I might never set foot in this village again, but it was my first. I looked back one last time, burning the sight of it into my memory.
A heavy sheet had been stretched over the cages and salvaged equipment in the back of the wagon. The man who had been reduced to slave status seemed to have resigned himself to silence.
"Is the road ahead safe?" I asked the merchant once we had settled into a steady pace.
"Monster subjugations are carried out regularly along the highway to Vale Town. There is little to fear."
As the horizon began to brighten, the horse-drawn wagon picked up speed. It rattled and jolted violently. Whether the road was poorly maintained or the wagon itself was a relic, I couldn't say—it was likely both.
Broadleaf forests lined the highway. I couldn't tell how deep they went, but the trees near the road weren't particularly tall, making the woods feel thin. The scenery wasn't exactly breathtaking, consisting of nothing but endless trees, but I wasn't in any position to enjoy the view anyway; the constant shaking made it hard enough just to stay seated.
I endured the jolts in silence. I tried nibbling on some bread for breakfast, but swallowing was a challenge while being tossed around. With nothing better to do, I simply stared ahead.
I was bored. Beyond that, I had to keep shifting my weight to keep my rear from going numb.
Then, something flickered up ahead. A small shadow moved.
"There's a Slow Rabbit," I noted.
"You can tell from this distance?" Vikka asked, surprised.
"I hunted some yesterday."
Truthfully, I knew because of my Appraisal skill. It was only Level 1. It was so small that I couldn't actually see it clearly yet.
"As expected of you. If it is only a Slow Rabbit, we have nothing to worry about. I shall maintain our speed."
"Understood."
The wagon rapidly closed the distance and swept past the monster. If I were alone, I would have stopped to hunt it, but getting to Vale Town as quickly as possible was the priority.
"Ah, indeed, it was a Slow Rabbit," the merchant confirmed as we passed.
As we traveled further, I spotted something else in the distance. It was too far away to see clearly, but Appraisal identified it immediately: a Gumi Slime. Also Level 1. This world certainly didn't lack for monsters.
"A Gumi Slime is up ahead."
"A—a Gumi Slime?" Vikka's face paled as he slowed the horses and brought the wagon to a halt.
"What's the problem?"
"Gumi Slimes attack humans on sight. Usually, they only appear deep in the forest, far from civilization. This is troublesome. We have no choice but to take a long detour and circle back through another route."
"There’s no need for that. I’ll handle it."
If it meant a detour, I’d rather just fight. With Durandal, I should be fine.
"But it is the most formidable foe in this region! When one nears a village, the entire population must mobilize to drive it off. If a Gumi Slime catches you, its body will melt your flesh!"
Vikka sounded truly terrified. Was it really that dangerous?
Even so, as long as I didn't do anything stupid, I should be fine. It was only Level 1, after all. Since I’d already claimed it was no problem, I had to follow through. I'd have to fight one eventually anyway.
"It's fine. Keep moving," I commanded.
"U-understood."
The merchant nudged the horses forward. I focused on my Character Reset and brought out Durandal.
Come to think of it, the Hero job had a specific skill. If Durandal wasn't enough to end it quickly, I'd have to try that. I mentally opened my Job Settings to check the name.
"Overwhelming?"
I didn't quite get what that meant, but then a specific incantation floated into my mind. I had to chant it? Between this and Tirihi's rapier, it seemed that ordinary skills in this world required spoken words.
"...Is something wrong?" Vikka asked.
"No, nothing. Keep going."
"As you wish."
The merchant looked at me with concern—probably thinking I was some kind of eccentric—but I ignored him. I slipped off my backpack to move more freely and placed my copper sword at my feet. I drew Durandal and tucked the empty sheath into my belt. As we drew closer, the Gumi Slime noticed us and began to slither our way.
"Alright, stop here."
"Y-yes!"
As the wagon slowed, I jumped down from the driver's seat. I ran past the horses to meet the Gumi Slime head-on. I pulled Durandal back to my left and swung it horizontally like a baseball bat. The blade sliced through the slime's translucent blue body, but it didn't collapse. It seemed I couldn't one-shot this one.
"Spirit handed down—whoops!"
Just as I started the incantation for the skill, the slime lunged at me. I twisted my body, barely dodging its leap. Chanting while fighting was going to be impossible.
