Prologue

ThedepthsofthegatetoanotherworldTHENEWGATE
There,twofiguresweresquaringoffagainsteachother.
Onewasthefigureofamonster.
ThenameoftheGatekeeper{monsterprotectingthegate}wasOrigin,theveryendof
theVRMMORPGTHENEWGATE,anditsstrongestmonster.
Itwasahumanoiddragontype,withahumanoidbody,adragon'shead,wings,andatail.
It'stotallengthwasroughly20m.It'seyesweredyedaskyblue,anditshornsandthescales
thatcovereditsbodyglitteredgolden.Agoldenarmouralsoconcealedafigurelikethatofa
trainedwarrior.Theunadornedspearitheldwasalsogolden.
Thoughitscolourschemecouldbeverypossibletakenasugly,butthoughyoucouldfeela
sublimedivinityfromitsphysiqueandoverwhelmingpressure,therewasnohate.
Itwasnoexaggerationtocallitadivinebeast,andcouldbesaidtobeamonsterworthyof
thetitle'strongest'.
Theotherfigurewasaperson.
HisnamewasShin,andhisrealnamewasKiritaniShinya.
Aveteranplayerwhoheldtopclasscombatability.
Hisheightwasalittleover180cm.Ifyouhadtochoosebetweenbulkyorskinny,he'dbethe
latter.
Blackhairandblackeyes.DespitefacingoffOrigin,fromhisplainfacethatcouldneitherbe
calledbeautifulnorugly,notashredofnervousnesscouldbefelt.
Aroundhisneckwasalightmuffler,blackcolouredwithredzigzags.Whathewaswearing
wasalongcoatwithpantsofthesamedesign.Hisarmsandlegswerewearingcrimson
tekkou[,armguards]andkyakkou[,legsguards],butbesidesthosetherewasn'tanythingelse
thatresembledarmour.
Asforweapons,therewasonlytheblackkatanainhisrighthand.Boththehandleandthe
tsubawereblack,butthebladealonefaintlysparkledred,asthoughithadrubiesmixedin.
Shintookastepforward.Inresponse,Originreadieditsguard.IncontrasttoShinwho
seeminglyworenoarmourbesideshisarmandlegguards,Originwasarmedandguarded
fromheadtotoe.Fromanoutsider'spointofview,itwasasightthatwastheepitomeof
recklessness.Youcouldn'timagineanythingexceptOriginturningShinintoapieceofmeat
withasingleswingofitsspear.
OnceShintookyetanotherstepforward,Originrespondedbythrustingitsspear.Witha
speedunimaginableforitssize,theattackwiththespearwaslikeafastapproachingwall.

Thespearboreintothetiledfloor.Wherethepointpiercedthefloor,notonlywerestonetiles
sentflying,butthespeargougedeventhefloorbeneaththetiles.
However,Shin'sfigurewasn'tthere.
ShinwasbyOrigin'sfeet.
Amomentbeforetheattack,ShinhadusedtheSupportTypeMartialSkillShingan[mind's
eye]topredictthelocationoftheattack,andfurthermorerelocatedhimselfathighspeeds
withtheMovementTypeMartialSkillShukuchi[].
AimingforOrigin'srightleg,havingleftitssight,ShinactivatedtheToujutsuTypeMartial
SkillKogetsusen[ArcMoonFlash].[Note:Here,Toujutsu=katanaswordsmanship]
Togetherwiththeactivationoftheskill,thebladeofhiskatanastartedtoglowred.Forjust
aninstant,thesharpnessandspeedofhisattackwasamplifiedby1.5times,andheslashed
intoOriginwithallhismight.
"Shii!"
Asingleyellandstrike.
Leavingbehindabrightredtrail,thebladebisectedthearmouraroundOrigin'srightleg.
Thebladecontinuedandcutapartthelegabouthalfwayup,andtheflowingblooddyedits
goldenscalesred.
Origin'sHPgaugedecreasedby1/50.Consideringitwasasingleblowagainstthestrongest
monster,itwasashockingamountofdamage.
"!!"
Originletoutacryatthepainthatassaileditsleg.
Ahighpitchedcrylikethescreechingofmetalresoundedthroughtheroom.Immediately
reactingduetoShingan'sattackprediction,Shinswiftlymadeabigjumpoutoftheway.
ThelegstrengththathadbeenstrengthenedtoitslimitmadeShinfastenoughthatheleft
behindanafterimage.
ImmediatelyafterShinmoved,thebuttofthespearsmackeddownlikeitwastryingtocrush
theafterimage.Probablybecauseithadweakened,therewerefewersmashedtilesthanlast
time.Evenso,itgoeswithoutsayingthatevenso,itwaswithforcebeyondthenorm.
"Howquick.Asexpectedofthelastboss."
Evenseeingthefearsomestrengthofthespear,Shinhadenoughleisuretoadmireit.The

finalGatekeeper.Filledwithfightingspiritworthyofbeinganopponent.
ThoughShinhadalotofleisuretospare,hewasdefinitelynotbeingcareless.
IftheHPgaugethatfloatedinthecornerofhisvisionemptied,hewoulddie.Notonlydidhe
understandthis,hehadmadeitthisfar.
THENEWGATEhadbeenturnedintoadeathgame,itwasforthesakeofclearingit
thatShinwashererightnow.
Thecomradeshehadfoughtalongwithweren'thereinthedeathgame,butpeoplewho
supportedhimwere.
AlmostallofthegearShinwasusingwerehisowncreations,andthoughtheitemshehad
beengivenwerebasicallyalluselessinbossfights.Evenso,thefeelingsofhisalliesthat
hadsupportedthemhimwithalltheirstrengthwereimportant[heavy].
Therewasagirlwhocriedfrommissingherfamily.Therewasaboywhowasataloss
havinglosthisolderbrother.Therewasamanwhorefusedtolose,andchallengedhimself.
Therewasawomanwhowouldcomerunningtohelpthosewhoweretroubled.Allofthem
hadstruggled,givenup,challenged,fought,andanumberofthemhaddisappeared.
Ithadbenayearsincetheyhadbeentrappedhere.Shinwasn'tsureifthatwasalongtime,
orashrottime.
However,whatfilledShin'sheartrightnowwasbutoneword
Win.
He'ddefeatOrigin,andhe'dreleasethosewhohadsupporthim,andthosewhohadpushed
himforward,fromthisgame.
Itwasbecauseofthis
"I'lltakethatheadofyours!!"
AgainstOriginwhoglaredoverathim,Shinonceagaintookastancewithhissword.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!"
Withayell,hisslashcutoffOrigin'swingfromthebase.

ToujutsuTypeMartialSkillHazan[MountainCrusher].
Itwasavigorousslashfromabove.
And,astheasthenamesuggested,itboastedenoughpowertocutamountainamassive
2.5damagetoenemieslargerthanoneself.
TheonewingedOriginfelltoitskneesfromthedamageithadsustained.
Shinthought'Alright!',inhismind.Thecooldownfromtheskillwascoveredbythecollapse
oftheopponent.
ThearmourthatOriginwaswearingwasnowbrokenandcrackedallover.
Notonlywasoneofitswingsmissing,butitsleftarmhadbeencutoff,andeventhetipofits
goldenhornwasbrokenoff.
OnlyalittleHPremainedinitsHPgauge.
"Hahh,hahh,hahh."
Originwaswoundedallover,butShinwasn'tuninjuredeither.Hisequipmentdurabilitywas
stillokay,buthehadrepeatedwardedoffthehugeOrigin'sblows,repelleditsblows,and
occasionallyblockeditsblows.ThoughhisHPgaugewasinthesafetyzone,hewas
mentallyexhausted,sohewaspantingasthoughhereallywastired.
"Hahh,hahh,suuuuuuhaaaahhh"
Hebreathedin,thenout.
Evenifitwasneedlessbecauseofthegamesystem,toShin,itwasanecessaryaction.
Asthoughtocalmhisanxiousheart,hetookcontrolofhisbreathing.
WithHazan,he'dneedonlyneedonemorehittofinishthings,butthecooldown[delay
time]forthisskillwaslong.Itwaslongenoughthatifnotthelongest,ithadatleastthe
secondlongestcooldownofallskills.Heprobablywouldn'tbeabletouseitagaininthis
fight.
(It'snotsoeasyanopponentthatit'lljusttakehugemovesoneafteranother,afterall.But
that'sonlyoneofmyskills.There'snoreasontoworry.)
Hedidn'tonlyhavethehighdamageHazan.Iftheylackedinquality,thenhe'dmakeup

foritinquantity.
"Don'tgethasty,me."
ThoughOriginhadlittleHPleft,itwasn'tzero.Ifhegotdoneinattheveryendbecausehe
lostfocusforamoment,it'dbeterriblypathetic.[thereshouldbelimitstobeingpathetic]
TherewasstillfightingspiritleftinthoseeyesthatstaredatShin.Thoughitshould'vebeen
justgraphics,thatwaswhatShinfelt.
Immediatelyafterwards,amonotonousfemalevoicereachedShin'sears.
SurvivalInstinctActivateAttackandSpeedincreased
GoldenWaveActivateHP,damagedparts,andbrokenarmour,steadily
recover
Shin'sAutoskill,Analysis['analysisten']activatedandlethimknowthatOriginwas
reinforcingitsabilities.
Andatthesametime,Origin'sHPgaugebegantorecoverjustalittle.Atthesubsofitslost
armandwing,agoldenedlightformedandgrewjustalittle,slowlyregeneratingitsarmsand
wing.
IfheleftOriginalone,atthisrateitwouldreturntoitsoriginalstatus.
Ofcourse,Shinwouldn't.
AtthesametimehereceivedtheinformationfromAnalysis,ShinusedShukuchi
tomove,andcamedownhardonthestillkneelingOrigin.
"!!"
InresponsetoShin'smovement,Originroaredandatthesametimemowedthespearinits
righthandacross.
GOU!!rangthesoundofthespearcuttingthroughtheairasitapproachedShin.
Withoutapause,ShinactivatedtheToujutsuTypeMartialSkillShirahanagashi[Drawn
SwordDiversion]andtheBarehandedTypeMartialSkillSteelRepel.
Loweringhiscentreofgravity,usingShirahaNagashiheblockedthespearwithhis
katana,andshiftingthetopoftheblade,hedivertedthepowerofthespearstrikeaway.On
topofthat,hisrighthandproppedtheblade,andusingSteelRepel,hereducedthe

powerofthespear.
However,becausethestrikewasstrengthenedwithSurvivalInstinct,Shinwasunableto
fullywardofftheblow,andalittleofhisHPgaugewasshavedoff.
"Hu!"
Whilsttakingdamage,themomentheparthisbladefromthespear,fromhiscrouched
position,Shinincreasedthepowerofthestrikeofthespearabovehim.
Becauseofthat,thespearstruckfasterthanOriginhadintended,andasaresult,Origin's
posturewasdestroyed.
ShinimmediatelyactivatedtheToujutsuTypeMartialSkillGekkouZanmai[Moonlight
BeheadingDance].Silverlightlikethelightofthemoonwrappedthebladekatana,and
tooktheformofasilverblade.Thebladelengthwouldbetemporarilyextendedbytwo
times.[Note:Thepreeditwebnovelsaysitextendsto2metres]
"Sehhhhyaaaaaah!"
ThelightbladestruckintoOrigin'sdefencelesstorso.
One!
Two!
Three!
Eachtimethebladeswungwithaspeedthatleftafterimages,atrailofsilverwasdrawnin
theair.ThethreestrikeshadwhittledawaytheamountofHPthatGoldenWavehad
recovered.
Four!
Five!
Six!
Seven!
Eight!

Nine!
Ten!
ThesevenstrikesthatfolloweddepletedOrigin'sremainingHPinonego.
Themomenttensilvertrailswereetchedintotheair,thelightdisappearedfromtheblade,
andletShinknowthattheskillhadcompleted.
GekkouZanmaiwasaskillthatincreasedtheattackspeedandrangefortenstrikes.
Thespeedoftheattackwouldbeincreased1.3times,andtherangeby2times.
Thoughthedamagegivenbyoneofthestrikeswasn'tthathigh,becauseoftheincreased
rangeandnumberofstrikes,thecombineddamagetakenfromtheattackwasgreaterthana
simplepowerincreasedskill.
Thoughitcertainlydidn'treachaHazanthatwasperformedwithShin'sSTR,weapons
andattackpower,itwasabletodealdamageclosetoit.
Andtruly,theintenseattacksfromtheGekkouZanmaitenstrikecombinationleft
Origin'sHPgaugewithalmostnothingleft.
"Thisfinishesit!!"
ShinranuptoOrigin,whowascollapsedfromGekkouZanmai'sdamage.Eveninthis
time,Origin'sHPhadrecoveredalittle,butShinjudgedthathewouldmakeit.
Perhapsasafinalstruggle,Origin'srighthandletgoofhisspear,andletlooseabackfist.
Shinleaptoverit,andsetupajoudanguardinmidair.[Note:JoudannoKamae.Oberhut.
VomDach.]
HiseyesmetwiththecollapsingOrigin's.Despitethefactthatthisblowwouldtrulyspellthe
endforit,forsomereasonShinfeltnotangerinitseyes,butaquietcalm.
However,evenifhecouldfeelnoanimosityfromthoseeyes,thepowerinshin'sbladedidn't
letupaninch.
Havingdecidedonvictory,hisheartdidn'twaver.
"Thisistheend!"

Alongwiththosewords,ShinbroughtdownhisbladebladeonOrigin'sforehead.

YouhavedefeatedGatekeeperOrigin.Accordingly,youwillbegiven
thebossdefeatingbonus.
YouhavegainedGift(s)LimitBreaker,AccomplishedOneand
Liberator.
YouhavelearnedSkill(s)WaveoftheDarkKing,FocusWaveand
ScatteredWave.
YouhavegainedItems(s)CorpseoftheGuardian,Soulofthe
GuardianandHeartoftheGuardian.
[Note:Firstofall,'gifts'arewhatwouldbecalled'titles'inothergames.Thekanjisays'title',butinthelightnovel,thefuriganareads'gift'.
Also,Ihaveseen(rinkaisha)usedbeforeinD.GrayManaswell,butthetranslatorstherecouldn'tfindagoodEnglishequivalent
either.Inlightoftherestoftheseries,willwriteitas'LimitBreaker'fornow.Itmoreliterallymeanssomethingthathashitthecritical
point.Ah,also,DarkKing()sortofequatestoPluto/Hadesinasense,esp.planet().]

Hearingthevoiceoftheannouncer,Shinstoodstill.
Theplacefilledwithlight.
Origin'sbodyturnedintolightandscattered,andfilledtheroomwithlight.
Thelightglitteredforafewmoments,anddisappeared.Afterthat,allthatremainedinthe
tatteredroomwereanundamageddoor,andShin.
Whenthelightfaded,theannouncerspokeagain.
TheGatekeeperoftheDepthsoftheGatetoAnotherWorld,Origin,hasbeen
defeated,andthedungeonhasbeencleared.
ItannouncedShin'svictorytohiscompanions.
Accordingly,allplayersarenowabletologout.
ItletalltheplayersthatfoughtinTHENEWGATEknowthattheywerereleasedfromthe
game.
"It'sover"
Right,itwasover.

Thedeathgametheyhadbeentrappedinforayearwasnowover.
Justtobesure,Shinconfirmedthatattheverybottomofthemenu,theLogOut
commandwascertainlythere.
Shinopeneduphisfriendsmenutosee,andevenatthatmoment,thenamesoftheplayers
werechangingfromOnlinetoOffline.
Itseemedthateveryonewasabletologoutsafely.
"Ikeptmypromise.Right,Marino?"
Hischestbrimmedwithasenseofaccomplishment.
Wouldthegirlwhohadfalleninthisworldhavepraisedhim?
SowonderedShin.
"Nowthen!ShallIwaittomakesureeveryoneelsehasloggedoff?"
Decidingtostopthinkingaboutthedepressing,Shinswitchedhismoodandsatdownonthe
floor.
Shinhaddecidedtomakesureeveryoneelsemadeithomebeforeloggingouthimself.
ShintookoutsomethinglikearolledparchmentfromhisitemboxtheSurvivor'sList,and
quietlyspreadit.Thislistwasanitemthatshowedthenamesofthesurvivingplayersinreal
time.
AcompanionalchemistwhosympathisedwithShin'sthoughtshadspent7daysand7nights
comingupwiththeitem.Iftheplayerdied,orotherwiseloggedout,theirnamewould
disappearfromthelist.
Whilstfeelinggratefultowardsthatalchemistfriend,Shincontinuedtowatchthelistfora
shortwhilelonger.
Thetimeittookwasroughly3minutes.Finally,theonlynameleftonthelistwasShin.
"I'mthelastone,huh?"
Heunconsciouslyletoutthosewords.
Whilehewasfighting,hedidnothingbutfocusonwhatwasahead,butnowthatnowthathe
wasabouttoendthings,itfeltsomehowdeeplymoving.
Afterloggingout,heprobablywouldn'treturnhereagain.Foragamethathadbeenturned
intoadeathgametocontinuerunningnomatterhowyouthoughtaboutit,itwasimpossible.

(Itendedupasadeathgameintheend,butexcludingthat,Ireallyhadalotoffuntimes
withit.)
ForShin,thetimehehadspentplayingTHENEWGATEactuallyequatedtoa1/3ofhislife.
Forbetterorworse,hehadspentalongtimeinthisgame.
"Cya,THENEWGATE."
Mutteringwordsoffarewell,Shinmadetologout,butatthatmoment,thedoorbeforehis
eyesletoutagroan.
"Mn?"
Preoccupiedwiththegate,thefingerthatmadetotouchthewordsLogOut,stopped.
Thegorgeouslydecorated,anddignifieddoorswereslowlyopeningwithagroan.Light
shonefromtheopenedgap,andfromwhereShinwas,itwasimpossibletotellwhatwas
happeningbeyondthedoors.
"What'sthis?Thereshouldn'tbeanymoreevents"
Shinwasbewildered.
BesidesShin,thedoorcontinuedtoopen,andtheoverflowinglightdyedtheroomwhite.
"Somethingiswrong."
Feelingasenseofabnormality,amomentfasterthanShin'sfingermanagedtotouchthe
words'LogOut',thelightfilledtheroom.
Asthoughswallowedbythelight,Shinlostconsciousness.

Chapter1
Thefirstthinghefeltwaswind.
Shin'sconsciousnessfaintlygrapshedthefeelingofthewarmwindblowingonhisskin.
Whathefeltnextwasahardsensationonhisback,andfaintly,asweetsmelltickledhis
nose.
Wasthereasonhissightwasdarkbecausehiseyeswereclosed?
"Mmn"
Shinopenedhiseyesashesatup.
Whatspreadacrosshisfieldofvisionwasabroadmeadow,dottedwithtreegroves.
WhiteandpinkflowersbloomedwhereShinhadbeensleeping.ItseemsthatwhatShin
smelledearlierweretheseflowers.
"Thisis"
Tosolvethemysteryofwhyhewashere,Shinworkedhismind.
(TodayIfoughtOrigin,thebossmonsterattheDepthsoftheGatetoAnotherWorld,and
won.Right,IclearedTHENEWGATE.Becauseofthat,wecouldlogout,everyonewas
released,andintheenditwasjustme)
Gradually,hismindbecameclear.
ThesceneShinhadseenattheendthatwas,
"Thedoorsopened?"
Right,afterdefeatingthefinalbossmosnterOrigin,loggingoutbecamepossible,and
justashewasabouttodosohimself,thecloseddoorshadopened,andhelosthis
consciousness.
"Theheckwasthat?Andthisis"
Evenlookingaroundagain,whathesaywasabroadmeadow,andgrovesoftrees.There
wasnothingelsehecouldfind.
"Coulditbe,I'mstillinthegame?"
Shinwasn'tsurewhetherornothehadmanagedtotouchthewordsLogOutintheend.

Wonderingifonlyhehadn'tloggedoutbecauseofanevent,hemadesurebycallingupthe
menu.
"Oi,oi."
Translucentscreenbehindhiseyes,andthemenuitemslinedupthereitwasunmistakably
themenuscreenofTHENEWGATE.
"What,Iwasstillinthegame?"
Man,thatwasshocking,thoughtShin,ashebroughthisgazedownthemenu.
There,thewordsLogOutwere
"Gone."
ThewordsLogOutthatshouldhavebeenbetween'OwnedGold'and'Help',werenowhere
tobeseen.ThesixlettersthathehadmadesureweretherewhenhehaddefeatedOrigin,
haddisappeared.
"Oioioi,thisisalie,right!?"
Heopenedupeverymenuitemfromstarttofinish,butasexpected,thewordsLogOutwere
nowheretobefound.
Itwaslikewhenitwasadeathgame.
"Tch!!Right,whatabouteveryoneelse!?"
Wasthereanyoneelsebesideshimself?Thinkingaboutthatpossibility,Shinlookoutthe
SurvivorsListfromhisitembox.Iftherewasanyotherplayerleftbehind,thelistwouldshow
it.
"Whatthehell?"
TheonlyoneonthelistwasShin,butbelowthatinthewhitespace,
Cannotdisplayduetolackofnetworkconnection.
waswritten.
TheSurvivorsListwasawayofhavingtheavatarthatusedtheitem,accessthenetworkof

THENEWGATE,andcheckingwhichplayersstillsurvived,saidhisalchemistfriend.
Consideringthat,itmeantthatatpresent,Shin'savatarwasdisconnectedfromTHENEW
GATE'ssystem.
"Can'tconnecttothenetwork.ThenwhycanImovemyavatar?"
Eventhoughhecouldn'tlogout,hewasconnectedtothesystemwassomething
likethatpossible?
Inthissituation,Shinshouldn'thavebeenabletomovehisavatar.Itwasn'tasthoughShin
waswellversedwithVRtechnology,butatanyrate,thatwashowTHENEWGATEworked.
Thinkingaboutitnormally,beingdisconnectedfromthenetwork,yetbeingabletomoveyour
avatarwascontradictory.
"Idon'tgetit.Theheckishappening."
Thefeelingofreliefhehadupuntilawhileagohaddisappearedinonego,andShinonce
againlaydownontheground.
Hedidn'tfeellikegettingup,andheworkedonlyhismind,butnomatterhowmuchhe
thoughtaboutit,hecouldn'tcomeupwithananswer.
(It'snogood,huh.Inthesesituations,Ishouldemptymymindforalittle.)
ItwasShin'swayofcalmingdownwhentheinsideofhisheadwasamess.Whentherewas
somethinghecouldn'tunderstand,he'dtemporarilyletgoofeverything,andthenrebuildthis
thoughts.
Hecouldn'tconnecttothenetwork.
Itwaspossibletomanipulatehisavatar.
Thetwopointsabovewerenotreconcilable.
couldbeconfirmedthroughtheSurvivorsListprogram,andthemessagethatappeared
onthelist.
wasalsoconfirmedsincehewascertainlymovinghsiavatar.
Asfor,itwasarealitythatanetworkconnectionwasessentialfortheactofmovingones
avatar.Therewasnomistakethatplayerswhohadlostconnectiontothenetworkduetoa
bugfoundthemselvesunabletomovetheiravatars.
Then,whatwouldhavetohappentoreconcilethesetwofactswhatShincameup
withwasthis.

TherewasthepossibilitythattheSurvivorsListhadmalfunctioned,andtherereallywasa
networkconnection.Itwouldn'tbestrangeforsomethinglikethistohappen.
Thenextpossibilitywasthathecouldn'tconnecttothenetwork,butitwaspossibletomove
hisavatar.Thatkindoftechnologymightahvebeendeveloped.
"ThelastpossibilitywouldbethatFantasy."
Shinsmiledwrylyatthethoughtthathadbychancecrossedhismindwhilehewasthinking
seriously.
Shinwasapurenetgamer.Hewasbadenoughthathisfriendscalledhimanetgame
addict.Andatthesametime,healsoreachedouttoanime,manga,lightnovelsandweb
novels.
Storieswheretheprotagonistendedupinaworldexactlylikethegamehadalreadybecome
astapleforsuchfiction,andhehadalsoreadanumberofthese.Thereasonsforthiswere
varied,butShinhadreadmanystorieswheretheycametotheworldofthegamewiththeir
menuintact.
Whathadcometomindjustnowwasexactlythat.Hehadsuddenlywonderediftheplacehe
wasinnowwasn'tthegame,buttherealworldofTHENEWGAME.
Losinghisnetworkconnection,andbeingabletomovehisavatarbothofthesecouldbe
explainedbyit.
'Asif',thoughtShin.Hedecidedtostopthinkingforawhile,andlookedupatthesky.The
wideblueskyfilledhisvision,andsmallcloudsslowlymovedby.
Hecouldseethegrovesoftreesinthecornerofhiseyes.Turninghissightthatway,he
couldclearlyseeeachleaf.
""
Hecouldseethem.Hecouldseethemclearly.Hecouldseethemdistinctly.
Hecouldseetoomuch.
Hecouldseemoreclearlythatwhenitwasagame.Itwasasthoughtheywerethereal
thing.
WiththedevelopmentofVR,certainlytheycouldcreateaworldthatwasthespittingimage
oftherealone.Notonlyinsightandsounds,butitwaspossibleintouch,andtasteaswell.
HoweverHoweverpossibleitwastoreproducethesethings,technologystillhadn't

reachedthelevelofthe'realthing'yet.Technologywasonlyatalevelwhereifyou'dseenit
inrealitybefore,you'dknowforsurethatthesewereaffectedfakes.Intheend,theywere
justprettygraphics.
However,whatwasreflectedinShin'seyeswerethemovementsofclouds,thecolourand
glossofleaves,thefiguresofflowersbloominginthefieldallofthislookedlikenothingbut
therealthing.
""
Shinslowlyheldhisownhandabovehisface.Therewerewrinklesandfingerprintsthat
hadn'texistedwhenitwasagame.
"Isthistherealthing?"
Afternoticingthisonething,hestartedtounderstandthingsoneafteranother.Thescenery
beforehiseyes,therustleoftheleaves,thefeelofthewindonhisskin,thesmellthattickled
hisnosealloftheseweredifferentfromhowtheyfeltingame.
"Afteradeathgame,isatriptoanotherworld"
ShinexperiencedtwoVRMMOplayerurbanlegendsinsuccession.Dependingonthe
person,itmight'vebeenadelightfulsituation,butShinwasthinkingthathe'dhavepreferred
sometimeinbetweenthem.Theonlyindicationthatheborethesethoughtsthatwerepretty
faroffthenorm,washiscalmexpression.
"AhhhhhhhhWhattheheckisgoingon~~?"lazilysaidShin,asherolledaroundonthe
ground.
JustwherehadthevaliantfigurefromthefightwithOrigingone?
OntopofthefatiguefromthefightwithOrigin,justwhenhethoughthecouldlogout,
unbelievablyheendeduponatriptoanotherworld.Atanyrate,hismindsoughtrest.
Ifyouhadtodescribeitinoneword,hewaslanguid.
Hewasalittlebitburnedoutaswell,soforawhilethefeelingsofwantingtotakeiteasy
filledShin'sheart.
"Ah~~~Hahh."
Forawhilehe'drollaboutasthoughhehadrevertedtoinfanthoodorsomething,andthen
stopthat,endlesslyrepeatingthetwo.Littlethoughitmayhavebeen,perhapsbecausehe

hadabandonedtheactofthinkingforawhile,hiswearinesshadbecomesomewhatbetter
thanbefore,andhebegantothinkagain.
Thesituationwasfilledwithunknowns.Therewasnobodyelsearound,sohecouldn'tgather
evenalittleinformation.Stillfeelingalittleheavy,whilsthesatupheconsideredwhathe'd
dofromnowon.
(Atanyrate,Idon'thaveenoughinformation.Fornow,sincethemenustillappears,I'llcheck
mystatusanditems,andthenshallIsearchforaplacethatwouldhavepeople?)
Summoningthemenu,hedisplayedthestatusmenu.
Onthelefthandsidewasa3DgraphicthatdisplayedtheavatarthatwasShin'sotherself,
andontherightwereentrieslikeAbilityPoints,Equipment,Gifts,Skills
andthelike.
Thedisplayedavatarhadblackhairandblackirises,withnonotabletraitsoutsideofsome
slightlysharplookingeyesthefaceofayoungmanyoucouldfindanywhere.
ThefaceontheavatarwasShin'srealone,andbecausethephysiquewasmadetoreflect
that,thoughitwas180cmtall,itgavesomewhatofalankyimpression.Shin'sfriendinreal
lifewhohadbeeninanathleticsclub[atschool/university]hadalwaystoldhimtotrainhis
bodymore.
WhenhemadetoconfirmhisEquipment,hefoundthattheyhadchangedalittlesince
hisfightwithOrigin,andhismuffler,hisarmguards,andhislegguardshadbeen
unequipped.Whathestillhadequippedwastheredlinedblacklongcoat,Overcoatofthe
DarkKing,thepantsthathadbecomeasetwithit,andaccessories.
IntheweaponscolumnwerethewordsShingetsu[TrueMoon].Itseemedthathis
belovedandpridedbladewasingoodshape.
Whenhecheckedhisinventory,theequipmenthehadworntofightOriginwasinthere.He
hadverifiedhisitemsandmoneyatthesametimetoo,anditseemedtherewasnoproblems
withhisbelongings.
NextwasAbilityPoints.
OriginallyallstatsexceptLUCweremaxedoutwith9s,andheprayedthathehadn't
weakened.

"Nonono"
Helookedawayfromthescreen,andforawhilegazedfarawaybeforereturningtothe
screen.
Therewasnowaythatdoingsomethinglikethatwouldchangewhatwasbeingdisplayed
beforehim.

"Hangon,justhangon!"
Onceagain,helookedawayfromthescreen,andgazedintothedistance.Furthermore,he
rubbedhiseyes,andthenhavingmadesuretherewasnothingblurryabouthissight,he
returnedhisgazetothescreen.
Itwaslikehewasinaframeofamangawherethecharactercouldn'tbelievetheireyes,
Shinthought.
"Ididn'tseewronghuh?"
Intheend,havinglookeduponitforthethirdtime,Shinfinallyacceptedthathehadn't
seenthatwrong.
ThereasonwassimpleexceptforLUC,thoseabilitypointswereverydifferentfromwhathis
statsusedtobe.
TheVVMMORPGTHENEWGATEwasdifferenttootherMMORPGs,andifyouspent
alongtime,youcouldraiseeverystatexceptLUCtothemaximum.
ShinwhohadspentmassiveamountoftimeonitsincetheCloseddays,ontopofaiming
formaximumhuntingefficiency,andwhowouldrepeatedlyusetherebirth[reincarnation]
system,wastheonlyplayerwhohadcappedallstats.
Therewereotherplayerswhohadalmostmaxedout,butnoneofthemcouldreachShin.
Whenitwasagame,Shin'sHPandMPwere9999,andbesidesLUCwhichwas36,all
otherattributeswere999.
ThereasonLUCwaslowwasbecauseontopofithavingacapof99,itwasdeterminedand
fixedfromwhenthecharacterwascreated.
Butrightnow,allofShin'sstatusessaveforLUCweredisplayedasoverdoubletheiroriginal
values.
"Thegame'sspecshavebeensmashedbythis"
Therewasalreadynothinglefthecoulddobutbeamazed.
Thenumericalvaluesweretoolarge,andrightnowhehadnoideahowgreathisown
strengthwas.

"Asyou'dthink,I'mexhaustedfromthesurprise"
Becauseofallthesurpriseshe'dhadrecently,hewassurethathelookedhilarious,he
thoughtmockinglyabouthimself.
Evenso,staringatthemenuwasunproductive,sofornowhe'dmoveontootherentries.
(TherearethingsI'veneverseenbefore,huh.)
Lookingatitfromstarttofinish,hefoundoutthatnewGiftsandSkillshadbeenadded.
TheGiftsLimitBreaker,AccomplishedOneandLiberator,andtheSkills
WaveoftheDarkKing,FocusWaveandScatteredWavehadbeenadded.
HeshouldhavehearditwhenhedefeatedOrigin,butShinhadcompletelyforgotten.
Tofindoutwhateffectstheyhad,hechosethethreenewGiftsfromthemenu.
LimitBreaker
Withthispower,youcanexceedthelimit.
Theupperlimitforallstatuseshasbeenremoved.Statuseswillriseaccordingtohowmany
abilitypointswerediscardedpriortolimitremoval.
AccomplishedOne
BlessingstotheonewhohasreachedtheendsofSamsara.
ThemomentthisGiftwasreceived,allabilitypointsweredoubled.
Liberator
Youarethehopesofthosewhohavebeenimprisoned.
Actsofrestrictionandsubordinationarerestricted.Forbiddenmagic,traps,itemsetc.are
madeinvalid.
"Theheck?"
EveryoneoftheGiftshehadgainedwerebeyondexpectations.EvenShinwhoknewof
almosteveryGiftinthegamedidn'tknowofsuchbalancebreakingGifts.
Itwasfinethathehadsolvedthemysteryofhisincreasedstatuses,butthesewerebasically
cheats.Theyweren'teveninthedimensionofhavingarareitem,orstartingonahighlevel.
Havingsaidthatthough,thatLUCwasstillthesameasever(inaccordancetothegame's

setting),itkindoffeltlikehewasbeingmocked.
"StorieswheretheygofromanMMOtoanotherworldusuallyhavecheatcharactersbut
thisreallyfeelslikethey'reoverdoingit,huh"
Shin,whoseoriginalstatusescouldbecalledcheats,hadbeenenoughtodemolishagroup
ofmaxlevelLv.255sonce(agroupof12,withnorebirths).Hewasstrongenoughthatwhen
hekilledthemall,theyscreamed"Youfreakingcheater!"astheydied.
Againstplayerswhohadrebirtheddozensoftimesandalmostcappedtheirstats,evenShin
wasn'tundefeatable,butevenso,hecouldfightonparwith4ofthematonce.Inthefirst
place,playerswhofoughtwithShinheadonwererarethough.
Thosestatshadnowbeenevenfurtherincreased.Aslongashedidn'tsufferaninstant
deathfromanambush,infightsagainstpeopleheprobablycouldn'tloseanymore.Of
course,thiswasassumingthattherewereotherplayersinthisworldinthefirstplace.
Whilstthinkingaboutneedlessworries,Shinprayedthatthesetitlesweren'tpossessedby
heapsofotherpeople.

[#AAB2]
Afterthat,besidestitles,Shinalsocheckedallhisskillsandmagicfromstarttofinish,and
evenactivatedafewforrealtotesttheeffects.Thankfully,therewasnothinginthe
surroundingsthatwould'vebeenbadtodestroy,sohewasabletotesttheskillsandmagic
toacertainextentofhisrealpower.
Astheresultofmassproducinglargecraters,hefoundoutthattheparalysisframesand
cooldownsforMartialSkillshaddisappeared,andthatitwasnowpossibletocontrolthe
intensityofmagic.
Upuntilnow,thoughitwasrealistic,sinceitwasagameitwasnaturaltohavesuch
restrictions.However,itisobviousthatsuchthingswouldn'texistinreality.
Andso,inexchangefortheseunnaturalthingsthatwerecharacteristicofgames,instead,
younowcouldn'tmovewithoutconsideringtrivialinjurieslikehurtingyourtendons,or
sprainingyourjoints.Thesesortsofthingswouldbeobviousinreality.Atanyrate,rightnow
Shinwasn'tinagameworld.Ifhetookanenemy'sattack,itwouldn'tjustendwithhisHP
gaugedropping.Ifhedidn'tthinkcarefullyabouthismovements,whenitcametocrunch,

therewastheriskthathewouldn'tbeabletotakeaction.
Shinwasonceagainremindedhimselfoftherealitythatthiswasn'tagame.
Noticingthathewasbewilderedatthedifferencesbetweenthisworld,andthegameworld
thatheknew,Shinthoughtthatatsomepoint,thevirtualrealityTHENEWGATEhad
becomehis'secondreality'beforehehadrealised.
'Inthatcase,shouldtheplaceI'minnowbecalleda'thirdreality?'thoughtShinwithawry
smile.
Ittookhimquitealongtimebeforethatsecondreality(theworldofthegame)tostartfeeling
real,butasexpected,itseemedthathewasadjustingtothisthirdrealityquitequickly.As
thoughthewearinessfromjustawhileagowasalie,hewasamazedathimselfformoving
aboutlikethis.
"Wellthen,Iguessit'sabouttimetogo."
Whilstsayingthis,Shintookoutasinglebookmark.Hebroughtthisordinarywhitebookmark
abovehishead.
"Gohome!"
WhenShinchantedthis,lightgatheredaroundthebookmark,andwhentheballoflighthad
reachedthesizeofabaseball,ittooktheshapeofafalcon.
Thefalconmadeoflightlightlyfloatedintheair,andturneditsheadtoacertaindirection.
WhatShinhadusedwasanitemcalledGuideanitemthatwouldpointoutthedirection
toaregisteredlocation.Normallyitwasusedtomarkthelocationofarestspotinahunting
field,butacertaingroupofplayers,wouldlikeShin,registertheirhomesasthelocation.
[Note:Um,whattheJapanesecallstheitemis'GuideofGuiding',butitsoundsquiteabitmorestupidinEnglish.]

Shindidn'tknowwherehewasbecausethemapwasn'tfunctioning,buthesawthe
Guideintheitemscolumn,andsincetheonlylocationregisteredwashishome,he
decidedtoheadtherefirst.
Incidentally,thefactthattheballoflighthadturnedintoafalconwasduetoShin'staste.The
lightcouldturnintoaformtheplayerliked.
"Onwards,tomyhouse!"
Shinbegantoruninthedirectionindicatedbythelight.Atthemomenthehadchosenthe

destinationfortheGuide,itindicatedthatthedistancetothelocationwas67kemels
away.1kemelwasroughly1kilometre,soitwas67kilometresahead.
Normallyitwouldbequitealongwayawayonfoot,butShin'sreinforcedlegpowerwasvery
farfromthenorm.Hecouldmovefairlyquicklyjustbywalkinglightly.
TherunningShinhadalreadyreached70km/h.Ontopofthat,becausehewasn'tridinga
vehicle,hecouldcontinuerunningregardlessofifitwasathickforest,oraruggedrockland.
"Yaaaaaaaaaahoooooooooooooo!!"
Becauseitfeltnicetocutthroughthewindasheran,Shinletoutalargescreamasthough
todispeltheanxietyhehadfeltsincewakingup.
Thoughhedidn'tknowhowmuchendurancehehad,ithardlyfeltdrainingatallhefeltlike
hecouldrunforever,andsohecontinuedrunningwithoutrest.
Ontheway,hespottedafourarmedbear(TetraGrizzly),atwoheadedsnake(Twinhead
Snake)andaboarwithamanelikefire(FlameBoar),sototestouthisstrength,hefought
themonebyone.Thelevelsofthebear,snakeandboarwere87,68,and79respectively.
SincehehadconfirmedtherenamesandlevelswithAnalysis,therewasnomistaking
it.
Allofthemfoughtwithbasicpatterns,andweremonstersthatbeginnerswouldoftenhunt,
soforShintheywerefoeshecoulddefeatwithonehand[defeatwithoutneedingtocare].
However,unlikewhenitwasagame,Shincaughtaglimpseofthespontaneityandwillto
live[desiretohelpthemselves]whichhadgivenhimachill.
[Note:Atthispoint,takeabreakandsearchgoogleimagesandwikifor"hokora/"and"/noren".I'llbeleavinghokoraasitis,since
it'suniquelyJapanese,andShinislargelyJapanesethemed.]

