ch1-ch20 · 002-ch2

Chapter 2: The Receptionist, Hayashi Sakura-san

Name: Kasugano Haruki
Job: [None]
Lv: 1
HP: 10
MP: 10
Strength: 1
Endurance: 1
Agility: 1
Magic: 1

Skill: [Gate]

The fact that my name showed up is pretty interesting. I wonder what would happen if I used a fake name or didn't even know my real name... Not that it matters right now.

Starting at Lv 1 with no Job is fine. I've never heard of anyone starting at a high level right off the bat.

Same goes for the Status values. HP and MP are both 10, and Strength, Endurance, Agility, and Magic are all at 1. These six stats depend on level and Job, so these must be the starting values.

Since Jobs multiply these stats, whether I level up now without a Job or get a Job first and then level up, the final numbers would end up the same anyway. So there's no problem with leveling up without a Job.

The real problem is... my Special Skill. [Gate]? What the heck is that?

"Kasugano-san?"

Hayashi-san looked at me with concern. She continued with an expression that said, I completely understand how you feel...

"It's okay, really. Special Skills are just meant to give you a starting direction—they're not everything, you know? Even the person considered Japan's top adventurer right now doesn't have a combat-type Special Skill. And besides, any skill's usefulness depends on how you use it."

She probably thinks I got a [Trash Skill]. [Trash Skills]... that's the term for the so-called duds among Special Skills, of which you can only ever learn one. There's a huge gap between someone who rolled high and someone who rolled low with a Special Skill they'll never be able to change for the rest of their life. Getting a [Trash Skill] at the starting line means a rough road ahead...

(Well, to be honest, there's a real possibility that [Gate] is a trash skill, but...)

Even so, Hayashi-san shook her head firmly, as if to say it would be alright. Not only is she beautiful, but her personality is great too.

"No, I was just surprised because it wasn't the skill I was expecting. I was hoping to try using magic or something, but it seems like a movement-type Special Skill."

Actually, even though I called it movement-type, there's a chance this [Gate] could be magic-type. 'Movement-type' refers to skills that help with mobility—like increasing movement speed, applying corrections to Agility, or even the insane ones that let you fly through the air. 'Magic-type' includes skills that boost MP or are related to 'Magic Skills,' or ones that let you use magic directly like [Fireball]. So basically, there's a possibility that [Gate] is a movement magic.

"Ah, no! You shouldn't tell me that. I'm sorry. About the skill, I mean. I wasn't trying to pry it out of you or anything... Let's just pretend I didn't hear anything."

Hayashi-san flusteredly waved both hands in front of her, saying no, no. Even gestures like this look picturesque when a beautiful woman does them.

"...This is just between us, but if it's movement-type, I'd recommend a spear as your weapon."

This time she brought one hand to her mouth and whispered like she was sharing a secret.

"If you can convert all that movement power directly into an attack, any monster would go down in one hit!"

Having said that, she struck a guts pose. Then she placed her index finger against her chin and tilted her head in a thinking pose. She's a busy person, just as her energetic impression suggested. But I can tell she's seriously thinking this through for me. She's probably trying to cheer me up because she thinks I got a skill I didn't want. Great personality and beautiful. I could fall for her... Wait, no, that's not right. I came here for the dungeon. I need to focus on [Gate]. As I was shaking my head side to side, Hayashi-san called out to me.

"Sorry, I got carried away there... Let me show you the facilities inside the dungeon. Also, for privacy protection reasons, please don't use your Special Skill right now. Please wait until after all the training sessions are complete and you've re-entered the dungeon."

"Ah, my apologies as well."

We both bowed to each other.

"...And thank you."

I said it quietly, so she might not have heard. There was no response. The training that followed was a really enjoyable time for me. Since the Chiba Dungeon is close to the main Association dungeon in Tokyo, apparently not many people visit it... That's why the new recruit training usually only has one or two people each time. But I'm grateful for that right now...