by Ainana Hiro
I'm incoherent if I do so say myself.
Spending many days without any conversation is no good after all. I'm not suited for that.
I've walked for 1 day before I knew it, and finally almost reached the highway.
There is no human habitation according to map. I can see the highway leading to west on the north west.
By the way there's no presence beside me displayed on the map.
I wonder if they ran away in fear of that catastrophe aka meteorite shower with thunderous roaring and earthquakes.
I stopped the half-baked running and began walking.
"I want to take a bath~"
As expected, not having one in 3 days make my head itchy.
It's not possible to boil water, but there is water. Thankfully the dust cloud has lessened, it's possible to wash off the dirt.
I store my clothes and shoes into storage, find a suitable rock and pour water down from the top of my head.
"It's a bit cold, but I've come back to life."
Feeling relieved, I took out clean clothes from the loot and wipe off the water.
In order to take a refreshing nap, I take out a suitable bed with canopy from the loot and put it on the ground.
That day I slept for the first time after 3 days.
The next morning, I noticed that I could hang laundry on the canopy so I wash my clothes with bucket from storage and hang them up, side by side.
After that I lazed around on the bed while eating jerky for half a day.
I'm expecting that someone will pass on the highway, but there's no change in radar, even untill afternoon.
"If this was a light novel or manga, I would have met a princess being attacked by thief~"
I like template ay.
"The service in my dream is so bad."
I turn a blind eye to the fact that I easily get treasures and significant level up, cursing my luck.
A flag would occur if this was a dream or tale, but nothing happened.
After changing into the dry clothes, I began walking toward the highway.
1-4. Abandoned Village, Skill and Lost Child
* * *
"Hello, Suzuki's here. It's so lonely, I may die of loneliness."
I truly, genuinely want a companion.
After reaching the highway, I got lost on the route; it's been 7 days since then and I still haven't reached a human habitat.
Speaking of which, somehow I got these skills : [Sprint], [3 Dimensional Maneuver], [Jump], [Sing], [Camping] and [Washing].
However, those skills remain grey because I haven't allocated any points to them.
I seemed to have learned [Sprint][3D Maneuver] and [Jump] after the second meteor shower, but overlooked it due to the confusion.
When I was playing around with the gun, the map got in the way so I changed it and the log to icon view, then I noticed something. From the log it's written as place with bed and canopy but...
Isn't that a camping ground? I retorted myself.
◇
Onto 8th day, I finally found a village-like place on the wide area map.
I sprinted to the village. However there's no presence of people according to the map. I wonder if they're taking refuge or got destroyed. No, they should've gone back if they were taking refuge, since it's been one week.
Before long I reached the junction road heading to the village.
There stood a crude guidepost on the roadside. A 1.5 meter commonly made stick nailed to the ground. The destination is written with something like ink.
"I can't read it..."
Something is written there, but I can't read it at all. At least, it's different from all the languages I recognize from the real world. In fact it looks like some sort of fictional writing from a game.
I keep the map on maximum magnification, showing wide area.
While feeling slightly irritated for not being able to read the long awaited clue, I hit the junction on the map. There's no actual meaning to this action, but this time it seems to be a bull's eye.
"'Welcome to Enikei Village','Seryu City 32Km','Until Kazo Kingdom 105Km'; I can read it! ...Or rather, it's in Japanese!"
Pop up displays pile up above the map, each written in Japanese. Is this an effect of All Map Exploration? Cheers for opportunism.
For the time being, Seryuu City seems to be the closest from here, but it's too plain.
After all this time, let's go to the village first. I know that there's no one there, but I feel like I'm losing if I head straight on!
There might be some hidden quests there! If this is my dream, there must be one!!!
The village comes into view on the other side of the field in just about 5 minutes. Between the narrow street extends fields that looks like they have been abandoned for about a year. It's a world of weeds.
Even from a distance, I can distinguish that many house look burnt down. Every house has one thing in common; the roof is completely burned down.
Judging from the position it seems to be a "Village Abandoned by the Attack of the Dragons".
There are no bones lying around, but many things like harvest baskets, wooden hoes and various farming tools are scattered around as if they were left behind in hurry.
As I stared at the tools lying around, though it's too exaggerated to call it a revelation, I got a little idea.
"If I got washing skill from doing laundry. Maybe I'll get something if I dig some farm land?"
I took the hoe and dug the farmland with it.
>[Cultivation Skill Acquired]
>[Farming Skill Acquired]
It appeared on the log as expected. Though I didn't expect cultivation to pop up.
In order to get better, I'll try many other things.
Suddenly, I pluck what appears to be a vegetable peeping out between the weeds.
>[Harvest Skill Acquired]
It's a bit fun.
Even so, it's easy mode, eh?
Come to think of it, what is this vegetable? Is it spinach, komatsuna?
I stared at it and AR message saying "Hisaya Grass, leaf vegetables. It's seldom eaten raw, usually processed as condiment or pickles." popped up on over the vegetables.