Anhourlater,aftercuttingthroughmeadows,jumpingoverrocks,andrunningthrough
forests
Aroundthetimehestartedtoseealargerampart[castlewalltypewall],thefalconoflight
startedtoblink,indicatingtohimthattheywereclosetothetargetdestination.
Hedroppedhisspeed,andstoodstill.Thedirectionthatthefalconindicatedwasslightlyoff
fromthewall.Itseemedthatitwasinsidetheforestthatspreadbeforethewall.IfShin's
memoryservedhimright,thenthereshouldn'thavebeenatownenclosedbyarampartnear
hishome.
"Justwhentheheckwasthatbuilt?"

mutteredShin,ashelookedatthewall.
Thesizeoftherampartwasaroundthesizeofasixstorybuilding.Itlookedlikeitwasbuilt
fromcutstone,anditbroughtaboutadignifiedatmosphere.
Werethepartsbrokenhereandtherebecauseofmonsterattacks,orwheretheybecauseof
war?
Inthegame,therehadbeensiegewareventsthatlargenumbersofpeoplehadtakenpart
in,Shinincluded.Therampartshadbeenenchantedwithmonsterrepellent,fortification,and
magicresistantenchantments,soShinfeltitwouldbedifficulttoattack.
Shinsuspectedthatitwasn'tatowninside,buthecouldn'ttellatallwhatwasreallyinside.
Well,sinceitwassurroundedbythesereinforcedwalls,itprobablywouldn'tbeadeserted
ruin.
Atanyrate,rightnowhedidn'thaveanybusinesswithit,sostoppinghisthoughts,he
returnedhisgazetotheforest,andwalkedinthedirectionthatthefalconindicated.
Afterwalkingforabout100mels,therewasaclearingthatwasdifferenttothesurroundings
andvegetation.Unlikethetreesupuntilnowthathaddiametersof30or40cemelsatbest,
intheclearingstoodatreewhosediameterexceeded1mel.
Inthemidstoftheatmosphereexudedbythemassivetree,stoodabuildingthatwas
nostalgictohim.
Itwasabuildingbuiltofstoneandwood,andabovethecurtained[noren]shopentrance
hungasignthatreadinlargeletters,YorozuyaTsukinoHokora.[JackofAllTradesHokoraof
theMoon]

"Itlooksprettymuchthesame,huh."
ItwasunmistakablythesameasbeforehisfightwithOrigin.Seeinghisunchangedhome,
Shin'sheartfeltlikeithadfoundsupport.
Inthegame,YorozuyaTsukinoHokorawasaweapons,armour,anditemsshoprun
byShin,thatalsodoubledashishome.Fundamentally,itsolditemsthatwerethingsthat
Shinhadpickedupinfieldsordungeons,andwhenhefeltlikeit,thingsthatShincrafted
himself.
TheplacesShinvisitedwerealmostallfieldsanddungeonswherehighlevelmonsters

wouldsaunterabout,soitwaseasytoobtainrareitemsandmaterials,andasashopthat
soldthese,TsukinoHokorawasahidden,butwellknownshop,famousprimarilyamongst
advancedplayers.Thecausewasprobablybecausethegoodsbeingwhattheywere,had
fairlyheftyprices,andthustheoneswhocouldbuythesewerelimitedtoadvancedplayers.
Whilstreminiscingabouthisshop'sbustlingbusiness(thoughitwasreallyrarethatitwas
bustling),Shinpassedthroughthenoren,andopenedthedoor.Justhowwasitdoing,that
shopwithnothingbutareceptiondesk,andshelveslinedwithgoods?
Insidetheshopstoodanumberofmenandwomen,wearingamantleovertheirarmour.
Amongthem,anumberofthemhadnoticedShin'sentrance,andtwoofthemapproached
him.
"Sorry,buttheshopisbusywithusrightnow,see?Couldyoucomebacklater?"
Theonewhosaidthiswasablondehairedyoungmancladinaveryextravagantly
decoratedarmour.HisheightwasaroundShin'sbutprobablybecauseheworkedout,his
armsandlegswerethickerthanShin's.
"Didsomethinghappen?"
"Itdoesn'tmatter,wesaidgetout!"
TheonewhoorderedShininastrongtonewhenheaskedaboutwhatwasgoingonwasthe
brownhairedyoungmanwhohadapproachedShinwiththeblondeman.Justlikethe
blondeone,hewascladinanexcessivelydecoratedarmour.Hewasaheadtallerthan
Shin,andhadafirmbuildthatbalancedwithhisheight.
"ButI'vealsogotstuffthatIneeddonebytoday."
"You'renoisy.Adventurerslikeyoushouldn'tfuckingtalkback!
"Oi,stopit,Iran!"
Iranwasprobablythenameofthebrownhairedman.Havingjudgedthathedidn'tneedto
usekeigo,ShinusedhisnormalspeechstyletoobjecttoIran.
[Note:Shin'sfirstlinewasusingteneigo,butbysecondhe'susingplainspeech.]

PerhapsbecauseShin'sunwillingnesshadpissedhimoff,Iranhadmadetoforcefullypush
Shin,andthrusthispalmsatShin'ssolarplexus.SeeingthatShindidn'tparticularlyreact,
Iran'smouthcurvedintoasmirk.

"Whoa!"
However,Shindidn'teventwitchatthehandsthatcameathim,andincontrast,Iranlosthis
balanceandfellbuttfirsttothefloor.Hisarmourhitthefloor,andasoundtooloudtoignore
rangoutthroughtheshop.TheeyesofthosearoundthemfellonShinandIran.
TherewasIran,dumbstruckandunabletoprocesswhathadhappened,andShinwhowas
wonderingwhatwasupwithhim.
"Ku,youfuc!""
JustasIranmovedhishandtohisswordinafrenzy,hecoweredwithastartattheloud
voicethatresoundedthroughtheroom.
"What'stheracket!?"
Thinkingabouthowthingshadbecomeabother,Shinsighedinhismind.

Thecrowdofpeoplenaturallyparted,andthefigureofasinglemanappeared.Hewasa
handsomeblondehaired,blueeyedman,who,asexpected,wasalsowearinganeedlessly
glamouroussetofarmour,andwasglaringoveratShinandIranfromafewmelsaway.
Unlikebefore,Iranhadsuddenlybecomequiet.
AsforShin,seeingthemanpartthecrowd,"Moses,huh"hesaid,feelingthatheseriously
didn'tgiveashit.
"IthoguhtItoldyounottoletanybodyin."
"Mydeepestapologies,Loostsama!"
Iranbowedwithoutdelay.SeeingIran'sbehaviour,Shinsuspectedthatthismanwasfairly
highranked.
WithoutsparingaglanceatIran,LoostapproachedShin.HiseyeslookedShinupanddown.
(Uwah,someonemoreannoyingthanIranappeared.)
IgnoringShin'sthoughts,Loostclunkedoverwithheavysteps,andstoppedbeforeShin.
""

"?"
SeeingLoostremainsilent,Shintiltedhisheadinwonder,whenIranyelledoutangrily,
"Oi!WhatdoyoumeanbystandinginfrontofLoostsama,withoutevennamingyourself!?"
ItseemedthatLoostwasstandingsilentlybeforeShinbecausehewaswaitingforShinto
namehimself.
"Myapologies.IamShin,awanderer."
SinceitwouldbeannoyingifsomeonewhowasaddressedwithsamahadhiseyeonShin,
Shinnamedhimselfwithabow.AccordingtoShin'sexperience,Loostwasthetypeof
personwhowouldletalotofthingsgoifyouhumbledyourself,evenifonlyforform'ssake.
"Hmph,itseemsyoudon'tknowetiquette.Well,that'sfine.Sinceyou'reawanderer,Ican't
expectyoutobecultured."
IgnoringthewordsofLoostwhonoddedarrogantlytohimself,Shinsmiledwrylyinsideatthe
factthatthistechniqueworkedinotherworldsaswell.
"Ourbusinesshereisdone.We'releaving."
Withthat,Looststartedwalkingstraightforward.Sinceitseemedtheywouldcollide,Shin
immediatelymovedtotheleft.
ApartfromtheblondeyoungmanwhosawShin'smovement,anumberofotherpeople
narrowedtheireyesathisnimbleness.
"Tch."
IncludingIranwholeftwithatsk,themenandwomenwhoseemedtobesubordinates
followedLoostoutoftheshop.Becauseofthat,onlythreeofthemremainedintheshop.
"Irandidsomethingunpardonable.I'llapologiseinhisplace."
TheonewhospoketoShinwastheblondemanfromearlier.Theothertwomadeapologetic
expressionsaswell.
"No,itisn'tlikeanythingreallyhappened."

"Hearingthatisarelief.I'mArdi.ArdiSheil.Ifyoueverneedtorelyontheknightorder,come
visitme."
"IamShin.Iftheopportunitypresentsitself,Ishalltakeyouuponyourkindoffer."
ShinrepliedasheshooktherighthandArdiheldout,withhisown.Itseemedthatthegroup
fromearlierwereknights.Consideringthat,theywereprettyhaughty,thoughtShin,but
seeingArdiandthesetwomadehimrethinkthat.
Ardilefttheshop,andthetwoleftbehindgaveShinlightnods,andfollowedhim.Theywere
probablyArdi'ssubordinates.
Nowthatalltheknightshadleft,theshopfeltspacious.Shinnoticedtheshelvesandgoods
thathecouldn'tseebefore.
(Theweaponsarealmostallcopperoriron,andatbest,silver.Thearmourisalsojust
leather,copper,ironorsilver,huh?Asforitems,they'relowrankedpotions[HPrecovery]and
ethers[MPrecovery],andalsoafewstatusfixingpills.Andtherearenorawmaterials.)

Itwastruethatthestorewasinaworryingstate.
Whatareyoutalkingabout?
Eh?

Shinwasstartledwiththequestionthathedidntknowwhattoanswer.Heseemedtohavespoken
hismindunconsciously.Asheturnedtothedirectionofthevoice,hesawanelvengirlwithblack
hairandgoldeneyesfromtheothersideofthecounter.Apointedearcanbeseenbetweenthesilky
blackhair,sohemightbecorrect.
Iftenpeoplesawher,theywouldallbeadmiringherbeauty.Shehadabeautifulappearancethat
matchedperfectlywithherfigure.Herheightwasapproximately160cemelswhichwasonehead
lowerthanShinsheight.Herskinwashealthywhiteandherchestwasveryfirmandproportionate
withheroverallslimbody.
Fromherlooks,sheseemedtobearound17or18yearsold,butaselveslivedalonglife,shemight
havealreadylivedseveralhundredyears.
Ahh,Iwasseeingwhatkindofgoodsyouhave.
Isthatso?IthoughtIheardsomeruderemarkjustnow.
Therewasnosuchintention.
Well,feelfreetolookaround,thosenuisancesaregonenow.
Astheelfsaidso,hesatonachairprovidedforthecounter.
Thosenuisances?
Yes,theyoftencomebytoaskwhenwillmastercomeback.Ihavetosay,theyarepersistent.
TheyprobablycamefrequentlybecauseShinnoticedhertonebecamewearyjustfromsayingthat.
Itmustbehard.Ah,thisisalateintroductionbutIamShin.Asyouhaveseen,Imawandererof
thestreet.
Thatsaseriouswayofintroducingyourselftoanordinarysalesclerk,isntit?ImTieraLucent.
Justcallme,Tiera.Iamtheactingstorekeeperandtheapprenticeoftheshopownerhere.Ifyou
havesomegooditemsandmaterialstosell,Illbuyit.
Yes,pleasetakecareofmeduringthattime.IsTierasmastersoincrediblethateventheknights
comefrequently?
Whatareyousaying?EvenchildrennowadaysknowthatthestoreownerofTsukinoHokorais
SchneeRaizar.(TLnote:TsukinoHokoraisthenameoftheshop,itmeansMoonShrine)

(Editorsnote:SchneemeanssnowinGerman)
Haa,isyourmasterreallythatfamous?
Itwassaidbythepeoplethemselves.Still,masterstruthsareunquestionable
Tohavesuchfamouspersonbehindthisshop
Shinwhohadaslightmisunderstandingofthestoreshowedanimpression,afterall,iftherewasa
famouspersonhere,theshopshouldbedoingbetterthanhethought.However,hehadafamiliar
feelingwiththenameofthestoreowner,likeheremembereditsomewhere.
SchneeRaizarSchneeRaizarSchneeSchneeRaizarAhh!?
Hey,whatswrong!?
TierawassurprisedwhenShinsuddenlyshouted.ThechairmadeaGatansoundafteritfellwhen
Shinabruptlystoodup.
Oh,mybad.Iwasalittlesurprised.
Shinapologizedandreturnedthechairbacktoitsoriginalposition.Hethoughtaboutthename
whichhehadheardsomewhere,butitwasonlynatural,sinceitwasoneofthesupportcharacters
whomShinmadetobethesalesclerkofTsukinoHokorainthegame,andthenamewasSchnee
Raizar.
Sorry,butisitokayifIwanttoconfirmsomethingaboutyourmaster?
Eh,yes,IwillanswerifIcan.
TierawasslightlydrawnbackbyShinsmenacinglook.However,Shinwhowassurprisedather
agreement,didntnoticeTierasexpressionatall.
IstheraceofSchneeRaizaraHighElfwithlonghairthatreachesherhips,blueeyes,abeautiful
womanwithheightaround166cemels?
Thatiscertainlyrightareyoumymastersfan?
Again,TierawasdrawnbackslightlybutShinwasstillunawareofit.
No,Imnot.Schneeisanacquaintanceofmineorsomethinglikethat.(Itwasastoreowneranda

salesclerkrelationshipinthegame)
Mastersacquaintance?Isthattrue?
AlthoughIdontknowifyourmasterremember
TieralookedatShinwithfullofdoubtandsuspicion.
ItwasonlynaturalsinceShinsuddenlyvisitedandsaidhewasacquaintedwiththestoreownerin
whichShindidnthaveprooforthatthestoreownermayhavenorecollectionofShin.
Speakingofwhich,whereisSchneenow?
Imsorry,butIwontsayit.WhywouldItellyousomethingthatIwonttelltheknights?
Okay,Iunderstand
AlthoughShinhadnoideahowhierarchyworkedinthisworld,heunderstoodthataknightwasa
highrankingpositionfromthesituationwithArdialittlewhileago.Andawandereritselfwasless
trustedwhichmadeShindiscouraged.
Illpassamessageifyouwant.Halfofmyworkistoreceivemessageformymasterafterall.
Halfforittobehalfofyourjob
Mostofitcomesfromupperechelonofthecountryandtheguilds.Somerequestsareinverbal
messagewithlocationsstated.Becausetheyarecomingfromvariouscountrieswithconfidential
information,IhavetocloseoneeyeandpretendthatIdidntseethem.
Ihavenothingtosayexceptthatitisamazing
Whatkindofrequestmusthavecomefromtheupperechelonofthecountry,thoughtShin.
AlthoughIrarelyhavetoreceiveone.So,whatareyougoingtodo?Sendamessage?
Well,canyouaskforthetimebeing?
Amessagewillcostyou1000Jul.
WhatJul?Isthatmoney?
Shintiltedhisheadbecausehehadneverheardofthatcurrencybefore.THENEWGATEused

Geylascurrency.
Seriously,areyoulistening?Howcanyoutravelwithoutknowingthecurrency?
No,itwasdifferentfromthecurrencyIwasusingbefore.
Currencyusedbefore?Thecurrencywasunchangedforaround400yearsandwontchange
anytimesoon.Canyoushowittome?
400yearsShinstiffenedfromhearingthewords.Shinthoughtthepreviouslycurrencycouldbe
usednormally.Suddenly,hebecamelikeUrashimaTaro*.(TLnote:Googleit)
Itsthiscoin
Shintookout1GeylfromtheItemBoxandplaceditonthecounter.AGeylwasacirculargold
cointhathaveadiameterof3cemels.Thecenterofthecoinwaspaintedwithagirlheldina
dragonsarmwith8featherssurroundingit.
Hey,justnow,wheredidyoutakethatoutfrom?
TieraseyeswidenedseeingtheGeylgoldcoinappearingoutofnowhere.
FromtheItemBoxofcourse
ItemBox
TieraseemedtobemoreshockeduponhearingthosewordsthanwhentheGeylgoldcoinhad
suddenlyappeared.
Tiera?
Oh,um,what?
No,youseemedtobeverysurprised,istheresomethingwrong?
Thereisnothingwrong.YouareabletouseItemBox.OfcourseImsurprised.
?Isitsomethingtobesurprisedabout?
You
Tieradroppedhershouldersforsomereason.AsforShin,hestillcouldntunderstandwhyTiera

wasverysurprised.
Nowadays,onlyKingsandtheeldersofcertainracescanuseanItemBox.Furthermore,itisonly
possibleforracesthathavelonglivessuchasHighElvesorHighPixie.Iamsurprisedbecauseyou
areunexpectedlyabletouseit.Areyousomeonefromtheroyalfamily?
Nope.Imnotfromtheroyalfamily.
ShinwassurprisedbytheItemBoxstatusquo.Hecouldnotimaginethatonlyimportantpeople
couldusetheItemBoxwhenallplayersgotone.
Bytheway,theHighbeforetheracenamewasbecausetheraceshaveexperiencedreincarnation
dozensoftimesbeforegettingthetitle.ThereweremanyracesinTHENEWGATE,butthebase
racewereHuman,Beast,Dragon,Elves,andsevenkindsofPixie.
HumanswereclassifiedasaHominini*tribe,BeastasTherianthropy*orBeastman,Dragonas
Dragonewt*tribe,LordasDeviltribe,andPixieasFairygroup.(TLnote:*Googleit.)
EventhoughIwasonlyusingitnaturally.
Haa,thatscertainlynotnatural.Thatremindsme,whatisthisawfulfeelingofvariousmagic
racesmixinginyou.Elves,Lord,Dragonandothers,whatsgoingon?
Idonotunderstanditeither.Anyway,myraceisHighHuman.
Shinwascertainofhisraceasitcanberevealedinhisstatusscreen.AsforHighHuman,theracial
characteristicwashighstateabnormalitiesresistancewithenhancedmagictolerance.Whilein
othergames,theabilityofthecharacterwasthelowestfromtheotherracesandwererarelyina
partyoreveningoingsolo.
(Well,itwasratheraplusforme)
Itwasthehumanswhichhadtheobscureviewpoint,butfromShinstats,whichweredeveloped
evenmoreandincomparablybytheracesspecialquality,hewasthankful.Though,onlyasmall
numberofplayerswereabletosayit.
HighHuman?
Yeah?Yes,thatisright.
Shinwasstillreminiscingaboutmemorieswhenhumanswerestillbeinglookdown.Tierawas

dumbfoundedandmutteredsomethingtoShin.
AndShinwasstartledfromthewordsspokenbyTiera.
HighHumansareextinct
Ehh,extinctExtinct?!

Vol.1Chapter2Part1
Extinction.Tierasaidso.
ThattheHighHumanracewasextinct.
Then,therewontbeanyofthehumanracearound?
No,humansarestillaround.Yousawtheknightsalittlewhileago.
Really!?
ShinhadmisunderstoodabouttheHumanextinctionandinvoluntarilyretorted.
ItstheHighHumansthatwentextinct,notthehumans.
Whatsthedifference?
Itisdifferent.TheHighHumanraceconsistedof6peoplewhoformerlyruledtheRedmond
continent.Even10,000humanscouldntwinagainstthem.Theirstrengthwasinanother
dimension.
Thecontinentwasruledby6people?
Shinrememberedtherewasplacethatwasruledby6people.Hehadafeelingthatheheardsuch
anepisodebefore.
Canyouexplainmoreindetail?
Eventhoughmostpeopleknowthis,allrightthen.Illtellyou.Inthepast,around500yearsago,
thereweretheHighHumanswhoonceruledthecontinent.Thoughtheywereonly6people,other
racescouldntdoanythingtothembecauseoftheiroverwhelmingpower.

However,theirdominationwassuddenlyended.
Ended?

Yes,ended.NotonlytheHighHumansbutmanyotherracessuchasHighElves,HighLords,
HighBeasts,andHighDwarfshavedisappeared.ManyinfluentialpeoplelikeKings,Elders,
Heroes,andGeneralsdisappearedaswell.Itssaidthatitwasasuddendisappearance.According
tomaster,numerousinfluentialandstrongmendisappeared.Thedayofdisappearancehappened
wascalledtheDuskoftheMajesty
TheDuskoftheMajesty
ItissaidthatallHighHumansdisappearedatthattime.Andtherewereonly6ofthem.
Suddendisappearance.Shinhadatheoryaboutthat.
Thephenomenonwhichcausedmanypeopletodisappear.
(Itsthatday.ThedaywhenIdefeatedOrigin,andeveryoneloggedout.Thereisnoconclusive
evidence,butDuskoftheMajestymightbetheresultfromthatday.)
Kings,Heroes,andElderswouldprobablybeguildmasters.Tensofthousandsofpeoplewere
expectedtobereleasedfromthegame.Shindidntknowtheexactnumber,buttherewereatleast
10thousandpeoplestuckinthegame.Itprobablylookedlikeasuddendisappearanceforthe
peopleinthisworld.
(Tothinkthatthe6HighHumanshadruledthecontinentbeforethat)
Shinfinallyunderstood.6oftheHighHumanrace.Withoutadoubt
(Itsus)
WhenTHENEWGATEwasstillagoodVRMMOandbeforeitturnedintoadeathgame,there
wasaguildwhichwassaidtobethestrongestinTHENEWGATE.
TheguildwasnamedRokutenasitwasformedbythe6HighHumans.Thesmallguilddefeated
majorguildsonebyoneinTHENEWGATE,untilitsnamewasknowntoallplayersinjustone
month.TheyhadareputationofPKingplayerswhotriedtoopposethem.(TLnote:Iusedthe
romajiname,RokutennotDevasinthemanga,Rokutenmeanssixheavens/sixskies)
ShinwasaformermemberofRokutenatthebeginning.Backthen,itwasstupidtochoosethe
humanracewhenplayingforthefirsttime.HumanweredespisedbyotherracesandShinhada
darkhistorybecauseofthat.
Needlesstosay,allmemberwerecomposedofHighHumansandhadalmostmaxedstats.Even

theweakestmemberhadHPandMPmaxed,whiletherestoftheplayersaveragedaround900for
theirstats.
Whileincompetitionwitheveryothermajorguild,thebattlesthattookplacelookedunbelievable
asitwas6peopleagainstthousandsofpeople.Atthattime,eachfieldwasburntupbyan
expandingwiderangefiremagic.Theleaderwhowassurprisedgotambushedanditwassettled.
Sincethen,noonedaredtoprovoketheRokutenguild.Eventheonestoholdderisionagainst
humanhaddecreased.NotonlywasthecombatpowerofHighHumanshown,theirunusual
magicresistancewasalsodemonstrated.Mostmagicdidnthaveeffectonthem.Moreover,Poisons,
Paralysis,Confusion,Enchanting,Burn,Frostbite,Confusion,Petrifaction,allofthemwere
ineffectiveagainstaHighHuman.Besides,itonlytookafewsecondforthemtocompletelycure
theirbodies.
Itwasratherfortunate(orunfortunate)thatonlyShinamongtheRokutengotstuckinthedeath
game.AtleastthreemonthsormorecouldbereducedifanotherpersonfromRokutenwasthere,
thoughtShin.

Whatswrong?Whyareyousuddenlysilent?
No,itsnothing.Doyoumindifwechangethetopictothecurrency?
ShinfelthewouldbedigginghisowngraveifhecontinuedtotalkaboutHighHumans,sohe
deliberatelychangedthetopictothecurrency,whichtheytalkedaboutbefore.
No,itsalright.Isthisthecurrencyyouhavebeenusing?
Yes.
Ah,tobeabletobringoutsuchvaluableitem,maybeyoubeingaHighHumanisntalieafterall.
ApparentlyTieradidntbelievethatShinwasaHighHuman.
Whilesighing,Tieratookthegoldcoinandlookedatit.Sheseemedtobeconfirmingwhetherit
wasgenuine.
AndShindoubtedwhatTierasmeantbyvaluable.
Isisvaluable?Itsonly1Gthough.

1Geylwasequivalentto1Yeninthegame.Ifconverted,itsvaluewouldbeworth1/1000Yenin
reality.Itwasthelowestcurrencyinthegame.Incidentally,ShinsItemBoxcontainedone
hundredmillionGeyl.Itwasamystery,aswhyitwasdisplayedGasGeylnotGoldwiththegold
coin.
TheGeylgoldcoinisoftenabbreviatedtoGgoldcoin.However,nowitshardtoobtain.Youmight
notknowthis,buttheGeylgoldcoinisamagicitemthatcanamplifymagic.Itisoccasionally
foundinruins.WhenaGeylgoldcoingetsexhibitedinauctions,itcanreachabillionJuloreven
more.TheJulisthecurrentcommonlyusedcurrencyonhowmanyJgoldcoinorhowmanyJ
silvercoinJmeanstobeusedasamethodofcounting.(TLnote:1Jgoldcoin=1,000,000Jand
1Jsilvercoin=10,000J.E.g.Ifyouhave2Jgoldcoinsand87Jsilvercoins,youllhaveatotal
2,870,000J)
Sothisoneisworth1billion
Amagicianwouldkilltogetevenoneasthepriceisenormousandmostcantaffordit.Though
masterhadshownmeone,itismyfirsttimetoseeinganyotherthanthat.Afterall,1billionisthe
minimumamountyoucanget,thepricecanreach10timesmorethanthat.
ForthisoneGeylgoldcointobeworththatmuchbytheway,howoftenitcanbefound?
Rarely,butIcantsay.Evenwhennewruinswerediscovered,thechancesoffindingitwerestill
verylow.
Isthatso?LooklikeIhavetobecarefulwhenbuyinggoods.
Shinthoughtaboutconvertingittoincreasehisfunds,buthecanceleditafterrealizinghow
valuableitwas.
Thatsawisedecision,butyouaredoingitjustnow.
Thatsanawfuljoke.However,Iwillbecarefulnexttime.
Areyougoingtosellsomething?ItoldyouIdbuyifyouhavegoodmaterialsoritems.
Well,howaboutthis?
Shintookoutitemcards,whichhegotwhilsttraveling,fromtheItemBox.Inthegame,itwas
possibletochangeanitemintoacard.Itwasthesameinthisworld,too.Thematerialsturnedinto
cardsautomaticallyandcouldevenbestoredintheItemBox.Oncetheitembecameacard,a
pictureoftheitemwasdrawnonthecard.Thecardcouldbematerializedanytime.

Shinputhisitemcardsonthecounter.TheitemcardsvariedfromTetraGrizzly,TwinheadSnake,
FlameBoar,andtheirfangs,claws,furs,meatsandsoforthtorawmaterialssuchassparkling
jewels.
Inthegame,thematerialscanbesoldandprocessedinvariousplaces.Thejewelwouldespecially
fetchahighprice,becauseitwasabletogiveattributesoradditionaleffectstoequipmentand
weapons,andonlyifitwasdonebyblacksmiths.Jewelscouldbefoundasmonstersdropthem
afterbeingkilled,thoughthedropsprobabilityarelow.ThejewelswhichShinshowedwereGrade
7,whichwasthelowestgrade.
Itemcards
Hmm?Whatisit?Istheresomethingstrange?
No,ifyouhaveanItemBox,thisisnatural,isntit?ThoughIdontknowifyoualreadyknowthis,
soIllsayitjustincase.Becauseanitemcardisalsoexpensivetoacertaindegree,itsbetternotto
takethemoutrecklessly.
Itstroublesome.ShouldIpurposelytreatthemasthematerials?
Thatsthenormalway!Youarereallyweird!
Ah,IseeIsee.Iunderstand,sopleasecalmdown.
Mou~,youmadememadagain.
Whilesayingthat,Tierastillfocusedondoingherjob.Shematerializedtheitemcardsandbegan
toappraisethem.Eventhoughshewassurprised,shestillknewhowtousetheitemcards.
FromTetraGrizzlytoTwinheadSnakeandFlameBoar.Notonlyarethesematerialsofferocious
monsters,noneofthesemonsterscanbefoundunlessyougodeepintothewoods.Justwhatkind
ofpersonareyou?
Ijustdefeatedthemonmywayhere.Thefightwasnotsoferociousasyoudescribedthough.
Butittakesseveralknightstokillonemonsterwellwhatever,aslongasyoudefeatedthem.Im
notthatsurpriseafterallthatoccurredbefore.
Itseemedthatthemonsterswereunexpectedlydangerous.Shinhadthoughttheywerebeginner
monsters.

Well,dontworryaboutit.Leavingthataside,howaretheitems?
Thatsright.Therawmaterialsarestillinagoodstateduetothematerializationofthecard.The
materialspricewouldbe1Jgoldcoinand27Jsilvercoins,sothetotalwouldbe1,270,000J.The
jewelisGrade7withahighpurity,sothepriceis25Jgoldcoins,sothepriceis25,000,000J.All
togetherwouldbe27,270,000J.
Idontknowwhetheritsexpensiveorcheapduetotheconversionofcurrency
Itsalittlelessthantheoriginalprice,butthepriceofjewelscangoupanddowndependingon
themarket.Thisgradeandpurityisusuallyworthabout20,000,000~23,000,000J.
Oh,Imlucky.Igainedmorethan2,000,000J.
Howisit?Ifyouarefinewiththeprice,Illbuyit.
Itismypleasure.Illsellit.Thankyou.AndIllgiveyouthisaswell.
Whilesayingthat,ShinpointedtotheGeylgoldcoinonthecounter.
Isthisajoke?
Whywoulditbe!?
Didntyouhearmespeakawhileago!?AGeylgoldcoinisworthbillions,nooneintheirright
mindwouldgiveitfreelyinthisworld.
Here.
Shinpointedathimself.(TLnote:lol)
Areyousure?Imnotgoingtoreturnitevenifyouaskforit.
Yup.
TieraquicklygrabtheGeylgoldcoinandheldittoherchest.Hereyesweresparklingwhilelooking
attheGeylgoldcoin.Atthistime,ShinseyesweregluedatTieraschest,hewaslikeasadmans
destiny.
Ah,itslikedreamcometrueaGgoldcoin

Tierasexpressionchangedcompletelytoadelightedfacewithenchantingeyes.Shinsuddenlyfelt
astrangeseductivenessfromher,whichcausedhischeektoturnedslightlyred.Hewasthen
shakinghisheadtoremovethedirtythought.
Well,Imgladyoulikeit.Elvesshouldfinditusefulsinceyoucanusema
Waitamoment!
gic.
TierainterruptedShinsspeechandstoodupabruptly.Herexpressionhadalookofsomeonewho
sawsomethingunbelievable.
Whatisit?
Justnowdidyousayelf?
Ah,Isaiditoh?Wasntitelf?
ShinrememberedthatthefacialfeatureofelvesandHighElveswerepointedears,sohewantedto
confirmitShinwasstillpuzzled,becauseitmaybearaceheneverseenbefore.
Ishouldlooklikeacatgirlwithredhairandblackeyes.
Catgirlwithredhairandblackeyes?
CatpeoplewasoneofthepopularBeastracesamongfemaleplayersandacertaingroupofmale
players.TherewerevariousderivationsinBeastraces,asforcatpeople,therearePersiancat,
Calicocatandsoforth.Inaddition,playersweredividedfromtheiranimalmodel,someplayers
hadthesameface,arms,tail,wingsandmanymore,whilesomeonlyaportionoftheirbody.
ButinShinseyes,Tierawasabeautifulblackhairedandgoldeneyedelvengirl.Therewasnocat
person,redhair,andblackeyes.
Icanonlyseeabeautifulelfgirlwithblackhairandgoldeneyesinfrontofme.
That
Hetriedtoemphasizeherbeauty,butitseemedshedidnthearit.
How?Masteralreadycastillusionmagiconme.

Illusionmagic?
Speakingofillusionmagic,itwasusuallyusedtoconfuseorshowhallucinationstotheotherparty.
ItwasamagicthathadleftastrongimpressiononShin,becauseoneofthemagicsuserswasfrom
Rokuten.
Uuutobeexposedlikethis
Tierawaslookingdownandherfacelookedliketheworldwascomingtoanend.Tierassudden
depressioncausedShintodesperatelytrytoresolvethesituation,sincehedidntknowmuchabout
herandwhatcausedhertobedejected.
UmTiera?
Whawhatisit?
Heintendedtotalkgently,butTierawasnervousthatitwasexaggerated.
InoticedTieraisanelfonlybecauseitisoneofmyqualityfeatures.
Quaquality?
Yes.Illusionmagicisthemagicthatshowshallucinationstoandconfusestheotherparty.
However,itmightbenoteffectivetowardstheguyswhohaveastrongresistanceagainstmagic.
Therefore,thatswhyIseethetrueformofTiera.
Butevenwithstrongresistance,forthemagicthatmastercasttobebroken
EvenwithShinsexplanation,Tierastillworethefacethatshoweddisbelief.AccordingtoShins
memory,Schnee,whowasthemasterofTiera,wasaLv.255HighElf.Furthermore,themagic
usedwassurelystrong,becauseHighElveswereamagicspecializedtype.Thoughthestatus
couldntbecomparedtoShins.EvenotherHighHumansvirtuallycouldnotmatchShinsstats,so
noillusionmagiccouldaffecthim.
Shinsighedafteralongpause.
Sawit
Hmm?
You,yousawmytrueform,right?

Isawabeautifulelvengirlwithblackhairandgoldeneyes,didImakeamistake?

Noresponse.Shinbecamediscouragedanddemoralized.
Arentyouscared?
Shin,whowasregrettingthathesaidsomethingstrange,heardTierassoftvoice.Hervoicewaslike
achildwhowasfrightenedbysomething.
Scaredofwhat?
Shinimmediatelyrelaxedhisthoughtsandtalkedinacalmmanner.
Still,ishefrighteningher?
WhenTierasaidinatremblingvoice,ShinrememberedoneoftheRokutenmembersface.
Shinwasproudofthelogintimehewastedforgamerclassashewashavingfun.Butthatmember
washospitalizedbecauseofhisexcessiveplayingtime.
Thestorywasconfessedduringtheofflinemeetingamongmembers.Shinhadafeelingthatitwas
thesameatmosphereatthattime,asnowwithTiera.
Hewasscaredthatthehistrueselfwasknown.
ButtherewasnooneinRokutenthatcaredaboutsuchthings.Shinrememberedthatthemember
wasveryrelieved.
Becausetherewassuchasituation,ShinwasabletolistentoTierawithoutfeelingshakenand
changingexpression.
Youdontknowthiseither,doyou?BlackhairedElvesarethesymbolofbadluck.
Tieraspokewhilelookingdown.
Thesymbolofbadluck?
Yes,Everyelfisbornwithwhitehair.Astheygrowup,itturnsgold,silver,greenorbluegreen
colored.Canyoubelieveit?Myownhairwasoriginallysilvercolored.

Tierasfacelookedlikeshewaspunishingherself.
Butnowmyhairisblack.Thereisneveratimewhenanelfshairturnsblack.
Neverturnsblack?
Yes,elveswithblackhairbringmisfortune.Ithappenedtomeallthetime.Strongmonsters
suddenlyattackedmyvillagemanytimes,andIwasexpelledfrommyvillagebecauseofthat.

Iwaspickedupbymasterafterwanderingaimlessly.Andthisstorehasastrongbarriertoprevent
themonstersfromattacking.SoIhavenotleftthisstoreformorethan100years.
100years?Thatsalongtime.
Yes,butsinceIcanlivewithoutinconveniencingsomeone,thisisgoodforme.
Itsimpossibletobegood,Shinwantedtoshout.Tobeconfinedinthestorefor100yearscould
neverbegood.However,herefrainedfromsayingthat,becausenothingcouldbechangedevenifit
wassaid.Heclenchedhisfistsinanger.
Althoughnotevenadayhadyetpassedsincetheirmeeting,Shinpersonallycouldproperly
comprehendwhyhewasangryathimself.
Tiera,Iwanttoconfirmsomething.
Confirmwhat?
Ah,thoughTierashairwasoriginallysilvercolored,whyisitblackcolorednow?
Shinhadafeelingthatitwouldgivehimahint.
Itsuddenlybecameblackcoloredonacertainday.
Suddenly?
Yes,suddenly.Iwokeupinthemorningasusual,andithadbecomeblackcolored.Iwasreally
scaredatthattime,asIdidntunderstandwhathadhappened.
AsTierarecalledthattime,herbodywastremblingwhilehuggingherselftight.FromTieras

explanation,Shinwasthinkingatfullsteamforrelevantinformationorknowledge.
Suddenly,haircolorchangedAttackedbymonstersThecolorofthehairChangingcolor
characteristicMonstersAttackedmultipletimesEncounteredmanytimesPossiblystrongThe
characteristicofcolorchangeVulnerabletomonstersSuchathing!?
WhileShinmurmuredsomething,amomentflashedinShinsmind.Ifhismemorywascorrect,a
possibleconditionwasmet.
Therethereisawayiftheconditionsaremet!!
Eh?Whatisit?
ShinwasshoutingwhilestaringatTiera.TierawasshakenbyShinssuddenshout.
Despitethat,ShinseyesremainedfixedonTiera.
IwonderwhyIhadforgotten.Howeverwiththishmm?Thisisstrange,whyisthestatusnot
displayed?Itshouldbeautomatic.
ThereasonShinkeepstaringatTierawasbecausehewantedtoseeherstatus.IfShinsprediction
wascorrect,thenthestatusshouldappear.
UhmSkillWindowOpenAnalyzeAnalyzeah,hereitis.Displayplayerandmonsterexcept
whenturnedoff.IfIturnthison
ShinlookedatTieraagainafterapplyingthesetting.TierafeltalittleuncertainasShinwasglaring
intoemptyspacewhilemovinghisfinger.
Okay,nowIcanseethestatus.Name,level,racegoodandAhhhhhh!!

Vol.1Chapter2Part2
Shin,whofoundwhathelookedfor,unintentionallyposedavictorypose.Tiera,whowaswatching
Shinseccentricity,stayedonguard.
Bedelighted,Tiera!Ijustfoundoutwhatcausesyourbadluck.
Eh?
Believeme.Imsurebecausethedisplaystatusappeared.Thecolorofhairchanges,themultiple
attacksbymonsters,theyareallcausedbyCursedGift.
CursedGift?
Tierawasdumbfoundedbecauseshedidntunderstanditsmeaning.
CursedGiftwasacursethatsuddenlyoccurredinTHENEWGATE.Itwasliterallybadluck.
Originally,playerscouldobtainTitleorGiftfromregularlyclearingthequests.On
occasion,supportabilitiesanditemscouldbegainedfromit.DependingontheTitle,stats
couldbeslightlystrengthenedasmorenewskillsbecameavailable.
ThensuddenlytheCursedGifthadfallentoallplayers.Thecursehadnegativeeffectsuchas
randomstatusdegradation,gainedallkindofabnormalities,randomencounterswithstrong,
uniquemonstersandsoon.ItcouldonlybecuredwiththemagicskillPurificationorbyusing
theitemHolyWater.
Althoughthenegativeeffectwasrandom,theplayerswithCursedGifthadsomepartoftheir
bodyturnblack.Theirstatusscreensalsoshowedanimageofalaughingreaper.
Subsequently,ShinhadconfirmedthattherewasalaughingreapershownatTierasstatusscreen.
Alright,tomakethisquick,Tiera,Iwantyoutostepoutfrombehindthecounterandstandatthe
centerofthestore.
Ehokay
AsShinsaidthat,Tierastoodatthecenterofthestorewithoutmuchresistanceasshewas
confusedatthesituation.

HereIgo.ActivatePurification!!
Inordertoeliminatethecurse,ShinextendedhisrighthandtowardTieraandactivatedhismagic
skillPurification.Shinacquiredtheskillthatmainlyusedbyapriestduetoacertain
circumstance.
GoldenlightbegantogatheronShinsrighthand.Atthesametime,Tieraswholebodywas
wrappedingoldenlight.
Itsitswarm
AlthoughTierawassurprisedwhenshegotwrappedinthelight,shedidntfeelanydangerfrom
thelightemitted.Tierafeltcomfortandwarmthinstead,whilethepurificationprocesstookplace.
Afterabout5minutes,thelightgraduallydimmedanddisappeared.
Evenafterthelightdisappeared,theabsentmindedTieratookawhiletocomebacktohersenses.
Wasitsuccessful?
MutteredShinashefeltbaffled.ThelaughingreapersiconslowlyfadedonTierasstatusscreenas
Shinlookedatit.However,thehairthatshouldhavereturnedtoitsoriginalcolor,wasstillmostly
black.Asilverhighlightwasseenamongtheblackhair.
Theatmospherebetweenthosetwobecamesilentforawhile,becauseitwashardtodetermine
whetherthecursehaddisappeared.
So,howisit?Tieraasked.
Thecurseisgoneitsitsbutthehairwasntcompletelyrestored
Hehadahardtimesayingit.
Hair?
AhImsorry,onlypartofyourhairreturnedtoitsoriginalcolor.Butjustincase,pleaseconfirm
it.
Shinsaidwhilefeelingdiscouraged.AmirrorwastakenoutfromItemBoxandpassedtoTiera.
TierasnatchedthemirrorfromShinaftersheheardthewordhair,andhelditinfrontofher.

Tierasfacewasreflectedinthemirror.Therewasafacethatneverchanged.Butoneportionofher
hairchangedintoashiningsilvercolor.
ItwasobviouslythecolorTieraoncehad.
Sobsob
TearsstartedtoflowdownfromTieraseyes.
Afterthat,tearsstartedtoburstoutlikeabrokendam.
Uusobuu
Whilewipinghertearswithhersleeve,Tieracriedquietly.
AndinfrontofTiera,therewasamanwhowastotallyconfused.
Needlesstosay,itsShin,afterall.
Thegirlwhocriedinfrontofhimwasnotalittlechild,butanadultwoman,yetduetoShins
limitedreasoningability,hejustremainedstillinthatsituation.
Sobjustamomenthickneedtocatchmybreath
Ah,Iunderstand.Justtakeitslow.
Shinpassedatowelashereturnedtohissensesanddraggedthechairfrombythecountertolet
Tierasitwhileshewept.

