Chapter 10

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the secret letter his mother had given him.

For a moment, he was startled... Thank you.

I hope to have your continued support.

Each chapter may be long or short, but I want to write up to a good stopping point (I get irritated when there’s an awkward cliffhanger).

Hikaru headed to the same hot dog stand for breakfast as yesterday.

It wasn’t that he particularly liked it, but whenever he passed by, the owner stared at him intently. Plus, the smell was different from yesterday.

Incidentally, he had eaten yakisoba from the yakisoba man last night. The freshly made yakisoba was even more delicious. The man remembered Hikaru and gave him a discount, but it was so much that he struggled to finish it.

“?”

The hot dog was different from yesterday—it had a brown sauce.

“…………”

Hmm… What is this? It’s not sweet like yesterday. Uh, it smells raw?

“Plain and simple… It’s bad.”

Without thinking, he said it, and the owner gritted his teeth.

“Grr….”

“Did you taste it? What did you put on it?”

“A special sauce based on fish sauce…”

Hikaru was taken aback.

“Hey, hot dogs are supposed to have ketchup and mustard. That’s the standard!”

Then the owner said he didn’t know what “ketchup” or “mustard” were, so Hikaru explained what they were.

He knew what ketchup was, but he didn’t know how to make mustard, so he only described its appearance, color, and taste.

When Hikaru arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild, he felt multiple gazes. “Hey, that guy…,” “Not just Jiru, but Gloria is giving him special treatment…” They whispered, but Hikaru didn’t notice.

Because,

“Hikaru-kun!”

As soon as she saw Hikaru, Jiru came out from behind the counter.

“Are you okay!? Nothing happened to you!?”

“What, what is it?”

She touched his head and body.

Hikaru was confused,

“!?”

Jiru grabbed his hand.

“Come with me. I have something to talk about.”

The soft, warm sensation of her hand.

And because she was close, a refreshing scent wafted from Jiru.

The adventurers who saw Jiru leading Hikaru away let out small gasps. Hikaru wanted to gasp too.

(This woman, her attitude has changed too much!)

Hikaru, who is cool-headed but has no immunity to women, thought.

Hikaru entered the booth with Jiru. It was the same place Gloria had taken him yesterday.

“…When I came this morning, I saw Hikaru-kun’s completed request record and was surprised. Gloria made you do it, right?”

“It’s more like I accepted it after being recommended by Gloria. I didn’t expect the delivery address to be a high-ranking member of the Thief Guild.”

Jiru sighed deeply.

“So you know… the request was successful? How did you do it?”

“It was just a delivery.”

“It couldn’t have been just a delivery if Gloria recommended it. If it went well, Hikaru-kun must be very lucky…”

Hikaru’s “Stealth” skill was being overshadowed by the word “lucky.”

Hikaru didn’t mind that, but…

“Hmm. So Gloria is quite a manipulator too?”

“Yes. —Wait. What do you mean by ‘too’?”

Hikaru shrugged.

“Hey! Don’t think I’m like her! Seriously… Hikaru-kun, don’t get close to Gloria. Accept requests when I’m around. I’ll prioritize your requests even if other adventurers are here.”

“I can choose my own requests.”

“But yesterday you listened to Gloria’s recommendation, right? If you accept everything you’re recommended, it’s worrying.”

“Isn’t it more of a problem that someone like her is a receptionist? Besides, I didn’t accept it without thinking. I felt there was something more to it.”

“Why!? Normally, if it seems suspicious, you’d refuse!”

“No, it seemed interesting.”

“Sigh… Hikaru-kun, luck doesn’t always come. Usually, it’s called beginner’s luck—”

“I get it. I understand. That’s enough. I’ve had enough of the lecture.”

“I haven’t even said much yet!”

“Anyway, I want to accept a request.”

He almost said, “Time is precious,” but stopped himself, knowing it would lead to a longer conversation.

“S-Sure. Since I’m here, I’ll make sure to give you a proper request. I think a good request is—”

Several request forms appeared.

“Cleaning request”

“Shopping for the church”

“Roof repair”

“Coal replenishment for the blacksmith”

“Conversation with an elder”

...

Hikaru rejected all of them.

“Why!? They’re all important requests for the town!”

“These should be done by children who need money or adults without jobs. Why are such requests coming to the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“...Quest hunters are happy to do them.”

Ah, so there are people like that.

People who prioritize completing tasks over the content.

“I want to earn money efficiently.”

“...Does Hikaru-kun want to be rich? Ugh, I look down on that.”

Hikaru was irritated by her obvious disgust.

He wanted to say that she had a bad attitude.

“Still, there are requests Hikaru-kun can accept and earn money from.”

“Is there?”

Jiru showed him a request form, and Hikaru snatched it.

