Chapter 24

Since I've maintained the top spot in both the daily and weekly rankings, as promised, I'm posting the fourth chapter today (3/4).

I was currently showing the stats that had grown from drawing gacha these past few days on a piece of paper. Of course, I didn't reveal the level. It would be hard to believe that someone with these stats was only level 1. ...Maki might believe it now, but for now, I intend to keep the existence of the "Level Gacha" a secret.

I felt it was better to do so, though I'm not sure why.

"These are... Shota's stats. They're completely different from what I heard."

"Is that from Aki-san again?"

"Yes. I've known about Shota for about two years now. Well, it was one-sided, as my sister told me about you."

"R-really...?"

It's kind of embarrassing.

I wonder how she described me.

"My sister used to say this about you: 'No matter how hard he tries, he never gets results and stays weak. But he never gives up. He accepts everything and always seems to enjoy hunting slimes. He's a funny and strange guy.' And she would always proudly tell me how many monsters you defeated that day, how many magic stones you delivered. After a few days off, she would show me so many magic stones that they overflowed from the appraisal counter. Huh. At first, it was once a week, but as time went on, it became every three days, then every two days, and eventually, every day... I had to listen to it every day..."

"That... is bound to catch your attention, isn't it?"

Aki-san... how much did she brag?

It's a bit much to hear it every day!

"Hehe. So, I started thinking I wanted to meet the Shota that my sister talked about. I wondered what kind of person he was."

"Ah, what did you think when you met me...?"

"Yes, you were a very nice person!"

"Ugh!"

You're so cute it's unfair!

And your smile is blinding!!

"...Ah. Did you start thinking about meeting me about half a year ago?"

"Ah, yes! That's right. Around that time, I asked my sister to bring you to this guild."

"Oh, so that's what it was. About half a year ago, Aki suddenly started saying things like, 'You should go to other dungeons; you can earn money there too.' She usually lacks motivation, so I thought she had eaten something strange when she suddenly started giving me sales pitches."

"Hehehe."

Well, I not only thought it but also said it, and she got really sulky.

After that, I kept getting sales pitches every few days, and before I knew it, it was every day. I thought it was just her usual flattery, but maybe Aki-san wanted to fulfill her sister's request. But she couldn't force me, and she couldn't tell me the real reason, so the only thing she could do was tell me every day.

Aki-san is also awkward.

"Maki, you're loved by Aki-san, aren't you?"

"Yes, I love my sister too."

"Hehe, thank you. Well, I'll continue by telling you about my skills."

"Y-Yes!"

So, I wrote down all my skills except for the "Level Gacha." Of course, I included "Swift."

"...That's amazing. So many skills, and some of them are even stacked... Even among high-level adventurers, there are few people who can match this."

"Really?"

"Brute Strength" and "Swift." I could tell from the price of "Foreknowledge" that strong skills are extremely expensive. They might be useful, but the high price means that there are too few of them, and they don't reach the people who need them.

The branch manager also said that many people gather for "Brute Strength" auctions, so it must be rare.

"Shota, I have a few questions."

"Sure, if I can answer them."

"Shota encountered and defeated rare monsters for two consecutive days and obtained two skill orbs."

"...That's right."

"Did you aim to get them?"

"...Yes."

"..."

Maki closed her eyes, as if thinking about something.

I waited quietly until she came to a decision.

"Shota."

"Yeah."

"Please don't reveal this method yet."

"...Is that okay? I thought the guild would want this information more than anything."

"Yes, it would definitely bring in profits, and the guild master and the people above her would definitely want it. It might even reduce adventurer accidents. But this is a method you found, and it's a power that belongs to you. So, I think it's fine to reveal it when you're satisfied."

I didn't expect such an answer.

Among the secrets I carry, this is one of the most important pieces of information, second only to the "Level Gacha." I didn't think I would be told it was okay to keep it a secret.

Incidentally, the next most important thing is, of course, "Luck."

"You seem surprised."

"Indeed, I didn't expect to hear such words from you, Maki."

Maki, who cares so much about the safety of adventurers, would surely want to know this information about rare monsters, which directly affects their lives.

"Of course. Because, right now, the most important person to me is Shota. I'll do anything to keep Shota from dying."

"Maki... Thank you, that's really nice to hear."

But, you're right...

Reducing danger is always better, and if it can reduce accidents, maybe I should share that information.

"I understand Maki's feelings, but I don't want to distort your beliefs. Just as you value me, I want to value you. If keeping this a secret makes you uncomfortable, that's something I need to consider."

"Shota..."

"That's why, Maki, there's one thing I want to tell you. I don't think sharing this will harm me. Even if you think it will, I want you to disclose it without keeping it inside."

"...Understood. Please tell me."

First, I told her about the smoke that always appears when rare monsters spawn and how it behaves differently.

I explained that moving to a specific location and then having the rare monster appear from it.

"Moving mist, you say. I think there was a similar report in the headquarters' records... Please continue."

Then I told her that the mist is feared by other monsters. I wanted her to be aware of monsters fleeing or prioritizing escape over attacking people.

After explaining everything, Maki nodded deeply.

"...Shota, thank you for the valuable information. To live up to your trust, I'll do my best to protect adventurers from danger."

"I'll help in any way I can to get the information believed."

"Thank you."

She smiled, and she looked very attractive.

As I was thinking about how I was seeing many different expressions of Maki today, the wall clock chimed. It was already 7 PM.

"Ah, it's already this late. Shota, would you like to have dinner...?"

"Wh-What!? Ah... I really want to, but I'll definitely run into Aki-san. I can see the teasing coming, and since I'm not officially exclusive yet, I'll pass. But I'll take you up on that offer when I bring back an item with the 'Swift' level."

"U-Understood. I'll look forward to it."

"Sure. Ah, about what we talked about earlier, Aki-san...?"

"Yes. I'll keep it a secret."

Maki answered immediately.

I'm glad to hear that. But I know she really likes Aki-san, so she doesn't need to hold back for my sake.

"Maki... do you trust your sister? Can you be sure she won't leak it?"

"Of course. In the world, I trust... well, Shota as much as her."

When she says it to my face, I still get embarrassed.

If she trusts me this much, I should trust her too.

"Hehe, thank you. If you trust me, it's okay to tell Aki-san."

"Shota...! Thank you. I'll prepare for tomorrow! I'll work with my sister to thoroughly think it through!"

"Great, I'm looking forward to it. Don't worry about the cost. If it's not enough, I'll earn more."

"Yes! Oh, right. You bought a bento at the convenience store today, right? If you don't mind, can I make a bento for you tomorrow?"

"Really!?"

"Yes, really."

"Wow, that's great. I'm super motivated now!!"

"Hehehe."

So, I parted ways with Maki and headed home with a very bright mood.

By the way, I forgot to tell her about the stalker group...

But, it's probably fine. Maki's exclusive is almost certain, and I decided to think about more meaningful things.

Maki's future. The bento. And... hunting in the dungeon.

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