About5minuteslater,Tieraraisedherfacefromthetowel.Notearsremained,buthereyeswere
stillred.
Imsorry,Imalrightnow.
Isthatso?
Whyareyouusinghonorifics?
No,well.EventhoughIremovedthecurse,yourhairismostlyunchangedsoIfeltapologeticfor
that

WhileTierawascrying,Shinwasafraidthatshemightgetangryagainbecauseofthehair.
However,judgingfromTierasexpression,shehadntshownanysignsofbeingangry.Atthistime,
Shinbecametimid.Andjustawhileago,thepositionwastheexactopposite.
ImgoodaboutthehairPleasedontusehonorificstowardsme.Aftermorethan100yearsof
havingblackcoloredhair,evenifitsonlyalittlethathasreturned,Imglad.
Tierasmiledandlookedveryhappyasshesaidthat.AndallthefrighteningfeelingsthatShinhad,
dissipatedafterseeingTierassmile.
Really?Iamgladtoo.
But,Shinthought.Hismotherandhisyoungersisteralwayssaidthatthehairwasveryimportant
towomen.ThatswhyShinfeltunsatisfactoryforher.
Yes,Imreallygood,sodontworryaboutit.Butisthecursegoneforreal?
Ah,itshouldbe,nodoubtaboutit.Ithinkitwillbeclearifyougooutfromthestore.
SinceTierasaiditsgood,Shinconvincedhimselfnottofussaboutit.
Tierascurse,whichwasrandomencounterswithuniquemonsters,couldntbeproventohave
disappearedunlessshewentoutsidethebarrier.Becausehighleveluniquemonsterscouldntcreep
insidethebarrier.
THENEWGATEpursuedrealityinthegame,sounbreakableobjectswerealmostnonexistent.And
theplayersstores,likeShins,wereoftenaimedatbythievesplayer.
Therefore,manyskillsbarriersystemexistedtopreventintrusiontothestore.Whichwere
applicabletomonsters,too.
Honestly,itisalittlescary.Whatifthecursewasntdispelled?
Itsokay.SinceIwascuredfromthecursetoo.
Eh?Eh!!Yougotcursedtoo!?
Ah,yes,mycursetypewasrandomencounterswithhighleveluniquemonsterstoo,butIcuredit
withPurificationskill.

WhenShinwascursed,theuniquemonstersthoroughlytriedtoattackShinrepeatedly,untilShin
wastiredofit.AndtherewasatimewhenShinusedthemtoraisehislevel.
Isthatso.Then,whatwasthehighestlevelofmonsterthathasattackedyou?
HornDragonwasprobablythestrongest.Ithinkitwasaroundlevel200.
IsthatthehigherrankspeciesofLesserDragon?
Youknow?
Ah,onlyalittle.
HornDragonwasahigherrankspeciesofLesserDragon,theirsizewastwiceaslargeandtheyhad
hornsontheirheads.LesserDragonswereonlyaroundLv.100,butHornDragonswerearoundLv.
200.Tieraslevelwas57fromwhatShinsawinthestatusscreen,sotheresnochanceofwinning
againstthedragon.
InTHENEWGATE,themaximumlevelofaplayerwas255,andthemaximumlevelofmonsters
was1000.Itwasaboutfourtimesmorethantheplayers.ThiswassolvedbyreincarnationlikeShin
orotherhighlevelplayers.EspeciallyShin,orRokutensimilarly,couldeasilybeatbossmonsters
andnevergettiredfromit.ButevenShincouldntlethisguarddown,asabossmonsterwas
usuallyLv.1000.SoShindidntevenfeelanydangerfromLv.200uniquemonsters.
However,itissaidthatseveraleliteforcesofknightsareneededtotakeonaHornDragon.
Eliteforces?Whydotheyneedtheelitegroupforsomethinglikethat?
Shh..Theyaretherealelite,youknow.Didyouseeahugerampartnexttothestorebeforeyou
camehere?
Ah,IthinkIsawit.
ThatsthereinforcedrampartthatsurroundstheKingdomofBayreuth.Well,thecaptainofthe
eliteforceoftheknightsgroupinthiscountryisonlylevel158.AndtheHornDragonsareabout
level200,sothecaptainneeds40morelevelstofightitheadon.Andonlythosewithascrewloose
intheirheadwilltakeonthatmonsteralone,sonoonecanbragaboutit.
158thats?
Yes,itisabsurdtoevenchallengestheKingdomsno.2strongestalone.

ItseemsthatTierathoughtShinwassurprisedbythecaptainshighlevel.Butactually,thelevel
wastoolow.Shinthoughtitwasabsurdtohavethatlevel.Andthelevelhadbarelyreachedthe
intermediateclassintheplayersstandards.Particularly,playersstandardslikeShins.
IfamonsterthathadahigherlevelthanHornDragonappeared,itmightannihilatetwoorthree
countries.Shinthought.
Wellthen,letsleavethestoresothatwecanseewhetherthecurseisgone.
Wait,didntyouhearmystory?
Iheardit.Itsbettertofindoutnowifthereareanymoreproblems.
Notgonnahappen.WhatifaHornDragonattackedus?
Oh.
.Hey,justtomakesure,whatisyourlevel?
Imlevel255?

Bothofthemwentsilent.Shinsaidithonestly,butitseemsthatTieradoubtedhim.
Tiera?
255?Sameasmaster?
Ahyes,mylevelis255,sameasSchnee.
Really?
Yes.
Isitreallytrue?
Itistrue.
Reallyhone
Yes!yes!Ivesaiditmanytimes!

st
Theconversationstoppedbeforeitbecameatruthbattle.
AreyouabletouseAnalyze?Ifyoucan,thenyoucanseemystatstoo.
Icant.Onlytheskillsuccessorcanuseit.
Whatsaskillsuccessor?
Ibegintodoubtyourcommonsense.
Ifhewasaresidentofthisworld,hewouldknowthattoo.ButShin,whoarrivedinthisworldjust
awhileago,didntknowanythingaboutcommonsense.Rather,hejustassumeditwasthesameas
inthegameandwentwiththeflow.
Evenifitssaidtobecommonsense,IdonotunderstanditwellbecauseIlivedfarfromhuman
villagesforalongtime.
Sincehecouldntsaythathewasinagamebeforecominghere,hedecidedtosaythathelivedasa
hermit.Itwasthemostlikelyexcuseforhisignoranceofthisworld,thoughtShin.
Iunderstand.Iwilltellyoueverythingyouneedtoknow,justaskifyouhavesomethingyoudont
understand.
Thankyou.
ShinbowedhisheadtoexpresshisgratitudewhileTierasaidSomehow.
Firstofall,theskillsuccessor.Becausethepeoplewhocanreadthesymbolsarelostalongwiththe
skills.Skillscanonlybeinheritednowadays.AlotofskillswerelostduringtheDuskoftheMajesty
andcurrently,lessthan100skillsstillremain.
Lessthan100,huh?
Shinunabletohidehissurpriseforthatnumber.THENEWGATEwasknownforitsnumerous
skills,andthenumbercomingoutofTierasmouthwasnoteven1/10ofthetotalamountofskills.
Nowadays,skillsareusedtogainpersonalbenefit.Thepeoplewhomakealivingbyfighting,such
asadventurersandknights,areusingweakenedskillswhicharecalledArts.Thoughithasthe
samenamewithastheoriginalskill,itspowerandeffectonlyamountsto1/3oftheoriginal.The

magicmymastershowedtomewasMagicSkills,butIcanonlyuseMagicArts.Andnaturallythe
powergapishuge.
Isee,theskillsthatturnedweakarecalledarts.Isthereaseparatelevelinarts?
Somelevelinskillshavetheirownsetting.ShinactivatedAnalyze.Heimmediately
understoodtheskillrightaway,becausetheletterof~wasattachedaftertheskillname.The
lowestwas,andthehighestwas.Thissettingsystemwasalmostnonexistentincombatskills,
andmostsupportskillswereusingthissettingsystem.
AsfarasIknow,artsdonothavelevelslikeskills.
Itwillbehardtofightusingarts
Shincouldnthelptothinkthatitsdifficulttofightusingarts,asskillsweremorefavorablethan
arts.
Youcanuseskills,right?Whatskillsareyouabletouse?Justnowyouusedone,didntyou?How
manyskillscanyouuse?2?3?Noway!!Isit4!?
Indeed,onedigitistoofew.ImcertainthatIcanuseatleast1000ormore.AlthoughIdont
knowtheexactnumber,becauseInevercountedthem.
What?1000?DidIhearitwrong?
TieratiltedherheadandthoughtwhetherShinwasmakingajokeornot.Itfeltlikeajoke,because
itstrayedtoomuchfromthisworldscommonsense,eventhoughthejokewasthetruth.
DoyouhavetheAnalyzeskillbychance?Icanlendittoyou,althoughtheskillisonlylevel,
soitcantseemylimitbreaklevel,butitwouldnthurttohaveiteither.Well,Illusetheskill
SecretBooksCreation.
?
TieralookedpuzzledasShinonceagainmovedhishandintheair.
Creationsuccessful.

Wha,whatisthis?

ShinhandedascrolltoTiera.Variouspotentialderivationofskillsmasterycouldbelearnedand
benefitediftheskillproficiencywasraisedtoacertainlevel.OneofthebenefitsofSecretBooks
Creationwasthatitwaspossibletocreatesitems.SecretBooksCreationwasabletomake
scrolls.WhenSecretBooksCreationwasused,itwaspossibleforotherplayertolearntheskill
fromthebook.
Althoughitsreasonable,variousrestrictionswereimposedtotheskill,suchasthenumberofskills
thatcouldbemadewasfixed,playerscouldntlearntheskilliftheacquisitionconditionwerenot
met,andsoforth.
Tobeginwith,SecretBooksCreationalsohadsomeskillsthatwereimpossibletomake.As
therewereonlyfewstrongskillsthatcouldbecreatedbySecretBooksCreation.Highclass
skillsfromSecretBooksCreationwerelimitedtolowlevel,andtherewasalevelrestrictiontoo.
Analyzewasnttechnicallyseenaskill.EventherestrictionsfromSecretBooksCreation
werekeptataminimum.SoShincouldsharetheskillwithotherplayersunlimitedbecauseofthis.
Itwasoneofthereasonswhyhemadethatscroll.
ThesecretbookofAnalyze.Ifyoureadthis,youwillbeabletousethisskill.
BecauseSecretBooksCreationwasusableforasupportcharacter,Shinthoughtofmaking
gooduseofit.However,heintendedtoapologizeifitdidntwork.Thesekindofthingswouldntbe
understoodifhedidnttryit.
Cantheskillbeusedafterthis?ButIdonthaveanythingofequivalentvaluetothis.Equivalent
value?
Shinwasgoingtogiveitforfree,butTieraseemsdidntgetit.Apparently,skillswereasubstantially
valuablethinginthisworld.
Itoldyou,didntI?Skillsarevaluabletoo.Anyhow,onewouldneedalargesumofmoneyforan
apprenticelikemetogetaskillfromamaster.Andyouwillgivethistomeforfree?
Eh,Itis,eventhoughIwasgoingtosayit.DidIdosomethingwrong?
Forthetimebeing,pleaserefrainfromraisingthismattertoanyone.Becauseitcouldbecomea
seriousmatter.Dependingonthesituation,onelifemightbetargeted.
Tothatextent!?
ShindecidedtoinstructonlythefellowshetrustedwiththeskillsfromSecretBooksCreation,

asheneverthoughtthathislifecouldbetargetedbysomeone.
Well,dontgettooscared.IthinkTierawillbesafe,sohaveyoureadityet?
No,afterIuseit,willtherebeanycompensationclaims?
No!!
AmIanevilswindler!?Shinwantedtoretort.However,becausetherewasthepossibilityofonelife
gettingtargeted,itwasnormaltobecautions.
Givingawayaskillforfreeisyourmodusoperandi,isntit?
Ifthatsthecase,thenIshouldhavemadeahighclassskilltodeceiveyou.
Tome,eventhisskillisveryvaluable.Itmustbeagreatfeelingtohaveseveralskills.
ButIcannotusearts.AndIthoughtthisisnatural,soIhavenofeelingsaboutit,becauseIthinkI
possessedalltheskills.
Whataluxuriousagonywell,whatever.Illreceiveitwithoutreservationthen.
Ah,dontworryaboutit.Itwouldberatherembarrassingifyoudidnttakeit.
Tieratookthescrollandseemedconvincedforthetimebeing.Shinurgedhertoreadit,soshe
openeditandtookalookatthescroll.
Whenshebegantoreadit,alightwrappedTierasbodyandfadedafter10seconds.Thiswasthe
effectwhenaskillwasacquired.Andapparentlytheskilllearningprocesshadbeencompleted.
Howisit?
ShinwasanxiousbecausehedidntknowifSecretBooksCreationwouldworkinthisworld.
Thatswhyheneededtotestit.
Somehowitisamysteriousfeeling.AnalyzeshowedupinmyheadafterIopenedthescroll,
andsomethinglikeflowsspecialeffectcomingout.However,thereisnounpleasantness.
Eh,isthatso?
Shinwasrelievedastheskillwassuccessfullylearned.Fromhereon,hewouldkeepthatinmindin

caseheuseditagain.
Icanseeyourname,buttheotherstatshaveaweirdsymbolonthem.
Asexpected,thenameisvisible.Well,theweirdsymboliscalledquestionmark.Itwillonlyshow
whentheleveldifferenceishuge.Soitscommonnotseeingthestats.
Eh,originallythenameisnotvisible.ButnowthatIgainedaskill,Icanseeit,althoughyourstats
arehiddenbecauseoftheleveldifference.Thisskillmoreorlessshowsthatyouareindeedstrong.
Willyoubelievemenow?Iwillkeepyousafefrommonsterswhenyougooutofthestore.
Ihavenochoicebuttoconsiderwhatwehavedonetillnow,soIllbelieveinyou.
TieraseemedmorewillingtobelieveinShinthankstotheskillAnalyzethatshehadlearned.
Theremightbesomeuneasinessofcourse,sinceTierahadconstantlybeenattackedbymonstersup
tillnow.
Illgooutfirsttocheckthesurroundingareajustincase.Afterthat,pleasecomeout.
Okay,sure.
ShinwentoutofTsukinoHokoraandlookedatthesurroundingareatomakesuretherewereno
monstersaround.Searchalsoconfirmedthattherewerenomonstersinthevicinity.
Allclear,youcancomeoutnow!
Tierapeekedoutsidethedoorasshelookedatthesurroundings.
AtTsukinoHokora,therewereskillbarriersBarrierandWallsetbySchnee.The
BarriercouldpreventmonstersfromLv.900to1000(Dependsontheuserslevels)from
attackingthestore,andeveniftheyattacked,theinvisiblewallcouldcounterattack.
AndWallcouldpreventplayerintrusion(Alsodependsontheuserslevel)fromlevel230
255.Becausebothofthemwereofthehighestlevel,theinvasionwasimpossibleevenwithCut
Through.
Bytheway,forWall,itsnecessarytosetthesettingpermissionsothatgeneralguests
werentmistakenforinvaders.PlayerswereprohibitedusingweaponsandcombatskillsinTsukino
Hokora.WhenShinwasthestoreownerbefore,hewentintodetails,suchaspreventingplayers
fromequippingweapons.

Atpresent,theradiusofthebarrierskillswerearound20mels.(TLnote:Incaseyouforgot,1mel
=1meter)
Come,overhere.
Ehh,okay
WhenShinbeckonedher,Tieraapproachedslowly.ThatwasbecauseShinwasstandingabout1
melfromoutsideofthebarrier.

ShinwatchedthesurroundingareawhileTierawassilentbecauseofthenervousness.
Forabout5minutes,therewasnochangeinthesurroundings,exceptwarmwindsthatstroked
theirhair.
Nothingishappening.
Yup,nothinghappens.
Furthermore,after5minutes,Shinjudgedthattherewasnoproblem.Itwasbecausethecurse
wouldmakemonsterstoattackonceinevery10minutes.
Thereisnomonstercoming.
Indeed.
Inthefirst5minutes,Tierawasnervousandcouldntstopcheckingthesurroundings.
Thecurseisfinallygone,right?

Itsureis.
TierarepliedtoShinsquestionwhilelookingupatthesky.
Theskywassovastandblue,itmadeTieraseyesopenwide.Itwasnotcompressedbythestores
windowsshealwayssawitfrom.
Shecouldfeelthewind,thesunlightandsmellthescentoftheforest.Suchnostalgicfeelings
spreadtoTierasmind.
ShinfeltrelievedashesawTieralookedupatthesky.Whileitwasstillnecessarytobefrightened
bymonsters,atleastshenolongerneededtoworryabouthersurroundingsortroublingpeople.It
waspossibletogooutsidethestorefreelyfromnowon.
Theskyissowide.
Oh.
Tieramutteredasshejustremembered.
ThenShinlookedupattheskywithTieraforawhile.
ThecornerofTieraseyesshinedasshelookedatthewidesky,andShindidntsayanything.
Letsgobacksoon.
SaidTiera,whileShinturnedhisgazefromtheskytoTiera.
Letsgothen.
Therewasnoobjectionsincetheyonlycameoutsidethestoretoconfirmthatthecursewas
dispelledfromTiera.Afterthat,thetwowalkedbacktothestore.
Still,toreallydispelledthecurse.
Aftershereturnedtothecounter,Tieramutteredheartily.Shestillhadntcaughtupwithreality.
ThatwasmoreorlessbecauseoftheskillPurification.Ifanything,Iwashavingahardtime
andwentthroughalotoftroubletolearnthisrareskill.
AnycursecanbepurifiedwithPurification,right?Tothinkthatitwashardtogetthiscurse

dispelled.
Whyisthat?Dontpriestshavethisskill?Itwouldbestrangeiftheydonthaveonelikeit.
Thatsnotit.BecausePurificationcanonlybeusedbyhighrankingpriests,soIcantreally
askthemtomeetme.Also,duetothenatureofthecurse,Icantcometomeetthemwithallthe
monstersaround.
However,thatwouldhavebeendifferentsomehowifthecurseeffectwasstatsdegradation.
Tierajustsaidsomethingdangerouswithoutherrealizingit.Asforthestatsdegradation,thecurse
wouldmakestatsdropto1/10fromtheoriginal.Evencombatingwithsmallfrymonsterswouldbe
difficult.
Nowthatitisdispelled,itsuselesstothinkaboutit.
Thatsright.Afterall,youareabletoroamfreelyagain.
Yes,althoughtheelvesdislikeblackhair,ifthehairisnotcompletelyblackcolored,itmightbe
differentstory.
Hmm?Ifthehairisallblackcolored,itsnogood?
Yes.IcouldntevenconcealmyhairwhenIwascursedbefore.Thedyewouldturnblackafter
sometime.Butnowthatthecurseisgone,Icandyemyhairagain.
Isthatso.
Becausetheactofdyeinghairwasnotpossibleinthegame,Shindidntunderstandsuchthings.To
beginwith,assoonasplayersgotcursed,theyimmediatelyuseditemsorfoundapriesttopurifyit.
Sotheplayersneverneededtodyetheirhair.
Ahright,thisisyourrewardforthematerialsandthejewel.
Tieraplacedabagonthecounter.Itwasswelledconsiderably,becausethereweremorethan50
piecesofgoldandsilvercoins.
CanthisfitintoItemBox?
WhenhetriedtoputitinItemBox,hesawGeylgoldcoinslotsinthedisplayscreen.Anditalso
showedup26Jgoldcoinsand27Jsilvercoins.Somehow,everycoinwasdisplayed,separatedby

type.Itwasindeedconvenient.
Thecoinsdisappeared?Thatsconvenient.
ShincouldntsayanythingbutsmilewrylybecauseTieraalreadysaidwhathewantedto.Thatwas
yetanotheruseforItemBoxforitems.Andtherewasnoneedforawallet.
Forthetimebeing,Ineedtofindaninntostayatfortoday.
AreyouperhapsgoingtoentertheBayreuthKingdom?
Yes,therearevariousplacesIwouldliketoexplore.Isthereagoodplacetogatherinformation?
Well.Waitaminute,Iwillgiveyousomethinggoodasanextraservice.
AfterTierasaidso,shewenttoaroomlocatedbehindthecounter.IfShinsmemorywascorrect,
therewasaprivateroomthere.
Tieraenteredtheroom,and3minuteslatershecameout,handingapieceofpapertoShin.
Thisis?
AletterofintroductionfromTsukinoHokora.Withthisletter,youcanenterthecountrywithout
havingtowaitinlineforinspection.
Apparentlytherewasawaitinglinetoenterthecountry.Shin,whowantedtofindaninntoday,
wasfeelinggrateful.
Iappreciateit.IdidntwanttobehomelessandsleeponthestreetwhenIcamehere.Butisthis
okay?Togiveanintroductionlettertosomeonewhoyoujustmettoday.
AlthoughShinthoughtthathewasnotqualified,Tieraunexpectedlyshookherhead.
Thecursethatstayedformorethan100yearswasdispelled.Besides,youmeetthequalifications.
Moreover,Ithinkyouareagoodperson.ThereisnoproblemEvenwiththis,Istillhavent
returnedallyourfavors.
Agoodpersonwhatdidyousayjustnow,Icouldnthearthelatterhalf?
Geez,Idontcare!Isaidthereisnoproblemandpleaseleaveobediently.

Tierasaidso,whilepushingtheletterofintroductiontoShin.Althoughherfacelookeddownward
toconcealherreddenedface,itcouldbeseenfromherearswhichturnedslightlyred.
Allright,allright.Iwilltakeitwithoutreservationthen.
Again,Shindidntnoticeit.Whileanotherpersonwouldhavenoticedit,hehimselfwasadense
person.
ThenIllgonow.Inaddition,pleasetakecareofmethenexttimewhenpurchasingthemonstersI
hunted.
Iunderstand,pleasedontforceyourselftoomuch.BecauseIllgetnothingifyoudie.
Seeyouthen.
Illlookforwardtoyournextvisit.
TieraloweredherheadandShinwavedhishandlightlywhileexitingtheTsukinoHokora.

Vol.1Chapter2Part3
ShincameoutofTsukinoHokoraandcrossedthewoodsuntilhewasinfrontoftherampartsand
startedtowalkalongit.Sincehedidntknowwhichwaythetownentrancewas,hewentalongwith
hisfeeling.Hesomehowknewthathewouldreachthetownentrancesoonerorlaterifhejust
walkedwhilefollowingtheramparts.
Anyway,theserampartslookreallysturdy.
Shinthoughtashesawtherampartsagain.BecauseAnalyzewasoriginallyaskilltoseethe
detailsofplayersandmonsters,hedidntknowmuchaboutitsmagicbestowalbeyondskilllevel.
ButfromTierasstory,allskillswerevaluableandhecouldguessthattherewereexcellentskill
successorsoutthere.
Afterwalkingforaround15minutes,hecouldseealineformedinfrontoftherampart.Itseemed
liketherewasatowngatenearby.
Andtherewerevariouspeoplewearingallkindsofclothes.Furthermore,therewasahumanboy
whoworetatteredclothing,afemalebeastequippedwithanarmorandadwarfwhowas
accompaniedbyasmalldragon.Thepersonwhoworearobemightbeamagician,andtheguy
withabigwagonmightbeamerchant.Shinlookedaroundwhileseeingthelinemovingslowly.
Sinceallplayersinthegamehadaneatappearance(thoughthereweresomepeoplewhodressed
instrangeclothes),Shinwasastonishedbythescenery.
Asoldierwhowasequippedwithanarmorjustlikeatownsguard,wascheckingsomethinglikean
identificationcard.Besidesthat,theyalsocheckedtheluggageinthewagonbriefly.Shinwalked
straighttothegatesincehehadaletterofintroductionfromTiera.
About20melsfromthegate,aguardnoticedShinwhowasntwaitinginline,andShinhada
suspiciouslookonhisface.
OneoftheguardsapproachedShinashewasabout10melsfromthegate.
Heyyou!Ifyouwanttogetintothetown,getintheline!Icantletyouenterifyoudontlineup.
Saidtheguard,whilepointingattheendoftheline.Thelinewassolongthattheendoftheline
couldntbeseen.
Well,um,IwastoldIcouldenterthetownifIshowthis.

HetookouttheletterofintroductionfromItemBox,whilepretendingtotakeitoutfromhischest
pocket.
TheguardtooktheletterfromShin,lookedatthecontents,andrevealedashockedlook.Notto
mention,hishandsweretremblingafterward.
LetterofintroductionfromTsukinoHokora
Yes,Igotitfromthesalesclerk.
Shindidntknowwhytheguardwassurprised,orwhatweretheeffectsofaletterofintroduction
fromTsukinoHokora.
Hewasevenworriedabouttheguardwhosehandsweretrembling.
Ineedtoconfirmwhetherthisistherealthing.Comewithme.
Okay.
TheguardgatheredotherguardsandbegantodiscusssomethinglikeIsitgenuine?Orhowdo
wedecidewhetheritstherealthing?
Atthesametime,Shinsawahorsethatwas1.5timesbiggerthananormalhorse,stoppedatthe
frontgate.
WhileShinwaslookingatthehorse,theguardreturned.
Imsorrytohavekeptyouwaiting.Thisway.
Ah,Iunderstand.
Theguardsmannerschangedcompletelyandhebecameverypolite.Itwassosuddenthatitfelt
outofplace.
(Istheletterofintroductionthatgreat?)
TheroadwasopenedforthemwhileShinfeltstaresfromthepeopleintheline.Besidesthat,the
placewasfilledwithpeopleandseverallargewagonsgoinginandout.Alongtheedgeofthestreet,
therewerevariousstallsstandinginarow,sellingthingslikefood,armor,accessories,strange
items,andsoon.

Iwillbeyourguidetotheadventurersguild.Willthatbeallrightforyou?
Huh?Oh,yes.Thankyouverymuch.
AnotherguardtalkedtoShin.ItseemedlikehetookoverthetaskoftheguardwhospoketoShin
previously.
Doyouhaveanyplanstogosomewhereelsebesidetheguild?Illguideyouifyoudontmind.
No,becausethereisnootherplan,Iwouldliketoheadtowardtheadventurersguild,andplease
dontusehonorificswithme.
StilltoberudetothosewithaletterofintroductionfromTsukinoHokora.
Noproblem,justactlikeusual.
Well,ifyousaidso.Iunderst
Honorific!
Iunderstand,Iunderstand,itsjusthardtoadjust.(TLnote:Theguardactuallysaid
understandinapolitetone.Thensaiditagaininaninformaltone.)
Shindidntmeantoactbigjustbecausehegottheletterofintroductionbychance.Meanwhile,the
guardwiththeguidesrole,mixeduptheformalandinformaltoneinhisspeech.
Imgladyouunderstand.
Geez,forsomeonetohavealetterofintroductionandnotwantingmetobepolite?
Well,itjustfeltwrong.Bytheway,ImShin.Nicetomeetyou.
Shinwasformerlyastudent.Hewasntaccustomedbyanoldermanusinghonorificstowardhim.
ImBeid.Ivelivedinthistownmywholelife.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,feelfreetoask.
Beidlaughedaftersayingthat.Hegaveanimpressionofabearbecauseofhisbrownhairand
beard.AccordingtoAnalyze,Beidwaslevel100.Itwassaidthatthestrongestknightwas
level158,soShincouldntjudgewhetherBeidwasstrongornot.
Then,Iwanttoaskyousomething.WhywasIbeingledtoanadventurersguild?

Eventhoughheintendedtogototheadventurersguild,hedidntremembersayingittotheguard.
ButthenherecalledwherehehadaskedTieraforanygoodplacestogatherinformation.
Itwaswrittenintheintroductionletter.Ihavetodoitsinceitisstatedintheletterofintroduction
fromTsukinoHokora.
Isee.Ah,justtoconfirm,istheletterofintroductionfromTsukinoHokorasuchabigdeal?
Didyoushowitwithoutknowingaboutit!?
Forsomereasonhewassurprised.
No,thisismyfirsttimecomingtothiscountryanditwasacoincidencethatIwenttoTsukino
Hokora.
Coincidence?Andgotaletterofintroduction?Youaresomething
Imjustawanderer.
Unbelievable!No,nevermindthen.Idontknowaboutothercountries,butwiththeletterof
introduction,itspossibletohaveanaudiencewiththeKing.Somepeoplehaveeventriedtoforge
theletterofintroduction.
Itseemedtheletterofintroductionwasaratherbigdealaroundhere.
Tierathisismorethananextraservice
Shinmurmuredasheregrettednotknowingthisawesomestuffearlier.Actually,hethoughtitwas
justasimpleborderpass.IfBeidsstorywastrue,itwasonlynaturalthattheguardswere
surprised.
Idsay,itwouldbeaproblemifitgotlost
Justnow,someonepassedittotheotherguard.
Shinwhojustrealizedit,triedtogetitback.ButasShinmadeaUturn,hewasstoppedbyBeid.
Itsokay,ifitistheletterofintroduction,Ihaveit.Howmanyguardscanevencarryitnormally.It
wasreturnedbeforeitcouldbelefttoidiotswhoareuptonogood.
Beid,goodjob!!

ShinunconsciouslygaveBeidathumbsup.Shinsoriginalimageofhimasacrudepersonwas
instantlyerased,givinghimabetterimpressionofBeid.
ShinthenplacedtheletterofintroductionintheImportantThingszoneintheItemBox.This
zonehadanantitheftfunctionattached.SkillslikeStealorRobberywerenoteffectivein
thiszone,soShindidnthavetoworryaboutitgettingstolenorrobbed.
Oh,Ialmostforgot,whenyouarriveattheadventurersguild,givetheletterofintroductiontoa
receptionistnamedEls.
Els?
Themissreceptionistoftheguild,andatthesametime,anelfadventurer.Therearesomekindof
ancientelvenruneswrittenonthatletter.Andsheistheonlyelfintheadventurersguild.Soitis
probablyaddressedtoher.
Iunderstand.Illgiveittoherintheguild.
ShindidntknowthatTierahadanotherelfasacquaintance,yethefirmlymemorizedhername.
Asthematteroftheintroductionletterwassettled,ShinheardBeidsexplanationaboutthetown.
Thatremindsme,thisisyourfirsttimecomingtothiscountry.Iwillexplaintoyouaboutthis
town.Sofirst,thisstreetistheroughdivisionofthetown.Thegateyouenteredjustnowisthe
southgate.Therearegatesinthesouth,north,eastandwest,butonlythesouthgateisusedmost
often.
Whyisthesouthgateusedmostly?
Thereasonisthatthesouthgateistheconnectingpointofthedistricts.Thereisalsoacommercial
districtinfrontofthesouthgate.Besidesthat,thekingscastleisinthecenterofthiscountry,and
thewealthytownresidents,suchasnoblesandrichmerchants,surroundit.Itissurroundedbythe
fourdistricts.
HmmIsee
Thesouthcommercialdistrict,assaidjustnow,generallyhaseverythingyouneedlikefoods,
items,miscellaneousgoodsandsoforth.Theguildsareintheeastdistrict.Manyheadquartersof
guildsarelocatedthere,suchasadventurersguild,merchantsguild,blacksmithsguildandsoon.
Thewestisaresidentialdistrict.Almostallofthetownspopulationlivethere.Theinnisalsoa

placeforadventurerstoreplenishtheirstockfrommerchants,besidesbeingtheplacetostay
overnight.Finally,thenorthdistrictisindevelopmentforthetimebeing.
Beidhesitatedashetalkedaboutthenorthdistrict.Shinhadanideaaboutit,soheaskedBeid
daringly.
Isthedevelopmentonlyaname,orisitaslumarea?
Asexpected,youunderstandindeed.Yes,itis.AlthoughIsaiditsinadevelopmentzone,
eventuallythosewithnoplacetogostartedtomoveinoneafteranother.Thougheachofthem
havetheirownmotives.Anyway,itssecurityisattheworst,anditsbettertostayawayfromthere.
BeidadvisedShinwithabitterexpression.
However,itwasnotonlythiscountry,butmostbigcountriesalsohavesuchplaces.
Meanwhile,ShinobservedthetownsituationashelistenedtoBeid.Inthecommercialdistrict,
variouspeoplewerecomingandgoing,Shinsawamanwithanappearanceofanadventurer.The
manwascarryingalargeswordandworeafullbodyarmor.
Shinwasexcitedandalmostcalledouttohim,especiallyafterhesawthemanwascarryinga
DragonSword.BeidsaiditwasaweaponfromanislandcountrycalledHinomoto,whichisinthe
eastofthecontinent.
Inthemeantime,Shinarrivedattheadventurersguild.Thebuildingwaslargerthanthe
neighboringbuilding,andhadasignboardwithaswordandaspearcrossedwerepainted.
Somehow,thiswastherepresentationoftheadventurersguild.
Mydutyendshere.Dontworkyourselftoohardinthere.
Oh,thankyouforguidingmehere,andfortheinformationaswell.
ShinwentintotheadventurersguildbuildingafterseeingoffBeidwholightlywavedhishand.
Heopenedtheguildsdoorandentered.
Fromtheentrancedoor,thereceptionistdeskcouldbeseenontherightside,andthebaronthe
leftside.Atthecenterhall,therewasabulletinboardwhichhadmanyrequestspostedonit.
SincerowdyNPCsoftenhungaroundinadventurersguildswhenheplayedthegame,Shinhad
thatimagewhenenteringtheguild.Nevertheless,nogarbagecouldbeseenonthefloor,nor

adventurersshoutingateachother,norglaresfromotheradventurers.
Itwasmerelyagroupofadventurerswhohadjustfinishedtheirtasksandwerehavingatoast.The
barseemedtobejustanormalbar.
Shinwentstraighttowardthereceptionistdesk,eventhoughhefelthungryafterseeingthebar.
Welcometotheadventurersguild,howcanIhelpyoutoday?
ThebeautifulwomanwhowasthereceptionistgreetedShinasheapproached.Shehadlightbrown
hairthatreachedhershoulders.Apparently,thereceptiondeskofguildswerealwaysfilledwith
beautifulwomen.
Therewasalsoatallmanwithaheightofabout2melsandscarsonhisfacenexttothe
receptionist.Itgoeswithoutsaying,Shincasuallydetouredtothewomanssideatthereception.
Iwouldliketoregisterasanadventurer.
Forthat,pleasegoupstairsonyourleftandheadovertothesecondroom.OneJsilvercoinis
requiredfortheinitialregistration,isthatalrightwithyou?
Yes,itsalright.Thankyou.
Hevoicedhisgratitudeandwentupthestairs.Withoutstopping,Shinwasthinkingthattherewas
nosuchprocedureduringthegame.Thenhesawthesecondroomandenteredit.
Shinapproachedthedeskonthemiddle,astherewereonlythreedesks.
Weprovideregistrationforadventurershere.Youwanttoregisterasanadventurer,isthat
correct?
Ah,yes,Iwanttoregisterasanadventurer.
Herepliedtothereceptionistwithabewilderedlook.Shinwasconfused,asthereceptionistsface
andthatofthereceptionistbelow,wereliketwopeasinapod.Theonlydifferencewasthatthis
receptionisthadherhairinaponytail.
Issomethingthematter?
No,youjustlookidenticaltothereceptionistbelow.

Thatismyoldersister.Becausewearetwins,Iamoftenmistakenasher.Iwillbehelpingyou
registertoday.MynameisCilicaLindt.Pleasetreatmewell.
IamShin.Pleasetakecareofmeaswell.
First,youwillneedtopaytheinitialcostofoneJsilvercoin.
Okay.
HetookoutoneJsilvercoinfromItemBox.Shinthoughtitlookedalittleunnaturalsincehetook
itoutfromhischest,butCilicareceivedthecoinwithoutanysuspicion.
Then,pleasefilloutthisform.
Inthedocument,therewereentriestobefilledupsuchasname,race,mainweapon,abletouse
magicornot,andsoon.
DoIhavetofillouteverything?
No,onlyyournameandracearerequired.Whileitwouldbeeasiertoreceivesupportifyoufillit
allout,wewontforceyouasthisisnotcompulsory.Noonewilltreatyoudifferentlybecauseofit.
Sopleaserestassured.
Okay.
Sincetherewasanentryforplaceofbirth,Shinjusthadtoskipit,becausehewasnotfromthis
world.Theracewasfilledasahumanjustincase.
Mainweaponwassword,abletousemagic,andbecausetherewasentryforage,oneyearofthe
deathgamewasaddedinhistrueage,sohewrotedownas21yearsold.
Itwasabitlatetobringitupnow,butthedocumentwaswritteninJapanese.Thespoken
languagewasJapanese,soitwasonlynaturalthatitwasalsobeingusedinthedocument.Shin
wasthankfulbecauseofit.Hewasworriedinthebeginning,ashethoughtitwouldbewrittenwith
characterslikewrigglingearthworms.
Afterthat,hegavethedocumenttoCilica,andshejustskimmeditthrough.Shewasprobably
checkingifitwasincomplete.
YournameisShinsama,isthatright?(TLnote:samaisequivalenttoMrinEnglish,butIwant
tokeeptheJapanesesenseasmuchaspossible.)

Yes.Thatsright.
Thenthedocumentiscomplete.Next,pleasedriponedropofbloodonthiscard.
CilicahandedShinaneedleandasilvercard.
Shinprickedthetipofhisfingeranddrippedthebloodonthecard.Thecarddidntrejectthe
bloodandabsorbeditlikeasponge.
Withthis,theprocedureiscomplete.Thecardwilltakeonedaytoprocess,soitwillbereadyby
tomorrow.
Okay.
Itseemedthathewouldneedtowaituntiltomorrowbeforereceivinghiscard.
Wouldyoulikehearmoreinformationabouttheguild?
Yes,please.
Firstofall,adventurersaredividedbyranks,fromthehighestSStoS,A,B,C,D,E,F,andthe
lowestGrank.BecauseShinsamajustregistered,yourrankisG.Wheneverarequestiscompleted,
thepointisaddedandyourrankwillriseaccordingly.Ifarequestisfailedorabandoned,thepoint
fortherequestissubtractedfromthecurrentpoint.Therankwilldropifthepointsarebelowa
certainstandard.Inaddition,youmustpaythecancellationfeetwiceoftherewardoffered.You
canreceiverequestsuptotworanksaboveyou.Youcanonlyreceiverequestsonerankaboveyouif
youbecomerankCandabove.Youcanformapartywithtwoormoremembers.Itisalsopossible
toparticipateintherequestofthetopthreeormorerank.Dependingonthemembers,youwill
receivetherequestaccordingtothemembersofthetoprank.
Whatisthemaximumnumberofmembersallowedinaparty?
Shinaskedsincehewasinterested.Themaximumnumberofpeopleinapartywassixpeople
duringthegame.
Onepartycanbeformedbyuptosixmembers.Itbecomesaformcalledjointwork,whereyou
crossmultiplepartieswhenyoureceivearequestforfurthernumbersofpeople.Thisisusuallyseen
onsubjugationrequestsofstrongmonsters,orfairlylargescalerequests.
Itseemedthatthenumberofpartymembersremainedunchanged.However,therequest(itwas
calledQuestinthegame)forfurthernumbersofpeopleseemeddifferentfromthegame,therewas

nojointworkormultipleparties.
Therearevariouskindsofrequestssuchasmiscellaneousduties,fishing,subjugation,escort,and
soforth.Pleasebewarnedthattheguildwonttakeresponsibilityfortakingarequestwithoutthe
guildsapproval.Anunsuitablerequestforyourabilityislikelytoreceiveorsustainsevereinjuries
orevendeath.
Whatwillhappeniftherequestandthecontentsaredifferent?Ifasubjugationrequestisreceived
andupongettingthere,themonsterisstrongerthantherequestsaid.
Insuchcase,itsfinetoabandontherequest.Youneedtoreportit,sothatthepenaltywillnot
occur.Eveniftheguildverifiesalltheriskyrequests,pleasedonottakeitwithoutprecautions,as
notallrequestscanbecovered.
Themanagementseemedtolackofefficiency.Butsincetheinformationnetworkwasntdeveloped,
itcouldntbehelped,Shinthought.
Theguildwillbuytherawmaterialsfromsubjugatedmonster.Itsagoodsourceforextraincome.
Next
TheexplanationfromCilicalastedforabout20minutes.EvenifShinheardeverything,hecould
notmemorizeallofit.
Thatsallfortoday.Illexplainagainabouttheguildcardtomorrowwhenyoureceiveit.Do
youhaveanyquestions?
CanIreceiverequestsnow?
Aftertheguildcardisissued,youcanacceptrequestsrightaway.Becausetheguildcardalsoacts
asaborderpass,Iadvisethatyouspendthenightinthetown.
Isee.Idonthaveanymorequestions.
Well,thatsitfortoday.IwishforShinsamassuccess.
Cilicaexecutedagracefulbow,andShinleftthecounter.
Shinwentdownthestairsandspokewiththereceptionistwhoguidedhimbefore.
Thankyouforthehelpalittlewhileago.