I slashed down at the Gumi Slime diagonally. As I readied my blade for a follow-up, it lunged again. This time, I tracked its movements and parried it easily with Durandal. Once it landed, I brought my sword down in a heavy overhead strike, splitting it from top to bottom. The Gumi Slime slumped, losing its shape as it spread across the dirt. That had to be the end of it.
The slime dissolved into green smoke, vanishing into the air. Once the haze cleared, a small white object remained on the ground. Appraisal identified it as Slime Starch.
It was a drop item I didn't recognize, but I picked it up anyway.
Apparently, Durandal couldn't kill a Gumi Slime in a single hit. Even at Level 1, different monsters had different durability. And chanting a skill during a frantic melee was too much of a distraction. I should probably save skills for preemptive strikes or train until I could chant without thinking.
While I was reflecting on the fight, Vikka brought the wagon forward.
"You... you actually defeated it?"
"Yeah."
"In such a short time? Truly, you are remarkable."
"It was nothing."
I said that, but it had taken three solid hits with Durandal. If I’d been using a common copper sword, I probably would have been melted before I could finish the job.
"By any chance, Michio-sama... are you a Mage?" the merchant asked tentatively.
"I’m pretty sure you just watched me use a sword."
"Indeed. And you used one yesterday as well."
I hadn't used any magic against the thieves, mainly because I couldn't.
"Exactly."
I climbed back onto the wagon. I knew magic existed in this world because I had selected it during my character creation, but I wondered how common actual Mages were.
"Is that Slime Starch you have there?" Vikka asked.
"It is."
"If I may... as a token of my gratitude for your protection, would you allow me to purchase it from you?"
Since I was still holding the item, I quickly thought through my Character Reset. I removed Weapon VI and dumped the 63 points into 30% Purchase Price Increase. I made sure to keep Durandal hidden behind my back while I closed the menu so I wouldn't look suspicious.
"Sure. I don't mind."
I handed him the starch. I hoped the bonus had kicked in in time.
"Thank you. If you dissolve Slime Starch in water and let it ferment, it becomes Slime Wine. It is a delicacy favored by many."
"Is that so?"
"The standard purchase price at the guild is forty Nahl. However, for saving our lives, I would like to offer ten times that amount. For you, Michio-sama, I shall pay five hundred and twenty Nahl."
"I appreciate it. I'll accept."
Ten times forty was four hundred. Add thirty percent, and you get five hundred and twenty. The bonus was working perfectly. I received five silver coins and twenty copper coins, which I tucked into my pouch before shouldering my backpack.
"Are there no Mages in this region?" I asked, curious.
"Well, they say that to become a Mage, one must drink a special medicine before the age of five. Only the children of royalty or the incredibly wealthy can afford such a thing. I have never heard of one living in these parts."
"I see."
I hadn't realized there was such a restriction. Does that mean I'm locked out of magic? I had been looking forward to that part of this world.
As we spoke, the forest finally broke away, and massive stone walls rose up before us.
"Oh! Is that Vale Town?"
"It is, indeed."
"It’s huge."
The walls looked to be over a kilometer long. It was a proper city. Of course, it couldn't compare to a modern Japanese metropolis, but considering the cost of building stone walls of this scale in this world, it was an impressive urban center. Fields spread out around the walls, likely tended by the residents. That was why the trees had been cleared.
The sun was only halfway up the sky. Between the slime hunt and the travel, it had been about three hours. It seemed time flowed roughly the same as it did on Earth.
"It is the greatest town in this region," the merchant said proudly.
Several wagons were converging near the gates. Vikka's wagon joined the flow and approached the entrance. There were gates, but no guards were stationed there, nor did there seem to be any checkpoints.
"People can just enter freely?"
"Of course. These walls aren't that high, and besides, trying to control entry is pointless when Movement Magic exists."
Movement Magic? There was a teleportation-style magic?
If people could just warp around, I suppose gate inspections were a waste of time. But then, what were the walls for? If a war broke out, soldiers could just warp inside. And if Movement Magic existed, why did we spend three hours in a rattling wagon?
I had plenty of questions, but I let them slide. The walls were probably just for monsters. And we used the wagon because my personal inventory wasn't something I could share with Vikka.
The wagon rolled into the town.
"First, we shall visit the Slave Trader. After that, the Knight Order Station, and then we can visit the weapon and armor shops. Does that suit you?"