【Monster Hunter】【Permanent】

【Redhorn Rabbit】... Deliver as many as possible.

【Reward】 Base reward 0 Gilan. 10,000 Gilan per rabbit.

“Permanent quests are always available, so you can bring them in anytime. Redhorn Rabbits are fast, but that’s it. You can take them down with a knife.”

“Hmm. Such an easy task for this reward?”

“You’ll see when you try.”

“...Are you trying to get me into danger again?”

“Hey, don’t say such things! No, it’s not dangerous. Well, going outside the town is dangerous, but... I recommend ‘Babysitting’...”

“I’ll take it.”

“You don’t need to formally accept it. It’s a permanent request. ...It might take a few days to complete, but try your best. Hikaru-kun is slender... I wonder if you can do it. Maybe ‘Window Cleaning’ in town...”

“I said I’ll do it. Stop being so persistent.”

“Sigh... I can’t help it. Redhorn Rabbits have a high reward because of the effort required. ‘If you work hard, you’ll get a reward.’ It’s a gateway for new adventurers. It’s good for Hikaru-kun to start with this.”

“...”

“Ah, people are queuing at the counter, so I’ll go back. Be careful outside the town. It’s better to be too cautious. Got it? Don’t camp outside the town even if nothing happens. The gates close at sunset, so make sure to come back.”

“...”

“Promise. See you.”

“...”

She was like a mother lecturing a child.

Hikaru watched Jiru leave with a frown.

“To catch one rabbit, it takes a few days...?”

A mischievous expression appeared on Hikaru’s face.

And he was aware of the multiple gazes watching him.

When Hikaru entered the archive, he stood as close to the wall as possible. Within a 5-meter radius—there he was. One of the adventurers who had been glaring at him.

(Since I’m here, let’s use you for an experiment.)

He thought to himself.

(I can summon a Soul Board without seeing the person.)

He activated someone else’s Soul Board.

【Soul Board】Tsernenko = Liga

Age 22, Rank 11

18

【Vitality】

【Natural Recovery】1

【Stamina】2

【Immunity】

【Magic Resistance】0

【Disease Immunity】1

【Toxin Immunity】0

【Perception】

(Wow! He has “Immunity” unlocked! So, it’s about magic, disease, and toxins.)

He tried to check the details but couldn’t get any explanations on someone else’s Soul Board.

(Well, that’s fine. The maximum value is the most important information. Let’s see the other boards.)

There was nothing remarkable about “Magic” or “Agility,” and the “Intuition” and hexagonal board were not unlocked.

【Strength】

【Strength Level】3

【Weapon Proficiency】

【Sword】1

【Greatsword】0

【Dagger】0

【Spear】0

【Polearm】0

【Bow】0

【Throwing】0

【Shield】1

【Armor】1

(There are 9 types of “Weapon Proficiency.” ...Hmm? But what about “Axe” and “Club”? What’s the criterion for these 9 types...?)

He had many theories but no concrete evidence.

(Not enough information to think. Let’s see the next one. —I haven’t seen this board before. A pentagonal board?)

The pentagonal board was “Dexterity.”

【Dexterity】

【Dexterity Level】1

【Tool Proficiency】

(“Tool Proficiency” is an unlockable item. It’s not related to combat... maybe like production skills in an RPG? But “Dexterity” could affect handling a bow.)

Hikaru crossed his arms.

(“Agility” uses 2 points. Total used points are 15... “Age” + “Soul Rank” is all the points, right?)

He continued thinking.

(There was no information about Soul Boards in Roland’s knowledge. It’s not something ordinary people can access. So, how did Tsernenko allocate his points... No, that’s not right. If so, Jiru would have told me something. Gloria only asked about my “occupation.” Maybe the Soul Board points are allocated unconsciously by the person? Or—)

It was a reverse thought.

(—When a certain proficiency is reached, points are automatically allocated? Hmm. This seems more likely. It’s like a bonus for hard work. Being able to freely allocate points would mean skipping training to gain skills... That’s really something.)

While thinking, he heard a voice from outside.

“—What’s that kid doing in the archive—”

“—Who knows, if he comes out quickly, we can ‘hang out’ sooner—”

“—Hehe, ‘hang out.’ We’ll beat him up and throw him away—”

It was Tsernenko and his friends.

They had been watching Hikaru because they were annoyed by the receptionist’s favoritism.

(Hmm? You’re saying that? I don’t like you guys either. In fact, I find you annoying—)

Hikaru thought.

He could allocate points on someone else’s Soul Board.

Of course, it would be “positive” for them.

But what about “unlocking”? Unlocking alone wouldn’t be “positive” for them.

And what Hikaru wanted to know first was “what items are there.”

Hikaru smiled wickedly.

【Unlock Soul Board? Cost 1】

“Yes”

With 18 points remaining, let’s use them to decode the unlockable items.