Theprocedurewascompleted,Isee.Wellthen,again,WelcometotheAdventurersGuild.My
nameisCelicaLindt,Iamresponsiblefortherequestprocedures.Mybestregardsinthefuture.
IamShin.Samehere.AreyoutheeldersisterofCilicafromtheregistrationcounter?
SoitwasCilicaincharge.Well,yes,IamtheoldersisterofCilica.Becausewearetwins,welook
veryalike.
Iwassurprised.Ithoughtyoucouldteleportinstantly.
Itispossibleforapersoncominghereforthefirsttimetohavethatcuriouslookontheirface
whentheyreturn,justlikethatpersonoverthere.
ShinfollowedCelicasgazeaftershesaidthat.Itwasthefigureofanewadventurer,wholeftthe
guildwhiletiltinghishead.HewasthepersonnexttoShinwhenhereceivedanexplanation
earlier.
AndIoftengetmistakenformysister,evenintheguild.IhopeShinsamawontmixusup,too.
ShinmomentarilyfeltthepressurefromCelicassmile.Asamatteroffact,Shinprobablythoughtit
wastroublesometopayattentiontoit.
Still,Iwilldomybest.Ah,canIaskyouaquestion?
ShinaskedashejustrecalledwhatBeidsaidtohim.However,thebigmannexttoCelicathrewa
glanceatShinacoupleoftimesforsomereason.Shinsintuitionwassoundingalarms,buthe
decidedtoignoreitfornow.
Yes,feelfreetoask.
IheardthatadventurernamedElsworkshereasreceptionist.
Therewereonlytwopeople(Celicaandthebigman)inthereceptionistdesk.Shinwantedtosay
Missbeforethereceptionist,butwasunableto,duetothebigmannexttoCelica.(TLnote:Beid
referredtoElsasmissreceptionist,remember?)
Imsorry,Elsjustreceivedarequestandisoutoftownrightnow.Shewillreturntodayifno
troubleoccurs.Pleaseaskagainwhenyoureceivetheguildcardtomorrow.Ifsheisnotavailable,
thenIwillpassheramessage.
Apparently,Shingotthewrongtiming.Sinceshewasanadventurer,shemightnotalwayshere.

Shinwashopingforabetterlucktomorrow.
Isee,thenIwillcomeagaintomorrow.
CelicabowedslightlyandthenShinheadedtothebar.Hehadnteatensincehewastransportedto
thisworld.
Therewereseveralguestsinthebarbesidesthegroupofadventurersbefore.Theaveragelevelwas
around90.
Shinfoundaseatinalesscrowdedarea.Hethenreadthemenu.Althoughthemenuwaswritten
inJapanese,hedidntunderstandwhatkindofdishwouldbeserved,sohejustaskedfortodays
recommendedset.
Todaysrecommendedset,Shinsama.
Oh,ah,yes?
Shinturnedaroundandfacedthewaitress.Hedidntknowwhythewaitressknewhisname,then
hesawthewaitresssface.
ItwasCelicawithwhomhejustpartedawhileago.
EH!werentyouthereceptionistjustnow?
Yes.
Butyouarewearingadifferentdress.
Yes,Iweartheuniformoftheguildatthereceptiondesk.
Didyouchangeyourclothes?
Ofcourse.
Isntthattoofast?Andwhyawaitress?
Itsnormaltochangeclotheslikethis.Sometimes,Iworkheretohelpwhenthereceptionistdesk
isntcrowded.
ThatsnotnormalShinwantedtoretort.Ithadonlybeen3minutessinceheleftthereceptionist

desk,andthenCelicaappeared.Hecouldnthelpbutthinkitwasimpossible.
Afterawhile,adishwasservedwhichconsistedofasteakwithathicknessofabout3cemels,a
saladofrawvegetables,andasoup.Itwasnotadishthatcouldbecookedinashorttime.
Inthemeantime,nooneseemedtogotothereceptionistdesksinceCelicaleft,soonlythebigman
wasthere.Shincouldsympathizewiththeadventurerswhoweretakingrequestsatthistime.
Pleasehelpyourselftothedish.
Well,itadakimasu.
Shinsaidsoandstartedeating.Forsomereason,CelicasettledherselfontheseatinfrontofShin.
(Whawhatisthisdevelopment?)
Itcouldntbehelped,butitwasuncomfortabletoeatwhilebeingstaredat.
Anyway,thedishwasdelicious,especiallythesteak.Thesaladhadapleasanttexture,thestewed
chickenmeatwascrispyandthesoupwasquitegood.
However,thesituationwasquiteuncomfortable.Hecouldntenjoyhismeal.
Isitokayforothercustomerstobeleftwaiting,Celicasan?
Itsalright,anotherwaitressescanservethem.
Itseemedthatshedidntwanttoleave.
Thoughitshardtoeatwhilebeingstaredat
Pleasedontmindme.
Thatsimpossible,youknow
Shejustrepliedwithasmile.Shesaidnottomindher,butShinstillfeltuncomfortable.
Haa,whatisit,really?Isthisharassmentagainstnewcomers?
Actually,thereissomethingIwanttoconfirm.
Thenpleasesaysofromthebeginning.

Ijustwantedtoseewhatkindofpersonyouarebeforethat.
Still,Shinthoughthewasbeingmadefunof.
Well?Whatisitthatyouwanttoconfirm?
Shinsaidso,andCelicaansweredinaloweredvoice.
Yes,IreceivedareportthatShinsamahasaletterofintroductionfromacertainplace.
Shinonlyheardthewordsletterofintroduction,andhecouldunderstand.Apparently,thiswas
moreimportantthanShinthought.
Ah,isthatso?Icertainlyhaveit.
Woulditbeokayforyouifwegotoanotherroomtoconfirmtheletterofintroduction?
IfIcanfinishmymealfirst,thenitsokay.AlthoughIhavetodeclineunlesstheguildmasteris
there.

Shinsaidthatasajoke,howeverCelicahadbecomesilentunexpectedly.Inaddition,hecouldfelt
hergazewanderaround.
Well,itwasajoke
Imsorry,Iwasaskedbytheguildmastertotakeyouthere.
Seriously?
Yes
Fromherfirmvoice,Shincouldconfirmthatitwasthetruth.Hefeltdisheartened,ashehadto
meetthehighestauthorityintheguildonhisfirstday.
Cantwedoittomorrow?
Hesecretlysighed,becauseitwasanabnormaleventtomeetaguildmasteronhisfirstdayafter
comingtothisworld.
Again,Imsorry,but

CelicalookedbehindShinaftershesaidthat.
TheguildmasterwastherebehindShin.
(Fuh,wantmetoturnaroundehhhhh!!!)
Shinknewtherewassomeonebehindhim,buthedidntthinkitwastheguildmaster.Heturned
aroundreluctantly,andregrettedhisfutiledecision.
ThepersonwhostoodbehindShinwasanunexpectedperson.

Icouldntwaitanymore.Iamsorrytodisturbyouwhileyoureeating.Hahaha
Itwasthebigmanfromthereceptionistdeskwhojusttalkedandlaughed.
ItwasthebigmanwhowasthrowingglancesatShin.
ItwasthebigmanwhomadeShinsintuitionsendwarningsigns.
Inotherwords,itwasthebigman.
Hey,itsyou?!
Hewassurprisedthatheusedaninformaltoneunconsciously.
IheardthereportandIwantedtomeetyouimmediately.
Thebigman,whowassaidtobetheguildmaster,talkedwithasmile.
Barluxsama.Ifyoucouldjustwaitalittlelonger
Notthisone.Afterall,thisisathingtobeworriedabout.Shinkun,right?ImBarlux.Itmaybea
bitsudden,butcanyoucometomyroom?
Apparently,Barluxwasthenameoftheguildmaster.Speakingofguildmaster,Shinwassurprised
asheimaginedapersonofoldage.Theguildmastersappearancelookedlikeamaninhislate30s
toearly40s.Therewasabigscaronhisface,ifcombinedwithhislargestature,hegaveofthe
feelingofintimidationrightaway.Despitethat,hehadthisfriendlysmilewhichreducedthe
intimidatingfeelingbyhalf.

Yet,hislevelwas228,thehighestlevelhehadseeninthisworld.
Haa,thoughIdontmind,pleaseletmefinishmymealfirst.
Ofcourse,sorryaboutthat.Illbewaitinginmyroom.
Barluxwentbacktohisroomafterhesaidthat.
Asaguildmaster,helooksprettyyoung.Ithoughtsomeoldmanwouldbetheleaderinthis
place.Ah,sointhiscase,isanoldmansexperiencesnotsignificanthere?
Shintalkedbasedontheimageshehadingamesandnovels.
Iunderstandyourthought.WhatShinsamasaidisnotentirelywrong.Infact,mostoftheguild
mastersinothercitiesareelderlypersons.Nevertheless,BarluxsamaisaformerSrank
adventurer,sohisexperienceandconnectionsarenotinferiortotheotherguildmasters.
FormerSrank,huh?
Shinwasstillignorantaboutthisworldscommonsense,buthecouldstillimaginethattheroadto
rankSwasnteasy.Ifviewedfromthatlevel,thatpersonwouldbeconsideredaguildmaster.
Hefinishedhismealwhilethinkingaboutsuchthings.
Atthesametime,hefeltglancesfromeverywhereaftertheappearanceoftheguildmaster.And
then,heproceededtothereceptiondesk,guidedbyCelica.
Therewereroomsbehindthereceptiondesk,theroomwhichShinwasguidedtohadcomplete
furnitureforaguestsuchassofa,table,deskandbookshelf.AlthoughShindidntknowitsprice,it
gavetheimpressionoffirstclassgoods.
Welcometotheadventurersguild.Imsorry,Iwasrudeearlier.IamBarluxHeim,theguild
master.
WhenShinenteredtheroom,BarluxshookShinshandwhileheintroducedhimself.
IamShin.Mybestregardstoyou.
Shincouldfeelthatthehandheshookwasstiffandrugged,anditwasdefinitelypowerful.
Pleasetakeaseat.

ShinsatonthesofawhileCelicaservedteaonthetable.
Shinkun.Althoughitsabitsudden,IwanttoseetheletterofintroductionfromTsukino
Hokora.
Here.
TheletterofintroductionwastakenoutfromItemBox,andhegaveittoBarlux.Atthesametime,
Barluxplacedanotherpaperonthetable.Then,apatternofacrescentmoonthatwasdrawnon
thecenteroftheletter,shinedinsilver.
Thisis?
TheletterofintroductionfromTsukinoHokoraisalittlespecial.Themagicoftheintroduction
letterswillresonateifbroughtneareachother.Thecrestwillshinelikethis.Inotherwords,this
letterofintroductionisgenuine.
FromBarluxsexplanation,itseemedtobethemethodofconfirmationfortheletterof
introduction.Anditappearedtobeimpossibletoproduceanimitation,asitwouldbefoundout
rightaway.
Soithadthisfeature
Althoughhewasastonishedattheunexpectedfunction,Shincouldnthelpbutthinkthathe
shouldhadgottenanexplanationwhenhereceivedit.
Noonetoldyouaboutit?
Ireceiveditasanextraservice,asaborderpass.
Service?WasitSchneewhogaveittoyou,orTiera?
ItwasTiera.Schneewasaway.
Tierahuh.Ithinksomethingoutstandingmusthavehappened,thatsheforgottoexplainthis,but
shehasgoodeyesforpeoplethough.EvenItoo,haveseenalotofpeoplebutsheisalwaysonestep
ahead.
Barluxsaidashelaughed.
AnditwastruethatsomethingoutstandinghappenedtoTiera,likeamorethan100yearsold

cursewasdispelled.
Still,weretheeyesforpeopleacquiredthroughthewisdomofage?
Fuh!
AsShinthoughtaboutage,dreadchilleduphisspine.
ThesmilingfaceofTierawithabackgroundofflamescameintohismind.
(Letsstopthinkingaboutage,Ithinkitwillbefatal)
Becausehehadabadpremonition,hestoppedthinkingaboutit.
?Whatsthematter?
Ah,nothing.
Isthatso?ThenletscontinuethestoryfromwhereIleftoffbefore.
SaidBarluxashecorrectedhisposture.Itlookedlikethiswouldbewherethemainsubjectwould
start.
Becauseyouhaventheardtheexplanation,Illexplaintheusesofthelettermyself.Withtheletter
ofintroduction,itispossibletoentermostcountrieswithoutinspection.Ifithasinformation,itwill
betreatedasfinalinformation.Eachguildwillevenaccommodateitdifferently.Also,inBayreuth,
youcanevenhaveanaudiencewiththeking.Itwillalsoserveasreliableidentification.
TherewasnodoubtthatwhatBeidwassayingbeforewastrue.Althoughhedidnttalkaboutthe
guildortheinformation.
Theletterofintroductionhasthatmanyuses.Sonaturally,therewillbesomeonewhowillintend
tosnatchorstealitfromyou.
Thatmakessense
Itcouldbemisusedforterrorism,smugglingofdangerousmaterial,assassinationandsoon.
Judgingfromacriminalsandacrimesyndicatesviewpoint,theywoulddesireitverybadly.
Therefore,Iwantyoutotellmeifyouhavethecapabilitytoprotectit.Ifyoucantprotectit,I
suggestthatyoudestroyitnow.


Shinwasthinking.Withthisletterofintroduction,therewouldbeadvantagesanddisadvantages.
Asfortheadvantages,itwouldbecomeeasierforhimtocrossthecountries.Andhecouldobtain
trustfromthecountryeasily.
However,thedisadvantagewouldbethedangerfromgettingtargetedofcertainindividualsor
organizations.
Atleast,theadvantageswereindispensableforShin.Atthetimeofexplanationoftheguildby
Cilica,heheardthatentrytoeverycountrywouldbecomerelativelyeasyifhehadaguildcard.
However,heconsideredthattherewasadifferenceinamomentofperil,andthatthereshouldbe
onethatcouldstronglyguaranteehisidentityinthecaseofanemergency.
Therewasalsoademerit,ashewasalreadyknowntotheguardswhenhecametothetown,and
alsotothepeoplewhowereliningupatthesoutherngate.Besides,hewasalreadyknowntothe
guild.Hedidntknowtheextentofprotectionofconfidentialinformationhere,evenifitwas
alreadyexposed.Rather,itwouldbebetterifheactedjustlikenormal.
(IwillputitintheImportantThingszoneinmyItemBoxjustincase,andavoidtakingitout
generously.)
FromTierasstory,onlyafewpeoplehaveanItemBox.IntheImportantThings,even
membersofRokutencouldnotremoveitemsheplacedinside.
Althoughhedidnthaveanywaytoconfirmit.
Icanprotectit.
Heconcludedafterthinkingaboutitforawhile.
Isthatyourdecision?
Yes.
Youwontregretthis,willyou?
OfcourseIwont.ThoughIknowthatifImakemistakes,itwillbebadformeandthestore.IfI
wasentrustedwiththisimportantthing,thenIllmakesuretofulfillthattrust.

Shinsaidconfidently.
Afterall,hehaddecidedontheanswerbeforehethoughtabouttheissueofadvantagesand
disadvantages.
SomemightthinkthatwhatShinwasdoingwasrecklessanddangerous,butunfortunately,Shins
lifewastargetedalot.Shinobtainedexperiencesthatcoulddealwithassassinationandsurprise
attacksfromsurvivingoneyearinTHENEWGATE,whichhadturnedintoadeathgame.
Eventhoughhistrueintentionwasthathedidntwanttodestroytheletter.
Whew,wellsaid.Asexpectedfromsomeonewhoholdstheletterofintroduction.
Thoughitwasabitexaggerated.
Toomuchmodestyisnotgood.Onceyouhesitate,youwillloseinlife.
Whatdoesthatmean?
Thatwastheguildmastersview,itseemed.Thatpersoncouldnotbemadelightof.
Hmm,howhighisyourlevel?Ihadtoovercomenumerousbattlesmyself,untilIalmostreached
thelimit,yetIstillcantdeclarewhatyoujustdid.Icanunderstandthatyouareconsiderably
strong.
Indeed,hewasaformerSrank.Heseemedtopossesstheabilitytoseethroughotherscapability,
evenifhedidnthavetheskills.
mustIanswerit?
Imsorry,buttheguildneedstohaveagrasponthelevelofanadventurer.Justtherangeofyour
levelissufficient.Icannotallowlowleveladventurerstododangerousrequests.
ItappearedthatBarluxsaidthatnotjustoutofcuriosity.
Hemightneedtoconfirmitnotonlyasaperson,butalsofortheguild,astheexpectationofability
correlatestosomedegreeifthelevelwasknown.
Iunderstand.Mylevelismorethan150.
Hmm.Shinkun,asIsaidjustnow,modestyisprohibited.

BarluxraisedoneeyebrowafterhearingShinslevel.Asexpectedfromtheguildmaster,heseemed
toknowifthelevelwastoolow.
Isitnotgoodenough?
Itisnotgood,thelevelyousaidjustnowisfarlowerthanyouroriginallevel.
EventhoughhedidntwanttosayitsmoothlybecauseheheardtheNo.2waslevel158,hewas
unabletodeceivehim.
SoyoucantellwithoutusingAnalyze
Iveseenmanyadventurersasaguildmaster.
Theresnohelpingit,huh.Mylevelismorethan200.
Still,Shindidntwanttoadmithistruelevel.Hejustadded50levelstowhathedeclaredearlier.
Hah!
Amazing
BarluxvisiblyshowedanimpressedsmileasShintoldhimhislevelagain.Celica,whostoodnear
thewall,unintentionallyvoicedheramazement.
Isitsomethingtobesurprisedabout?
ShinknewthatBarluxwasalsoabovelevel200,sothatshouldnothavesurprisedhim.
Althoughitwaswritteninthedocument,youare21yearsold,correct?
Yes.
Itsnotveryoftenyoumeetapersonwhosurpasseslevel200intheiryouthlikeyou.Iwonderif
youandthiscountrysno.1canfightevenly.
Althoughlevel150seemedtobetoolow,200incontrast,seemedtoohigh.
Whatisthecurrentno.1personslevel?
Its230.Sheisthesecondprincessofthiscountry.

Areyouserious?
Astrongprincess!!!Shinwantedtoretort.
(Theprincessisstrongerthanthecaptainoftheeliteforces)
BecauseBarluxsaidtheNo.1ofthecountry,hethoughtitmightbethekingorprince,orevena
royalguard,butneverasecondprincess.
Isnttheretoomuchofaleveldifferencewiththeknights?IheardfromTierathatthecaptainof
theeliteforcesislevel158.
Captainofeliteforces?Ah,youmeantheleaderoftheknights?Hislevelroseto188now.Maybe
Tierahasntheardaboutitsincesheisinthestoreallthetime.
Still,theprincessisNo.1
Itisbecausethesecondprincessisinthefighterfaction.Besides,sheisquitepopularandoften
makesanappearanceinthetown.
Isitsafeforaroyalfamilymembertocomeintotown?
Thelevelsofthehooligansaroundtherecantevenbecomparedtoherlevel.
Itseemedthatthestrongestinthekingdomwasntjustforshow.TheHornDragonthatwentout
withTierasstorywouldhadbeenkilledifshefoughtit.
Wellthen,Shinkun.Actually,thereisonemorethingIwanttoconfirm,ifitisokaywithyou?
Itwilldependonthesubject
Shinhadanunpleasantforebodingaboutthis.
Itssimple.Iwantyoutohaveamatchwithme.
Imsorry,mayIreturnnow?
Unfortunately,youcant.
Icant?
Itsregrettable,butyoudonthavetherighttodenymyrequest.

Barluxtoldhimplainandsimple.HeprobablywantedtoseeShinscapability.Heknewthatit
wasntnecessarytobecapable,evenifShinwasahighlevelperson.
Somehow,myforebodingfeelingcametrue.
Imsosorry.Iwanttoconfirmitfortheguildpersonally.No,Ihavetoseeitformyself.
Shinfrownedashispremonitioncametrue.
Becauseoftheglanceshereceivedatreceptionistdesk,heonlyfeltacombativeintentionfrom
Barluxseyes.
Butsomehow,heignoredBarluxsintention.ThoughShinalsowantedtoseethecapabilityofa
formerSrankadventurer.
Yes,sir.Icanunderstandthatyouwonthaveapeaceofmindifyoudontconfirmmy
capability.
WhenitwasmadepublicthatShinpossessedaletterofintroduction,Shinhadtoshowthathehad
thecapabilitiestoprotectit.
Wherewillwefight?
Thereisatrainingroomthatonlyguildmemberscanuse.Thatswhereweregonnafight.Doyou
needtimetogetready?
No,Imreadyanytime.
Wellthen,letsgothereimmediately.
HearrivedataroomaboutthesamesizeastheoneearlierafterfollowingBarlux.Therewasno
furnitureintheroom,onlyacrystalaboutthesizeofasoccerball,floatinginthecenterofthe
room.
ItresembledthetransitionpointShinoftensawduringthegame.
Thereisatrainingareainthebasement.Wecangotherefromthistransitionpoint.
Apparently,thetransitionpointseemedintact.Itcouldbeusedbytouchingthecrystalandsaying
thelocation.

Subsequently,theyarrivedinaplacethathadaconsiderablearealikeaColosseum.Ithadaresting
place,atrainingareainsidetheplaza,andanaudienceseating,excepttherewerecurrentlyno
adventurersaround.
Thereisnoonehere,isitalwayslikethis?
No,thisisthesecondtrainingareathatisusedforaspecialcaselikethis.Commonadventurers
aretraininginfirsttrainingarea.Outsidercantenterherewithoutpermission.
Isthatso
ItappearedthatShindidnthavetoworryabouthissurroundings.Itwasagreathelp,sinceShin
didntwanttostandout.
Then,shallwebegin?
Ashesaidthat,Barluxswholebodywaswrappedwithbluelight.Thelightdisappearedafterone
second,andBarluxwasequippedwithlightbluearmorandgauntlets.Thelightbluearmor
appearedtobemuchthinnertheacommonlightarmor,itseemedtoemphasizetheeasinessof
movement.Onthecontrary,thegauntletswereheavybluearmor,thatcoveredthefingerstothe
elbows.
ItseemedthattheequipmentitemsforthearmshowedagloveofJapanesestyle,thedisplayed
gauntletwasofWesternstyle.Itmightnotbeasignificantdifference,buttherewereslight
additionalbonusesforglovetoAGIandgauntlettoVIT.ThepurposeofBarluxinwearing
gauntletsmightbetocompensateforthethinarmor.
AccordingtoAnalyze,Barluxsjobwas,notsurprisingly,afistfighter.Shinwasmoresurprised
bythesuddenequipofthearmorandgauntlets,likeatransformationhero.
InTHENEWGATE,thearmorandgauntletswereequippedinthesameway,too.Thelight
formedandmaterializedafterthat.Thereasonwassoitcouldperfectlyfitintotheavatars
physique.Hence,thisiswhyShinhadbeenavoidingwearingarmorlikeBarlux,becauseitwas
flashy.
(Therewassuchanitem,huh?)
Whatthematter?
No,nothing.

HehadnothingtosayaboutBarluxsequipmentscene,asitwasacommonsceneanyway.
Shindidnthaveanythingparticularlytobeequipped.Tosomeextent,hewouldntuseweapons
sinceheunderstoodthepowerofhisopponenttosomedegree.
Then,hereIgo!!
Inaninstant,Barluxsfigurebecameblurry.Thoughthedistancesbetweenthetwoofthemwas
about10mels,heclosedupto5melsinablinkandchargedtowardsShin.
Thoseequipmentaregoodandfast.
IfShinhadbeenwithoutthebonusspeedheobtainedfromHumanreincarnation,hewouldlose
againsttheequipmentspeed.
Whew!!
Whew!
Thesoundofwindcuttingcouldbeheardastheyunleashedtheirfiststowardseachother.Barluxs
equipmentwasconfirmed.
LightarmorLightBlueCrystalArmorandgauntletBlueFangGauntlet,Shinthought.It
wasdefinitelynotamistake,asShinhadsoldbothoftheminthestorebefore.
Thosearegoodequipments.
Ihadahardtimeobtainingandputitonasitis!
Barluxsaid,whilefrowning,asheunleashedhisfiststoShin,butShineludedthem.
LightBlueCrystalArmorwasararearmorwithhighAGI.
AndtheBlueFangGauntletwasaspecialuniqueweaponwithhighoffensivepower.Itwas
madefromtherawmaterialofauniquemonsterofLv.600namedBlueMittHound.BlueFang
Gauntletwasoftenequippedbyhighlevelplayersthatusedbarehandsmartialarts.

Asexpected,tobeabletofendoffmyattackseasily.
BarluxmomentarilystoppedhisvigorousattackanddistancedhimselffromShin.Hewastalking
whilesmilingwryly,buthiseyesremainedsharptoascertainShinsnextmove.
Whereas,ShindidntactivelyattackthedistancedBarlux,becausehewaswaryabouttheabilityof
thegauntlet.
Besideshighoffensivepower,itsotherabilitywasWhendefendinganattackusingthegauntlet,
theattackerreceives1/10ofhisattackdamage.Buttherewasalimitationinthegauntlet,it
wouldonlyexecutethisabilityifthewearersSTRvalueswas100ormore,higherthanthe
opponents.
ShinwaswatchingtheBlueFangGauntletandnoticedtheeffectwasntactivated.
(Imightknowhisequipmentbetterthanhedoes.Asbothofourlevelsaremorethan200,added
withsomebonuses,theSTRdidntreachthe100difference.Besides,pryingaboutitistroublesome.
Iwanttoenditinoneshot.)
Shinwasnotinthemoodtorespondtotheguildmasterstalks.
Whatareyouthinkingabout?
Imthinkinghowtoattack,sinceyouarestrong.
Fuh,justfromthefightingjustnow,youseemtoknowmyequipmentalready.Onlyafewpeople
whoknowaboutitstillremain.
Well,whattodo.
Whiletheywereexchangingbanter,Shinwasthinkingwhattodonext.
Whatheunderstoodfromtheearlierfight,wasthatBarluxwasabarehandedtype.Althoughhis
rangeofattackwasshort,Barluxsbarehandedstyleexcelledinattackspeed,andtheattackspeed
wouldrisewiththeeffectfromLightBlueCrystalArmor.Thereforemakingitmoredifficultto
defeathim.
(ThatgauntletistroublesomeshouldIgiveitatry?)
Hecheckedhisskillsandtookastance.

Barluxreactedtohismovement,butShinsteppedforwardquicker.
ShinleftanafterimageafterdashingtowardsBarlux.HisstepsshatteredthesoilasShinjumped
ontotheair.
Shuss!!
Inonebreath,thedistanceofhisrighthandreachedthetarget.Becauseitwasanattackwithouta
feint,Barluxreflexivelydefendedwithhisgauntlet.
(Hestakingit!)
Shinbeganwithconviction.
Onthevergeofhisfisthittingthegauntlet,Shinchangedthedirectionofhismomentumand
executedasweepkickwithhisleftleg.
Guh!
ThoughBarluxtriedtoreducethedamagebymovingtotheleft,hisreactionwasdelayedbyShins
fist.
Asaresult,Barluxflewintotheair.
BlueFangGauntleteffectsdidntactivate,becauseShindidnthititdirectly,sohedidnthave
toworryabouthisdamagebeingreflected.
ShingrippedBarluxsgauntlet,whichwasdefenselessnow,andusedthemartialartskillWillow
Throw.
WillowThrowwasatechniqueofsuperlowdamageforcapturingmonster.SoShindidnt
havetoworryaboutBarluxreceivingfatalwounds.Heusedtheskillwithoutanyhesitation.
ThebodyofBarluxwasthrownintheairandslammedontothegroundalmostinstantly.And
then,ShinlockedBarluxsjointsohecouldnotmove.
Phew.Fornowletusstopthis,shallwe?
AfterconfirmingthatBarluxcouldntmove,Shinasked.Thematchwouldnotendquicklyifthey
hadthesamestats.

Noway,tobeeasilysuppressedlikethis.Though,Iwonderaboutthelasttechniqueyouused?
Thatsasecret.Itsnotagoodideatorevealtoomuchofonesability.
Hahaha,thatiscertainlyright.Itsmydefeat.Youhaveshownmeyourabilities.AndIdontneed
tobeworriedanymore.
BarluxstoodupandextendedhisrighthandtoShin.
?
Thehandshakeearlierwasasaguildmaster.Andthishandshakeisforthepeoplewhoare
recognizedbyTsukinoHokora.
Isee.
Shinnoddedandreturnedhishandshake.Althoughitshouldbethesamehand,Shinfelt
somewhatdifferent.
Ifthereisanythingyouwant,letmeknow,andtheguildwilltrytocooperatetoacertainextent.
Isthisokay?Tofavoranindividual?
Noproblem.Itisacooperation,soevenarankGadventurerisstillamemberoftheguild.
Beitoneindividualoraguild,Barluxdidntseemtohaveanytroublelendingpowerpersonally.
Returningintotheroomwiththetransitionpoint,Celicawhowaited,welcomedthetwoofthemby
givingthempotions.
Shintriedtorefuseatfirstbecausehewasunhurt,butdecidedtogetitasBarluxinsistedhetakeit.
Ihopeforyoursuccessasanadventurer.Wellthen,seeyouagain.
AfterseparatingfromBarlux,ShinwalkedtothepassagetoreturntotheguildhallwithCelica.
HowwasthematchwithBarluxsama?
Itwastough.Ipraythattherewillbenosecondmatch.
Becausetheywerewalkingsilently,CelicabroughtupthematchwithBarluxasthetopic.Hewasa
littleanxiousbecausethematchendedquickerthanthedesiredtime.

Becauseitsnotthatoftenthatoneisabletofightwithaguildmaster,itshouldbeokay.
IhaveafeelingthatIwillbeinvitedthenexttimeasapracticepartner
Shinsighed,ashepromisednottorepeatthesituationwherehewouldfightwithaguildmasterin
thefuture.WhilewalkingwithCelica,awarriorwithalevelabout200passedbythem.
Highleveladventurersoftenworeanintimidatingatmosphere,differentfromacommoners.Even
forCelica,who,becauseofherjob,hadmetalotofthem,shestillunconsciouslywouldgettense.
However,nosuchpresencecouldbefeltfromShin.Rather,Celicafeltsomethinglikeasenseof
security.
(Amysteriousperson)
Celicawasthinkingaboutsuchthingsasthetwoofthemarrivedatthehall.
Thankyouforyourhardwork.Pleasetakeyourtime,sinceyoucangettheguildcardanytime
aftertomorrow.
Iwilldothat.Ah,couldyourecommendmetoagoodinn?Ijustarrivedtoday,soIdontknow
theareawell.
Shinaskedwhileloweringhisheadalittle.Hefeltashamedbecausehecouldntdifferentiate
betweenthegoodorbadinnsinthearea.Buthedidntwanttostayinthepoorqualityinnsfrom
dayone.
ThereisagoodinnintheresidencedistrictnamedBearPointPavilion.Ithinkyouwilllikeit,
becausethemealsaredelicious.Withtheguildonyourrighthandside,gostraightdownthestreet,
untilyouseeasignboardwithabearspawpaintedonit.
Iunderstand.BearPointPavilionitis..Thankyouverymuch.
ThoughShinhadaslightuneasinessaboutthewordBear,hebelievedthatitwouldbeallright,
becauseCelicarecommendedittohim.
AfterexpressinghisgratitudetoCelica,heexitedtheguildsbuilding.
Then,Shinbegantowalkleisurelytowardstheinn.

Vol.1Chapter3Part1
Shinwalkedfor25minutesafterleavingtheguild.
Beforehiseyes,therewasasignboardwithabearspawpaintedonit.AccordingtoCelica,this
shouldbeBearPointPavilion.
Theresnodoubtaboutit,itshere.
Heconfirmeditagainandplacedhishandonthedoor.Laughtercouldbeheardwhichbecame
louderasheslowlyopenedthedoor.
InsidetheBearPointPavilion,therewasacounterwithseatsandalargenumberofpeoplesitting
atseventables.Fiveofthetableswerefilledwithadventurersmakingloudnoiseswhiledrinking
beer.
AsShinsurveyedthescene,ashadowappearedinfrontofhim.Somethingseemedtoblockthe
light,andhefeltapresencebehindhisback,soheturnedaround.
Hmm?
Anarmwhichtookprideinitsthickness,aroundthricethatofShins,andanapronwith
embroideredflowerscameintosight.
Welcome,pleasecomein!Isitjustoneperson?
Hearingthevoicefromabove,Shinliftedhisheadandsawapersonwitharocklike,stern,face
smilingviciously.
Deke
Heburstoutastrangewordinreply.AlthoughShinsheightwas180cemels,thepersoninfrontof
himwasprobably230cemelsormore.Itwasagiant.
Whatswrong,sonny?Areyoufeelingsick?
Imfeelingwell!Um,youare?
Thewordsofthemanmadehimreturntohissenses.Althoughthemandidntanswerthewayhe

expected.
Me?IamthepopularbossandshopkeeperofBearPointPavilion.ImDoumaBear.
Bossyousay?
Shinthoughttherewouldbeaprettypostergirlintheinn.
Yeah!Peoplegatheredforthatpopularguy,thepopularboss!Tosomeextent,popularboss
Thatisapostergirl!
nuu(TLnote:(kanbanoyaji)isaparodywordtomatch
(kanbanmusume)whichmeansapostergirl,Shinmadeapunoutofit.)
Shinretortedafterhenoticedthepun.
Umu.Nicerebuttal!
Andthenforsomereason,theselfproclaimedpopularbossgavehimathumbsup.
DidIenterthewrongshop?
Dontbeshy,youngman.
No,Imnotshy!Ijusthappentolooklikethis!
Somehow,itevolvedintoacomedydialogue.
Good!!Niichan!
Doitsomemore!!
Shinsighedbecauseofalltheshoutsfromthedrunkengroup.Itwasaconversationlivenedupby
alcohol.
Haa,another
Hey!Whatareyoudoing?!!
one?

JustasShinthoughtaboutsearchingforanotherinn,heheardafemalevoiceresoundfromthe
bar.
ThevoiceseemedtocomefrombehindDouma.Shincouldntseeherbecauseofthegiganticbody
infrontofhim.
Dad?DidntIalwaystellyounottosayweirdthings?Whatifstrangerumorsspread?
Thevoicesaid.Eventhoughthevoicewascalm,itwasclearthatitwassaidwhilesuppressingits
anger.
No,itsthis,aformof
Shutup!
Yes
Evenhisexcuseswererejectedrightaway.Judgingfromtheremarksearlier,itcouldbesaidthat
thevoicemightbelongtoDoumasdaughter.Somehowthepositionwasreversed.
Iwilltakeoverfromhere.Dad,gotothekitchenandhelpMom.
IIunderstand.
Doumawentbackintothekitchen,feelingdisheartened.Somehow,Shinsimpressionofhimhad
diminished.
Imsorryforthesudden,weirdthingsyousaw.Areyouheretoeat?Ortostayovernight?
Doumacouldnolongerbeseen,assuch,ShincouldfinallyseeDoumasdaughteraftershe
reprimandedherdadtothekitchen.
Itwasagirlwithashortbrownhair.Shemighthaveabusinesssmile,butshewasstillattractive.
Thewordcutesuitedhermorethanbeautiful.
Ah,Iwillbestaying.Evenso,justnow,isitalwayslikethat?
ThoughIwantyoutoforgetthat,yes,ithappenssometimes.Mydadisinagoodmoodwhenheis
withadventurersbutturnsbitterwhenheiswithmerchants.
Bytheway,stayingovernightis2Jsilvercoinsincludingbreakfastanddinner.Toenterthe

bathhouse,youhavetorequestforit.Thechargesare4Jcoppercoins.Thebreakfastwillbe
provideduntil9bellrings.Ifthatsokay,youcanregisterattheinnsregistry.
Okay.
Shinwasunsureif2Jsilvercoinfortheinnwasexpensiveorcheap.Sincehedidnthaveany
problemwithitfornow,heacceptedtheoffer.
IdontknowhowlongIwillstay,willthatbeokay?
Ifso,doyouwanttopayeveryday?Oryoucanpayforacertainnumberofdaysandextenditas
needed.Justtobesure,youareanadventurer,amIright?
Ah,yes,Ijustregisteredtoday.IwasrecommendedbyCelicatogohere.
Celicasrecommendation!?Youshouldhavesaidthatsooner.Then,Iwillofferyou1Jsilvercoin
and90Jcoppercoin.Foradventurers,Irecommendpayinginadvance.Itsnormaltoleavethe
innforafewdayswheneverthereisarequest.Bewarnedthatallpersonalitemsinsidetheroom
willbedisposedofifthebillisntpaid.
Alongtermrequestwasnotrareforanadventurer,sotheroommightbeemptyforseveraldays.
Therewasalsotheriskofdyingduringadangerousrequest.Ifthathappens,itwouldnotbe
possibletopayeveryday.
Thendoyouwanttopayinadvance?Orisitfinefornow?
Asshesaidso,Shintookout1JgoldcoinfromhisItemBox(hepretendeditwasfromhischest
pocket)andhandedittoher.
Thiswillbeenoughfor50days,whataboutthechange?
Canyousubtractthefeeforusingthebathhousefromit?
Understood.ThenIwillletyouknowwhenitbecomesinsufficient.Fornow,writeyournamein
theinnregister.Itwillcostanother2Jcoppercoinsifyouneedtowriteanameonsomeoneelses
behalf.
No,itsalrightwillthisdo?
Yeah,okay.Shinsan,heresthekey,theroomnumberis201anditsonthesecondfloor.Doyou
knowwheretheboxforvaluablethingsareplaced?

Box?No,neverheardofit.
Whentheregistrationwasconfirmed,aroomkeywashandedtohim.
However,Shintiltedhisheadasheneverheardabouttheboxshementionedbefore.
Then,ifyoudontknow,thatwouldbealoss.Becauseaninnwithboxesisproofofitbeingan
excellentshop.Inotherwords,theboxissomethinglikeasafewhereinvaluablesarekept.Thebox
canonlybeopenedbythepersonwholockeditortheinnkeeper.Besides,theboxisimmuneto
magic,skills,andphysicalattacks.Eveniftheinniscompletelydestroyed,thecontentsinsidethe
boxwillbesafeastheboxitselfisamagicitem.Howisit?Isntthatgreat!Becauseitsnotpossible
tofindaninnlikethisintheneighborhood.
Whileexplainingabouttheboxsindestructibility,someadvertisingwasadded.Atleastitwas
certainlybetterthanthesurroundingshops.Withouttheparodygoingonearlier,itwouldhave
beenperfect,thoughtShin.
Hewentuptothesecondfloorafterhereceivedthekey.Hedidnthaveanyluggage,buthe
wantedtochecktheroom.
Room201wasthefirstroomonthesecondfloor.
Theroomwasabout10tatamibig.Itwasasimpleroomwithasinglebedandachairwithadesk.
Ifthebedincludeddrawersandsoon,itwouldbeenoughtolivecomfortablyalone.Therewasa
boxforleavingvaluablethingsintheinnerpartoftheroom.Besidesthat,therewasnothing
inappropriateinthatroom.(Editorsnote:Thesizeofatatamiisabout15squaremetersor164
squarefeet.)
Therewasatoiletinadditiontothefurniture.Itwasevenhadaflushtoilet.
Shinwassurprisedbyit.
Itsnotreallysurprisingthattherewasatoilet.InShinscase,thecircumstanceswereslightly
different.
Tobeginwith,toiletsdidntevenexistinTHENEWGATE.Eventhoughthegamepursuedreality,
nobodyamongtheproducerswantedtodotheexcretionactinthegame.
Itwouldspoilthemoodifonegotattackedbyamonsterinthemiddleoftheact.
Withoutrealizingit,Shinhadntseenatoiletforoneyearafterthegameturnedintoadeathgame.

Especially,aflushingtoilet.
ItcouldbesaidthateachroomhadatoiletandthatitsnaturalduetothequalityofBearPoint
Pavilion.ButShingotamixedfeelingofsurpriseandnostalgiafromit.
Believeitornot,justseeingatoiletbringsmemoriesfromthepast
Shinwassurprisedandhadanindescribablefeelingthatnooneknew.

