Chapter 18

In WLO, the second city is called *Dualis*.

It's a bit smaller than the starting city, which is somewhat charming.

Despite the structural differences, the exterior and streetscape don't seem to differ much. Once you show your menu card and enter the city, the scenery doesn't change much.

The time is nearing 5 PM, and the sky is thoroughly dyed with the colors of the sunset.

Even though I managed to get through the plains and the Trial Cave, the distance was considerable. It was inevitable that it took some time.

"Phew... It was a never-ending journey!"

*It was more like a leisurely walk.*

*You've become too strong, lady.*

*Was it more like a sightseeing tour?*

"Even though I was trying to create an atmosphere of hardship!"

Well, to be honest, it was quite easy. I think it's the fault of the party that took my goblins from me in the Trial Cave. Maru.

By the way, the bonus stat points from the dungeon boss were 5 points.

This must be the reward for clearing it. I didn't get any other materials.

"Even if you say I've become too strong, Rin said she's at level 47, so there's still a long way to go."

My top priority was to reach the front lines by morning.

Rin said that to demonstrate my skills as a pro gamer, it's best to stand in the front lines where there's a lot of attention.

However, that's in the past tense because I achieved a visible accomplishment by defeating the Red Wolf Aria.

Currently, a forced march to the front lines is unnecessary. The priority has dropped from a top priority to "as soon as possible."

"Anyway, the plan for the rest of today is to obtain a job. Oh, a job is something you can register for at level 20. It seems you can do this at the Job Registration Office in the second city, so let's try to find it."

In WLO, you can set a job from level 20.

It seems to refer to your stats and skills, but Rin said it's better to go and hear the explanation.

The starting city doesn't have a "Job Registration Office," and currently, you can only register in "even-numbered cities," such as the second or fourth city.

Since I've already surpassed level 20, I thought I'd register right away.

While walking through the city, humming a tune, I felt some glances. It seems there were viewers of the morning broadcast here too.

I chatted a bit with someone who bravely came to talk to me and asked about the Job Registration Office.

"Ah, which way is the Job Registration Office?"

"Oh, if you go straight, there's a square, and you'll see a big building on your left."

"Thank you!"

He was a cheerful human youth. A one-handed sword and shield combination, quite a balanced setup.

Shields are handy. You can block and deflect, and you can even use them to hit.

To be honest, I think the battle with the Red Wolf would have been easier with a shield.

However, with my current situation, where I haven't developed the *One-Handed Mace* skill at all, I don't have the luxury to equip a shield.

"Maybe I should endure a bit longer and go for a two-handed weapon?"

*What's with this sudden change?*

*Scary...*

*You're not thinking of that young man, are you?*

*Don't rush!*

"No, I'm not planning anything like that! I just thought a two-handed weapon might be good!"

I feel like the listeners' thoughts are going in a strange direction.

Well, I do tend to mutter to myself sometimes.

While having this misunderstanding-filled conversation, we reached the city square.

"Should be on the left... Ah, that one?"

There was a building with "Job Registration Office" written in kanji.

Feeling a bit uneasy, I entered the wide entrance without a door, and there were counters and reception NPCs lined up like in a government office.

"Does it matter which one I line up at?"

*Let's go to the guy.*

*The beautiful lady!*

*The cute receptionist looks good in the picture.*

"Sure, I'll just pick one."

It wasn't that crowded, and I headed to one of the counters that was mostly empty. A beautiful NPC lady greeted me with a smile.

"Welcome, this is the Job Registration Office... Huh?"

I was thinking how beautiful she was, but suddenly she froze.

Did she bug out?

After a while, the NPC lady rebooted and bowed.

"...I apologize. I didn't expect to see that proof in this city..."

She was pointing at the *Proof of Solo Defeat of a Named Monster* hanging from my neck.

It's not that big and doesn't interfere with combat, so I wear it as a necklace.

"This? Is it that impressive?"

"It's not just impressive! It's proof that you defeated a world-recognized champion alone!"

At first glance, she seemed like a cool beauty, but she was excited like a fangirl.

Is this what it means to increase NPC favorability?

More importantly, there was a term that caught my attention.

"World-recognized champion...?"

"A named monster. A monster that has its name etched in the world is said to test human strength with its overwhelming power. For example, the Red Ogre in the Trial Cave is not a named monster; it's just a species name."

Now that she mentions it, the Red Ogre didn't have a proper name.

It was a bit of a blur because I killed it instantly, but I remember it from just a while ago.

Still, to have a name etched in the world...

Maybe one day, a monster I'm fighting will suddenly etch its name in the world and say, "I've evolved into a Named Boss Monster."

"That's how it works... Oh, I'm here to register a job."

Since I got the information I was curious about, I changed the topic to the main point.

The excited lady blushed and straightened up, entering customer service mode.

"Ah, I apologize. Job registration, right? Please show me your menu card."

"Here you go."

"Thank you. Confirming level 20... Yes, the jobs you can choose from will now be displayed."

"Let's see..."

---

*Warrior*

A job that primarily uses physical attacks with weapons.

Strength and Toughness receive an upward correction.

Requirement: Raise the proficiency of any weapon skill to 20 or higher.

*Crusher*

A job specialized in physical attacks with blunt weapons.

