Chapter 16

Interrogation? Inquiry? Investigation? Anyway, their questions to me continue.

"Can you tell me how the points are distributed, to the best of your memory?"

"......There are seven types of elemental magic: wind, earth, water, fire, light, holy, and darkness. There are six types of weapon skills: sword, axe, spear, bow, staff, and shield. And there are many abilities..."

I try to recall as much as I can... well.

I take out a notepad and start writing down the magic, skills, and abilities I can remember. Well, I actually don't remember the abilities at all.

I hesitated a bit about the production skills because I remember what they are, but my memory is a bit fuzzy.

"Hmm..."

"Figures."

"Um?"

"Yeah. I'll explain later. How about the distribution?"

Did I write something strange...? I'm not lying, right? I can tell because I'm emitting a blue light.

But, something is bothering me. I don't know what it is, though.

"The points vary by level: 10 for LV1, 20 for LV2, 30 for LV3, 50 for LV4, 70 for LV5, 90 for LV6, 120 for LV7, 150 for LV8, 180 for LV9, and 220 for LV10. I first put 150 points into the second tier of the unique skill, <Intuition>. Then, I took water, light, and holy magic at LV1, and also took a combination of them. For skills, I took swordsmanship at LV1, unarmed combat at LV3, and alchemy, synthesis, and enchantment at LV1. I also took <Blessing>."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes... um?"

Yeah, that's all... I was asked to double-check, but I didn't make any mistakes. I confirmed my status, and nothing was missing. The only things I remember are what I learned after coming to this world.

"If your explanation is correct, the total points used only add up to 270. You're 30 points short, right?"

"Huh? But... I'm sure I used all 300 points..."

Indeed... 150 + 120 only adds up to 270.

But, I definitely didn't leave any points unused. Unlike money, you can't redistribute points later, so I must have used them...

I don't remember.

I must have allocated points to something and then forgotten. I can't recall what it was. What could it be...? What did I allocate points to? There must be something...

Hmm? Now that I think about it, why did I take <Blessing>? I don't remember taking it, unlike the others.

"Hmm. Actually, we received a report from Leonis that no more foreigners would be coming. Yesterday at noon, we offered free adventurer registration to those outside the town, on the condition that they report all their statuses and skills. We had them appraised and confirmed their skills and abilities. However, some of them had special magic or skills that others didn't have."

"Um? Wasn't it the same condition for everyone...?"

"Well, if you didn't know, we couldn't have known either. But, it doesn't seem like you're lying."

"Right..."

I'm not lying. It would be troublesome to be suspected of lying over something like this. But, I can't trust my own memory.

Not only do I not remember some points, but... I didn't object to coming to this world.

I should have had a family, but I didn't feel any longing or sadness. Even now, I can't remember my family. And then, the mysterious headache.

"Is there something that's bothering you?"

"No... I'm starting to lose track of myself... I even wonder why I decided to live in this world... I was an adult, so changing my life should have been a hassle... I feel like something is off about myself..."

I don't understand myself.

I don't know what to believe... I've lost my sense of direction.

Why did I accept coming to this world?

While enduring the throbbing pain in my head, I think and think... but I can't find an answer.

"Are you going to live in this world?"

"Yes. I chose my abilities to survive. I took <Intuition> to detect danger, unarmed combat to fight without weapons, and water and healing magic to increase my chances of survival. I also chose alchemy and synthesis to have a skill for daily life. ...In a white world, I instinctively knew I couldn't return to my original world... but I didn't want to die..."

That's right. I had a desire to live.

Even though I don't remember why... I know I died in the previous world. I don't know why, but...

While touching my head... I reconsider that I need to live in this world more than in the previous one.

The pain seems to have eased a little.

"Hmm. I see you have your reasons. Well, from my perspective, you're the most unusual one."

"Huh?"

"That's right."

The two of them nod and look at me.

I don't remember doing anything strange, but maybe I'm different from the other foreigners.

I don't understand why I have to be told this.

"You don't need to be so defensive. You're normal. You think for yourself and take responsibility for your actions. You have the resolve to live in this world."