Aftercheckingtheroom,Shinlockeditwiththekeyandproceededtogodownstairsforthe
purposeofeatingandgatheringinformation.Hehadnoteatensincehehadattheguild.Also,it
wouldbeawasteifhedidntgoeatthemeal,asdinnerwasincludedintheroomcharge.
Onthefirstfloor,theadventurerswerestillmakingnoises.FromAnalyze,theaverage
adventurerlevelwas120.
Subsequently,ShinrecalledtheleveloftheknightshesawinTsukinoHokora.Thoughhedidnt
seemanydetails,theknightsshouldbearound100~110.Andhewonderedabouttherelationship
betweenadventurersandknightsinthiscountry.
Thenhefoundaseat,orderedadish,andhedecidedtolistentothesurroundingclamorsuntilthe
dishcame.HeusedNoiseCancellationsoonlyvoicescouldbeheardandListensothat
voicesandsoundsfromacertainrangecouldbeclearlyheard.Thankstotheskills,hecouldeven
hearthemutteringofotherpartiesonremoteseats.
Itwaseasytolistenwhenusingit,themenufilteredbothvoicesandsoundsalike,sothathecould
choosewhattolistento.Almostnoneoftheconversationsweremeaningfultolistento.
However,theinformationtobeobtainedinthisplaceshouldntbetakenlightly.Eveninthegame,
unexpectedinformationwouldbecomeavailableinthisplacesincetherewerealotofconversations
goingon.Thoughhedidntknowwhetheritwouldbeusefulinthisworld,Shindidntevenhavea
shredofthecommonsenseofthisworldinthefirstplace,sohewouldhavetohearitevenifitwas
trifle.Andtherewasnolossforhimanyway.
Haveyouheard?Wilhelmseemedtohavequarrelledwithhordesofdemons.
Imhungry.Itsameal,ameal
Didyouheartherumor?ASkullFaceappearedintheNorthernForest.

Recently,HillockHerbcanbeharvestednicely.
Thisbeerisdelicious!
WhatshouldIorder?
Popularbossyousaid?
Tsugumichan,bringthealcohol,Douma,getholdofyourself
Hewaitedforthedishwhileorganizingtheinformationheheardinhismind.
Therewasonemanwhoflewthroughtheairbutnoonereactedtoit.Shinalsolookedatitasifit
wasausualthing.
Becauseheheardsomewordstobeworriedabout,hetooknoteoftheminhismind.Themost
noteworthywasSkullFace.
Thiswastheundeadtypemonster,SkullFace.ThewordPawn,Jack,Queen,andsoonshowedthe
classamongthemonsters.Becausethelevelofthemonsterwouldbedifferentdependingonthe
class,anindividualwouldencounterhardshipsorannihilationiftheydidntmakesuretoconfirm
it.
Sorryforthewait,heresthefoodyouordered.
Shincamebacktohissensesafterhearingthevoice.Heseemedtoconcentratetoomuchonusing
differentskillstoassessthestateofthearea.
Doumasdaughterwasputtingthedishonthetablewhenheturnedaround.
Areyou,bychance,deepinthought?
Ah,justlostinthought.Um
Oh,Ihaventintroducedmyself.ImTsugumiBear.Ifthereissomebusiness,becausemyfatheris
ofteninthekitchen,letmeknow
Iunderstand.Iwonderifyoualreadyknow,butmynameisShin.Immoreorlessanadventurer.
Moreorless?

Ihaventgottenmyguildcardyet.
Isee.Bytheway,whatwereyouthinkingaboutjustnow?Howtoquicklyraiseyourrank?
TsugumiaskedwithinterestasshesatfacingShinonthetableafterthemealwasserved.
Arerookieadventurersrare,Shinwondered.
Iwillraisemyrankleisurely.BecauseIcametothiscountryfromafarawayvillage,Imnotreally
familiarwiththepracticeshere.IwasreferredhereasIlookedaround.
Isee.Idontknowmuch,butpeoplefromothercountriessaidtheresnotmuchdifference.
Isthatso?Wellyoushouldbecarefulnottotrustthem,probably.
Well,yousureareanunusualperson.Arookieadventurershouldwanttobecomestrongerand
raisetheirrankquickly.Furthermore,lowrankadventurersseemtobemadefunoffrequently.
Iguessthatstrue.BecauseIamsuchanoddball,IwillgiveanappropriateresponseifIwere
beingmadefunof.
Shinsaidwithselfconfidenceandawidegrinonhisface.Althoughhedidntknowmuchofthe
imageofadventurers,hewasconfidentinhisnumerousskills.Thiswashisideatoactabitlikean
adventurer.
Huh,areyouthatconfidentwithyourskills?
Asitsuitstheoccasion.Whenitisdangerous,Iwillrunawayquickly.Idontwanttodie.
Tobeginwith,Shinhadnointentiontocausedacommotion,soitwasexpectedthathesaythat.
Ratherthansittingherecasually,dontyouhaveothertablestoattendto,misswaitress?
Iwillbecalledifthereisanordersoitisallright.Look,mymomishere,too.
HefollowedTsugumislineofsightandhesawawomanwhohadthesamehaircolorasTsugumi,
andwasreceivingordersatothertables.
Fromthere,ShinwasconvincedthatTsugumitookafterhermother.ItmadeShinthinkthat
Tsugumiwouldbecomeabeautifulwomanwhenshegrewup.

Goofingaround,arentyou
Imnotgoofingaround.Imgatheringinformation,Irepeat,gatheringinformation.
Aboutarookieadventurer?
Itmightnothaveapromisingfuture.ButIhavetheeyesforpeoplebasedonthevarious
adventurersIhaveseen.
Tsugumisaidwithaconfidentexpressionwhileputtingherhandonherchest.
Oh,thenwhataboutme?
HmmIwonder,85pointsmaybe.
ShouldIbehappyaboutthat?
Thoughitmightbeashighasitsounded,itwoulddependonthegradingcriteriastandard.
ItsaplacewhereIcanexpectalittle.
Sostrict.Whatcausedtheminuspoints?
Firstpoint,yourlackofambition.Youcantsucceedifyoudonthavethewill,besides,youare
overconfidentinyourabilities.Thoughmyrulesarelearnedonexperience.
Ambition,huh.Well,therearestepsforthat.
Shindidntregistertobecomeanadventurerforfameoriginally,sohedidnthavethemotivationto
workhard.SomehowitdidntmeetTsugumisideals.
Yousureareaneasygoingguy.Hmm,nowthatyoumentionedit,itreallysuitsyou.Wellthen,I
willreturntoworkorImgonnagetscoldedsoon.Goodluck,butdontoverdoit.
Tsugumisaidasshewinkedbeforeleavingtotakeorders.Thenumberofcustomersseemedtohave
increased.Withouthavingnoticedit,alltableswerealreadyfilled.
Hequicklyfinishedhismealashewasaloneatonetableandwentbacktohisroom.Whenthe
amountofpeopleincreased,troubleincreasedtoo.HedecidedtodutifullyfollowTsugumisadvice
abouthowrookieadventurerswerebeingmadefunof.

Hehadnothingtodoevenifhewentbacktohisroom.Ifhewasaskedaboutit,hewouldjustsay
hewasorganizinghisluggage.Afterthat,hewenttothethebathhouse.Aftersweatinglightlyand
removingaportionofhisequipment,itbecameeasiertosleep.
Heerectedabarrierinsidehisroombeforegoingtobedsinceitwashisroutineduringthegame.
Althoughhedidntreceivesurpriseattacksveryoftenbecauseofthedetectionsystem,hestilltook
precaution.
Asforthebed,itwassoftandfluffy,anditwasreallycomfortable.HewasthankingCelicainhis
mindwhilelettinghisbodyfallasleep.
Inthemiddleofhissleep,hesuddenlyrememberedsomethingthathehadforgotten.
Thatremindshim,
Messagesent?Have
Hecursedinhismindbecausehehadcompletelyforgottenaboutthemessage.
Hewokeupandsawanunfamiliarceiling.
Herecalledyesterdaysevents,fromthelastfight,beingtransportedtoadifferentworld,lifting
Tierascurseandtheeventsattheguild.
Thoughhedidntwishtohavethatdream,hecouldnothelpbutwishtobeabletologoutsafely
andwakeupinahospitalorinsomeotherplace.
Suchconvenience,itwontgoasIwant.
Hemutteredthatandlookedathissurroundings.
Theroomwasstilldark,soheknewitwasbeforedawn.
Thereweresignsofpeoplestartingtomoveonthefirstfloor.Apparentlythepeopleofthisworld
wereconsiderablyearlyrisers.
Noabnormalityinbothbarrieranddetectionsystem.Theformermewouldhavewokenupfirst
andcheckedhissurroundings.
Hesmiledwrylyandwonderedwhenthelasttimehesleptwithoutbeingcautiouswas.

Whenheopenedthewindow,freshairfromtheoutsideenteredtheroom.Whilefeelingchillyfrom
thecoldair,helookeddownfromthewindowandhecouldseethefiguresofpeoplewalkingon
thestreet.Thepedestriantrafficwassparse,buthefeltitwasgraduallyliveningup.
SinceBearPointPavilionwasbiggerthanthesurroundingbuildings,hecouldseethetownscape
outsideverywell.Itwasdifferentfromthegameorprogramashewascaptivatedbythe
townscape.
Becausehefellasleepearly,therewasnosleepinessandhefeltrefreshed.Whilelookingoutside,
thesun,whichbegantoriseslowlyandtherampartsthatcoveredthetown,couldbeseen.
Hewatchedthetownasitwasgraduallygettingenvelopedinwarmlight.
Afterawhile,thesunwasupandthenumberofpeopleonthestreetstartedtoincrease.
ShinalsotookoutequipmentsuchasajacketandtrousersfromtheItemBox,andchangedinto
them.Hewentdownstairsafterlockingtheroom.
Onthefirstfloor,therewerepeoplewhocometoeatbreakfastlikeShin,peoplewhoalreadyhad
breakfast,peoplewholeaveandenterthestore,andsoon.
Basedontheirappearances,almosteveryoneherewasanadventurer.Itseemedthatitwasnot
unusualtostartmobilizingatsunrise.
Goodmorning.Didyouhaveagoodnightssleepyesterday?
ItwasTsugumiwhogreetedhim.Shewascarryingatraywithadish.
Goodmorning.Iwokeupperfectlyfinetoday.
Thenthatsgood.Breakfastright?Iwillprepareitsoonsopleasehaveaseat.
Oh,thankyou.
Hetookaseatatthetable,differentfromyesterdaysincehewasnteagertogatherinformation
earlythismorning.
Thebreakfastservedwasastewwithbrownbread.Thebrownbreadwasneithertoohardnortoo
soft,likeaFrenchbread.Thestewwasfullofcolorfulvegetablesandmeat,itwasvoluminousthan
itlooked.

Helookedaroundandsaweveryonedippingthebreadintothestew.
Delicious!
Itseemedtobecookedwell.Theingredientsofthestewmixedinharmoniouslyandthetastefirmly
permeatedinthemouth.Whencombinedwiththebread,itswasstilldelicious.
Theunexpectedtastemadehimrefillhisplatetwice.Hereflectedalittleafterhavingeatentoo
much.
Yousureeatalotinthemorning.
Sowasyesterday,thefoodhereisdelicious.
Youdonthavetosaysuchwonderfulwords.ItsjustalittleserviceforShin.Bytheway,you
shouldwaitalittlemorebeforegoingtotheguildtopickuptheguildcard.
Isthereanythinggoingonatthistime?
Itiscrowdedespeciallyinthemorning.Whenyouarealowrank,youmightgetinterruptedand
forcedtoenterapartysoyoubetterbecareful.
Thatssounddangerous.Doesnttheguildstaffstopit?
Thoughtheywillstopitiftheysawitwasdoneintheopen,theadventurerswhodoesithasa
methodtopreventitfromleakingout.
Isee,itsasituationthatIneedtogetinformedabout.
Hedecidedtodelayhistimewhilethinkingthatthosewhoweredoingthatweredefinitelypetty
people.Itwasnotabigdealbuthehimselfdidntwanttogetintroublewiththem.
Justdontrelytoomuchontheguildstaff,whenincaseofemergency,itmaynotbereliable.
Iagree.
Well,aslongasyoutakeyourtimethenitsgood.
Tsugumisaidasshewenttotakeorderforawaitingcustomeratanothertable.
HewasthankfulforTsugumisconsideration.Hedecidedtokilltimeforamomentwhiledrinking

fruitjuice.Becausehehadsomesparetime,hecontinuedgatheringinformationlikeyesterday,this
timeheobservedtheequipmentandtoolsoftheadventurers.
Henoticedthathewascasuallyusingraretoolsthismorning.Nevertheless,herecalledthereason
hehadforgottenthemessagebeforegoingtosleep.Whilehewaschangingclothesandopening
theItemBox,itsuddenlyremindedhimoftheweaponsandtoolslinedupinTsukinoHokora.
Therewereequipmentusedbybeginnerstoafewhighgradeones.Theequipmentforan
intermediatepersoncouldbecountedwithonehand.Shinknewanadvancedequipmentwasalso
includedsohewasalittleregretful.Becauseofthat,hedirectedhisattentiontotheequipmentand
forgotaboutthemessage.
Althoughhealreadysawalotofadventurerslastnight,itwaseasiernowsincemanyadventurers
weregoinginandout.

Whiledrinkingthefruitjuice,heglancedattheothersideoftable.
Itseemedthatmostoftheweaponsweremadefromironandcopper.Thearmorsweremostly
madefromleatherormetalslikesteel,onlyafewofthemhadenchantmentdone.
Thequalityoftheequipmentandtoolmighthavealsodeterioratedsincethegameera.Shin
couldnthelptothinkthattheequipmentwasterrible,thoughitwasbadfortheadventurersinthis
world.
Itwasalsohisreasonchoosingthelowrankequipmentwhenchangingclothes.Atpresent,Shin
waswearingMudLizardJacketandDemonSpiderThreadofTrouser.Bothareusingthe
materialfrommonstersthatcouldbehuntedevenatlevel70.However,theperformanceforboth
equipmentwas4timeshigherthannormal,becauseitwasreinforceduntilthelimitwasreached.
OnhiswaisthangakatananamedSeveralStrokes.SeveralStrokeswastheinitialweaponthat
couldbeobtainedwhenchangingjobtosamurai.Naturally,itsperformancewaslow.Mostplayers
wouldsellitorputitinawarehousewhentheplayersleveluporevenifitwasstrengthened.Still,
thekatanahadbetterperformancethananyofthenearbyadventurersthatonecouldeasily
guesseditsquality.
TheequipmentthatBarluxhadmightbeconsiderablyvaluable,Shinthought.
Afterwards,30minutesalreadypassedafterkillingsometimeandgatheringinformation,Shinleft
theBearPointPavillion.


Whilewalkingontheroadtotheguild,heobservedthetownsappearance.Therewasnotmuch
pedestriantrafficcomparedtoyesterday.
Variousstallsstartedtoopenattheedgeoftheroad,crowdingwithpeoplehavingbreakfastand
buyinglunch.Also,therewerealotofstallsthatseemedusefultoadventurerssellingarmor,
magicitems,andvarioustools.
Itwasanincrediblesceneasthesunwasonlybeenoutfortwohours.
Afterwindowshoppingatthestalls,hewalkedtotheguild.Sincealotofadventurershad
weapons,Shinsweapondidntattractattention.
Still,Searchwasusedtosearchenemyasahabitandforcaution.Shinprobablydidntstop
usingtheskillbecausetherewasthematteroftheletterofintroduction,too.
Afterwalkingfor40minutes,hefinallysawthesignboardoftheadventurerguild.Timetakento
reachtheguildwasincreasedfromyesterdayprobablybecausehewasavoidingthecrowdedareas.
Asheenteredthebuilding,agroupofadventurerscameoutfromthedoor.Thoughalotoftime
passed,hesensedthattherewerestillmanypeopleinside.
Celicaandanelfladywereatthereceptionistdesk.Hewascertainbecausehecouldseeapointed
earlikeTieras.ShinapproachedthereceptionistdeskandtalkedtoCelica.
Goodmorning.Imheretogetmyguildcard.
Goodmorning,Shinsama.PleasewaitamomentwhileIgotogetyourguildcard.And,thisisEls
whomyouwerelookingfor.Els,thisisShinsamawhomwetalkedaboutjustnow.
WhenCelicaintroducedhim,theelfladywhichsatinnexttoreceptionistdeskcametowardShin.
Goodmorning,Shinsama.MynameisElsBalter.ImtoldthatShinsamahasabusinesswith
me.
Elspossessedaclassicexampleofelvenbeauty,andherappearancelookedlikeshewasaround24
yearsofage.Hervividgreenhairreachedherwaistlikethetreesintheforest.Blueeyesas
reminiscentoflakeside.Herheightwasabout170cemels.Astyleandgoodlookswhichwouldput
modelstoshame.Thoughhehadnoideaaboutthepreferencesofadventurersinthisworld.

Sincehecouldntstarefortoolong,Shinimmediatelyavertedhiseyes.
This,itsprobablyaddressedtoyou.
ShinsaidandpassedtheletterofintroductionfromTsukinoHokoratoherafterhetookitout
fromItemBox.Theantitheftmeasurehadbeenremoved.
Addressedtome?
Whilecockingherheadandlookingpuzzled,shelookedoveritscontents.
Then,hereyeswidenedmomentarilyasshereadtheletterofintroduction.Itcouldbesaidthatshe
hadreadsomeunbelievablethingsintheletter.
Itcantbeno,but
Celicalookedalittleworriedoverhercolleaguesstate.AndShinwasalsoanxiousaboutthe
contentbecausehedidntknowwhatwaswritten.ThoughthecontentmustberelatedtoTieras
curse,itdidntconcernShinthatmuchasTieraseemedtobesecretiveaboutit.
Elswasverysurprisedthatshemumbledandwhisperedsomething,likeshehadforgottenShin
andCelicawasthere.ThenshereturnedtohersensesandturnedherattentiontoShin.
Ummwhat?
Shinflinchedathergaze.Hisheartwasgettingrestlessashethoughtofthereasonwhyshewas
staringathim.
YouTierathankyou.Imtrulygrateful.
Assoonasshesaidthat,Elsgaveaquickbow.Forsomereasonherspeechbecamesomewhat
different.
Imsorry,butIdontunderstandthesituation
ItwastooabruptandincomprehensibleforShin.
Imsorry,Iseemtobeabitshaken.Celica,pleasetakeoverformejustforawhile.Iapologizebut
thisconversationwillbeconfidentialfromnowon.Becausewewillcontinueatthebackroom,that
Imaskingyoutotakeover.

Iunderstand.Iwillcallanotherstafftohandlethereceptionforyou.
Thankyou
ShindidnthaveanyproblemwithElssproposalsoheagreedwhileslightlyfeelingdiscouraged.
Shinenterthesameroomasyesterday.Afterbothofthementeredtheroom,Elsclosedthedoor
andlockeditwitharoomkeyandthenshesatonthesofaaftershehaddonearitual.
Onceagainletmesaythankyou.ForliftingtheTierascurse,thankyouverymuch.
Oh,sothatwasthereason.
Apparently,ElsseemedtohaveknownaboutthecurseofTiera.Itseemedtobewrittenintheletter
ofintroduction.
Pleaseraiseyourhead,Ineverintendforittogooutofhandlikethis.
But,Iwaslookingforasolutionandstillhaventfoundaclue.Andyoudidit.Soitsonlynatural
tobegrateful.
Therewasanitemthatcouldremovethecursebutitseemedtobethatitwashardtoobtain.
Perhapsshewasgoingtoanadventuretofindthesolutionforthecurse.
Ifpossible,pleasedonotexaggerateittoomuch.Doyounormallytalklikethat?
Iunderstand.IwillnotleakthisinformationinthenameofSpiritofthewoods.Tobehonest,not
muchofsubjectcanbediscussedopenly.AlsoIfinditmostcomfortabletalkinglikethis.Itwas
writtenherethatthepersonwouldnotmindit,didthatoffendyou?
No,itisgoodasitis.WasthattheonlyreasonwhyIwasbroughttothisroom?Justnowwhat
ritualwereyoudoing?
Thatwasaneavesdroppreventionmagic.EventheguildstaffcannothearmystorythatImgoing
totellyounow.AndIhavetoaskyoupersonallyaswell.
AlthoughShinunderstandElshadvariousquestionfromherstate,hedidntwanttoabusehis
advantageaswell.
Illsaythisjustincase,Idonthavetheanswerforeverything.

Iknow.However,IcouldnotstanditwhenIhadlookedforthesolutionforthecurseformore
than50yearsandhadnotfoundasingleclue.
Itseemedthatitwasoutofcuriosity.Notonlythat,envyandearnestdesirefeelingseemedtomix
inElsseyes.
50years.ThetimespentwastwicemorethanthetimeShinwasalive.Evenifitwassolved,one
wouldindeedwanttoknowthemethodused.
Besides,theremightbeanotherpersonwhowouldgetthecurse.
Itwasntwrittenintheletterofintroduction?
Itseemedtobewritteninhastesoitwasntincluded.Well,howaboutthis.Iwilldoanythingfor
youasareward.Willyoutellme,please?
ElsleanedforwardasshestepclosertoShin.AlthoughShindidntfeelbadaboutbeing
approachedbyabeauty,somehowtherewasabloodthirstyauraemittingfromher.
ShindidntwanttohastilyopenthetopicaboutPurificationsinceheatleastnotyethavethe
basiccommonsenseofthisworld.
However,ElsknewaboutTierascurse,andTierawroteitinintroductionlettertoinformEls.Shin
thoughtitwouldnotbeaproblemifhetoldher.
Iunderstandsopleasesitdown.BeforeItellyouproperly,pleasecalmdownforabit.
ElssatdownagainonthesofawhileShinadjustedhissittingposture.
Themethodtoremovethecurseisusingtheskill,Purification.Thereareothermethods,but
thisisthemostreliablemethodIknow.
Thoughheknewthattherewasanitemthatcouldremovethecurse,hedidntsayitashestill
couldntconfirmifitexistedhere.
Purification?forthatskilltohavesuchaneffect.
HecouldunderstandthelookoffrustrationonEls.
BecausebasedfromTierasstory,onlyhighrankpriestscouldacquiredthePurificationskill.

Purificationacquisitionno,inheritedinthiscase,howmanypeoplehaveinheritedit
Idontknow.Inthechurch,onlyapersonwithpositionknowstheconditiontouse
Purificationonabody.Moreover,notallofitseffectsareknown.Inthefirstplace,itis
unheardofapersonwhoisnotfromthechurchthatcanusePurification.
Whatreally?!
ShindroppedhisshoulderasheheardthatfromEls.Hecouldimaginethatitwouldbequitebad
ifthechurchknewhehadthatskill.Thatskill,ifheweretostandout,itwouldattractalotof
enemywhowouldwanttoinheritthatskill.
(Ihaveabadpremonitionaboutthis)
Pleasedonttellittoanyone.
Ofcourse.BecauseIamaskillholdertoo,theguildiscompelledtohelpme,orIwillleavethe
guild.Therefore,Iwantyoutofeelrelieved.
Elssaidlikeitwasnothing.Shinthoughtitwouldbedifficulttoagainsthumansororganizations
butitseemedlikehedidnthavetoworry.
Well,aslongasIamcareful,itwillbeokay.
Evenso,itsaweightoffmyshouldersthankstoyou.Althoughitwassafe,livinginthathousefor
yearsiscruel.
Ithoughtso.ItwasthesamereasonwhyIdispelledthecurse.Whichremindsme,howdidyou
knowaboutthecurse?Tierawasevenquitehesitanttotalkaboutit.
MeandTieraarefromthesamevillage.Ibecameanadventurerandwentaroundtheworld,it
waswhenImonmywaybackhomethatIknewaboutthatincident.Shewasanordinaryelfat
thattime.Shewasagirlwithbeautifulsilveryhair.
Isee.
WhenIcamebacktothevillageafterhearingthatTierawascursed,shewasalreadybanished.To
behonest,IneverthoughtshewouldstillaliveafterhearingaboutthecurseuntilImetSchnee.
Acursethatattractedstrongmonsters,itwasalmostimpossibletosurviveallalone.Infact,if
Schneedidntprotecther,thesurvivalratewouldhavedroppedtozero.

Shegotthecurse,andwashelpedbySchnee,wasntit?Issheluckyorwhat?
ItisforTieratodecide.However,thecursewasremoved,thankstoyou,andIthinkshecanfind
happinessfromnowon.
Youareright.Itnotforustobethejudge.Sothestoryendshere.Isthereanythingelseyouwant
toask?
None,whatIwantedtoask,youhadalreadyanswered.Imsorryifithadtakenyourprecious
time.
Itsokay.Elsfeelings,Icanunderstanditabit.
Hewasnttooconsciousofthetimeas30minuteshadelapsedwhilehewaslisteningquietlytoEls
story.
Whentheyleftthereceptionroomandreturnedtothereceptionistdesk,Celicaandanothermiss
receptionistwastalking.ThereceptionistrosewhenshenoticedElsandwentuptothesecondfloor
aftermakingaquickbow.
Areyoudone?
Yes,wehavefinishedourconversation.
Imsorry,Celica.Andthankyouforthisfavor.
Aftersayingherthanks,Elsstartedtoattendtotherequestbroughtbyadventurersatthe
receptionistdesk.

Vol.1Chapter3Part2
Then,Shinsama,thisisyourguildcard.Pleasebecarefulnottoloseit,becauseitalsoservesasa
proofofyourrank.Andafeeof10Jsilvercoinsisneededtoreissuethecardincaseitgetslost.
Iunderstand.
ShinacceptedtheguildcardfromCelica.Thecardhadhisname,rank,affiliation,partydescribed
onit.HerecalledCilicasexplanationthatthedescriptioncouldntbeseenunlessaspecifictoolwas
used.
Doyouwanttotakeonarequestnow?
Abulletinboardwithrequestspostedonitwasseen.AsforrankGrequests,somethinglike
collectingstuffandothermiscellaneousdutieswereoftenfound.Theywerelessdangerousand
thereforelessrewarding.Still,theaveragerewardwas1Jsilvercoin,whichseemedtobehighly
paid.
Howaboutthis?CanItakethisrequest?
Hetoreoffarequestpostedonthebulletinboardandtookittothereceptionistdesk.Shin
intendedtoraisehisrankbyatleastone.Still,Celicadidntsayanythingabouthowhehadthe
lowestrankevenifshehadtheinformationofhisrank.
Thisrequestplease.
ThisistocollectHillockHerbs.Becausethisrequestisalwaysgiven,thereisnotimelimit.The
rewardwillbe1Jsilvercoinper30pieces.
IfIgather60ofthem,willIget2Jsilvercoins?
Yes,ThereisalwaysademandforHillockHerb,becauseitsaningredientinapotion.Areyou
okaywiththisrequest?
Yes,please.Oh,isthereapicturebookthatshowstheHillockHerb?
Yes,thereis.Pleasewaitamoment.
Actually,healreadysawitinthegame,buthedecidedtoconfirmitsappearancetomakesure.The

bookthatCelicabroughtoverfromthebookshelfbehindthereceptionwasasthickasadictionary.
Sheplacedthebookonthereceptiondeskandexhaledinasmallvoice.
Phew,thisisaplantencyclopedia.AndHillockHerbhereitis.
HeconfirmedtheHillockHerbwhilethankingCelicawhotookthetroubleofopeningthebookand
finditforhim.Theplantsappearancedidntseemtohavechanged.Itsheightwasabout1015
cemelswithjaggedleaves.Hewashopingthatitwouldntbedifficulttogather30grownplants.
Itgrowsintheeasternandthenorthernforest.
Accordingtothebook,HillockHerbgrewintheeasternandthenorthernforest,especiallyinthe
depthsoftheforest.
PleasebecarefulaspeoplehavebeenlostinthedepthoftheforestwhilesearchingforHillock
Herbs.Youmightalsogetattackedbyferociousmonstersifyouadvancetoofar.
Illbecareful.
Thereweresomethingsbetterleftunsaid.WhenhewenttoTsukinoHokora,hehadalready
crossedtheeasternforest.Theferociousmonstersthathehadslaughteredwereusedtopayforhis
stayattheinn.
Takecare.
SaidCelicaasShindepartedfromtheguild.
Shinwalkedtowardtheeastgate,whilewonderingwhetherornotheshouldbuyamap.

Intheguildsloungeroom.
ElsandCelicahadjustfinishedtidyingupsomedocumentsandweretalkingaboutShinwhile
drinkingtea.
Celica,doyouknowwhothatpersonis,justnow?
Cometothinkofit,Idontknowmuchabouthimyet.AlthoughonemightsayIknowhim,Idont
havemuchinformationabouthimeither.

Shinhadonlyarrivedattheguildyesterday,soCelicadidntknowmuchabouthimyet.Sincehe
heldtheletterofintroduction,shetoldElsabouthismatchwithBarlux.
AreyousayingtheBlueWolfwasdealtwitheasily?Though,evenIcanunderstandthatheisa
considerablystrongperson.
BecauseCelicawashercolleague,shetalkedwithherinacomfortabletone.Shewasoriginallylike
that,soitwasnotaproblemforElstocommunicatewithinherthisway.Butshehadtomakesure
nottotalklikethatinpublic,onlywhenthetwoofthemwerealone.
Bytheway,BlueWolfseemedtorefertoBarlux.
TherewasnotmuchknownaboutthatpersonShin.
AsCelicaintroducedShintoher,ElssaidsomethingrelatedtoherOfficialTitle.
Indeed,nowonderIcouldntseeit.
ElsnoddedassheunderstoodthestoryfromCelica.
Isittrue,thatitwasntseen?
CelicalookedatElsindisbelief.
Elswasoneoftheexecutiveswithpowernexttothesubmasterwithintheguild.Elswasaskill
Analyzeholder,andatthesametime,sheheldthetitleObserver.Therefore,shecould
evenseethroughthenameandlevelofpeoplewhoselevelswerehigherthanhers.Afakename
couldbeseenthroughimmediatelybyher.Infact,Barluxslevelwasseenthroughatthefirst
glance.
WhenElssaidshecouldntseethroughShin,onewouldwonderwhoonearthhewas.
Shedidntevenknowifhisname,Shin,wastrue.
Well,thereisnoneedtoworryaboutittoomuch.IdontthinkTierawouldhavehandedaletter
ofintroductiontoabadperson.
BlueWolfalsohadthesameopinion.Justalittledifferent.
CelicamutteredwhilerememberingthemysterioussenseofsecurityshefeltfromShin.

Differentishe?Certainly,hisabilityandtheatmospherearoundhimdontmatch,itsactually
odd
Indeed.HowdoIsaythis?Itfeltsomewhatlikeasenseofsecurity.
Bothofthemstoppedtalking,withagoodmoodaroundthem.
Idontknow(Iguess)
ThemoretheythoughtaboutShin,themorehisimagebecameblurred.
Inthepast,evenwhentheyfeltuneasy,therewasneveratimewhenbothoftheirheartsgotriled
up.
Afterhelefttheguild,Shinwenttowardtheeastgatewithoutstopping.Atfirst,hewentalongthe
mainroad,thenhechangedhispathandenteredthewoods.Theeasternforestwasaplacewhere
rookieadventurersenteredroutinely.Itlookedlikeaplacewherealmostnoneoftheferocious
monsterscameforth.
Whenhehappenedtopassthroughthegate,Beidinformedhimaboutthis.Hesaidthatseveral
rookieswenttotheeasternforesttoday.Beidwasaguardatthesouthgateyesterday,but
apparentlytheguardwouldrotateafteracertainperiodoftime.Heseemedtobeguardingtheeast
gatenowforawhile.
Easyquestscouldbedonein30minutesinthegame.Heplannedtofinishthisquickly,andthen
gotoalibraryafterwards.Shinhastenedhispace.
Eveniftheplacewassaidtobefineforrookiestoenter,theforestwasdarkandfilledwithtrees.
Beidsaidthattherewereonlylowleveldemonsorwildbeasts,butitwasstillfrighteningforShin
ashewasnotyetaccustomedtoit.
Withoutputtingtoomuchtrustintheinformation,helookedfortheHillockHerbcautiously.
IfShinsmemorywascorrect,itshouldgrowinplacesthesunlighteasilygetsto.
SinceheheardthattheHillockHerbcouldbeharvestedeasily,hethoughtthathecouldfinish
quickly.

Thisisntit.

Hehadenteredtheforest3hoursago.
Thisisntiteither!
Numberofharvestszero.
Noooo!!
NotasingleHillockHerbwasfoundyet.
Ithadbeenawhilesinceheenteredtheforesttriumphantly.Despitewalkingwiththerelianceof
hismemory,hewasntabletofindevenoneherb.
ItsstrangeNomatterhowmuchIlookforit,notevenonecanbefound.
Itwasstrangebecausehehadbeenslowlygoingdeeperintotheforesttofindsome.Therewereno
signsofadventurersaroundsoitwasnotlikelythatsomeonepickedthemallbeforehim.
ShouldIgoalittledeeper?
Theinformationfromtheencyclopediastatedthatitwaseasiertofindthemdeeperintheforest.
Naturally,thesurroundingsbecamedarkerandthesignsofwildanimalscouldbefelteverywhere.
Hedevotedhimselftosearchfortheplantwithoutanyencounterswithmonsters.Asheadvanceda
littlemore,hewenttowardsplacesmonstersdidntgoto,andlookedatthesurroundings.
Evenwithafullsearch,hecouldntfindanopenplacewherethesunlighthittheground.Though
hesearchedforlikelyplacesoneafteranother,therewerenosignsofthem,insteadtherewere
bushesandtreerootseverywhere.
Imfeelinghungry
Thesunwasalreadyhighinthesky,soitwasaboutafternoon.Hehadwalkedforeverandhis
stomachwasgrowlingbecausehehadnteatenlunch.
ShouldIeatsomefood?
Becausehishungerwasnearthelimit,andasachangeofmood,hedecidedtohavelunch.
HeputhislunchfromtheItemBoxonastumpandbegantoeat.Onthemenuwashotdogand
cola.ThefooditemsstoredintheItemBoxdonotrotastimeprogresses.Heenteredtheforest

withoutbuyingfoodbeforehand,becausehecouldstorefooditemsinhisItemBox.
ThoughthefoodoriginallyhadspecialeffectssuchasstatsriseorHPrecoveryandsoforth,
somehowthoseareaswereunavailable,sotheeffectcouldntbefelt.
Inaddition,therewerevariousotherluxuriousfooditemsbuttheyseemedtobetreatedasnormal
food.Evenifithadspecialeffect,theremightbenotimetoeatthefoodwhilefightingamonster.
Mmm,myum,fuuWellthen,shallIsearchforit?
Withoutwastinganytime,hefinishedhislunch.Acharacteristicofjunkfoodwasbeingabletoeat
itfast.Heateitquicklybecausehecouldbeintroubleifawildanimalandamonstercame,
temptedbythesmell.
ThoughhewenttosearchfortheHillockHerbagain,itstillcouldnotbefound.
Another3hourslater,afterheatelunch,itwasratherrefreshinghehadstillfoundnothing.The
HillockHerbmightjusthavebeenpickedexhaustively,thoughtShin.
Afteronemorehour,Shindecidedtoreturntotheinnbecausehewastired.Thoughitwaspossible
togoonphysically,hefeltmentalfatigueafternotbeingabletofindwhathewaslookingfor.
Whenhearrivedatthegate,theguardshadbeenchanged.Itseemedthattheguardstookturns
andpatrolledinarotationalfashion.
HefoundBeidamongthesoldierswhoreturnedfrompatrolandexchangedafewwordswhilehe
confirmedShinsguildcard.
Yo,youlooktired.Didyoufindwhatyouwerelookingfor?
Thethingis,IwenttotheeasternforesttogatherHillockHerb,butIhavesearchedforitallday
longandhaventfoundone
Oioi,thatherbcanbefoundeasilyifyoulookforitproperly.Isawseveralrookiesreturnwithit
today.Itwasharvestedwell.
WHWHAT?
Otherrookieswereharvestingwell.Shinwasshockedashewasstruckbythewords.
IthinkeveryonereturnedinthemorningYou,surelyyouwerentsearchingforitforafullday,

right?
Yes
Hecoveredhisfacewithhispalmsanddroppedhisshoulders.ShinwasanSSrankadventurer
duringthetimeofthegame.Hispridewasshatteredhereevenifheknewthiswasadifferent
world.
Well,that,whatcanIsay.Cheerup.
Ku,yourencouragingwordsstingmyeyes.
SinceBeidtoodidntknowHillockHerbscouldntbefoundthere,withoutknowing,onlymundane
wordscameout.
Well,thisisjustyourluck,Iguess.Idontthinktodayisyourday,butyoucantryagain
tomorrow.
ItissoshouldIgodeeperintotheforesttomorrow?
Dontgotoofarintotheforest.Thoughyouwontdosuchblunder,alotofrookiesdieeasily
becausetheyadvancetoofarintothedepths.
Iunderstand.Seeyou.
HeunderstoodBeidsworry,too.Andtherewasnoneedtohurryastherewasnotimelimit.Yet,
therewasthispsychologyofpersonwhowantedtofindsomethingwhenitwasnotfoundbefore.
Whenitcametothis,Shinhadbeguntomakeaplanregardinghistriptothenorthernforest
tomorrow.

Thenextday.
Shinawokeatdawnandimmediatelystartedtomobilize.
Hecheckedhisequipment,hadbreakfastintheBearPointPavilionandpushedhiswaythrough
thecrowdedarea.Ontheway,hestoppedbyatasecondhandshopandpurchasedasimplemap
thatshowedtheareaaroundthekingdom.Yesterdayhethoughthewasgoingtoreturnquickly,so
hedidntbuyone.Eventhoughitwasamapdepictingthekingdomandthesurroundingarea,it
wasonlyaroughsketch.Becausehedidntwanttoexplorethekingdomyet,hedecidedto

purchaseitonlyifthemaphadarecordofthenorthernforest.
Afterleavingthesecondhandshop,Shinwalkedtowardsthegate.Hesawacrowdthere.Is
somethinggoingonoverthere?Shinthoughtasheapproached.
Therewasabarelyidentifiablevehiclewhichlookedlikeacarriage.Acoachmanenteredfromthe
gateandseveraladventurersfollowedbehindthecarriage.Thoughthecoachmanseemedtobe
unhurt,theadventurersseemedtosufferfromseriousinjuries.Theyhelpedeachotherasoneof
thelessheavilyinjuredadventurerslenthisshouldertoonemissinganarm.Anyonewouldagree
thattheyhadbarelyescapedwiththeirlivesbasedontheirappearance.
Whathappened?
Thiskindofcrowdlovedtowatchthestrangegroup,butnoonetriedtobeconcerned.Heonly
staredattheguardslisteningtothestoryfromadistance.
(Theirlevelsare131,129,118,and134.)
Theknightleaderwaslevel188.AssumingtheabilityoftheknightleaderwasrankA,theywould
probablyberankCorDadventurers.
Therewerescratchesonboththeadventurersarmorandonthecarriage,onecouldguessitwas
donewithsharptools.Butitwouldbetoohastytoconcludetheywereattackedbythievesor
robbers,becausetherewasahugecutontheroofofthecarriage.
Afterawhile,thecuriousspectatorsstartedtoscatter,andtheadventurerswerelefttobetreated.
AsShinapproachedthegate,hetalkedtoBeid.
HeyBeid,whathappenedtothatgroupjustnow?
Hmm?OhShin.Theywereattackedbyamonsterandescaped.
Itwasntanattackbythievesorrobbersafterall.
Isee.Didyouaskwhattheywereattackedby?
Iwastoldnottospeakcarelessly.Well,Ithinkitwillbealrightifitsyou.Butanyway,itwillbe
knownsoon.
Isheanimportantperson?

Whatkindofmonsteritwasthatcausedtheguardtobealerted,hewouldhavetowaitforBeids
wordstomakesure.
ItsaSkullFace.Youveheardtherumorstoo,right?
Ah,IcertainlyhaveifImnotmistaken,itappearedatthenorthernforest.
Yes,ithas.Becausetherewerehardlyanyeyewitnessreports,itwasthoughttobeaPawnclass,
but,apparently,itwasaJackclass.
JackclassHowmanypeoplewereinthatparty?
Twopartieswithfullmembers,12peopleintotal.Asyoucansee,onlyfoursurvived.
Isee
ThelevelofaJackSkullFacewasaround150~250.Theaverageleveloftheadventurersparty
earlierwasprobablyaround120.If12peoplecouldntdefeatit,despitetheadventurersequipment,
itwasreasonabletothinkthattheJackSkullFacewasbeyondlevel200.
Allhighrankingadventurersareoutnow.Dependingonthecase,theguildmasterortheknight
leaderwillcomeout.
Ifyouthinkaboutthelevel,itsanadequatemove.Hmm?Willtheprincessgooutaswell?Sheis
prettystrong.
Herecalledthatthesecondprincessexceededlevel200andaskedBeid.
IhopenotNomatterhowstrongsheis,thisisroyalfamilyyouretalkingabout.
No,whenIheardabouttheprincess,Ithoughtofsomeonewhoiscrazyaboutfighting.Eventhe
HornDragonwillbedefeatedbyher.
Ahthat
Incontrasttoyesterday,itwasnowBeidsturntodoafacepalmanddrophisshoulders.
Apparently,itwasatopicthatshouldnotbetouched.
Fornow,justavoidapproachingthenorthernforest,right?
Iexpectyoutounderstandbutbecareful.

