Chapter 24

Continuing the alchemy for several hours.

I was aware that the two had returned quite a while ago, but I told them I couldn't stop what I was doing and continued working. Then, it was late at night when my level finally increased.

"Finally... my level has increased... but it's already 2 AM!? This is bad, I need to get to sleep quickly..."

This time, I learned Earth Magic LV1 and Wind Magic LV1. The levels for alchemy, synthesis, and enchantment have also increased. While taking notes on the new abilities I've learned, I checked the increased stats.

As expected, I think I learned Earth and Wind Magic because of the neutralizer creation. Since Fire Magic and Enchantment have also increased, my stats have improved significantly this time.

When abilities increase, the stats also rise when leveling up, but there is a bias in those stats. This time, since I learned magic, my MP and INT have increased significantly compared to before. Ideally, I would like to increase STR and DEF, but is there any good method?

When I tried to go upstairs from the basement, Granos was reading a book on the first floor. I thought he couldn't sleep because he had slept too much during the day, but it seemed he had been waiting until this late hour to talk to me.

"Are you done?"

"Yeah. Were you waiting for me?"

"Naga is already asleep. ...I thought I needed to talk to you about the future."

About the future.

I understand you're worried, but realistically, I can only provide lodging and meals, so I don't think there will be a future. However, it seems he doesn't think so.

"......Well, a cooperative relationship until we can support ourselves should be fine, right?"

"Yeah. Of course. However, it's not good for two men to stay at a woman's house, right?"

Even if you say it's not good for appearances, this house is not designed for a single person, so it's possible to live together. The second floor is the living space, and there are two 2LDKs. Well, with three people, the number of rooms is insufficient, but I think we can get away with it if we pass off as siblings.

"......That's not true, big brother."

"......Yeah, little sister."

If I call you big brother, it means I don't want to be pursued further, so it should be fine if you nod as little sister. I think it's better to pass off as siblings to hide the fact that we are foreigners. Siblings from the countryside and childhood friends. If we are adventurers, it's not strange for us to come to this town, so I think we can continue with this setup.

"Since we look similar, let's just go with that. Actually, I don't know what will happen in the future, but I think it's better than staying at an inn. ...However, if it becomes a long-term stay, please share the rent payment."

"......Is this a rented house? It's impressive that you managed to rent it."

"Yeah, it was a coincidence. Since a dedicated room is needed for alchemy, I was introduced to it. I owe the rent for this month, so I need to earn money quickly to pay it back. I also need to secure the rent for next month."

Well, I can earn money through alchemy.

However, if I can't deliver the healing potions, my income will suddenly decrease. Actually, I just gave the healing potions to the foreigners, so there's a temporary shortage. I delivered some today, so I think the inventory at the adventurer's guild is sufficient. Even if the price drops from 30G to 25G, it's still a profit considering the cost. If I can make high-quality healing potions, the price will be higher... I'll ask my master tomorrow.

"Hey, do you understand the prices in this world?"

"Umm... roughly, I think 100 yen is about 1G. Two breads like the one I ate for lunch cost 1G, and a bundle of vegetables costs 2G or 3G. Potatoes and wheat are the main staples, and the only seasoning is salt, which is quite expensive. Pepper is occasionally available, but it's even more expensive and out of reach. I heard that the cost for one night at an inn is between 10G and 50G, so I think inns are cheap. The logistics are not good, so items not available in this town are more expensive."

"What's the daily income of an adventurer?"

"It varies... but ultimately, the main source of income is selling the materials from defeated monsters, so it depends on what kind of monsters you hunt. However, the monsters you can hunt without entering a dungeon are limited."

"Can you make a living?"

"During the F-rank period, it might be better to earn separately. I think we can manage with half the income for two people... but if we hunt strong monsters, the income will be stable, so I think it will be easier with two people."

"Based on your assessment?"

"More like... I think the two of you will become strong. Just be careful not to do unnecessary things while you're weak. I think you noticed when your stats increased, but they rise quickly. I'm just at a higher level than you two, but my base abilities are low, so I think you two are stronger. ...Well, I plan to earn money as an adventurer and pharmacist, so I don't need to be strong."

"Is that so... you don't plan to work hard as an adventurer?"

Probably, among the foreigners, my skills are the weakest. My stats are more suited for a mage, and using a sword is half-hearted. Furthermore, I plan to develop a production skill, so the gap in abilities will widen. I won't lose to the monsters around here, but if I go to a dungeon, my weakness will be exposed. I don't want to be a burden.