"...As an adult, I can't keep being a burden. I need to do what I can, earn money, and live a normal life."

"That's right. But, there are those who are not. They complain that our help was 'too late' and think they deserve special treatment."

"..."

In other words... we accepted the foreigners as adventurers, but instead of being grateful, they were angry. They lack self-awareness, making it difficult to deal with them.

Some might have caused problems from the first day, leading to disciplinary action. Since my situation is known, they probably came to assess me personally...

"Miss, we also want information on the foreigners. You seem trustworthy. Would you be willing to make a deal?"

"Please tell me the conditions."

It doesn't seem like a bad deal... but I don't know much about the foreigners.

Still, I couldn't refuse.

What kind of deal is this...?

I feel a bit of relief from the chill and stare at the smiling young man, but he just smiles back.

"Right. My conditions are four. First, don't lie to us. If you can't say something, just tell us. I won't use artifacts anymore, but I can't work with false information. Second, don't reveal that you're a foreigner. This is also to protect you. You won't be able to use the privileges of a foreigner, but..."

"I don't mind."

"Right. Third, don't transfer from the Adventurer's Guild to another guild. I'd be in trouble if you joined the Alchemist's Guild. Fourth, become a collaborator with the Adventurer's Guild leader Joseph and Raz here."

"......What exactly does being a collaborator entail?"

"I'll tell you after we sign the contract. Oh, as a reward for being a collaborator, how about we prepare a household registration for you in this world? It would also serve as proof that you're not a foreigner."

Collaborator. Joseph and Raz... no, let's call him Lord Raz. Something feels off. These are separate contracts, right?

Not lying.

I understand that mixing lies into reports would be problematic. If I can't say something, that's fine. Lying would damage trust. There might be some white lies to smooth things over, but since the relationship is more like that of a superior and subordinate, lying in reports would make it unworkable.

Not revealing that I'm a foreigner. That's fine.

In fact, revealing it wouldn't be beneficial in the current situation. I don't think being a foreigner means being a comrade, so it's fine. I value my own safety. But... there's a possibility that some people already know... so I need to think about my backstory a bit.

Not transferring from the Adventurer's Guild. That's fine too.

I have no complaints about being in the Adventurer's Guild. I fought alone today, but I could fight normally. Even with many monsters, I could handle it properly and felt safe as long as I didn't take unnecessary risks.

Synthesis is interesting, but when I heard the prices of the materials... I think it's easier to gather them myself. Asking adventurers to bring materials that I can't use... it would make my stomach hurt. It's better to gather and synthesize materials myself for a more comfortable life.

Becoming a collaborator.

What this will entail for me... I'm scared that they won't tell me until we sign the contract.

But... on the other hand, becoming a collaborator means I might be protected.

However... in the end, I can't refuse.

"......I understand. I'll sign the contract. However, if you ask me to do something that goes against humanity, like killing people, I won't cooperate. What would happen in that case?"

"Right. You're not a slave, so we can't force you to do anything. The goal is mutual cooperation and not to be enemies. We won't ask you to do anything inhumane. We might ask for information and, in return, provide information... but we'll explain and request your cooperation with your understanding. We'll also pay you for each task."

"I don't have any requests for now. In the future, it might change, but it would be inefficient to force someone who doesn't want to cooperate. For synthesis, I'd like you to train under Pamela as her disciple."

Synthesis, huh. I think this is sincere. I heard she doesn't have any disciples, so she wants to pass on her recipes.

I don't mind since it aligns with my goals. Being Pamela's disciple... that's a big deal. She's a remarkable person.

"I understand."

"Then, sign this paper and let some blood."

"......Done."

I usually read contracts carefully, but here, I have to follow their conditions, so I glanced through it and signed since it matched the explanation.

There are two copies, one for the contract with Joseph and one for Lord Raz. Additionally, there's a clause about becoming a member of the kingdom.

The contract can't be broken without mutual consent, which is scary. But, considering my safety in this world, it's a great deal.

Our interests don't align... yet.

For now, it's very advantageous for me. It feels suspicious that the one who proposed it is at a disadvantage, so there must be some benefit for them that I haven't noticed.

