arc1 · 005-ch5

Chapter 5: Unfortunate Production Job

"For now, good work everyone. Here's to you."

Matching Kawabe, we clink glasses together — chin, with all three of us.

Unexpectedly exhausted, after that we ended the training immediately, and it naturally became a celebratory gathering where we decided to talk at a place where we could at least rest.

By the way, here is a chain izakaya. We just went to a yakiniku place the other day, and considering what we were doing until just now, you know. I didn't want to see raw meat, you see.

However, despite it being a celebratory gathering, I'm not in the mood to be excited at all. Weekday evening, using working salarymen as a drinking companion to immerse myself in a sense of superiority — this is supposed to be the most enjoyable time in the world, but.

...No, seriously, I can't get in that mood at all.

"Well now, lots happened, huh."

While silently continuing to drink, Kawabe muttered quietly.

Yeah. Somewhere hollowly, Ina and I continued as well.

"It was harder than expected. I thought I understood in my head, but I didn't understand at all. Killing each other... it's scary, huh."

"I'd like to say 'obviously,' but yeah. Honestly, we were underestimating various things. There's no way I would be able to fight on the front lines."

"Me and Futa knew that. Or rather, you should have realized before fighting. It's our fault too for not stopping you."

"That Ina said he wanted to train himself, so I felt like a parent watching a growing child. But I should have stopped you even if I had to punch you."

"Ah, that's right. Since everyone's lives are on the line, no matter what was said, we should have forced you to change your opinion."

"No, saying anything to me at that time would have been useless. These are things you don't understand without experiencing them. You guys aren't bad, so don't worry about it."

Haa — heavy sighs overlapped.

――Wait a second!

"Seriously, we're not at fault here!"

"That's right! You're one hundred percent at fault! Look at reality!"

"Mmph... well, it's fine, isn't it. Rather, don't you think it was good to experience this at this stage? If we ended up in that kind of situation without an escort, people would have actually died."

"That's the line for us to say, isn't it. It's not the line for you to say."

"Because of that damage, I became <Mage>! Think that there's no next time, you bastard!"

"S-sorry. I'm truly, truly sorry."

Ina, rarely looking awkward. Well, if you exposed that much shameful behavior, this would happen.

"Geez, you're hopeless. I became <Mage>, so the results are okay, I guess. But you know. We were unexpectedly hesitant to kill monsters, weren't we."

"Same here. I didn't think 'I don't want to kill them' at all. Or rather, it felt like we didn't have that kind of leeway."

"Killing monsters isn't a crime, and besides, they're coming to kill us from their side first. There wouldn't be an idiot who thinks 'how pitiful' after getting attacked and killed by a wild bear, right? It would be more guilt-inducing to slaughter docile livestock."

Once we start talking, everyone's mouths become lighter and lighter. Putting things into words really is an act that lightens the heart.

And when the usual atmosphere returned, Kawabe said casually.

"Still, that was surprising. Futa becoming <Alchemist>."

"No no, the person himself was the most surprised! I thought it was a lie. Hahahaha! ...So that's it. <Alchemist>, huh~."

"It was 'the most unfortunate production job right now,' was it?"

To Ina's words, an indescribable atmosphere flowed again. Not exactly despondency, but like 'what should we do about this?'

Looking somewhat accusingly, Kawabe looked at Ina.

"Ina... you really are..."

"Didn't Kawabe say it first? Besides, this is a problem we can't avoid. How are we going to gloss over it. At times like this, we need to look at reality."

"That's why you shouldn't be saying it! There should be more to it, somehow! Somehow! Think about the feelings of Futa who drew a shit-tier losing lot!"

"Don't pretend to protect me while delivering the finishing blow! I'll kill you, you bastard!"

No, I'm grateful for the teasing, though! It's the way you say it! The way you say it!

...But seriously speaking, what should we do about this.

In this world's dungeons too, jobs classified as so-called production jobs exist. Jobs specialized in making things rather than fighting.

Unlike combat jobs, they're not useful in battle. However, items made by the hands of production jobs are said to hold power capable of influencing the course of battle — this is something an otaku who enjoys subculture can easily discern.

Actually, that's correct.

<Pharmacist>'s healing items and <Blacksmith>'s equipment — items made from dungeon materials by production jobs surpass modern tools made with science and technology.