"Umm... I don't have good communication skills... I think forming a party won't work well... I enjoy gathering materials and making things on my own. I want to live freely as a solo."

"......I see. Well, it's fine to go out occasionally. It's okay to team up temporarily for tasks like today?"

"Umm... if our goals align, I don't mind teaming up temporarily. However, since my abilities are lower than yours, I'll be a burden."

"You two don't seem like the type to force someone into a dangerous situation, so if we team up temporarily, it will help with gathering materials... but I don't understand why you want to team up with me. You didn't say you're a healer, right?"

"Ah! It's fine, I'll protect you. Let me repay you a little."

"Eh? Ah, yeah."

It was about repaying a favor.

Guarding... well, there are tasks where a pharmacist's gathering is guarded, so that's a possibility. I can fight on my own, but... I might need to ask for protection when gathering valuable materials. I don't have any plans for now, but I'll rely on you if needed.

"About the future, I registered as an adventurer, but I think it's better to observe for a while and not move too much. When I registered at the guild today, the impression from other adventurers was a bit... off."

"Ah... Is it because other foreigners have already caused trouble? Well... If that's the case, I'll cover the living expenses... but just to be safe, the materials for the healing potion... were they destroyed by the foreigners... not by you two, right?"

"Is that what happened...? Well, I tried to avoid the town, but I didn't do anything except talk to you. I intended to defeat any monsters that approached, but they didn't come for some reason."

I see.

That's why your levels didn't increase. It's amazing that monsters avoid you if you don't actively hunt them.

And...

I agree with the idea of observing. Until the response to foreigners is decided, it's better to avoid standing out. I also want to avoid interacting with other foreigners.

"We are known for refusing to show our stats, so we are cautious of others, but what are you worried about?"

"......The reason I decided to cooperate with the guild. It's because I thought I might be killed... or that the summoning of foreigners would be erased. I don't have concrete evidence, but I'm dealing with someone who can do that. I value myself more than other foreigners, so I made a contract for my own benefit."

I thought it would be fine if only I could survive.

But, thinking about what would actually happen is scary.

I want to live peacefully. But, this world doesn't allow it.

In the first place... foreigners are not welcomed. The threat of the Demon King and other crises that foreigners think about don't exist in this world. ...No, even if there are problems, they don't entrust them to irregulars who suddenly appeared... foreigners with high combat skills are considered dangerous.

Is this just in this town, this country... or is it the same in other countries? Since I don't have information, it's better to stay low. If it's just me...

"Hey... what do you think about the foreigners?"

"From what I heard, foreigners who have committed crimes and been caught are sent to the border. This country is geographically neutral, but there is no war... at least not now. People who have revealed their stats... are probably... used as pawns in war... I think it's too risky to let them be free."

Even foreigners who haven't committed crimes... if they are allowed to become adventurers and left unchecked, they are a threat. Foreigners specialized in combat who don't know the common sense of this world. If they can't be controlled, it would be a problem if they can't be disposed of, so they might be managed and reduced in number... even if there is no war in this country... they might be used as pawns in wars in other countries. If that happens, they might be prepared as a war force in this country. Other uses are...

...nonexistent.

I think so.

A disposable, easy-to-handle, and ignorant combat force.

The foreigners in this town have laid the groundwork for being seen this way.

I don't know about other towns...

"......What about us?"

"......I don't know. I'm treated as a regular adventurer by the guild, and I pay the proper fees. ...Whether the two of you will be treated the same... I don't know. I hope you will, but I don't recommend suggesting it. The terms might not be the same, and it might add more restrictions. ...So, after paying, I thought it would be better to separate to avoid involving you. If you don't have information, you might be overlooked... but if you stay with me, I hope you stay low. I'll try to avoid selling you."

The person I'm negotiating with is Lord Laz. Someone higher than the guild master... probably a noble.

I don't know what he wants... I think negotiating without knowing won't lead to a good result.

If only I had a trump card...

"I'll follow your judgment. But, you don't need to worry too much. We might be accepted."

"But..."

"It's fine. We'll stay as guests for a while, but we won't be a burden. If you need anything, just let us know. We can help with gathering. If you think it's too much, you can ask us to leave."

"Okay... it's fine, don't worry, big brother."

"......Call me big brother, please."

He seems to dislike being called big brother. Even though I tried to call him cutely, he frowned and rejected it.

I find it easier to call him big brother, so it's fine with me.

"Is it okay to share information?"

"Sure, ask anything."

"......Are there any others who refused to register?"

"Since I came here, no one else has entered the town before the guild talked to me about registration