Hehurriedlylefttowardtheeasternforest.Aworkerofthekingdomalsohadhardtimes.
Hecrossedtherangeofhissearchintheeasternforestyesterday,andproceededtothedepthof
theforestatonce.EventhoughheknewmonsterswerewanderingaroundfromSearch,he
didntworryaboutitasthemonsterscouldbeeasilydefeatedbyhim.
HestrolledintothedepthsoftheforestlookingforHillockHerb.Accordingtotheinformation
fromtheencyclopedia,itshouldbeeasiertofindinthedepthsoftheforest.Andhealready
discoveredseveralpiecesofthemgrowing.Thecurrentnumberinpossessionwas13pieces.Still,he
hadntreachedhalfthegoalyet.
Afterstrollingforabouttwohoursandstillcouldntfindmorethan13pieces,hedecidedtogoto
thenorthernforest.Itcouldbesaidthattheeasternforestandthenorthernforestwereconnected
withonemainroad.Soheenteredthenorthernforestandwentstraighttothedepthviatheroute
tothewest.
Hesawaroadafterwalkingforawhile.Twocarriagescouldpassbyanother,asthatwasthewidth
oftheroad.
TheadventurerswereprobablyattackedbytheSkullFacearoundhere,Shinguessed.Theroof
fromthecutoutwaslyingonthesideoftheroad.Andpuddlesofbloodandpiecesofarmorwere
seeneverywhere.Nocorpseswerefoundasthewildanimalsandmonstersalreadydisposedof
them.
Inthisworld,isaSkullFaceapowerfulenemy?
Hemutteredwhilelookingattheremainsofthecarriage.Itwouldnolongerbeahabitableplace
forhumansifaJackclassSkullFacewasthatstrong,Shinthought.
Itsnousetothinkaboutitnow.
Hediscardedthethoughthehadinhismindandenteredthenorthernforest.
Asforthenorthernforest,thetreesgrowdensertogetherherethanintheeasternforest.The
sunlightwasdecreasedbymorethanhalf,soitwasfairlydarkdespiteitbeingdaytime.Justgoing
straightrequiredShintobecautious.AsShinwalkeddeeper,hesighedseeinghowhewouldhavea
hardtimelookingfortheHillockHerb.Unliketheeasternforest,alotofmonsterslivedinthe
northernforest.
Themaphadafunctionthatdisplayedaredoryellowmarker.Whenhecombinedthesearch
operationskillwiththemap,Shincouldknowhowmanymonsterswerehidinginacertainradius

aroundhim.
Hedidntwanttokillunnecessarily,buthewouldcounterattackifmonstersattackedhim.He
wonderedhowlonghewouldlastwhilefightingwithLimit.
UnlikethesituationwhenhefoughtagainstBarlux,he,withouttakinganyconsideration,dealta
singleblowtoamonsterandsentitflying.Althoughhewasntsurprisedbecauseitalsohappened
whenhewenttoTsukinoHokora,hedidntknowtheextentthathismaximumoffensivepower
hadrisento.Heonlyunderstoodhisstatsfrombeforehegottransportedhere,butnotsincehis
statshaddoubled.
Hehadnochoicebuttouseasupportskill,Limitatmaximumlevel.
Limitwasaskillthatwasmadesothatabeginnerandahighlevelplayercouldplaytogether.
Iftheskilllevelwasraisedbyone(fromlevel2tolevel3),theskillwouldlimitthestatsto1/3of
theiroriginalvalue,insteadofonlyhalvingit.Asaresult,theplayerscouldstillplaytogether
despitethedifferenceinlevelandstats.
Eventhoughtherewasamethodtocheckthechangesofphysicalstrengthaccordingtothestat
rises,hecouldnttakeactionasitcoulddestroythesurroundingarea.Incidentally,thelimitation
wasalsoexecutedasadangerpreventativemeasurefortheaccomplishmentoftherequest.
Currently,themaximumstatsvalueforShinsSTRwas223,whichwas1/10ofhisoriginalSTR,
becauseofLimit.Theothersstatsvaluewerestillintact.ThiswastheSTRstatsvalueofa
humanwithoutanyreincarnationatlevel255.(TLnote:HisoriginalstatsforSTRis2225)
Bytheway,Limitdidntrestrictthestatsasitwas1/1fromoriginalstats.Thelowestlevelof
thisskillprovidesnochange,whilethehighestlevelrestrictsastatto1/10ofitsoriginalvalue.
WhyonlySTR?Itsbecausehewasexperimentingonhowmuchdamageamonstercoulddealto
anordinaryhuman.Itwasalsotoavoidsuspicionfromothermembersifhejoinedaparty.
Topreventhimselffromcarelesslychangingthesurroundingterrainbyusinganalloutattack,
wasalsooneoftheimplications.
Sincetherewerenumerousmonsters,heonlyfoughtthemwhilesearchingforHillockHerbbecause
itwasuselesstohuntallofthemonsters.Whilethinkingthat,hewishedhehadtheskilltosearch
foranitem.
Ashewentfurtherintothedepthoftheforest,hewasabletofindmoreHillockHerbs.

Currently,thenumberinpossessionwas29pieces.Onlyonemorewasneededtocompletethe
request.Alright,justonemore!Shinwasgettingfiredupashewalkedcarefullyintheforest.At
thattime,hedetectedamarkerwhichmadeastrangemoveonthemapthatprogressedtothe
edgeofthemapview.
Thecolorwasred.Andthatwasthecolorthatindicatedahostileexistence.
But,theredmarkerdidntmovemuchfromtheplace,insteaditwasmovinginzigzaglineina
rangeof10mels.
Whatisthis?
Hewasdrawntothecurrentmovementofthemarkerwhichhadawakenedhiscuriosity.He
startedtoadvancetowardsthedirectionofthemarkerwiththehelpofthemap,sothathecould
takealookatthesituation.
ThemovementofthemarkerstoppedforafewminuteswhileShinmovedcloser.Thenhewaited
andlookedfromtheshadowofatree.
Shinstoodstillashewasatalossforwordswhenhesawthefigure.
Beforehiseyes,therewasafigureofJackSkullFace.Whileitsbigbodywasonlybones,itwas
twiceasbigasthePawnclass,itsheightwasabout3melsormore.Itwasfullyequippedfrom
gauntlettoarmorandworeahelmetonitshead.Inaddition,ithadaroundshieldwithdiameter
of1melequippedinitslefthand,andhelda2melslonggreatswordinitsright.
Theequipmentitwaswearingwasallinonecolor,solidblack,exceptforthegreatsword.It
couldntbecomparedtothePawnclasswhichwasequippedwitharustedswordandwornout
gauntlets.
Adimpurpleflamecouldbeseenineachofitsbonyeyesockets,anditswholebodyemittedablack
smokewhichcouldbecalledanegativeaura.
Ithadthepresenceofanundeadmilitarycommanderwhohadreturnedfromhell.ItwasaSkull
FaceoftheJackclass.
Thedwellersofthisworldwouldbefrozeninfeariftheylookedatthisexistence.
However,thatwasnotthereasonwhyShinstoodstillandwasatlossforwords.Tobeginwith,a
JackSkullFacewasjustsmallfryforShin.Thenwhydidhelookattheenemywithoutstartingto
attack?

Itwasbecause,
WhyistheSkullFacebreakdancing?
Shinswordsspokeforthemselves.
Undeadmonstersheldgrudgestowardsalllivingthings,theywereexistencesthatwoulddragany
livingthingstothedeadside.Itsappearancemadeanypersonwhosawitfeelfear,itsbodydidnt
feelfatiguesoastolavishdeathuponitssurroundings.Thereexistedagroupofundeadmonsters
inTHENEWGATE,andtheSkullFacewassaidtobeitsrepresentative.
Itwasneveranexistencethatwasmeanttobreakdanceinthedepthoftheforest.
Itssurrealtoosurreal.Doyouliketodancethatmuch?You?
AroundtheSkullFace,therewerenotrees,andifseenfromaboveabigholeopenedintheforest.
Whichwasnotsurprising,astheSkullFaceworearmorandthebreakdancewasdonewhile
equippedwithbothswordandshield.Hence,thegrasswasmowndownbytheshield,thebigtrees
werecutdownbythegreatsword,andthegroundwasscoopedoutbytheruggednessofthearmor.
Inthefirstplace,therewasthequestionofwhetheritwaspossibletobreakdancewhilewearing
armor,butthatquestionwasdismissedastheSkullFacehaddoneit.
Shinrevealedatraceofpityonhisface.
Somehowheevenfeltindescribablyguiltyforhavinglookedatsomethingthatheshouldnthave.
However,suchthoughtsofShinsdissipatedinstantlyaftertheSkullFacerevealeditstruecolor.
ThesoundofliquidsplashingreachedShinsears.Asheshiftedhisattentiontoabigtreethere,the
trunkofthelargetreewasstainedwithredliquid.
ShinimmediatelyobservedtheappearanceoftheSkullFace.Thegreatswordthatresoundedwhile
cuttingthroughtheair,thearmorthatcovereditsskeletonbody,theshieldthatmoweddownthe
grass,allofthemwerestainedinthesamecoloredliquidasthetreetrunks.
Asheshiftedhislineofsightabit,therewerecorpsesofmonstersthatwereslicedinhalflying
around.TheSkullFacewashisopponentafterall,nomorediscussionneeded.
TheSkullFacethatappearedinthenorthernforest.Attackedadventurers.Drybloodthatstuckto
thegreatswordandbloodthatwasstilldripping.Therewasnoneedforaconviction.Evenso,Shin

wasnotsooptimisticastothinkthattheSkullFacewasntattackingtheadventurers,solettingit
roamfreewasntpossible.
Heregainedcontrolofhisthoughtprocess.Hisblurredfacetightened,andtheatmosphere
changedfromslackedtosharp.
Idontwanttobefooledinthissituation.
Hemutteredwhilenotneglectingthetaskofgatheringinformationontheopponent.Itwas
dangeroustothinkthattheworldremainedunchangedsincethegameended.
Infact,30cemelswidebigtreeswereslashedthatdidntseemlikeajoke.Therewasnopointin
loweringhisguardeither.
ShouldIstart?
Shinunsheathedhiskatanaandwaitedfortherighttiming.AndthemomenttheSkullFacesback
wasfacingShin,hetookhisstanceanddecreasedthedistancebetweentheminasplitsecond.
Hedrewhiskatanaasthedistancebetweenthemshrank,andtargetedabrandishskillattheSkull
Facesdefenselessback.
Moderatedamagecouldbedealtbysurpriseattacksfrombehind,thoughSkullFacesgenerallyhad
atoleranceforslashingattacks.
However,hisexpectationsfailedhim.
ThemomentShinskatanaswungtowardthebackoftheSkullFace,asifitsensedthedanger,the
SkullFaceflungitsleftarmagainstthegroundandaccelerateditsrotationwiththeforceofthe
recoil.ThentheSkullFacebegantocounterattackwithitsgreatsword.
Whatisthis!?
ShinranpasttheSkullFacewithoutlosingmomentum,andescapedfromtherangeofthe
counterattack.
ItwasnowonderthatShinwasastounded.Alevel250SkullFacewouldntdoastrangemovement
liketheonejustnow.Theflowingdefenseandthecounterattackwithitssword.Moreover,it
didntbreakitsposeevenafterthat.Itwasamovementthatwasnotpossibleduringinthegame.
ButtheSkullFacesappearancewasthatofaskeletontobeginwith,soitsmovementswerent

restrictedbyjointormuscle.
ShincouldnthidehissurpriseattheunimaginablefightingpoweroftheSkullFace.
Whatisthatmovement?ThosearenotthemovementsofaSkullFace.
Thebreakdanceinitselfwasweird,butnowhecouldntmakeanysenseofit.
Evenitslevelisstrange.Besides,thatswordisnotsupposedtobewithaSkullFace.
HelookedattheSkullFacewhilefixinghisposture.AccordingtoAnalyze,theSkullFaces
levelwas359.LetaloneJackclass,itjumpedoverQueenstraighttoKingclass.
Inaddition,theswordthatitheldwastheproblem.Humanswouldntbeabletohandlethe
greatswordiftheywerentusingbothoftheirhands.Besidesthedazzlingornamentsonthehilt,
theswordbladeemittedasilvershineandabluelinetraveledalongitscenter.Itwaslikelya
demonsteelthatwasharderthanironandwascombinedwithmithrilwhichhadgood
compatibilitywithmagic.Aportionofthebladesedgeshinedwithastrong,whitelight.
Thewhitelightrevealedtheswordslightattribute.Ithadtheatmospherethatcouldbecompared
toaholysword.Itwasnotaweaponthatanundeadmonsterwouldholdnomatterwhat,asithad
theoppositeattribute.
Ithinkitsreasonabletothinkofitasauniquemonster.
Heraisedhisalertnesslevelbyonestage.Uniquemonstersoftenhadadifferentattributeand
abilityfromtheoriginal.ButevenShinhadntheardofamonsterthathadtheattributeofitsown
weakpoint.
TheSkullFacenowstoodwithbothfeetonthegroundasitrecognizedShinasapowerfulenemy.
Pullingitsweaponandshieldbackwardsslightly,ittookonastance.Thatwasobviouslythe
movementofapersonwhohadmasteredfencing,buttherewasacleardistinctionastheSkull
Facecouldonlydorepeatedattacks.
Thatdancedidntseemtobeajokeeither!!
WhilemutteringheagainchargedtowardtheSkullFace,thistimedirectlytoitsleftsidewhich
heldtheshield.
Again,heclosedthedistanceinstantlywiththeunsheathedkatanaandaimedattheopponents
leftankle.

Seissh!!

AflashwasseenontheSkullFacesleftankle.
EventhoughtheSkullFacealsoreactedtoattackbydefendingwithitsshield,itcouldntprevent

thecalamitybecauseofthedifferencesintheirphysiqueandthesizeofitsshield.
Kin!Thesoundofmetalrubbingagainstmetalresoundedintheair,metalresounded,andShin
distancedhimselffromthegreatsword.TheSkullFacewouldbeginattackingShinwithits
greatswordwhileignoringitsowndefensewhenitcouldntdodge.
ThegreatswordwasswungdownintheplacetowardShin,andhedodgedashejudgedthatitwas
toodangeroustotaketheblowheadon.Thegroundwassplitabout3melsbytheslashingofthe
greatsword.
Iveneverheardofthatweaponbefore,isitrareoruniquegrade?
Theattackrangeofitsweaponwasincreasedwithmagic.FromShinsview,thiswasanordinary
attack,buttheweaponofthemonsteroriginallydidnthavethisability.NottoforgetthattheSkull
Facecouldalsomakeacrobaticmoves.
AsfortheSkullFace,itdidntcareaboutthedubiousShinandstarteditsrevengewithits
greatsword.Itsleftanklewascutinhalffromtheblowbefore,howeveritwouldntbeaserious
problemforitsinceitdidntfeelanypain.Asiftherewasnoanklefromthestart,itjustthrustits
leftfootonthegroundandletoutastrongsidesweep.
ShinrantowardtheSkullFaceandinvokedaswordskill,DazzlingBladeSink.Thekatanahit
thebladeofthegreatswordnearthehilt,asheeludedthesidesweep.
Thenheactivatedamartialartskillforfencing,CrushedBladeinaflash.
Theskillwasusuallyusedtodealdamagetoopponentsthathaveslashingattacktolerance.And
theattackcrushedtheSkullFacesarmor.
Again,itwasnotasheexpected.
Seriously!?
ItwasunderstandablethatShinwasastonished.
ThekatanaattackfromShinwassuccessfullydodgedbytheSkullFace.Justasthebladewas
abouttohit,theSkullFacedidabackstepandthekatanamisseditsbody.Thoughtheattack
brokethearmor,itdidntdomuchdamagetoitsbody.
Itmovedasifitknewthatthekatanaattackwasapowerfulslash.EvenifShindidnttakeit
seriously,itwasalreadyabnormalforittofollowhismovementupuntilthen.

GeeEEEEaaaaAAAAAAAA!!!!
ThescreamthatresoundedfromtheSkullFacecouldbemisinterpretedasthecrookedgroanofa
beast.Itwasthevoiceofresentmentthatwouldmakeanypersonfeeldiscomfortwhentheyheard
it.
EvenShinfrownedafterbeingscreamedatfromcloserange.Therewasnospecialeffect,butthe
loudsoundwouldinstigatefearonalllivingthings.
Heimmediatelyresuscitatedhimselfandjumpedbackwards.TheHPgaugeoftheSkullFaceonly
decreasedalittle,sincetheattackonlyhitthearmorsothedamagewasonlyminimal.Iftheattack
didntreachthecoreoftheSkullFace,heavydamagecouldnotbedealt.
Man,whydoImeetastrangemonsterthisearly?
HemutteredahalfastonishedandhalfpraisingsentencefollowingtheSkullFacesmovement.
Ashelookathisownkatana,henoticedseveralcracksonitsblade.
Adurabilityvaluewassettoweaponsandarmor.Whenitdroppedtozero,itwouldmakethe
weaponsandarmorunusable.
Currently,SeveralStrokesdurabilitywasalreadybelow30%.SinceSkullFacesweaponwasstrong,
itprobablydamagedthekatanasbladewhentheyclashed.
Icanonlydoonemoreattackatmost.Then,Iwilltrythis!
ShinandSkullFace.Thelonemanandhissurroundings,cruellydestroyedbytheSkullFace.He
changedhispostureintoadifferentonefromearlier.
Heputhisleftfootinfrontandbentslightlyforward.Hepulledhiskatanawhileloweringittohis
waist.
Andhemuttered.
LimitOff
Thesuppressedabilityorstatwasreleasedfromtheskillseffect.
EvenordinarypeoplecouldsensethetransformationinShin.

ThekatanaheheldinhishandwaschanneledwithenergyandGishirisoundsweremade.(TL
note:ImagineSasukesChidorionakatana.)
GuUUuuuUUuUuUUU
ItseemedthatShinstransformationcausedtheSkullFacetobevigilant.Asitgroansindeeptone,
itholdtheshieldinfront,andtookaposturethatemphasizeddefense.
ShinadmiredtheSkullFacesmovementwhilehewaschargingenergyintohiskatana.
Shhh!!
Whileexhalingshortbreathsandconcentratingenergyinhiskatana,hebrandishedit.
HeleftanafterimageasherushedintotheSkullFaceandstruckasingleblow.
Twosoundswereheard,KiandGin.ThenShinsfigurevanishedfrominfrontoftheSkull
Face.
Twochangestookplace.
One,Shinskatanawasshattered,leftonlyitshilt.
Two,thegreatswordoftheSkullFacewasblastedawayanddisappearedintothesky.
Amongthetwosoundsechoinginthesurroundings,theKisoundwastheblowofShinhitting
theshield.TheclearKinsoundwasmadewhenhecutthroughthecoreoftheSkullFace
togetherwithitsarmor.AndthefollowingGinsoundwasproducedasShinskatanaandthe
SkullFacesgreatswordclashedtogether.
Thegreatswordwasnotbrokenasitdurabilityvaluewasveryhigh,butSkullFaceshandcouldnt
withstandtheimpact,sotheswordwasthrownupintothesky.
ThecorewascutinhalfandSkullFacesHPgaugewasdrainedentirely,andleftweremerebones.
Ithardtoassociatedthescatteredboneswiththeintensecombatjustafewminuteago.
Iknewthisweaponwouldntlastlong.
HesighedwhilestaringatSeveralStrokeshilt.Itwasapowerfulsingleblow,butitstillwasnthis
maximumpower.ThoughthebigtreesbehindtheSkullFacefelldownjustnowasanaftereffectof
theattack,heplacedthehiltinsidetheItemBoxlikeitwasonlynatural.

Thegreatswordfromalittlewhileagoseemsgood.
Helookedupinthedirectiontheswordflew,butallhesawwasaclear,wideandblueskyandhe
didntknowwheretheswordflewto.
Thoughhedidntexpectthattheswordwouldbeblownofftoofar,hecouldonlypraythatitdidnt
hitaperson.
ShouldIreturn?
Anyway,hewasntinthemoodtosearchforHillockHerbsanymoreafterallthat.
Becausetherewerejewelsamongthebones,sohecollectedthembeforeheleft.
AfterShingotoutoftheforest,hebegantowalktowardthegateandthoughtthathehadbetterto
reportabouttheSkullFacecasetotheguild.
Withoutknowingthatthegreatswordcausedacommotioninthekingdom,
Shinleftthenorthernforestandhadreturnedtotheeastgate.
Henoticedthatthegateareawasnoisyashewalkedcloser.
Istheresomethinggoingon?
Nocuriousspectatorsgatheredlikeyesterday,itwasjusttheguardswhoseemedtobeaskingfor
informationfromthepasserby.Seemingly,onlythepeopleenteringthecountrygotquestioned.
Althoughhecouldenterwithoutwaitinginlineasadventurershaveguildcards,hewantedto
listentothestoryonebyone.Sohelinedupandwaitedforhisturntocome.
Whenthedistancetothegategraduallydecreased,hecouldlistentotheguardsandadventurers
voices.
Northernforesteasternforestshadow,flew?
Onlyafragmentoftheconversationcouldbeheard,buthecouldntexpelthebadfeelingsfromhis
mind.
Asthedistancediminished,hesummarizedthestoryheheardclearlytogether.Theresidentsofthe
townwitnessedamysteriousobjectflyinginthesky.Furthermore,itseemstohavefallenintothe

royalcastle.Theeyewitnessessawitwasflying,butcouldntdetermineifitcamefromthenorthern
oreasternforestandnooneknewwhatcircumstancesbehinditastheinvestigationproceed.
(Mysteriousflyingobjectitistheswordafterall)
Herememberedthegreatswordthatwasblownaway.Buthedidntknowwhichwayorinwhich
directionitflewasheconcentratedonthebattle.
Hisfeetweregettingheavierthecloserhegottothegate.
YoShin.
YoBeid,hassomethinghappened?
HerepliedtoBeidasifnothinghadhappened.Hewantedtobelievethatthemysteriousflying
objectwasnotthegreatsword.
Peoplecalledthisanescapism.
Totellyouthetruth,aswordhasflowntowardtheroyalcastle.Fromtheinvestigationwehad,it
waseitherfromthenorthorfromtheeast.Didntyougotoeasternforest?Didyousawanything?
No,Ididntseeit.Werethereanyinjuries?
Fromthestory,nopeoplewerehurt,astheswordfellandstucktothecastlewall.Goodgrief,it
wasabsurdthataswordflewovertherampart.
Itsagoodthingthatnoonegothurt.
Hebreathedasighofreliefatthewordsofnohumaninjury.
Letsconfirmthedirectionfirmly.
Hemadeapromisetohimselfatthatmoment.
Huh?What?
No,Itsnothing.MayIgonow?
Ah,Pleasetellthesoldierwhodoestheinvestigationifyourememberanything.
Rogerthat.

Heleftthegatewithaquickpacewhilemaintaininghispokerface.Hewalkeduntilthegatewas
outofsightandloosenedhispaceasheletoutasigh.
Haa,whydiditlandattheroyalcastleoutofallplaces?
Alreadyonthethirddayinthisdifferentworld,hehadahunchthatthecountrywasalready
determinedtobehisopponent.Itwasverylikelythathewasgonnabechargedwithtreasonfor
attackingtheroyalfamily.Franklyspeaking,itwasverybad.
EventhoughtherewasnoevidencethatleadtoShin,whenhereportedabouttheSkullFacetothe
guild,thedoubtwouldbeshiftedtowardhimsomehow.
Whydidithappenthisway
Itwouldntalwaysgothewayhewantedinlife.

Vol.1Chapter3Part3
Shinsetasidehisworryandheadedtowardtheguild.ThoughtherumorabouttheSkullFacewas
true,theyhadntheardaboutit.Inaddition,theJackSkullFacebasicallyhasseveralPawnclass
subordinates,sohecouldntassertthatitbecamesafejustbecausetheJackclasswassubjugated.
Shinhadbeensearchingforenemiesinthesurroundingareawhenheleftthebattlelocation,but
therewerenosignsofothermonstersinthesurroundings.Diditactalone?Orwereits
subordinatesswallowedupbythedanceandslicedintopieces?Itwasverylikelythelatterifone
lookedattheSkullFacesactions.Itwasnotamovementthatcoulddistinguishbetweenfriendor
foe.
EvenanormaladventurerofthisworldcouldhandleaPawnclassmonster,sotherewasno
problemifitwasrevealedtobePawnclass.Butthestorywasdifferentincaseofauniquemonster
liketheJackclass.FromBeidswayofspeaking,heseemednottoworried,becauseaJackclass
monsterdidntcameforthveryoften.
Nevertheless,woulditendwithonlyamereuniquemonsterappearancethistime?Itwasthe
anxietyofShin,whowasignorantaboutthisworld.
Thatsaid,thecurrentShindidntunderstanditnomatterhowmuchhethoughtaboutit.He
thoughtaboutwhetherheshouldaskElsorCelicaagainaboutthatsituationandopenedtheguild
door.
TheguildwasthemostcrowdedplaceShinhadeverseen.Theplacewhereadventurersassemble,
wascrowdedwithadventurerswhowerearmedwithswordsandspears,andworearmorand
robes.
Besidestheanxiousfeelings,theplacegenerallyhadafeelingofexcitementtoit.Thereweresome
unusualpeoplewhodidntseemtobeagitated.
Thisissomewhatimposing.
Althoughthereweremanypeople,thereceptionistdeskwasnotcrowded,sohedecidedtoreportit
atonce.Conveniently,Celicawasatthereceptionistdesk.Shinwassavedfromtroublebecausethe
contentsofhisreportweremoreorlessbettertoldtoapersonheknew.
Hello.IhavesomethingIneedtoreport.

Thankyouforyourhardwork,Shinsama.Thereport?
ItwasabouttheSkullFace.Howevertobesure,howmuchisknownbynow?
Tsu!theSkullFaceisknowntobeJackclass,itsbeenreportedfromsurvivingadventurersthat
theSkullFaceholdsaweaponthatisstrongerthannormal.Everyindividualconfirmeditin
general.ThePawnclasssubordinatesarenotconfirmedyet.Currently,subjugationrequestshave
beenissued.Itbecametoppriority,becausetheplaceinquestionisnearthekingdom.VariousA
andSranksarealloutbecauseofthesituation,andaregettingreadytosetupafrontpartywithB
ranksandbelow.
Itseemedthatitsbattlestylewasnotknown.Butitwastheinformationregardingtheweaponthat
Shinwasanxiousabout.
Theweaponisstrongerthannormal?
Ratherthanacommongreatsword,theSkullFacesswordisaroundtwiceasbig.
Itsagreatsword,huh?Anyotherinformationaboutthesword?
No,thatsallweknowfornow.
Theinformationabouttheswordhadalreadycirculatedafterall.Asexpected,theadventurerswho
survivedthebattledidnotforgettheweaponoftheenemy.However,thegreatswordwhichthat
Jackclasswasusingshouldhavebeenchargedwithlightmagicofthelightattribute.Whywas
therenoinformationaboutthat?
Insummary,itisaJackclasswithalargerthanusualweapon,right?
Yes.Thelevelispresumedtobeatleast200ormore.

Hmm,Shinpondered.ThatwasnottheanswerShinwantedtohear,hewantedtoknowwhether
ornotthegreatswordwaschargedwithlightmagic.ButfromCelicasstoryitseemedlikethe
weaponoftheJackclasswasjustameregreatsword.Becauseheexpectedthatamagicbestowed
weaponwouldberare,hewasindangerofbeingsuspectedtohaveaconnectionwiththesword
thatflewintotheroyalcastleifheunskillfullymentionedit.
TheideaofatotallydifferentSkullFaceappearedinShinsmind,buttheideaoftwoSkullFaces
wouldonlymakeuproarifhementionedit.Besides,wastheresuchathingliketwoJackSkull

Facewithsimilargreatswordsappearingatthesametimeinthesameplace?
Uhm,Shinsama?
Ah,sorry.Justslightlylostinthought.
Celicawasslightlyworried,becauseShinhadponderedwhilehisfacialexpressionshowedaserious
look.AccordingtoCelicasjudgment,Shinwasoneofthefewpeoplewithfightingpowerequalto
theSclass.Ifsuchapersonwasmakingaseriousfacewhenhearingtheinformationaboutthe
SkullFace,itcouldntbehelpedthatshebecameuneasy.
Whatareyouthinkingabout?
Well,IwasthinkingaboutwhatkindofitemsSkullFacesdrop.
Shinthoughtaboutthegreatsword,aboutwhetherornotitwaschargedwithlightmagicandwhat
kindofquestionsheshouldasktofindout,butcouldnotsayit.Instead,hedecidedtoaskabout
theitemdrop.
Itemdrops?Uhm,IfIremembercorrectly,itdropsajewel,wornoutarmorandasword,which
canbesoldatmoderateprices,Ithink
Oh,isthatso.Iyaa,Icompletelyforgotaboutthat,hahaha
Shinbehavedcheerilysothattheliehetoldwouldntbeexposed,butbyallodds,hebehaved
suspiciously.
However,CelicadidntnoticeShinsstrangebehaviorbecauseaSkullFaceoftheJackclasswasa
formidableopponent,soshewasntworriedabouttheitemdrop.Intheguild,asenilelookingman
laughedunnaturallyasherepliedtoawoman,whichwasanoutofplacescene.
Thatremindsme,whatkindofcasewouldShinsamaliketoreport?
Oops,sorry.Itsanimportantmatter.IwanttoreportthattheJackSkullFaceinthenorthern
forestwaskilledbyme.Ah,thisisthejewelwhichIrecoveredatthetime.
Really?SkullFaceSkullthat?uhm,wasitPawnclass?
No,itwasaJackclass.Ithadagreatswordtoo.

Celicasmovementbecameawkwardasshetriedtotakeoutthedocumentlikeusualafterhearing
Shinswords.SomehowshemanagedtoreturnaquestionaboutwhethershemisheardShins
words,butsaidquestionwasdeniedplainly.Itwassosurprisingthatnowordscameout.

Errr,Celicasan?
Eh?Ah!?Sosorry!Iwassurprisedforamoment.
Celicapulledherselftogetherandapologizedinahurry.Thatcausedhertonetoreturntonormal.
Isitthatsurprising?
No,notatall!?AtleastanArankwithconsiderableabilityisnecessarytosubjugatetheSkullFace
ofJackclassalone.Pleasedonotsayitlikeitwasatrivialthing!
Uhm,sorry?
IknewShinsamawasastrongpersonbutsubjugatingitaloneonthedaytherequestisissuedis
unheardof.
Thatencounterwasacoincidencethough
Still,normallyapersonwouldreturnfirstandreportittotheguild,thenattackaftertheyfirmly
prepared.Ithinkonlyfewpeoplewouldthinkofattackingitonthespot.
Isee.No,butcertainlymyweaponislikethis.
Thesword,whichwasmostlyjustahilt,wasshown.Duringthefight,whenheheardthecrack,the
katanasbladewasalreadyinasorrystate.Inotherwords,itsstatewascurrentlyworsethana
bamboosword.
Ha!?Hasitshattered!
Ionlymanagedtokeepthislittlepart.
Whatkindofabsurditydidyoudo!?

Wha!?Celicasan,tooclose!Tooclose!
HeheldCelicasshoulderstostopherfromapproachinganycloserandclimbingoverthecounter
whileherexpressionchanged.Becauseofthesuddenaction,theirfacesapproachedeachother
untiltheywerearound20cemelsapart.
Shinwasexperiencingatrivial,internalconflictaboutwhetherheshouldpraiseorscornhimself
forreactingtoCelicasunexpectedaction.
EhAhh,Imsorry,Imsorry!Ididntmeantodosuchastrangething.Iwasworriedthatyougot
injuredorratherIgottooexcitedWait,whatamIsaying!?
TheshakenCelicawasamusingtoShinashewatchedher.Shinalmostretortedashelookedat
her.SheappearedtobesosurprisedthattheJackclasswasdefeatedbyhimalone.
Anintellectual,coolwomanwhoisbothshyandnervous?Somehowthisissomeoneiscoming!
Itsbetterformetocome,butdontgiveoffsomehalfbakedcalmness.Youarekinda
conspicuous.
Huh?Oh,Els
Isthismoe?ShinnoddedaloneasElscalledfrombehindhim.Apparently,ShinandCelicas
conversationwasattractingattentionfromthesurroundingpeoplewithoutthemknowingit.(TL
note:Mo,ananimetermusedtodescribeanidealgirl)
Excusemeforintruding.Besides,justnowtheembarrassedCelicasanwassocute.
Cucute!?
ThoughIagreethere,Iwouldlikeyounottobullyyourcolleaguetoomuch.
Agree!?
Imsorry.Butitwasnotintentional,theexplanationstillremains.
Iknow.BecauseIalsosawher.
Ifthatsthecase,whataboutmyopinion
ElsandShinwhohastenedtheirconversation,ignoringallofCelicaswords.IfElswastherefrom

thebeginning,Shinfeltthatthesituationwouldnotbecomelikethis.
Dontsaythat.Ihaveevenpreparedinvariouswaysandwasgatheringinformation.
ElsattirewasnotthemissreceptionistlooklikewhatCelicawaswearing.Insteadshewaswearing
hunterequipmentthatwasmadeforeasinessofmovement.Sheworeaslightlylongleatherjacket
whichseemedtobemadefromadurablematerial,togetherwithapouchtostoresmallitemsand
compressionshortsthatwenttoherknees,whichwerecoveredbylongboots.Thebowonherback
wasthefundamentalequipmentofahunter,whileadaggerwastiedtoherleftthigh.Herlong
hairwastiedupandtheatmospherearoundherwasdifferentfrombefore.Itwasthehunterwho
wasaimingatsomethingpresence.
AbouttheSkullFace?
Yeah,itsthemonsterthatappearedinthenorthernforest.Quitesometimehaspassedsincethe
rumorstartedcirculating.However,thistimeitholdsastrongerweaponthanaJackclassusually
does,andforthefirsttimeharmhasbeeninflictedtosomeone.
Oh,aboutthat,Ialsosawit,too.Certainly,itswungagreatswordaround.
IthoughtCelicawassurprisedabouttheappearanceoftheSkullFaceandtheswordtogether,but
itseemstobedifferentmatter.
Moreprecisely,itwasreallycombined,eventhoughIkilledit.
Shinutteredthekillingpartinalowvoice.WhenhetalkedtoCelica,hehadtosayitoutloud,
becausethesurroundingnoisewasloud.
Ifthatstrue,IunderstandwhyCelicawasflustered.
Thatsright.Itsnotfunny.
Elswhojokedaround,stoppedShinswords.TheCelicawhojustreturnedhercomposure,barely
respondedwithagreeingwords.
Eventhoughitshardtodoubtyou,doyouhaveanyproof?Itsnotpossibletotrustyou
completely,evenifyousubjugatedit.
Ionlycollectedajewelthough.Tobeginwithwhatistheproofpartofasubjugatedmonster?I
dontknowwhatisitforSkullFace.

Fromtheremnantsofthegame,Shinhadntcollecteddropitemsthatwerecommon.Herecalled
theproofpartfortheguildandhadcompletelyforgottenthathecouldnotprovethathesubdued
itiftherewasnoproof.
Didyoucollectthearmorandthesword?Jackclasscertainlyhavegoodequipment,thereare
peoplewhohavesoldittoincreasetheirfunds,andthosewhouseitthemselves.
ShinrackedhisbrainsabouthowtooverturnthenottrustingresponseofEls.Anyway,besidethe
greatswordthatvanishedinthesky,hedidntthinkthatthehelmetandthearmorcouldbe
collectednow.
Iwonderhowmuchvaluesuchthingshave.
Thosedontseemlikethewordsofanadventurer
Exactly
FromShinsexpression,CelicaandElsunderstoodthatthewordshemutteredcarelesslywerethe
truth.Shinwasstrange.ThoughElswassaidtobemodest,sheneededaconsiderableamountof
fundstobuythesameorequalqualityequipmentastheJackSkullFacesinthisworld.AtleastA
andBrankswouldnoteasilygettheirhandsonit.ItwasnaturalthatShin,whotreatsitlikethat,
wasseenasstrange.Becauseheimpliedthathedidntneedit,anditwashardlysaidbyother
adventurers.
Well,ifthejewelgetexaminedbyanappraiser,itwillbealrightIguess.Becausethejewelit
droppedhadthemagicalpowerofthemonstercharged,itshouldberevealedthatitbelongedtoa
SkullFace.
Isthatso?
Elsdecidednottothinktoodeeply,andletthejewelspeakforitselfifitturnsouttobeevidence.
Thoughittakestimeandwasmoredifficultthanthefindingofotherproofpart,ifhecouldprove
thathehadreallysubduedit,therewasnoproblemevenifsometimewaslosttosomeextent.
Butitwilltakeawhile,sothejewelwillbekepthereasitsbeingappraised.Thoughitspossibleto
sellitrightaway.
Ah,thistimeIwillpass.BecauseIdontmeantosellitforthemoment.
Alrightthen.Iwillcontactthepersoninchargeattheinnassoonastheyfinishappraisingit.The
innisBearPointPavilion,correct?

Yes.Wellthen,thankyou.
CelicatookoverfromElsspeechandskillfullyconveyedthatitwilltaketime.Shewasincomplete
workingmode.
Thatremindsme,whydidtheSkullFaceappearsoeasilyinthenorthernforest?Iveheardthat
rumorbefore.
Originallytheundeadmonstergroupwasbornbecausegrudgesandregretsofthelivingmeets
withmagicpower.Moreover,thoughferociousmonstersinhabitthenorthernforest,therewasno
endtothepeoplewhosetfootinthere,becausetherearepreciousmedicinalherbsandmaterialsto
becollected.Subsequently,numerouspeoplehadlosttheirlifebecausetheywereattackedby
monsters.Therefore,theconditionfortheundeadtobebornwasset.However,theappearanceofa
strongmagicalindividualliketheJackclasshadnotnaturallyoccurredinthatenvironment.
Becausenormallyinthenorthernforest,theSkullFaceisaPawnclass.
ElsaddedthatshethoughtShinmighthavemistakenitforaPawnclass.Moreover,itseemedthat
noonehasactuallyfoughtitforittobeconfirmeditsauthenticity.Nobodytriedtoverifyit
expresslybecauseitwasnomorethanarumor.
Bytheway,whatistherangelevelofaJackclass?
Itisconfirmedthatthelowestis150,andthehighestis250.ItisclassifiedasQueenandKing
classforlevelsbeyondthat.
Apparently,theupperlevellimitforeverymonsterdidnotseemtohavechangedsomehow.
Then.Willitbeanexceptionthistime?
Whatdoyoumeanbythat?What?
TwopeoplereactedtothewordsfromShin.Asexpectedfromstaffoftheguildandanadventurer,
itwasasplitsecondreaction.
TheJackclasswhichIfoughthadalevelexceeding250.
That,isthattrue?
NodoubtaboutitbecauseIsawwithAnalyze.Ithinkitisprobablyaunique,orspecial
monster.TherewerenoPawnclassfollowersinthesurroundingareaunlikethenormalone,too.

Justtoconfirm,whatwasitsexactlevel?
Itwas359.IthinkitwasalreadyaKingclassifmymemoryiscorrect.
359!?
JackclasscertainlyappearedinAnalyze,andinthefirstplace,QueenandKingclassSkull
Facesphysiqueandequipmentdontmatch.Whenthelevelwasexcluded,theweaponandthe
movementswerenonstandard,buttherewasnothingstrangebesidesthat.

