Chapter 39

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

It turned out that there is something like character levels.

Although there is no evidence, it is common knowledge in this world that you get stronger by defeating monsters.

"Actually, how many classmates do you think have survived?"

"If you change your race, it's hard to tell, but in the range we know, 4 or 5 people in Rafan died using the [Skill Steal]."

"In Saarstadt, it's probably 3 people. This is probably accurate because I heard it at the bar."

Since the town is not very large, when 3 people die mysteriously on the same day, it apparently becomes quite a topic of conversation.

"I also heard from Tommy. Was it Tanaka and Takahashi? They definitely died."

"Definitely died? And Tommy?"

"Yeah, Tommy is Ifuyama."

To Yuki, who looked puzzled, I relayed the story I heard from Tommy. Upon hearing the circumstances, Yuki, who had not taken the [Help], turned pale, saying, "Landmine skills, really scary."

"Ifuyama is a dwarf... I can't imagine that."

"Yeah, we didn't notice until someone pointed it out."

"His tone of voice didn't change, so it was really off-putting."

I wish he would speak like an old man.

Well, this is probably a kind of bias.

Dwarves must have children and young people, so not everyone should speak like an old man.

"We didn't really get to know our classmates, but did Haruka and the others only know Ifuyama?"

"Yeah—"

"There was that guy, um, Umeen."

"…Yeah, there was such a person."

Haruka frowned slightly, perhaps remembering that time.

"What's wrong? You seem upset."

"No, Umeen challenged Haruka."

I told them about the situation at that time.

There was no need for him to leave a dramatic line and become Haruka's enemy.

"Wow, Umeen, what a challenger! Challenging Haruka head-on is too reckless!"

"Yuki, what do you mean? It makes me sound scary."

Haruka smiled, but her smile was a bit scary.

"No, we don't think that, but is there anyone in the class who would challenge Haruka face-to-face?"

"There isn't. I'd raise the white flag honestly. That's a smart way to live."

Natsuki and Yuki nodded in agreement.

There are hardly any guys who would challenge Haruka, even among the boys.

Not only Haruka, but the risk of being disliked by most of the other girls is too high.

How many guys would not care if they were disliked by girls at school?

"That's terrible! I'm clearly the victim—objectively speaking."

"Teaching skills as requested and then being insulted," it is indeed a victim scenario.

But her insincere tone ruins it.

"Well, that doesn't matter. She's not a threat."

This is it.

That casual and calm judgment is what makes Haruka strong and scary, isn't it?

Of course, thanks to that "strength," I think we have been able to survive relatively peacefully.

"25% of the classmates we know have died. There are too many careless people, aren't there?"

"Then, Haruka, what do you think? What about Toya's opinion?"

When I asked, Toya's view was—

"Haruka is in the minority. With a character build full of landmines, a 25% death rate is actually low."

"I agree."

People who took the seemingly subtle [Help] have survived, while most others have died.

"Yeah. In a situation where you have so many strong-looking skills, taking [Help] and getting [Common Sense of Another World] and being cautious is quite prudent. I'm confident that I would have taken on a goblin hunt within a few days if I were alone!"

"Agreed. I just happened to have extra points, so I considered [Help] a necessary expense. If I were on the edge, I might have chosen a cheat-like skill."

Honestly, I want to praise myself for taking [Help] despite the hesitation at that time.

"Right! If there were so many attractive skills, you would take them!"

"Sure, the person who took [Skill Copy] would say that."

Yuki, nodding in agreement, was embarrassed when Natsuki pointed it out.

"Please don't say that anymore. I regret it."

"No, no, I think it's beneficial now. We can all learn from it."

"Right!"

Haruka interrupted Yuki, who was regaining her spirits and nodding happily.

"But, if you don't decide which skills to focus on, you'll end up being a jack of all trades and master of none. Training is also tough."

"Right..."

"But actually, if we can use even half of the skills we have, we'll be amazing even at level 1, right?"

"Right, I'll work hard! Everyone, please help me!"

"I don't mind teaching, but it's quite tough. We spend several hours a day on training."

"Ah, so you really do that much effort? Well, of course. You can't expect results without hard work."

Haruka, Yuki, and Natsuki, while not geniuses in terms of appearance, are diligent and hardworking.

They study seriously and participate in school events like sports meets.

Their ability to produce solid results is partly due to their natural talents.

"I've also become physically stronger here, so I need to work hard."

In the original world, Natsuki had decent motor skills but was a bit lacking in physical strength.

She sometimes took days off from school.

On the other hand, Yuki was energetic and had the best physical strength among the three.

Haruka was in the middle but achieved results comparable to Yuki due to her efficiency.

In the overall ranking of girls, both were in the top tier.

"But, how many people actually took [Help]?"

"Girls don't play games much, so they are more likely to take [Help]. Actually, Natsuki took it, right? Plus, there was a warning that there are no cheats, so some people might have avoided dangerous skills."

According to Haruka, in a world that is relatively normal, even if you don't become an adventurer, you can probably earn a living somehow...

"Well, I don't know. Girls might choose [Heroine Potential], [Charm], or [Attractive Appearance] if they are on the edge."

"Conversely, if they are game or light novel fans, they might take [Skill Steal] or experience point multipliers without thinking. Unless they have a specific preference like Toya or Tommy."

They are advantageous skills if you don't think deeply.

Tommy, who admired dwarves, took skills like [Python] and [Smithing].

"By the way, why did you choose to be a beastkin, Toya?"

"I want a beastgirl wife!!"

"「...I see.」"

Toya's strong declaration made Yuki and Natsuki nod quietly.

We didn't question it, even though we didn't understand his reasoning.

It's fine, even if you think, "What an idiot!"

—No, if you point it out, Toya will start talking about his love for beastkin, so this is the right response.

"But, it's good that this is a world without cheats. If those skills had unleashed their full power without any landmines, it would have been a problem for the people in this world. Our lives would have been harder too."

"Yeah, exactly. There would have been fights between cheats, harems, and reverse harems, and all sorts of things."

"Right. We commoners just want to live peacefully."

"「Commoners...?」"

"「Haruka...?」"

We were surprised by her unexpected words.

"What? Being careful not to stand out, not doing dangerous jobs, working diligently and saving money bit by bit. You know, a commoner from any perspective."

Haruka listed these points, but we exchanged glances with subtle expressions.

"Indeed, it sounds like a commoner. But why?"

"Maybe it's the image. Haruka has leadership qualities."

"She also has drive. If she keeps growing, she might start a business."

"Right, exactly! A female entrepreneur!"

We nodded in agreement with Yuki's words.

It's hard to imagine her going to a regular university, job hunting, and becoming an office lady.

"Is that a compliment? Anyway, it's fine. We don't know how many have survived, but let's not actively search for or involve ourselves with them. Is there anyone you want to find?"

"I don't have anyone. I only trust this group."

"I feel the same. It's one thing to hang out, but in a life-or-death situation, can I trust them?"

"We said this before, but we don't have anyone."

"Yeah. If we happen to meet someone like Tommy, we can just deal with them normally."

However, if you have a landmine skill, you're out.

If you have it, actively avoid them.

This proposal was unanimously approved by everyone.