Chapter 9

The reward for delivering to Kerbeck was 200 gilans.

If you went straight there and back, it would take about 30 minutes, so the amount might be normal,

(Efficient, but not really)

That was Hikaru's conclusion.

In RPGs, quests that only involved transporting items usually had subtle rewards.

It seemed the same in this world.

Repeatable quests or boss hunts were more efficient for earning money.

(What to do with the money...)

Hikaru lay down on the inn's floor with a thud.

It was the same cheap inn as yesterday.

He could have spent a bit more to stay at a decent place, but he should have thought about what to do with his future first.

(1. Save enough money to live comfortably in this world. 2. Find a way back to the original world. 3. Dive into a hobby... but I don't really have one.)

He liked reading books.

He played games.

He didn't hate studying.

But sports were not his thing. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't be the best, and he thought it was "inefficient" to pour his heart into club activities like a sports manga character.

(The world isn't all about efficiency... but that's true. Still, what else can I do... Ah, I see. I need to find something to do. I need to see more of this world...)

He decided to travel the world.

And think about what he should do.

With a sudden movement, he sat up.

(For that, I need money! Capital! Efficiency is key!)

He secretly took a deep breath, but then flopped back down.

Despite this, no one noticed Hikaru because his "Stealth" skill was active.

He usually didn't use "Stealth" in the city to avoid drawing attention to the skill's existence.

The "experiment" ended when he entered Kerbeck's room.

Entering Kerbeck's room was tense but a huge success.

He didn't realize he was being monitored, but it also made him realize that while he could "Stealth," he couldn't "Detect."

(Detection skill... Perception was on the first board, right?)

He summoned his Soul Board.

【Vitality】

【Natural Regeneration】0

【Stamina】0

【Immunity】

【Perception Acuity】

Hikaru thought that unlocking "Perception Acuity" would add senses like smell and hearing.

"Perception Block" could block all senses at once.

(Well, if I boost "Smell," I can do a lot more than just detect others. It makes sense that I can block everything with just one point for stealth.)

He assumed that each point was equal.

(But boosting perception isn't efficient, right?)

He had 4 points left.

He hesitated to use them immediately but understood the potential of the Soul Board.

If so, he should use it more.

He researched the Soul Board. He looked into each item, especially the unlockable ones like "Immunity" and "Perception Acuity."

【Immunity】... Unlocks Immunity-related skills.

【Perception Acuity】... Unlocks Perception Acuity-related skills.

That was all.

So, he checked the items with a "0" that he could immediately allocate points to.

【Vitality】

【Natural Regeneration】... Improves the speed of healing physical injuries. Max 20.

【Stamina】... Improves the endurance and recovery from fatigue. Max 20.

【Magic Power】

【Magic Capacity】... Increases the total magic power consumed when casting spells. Max 30.

【Strength】

【Strength Capacity】... Increases the amount of strength. Max 30.

【Agility】

【Burst Strength】... Improves the sudden burst of strength. Max 15.

【Flexibility】... Makes the body, especially the joints, more flexible. Max 10.

【Balance】... Improves the body's core sense. Max 20.

What surprised Hikaru were the "max" values.

"Stealth" only needed 5 points. "Assassination" and "Sniping" maxed out at 3.

Yet, there were 10s and 30s.

(Maybe there are basic and advanced items?)

Items that could be used without unlocking had higher max values.

And they were related to the core functions of living beings.

(What would happen if I maxed out "Strength Capacity"? Could I break rocks with my bare hands or lift a house? Ha. No way...)

His thoughts paused.

(It's possible)

With "Stealth" being so useful now, how powerful would a 30-point item be?

(For now, let's put that aside—there are 3 more boards left)

"Pentagon," "Hexagon," and "Blank."

Given the previous boards—Vitality, Magic Power, Strength, and Agility—

(In a game, it would be "Mind," "Faith," "Charisma," and "Dexterity." For efficiency, knowing is important... efficiency can't be discussed without information)

Hikaru stood up.

(But unlocking 3 would leave me with 1 point. Allocating just 1 point is inefficient. I should unlock at least 1...)

He chose "Blank."

(Blank is so intriguing! My curiosity is piqued!)

【Unlock Soul Board? Cost: 1】

"Do it."

A screen appeared—

【Intuition】

【Intuition】0

【Inspiration】

【Intelligence】

【Memory】0

【Detection】

(Intuition! Finally, Intuition!)