Still... I can't do anything about what I don't understand. Now that I've signed the contract, I'll be careful not to damage trust.

"Sorry. Now, I have something to tell you... There's a reason we chose you as a collaborator. ...But, I can't tell you now, so let's go back to the topic of the foreigners. First, through appraisal, we confirmed that about 70% of the foreigners have the ability <Fortune> or <Fate>. We also confirmed this verbally, but they don't seem to be aware of it."

"Fortune... Fate... those are unique skills, right?"

They were lucky, I think.

I was curious because it was about luck, but Fate, which is about destiny, didn't interest me at all.

But, 70% of them have it? That's impossible, right?

For me, it was about wanting better luck. But, I can't imagine that many people wanting better luck. It's hard to believe that they would take a mysterious unique skill on purpose.

"Do you know what kind of ability it is?"

"No, as I mentioned earlier, there was no explanation for unique skills, magic, or abilities... I chose based on my own assumptions. Once chosen, you can't undo it, so I chose without knowing the details. ...I remember that <Fortune> was displayed above <Luck>, but I didn't want to take it."

"There are others who don't have <Fortune>. The common point is that they have 300 points and a unique skill. Those with <Fortune> and <Fate> remember allocating something, but they don't remember using specific points."

In other words... 70% have fuzzy memories?

When we came to this town, there were about 20 people, right? Even if more have come since then... maybe 30.

So, if 30% don't have the information, that's only 7 or 8 people?

"...You mean they don't remember?"

"Yes. It's not a memory problem; they simply don't remember."

"...Like me not remembering 30 points?"

"Yes. They didn't feel anything was off until it was pointed out, and even then, they don't remember."

"It's troublesome because they don't want to be appraised if they don't have <Fortune>."

Huh?

If they know they don't have it, they must have been appraised, right? What do you mean?

"What do you mean?"

"With consent, appraisal can reveal detailed information. But, even without consent, if there's a difference in ability values, some information can be obtained."

"We appraised them without their consent first, especially for abilities... unique skills."

The most important thing is the unique skill.

Probably... you can have multiple. If we take the guild leader's words at face value, having multiple is not impossible.

We confirmed this and found that they have the mysterious skill <Fortune>... that's what it means, right?

"...So, unique skills are important? What about skills and magic?"

"Yes. First, as a premise, we investigated the abilities of the foreigners in prison. We confirmed that they have abilities and skills that shouldn't be possible at the initial level. High-level skills and magic at the initial level are also a threat, but unique skills are even more so. We can't let them realize they've been appraised, so we do it secretly. Of course, for those who agree to be appraised, we confirm their skills and magic in more detail... According to your story, you could freely choose unique skills, right? It's also puzzling why everyone chose the same ones."

Indeed, it would be impossible to appraise everyone's status without them knowing.

Considering the possibility of refusal, it makes sense to focus on unique skills.

And, it was discovered that the majority have the mysterious unique skills <Fate> and <Fortune>.

It's natural to be curious about their effects.

"So, you tried to confirm the effects of <Fate> and <Fortune> with those who have them... but it's unclear?"

"Yes... Do you have any ideas at all?"

<Fate> and <Fortune>... indeed, it's hard to imagine 70% of people choosing them on their own. If there's no information, then... If there was some information like a guide, it might be different, but there was no such behavior in that space.

Then, maybe there's some mechanism when choosing status that makes them choose <Fate> and <Fortune>. I don't remember anything specific, though...

"...Sorry, I don't have any ideas."

"Alright. If you think of anything, let me know. We investigated the statuses we know, and calculated the points for the appraised skills, magic, and abilities based on the same levels: 10 for LV1, 220 for LV10. But, the points they have range from 100 to 300, which is inconsistent. It doesn't seem like everyone has the same points."

Hmm.

Some people decided together, so it's certain that everyone had the same conditions. But, I also forgot what I allocated points to. It's frustrating, but I don't remember what I used the points for.

But, I understand their point... It makes more sense to think that the conditions were not the same.

Is there something I'm missing?