"I'll follow your lead."
The wagon moved through the town. The streets were wide and paved with cobblestones. The buildings on either side were grand, four-story structures coated in white plaster. For a civilization that seemed to lack basic retail goods, the architecture was remarkably sophisticated. The streets were fairly crowded, but not overwhelmingly so. It felt like a peaceful, well-ordered town.
Appraising the passersby revealed a mix of Villagers, Merchants, and Farmers, along with a few Warriors. I found it odd that people living in a city were still classified as "Villagers."
"The central Market is just ahead, but we will turn right here."
The wagon veered off the main road.
"The area further in has a poor reputation. There are brothels and the like; I wouldn't recommend wandering too deep."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Brothels. Adult establishments. Places of sensual delights. I supposed the demand for such things was universal. If the area was dangerous, perhaps it was controlled by gangs or situated near the slums.
This required a thorough investigation.
As someone living in this world, it was vital for me to understand the local risks. If it was truly a dangerous place, I needed to understand the reality of that danger. It was my duty as an explorer of this new world. Yes, purely for research purposes. Even if that research involved... certain activities... it was a necessary sacrifice.
While I was justifying my future "research" to myself, the wagon stopped in front of a three-story red brick building. It looked like an ordinary grand house, but this was the Slave Trader's mansion.
"Do you have business here?" A young man stepped out as the wagon stopped. He was a Level 3 Merchant—likely an apprentice.
"We are here to deliver a criminal reduced to slave status. Please check the back."
The apprentice pulled back the sheet and confirmed the man in the cage. "Understood. Please, come inside."
As we were being led in, I whispered to Vikka, "It’s better if I'm the one officially selling him."
With my 30% bonus, it made the most financial sense. It had worked back at the village, so it should work here too.
"Of course. In that case, please take this." Vikka handed me a letter.
"What's this?"
"A letter of authorization from the Village Chief."
I took the letter and entered the room. After a short wait on a very comfortable sofa, a man appeared. Appraisal identified his job as "Slave Trader." He was Level 44—by far the highest-level person I had seen yet. He looked like a man who knew his business.
"I am Alan, master of this house."
"I'm Michio."
"And I am Vikka, from the village of Somara."
"Please, make yourselves comfortable."
The Slave Trader sat down across from us. The luxury of the furniture suggested he dealt with very wealthy clients.
"The Market seems quite busy today," Vikka remarked, opening with small talk.
"Do you not know? A new Labyrinth was discovered just two days ago."
"A Labyrinth?" Vikka sounded surprised.
So there were dungeons here. I recalled choosing a setting that featured both an overworld and dungeons. I kept quiet and focused on absorbing information.
"Did you encounter many monsters on your way here?" Alan asked.
"Not near the town, but we ran into them twice today."
"Activity in the nearby Labyrinths may be intensifying," Alan mused.
"We even encountered a Gumi Slime," Vikka added.
"Truly? That must have been a harrowing experience." Alan looked concerned.
"Michio-sama here dispatched it for us."
"By himself?"
"Indeed. He made short work of the thieves who attacked our village yesterday as well."
I was starting to feel a bit awkward with all the praise. Time to get back to business.
"There was a man who tried to steal the gear from those dead thieves. The village laws dictated he be sold into slavery."
"I see."
"Here is the authorization from the Village Chief." I handed over the letter.
Alan looked it over. "I see. Everything is in order."
"Half of the proceeds are to go to Michio-sama," Vikka explained.
"The man is healthy and in his prime. The standard market rate for such a purchase is thirty thousand Nahl."
I looked at Vikka, who gave me a small nod.
"That’s acceptable."
"Excellent. Then I shall pay fifteen thousand to each of you."
It seemed my 30% bonus didn't apply to the base price of a slave. Perhaps because it wasn't a "drop item" or standard merchandise.
"Is this your first time in my establishment?" Alan asked me.
"I just arrived in town today."
"I see. An Adventurer, then?"
I wondered why everyone assumed that. Maybe anyone who wandered between villages fighting thieves was automatically an Adventurer.
"Well, I haven't joined the guild or anything."
"I see. Then tell me, do you have any plans to purchase a slave of your own in the future?"
I froze for a second. "Do... Adventurers buy slaves often?"