Yep, it's convenient alright. Seems like this is a different function than the map search.
Incidentally, I tried pulling out weeds.
>[Weeding Skill Acquired]
I didn't cut it, I just pulled it.
I went into something that looks like a windbreak, I take out an ax and chop down a suitable tree.
>[Lumbering Skill Acquired]
I wonder what next? I feel like trying some ideas.
I write a mathematical formula on the ground with the hoe.
『1+1=2』, there.
>[Arithmetic Skill Acquired]
Fumu, if this is OK then 『E=mc²』
>[Lost Knowledge Skill Acquired]
The famous theory of relativity is a lost knowledge?
I'd rather get a flying skill or some such...
This time I'm writing some random characters in Japanese.
>[Painting Skill Acquired]
Painter-san would be mad.
Next I wrote ○× alternatively which made it looks like a children's play.
>[Game Skill Acquired]
Is anything fine?
I begin trying one thing after another.
I tried shaving the burned wood on the back of a house with knife in the shape of a stick.
>[Carpenter Skill Acquired]
>[Weapon Creation Skill Acquired]
In addition, I wrap the stick with a leather I took out of the storage.
>[Leather Craft Skill Acquired]
Making a makeshift broom I sweep it under my foot.
>[Cleaning Skill Acquired]
I'm running out of material. When I tried to find more I discovered a cemetery with a native god shrine.
Since I grew up in the countryside, I inad
vertently join hands as if praying for my grandmother.
I offered some jerky and poured some sake cup.
>[Prayer Skill Acquired]
>[Title: Devout Believer Acquired]
Umu, I didn't intend to get a skill but...
The material is dry already, I began to get tired of the skill acquiring, let's get out of the village.
It's sunset just as I depart on the highway.
I'm walking toward Seryuu City, according to the guidepost. After accustoming my eyes under the moonlight, in the dark, I sprint down the highway.
When it's near dawn, the wide area map showed the whole Seryuu City. Of course, unlike Enikei Village it has a lot of people.
"Finally, finally civilization~~~"
I cry while trembling with expectation of finally talking with people.
....This is such a long dream. Don't you think so?
1-5. Fortress City Life Begin!
* * *
I finally got to Seryuu city.
Let's strip it naked with [All Map Exploration]!
The population is around 120,000. It's a remote region within Shiga Kingdom ruled by an earl. 95% are from the human tribes, the other 5% are beast tribes, scale tribes and fairy tribes. Average level is 2-3. Highest level is an old man magician who is 48. The knights range from 5-20 with most of them on 8-12. Normal soldiers are around 5-7. There are a lot of bows as a dragon countermeasure. Male to female ratio is 5:6 with lots of females. It's unknown whether it's because of difference in birth rate or because of a high male mortality rate.
Unexpectedly, townspeople only have a few skills. Most of them have 1-3 skills, some even none. Having 20 or so skills may be the exception rather than the rule.
Only a few magicians exist. There are only around 2000 people with magic skills. 90% of them have Livelihood magic while the remaining 10% seem to belong to the country's army.
It's as expected in a way, but level 310 is truly extraordinary. In addition, I got carried away and learned a lot of useless skills which would make me conspicuous.
The map could show the name of the streets and merchant's houses to some degree. Even though it could not tell you what kind of item they're selling or their reputation, it's still quite useful for a first look of the town. Unfortunately, the search function only works for people, I could not find shops with it.
Seen from reduced scale, the town is shaped like a 6 Km diameter oval, along with two 3 Km long [くの] shaped, bowing daruma-like objects attached on each side.
I enlarge the map and confirm each area...
First, closest to the gate, there seems to be a general residential area. Beside the gate are stables and inns. Joining them, the local lord's castle is located in the center of the neighborhood. Something like a temple or magic-something is at the center of the city. Far from the gate, the lord's mansion stands. And a cafeteria that looks too small for city use, but too big as an exclusive for the local lord.
When I tried to search for people with [Adventurer] as job, I got nothing. There was no [Librarian] either, which probably mean there's no library. However, there were some [Slaves]...
After checking so many things, I've arrived at the front of the gate. Showing up together with the sun in the horizon, perfect timing! Though the gate is closed at this time.
I thought that there would be other people in front of the gate but there was actually no one.
It would be nice if there are some villagers who are going to sell their vegetables in the morning.
Is it only in my dream that stores don't open until 10 in the morning?!
Wearing a polo shirt and chinos pant might be too noticeable. I searched the storage, found several robes and took out the only non worn-out dark green robe to wear. The remaining robes are magic tools but they're too worn-out, I can't bring myself to wear them. This robe smells a bit like mold.
My body looks like the time when I was 15 with its small stature. The robe is too long and is dragging a little on the floor. Thanks to that, the sneakers are hidden. My mustache didn't even grow after one week. I was so happy and showed it off when it grew during the freshman period of university life. Though, I shaved it immediately when I got a girlfriend...