Again,twopeoplebecamespeechlessfromShinswords.Therewerevariousquestionsthatpopped
upinsidetheirheads,suchasShouldIbelieveit?,Ishemistaken?andsoon.
Istheresomethingwrong?
RatherthanunpleasantnoIseemtobeconfused.Celica,Iguessthereisprobablyamethod
thatcanroughlyexaminetheopponentsstrengthinthejewel,right?Thenhowaboutwetrythat?
tsu!ThenIwillhastentheappraisalofthejewel.Els,Imsorry,butpleasetakecareofthe
rest.
AssherepliedtoElswords,CelicabowedtoShinandtookthejewelinhishandandheadedfor
theothersideofthereceptiondesk.
AsfortheeasygoingShin,hefeltadmirationabouttheconvenientmethod.
Goodgrief,whataguyyouare.
What?
Ifitstruewhatyousaidaboutthelevel,yourstrengthcanbecomparedtoatleastanentireA
rankparty.Butifitsalie,thenyoureagreatbraggart.
Well,Ifitswrong,thatmeansIsawitwrongly.Besides,isntmyrankG?NoonewillbelieveifI
saidthatIsubduedaJackclass.
Thoughthatiscertainlyso,iftheydontknowthecircumstances.
Then,thatsnice,Iguess.ThoughIdontmeantoattractattentionwiththewordsIsaiduntil

now.
Althoughitfeltlikehiswordswerecontradictinghisactions,Shinchosetonotstandoutbecause
hedidntwanttobetroubledbytheattentiontowardshim.Shinsonlypurposewastoreturntohis
formerworld,andjoiningtheguildwasaneffectivewaytogatherinformation.
Ireporteditbecauseifonewouldwanderaimlesslytosearchforitandthatwouldbebad,Iguess.
Ifpossible,Idontwantittobeknownthatitwasmydoing.
AlthoughIwanttocomplywithyourwill,IthinktherewillbepeoplewhoinvestigateitevenifI
hideit.Becausenormallyitsnaturaltointroduceoneselfastheonewhodidit,right?
Youhaveapoint
ThoughShinunderstoodthat,hefeltitwasbothersomeasshesaiditclearly.Therewouldbea
commotiononlyforthis.Theadventurerthatdefeateditwouldbeconsiderablyfamous,butitwas
toounnaturalifthepersonchosenottodivulgehisname.Itwouldbeinevitablethatpeople
wantedtoknowthereasonthathedidntappear.
Whenitwasrevealed,itsurelywouldattractattentionifhewasaGrankadventurer.Itwas
troublesomenomatterhowitturnedout.
Sorrytotroubleyou,butitseemsthatImnotabletohelpyouwithmuch.
Idontintendtoputaburdenonyouthere,soitsfine.Forthetimebeing,Ihavetofindamealto
eat.
Theproblemwasntsolvedfromworryingmeaninglessly.Hedecidedtohavelunchasachangeof
mood.Insidetheguildwassocrowdedthathardlyanyseatsleft,sohedecidedtogooutsidethe
guild,toeatlunch.

SinceElsstayedintheguild,Shinwalkedonthemainstreetalone.Heheadedfortherestaurant
whichElsandCelica,whoreturnedfromtheinteriorofthereceptiondesk,recommendedtogether.
Afterwalkingforalittlewhile,therestaurantthathungoutthesignboardwhereaswordandfork
weredrawn,cameintoview.Itwassaidthateverychefwereaformeradventurer,andseemedto
beofferingexoticdishessuchasdisheswithrareingredientsandsoon.
Isitafightingchef?Ormoresimilartoacook

HerememberedthewomanwhodidthecookingintheRokuten,andawrysmileleakedout.She
wasparticularaboutsecuringmaterialsbyherself,thereforeshewasanoddballwhosestatswere
saidtobeonthevergeofthemaximumvalue.
Tobeginwith,therewasnooddballintheRokuten,butthefigurethathandledahandiwork
kitchenknifeinbothhandswhilepreparingtocookadragonleftastrongimpressioninShin.
Justbyrememberingitmakesmehungry
Becausehisstomachstartedtogrowl,hequicklyopenedthedoor.Therestaurantwascrowded,
probablybecausehearrivedduringlunchbreak.
Welcome.Imsorry.Youwillhavetowaitabit!!
Thevoicewhichlikenedabellresoundedinthenoisyrestaurant.Therewasonlyonewaitresswho
wentbackandforthbetweentableandcounter.Althoughhewashungry,hefeltsorryforrushing
itinthissituation.
Shinstoodquietlybesideadoorandlookedattherestaurantinterior.Wasitbecauseitwasnear
theguild?,orbecausetherestaurantmanagerwasaformeradventurer?Mostofthepeopleinside
therestaurantwereequippedwitharmorandweapons.Theywereprobablythepeoplewho
gatheredbecauseoftheSkullFace,Shinguessed.
Thankyouforwaiting.LetmeguideyouhereIsntitShinsan?
Yep?well,errrCelicasan?No,isitCilicasan?
AlthoughShinwassurprisedatthesuddenwords,hecouldseeproperlythatthehairwasina
ponytailnotlikeCelicas,sohenoticeditwasCilica.HethoughtaboutwhetherCelicahadchanged
herclothesagainforaninstant.
Thatscorrect.IsitbecauseofarecommendationfromOneechanthatyouhavechosenthis
restaurant?
Yes.Imgratefulinvariousway.
Isntittooearlyforanordinarypersontoberecommendedhere.
?Didyousaysomething?
Cilicamutteredsomethingwithseriousfaceforamoment.ThoughShinfeltinclinedandasked,

shejustsmiledandsaidnothing.Sincepursuingitwouldbestrange,theconversationstopped
there.Hedidntwanttohavealongconversationbesideadoor,too.
Hewasguidedtherewhenagroupseemedtoleavebychance,soonetablewasvacant.Shinfelt
awkwardtousethetablealone,butunfortunatelythetableforonepersonwasfilled.Hegavethe
consenttoCilicathathewouldntmindsharingthetablewhenothervisitorscame,andthenhe
orderedadish.
Uhm,Shinsan.Becauseanewvisitorcame,sharethetable,please.Thankyou.
Ah,yes.Iunderstand.
CilicaturnedupafterShinorderedadishalmostwithoutpausingandrequestedforhimtosharea
table.Theonewhocameoverwasamanwhowasalsoanadventurerwithaspearwhichemitteda
poisonouslookingradiance.
IsthatVenom?
Shinmutteredasthespearthatcouldbesaidtobeominouswasseen.
DevilspearVenomLegendgradethathadtheabilitythatcouldbecomparedwith
Mythologygrade,wasaweaponthathadacleardistinctionfromRareandUnique
grade.
Sorrytobotheryou.
No,yousavedmefromtrouble.Iwashesitanttooccupythetablealone
Whilegreetinglightly,Shinlookedattheman.HisheightalmostthesameasShin.Hiseyeswere
redandgatheredhisravenblackhairroughlybehindhishead.Hisskinwaswhiteliketheskinofa
sickperson.Thoughhethoughtthatthemanhadagoodlookingface,Shinhadtheimpression
whichstoodcontrarytohisappearance.Themanwaslikeawildbeast.Hehadasharpglintinhis
eyes,indicatingthatthemanhasmadeitthroughviolentsituations.Inaddition,hehadthesame
composuretokillasabeast.

Hislevelwas188.ThismancouldprobablydefeatthenormalJackSkullFacealone.
IamShin.Thismustbefateorsomething,too.Althoughitsonlyforashorttime,nicetomeet
you.
Thereisstillaguywhohasnotyetheardaboutme,huh?ImWilhelmAvis.Areyouanewface
amongadventurers?
Thatsright,itsmythirddaytoday.
Shinobservedthemanashegreetedhim,andWilhelmtoldhimhisname.Shinansweredthe
questionwhilelookingpuzzledtoWilhelmswords.
SuddenlyShinnoticedthatallthevisitorsintherestaurantpaidattentiontohim,althoughthe
surroundingswerestillnoisy.ButShinwasstillarookieadventurer.SoitwouldbeWilhelmwho
attractedattention.EventhoughShindidnotunderstandthereasonwhyWilhelmattracted
attention,hedecidedtoleaveitalonebecausetherewasnoharmforthemoment.
Thirdday?Thatequipmentisquitegoodforyou.Areyouemployedasamercenary?
No,well,youmightsaythatitsbecauseIhavetraveledfromafarawaycountry,Ithink.SoIlack
alittleknowledgeaboutthecommonsensehere.
Nowonderyoudontfeelnervouswhenhearingmyname.Anormaladventurerandmewouldnt
shareatable,Iguess.
Idontfeelnervous?Whatonearthdidyoudo?
Shincalmlyaskedaboutit,despiteoftheintimidationsituationwhichseemedtocausedsome
personbreakoutinacoldsweat.Thesurroundingadventurerswerethinking:Whyisthisguy
speakingwithhimoverlyfamiliar,theirheartswereallscreamingtogether.
AsforShin,hedidntfeeltheintimidation,notevenintheslightest.Itwasjustasomewhatover
familiarquestionbecausehethoughtthemanhesawhadmoreorlessnevercommittedany
crimes.
Nobigdealparticularly.Ionlykilledundeadmonstersforquitesometime.Sopeopledontalways
approachtheplaceIfought.ItwassaidthatIcontinuetofighttothepointwhereIcanabsorbthe
undeadspower.
Whatisthat?Idontunderstandthemeaning.

Shindidntbelieveitwasonlythatsimple.Hewonderedwhetherornotitwasajoke.
Iamthesame,too.Well,aguywithalowrankedwhobelievedthisisafool.Thetruereasonis
becauseIhavethis.
Ashesaidso,WilhelmgrabbedthespearwhichleanedagainstthewallthedevilspearVenom.
ThisguyisVenom.ItisaweaponoftheLegendgrade,andithastheabilitytoabsorbthe
vitalityoftheopponentitwounded,andshareitwiththeuser.Thoughitisaconvenientthing,
Legendorhighergradeweaponmeansitpossessesapowerthatcanblowanyoneaway.But
evenifIuseit,Idontunderstandtheabilityofthisguyeither.
Youuseit,andyoudontunderstanditeither?
InoticedthatIbecametheguywhowasbeingdetested.Additionally,theabilityofmyweaponis
absorption<Drain>.Evenallieswerenervousatonetimebecauseoftheabsorption.
Becausenaturallytherewasnoweapondescriptioncolumninthegame,hedidnotseemtoknow
exactlywhatkindofeffecttheweaponhad.ThoughitwouldactuallybeanabsurdcaseifShin
knewtheeffect,itwasbecausehewasntfromthisworld.Atthesametime,hewassatisfiedwith
thereasonastowhythesurroundingvisitorswerepayingattentiontothem,thenthe
Appraisalskillquestionemerged.
Doyouknowitcangetappraised?
Well,Ihaveattemptedtogetitappraisedyoumightsay,butonlythenameandthegradewas
discovered.Thecurrentabilityusedcantbeconfirmed.
Whatisskilllevelofthepersonwhodidtheappraisal.
Itwas.
ShinwasconvincedheknewwhyitwasimpossiblefromWilhelmsreply.Thelowestskilllevel
necessaryforconfirmingtheabilitydetailsofweaponsofLegendgradewas,in
Mythologygrade,andmaximumlevelfortheAncientgradeones.Whenplayingthe
game,merchantsorblacksmithscouldberequestedimmediatelybyplayersforappraisingskills,
butapparentlyinthisworld,itdidntseemtobethateasy.
ThedishwhichheorderedwasservedasShinwasgoingtogiveupthetopic.Wilhelmseemedto
havealreadyorderedhisdish,astherewasadishthatShindidntrememberordering.

Forthetimebeing,shallweeat?
Sure,letseat!
AftersayingItadakimasu,theyimmediatelydigin.ThedishShinorderedwasthegrilledthigh
withboneoftheAburidorimonster.Shinsnosewastickledasanindescribablyfragrantaromawas
shroudedasitmadeasizzlingsounds.
Afragranceofthespicesmixedwithmeatjuicesimpactedandfilledhismouththemomenthebit
init.CrispyskinandthefeelofthemeatcomingloosesoftlywasirresistibleforthehungryShin.
Delicious!Thisisdelicious!!
Settledownalittleandeat.
WilhelmwasalittleamazedatShinwhowasvigorouslywolfingitdown.Thoughhecouldntsay
thathimself,becauseWilhelmwasgreedilyatethedishwithaspeedmatchingShins.
Forawhile,theycontinuedtoeatinsilence,andtheneachofthemsippedacupofblackteaafter
themeal.
IateAburidoriforthefirsttimeafteralongabsence.Evenitsnamemademethinkthatoneselfis
warmed.(TLnote:Aburarerumeanswarmgrill/scorchwhichisalmostsimilartothemonsters
name,Aburidori)
Itwasalittlecharredherethough.
Itwasaplayfulname,butstill,thelevelrangeofthemonsterwasabout100.Itcouldntfly
althoughitwasabirdtypemonster,anditwasnotalertandagile,butitcouldbreatheoutflameas
itwasthebiggestcharacteristicaccordingtoitsname.Itwasthemonsterwhichwasstrangely
popularduringthetimeofthegame.
Thatremindsme,wasitokaytotellmetheinformationonyourweaponthoughtlessly?Isntit
supposedtobeconcealed?
WhatIsaidearlier,itwaswidelyknownalongtimeago.ItwontchangeanythingevenifIhave
onlytoldarookienow.
Youhaveapointthere.
Imalreadydoneeating.Seeyouthen,newcomer

Seeyou~
Justlikehesaidittoafriend,ShinsawWilhelmoff.Thesurroundingswerenoisy,butShindidnt
minditnow.
ShortlyafterWilhelmleft,Shinlefthisseat,too.
ThefirstmeetingofaHighHumanRokutenandawhitefigureweldingadevilspear,wasinfacta
plainandsimpleone.

Vol.1Chapter4Part1
Shin,wholefttherestaurant,turnedaroundonhisfoottowardthelibrary.Eventhoughthe
requestwasnotcompletedyet,itdidnthaveatimelimit.Sohedidntneedtohurry.Fromnowon,
becauseofhisconductduringthelastfewdays,heintendedtocarefullystudythepossiblesenseof
animpendingcrisis.
Isithere?
Shinwasatthemiddlepointofthecommercialandresidentialdistricts.Loudvoicesfromenergetic
merchantscouldbeheardoccasionally.Itwasaquietplacecomparedtothecommercialdistrict.
AndinfrontofShin,therewasalibrarystandingtallbeforehiseyes.Thelibrary,whichwas
managedbytheBayreuthkingdom,wasnamedtheRoyalMagicLibrary.
Itseemedtohaveplentyofmagiccategorybooksassembledtogether,buthewastoldbyTsugumi
thattheinformationaboutcommonknowledgethathedidntunderstand,couldbefoundhere.
Thoughtherewerebooksthatcouldntbereadwithoutpermissioninside,therewasnoproblem,
sinceShinintendedtoonlystudywithinareadablescopeatthistime.
Fromtheinformationdesk,thechairs,tables,andthelargequantityofbookshelvesinthelibrary,
therewasnothingspecialaboutit,norweretherefeaturesthatcoulddistinguishitfromother
libraries.Justincase,hereceivedanexplanationabouttheusageattheinformationdesk,he
summarizedthemattersthatrequiredattention,suchashowhecouldonlyrent3booksatatime,
howtherewasalimitinamountofrentaldays,andhowhewasfreetoreadinsidethelibrary,but
howitwouldcostmoneyifheborrowedone.
Asfortherentalcost,itwasbasedonwhatkindofbookitwas,andhowmanydaysitwasrented
for.Ofcourse,ifabookwaslost,therewouldbeafine.Thegeneralruleforthebookswhich
requiredpermissiontoberead,wasthatitwasprohibitedtorentthem,andtherewerebooksthat
couldntbereadwithoutcertainsocialstatusand/ortrustsuchasthesenioradventurersandthe
courtserviceofficers.
Iftherewasavaluablebook,onewouldthinkthatathiefwouldbreakintothelibrary.Butthere
wereguardsandsoldierswhokeptwatchonthesurroundingsinthebuilding.Inaddition,they
alsohadtheskillforcrimeprevention,sonofellowcouldactviolently.
(IsitlevelBarrierandWall?Sothatswhytheyaresofullofconfidence.)

Althoughhedoubtedthattheskillbarrierusedwasstrongerthantherampart,hestilladmired
thatthebarrierswereneverbrokensincefromtheverybeginning.
Afterreceivingtheexplanation,hewasinstructedwherethebooksofwhichfieldwerelocatedat.
Then,hegatheredbooksaroundthelibraryandsatdownonaemptyseat.
First,thehistory.Afterall,Shinthoughtthatthefirstthinghehadtodowastoinvestigateabout
theDuskoftheMajesty,whichseemedtobeconnectedtothesimultaneouslogoutfromthedeath
game.Becausetherewasachronologywhichlistedthebigeventssincethecountrywasfoundedin
thebook,heopeneditatonce.
Firstofall,fromtherecentevents.Um,itsthe511thyearsnowfromwhenthecountrywas
founded,huh?BecauseitssaidthattheDuskoftheMajestyoccurred500yearsago,anditwas
almostinthesametimeperiodasthefoundingofthecountry.
Hetracedbackthechronologicaltabletothepastwhilelookingpuzzledduetothestrange
coincidence.Therewerenumerousthingsrelatedtothenationaladministrationthatwerewritten,
suchastheconclusionofthealliance,thekingstakingover,funerals,wars,largescale
constructions,andsoon.Ashelookedattheendofthechronology,whichwasthepartaboutthe
countrysfounding.
NoinfoabouttheDuskoftheMajestyiswrittenhere,notevenalittle.
OnlythefoundingoftheBayreuthkingdomwaswrittenaboutinthechronology,anythingthat
happenedearlierthanthatwasntwrittenabout.
Well,itsachronologyafterall.Iguessthatitwaswrittenaboutinotherbooks.
Heopenedanotherhistorybookwhilepullinghimselftogether.However,mostofthecontentinthe
openedbooksdidnotdescribeindetailtheDuskoftheMajesty.
Thoughhereadseveralhistorybooksafterward,theconclusionwasstillthesame.Onlyoneofthe
booksseemedtohavewrittenabouttheevent.
Theworldhaschangedafterthatday
Thekingleft,thecountrydisappeared,anditwaswrittenthattheworldhadchanged,butitwas
notwrittenclearlyaboutwhathappenedtotheworldafterwards.Apparently,aftertheDuskofthe
Majesty,therewastemporarychaosaroundtheworld,buttheDuskoftheMajestywasnot
describedindetail.Itseemedoddthattherewassolittlerecordedinthebookabouttheplayers
logout,wheretheywerethoughttohavevanished.

Hetookoutoneofthebooksfromthemountainofbookswhilethinkingthatnobookcould
providehimwiththeinfohewanted.
Itseemedtobeabookaboutraces,andeachfeatureandcharacteristicwasbrieflydescribed.
HumanTheyhavethehighestnumberinpopulation,andtherewerealotofcountries,too.
Whenakingdomwasestablished,therulerwascalledaKing.
DragonPowerandvitalitywereprominentlyhigh,havealonglife.Itcantransformintothe
shapeofahuman.Whenanempirewasestablished,thekingwascalledaDragonKing.
BeastTheyhavethehighestnumberinpopulationnexttohumans,theyarekeenandnimble,
andhavedifferentcharacteristicsineverytribe.Whenthetribewasgatheredtogetherandformed
analliance,thechiefwascalledaBeastKing.
LordTherewasalittlebiasabouttheirability,alsonoabilitythatseemedprominent,butasa
whole,theirabilitieshavethetendencytobehigh.Whentheempirewasestablished,thekingwas
calledaDevilKing.
DwarfTheyhaveskillfulhandsandaregoodatmakingarmorandtools.Theywerescattered
ineverycountryandformedaguildwhichhadthetendencytosharetheirtechniqueandcraft.
ThebestcraftsmanwascalledaCaveKing.
PixieTheyarethelongestlivingrace,theyexcelledatmagichandling.Thepixiesweredivided
betweentheoneswholivedinthisworld,andtheoneswholivedinthefairyvillageintheother
world,whichexchangewitheachother.ThekingwascalledaFairyKing.
ElfTheirlifespanscome2ndafterthepixies,notonlymagic,butalsotheircrisisperception
abilitywashigh.Theylivedinthewoods.Youngelvesoftenappearedoutsidethevillage.Thevillage
wascalledthegarden,andthechiefwascalledtheForestKing.
TherewerenocontentsthatdifferedfromShinsknowledge.AlthoughShinmomentarilyfelta
senseofincongruityforthedwarfsbestcraftsman,whowascalledtheCaveKing,heremembered
thattherewasasettingwheredwarvesoriginallylivedincaves.
BecausetherewasachancethatanElforPixiemightknowabouttheDuskoftheMajesty,he
madesuretomemorizedthatpart.
Nowthen,whatshouldIreadnext?
Hedecidedtoinvestigateaslongasthetimepermitted,andopenedthenextbook.


WhileShinwasdoingtheinvestigationinthelibrary,executives,suchasBarluxandEls,were
preparingforameetinginaroomoftheadventurersguild.
Ofcourse,theagendawastheSkullFace.Eventhoughthesituationcalledforwaitingforthe
appraisalofthejewel,themembersthathadsomefreetimeweregatheredforthetimebeing.
Therewasapossibilitythattheinformationwasaccurate,becausetheonewhoreportedwassaid
toholdaletterofintroduction.SincetheSkullFacehadalreadybeendefeated,thesenseof
urgencywasnothigh,buttheShinspersonalityinthereportofBarluxandElswasraisedtosome
extent.
ThoughthemancalledShinseemedtobeeasilytrusted,therewasneveracasewhereadangerous
personheldtheletterofintroduction,soitgavethereportsomecredibility.
Wellthen,letsstartthespecialmeeting.
AllthemembersintheroomdirectedtheirattentiontoBarluxinresponsetohisvoice.
Thoughtherearepeoplewhohavealreadyheardthis,theJackSkullFacethatappearedinthe
northernforestwassubdued.Theonewhosubdueditonlycollectedajewel,whichiscurrently
underinvestigation.
TheJackclasswassubduedandneithertheswordnorthearmorwerecollected?
AllthememberslookedpuzzledduetothewordsfromBarlux,whoreportedplainly.Thefirstone
tospeakwasArdi,whowasjustdispatchedasaliaisonfromthekingdom.(TLnote:Shinfirstmet
ArdiatTsukinoHokorainchapter1.)ThemageAradRoyl,whowasinchargeoftheappraisalof
thejewel,noddedashehadthesamekindofdoubt.KylieEin,whowasthesubmaster,andEls,
whoknewaboutthecircumstances,hadnoreaction.ThenBarluxcontinued.
Thepersontoldmethattheswordandarmorwerenotabigdeal.
Notabigdeal?
Ardihadtheexpressionofsomeonewhodidntunderstand.Aradwaslaughinghohohowhile
combingdownhisbeard.
Todeclaresomethinglikethat,itseemsthatthismanswealthisquiteconsiderable.
AlthoughAradshairandbeardwerewhitecoloredbecauseofhisoldage,duetohiswell

developedbackmuscles,whichweretightlyvisible,hedidntlookasoldashewas.Thewayhe
laughedsuitedthegoodnaturedoldman.
Thefellowswhoholdtheintroductionletteraregenerallythoughtlessfellows.Theydontcare
aboutlosingtheirlife,especiallytheyoungones.
Isthatso?
Wait!Wait!ThoughIhavenoobligationtosaythis,wearenotthatthoughtless.
Itsnotconvincingwhenguildmastersaysso.
ArdiwasabouttobelieveAradsclaimascommonsense.ButBarluxinterfered,andwasputdown
byEls.
Well,letsgobacktothejewelcase.Idontknowthedetailsyet,butapparentlythereareno
mistakes,atleastaboutthestoryofitslevelbeing359.
Still.Itwouldbeniceiftheproofpartwascollected.Theproblemiswhetherornotasimilar
monsterhasappeared.
Itwaslikelyalittlejoking,andthemoderatetensionbecameloosefromAradshonestreport.
BecausetherewasnooneexcellingAradinjewelappraisalintheguild,itwasdecidedthataSkull
FacethathadthelevelofatleastaKingclasshadappeared.
Thestaffthatsskillfulinsearchinghasalreadygoneouttoinvestigateit.Theinformationwillbe
assembledtomorrow.
Kyliecomplementedinacalmtone.Blackhairheldtogetherwithabarrette,lightbrownpupils
andlongnarroweyescouldbeseenfromtheinteriorofherglasses.ThesecretaryofBarluxhad
goodlooksandskillcombined,andaswordcouldbeseenatherhips.
Asusual,Kyliedidherworkfast.Theguildmastershouldfollowherexample.
Oursubmasterisexcellent,oldmanRoyl.
CanBarluxsamafocusonyourworkalittlemore?
Urgh
Shehasnomercy.

AfewwordsfromKyliebreakthejokefromBarlux.Barluxwasnotbadatofficeworkparticularly,
butKyliestillseemedtobedissatisfiedwithhim.

Hmm,wereyousurprisedthatthisisdifferentthanyouthought?
No,wellyoumightsay,becauseIthoughtthatthefeelingoftensionshouldremainalittlebit.
AradaskedArdi,whowastakenabackbythedialogueofthethreepeople.Heseemedtohavea
seriouspersonality.Ardisaidmodestly,andyetheshowedaslightlyperplexedexpression.
Wellitsausualcase.Besides,thisissomethinglikeapettyliaisonmeeting,ratherthana
conference.Ifthiswasastateofemergency,eachdistrictchiefandSrankadventurerswould
gatherhere.
Still,onlyoneSkullFacehasbeenreported,right?
Ardiunderstoodthatitwasnotanemergencysituation,becauseonlyfivepeoplegathered,buthe
thoughthemightbetoooptimistic.Arad,whoreadArdismind,complementedArdisoherevealed
histruefeelings.
Itseemsso.Tobehonest,thereisnoknowinghowmanysuchmonstersareoutthere,andthereis
areasontodoanassessment.
Isitthebarriersprotection?
Yes.Doyouknowaboutit?
Itsthebarrieragainstmonsters.Itissaidthatmonstersfromoutsidethebarrierwillnotbe
allowedtocomenear.
Thatsright,thefirstKingerectedthebarrier.Therefore,evenifastrongmonsterisborn,they
cantcomeinsidethebarrier.Italsohastheeffectofsilencingstrongdarkmagic.Inaddition,we
arebeingvigilantourselves,too.
ThetechniquefromthetimethekingdomwasfoundedwasstillprotectingtheBayreuthkingdom.
Thatwasthereasonwhytheamountofstrongmonstersthathadappearedsofar,hadnt
increased.
However,neitherthekingdomnortheguildconsideredthebarrierabsolute,nomatterhowwellit

defended.InresponsetotheSkullFacereport,theknightsgroupwasprepared,sotheycouldsally
outbythethoroughgoingconditioninthekingdom.Also,thesubjugationreportwasnot
confirmedatthemoment,sotheadventurerswerestillwaitingforordersandwereworkinghardto
gatherinformation.
SkullFacesbecomeactiveatnight.Ardi,inpreparationfortheworstcase,Iwantyoutocontact
theknightleaderandraisethealertnessorderbyonerank.
Rogerthat.
BarluxspokeduringthegapoftheconversationbetweenArdiandArad.Theflusteredstatejusta
whileagoseemedhardtobelieve.JudgingfromArad,KylieandElsattitude,itwasprobablya
usualthing.
Thatsallfromme.Doesanyonehaveanyotheropinions?Ifnot,Iassumewearedone.
Arad,ElsandKyliethoughtitwasoverregardingthemainreportoftheSkullFacefromBarlux.
However,ArdiraisedhishandandBarluxnoddedtolethimconveyhisopinion.
TheSkullFacethistimehadadifferentweaponfromtheinformationweobtained.Iwouldlike
youtogivemedetailedinformationonthepersonwhosubduedtheSkullFace,sotheinvestigation
abouttheweaponcanbecomeclearafterthis.
Hmm,thoughthereisnointentiontocoverupinformationabouttheweapon,Icantreveal
anythingaboutthepersonwhosubjugatedit,asitwashiswish.Still,ifitsalright,letstake
responsibilityforit.Iwonderaboutwhyyouaremakingafussaboutthis,mayIhearthereason?
Yes.Thoughthestorychangedalittle,doeseveryoneknowabouttheswordthatflewtotheroyal
castle?
Naturallyallthemembersnoddedback.IftherewasnodisturbancebytheSkullFace,itwould
havebeenahottopicbynow.
TheSkullFacewassubduedonthedaywhentheswordflewtotheroyalcastle,furthermore,the
SkullFacethatappearedthistimewasequippingagreatswordthatwasdifferentfromthenormal
ones.Thereisonlyonepersonwhocanconnectthesetogether,Ithink.
EveryoneexceptArdiimaginedonepersonfromhisremark.
MayIhearwhatkindofsworditwas?

Theresaconditionyoumustadhereto,orIcantdisclosedtheinformation.
AllmembersagreedonArdiscondition.Therewasnopersonthatdidntknowtheimportanceof
theinformationinthisplace.
Theswordsbladeisabout2melslongandthematerialisademonsteelmixedwithanalloyof
mithril.Moreover,theswordhaspermanentlightattributemagicbestoweduponit.Ifitisputside
bysidewithourcountrystreasuredsword,thenthetreasuredswordseemstobepoorlymade.
!?
Everyonecouldnthidetheirsurpriseathiswords.SpeakingofthetreasuredswordoftheBayreuth
kingdom,evenatthelowestrank,itwasaweaponthatwasclassifiedasLegendgrade.Itwas
anationaltreasuregradeofweaponthatalmostnopersoncouldforge,sotherewerenoequal
swordsinexistencerightnow.LetalonethatapersonthoughtthattheSkullFaceheldit.
Becausehewasinthemiddleofafight,Shindidntnoticeashedidnotusetheappraisalskill.He
thoughtthegreatswordoftheSkullFacewasofthelowestgrade,butithadaselfrestoration
abilitywhichwashigherthanRareandUnique.(TLnote:Thatexplainswhythe
greatsworddidntbreakduringthefight.)
IfitsassumedthattheSkullFacehadthegreatsword,thenthepersoninquestionisindomitable,
astheenemyhadaweaponatthetreasuredswordlevelinadditiontoahighlevelwassubjugated.
Butnoneedtoworry,asitisimpossibleIthink.Besidesthat,Iwasalittletroubledbyit
Thoughtheworryaboutthestrengthofthepersonathandwasunderstandable,Barlux,who
doubtedtheindescribably,indecisiveofArdisspeechinthelatterhalf,asked.
Troubledbyit?
ThecontentwhichArdirecitedwasindeedtrue,althoughhehadonlyguessed,andnobodycame
tohaveconclusiveevidence,becausetherewasnoonewhoknewaboutthegreatswordindetail.It
wassaidthatitwasimpossibleforundeadtohaveaweaponwiththelightattributeinthisworld.
Asforthis,newsmayreachBarluxdonosoon,asitislikelytobeannouncedgrandly.Untilthen,
pleasedonttellanyoneforthetimebeing.
Hmm,understood.Shouldothersleavethisplace?
Becausethepermissionisgiven,itdoesntmatter,asIfollowthesameconditionasawhileago.
Sincethereisapossibilitythateverybodywillknow,too.

ThougheveryoneexceptBarluxhadaquestionabouttheannouncementplace,theynoddedfor
thetimebeing,andthenspeechwasurgedtobestarted.
Actually
Afterwards,everyonewhowaspresentwasperplexedaboutthecontentthatleakedoutofArdis
mouth.

Vol.1Chapter4Part2
Forseveralhours,hehadbeeninvestigatingthingsinthelibrary.Somehowthelibrarywasclosed
whenthesunwasalittlehighintheevening.WhenShinconfirmeditwiththemenuscreen,the
timeshowed4:50.Eventhoughhedidntknowwhetherthetimewasaccurate,Shinthoughtthat
everycityhallandpostofficehadtheirownwaytokeeptrackofthetime.Rather,hewasamazed
tolearnthattheyhadaboutthesameclosingtime.
Hethoughtaboutreturningtothesouthdistrictforthetimebeing,buthisstomachwasgrumbling
whilelookingaroundthestalls.Itwasearly,butheboughtyakitori*fordinnerwhichhesawwas
barbecuednicelyinastallhefoundbychance.Itcouldbesaidthatasimilaryakitoriwasntsoldin
Japan,astheywere30cemelslongskewersstuckintoheartychickenmeat.(TLnote:*abitesize
marinatedpiecesofbeef,seafood,orchickenonskewers)
ThisyakitoritastesgoodeveninadifferentworldbutdidIbuytoomuch?
Hetookoutafreshlycookedskewerfromabagwhilesmilingwryly.Heboughtfouryakitori.Itwas
aquantitythatcouldbesaidwastoomuchtoeatbeforedinner.
Hesatdownontheedgeofthefountaininthecenterofthesquaretorelaxafterwalkingand
eating.Hestuffedhismouthwithmeatwhilelookingatthepassersbyfornoparticularreason.
Afterall,therewerestillmanyappearancesofadventurerssincetheinformationregardingthe
SkullFacewaspublished.
Althoughinformationregardingthesubjugationcompletionwasalsomadepublic,theadventurers
seemedtobestillonguard.
Tsutsu
Whilelookingatthehustleofthetownandchewingontheyakitori,afterhehadinvestigated,he
organizedtheinformationhehadacquiredinhishead.Therewerethreenoteworthythingsthathe
understoodfornow.
First,thebookthathadwrittenabouttheDuskoftheMajestywasrare.
Besidesthat,therewasalsoapossibilitythatthebookwasbannedorthatitwasstoredinaplace
withreadingrestrictions.Fornow,Shincouldntenterthatplace,soitwasputonhold.Inthe
future,hecouldnthelpbuttofeelpreparedtovisitvillagesoflonglivedspeciessuchasElvesor

Dragons.Eitherway,hestilldidnthavetheintentiontosneakilysearchforit.
Second,thegeographyofthisworld.
Originally,fourcontinentsexistedintheworldofTHENEWGATE,the1stthreecontinentswere
forbeginner,intermediateandadvancedlevelplayers.Andthe4thcontinentbecametheareafor
playerswhohadlostinterestinthecommonfields.
Ofcourse,Shinhadalmostconqueredallfourareasthatweredisplayedonthemap,butnowthe
mapfunctionwasnolongerrecognizable.Thereasonwassimple,itwasbecausethecontinental
shapeitselfhadchangedduetoanaturalphenomenonthattookplaceaftertheDuskofthe
Majesty.Throughmovementsandgroundupheavals,the4continentsturnedinto5,andalotof
smallislandnationswerescattered.Thismightbeoneofthecausesfortherebeingnodocuments
abouttheDuskoftheMajesty.
Bytheway,thecontinentwhereShinwascurrentlyat,wascalledtheContinentofEltnia.
Third,thebigcitythatwasformerlytheheadquarterbaseofadventurers.
Eachcontinenthadtwoorthreebigcitiesthatbecametheheadquarterbasefortheplayers.Each
cityfeaturedanenhanceddefenseandthecitystradeswerelively,itwasalsocrowdedalthough
therewasprejudiceincertainracesandjobs.Oneofthereasonswhypeoplegatheredtherewas
onlybecausebigcitieshavetemplesthatcouldbeusedforreincarnation.
ThosebigcitieswerenowcalledtheSacredPlace,andwerealsoseenastargetstoberecaptured.
Thoughthebigcitiesthatexistedweremostlythesamewithoutbeingaffectedbynaturaldisasters,
aftertheDuskoftheMajesty,eachcityturnedintoademoncitydominatedbyhighlevel
monsters.Theinvestigationcommitteewassentoncountlessoccasions,butthelowestlevelof
monstersexceeded500,anditwassaidthatanyonewhoenteredtheSacredPlacewouldnever
return.
Forsomereason,thehighlevelmonstersoftheSacredPlacenevercameoutsidethecities,andthe
overflowingmagicalpowercausedthesurroundinglandandplantstomutate.Inaddition,the
currentconditionshadalsocausedsuddenmassoutbreaksoflowlevelmonsters.
Then,theproblemis?
Hecontemplatedwhileputtinghishandonhischin.Ifthetopographyitselfhadchanged,thenhis
memoryfromduringthetimeofthegamewasunreliable.ThelocationsofElfsgardenandthe
Pixiesfairyvillageortheotherplaceswithlonglivedspecies,weredifferentfromhismemory,too.
Informationcollectionwaslikelytobedifficult.

Hmmph?
JustwhenhethoughtaboutaskingTieraandEls,Shinlookedupbecausehefeltsomeonesgaze.
Shinturnedhisfacetothedirectionofthegazeandsawacatearedgirl,probablyatelementaryto
primaryschoolstudentage,whowasstaringatShinfrom2melsaway.

Drool
Oi
Correction.ThecatearedlittlegirlwasintentlystaringattheskewerthatShinheld.Somehow,her
strongdesirecouldbeseen.

Uum

Errr

Doyouwanttoeatit?
ThelittlegirlsintensestaringwasinterruptedbyShin.Besidesherdesirewhichwerecompletely
revealed,herinnocenteyescausedShintofeelbad.
Sincehethoughtthatheboughttoomanyanyway,hetookoutafreshlycookedskewerfromthe
bagwhileholdinghishalfeatenskewerinhismouth,andpresentedittothegirl.
ShinintendedtosayDoyouwanttoeatit?,butonlygaveofftheincomprehensiblewordsFufu
ahitasaresultofhavingaskewerinhismouth.
Thoughitwasnotcertain,wassheabletodecipherShinspronunciation?Orwasitsimplybecause
oftheactofpresentingtheskewertoher.ThelittlegirllightlyrantowardShinandwithquick
Shu~batsusoundeffect,shetooktheskewerfromShinbyforce.Shesatnexttohimasshebegan

tostufftheyakitoriintohermouth.Themomentwhentheireyesmet,hercatearswentSyu~pin!,
evenShinwasalittlesurprised.
MugumuguHamuhamu(TLnote:munchingwithclosedmouthsfxandbitechewsfx)
Theyatethemeatsilentlyforawhile.WhenShinlookedatthegirlworkinghardtofillhersmall
mouth,hewasabletoconfirmherappearance.SomehowitmadeShinfeelheartwarming.
ThewordsyoungvagrantandbeggarappearedonShinsmindinadditionfromit.But,hedenied
thosekindofwordsimmediatelywhenhesawtheappearanceofthegirl.
Herclotheshadbeenmendedhereandthere,butsheworetheclothesproperly,andtherewasno
emaciationeither.Also,therewasnosignofaimingatoneswallet.Theremightbeapersonwho
raisedherwithatleastahometoreturnto,Shinjudged.
Whew,thanksforthedeliciousmeal.
Mm,yourewelcome.
Aftershefinishedeatingthelastbitneatly,thegirlbowedtoShin.
Oniichan,agoodperson.
Oh,thankyou.
Shinlookedatthelittlegirlwithasmalllaugh.Fromthecatears,heunderstoodthatthegirlmight
beabeastwhichbelongedtothefelinefamily.Onlythetipsofheryellowhairweredyedlight
brown,andhewonderedifshewasaTigerType.Because30%ofthepopulationoftheBayreuth
kingdomwereBeastashelearnedfromachatwithTsugumi,itwasnotparticularlyrare.
I,Millie.Oniichan?
Name?IamShin,justShin.
TogetherwithMillie
Together?
Millietoo,justMillie.
Ooh,indeedtogether.

Shinwasnotasurnamebecausethenameheusedexactlyhisplayername.Particularly,becauseit
wasntpointedoutandhedidntseeanyproblemskeepinghisnameasitwasduringthe
registrationintheguild.ItseemedthatthethoughtofatimidMilliehaddisappeared,andshe
seemedtobelookingdelightful.
Nowthen,IhavefinishedeatingthemeatandIhavetogosoon,butwhatwillMilliedo?ShouldI
sendyouhome?
Itsalright.Pickmeup,came.
Huh?Noway!Pickyouup?
ThedirectionwhereMilliepointedto,Shinwasunabletohidehissurpriseaboutthefigurethat
walkedtowardthem.
WhenthefigurenoticedthatMilliewaswithShin,itquickeneditspacetoapproachthem.
Oh!Wemeetagain,Shin.
Itsbeenawhilesincethelunch,Wilhelm.
AravenhairedmanwhohadthepresenceofabeastgreetedShin.So,whenMilliesaidpickup,it
wasnoneotherthanWilhelmAvis.
Wilnii!
MillieranandclungtoWilhelm.Shinwasastonishedattheunexpecteddevelopment.
Noway,Wilhelmschild?
Thatsnotit!Iamtakingcareofherattheorphanage!
Orphanage?
Ah,thatremindsme,ithasntbeenthatlongsinceyoucametothiscountry.
WhilepattingMillieshead,Wilhelmbrieflyexplained.Accordingtohim,achurchinthewest
districtwasdoublingasanorphanageandseemedtobetakingcareofchildrenwholosttheir
parentsinsomekindofcircumstances.Milliewasoneofthem.
Thisfellowskillfullysneakedoutfromtheorphanagesometimeago.Iwassearchingforherlikea

fool.
Didyougooutwithoutpermission?Icantreallyadmirethat.
Uu,sorry,Iam
Millie,whowasawareshehaddoneabadthing,apologizedobediently.Thecatearsalsowent
Shu~n*asonewouldexpectinfantasy.(TLnote:herearswilted,Ithink.)
Evenso,itsunusualforthispersontonotbeafraidlikethis.
Afraid?
IdontunderstandafterwhatIhaveseentoday,butthispersonisafraidofstrangers.Shedoesnt
approachstrangersattheirfirstmeeting.
Isthatso?
Onlytemptedbythemeat,Shinthought,butMillieshookherhead.WassheabletoreadShins
thoughts?Itseemedlikelyhehitthebullseye.Andforsomereason,itfeltlikeshesaidYoumust
notsayit.
Well,Idontwanttostayherefortoolong.ComeonMillie,letsgohome.
Wait!
SaidMillieassherantowardShin.
Whatswrong?
Ear,lend.
Likethis?
ShinsquatdownandbroughthisearclosetoMilliesmouth.Millie,whorantowardShininthe
samewayasshedidtoWilhelm,whisperedwordstoShinsear.
Byebye.
ShinsawMillieoffasshewasledbyWilhelmanddisappearedintothecrowd.
HewalkedtowardBearPointPavilionwhilethinkingaboutthewordshewastoldbyMillie.