When equipped with a blunt weapon, Strength and Toughness receive an upward correction, and the weapon's attack power is boosted.

Requirement: Raise the proficiency of a blunt weapon skill to 50 or higher.

*Thief*

A job specialized in dungeon exploration.

You can learn the *Trap Disarm* and *Lockpick* skills, and Dexterity receives an upward correction.

Requirement: Dexterity and Agility of 50 or higher, and proficiency in *Detect* or *Stealth* skills to 10 or higher.

*Oni Child*

A special job for Oni players who abandon all magical skills (MP, Intelligence, Magic Defense). Once chosen, you cannot change jobs.

You can no longer allocate bonus stat points to magical skills, but you receive an upward correction to physical skills (Strength, Toughness, Agility).

Additionally, you gain favor with Oni NPCs.

Requirement: An *Oni* player who has never allocated bonus stat points to MP, Intelligence, or Magic Defense.

---

"I thought you could choose more freely..."

"Many people say that, but that's how it is."

It's like a government office, but since it's a game, it's to be expected.

Still, no matter what, the jobs I can choose won't change.

Out of these four, I can rule out *Warrior* and *Thief*.

From the description, *Warrior* is a job for players who want to use a variety of weapons.

For example, short swords and two-handed swords, maces and one-handed swords.

It's a mixed bag, neither good nor bad. I don't think it's bad, but I don't plan to use weapons other than blunt ones.

*Thief* is a reconnaissance-type job, which doesn't fit me as a front-line combatant.

So, I have to choose between the remaining two. What should I do?

*Crusher* is probably like a swordsman or a mage.

It's a job specialized in a specific weapon attribute, and I think it has slightly stronger corrections than the broad *Warrior* job.

I'm confident that if there was no other option, I would have chosen this without hesitation. It fits me well right now.

The problem is the other one, *Oni Child*.

"Excuse me, what's a special job?"

"Oh, you can see a special job?"

"Yes, *Oni Child*."

"*Oni Child*... It's a special job that only Oni players who abandon magical skills can choose. To be honest, very few people choose it."

That was quite surprising to me.

Since there are almost no magic-using monsters around the starting city, most *Oni* players who reach this city should meet the requirements for *Oni Child*.

Unless a player is particularly balanced or a unique *Oni* mage, there's no reason to allocate limited bonus points to unused magical skills.

So, when they try to register for a job and see such a specialized job, it's human nature to ignore the drawbacks and choose it.

Special and unique. Being drawn to such things is almost instinctive.

Seeing my surprised face, the lady asked me a question.

"Did you just arrive in this city?"

"Just a little while ago."

"I see. Do you know about the dungeon leading to the third city, *Trillia*?"

"No, not at all."

"I understand. The Great Forest, also known as the *Forest of Magic*, is beyond the wilderness field from the North Gate. It's a dungeon where all the monsters use magic. Most people who come here to register have reached level 20 in that dungeon."

"Ah, I see."

The lady's explanation cleared up most of my doubts.

In other words,

Unlike me, who came to this city without ever experiencing magic thanks to the benefits of the Aria battle, normal players come here after thoroughly experiencing the "fear of magic."

This city can be reached solo at level 15, and it's rare for players to stay around the starting city until level 20.

Especially for *Oni* players, who have low Magic Defense, the magic attacks from appropriately leveled monsters are a threat.

If I say that my level 21 stats are the same as a level 1 human's initial stats, you can understand how low they are.

Diving into a dungeon full of magic would be disastrous.

Even if, hypothetically, they didn't allocate bonus points to Magic Defense,

If they were asked to never allocate points to it as a condition of *Oni Child*, it's likely they wouldn't choose it if there were other excellent jobs.

I'm even hesitating between *Crusher* and *Oni Child*.

"How is it perceived in the community?"

"Well, the job corrections are indeed high, and it further enhances the strengths of *Oni* players. However, the drawbacks are significant, so people in this world with limited lives rarely choose it. That's why, if someone does choose and master *Oni Child*, they are envied by other *Oni* players... But I don't recommend it."

"I see. Then I'll choose *Oni Child*."

*Are you sure you want to choose *Oni Child*? Yes.*

*Are you really sure? Yes.*

*There's no going back. Are you absolutely sure? Yes.*

I quickly went through the triple confirmation screen and chose the special job *Oni Child*.

Then, I handed over my menu card, which now had *Oni Child* etched in the stats, to the lady.

"What? Ah, you've already chosen...! Did you listen to me!?"

"I listened. But, you know... being special is good, right?"

The lady was flustered, but I had listened and decided there was no problem.

I welcome specialized jobs. I chose the *Oni* race with the idea of "dodging everything and beating them down."

It's better to have the spirit of overpowering everything with strength rather than balancing everything.

Most importantly, not choosing a special job here feels like a loss.

If there are a few people who have chosen it, there's no need to hesitate when there are pioneers.

"Besides, look, I have this, so I'm pretty strong."

"Ugh..."

I showed her the *Proof of Solo Defeat of a Named Monster* with a smug look, and the lady lost her momentum.

I know it's not meant to be used this way, but in a game where you can't show your level or stats, this is a convenient item.

Thus, I successfully "joined" the special job *Oni Child* for *Oni* players.