While having a recollection of the past, I continue to wait for the gate to open.
◇
「●●！ ●●●●●● ●●●●●●●●●！！」
When I got near the gate an uncle soldier came out while saying some unknown words.
The long awaited conversation featuring a mysterious language!!
>Shiga Language Skill Acquired!
I love Easy Mode!
God hasn’t forsaken me!!
I operated the menu and acquired the Shiga language skills extremely fast! Overenthusiastically allocated 10 skill points with glee.
"What's wrong kiddo? Do you have a stomachache?"
A bearded soldier follows suit. I don't think calling a man in the latter half of his twenty, "kiddo", is right... Oh that's right, my outer appearance is that of 15 years old.
"Good morning. Yes, I'm fine."
I replied amiably with a vague smile, trademark of Japanese people. Even if the partner is a middle aged uncle, it's a human after a long time. A smile is only 0 Yen!
The heavy gate opened behind us during the conversation.
"Kiddo, show me your identification per the rules. If you don't have one, pay the 1 copper coin tax."
What--! ID in a dream!
I thought of showing the driver license from my wallet but it looked like it'd be troublesome so I stopped.
"I'm sorry, I don't have an ID card."
I honestly say it. If I got refused then I could just stealthily go in, if I got caught then I'd just run. I'm seriously acting self-important inside this dream! Yes, a dream! This is a dream!
"Did you lose it? We could issue a new one but that'd be 1 silver coin, ya okay with that?"
Oi oi, can you so easily issue a new one?
There are some Shiga silver coins in the storage if I'm not mistaken.
"Please allow me to get a new one! My horse, surprised by the loud roar 8 days ago, escaped while carrying my luggage. If I haven't got beef jerky in my pocket and didn't find some spring water on the way here, I would have been dead!
I'm a smooth talker if I do say myself~ I may truly have a talent for swindling.
As if responding to my inner monologue :
>[Excuse Skill Acquired]
>[Scammer Skill Acquired]
>[Negotiation Skill Acquired]
Cheap skills!!!
"Come here kiddo!"
Uncle soldier beckon me to the guard station located besides the gate.
Even after telling excuses with great pain, uncle soldier just ignored it. His ignorability power-level is too high!
"Just in case, you're not on some wanted list or a thief, right?"
"Yes, of course."
I'm a member of general public unrelated to crime~
"Then, put both of your hands on top of this Yamato stone and speak your name."
Uncle guided me to the place with a 20" wide LCD display inside the guard station. Where in Yamato this Yamato stone can take me? Can it goes to space?
For name, it should be character name right~
"Satou."
Right after I spoke my character name. The lithograph started to dimly shine with blue light, and some words appeared.
It's the same letter as the one on the guidepost earlier. I could properly read it thanks to Shiga language skill. I want an English language skill!
"Kiddo, it's fine to release your hand now."
On the lithograph, [Race: Human],[Level: 1],[Class: Commoner],[Affiliation: None],[Occupation Type: Management],[Title: None],[Skill:None],[Rewar
d and Punishment: None] are written.
Eh, isn't the level different?
Leaving me puzzled, uncle soldier smoothly wrote the displayed writing from the lithograph onto a paper using a quill. Finally, he stamped the entry form, [Person Approving: Retainer of Earl Souryuu, Knight Soun], with his ring on the place where his name is written.
"Here, don't lose it next time."
Uncle soldier passes me the certificate while I give him a silver coin and one big copper coin taken from my pocket.
"What, you can properly put money on pocket. Aren't you quite watchful! Keep your ID safe from now on.”
“Also, don't forget this. Residence permit is only for 10 days. If you want to stay longer, apply your request here or at the ward in the town hall. Wherever it is, the procedure costs 3 copper coin."
"If you're caught in town with an expired permit during homeless hunt, the penalty will be 1 silver coin. If you can't pay it, you'll be forced to become a slave."
The explanation flowed smoothly, as if he's always doing it.
Let's be careful not to forget it.
Falling from vagrant to slave is severe! I wonder if it's the same with homeless hunting during Edo period?
"Thank you very much."
"Ou, you're welcome to the guard station for consultation if there's any trouble. Don't mind about the fee."
I've heard something good. Thank you, knight Soun.
I go out of the guard station with a polite farewell.
I took quite a bit of time inside the station, that the main road from before to inside the gate is now filled with people with an exotic feel.
◇
There's a semicircular space with a radius of about 20m between the gate and the town. Whether it is there to prevent confusion or for war, I don't know.
The certificate is made with material resembling Japanese paper. Even though the cityscape is in western style, the parchment is... Is it the limit of a dream?
I fold it carefully into my pocket. Of course, I put it directly into the Favorite folder inside my pocket.
Let's look for a change of clothes while strolling the main street for now! Even after many washings, it's painful to only wear one set of clothes.