AfterhereturnedtoBearPointPavilion,Shintookarestinhisroomashehadsomefreetime
beforedinner.
HesatonthebedandrecalledthewordsMilliewhispered,inhishead.
Helpthefoxsanwhichisinthenorthernforesthuh?
Duringthetimeofthegame,hewasabletodeterminewhattoexpectfromtheareainformation,
butunfortunately,hecouldntmakeaninferencenow,sincethetopographyhadgreatlychanged.
Hetiltedhisheadindoubtaboutwhetherornottherewouldbeafox.Atleast,afoxtypemonster
neverattackedShin.Themonsterswhichweresimilartoabear,asnake,andadogwereoften
foundandoccasionallyaflighttypeappeared.
Otherwildanimalswereextremelyrarebecausetherewerealotofmonsters,anditwassnakesand
ratsthathesawthemost.Amonsterwasawildanimalthatmutatedundertheinfluenceof
magicalpower,sonaturallytherewerecommonanimals.Still,hedidntrememberseeingafox
before.
Itsnogood,Idontknownothingaboutit.
Theanswerdidntappearnomatterhowmuchhethoughtaboutit.Butshesaidhelp.That
mightbesomethingimminent.Especiallytheareaofthenorthernforestinthevicinityofthe
Bayreuthkingdom,wheretheriskwasquitehigh.
ShemighthavejudgedShinasanadventurerbecausehewasanacquaintanceofWilhelms,
althoughitseemedstrangethatsherequestedShinduringtheirfirstmeeting.
Itwasnotsomethingthathemustdojustbecauseitwasrequested.However,ifhedidntdo
anything,itwouldleaveabitterfeeling.ShindecidedtoplanfortomorrowaswellasforMillies
request.Incidentally,heintendedtomeetTiera,andfinishthemessagetoSchnee.
SoIhavedecidedmealitis.
Theyakitorihadalreadybeendigested.Shinwentdownstairstoeatdinner.

Dawnofthenextday.
ShindepartedfromBearPointPavilionandpassedthroughthemainstreetwheretherewere

crowdedstallstowardsthesouthgate.Whenheexitedfromthegate,therewerepeopleliningup
toenterthecountry,incontrasttoShinwhowasleaving.
Shinmovedalongtherampart,whileignoringthepeople.TsukinoHokorawaslocatedbetween
thesouthgateandtheeastgate,infact,itwasclosertothesouthgate.Theplacewheretrees
openedcameintoviewafterwalkingforalittlewhile.
Asbefore,therewerehugetreesenclosingTsukinoHokorawithabouta1melthickness,itgaveoff
theimpressionthatitwasseparatedfromitssurroundings.ItwasbecauseTsukinoHokorawas
originallybuiltattheoutskirtsoftheArclidcontinent,whichwasoneofthe4continents.The
groundwhereShinlived,whichwastheEltniacontinent,mightoriginallyhavebeenpartofthe
Arclidcontinent.
TheArclidcontinentwasanevenmoresuperiorareathantheHouzentcontinent,theareaof
advancedlevelplayers.Moreover,therewereoriginallymanyquestsandmonsterswhichhada
higherdegreeofdifficultythaninthecommonareasoftheotherthreecontinents.Besides,there
werealsoqueststhatbeginnerandintermediateplayerscouldreceive,butplayerswhoyearnedfor
unusualquests,wantedtofightwithstrangemonsters,hadoftenvisitedthere.Inasense,the
playersweremostlygatheredregardlessoftheirlevelsandjobs.
ItcouldbesaidthatthevisitorswhocametoTsukinoHokora,duetobeingbuiltintheoutskirt
area,weremostlyadvancedlevelplayers.Seldomtherewereplayerswhosoughtshelterafter
escapingfrommonsters.Bytheway,theaveragelevelofmonstersintheareawhereTsukino
Hokorawasbuiltwasaround600.Meanwhilethelowestslightlyexceeded200,andneedlessto
say,thehighestwas1000.Itwasinthepast,butthestorewassetupcasuallynearthehabitatofa
bossmonster.EventheplayersreplenishedtheiritemsinTsukinoHokorabeforechallengingthe
boss.
IfIthinkaboutitIwonderwhathappenedtothemonstersthatwereintheArclidcontinent.
Theycertainlyshouldhavegottenonwhenthecontinentsstucktogether.Didtheyperishalong
withthenaturaldisasters?
Certainly,ifthemonstersstillexisted,theBayreuthkingdomwouldbedestroyed.Anyway,there
wasmonsterswiththehabitakintoants,too.Themonsterslevelsexceeded600andappearedin
randomareasaltogether.Itwasannoyingtotheadvancedlevelplayers,theintermediatelevel
playersranawayorwentaroundit,andbeginnerlevelplayershadnochoicebuttoacknowledge
deathandreturn.Aplacewheremostofthepeoplegathered,suchasacountryandsoon,was
unlikelytobetargeted,butbecauseoftherateoftheencountersrose,thenumberofparty
memberswasincreased.
However,hestilldidntknow,nomatterhowmuchhethoughtaboutit.Sincedamagewasnot

dealt,weresomemeasurestaken?Anyway,theremightbeareasonastowhetherthemonstersthat
perishedappearedornot.Hewasconvincedthatonewouldnotbeabletoestablishthecountry
andtheroadsifitwasnotso,andhestoppedthinkingaboutitforamoment.Infact,itmightbe
possiblethatthereweredifferentcontinentgroundsoutsidethesurroundingsofTsukinoHokora.
HekepthisquestionstohimselfandstoodinfrontofTsukinoHokora.Whenhevisitedafewdays
ago,hewasrelievedthatthestorestillexistedanddidnotnoticeit,butawoodentallyabout20
cemelsacrossverticallyand10cemelswidehungatthedoorwhichwastheentranceofthestore.It
hadthelettersThestorekeeperstruggleshardinsideonit.ThisexpressedthatTsukinoHokora
wasdoingbusinessnormally.AndithadthelettersThestorekeeperhaslefthomeontheback.
Thisexpressedtheclosingtimeforthestorefrommaterialcollectingornotbeingloggedinandso
forth.
Heopenedthedoorwhileadmiringthatthewoodentallywasstillbeingusedandenteredthe
store.WhenShinsteppedforwardinthestorebyonestep,alightChiri~nsoundofthebellwas
made.Itwouldringwhensomeoneenteredthestore.Apparently,theknightsdidntshowup
today.
Welcome!Oh,Shin.
Yo,IcametoleaveamessageIhadforgottenabout.
WhenshesawthatitwasShinwhoentered,Tierasexpressionchangedfromasmileintoahappy
face.Thesilveryhairthathadreturnedtoitsoriginalhairshinedbecauseofthelightfromthe
windows.
Thatremindsme,Icompletelyforgotaboutthat.
WhensheheardShinsspeech,shedidtheexpressionAh!asifsherememberedsomethingshe
hadforgotten.Still,therewasnohelpforforgettingaboutitwhenhethoughtabouttheprevious
event.(TLnote:hereferstothecurseremovalevent)
Then,IwantyoutoconveytoherthatIwanttomeetandtalkifsheremembersthis.
Shinsaidandplacedanobject,whichhetookoutfromhisItemBox,onthecounter.
Itwasadarkblueninjasword,therewereflowersengravedonthesheathandhandle,whichTiera
hadneverseenbefore.Itwaswellengravedinsuchdetail,whichturnedtheninjaswordweapon
intoaworkofart.

Tiera?
Oh!
ShincalledouttoTierawhowasstaringattheninjasword.Tieraabruptlyreturnedduetohis
voice.
Whatsthematter?
HeyShin,ThisisthisbyanychanceanAncientgradeweapon?
Tieralookedattheninjaswordwithanimpossibleface.Asifshewasseeingadazzlingthing,she
squintedhereyes.
Youknow?ThisguyiscertainlyanAncientgradeweapon.ThisisSchneespersonalweapon,
namedBlueMoon.
Masterspersonalweapon?
Thatsright,ifImnotmistaken,Schneemightnotbeusingherpersonalweaponnow,right?
Well,tobeginwith,Idontknowwhatapersonalweaponis
Youdontknow?
Shin,whothoughtitwascertainlyknown,wassurprisedthatthewordspersonalweaponwasnt
known.
Thepersonalweaponwassetuh,itstheweaponwhichonlyanauthorizedpersoncanuse.In
thecaseofBlueMoon,onlySchneeorthecompanionwhomshehadpermittedcanuseit,
excludingmewhoisthemaker.BecauseifIleaveit,thenevenifitsTierawhoistryingto,you
cannottouchthisguywithoutpermission.
Itwasafunctioninthegamethatwasgrantedtoitems,andcouldbeacceptedasarewardinthe
timeofaneventsoitcouldntbesnatched.Itwasgrantedtoweaponshemadeasasymbolofthe
guild.
Therewerefewpeoplewhowereabletograntthefunctionofpersonalweapon,becauseonlythe
firstclassofblacksmithsandalchemistscouldproduceit.
Theuserslimitationcometothinkofit,Ihaveheardthatsomeoftheweaponsexcavatedfrom

ruinsarenotusabletoanyone.Perhapsitsbecauseofthat?
Itwasprobablysomeonespersonalweapon.Ifthatsthatcase,eveniftheweaponwasdiscovered,
theresnowaytouseorevenresearchit.OnlyweaponsthatarehigherthanLegendgradecan
begrantedthefunctionofpersonalweapon,soitwasdefinitelyahighpower.Evenaguywithlevel
1becomesabletodefeataTetraGrizzlyeasily,butonlyifheisabletousetheweapon.
Whatanoutrageousability.
Tieracouldnthelpbutbeamazedbytheperformancethatwasfarbeyondexpectation.Onewould
bedubiousiftheyonlyheardtheexplanation,butwhentheninjasword,whichhidanabsurd
power,wasplacedbeforeoneseyes,theyhadnochoicebuttobelieveit.
ShincasuallyplacedtheninjaswordBlueMoononthecounter.However,toTieraitlooked
liketheBlueMoonhadadistortedappearancearoundit.Tieraunderstoodhowpowerfulit
was,evenifshedidnthavemuchbattleexperience.
Itiscertainlyaswordwithremarkablepower.ButIdontwanttouseit.
Oh,forwhatreasonwouldyounotuseit?
Becauseitlookslikeitsgoingtoengulfme,Iwonder.
Tieraintuitivelyunderstood,andwasconvincedatthesametime.Thiscertainlygavetheusera
greatpower.Butiftherewasnoabilitytocorrespondwithit,itwouldunderminetheuser.
Engulfhuh?Itsprobablybecauseofitsmaterials.
WhenTieraswordswereheard,thefirstthingthatcametoShinsmindwasthepenaltygenerated
whenequippingweaponsthatdidnotcorrespondwithoneslevel.Anecessarystatsvaluewasset
foreachweapon.Inaddition,statuswouldbeloweredwhenequippingaweaponinthestate
whereonedidntreachsaidnecessarystatsvalue.OneportionofLegendgrade,
MythologygradeandAncientgradewereimpossibleforhimtoequipatall.(Editorsnote:
ThereasonforoneportionpartisprobablybecauseofShinsLUConly36)
However,hethoughtthatthephrasetoengulfwasdifferent,sohedecidedtoexplainwhat
materialstheweaponwasmadeof.
Really?Whatdidyouuse?
ThemainalloyiscalledChimeradite.AndthereisthetuskofaBlackDeathDragon,scalesofa

SeaWarBeast,andteardropsofanElementTail,allwhichwerefusedtogether.Thefourmaterials
Imentionedjustnowarethemainones,althoughtherewerevariousotheressentialmaterials.Its
aguess,butitsprobablycausedbythetuskoftheBlackDeathDragonorbythescalesoftheSea
WarBeast.Bothmonstersarethehighestclass.

Tiera?
AlthoughTieraheardtheexplanationfromShin,itcouldbesaidthatshecouldntcomprehendit,
assheputherhandonherforeheadandwrinkleswereseenintheareabetweenhereyebrows.
No,Imnotsurprisedanymore.Yeah,forexample,evenifwhatIheardjustnowarethe
creaturesoflegendsImallright.Yes,itsallright.
No,youdontlookalrightatall.
ShininstinctivelyretortedtoTierawhowasshakingherheadtothesoundofthecommonsensein
herselfcrumbling.
Asusual,Shinstillwasntaccustomedtothenormsofthisworld,althoughthistimethecommon
sensewasevenfurtheroutofplace.Whichwasntsurprising,becausethemonstersShinspokeof
werecurrentlynothingbutnamesthatheldamightypowerandwererememberedonlyinlegends.
Onewouldthinkitwasajokewhentoldthatthematerialwasmadefrommonstersthathadthe
powertoinducenaturaldisasters.
Haa,mycommonsenseseemstobeshatteredonebyonewheneverItalktoyou.
Eh,becauseofme?
Ofcourse.YoucasuallytakeoutanAncientgradeweapon,evenimpossibilityhasitslimits,
youknow?
Evenifyousayso,whetherornotSchneeremembersmewilldependonthis.
ShinsaidwhilelookingattheBlueMoon.SchneespersonalequipmentwasentrustedtoShin
beforehechallengedOrigin.ThiswasdonenotonlybySchnee,butbyallsupportcharactersas
well.ItwasconsideredsomethinglikeagoodluckcharmbeforeShinfoughtagainstthefinalboss.
Thusnow,othersupportcharactersequipmentwerealsowaitingfortheirturninsideShinsItem
Box.

UnlessShinmetSchneedirectly,therewasalsoapossibilitythatthemessagewasntreadbyher.
SincethenameShinmightbeacommonname,hethoughtaboutleavinganitem.
Thoughsuchthingsarehandedover,thepeoplewhoareabletomeetmasterarerare.Butwitha
personlikeyou,mastermight
SimilarwithShin,TieralookedattheBlueMoonwhilenoddingasshewasconvinced.
Sofar,expensiveclothes,jewels,andvariousrareitemsweresent.Nevertheless,thefigureofher
masterwhodidntshowanyinterestappearedinTierasmind.Becauseshecouldeasilyimagine,
hermasterwasntinterestedeveninitemsthatwereequivalenttoLegendgradeandwould
simplynotlookatthevariousexpensiveitems.
EventhoughSchneeignoredtheLegendgradeitems,Tieraslightlydeviatedabitfromher
evaluationofhermastersinterestforBlueMoon.
Usethisifshesaysthatsheremembers.ItshouldcontactmewhereverIam.
HesaidandputamessagecardandwritingpaperwithasimpledesignnexttotheBlue
Moon.
Icancontactyoubyusingthis?
Yes,thoughitsonlyoneway.Writethenameoftheaddresseeonthewritingpaperandthe
messageyouwanttosendhere.Afterthat,youonlyneedsaysend.
Shinexplainedtheusagewhilepointingatthewritingpaperandthemessagecard.Itwasanitem
usedoftenonbirthdayandChristmasinthegame.Therewerepeoplewhomadeanelaboratecard
whichinducedafancyspecialeffectthemomentitwasopened.
Theitemwasonlyusedatcertaintimes,becausenormallyitwasfastertoemailinthegame,butit
wascertainlyaconvenientitem,becauseinthefirstplace,functionssuchasemailandfriendlist
werenotusableinthisworld.
Itemsasconvenientlikethisexisttoo
Idonotuseittoomuchandthereareplentyleft.
Theitemwasrarelyused,evenifhegotmanymessagecardsandalotofwritingpaperasquest
andeventrewards.Thoughtheywerenotreallyusefulinthegame,theitemswereunexpectedly
handyinreality.

Ifthisthingbecomespopular,Ithinkthatwouldbeamazing.
Iguessso.
Itcouldreachtheaddresseewherevertheywere,ifviewedfromTieraspointofview,itwas
equivalenttoatechnologyrevolution.
Unfortunately,Shindidnthaveanyinterestininitiatingatechnologyrevolution.Inthefirstplace,
theitemsnowwerethethingsthatoriginallyexistedinTHENEWGATE.Someonemightinventit
soonerorlater,Shinthought.
Hey,Ithinkratherthanrequestingmetopassonthemessage,arentyouabletocontactmaster
directlywiththis?
Tierasaidlikesomeonewhosuddenlythoughtaboutitwhileholdingthemessagecardwithone
hand.
Well,actually,IcanonlysendthistosomeoneIhavemetdirectly,butIwasnotabletosenditto
Schnee,whomIshouldhavemet,forsomereason.
Shinalsothoughtitwasagoodideatosenditdirectly.However,forsomereason,themessagewas
notsentandhewasnotabletocontactSchnee.Tobeginwith,itwasamysterywhyamessagecard
wasusablebutanemailwasnot.
Wasthereadefectinthecard?HeranoutsidetoshowittoTierainpractice,andsentthemessage.
Tierawassurprisedatthewritingpaperwhichsuddenlyappearedinfrontofher,butatleasthe
seemedtounderstandthattheitemwasnotdefective.
(Itlookslikethelistwasreset.)
Thiswouldbethereasonwhyhewasnotabletosendit,Shinguessed.
Therewasonesentence,Letssendyourfeelingstopeoplewhomyouvemetinadventures,inthe
explanationcolumnofthemessagecard.Forexample,hewouldnotbeabletosendthemessageto
apersonhehadnevermetbeforeinthisworld,evenifhehadmettheminthegameera,Shin
thought.
Nene~,canIgetadditionalonesifyouhaveanymore?
ThoughIdontminditinparticular,Ithinkyoushouldnotuseitwithsomeonewhodoesntknow
aboutthis.

Ratherthanuseit,Iwanttoresearchit.EventhoughImayappearthisway,Iwanttoknowthe
mechanismwhenIlookatthisunusualmagicitem,becauseIaimtobeamage.
Infact,eversinceheusedthemessagecard,Tierahadsparklingeyeslikeachildthathadfounda
funtoy.
Well,ifthatsthecase,itsgoodthen.SoIwillgiveyouanotherfive.Dontusethemall,sinceit
includestheoneforSchneesresponse,okay?AndbecauseIgiveyouthis,pleasemakeitan
appropriateserviceforthemessagefee.
Shindidntthinkitwasagoodideatodistributetheitemsjustbecausetheywereinexcess,he
proposedthatatleastatrialrunforthefreemessageservicewasneeded.
Iunderstand.Berelieved,becauseIhavenointentiontouseitthoughtlessly.Itwillturnintoa
commotionifpoorlyusedonsomeone.AndIdonotmeanforyoutogivethistomeforfree.For
thetimebeing,thepriceforthemessageisfreeofcharge.Youcanexpectcompensationforthe
rest,aswell.
Theoutcomeseemedtogainhimsomeprivilege,inadditiontothepricebecomingfree.Whenhe
reconfirmedthatitwasvaluableafterall,Shinmadeamentalnotetoavoidusingitinpublic
places.
AsforTiera,shewonderedwhattotestiton,andseemedtobehappy.ItwasShinwhothought
thatsheshouldaimtobeanalchemistifshelikedtoresearch,butdidnotsayitexpressively,
becauseamagedidntnecessarilynotengageinresearch.Actually,thereweremanyplayerswith
job:mage,subjob:alchemist.
Then,thatsallfromme.MybestregardstoSchnee.
Leaveittome.Iwillhavemasterseeitfirst,whenmasterreturns.
ShinexchangedgoodbyesandleftTsukinoHokora.
Icouldusethemessagecardtosenditrightaway!Tierarealized,shortlyafterShinleft.

Vol.1Chapter4Part3
AfterleavingTsukinoHokora,Shinwentstraighttothenorthernforest.Sinceencounteringthe
guildsstaffthatcametoinvestigatetheSkullFacewouldbetroublesome,headvancedwhile
confirmingthattherewasnooneinthesurroundingarea.
Hedidnthavethedirection,sohedependedmostlyonhisinstinct.Butheaimedatthedepthsof
theforestfirst,becausethedepthsoftheforestfeltsomehowsuspicious.Still,becausehethought
thattheencounterwiththeinvestigatorscouldnotbeavoidedwhenhewenttotheplacewherethe
SkullFaceappeared,headvancedtowardtheoppositedirectionofwheretheSkullFacewas.It
wasthedirectionhedidnotwalkwhenhecameherebefore.
ThepositionwheretheSkullFaceexistedwasthesoutheastofthenorthernforest.SinceShinwas
aimingtoadvancetothedepthsoftheforest,hetookthewestroutenearthecenterpartofthe
northernforest.Treesgrewthickerandshutoutthedaylightasheadvancedfartherintotheforest.
Thedarknesswaslikethenight,andcouldnotbecomparedtotheeasternforest.Theheightsof
thetreesaloneeclipsedthoseintheeasternforest,andwiththedarkandthickatmospherehefelt
likeitwasrefusingapersontoadvancetotheitsdepths.
Infact,thedeeperheadvancedintotheforest,themoreShinthoughtaboutnotapproachingin
hismind.Itwasnotperceptionorforesight.Moreprecisely,therewassomethingthatwasaffecting
hisconsciousnessinthisplace.
(This,isthisabarrier?)
Thoughhewasnotcertain,themoreShinmovedforward,thestrongerhesensedtheintentionto
obstructhim.Itwassomekindofprotectionbarrierthatwaserected.
ButthebarrierorsomethingwasnothingtoShinashemovedrapidly.Eventhoughhewasgoing
aheadlikeitwasnothing,tobeginwith,ifitwerenormalhumans,itwouldnotbepossibleforthem
toapproachthebarrier,asthefeelingofavoidanceincreasedastheygotcloser.However,the
barrierwasnoteffectiveagainstShin,especiallyafterheputsomeefforttostrengthenagainstthe
mindinterferencesystem.Rather,itwasnotifyinghimThereissomethingahead!.
Shinwalkedearnestlytowardthedirectionwherethesensewasgettingstrongerwhileobservinghis
surroundings.Noneofthemonstersappearedbecauseoftheeffectofthebarrier.
Hecontinuedwalkingforawhile,andthemomenthepassedthesideofaparticularlybigtree,the

darknesswasclearedbeforehiseyesandasoftlightgentlyshineduponShin.
Therewasanopenspacewithadiameterofabout30melsasifitwascutintothegroundina
circle.Andabrightcinnabarredtorii*andacozyShintoshrinewerebuiltthere.(TLnote:a
JapanesegatewayoflightconstructioncommonlybuiltattheapproachtoaShintoshrine)
Thisplaceisthecenterofthebarrier?
Becauseofthementalinterferencethathadbeenreceivedwhenhefirstenteredtheforestabruptly
endedwhenhesetfootintheshrine,heguessedthatitwaslikelyhehadcomeofffromthebarrier
effect.Still,hedidnotthinkthattherewouldbeaShintoshrine.
Hmm?ThisShintoshrine,IthinkIveseenitsomewherebefore.
Hefeltlikeherememberedthathesawitsomewherebefore,andtiltedhishead.TheJapanesestyle
architecturewasnotrareatthetimeofthegame,buttherewerenotmanyenthusiastswhobuilta
Shintoshrine.Hethoughtthathecouldrememberitinstantly,butcouldnt,nomatterwhat.
Forthetimebeing,shouldIenterfirst?
Becauseitwasabsurdtoagreebyhimself,hepassedthroughthetoriiatonceandenteredthe
Shintoshrine.
Therewasaroadfromthetorii,straighttothemainshrine.Theonlybuildingswerethetoriiand
themainshrine,notevenoneoftheessentialpartsofaShintoshrinelikeguardianliondogs,a
purifyingbasinandoffertoryboxwerepresent.
Didtheairchange?
However,themomenthepassedthroughthetorii,theairwhichsurroundedShinchanged
completelytoshowthatthiswasaholyplace,althoughthebuildingwasonlyamainshrine.
Shinscheekwasbrushedbyarefreshingwindthatcouldmakehimforgetthathewasinthe
middleofaforest.Shinnoticedmuchstrongermixedscentsofvariouscreaturesthatcamethrough
themiddleoftheforest.Itmadeonerealizethatthiswasaspecialplace.
InsidetheShintoshrine,itseemedtobewellmanagedasitwasnotparticularlyrough.Themain
shrinehadahigherfloor,andfewdecorations.IfseenbypeoplewhoonlyknewageneralShinto
shrine,theywouldfeeluncomfortable.
AmomentbeforeShinarrivedatthemainshrine,apishirisoundreachedhisears.

Whatisthat?
Itwasthesoundofsomethinglikeglasscracking.Therewasapossibilitythatabarrierwas
cracked,hethought.Anditwasnotaniceforeboding.
Isitprobablybecauseofme?Helookedaround,buttherewasnochangeinparticularinthe
vicinity.Theclearatmospheredidntchangeandthesacredairhadnotweakenedeither.Tobegin
with,Shinhadntdoneanything.
Thedoorofthemainshrinewasslightlyopen.
Itwassomewhattellinghimtoopenitquickly.Thoughtherewasnogapforhimtolookthrough
inside,itwasreallydifficulttoignorehiscuriosityoncehewasinterested.
ShouldItrytoopenit?
Whilethinkingthattherewasnothingmuchtosay,Shinopenedthemainshrinedoorandwas
exposedtoafullviewofagloomyroomreceivinglightfromoutside.
Theletterswrittenonthefloorwerethefirstthingshesaw.TheSanskritcharacterslikeletterswere
lineduptoformacircle.Abigcirclewaswrappingaroundseveralsmallerones,andthe
appearanceofitwasjustlikeamagicformation.
Andinitscenter.Onefigurelayatthemiddleofthevarioussizedcircles.
Afox?
Itwasayoungfox,whichhadasilvercoatoffur,thatwaslyingdownonthefloorexhausted,
whileitsbodywasexposedtolight.
Isntitcarefreebeingseenlikethis?
Whenheconfirmedtherewasnotrap,Shinrushedovertotheyoungfox.Therewasnovisible
injury,buttheHPgaugeoftheyoungfoxwasintheredzone.Moreover,itwassufferingfrom
abnormalitystatesPoisonandCurse.Itwasonlyamatteroftimeuntilitranoutof
vitalityifitwasleftunattendedinthisstate.
ThefoxthatMilliementioned,isitthisfox?
Itwascertainlynotacommonfoxasitwasinaplacelikethis.Hewouldthinkaboutitlaterasit
wasnotthetimeforit.ShinopenedtheItemBoxfromthemenuscreen,selectedtheallpurpose

cureElixirfromthelistofitemslinedinarowsandtookitoutdirectlyasanitem,nottheitem
card.Thenheflickedthecapopenwithhisthumb.Thefullphialofgoldenliquidcouldcompletely
restoreHP,MP,lossofbodypartsandremoveabnormalitiesexceptoneportionofit.Whenhe
triedtoputittothemouthoftheyoungfox,acrashingsoundreachedShinsears.Theloudsound
waslikealargeamountofglassesbreakingallatonceoccurringmultipletimesinsuccession.
Whatisitnow!?
ShinpromptlyactivatedSignPerceptionandperceivedthestateofthesurroundings.Sign
Perceptionwasnotthesamewiththemonstersonlytypeofdetection,Search.Sign
Perceptionwascapableofdeterminingthepositionofmonstersandplayerswithinacertain
range.ThedisadvantagetoSearchwasitsnarrowperceptionrange,butitwasmoreeffective
toinvestigateanareafromtheshadowsofbuildingsorobstacles.
Shinconfirmedthataboutroughly50monstersormorewereapproachingthemainshrine.
Apparentlythesoundalittlewhileagolookedlikethebarrierwasbroken.Hecouldseethatred
markerssurroundedthemainshrineandthattheencirclementwasgraduallyshrinking,likeants
thatgatheredaroundsugar,whenhelookedatthemap.
(Aretheyaimingforthisfox?)
ShinthoughtwhilelookingatthefoxcryingKuuweakly.Hemadethefoxdrinktheelixirsoits
abnormalsstatewascured,anditsvitalitywassmoothlyrecoveredfromtheredzonetoyellowand
thengreen.Thoughitsvitalityhadrecovered,thefoxstillseemedtobeinaweakenedstate,anda
lotoftimehadpassedsinceShinrestoredittoitsnormalstate.
First,activateBarrier!!
Shindeployedthehighestlevelbarrierbeforetheenemiescomecloser.Abarrierwasformed
aroundthemainshrineandblockedthemarchoftheredmarkers,andtheenemiescrowded
outsidethebarrier.
Tobehonest,Shindidntfullyunderstandthesituationyet,buthedidntevenconsidertheoption
ofabandoningtheyoungfoxhere.ItraiseditsheadwhiletremblingasitwatchedShin.Theyoung
foxwasloweredonthefloorwherethepatternlikemagicformationwasdrawn,andafteritshead
waspatted,Shinstoodup.
Kuu
Waithereamoment.Imabouttokickthoseintruders.

Hesaidandturnedhisbacktotheyoungfoxandopenedthemainshrinedoortogoout.After
Shinexitedthemainshrine,hesawthefiguresofSkullFaceswhichcrowdedontheoutsideofthe
barrier.Theywerewearingrustedswordsandarmor,andtheskeletonsoldiershadadimlightin
holloweyes,gatheringaroundthebarrierlikesleepwalkers.
BecausetheSkullFacescouldntbreakthebarrier,Shincalmlytookinaviewofthewholescene.
Iftheirqualityisbad,thentheirquantityisendless?
ShinmutteredwhilelookingatthecrowdofSkullFacesthatextendedpasthisfieldofvision.An
individualwithuniqueequipmentandlevelliketheJackclasshefoughtlasttimewasnotfoundin
thecrowdoftheSkullFacethatweresurroundingShin,itwascomposedofPawnclassandJack
classthatsimilartoShinsknowledge.
Shin,whounderstoodthattheSkullFaceshavesurroundedhimfromSignPerceptionskill
activation,switchedtoSearchskill,whichcouldcoverawiderarea.Withtheenlarged
detectionrangebyfocusingonlyonthemonstersastargets,hecouldpinpointalloftheSkull
Faces.
Itwastheamountthatbecametheproblemthistime.ThankstoSearch,heunderstoodthat
thenumberofenemieswascloseto3digits.TherewasapossibilitythattheBayreuthkingdom
mightreceivedthecollateraldamageagain,too,ifheletthemslipevenalittle.
ItcrossedShinsmindafterhesawthepoolofbloodthatspreadonthegroundandtherewere
barelyanyhumanremainsnearby.Thoughhehadnointentiontoputonairsforjusticenow,it
wasaboutthedispositionoftryingtonotdealunnecessarydamage.
Youguysareevil.Notoneofyouwillgetawayfromthis.
Whileadvancingonesteptowardthem,ShintookoutanewweaponfromtheItemBox.Itwasa
spearwhichmaterializedinhishand.Thehandleshoneinsilver,thebladewasvividgreenasifa
jadehadbeenattachedtothetip.Becausemagichadbeenbestowed,thewholespearwaswrapped
inawhiteradiance.
Herotatedthespearwithhisrighthandonceandpointedthetipforwardtothecrowdofenemies,
Limitwasreleasedtoinonebreath.(TLnote:hisstrengthwasreleasedfrom1/10to1/2)He
confirmedthathisstrengthwasreleasedtoapointwherehecouldcompletelycontrolit,
furthermore,hiscombatabilitiesefficiencywasrisen,too.Shinkickedthegroundforwardand
rushedatthecrowdofSkullFaces.
Hereisthefirstblow!!

Simultaneously,heinvokedthespearmanshipsystemmartialartsskill,FurrowPiercewhile
dashing.Thetipofthespearpenetrated,byShinsphysicalstrength,throughseveralSkullFacesin
amass.Anemeraldgreenlightwasgeneratedbytheinvocationoftheskill,whileatthesametime
formingaspiralalongwiththeswords,armor,andSkullFacesspinningtogether.TheSkullFaces
wereshatteredtoverysmallpiecesbypowerrivalingacannonballthathadbeenfiredina
horizontalpath,andafurrowwasformedmadeofbonesandironfragmentsinastraightline.
ShinwasabletoescapetheencirclementoftheSkullFaceswithoutchangingthemomentumofhis
charge.
Nextone.StarMine!
DozensoflightorbsappearedaroundShinwhileheinvokedtheskill,itwasarrangedtosurround
thegroupsofSkullFace.
Lighttechniquesystemmagicskill,StarMine.Askillwithlightattributethatcouldsetup
minelikelightorbsinthesky.
ThegeneratedlightorbswaslocatedfurtheroutsideoftheSkullFacesthatsurroundedthemain
shrine,itwastocutoffthewayofretreatsotheSkullFacecouldnotescapeintotheforest.
Afterhemadesurethattheinstallationoflightorbshadbeencompleted,Shinrelaunchedhis
attacktotheSkullFacesthatstillgatheredaroundthebarrier.
Thistimeitwastheskillofthespearmanshipsystemmartialarts,SparkBlossomwasused.
Needlesstosay,theSkullFaceswereshatteredwhenreceivingthedirecthitfromthespearthatleft
atrailofemeraldlightinahorizontalline.Furthermore,piecesofcrushedarmorandswordswere
senttowardtheSkullFacesthatwereoutsidethespearsrange.Thoseblownoffbyasingleblow
fromtheextraordinarypowerwerePawnclassandJackclass,theywerepiercedwithoutany
regard.TheSkullFacessituationwereliterallylikebuzzinginbeehive.
AlthoughtheSkullFacesofJackclassraisedtheirswordsandtriedtoattackShin,theywere
returnedbyShinsspearandthefragmentsofbonesandironsbecameimpromptubulletsthat
piercedtheirallies.
Anotherone!!
Shinwieldedthespearfreelywithunimaginablespeedinonehand.NearlytenSkullFacesnearby
weredefeatedinoneblowwhenheusedtheskill.Moreover,thefragments,likeashotgunattack,
furtherdecreasedthenumberquickly.

TheplacewassocompletelymonopolizedbyShin,thatnotevenasingleSkullFacecouldsurvive.

SinceShinstartedthebattle,thegroupofSkullFaceswascompletelywipedoutinlessthanten
minutes.TheremainsoftheSkullFaceswerescatteredintheareaaroundthebarrierandthe
groundcouldntbeseen.Becausehedidnthaveanyintentionstocleanuptheremains,heignored
themandpretendedhedidnotseethemashereturnedtothemainshrine.
Whenheopenedthemainshrinedoorandenteredinside,ayoungfoxjumpedathimasitwas
waitingforShin.
Ku!!
Gee!Ththatsadangerousthingtodo,you.
Healmostlosthisbalancewhileholdingtheyoungfoxinarm,herubbeditsheadwhilestepping
downfromthestairsandstoodontheground.Itsphysicalconditionwascompletelyrestored,too.
Theexhaustedappearancethathadimprovedsincealittlewhileagowasnotfeltinyoungfoxasit
constantlylickedShinsface.
Bytheway,whatwillyoudofromnowon?
Helookedatthesurroundingsthatwereinapitifulstatewhileholdingtheyoungfox.Inaddition,
thesacredatmospherethathesenseduntilawhileagowasnotfelt.Thepowerprotectingthe
Shintoshrinealongwiththebarrierthatbrokemighthavevanished.
Ku?
Cometothinkofit,Idontknowmuchaboutyouyet.
AlthoughhehelpedtheyoungfoxwiththeimpetusofMilliesrequest,unexpectedly,thisyoungfox
hadalotofmysteries.WhenShinfirstfoundtheyoungfox,hewasbeingdistractedbyitslow
vitality,andhejustnoticedthathedidntevenconfirmitsnameyetuntilnow.Heonlyknewthat
thisyoungfoxwasakindofmonster,becauseonlyplayersandmonstershadanHPgaugeinthe
game.
Icompletelyforgottocheckitsname.Afterall,isitaLittleFox?
Whilecitingthenameofthemonsterthatwaspopularasapet,hereadtheinformationaboutthe
youngfoxwithAnalyze.WhilebeingheldbyShin,theyoungfoxlookedpuzzled,not

understandingthemeaningofwords.
Uhm,name,name?
Shinsgazestoppedatthepositionofthemonstersname.Thenamethatwaswrittentherehad
gonefarabovetheShinsimagination.
E,ElementTailseriously?
Ku!
Asifittotallyagreed!TheyoungfoxsreactionshowedthatitseemedtoconveyitwasanElement
Tail.ItwasnowonderthatShinbecamestiff.TheElementTailwasamonstercalledNineTailed
Fox,orKyuubiamongplayers,andwasoriginallypartofthehighestclassofmonsterswhichboast
Lv.1000inTHENEWGATE.
ItwasalwaysinthetopintheTHENEWGATEstrongestmonsterrankingchosenbyplayers,and
Shinwhodidnotconsideredthepossibilitythatthenameofsuchmonsterappeared,cannothelp
buttobeataloss.
WhatshouldIdo?WhatshouldIdo,seriously?
TheleveloftheElementTailwas211atthepresenttimewhenheexamineditindetail.Itwasa
levelalreadydangerousenoughaccordingtotheresidentsofthisworld.Itmightnothavea
parents,asitwasseenalone.Ifsayincidentally,itwasthelifeofShinthatwasindanger.An
ElementTailwasanopponentthatcouldbesaidwasabsurdtobechallengedaloneevenifone
wereamaxedstatsplayer.ShinmightdefeatitafterreleasingallLimit,butatleastthe
northernforestwouldbeburntdowntotheground.
WhatisanElementTaildoinginaplacelikethis?JustlikeArclidthatsit!!ThatwasElement
Tailisntit!!
ThesensedthathehadseenitsomewherebeforewhenhelookedattheShintoshrine.He
rememberedthecauseandunintentionallyraisedhisvoice.
ThequestrelatedtotheElementTailoftheShintoshrinecomposedofonlythemainshrineand
thetorii,butitwasaplacethatonewenttovisitina.k.a.theKyuubiquest.Actuallytherewasa
detachedbuildingseparatelyfromtheShintoshrine,butitmighthavecollapsedfromanatural
disaster.TheShintoshrineitselfwasprobablyprotectedbythebarrierthatShinfelt.Itwasnot
strangeeveniftheElementTailwashereifhethoughtaboutitthatway.

Anyway,halfofthevisitorswhocametoTsukinoHokorawereplayerswhochallengedtheKyuubi
quest.InasenseitcouldbesaidthatShinwasreceivingincooperationwiththesalesofthestore
duringthegame.
ShinunderstoodthattherewasanElementTailinthisplace,buttherewasthequestionremain,
aboutwhatitwoulddofromnowon.TherewasonlyanadultformoftheElementTailthat
appearedintheShintoshrineintheKyuubiquestoriginally,andtherewasnomonstersuchasthe
youngfox.
You,whatdoyouwanttodofromnowon?
Thoughitwasnotpossibletotalk,Shinaskedbecausesomehowhefeltlikeitunderstoodhim.
Becauseabarrierwaserected,itwassafe,butthethoughtofleavingayoungfoxaloneevenforan
ElementTailinthisplacewasunbearable.
Ku
ThoughtheElementTailthathadbeenloweredtothegroundgazedatthemainshrine,aftera
shorttime,itshookitsbodyandturnedaround.Then,thefoxjumpedskillfullyandclimbedup
Shinsbody,andplaceditselfcomfortablyonthetopofShinshead.
Whyontopofmyhead?
Ku!
No,Idontunderstandit.
TheElementTailontheheadslappedhimpechipechi.(TLnote:lightslapsfx)Wasthisfoxs
resolvetoleavethisplace?,Shinfelt,itsomehowwassayingthat.
Doyouwanttogotogether?
Ku!
Isthatso?Dangerous!Claws!Yourclawsarepainful!
Shinsomehowfeltlikeitwassaying:Illgo!,buttheviolentbehaviourofthehappyyoungfox
almostcausedhimtolosehisbalance.
Sinceitsclawswerenotfullyretracted,itwasdifficultforShintowalkwiththeyoungfox
scratchinghisface.

Calmdown!
Ku?
Whatareyoutiltingyourheadfor?Youabsolutelyunderstandthemeaningofmywords!
Eventhoughitwasyoung,itbelongedtotheraceofthefirstclassmonsterElementTail,therewas
nowayitwasnotsmart.Perhapsitwasoneoftheyoungfoxswaystodistractitselffrom
loneliness.
(YoushouldbecomeafullfledgedElementTailbeforeIreturntotheoriginalworld)
Whilethinkingaboutthat,Shinadvancedtowardthekingdom,whilepreventingscratchesfromits
clawedpawswithbothofhishands.