"Oh, quite often," Alan said with a professional smile.
Buying a slave. The thought hadn't even crossed my mind, likely because I was still thinking with the morals of modern Japan. But in this world, it was perfectly legal. I had just sold someone, after all. Could I buy a beautiful female slave to... wait on me?
"Is that so? I've only just set out on my own. I spent my life training deep in the mountains with my master, so I'm a bit ignorant of the world's ways."
I used the same excuse I’d prepared. It explained why I didn't know common sense while also explaining why I was strong.
"I see. You do look quite young. Will you be visiting the Labyrinth near town?"
"I've never been to one, but I might check it out."
"In that case, please allow me to explain the details to you another time."
"I'll do that."
The man was a good salesman. He stepped out and returned with the money.
"Here is your half, fifteen thousand Nahl," he said, handing a tray to Vikka. Vikka received a gold coin and a stack of silver. So one gold coin was worth ten thousand.
Then Alan turned to me. "And for you, as a gesture for our future business, I shall pay nineteen thousand five hundred Nahl."
He handed me a tray with a gold coin and an even larger stack of silver. My 30% bonus had kicked in! Vikka didn't seem to notice or care about the discrepancy.
"I’ve received it. Thank you."
Despite the bonus, the idea of buying a slave still felt heavy. Was I becoming a "dirty" person? But then again, this world had its own rules. If I was going to live here, I had to adapt.
"We look forward to your next visit, Michio-sama."
He even remembered my name. I supposed I’d be back eventually, if only to ask about the Labyrinth.
Vikka and I left the mansion and climbed back onto the wagon. We headed back to the main road and toward the town center.
"Ah, there's the Market."
Stalls lined both sides of the wide street, selling food, clothes, and various goods. People with jobs like Priest, Cook, and Adventurer were everywhere. It was surreal to see "Adventurer" as a literal job title.
"That building there is the Knight Order Station," Vikka said, pointing to a brick structure with a bell tower near a central rotary.
The wagon stopped, and a knight stepped out to speak with Vikka. Appraisal said he was a Level 4 Knight—likely a trainee.
"Michio-sama, please produce the thieves' Intelligence Cards," Vikka said.
"Right."
We were here to collect the bounties. I opened my pouch and handed over the cards I'd taken. The cards were blank on the surface, so I wasn't sure how he'd read them.
"I shall verify your identities as well," the trainee knight said.
Vikka held out the back of his left hand.
"Flowing spirit's will, the rhythm of wisdom coursing through, Intelligence Card, Open."
A card shimmered into existence above Vikka's hand. Wait, were they going to check mine too? Did I even have one? What would happen if I didn't?
The knight finished with Vikka and turned to me. I had no choice. I held out my left hand.
"Flowing spirit's will, the rhythm of wisdom coursing through, Intelligence Card, Open."
To my relief, a card popped out from the back of my hand. I looked at it.
Michio Kaga < Male, 17, Villager, Free Citizen >
It was written in kanji. Was that the script of this world? He’d called me a "Surname Holder" earlier, which was apparently rare, and I learned I was officially a "Free Citizen."
"A Surname Holder? Ah, no... just a Free Citizen. Very well."
The knight headed inside with the thieves' cards.
"What was he looking for?" I whispered to Vikka.
"To see if your job is listed as Thief. They won't pay bounties to other criminals."
I stiffened. I did have the Thief job. However, my card only displayed "Villager." It seemed only my First Job was reflected on the card. Thank god I’d set Villager first.
I poked at the card. It was firmly attached to my hand but didn't feel like anything. When I pressed the edge, it retracted back into my skin. Magic was weird.
Eventually, a female knight emerged from the station. She was Level 24, wore high-quality gear I didn't recognize, and had a surname. She was likely from a noble family. She was a striking beauty with a sharp, disciplined air and flaxen hair tied back.
"Are you the one who defeated the thieves?" she asked, her piercing gaze landing on me.
"I am."
"Those men were part of a brigade based in this town's slums. We are currently conducting a sweep, and it seems a few escaped into the countryside. Two of the ones you killed had prices on their heads. The others were not yet listed."
She glanced at Vikka. Apparently, the two the villagers caught weren't worth anything. The trainee knight ran out and handed her a white bag.
"Here is the bounty. Take it." She tossed the bag at me.