【Intuition】... Sharpens the senses to the point of near-premonition. Max 20.

【Memory】... Enhances the brain's ability to remember. Max 10.

(And there's "Detection." Unlocking items is tricky. What to do... 3 points left, huh)

He stared at the Soul Board for a while—then lay down and closed his eyes.

Sleep came quickly.

Remaining: 4,890 gilans

* * *

—××-kun, you're often called arrogant, right?

The bright afternoon light was blinding even through the white curtains.

The person standing in that strong light—Hikaru's one-year-older senior—smiled slightly.

—It's hard to live like that. You might be smart, but you're dangerous. Somewhere, sometime, you might just... die.

She was a beautiful girl with long black hair.

—What a grim prediction.

He couldn't easily accept advice from other seniors or adults, but he listened to her without hesitation.

Yes, her name was—

—Hatsuki-senpai.

* * *

"......"

The next morning, just as the sun was rising.

In the corner of the cheap inn's large room, Hikaru quietly woke up.

(Was that... a dream?)

He exhaled deeply.

Since coming to this world, he hadn't had any dreams. When he finally did, it was about a senior he hadn't seen in two years, not his parents or recent high school life.

He hadn't thought about his parents.

They weren't enemies. As his parents' relationship grew colder, Hikaru became indifferent to them.

Children become less dependent as they grow older. Hikaru was precocious. Even living in the same space, they acted like strangers.

That's why his Guild Card didn't show a family name—though Hikaru didn't even think about it. It was just "hmm."

(Why did I have that dream?)

He knew why. It was because Zil called him "arrogant."

Hikaru was indeed arrogant. He thought he was smarter than all the other students and didn't hide it. But he also had a high ability to avoid danger, so he wasn't bullied or in conflict with anyone. The sunny side of life didn't attract the cheerful ones.

Since coming to this world, his arrogance had only increased. Roland's memories influenced him. Roland was a noble. His parents were wise, but they never forgot their noble pride.

Never lose. Never be underestimated. These thoughts were always at the core of Roland's life.

Even though they were someone else's memories, Hikaru was affected. His strong stance with Zil and his "risky experiment" with Kerbeck were due to this influence.

(Somewhere, sometime, I might die unexpectedly)

Ironically, Hikaru died just as Hatsuki predicted. Reviving was sheer luck.

(In this world, the same thing could happen)

Hikaru summoned his Intuition Soul Board.

He unlocked "Detection."

【Detection】

【Life Detection】0

【Magic Detection】0

He had 2 points left.

【Life Detection】... Detects the presence of life around you. Max 5.

【Magic Detection】... Detects the presence of magic around you. Max 5.

He allocated 1 point to each.

Now his points were 0, and his acquired skills were as follows.

【Agility】

【Stealth】

【Life Block】1

【Magic Block】1

【Perception Block】5 (MAX)

【Assassination】3 (MAX)

【Intuition】

【Detection】

【Life Detection】1

【Magic Detection】1

There was no explanation on how to activate "Life Detection" and "Magic Detection."

But he felt a new sense in his body—like hearing, smelling, or touching.

(Oh...)

When he focused, he could feel the results of detection in all directions around him.

He could sense the lives of the young adventurers sleeping in the center of the room. They felt like soft, orange flames.

Switching to "Magic Detection"—the switch was also a sensory one—he felt soft, blue flames.

A warrior-like man felt strong in "Life Detection" but not in "Magic Detection."

(He has little magic... Wait, "Life Detection" detects life, not vitality)

He realized. "Life Detection" didn't distinguish between large and small beings. He could sense the size and mass, so with intense focus, he could even detect insects.

But like how you can't see microorganisms with the naked eye, "big creatures are visible" but "too small and they're not."

Conversely, "Magic Detection" was influenced by the amount of magic. Even small insects could be clearly sensed if they had concentrated magic.

(What happens when I increase the skill points? ...Detection range and resistance to blocking skills)

The current detection range was about 10 meters.

He couldn't increase the points now, but he speculated that with more points, the "detection range would extend" and he would gain the ability to "overcome blocking skills."

(Not exactly efficient... but not dying is the top priority)

Hikaru got dressed and left the large room.

(I wonder if Hatsuki-senpai knows I died?)

He thought about such trivial things.