First, unlock the hexagonal board—

【Spirit】

【Mental Strength】0

【Faith】

【Charisma】0

【Appeal】0

(“Spirit”! This completes the set—“Vitality,” “Magic,” “Strength,” “Agility,” “Dexterity,” “Spirit,” and “Intuition.”)

Hikaru’s thirst for knowledge was somewhat satisfied.

(But “Charisma” and “Appeal” at zero seem pitiful... No, that’s not it. The Soul Board is just an “add-on.” I have zero in “Strength Level,” but I’m not muscleless. The Soul Board points are just additional. That’s a good way to think.)

Feeling a bit sorry for using up Tsernenko’s points (too late now), he decided to use the points of the other two nearby to unlock all the items.

The result was as follows.

【Vitality】

【Natural Recovery】0

【Stamina】0

【Immunity】

【Magic Resistance】0

【Disease Immunity】0

【Toxin Immunity】0

【Perception】

【Vision】0

【Hearing】0

【Smell】0

【Taste】0

【Touch】0

【Magic】

【Magic Level】0

【Elemental Affinity】

【Fire】0

【Wind】0

【Earth】0

【Water】0

【Magic Creation】0

“Strength” and “Agility” were already checked.

【Dexterity】

【Dexterity Level】0

【Tool Proficiency】

【Axe】0

【Loom】0

【Alchemical Apparatus】0

【Musical Instrument】0

【Spirit】

【Mental Strength】0

【Faith】

【Holy】0

【Evil】0

【Charisma】0

【Appeal】0

【Intuition】

【Intuition Level】0

【Inspiration】

【Invention】0

【Art】0

【Music】0

【Intelligence】

【Calculation】0

【Language Comprehension】0

【Language Production】0

【Memory】0

【Detection】

【Life Detection】0

【Magic Detection】0

(…Damn, I couldn’t waste too many points.)

Hikaru clicked his tongue at the triviality.

Incidentally, the points allocated by the other two were not much different, with a maximum of 3 points.

If even specialized “adventurers” had this few points, Hikaru understood the abnormality of maxing out points.

(At least now I know the basic “initial items.” The rest is about how many derived skills there are from “Stealth” to “Assassination” and from “Assassination” to “Sniping,” but… I can’t check that.)

To check, he would have to allocate points to someone who wanted to bring him down.

(I don’t need that information right now. I’ll check the Soul Board of someone outstanding if I find one.)

Nodding, Hikaru confirmed the archive information.

“—Still not out…—”

“—Getting sleepy—”

Outside, the men were still waiting for Hikaru.

After leaving the Adventurer’s Guild, Hikaru bought a bento from a street vendor. He might be outside the town all day.

A sandwich (30 Gilan) and a water bottle filled with water.

Multiple gazes watched him from behind.

“He’s gone.”

“Looks like he accepted a request.”

“Outside the town?”

“Seems so.”

“Then it’s better outside.”

“Yeah. If we ‘hang out’ in town, the guards might come.”

They were fans of Jiru and Gloria.

Their number had increased to six.

They followed Hikaru at a distance, a poor attempt at tailing. Hikaru, of course, noticed.

“Huh? Another request today?”

The guard at the gate was the one who had called out to him when he went to collect the glowing poison grass.

“Be careful today. It’s better to be too cautious. Unlike us soldiers, you’re an adventurer. Being cautious is not a bad thing.”

“I understand. But thanks for the warning.”

“Indeed. Children are best when they’re honest.”

“...”

Being treated like a child.

Well, most people in this world are muscular and tall... I’m not short, I’m not short! —While making excuses in his mind, Hikaru bowed.

The guard smiled as if watching something endearing.

“Well then,”

Last time, he was hungry and had no mental space, but today was different.

He had the space to check his surroundings.

Right after the gate, there was a bus stop.

Not just humans, but lizardmen-like sub-humans and elves were there. Travelers, obvious merchants, and various others.

Passing by, there were several inns leading to farms.

Compared to the town, the houses were poor and wooden.

But behind them were fields they had cleared. Poor but strong, they were alive.

Passing by these, the houses disappeared.

Nature took over.

The road stretched out in front of him.

The blue mountains were visible in the distance.

The grass rippled silver, revealing the path of the wind.

A stream flowed, making a bubbling sound.

Birds flew high in the sky, chirping.

“It’s about to begin.”

Hikaru, slightly excited, was followed by six adventurers from behind.

“Alright, let’s surround that kid… Huh?”

They were surprised.

The moment they thought Hikaru had hidden in the tall grass, he disappeared.

Hikaru had activated his “Stealth” skill and changed his guild card to “Stealth God: The One Who Embraces the Darkness.”

No one could detect him.

In the entire Pound, no, in the entire Kingdom of Poundsonia, there were hardly any people who could.