"Whoa!" I caught it awkwardly. She was a bit blunt, wasn't she?
"Now that you have your pay, move along."
She turned and marched back into the station without another word.
That was it? No "thank you for saving the village"? No formal introduction? I was a bit disappointed. I guess even in another world, being a hero doesn't mean you automatically get the girl. If you weren't popular on Earth, you weren't going to magically become a ladies' man here.
"Next is the weapon shop," I said, my voice sounding a bit tired.
"Indeed."
I tucked the bounty into my pack. I doubted the 30% bonus worked on government bounties, especially given that knight's attitude.
We stopped at a shop further down the rotary where swords were displayed. A magnificent greatsword sat in the window. Appraisal called it the Steel Sword of Himorogi, and it had three skills. It looked incredibly expensive.
A man approached us—a Level 11 Weapon Merchant.
"I'd like to sell some swords," I said.
"Welcome. Let us see what you have." He picked up one of the copper swords. "O soul dwelling in the weapon, unleash that power, Weapon Appraisal."
I winced. Hearing someone say that out loud was painfully embarrassing. It was pure chuunibyou cringe. I was so glad my own Appraisal was silent.
"I have eighteen copper swords here," the merchant said after repeating the chant for every single blade. "I can offer two hundred and fifty Nahl for each."
Vikka gave me a small nod. Two of those belonged to the village.
"Fine."
"One iron sword. That will be one thousand Nahl."
"And this?" I handed him the Rapier of Flames.
He chanted again. "Ah, a weapon with a skill! A Rapier of Flames. I can offer eighteen thousand Nahl for this."
Skills certainly made a difference in value. Vikka looked shocked by the price but nodded.
"Accepted."
"And this scimitar... five hundred Nahl." He barely glanced at it.
"Does that include the Skill Slot?" I asked.
The merchant gave me a look of pure derision. "Customer, please. Do not mock me. This blade has no skill."
So he couldn't see empty Skill Slots. I handed him the copper sword I had been using—the one with an empty slot.
"What about this one?"
"Weapon Appraisal! ...It is a common copper sword. Two hundred and fifty Nahl."
He emphasized the word "common." It was clear he couldn't see the true value.
"I see. I'll keep the scimitar then. Just buy the rest."
"Very well. For the lot, I shall pay thirty thousand five hundred and fifty Nahl."
I wasn't sure if my 30% bonus was reflected in his offer or if it applied when the coins hit my hand, but I took the money. He brought out three gold coins and a pile of silver and copper. I handed two of the gold coins to Vikka.
"Is this enough for the village's share?"
"It is more than enough, Michio-sama."
The merchant's price for the village's portion—the two copper swords and the rapier—should have been eighteen thousand five hundred.
"The extra is for the scimitar I'm keeping. Consider it a fair trade."
"I understand. Thank you."
Vikka didn't question the extra money. It was my bonus, after all.
Finally, we went to the armor shop next door.
"The thieves the villagers caught had no armor, so there is no share for the village here," Vikka said. "I have my own business to attend to now, so I shall leave you here. Thank you for everything, Michio-sama. You saved our village, and we can never truly repay you."
He didn't mention Tirihi, which was probably for the best. He unloaded the armor, wished me luck, and drove off.
I looked at the pile of gear on the ground. I picked out a set of leather armor and boots that looked like they were in good condition and set them aside. Then I called for the shopkeeper.
A Level 13 Armor Merchant stepped out. Apparently, weapon and armor merchants were entirely different jobs.
"I'd like to sell these."
"I look upon the power I seek, soul of protection come forth, Armor Appraisal!"
Another cringe-inducing chant. I stood there, dying a little inside as he went through the items.
"Is there anything special here?" I asked as he picked up the Thief’s Bandana.
"Do you know what this is?" he asked, looking at me curiously.
"It’s a Thief’s Bandana, isn't it?"
"Indeed. It is an item that boosts the physical abilities of a Thief. A criminal would likely pay ten or twenty thousand Nahl for this. However, as a legitimate business, I cannot offer such a price."
An item that boosted stats for a Thief? Well, I had that job.
"I’ll keep the bandana then. Just buy the rest."
I sold off the remaining scraps of armor. I didn't know the exact market values, so I just agreed to whatever he offered. With my 30% bonus active, I was sure I was getting a better deal than anyone else in town anyway.