Chapter 38

Summary of the previous episode ------------------------------------------------------

Departing from Saarstadt without incident, they head towards Raphan.

On the way, while discussing how to fight, Yuki mentions the term "character level."

"Huh? What's a character level? There's no such thing—"

Toya was about to deny Yuki's strange statement, but Haruka interjected.

"No, there actually is something like a character level..."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Wait, didn't you say there wasn't one?

No, I just didn't say there was one.

"Wow! There's a game element here!"

"Haruka, I've never heard of this before."

"That's right, I didn't mention it."

"Why didn't you tell us before?"

If you had told us—

"Remember when we talked about skills? The topic of experience points came up, right? That's what I'm talking about."

Recalling that conversation, I see.

Not mentioning it was the right choice.

"What do you mean?"

Yuki, who wasn't there at the time, asked, and Haruka sighed before answering.

"If I told them about character levels, the gamer-like Naoto and the others would probably go overboard. Stopping them would be a hassle, honestly."

She's being brutally honest.

But it's sad that we can't deny it.

If we didn't know, we wouldn't push ourselves. That's a valid point.

"If Natsuki and the others join, there's a higher chance of covering for each other in case of an emergency. But it was a secret, so I'm sorry."

"Oh, no, it's fine. There's no real harm done."

"Yeah, especially since Toya is suspicious."

"Huh? Really?"

Why does he look surprised?

He has a track record, doesn't he?

"Because you've said 'I'll take on the extermination request' a few times, haven't you? If you were told that your level would go up—"

"…I would have said it even more. I'm sorry."

Toya, who seems to understand himself, bows his head honestly.

Well, I can't say I've been much more restrained in my actions.

"By the way, what exactly is a character level?"

Natsuki, who didn't seem to understand the concept of character levels, asked us, who had a common understanding.

Toya and I play games, Haruka and Yuki have [common sense of another world]. Natsuki, who doesn't have either, probably doesn't get it.

"Yuki, didn't you tell Natsuki?"

"Ah, yeah. We haven't even left the city yet."

"Then let's take this opportunity to explain. Character level—though it's not called that in this world, I'll use this term for simplicity. It's not displayed in your status, right?"

"Yeah."

The status only shows name, race, age, condition, and skill type and level.

Even with this, we're already quite overpowered compared to the people of this world, but character level isn't included.

"So, does that mean it doesn't exist?"

"It does exist, right?"

"…I don't know."

"Huh?"

The words she said after a pause were quite anticlimactic.

We gave her a look of confusion, and Haruka, looking a bit flustered, waved her hands and added hastily.

"Officially, it's unknown. It's said to exist based on circumstantial evidence, but there's no way to confirm it."

Specifically, when you defeat monsters, you get stronger compared to when you defeat non-monsters, even though you're doing similar things.

"Hmm. If there's a clear difference in strength despite similar physiques, it's reasonable to assume there's some invisible parameter."

For example, if I can bench press 100 kg and a muscular person can bench press 300 kg, that's not surprising.

However, if I can bench press 300 kg or 400 kg without becoming muscular, that's clearly abnormal.

"Actually, there's an even simpler example. What if a girl stabs Naoto with a knife?"

"Huh? It would pierce, right? And why are you using such a disturbing example…?"

Please stop with the disturbing examples.

"Generally? Well, it would pierce, and in some cases, it could be fatal. But for high-level adventurers, it doesn't pierce. It's strange, but true."

"Huh? You mean it doesn't pierce at all? No, that's too strange!"

"It's not because he's wearing iron armor, right?"

"That's not strange at all. Even in everyday clothes, it would be the same."

"I get it! He must be wearing chainmail underneath!"

"Right. High-level adventurers must prepare for the danger of being stabbed by girls."

What a creepy high-level adventurer.

"So, Naoto, do you put comic magazines under your clothes?"

"Wh-What!? I haven't done anything to get stabbed. Right?"

He looks at the three of us, but our gazes don't meet.

What? You're not confirming it?

"Anyway, let's put aside whether Naoto is creepy or not—"

Wait, was that the topic?

I wanted to object, but I kept quiet to let the conversation continue.

"It doesn't pierce regardless of equipment. It might pierce a little if you're not paying attention, but it won't be fatal. It's as if there's a barrier on the surface of the body."

"That's not just a matter of physical training."

"Like 'bouncing off with muscles'—that's a joke."

However, if it's true, raising your character level means you won't get injured as easily.

—That's great.

Honestly, I don't think I could fight a Vibe Bear-level enemy with real physical strength.

One hit and you're almost dead—too hard.

"Well, this is a clear example, but the fact that physical abilities improve without increasing muscle mass suggests that there's something beyond simple training."

"Assuming it's a level-up, does it increase through training? Or, as Yuki said, by defeating monsters?"

"Defeating monsters is said to be the most efficient. Killing ordinary animals or people doesn't have much effect, according to common belief."

Since it can't be measured, experiments can't be done, and without experiments, it can't be proven.

The efficiency of defeating monsters is based on experience.

"The difference is… the presence of a magic stone, right?"

"Maybe. The general belief is that it goes against the will of the gods."

The will of the gods?

Under normal circumstances, I would dismiss it as absurd.

"The gods… I'm an atheist, but after meeting that, I'm sure there's some kind of divine being. This isn't just a dream."

"Then I'm a character in a dream? Anyway, the existence of the gods is believed in this world. Whether it's true or not, there are things like divine revelations and descents."

Unlike in our world, there are solid records that most people believe in.

"But if the gods exist, wouldn't there be no wars?"

"Of course not. Wars between nations still exist, though they're less frequent due to the presence of monsters. —'We're human, after all.'"

"Then, what about the way you end your sentences? —So, the gods aren't really respected?"

"Most people respect them, but that's a separate issue, I guess."

"Well, on Earth, many wars were fought in the name of the gods. Religious leaders often claim their wars are in accordance with the will of the gods."

"True. The existence of divine revelations and their authenticity are separate issues."

Yuki chuckled and shrugged.

At the level of descent, it's hard to fake, but since divine revelations are announced by the temple, the common people can't judge their authenticity.

Therefore, the temple once issued too many divine revelations, and now, overly convenient ones are often ignored.

"But if the gods exist, wouldn't there be divine punishment?"

"There are records suggesting that natural disasters are divine punishment, but I don't think they intervene much. After all, we've been transferred to this world."

"Huh? Is our transfer related to this?"

"Like the evil god said, being transferred is a rule violation. Despite this, we're here without interference from other gods. So, they probably don't intervene in minor things like wars."

"Hmm… That makes sense."

If they don't intervene in irregularities like crossing worlds, it's likely they don't interfere in what the people of this world do.

In that case, it's a mystery why divine revelations and descents are believed to exist, but it doesn't necessarily mean they are performed by actual gods—meaning they could be religious or mental states, so there's no need to worry too much.

"For now, it's enough to know that defeating monsters makes you stronger."

"Right. We, as ordinary people, shouldn't get involved in wars or religion."

"Oh, Natsuki, you said it. That's a flag."

"Is it? But we're not particularly strong or noticeable, are we?"

Saying "Oops" in response to Yuki, Natsuki looks puzzled.

Indeed, that's true, normally.

"Normally, it would be fine, but we have the concern of being classmates."

That's true.

We have a lot of skills that attract trouble.

"Let's avoid getting involved. Absolutely."

Natsuki, with a serious face, and we all nodded in agreement.