived."

Indeed, I have already slain goblins, and with the Dire Wolves, the experience is more than enough.

The reading device shows the request for this case and a new one that seems to have been created.

"Congratulations. You are now 9th grade with 48 completions."

Hartheis shook my hand happily.

While shaking his hand, I thought to myself,

What about the party?

This was the reality faced by a 35-year-old, middle-aged, socially awkward salaryman.