That's why production jobs are also important jobs. If anything, there's more demand for them than combat jobs.

But, of all things, <Alchemist>...

"'Jack-of-all-trades, master of none production job.' Compared to other production jobs, it can only create items with half-baked effects."

"Moreover, the number of materials needed for production is higher compared to other production jobs, so the cost performance is bad."

"Stop it stop it stop it! Don't line up unpleasant information one after another! In exchange, there's the advantage that you can make various items by yourself, right!"

What they're saying is correct. I try to counter with advantages in desperation, but even so the disadvantages are huge!

For example, <Healing Potion>. An essential item for exploration that raises survival rate. There's probably no need to explain it anymore.

This is classified as medicine, so it's an item that <Pharmacist> specializes in, but <Alchemist> can also create the same thing.

However, in terms of effectiveness, a skilled <Pharmacist> is significantly better — one or two levels better. It seems there's a skill that gives a plus correction when producing specialized items, and because of that, items made by <Alchemist> are inferior. Since they exceed a certain line, they have at least minimum performance, but compared to good items... well.

And then there's the number of materials required for production. This also seems to have a skill like material number reduction, and compared to that, <Alchemist> ends up needing more materials. Speaking from a realistic perspective, this effect is seriously huge. After all, it directly connects to income.

Item effectiveness and cost performance. In this point, <Alchemist> cannot beat specialized production jobs.

You can make all kinds of items, but this problem is the same for any item, so...

"'Jack-of-all-trades, master of none production job.' Certainly that's true. There's no word more suitable than this to express <Alchemist>."

"Well then, it was fortunate that it's not treated as badly as they say, wasn't it? It's what Higashi-san says, so there's no mistake."

"Ngu... that... is true but..."

Yeah. That much is at least a saving grace.

On the internet, it gets talked about terribly, but according to Higashi-san's story, the evaluation of <Alchemist> in the Association is actually quite high.

That's because, well, production jobs themselves are few. For some reason, among the jobs you can initially acquire, almost no one can acquire production. It's apparently only a few percent of the total. No, seriously, it's few.

Regardless of whether their skills are good or bad, supply doesn't meet the demand for items. Honestly, demanding performance is asking too much — just having items is appreciated, it seems.

In that situation, if there's a free <Alchemist> who, although their effectiveness is average and they require many materials, can make all kinds of items, what happens?

Conclusion. Welcomed at any Association. In the current situation where numbers aren't enough, versatility is more demanded than specialization.

"Actually, when we reported to the Association, only you were enthusiastically recruited. That was honestly enviable."

"That's right. I'd like to be fawned over at least once too."

"It was certainly a little happy, though..."

When pressed from people like Association staff saying "please come to our place~," well, you'd naturally feel carried away.

But, you know!

"What are you dissatisfied with? There's no danger of dying. The pay seems good. You get the social status of a civil servant. It's nothing but good things, isn't it."

"You know that, you bastard! I want to adventure with you guys!"

Pay aside! If I were thinking about danger or civil servant stuff, I wouldn't be aiming to be an explorer in the first place!

At my shout, the two of them laughed as if it were funny.

"I know. It's a joke, a joke."

"However, that being said, there's still a problem. Simply put, there's a high possibility that Futa won't be able to keep up."

"Yeah..."

Right, that's the biggest problem. Production jobs are simply weak.

There's a cliché development where production jobs are stronger than combat jobs. But, at least in this world, that doesn't exist. Production jobs are seriously weak, it seems.

"Just by raising the level a little, you can't keep up with combat jobs, or something like that?"

"Ah, I confirmed with Higashi-san too. Production jobs are seriously weak. Even if you raise the level, physical abilities don't seem to change much. That's why apparently no one who has raised their level is diving into dungeons."

Listen and be surprised. They say they normally lose even to <Mage>'s physical abilities. A time will come when I lose to a bean sprout like this? What kind of joke is this.

Kawabe, who had been thinking, said with a serious expression.

"Thinking about putting a production job in the party, conversely, being <Alchemist> is an advantage, isn't it. Being able to produce necessary items on the front lines is huge."

That's certainly true. The high versatility in production is maximized.

But, that's only if there's at least minimum strength.

"Far from being useful in battle, simply following along is the best we can do. Even if they can make items, can we bring someone like that? It would waste a precious party slot, and in reality it would be just the two of you fighting, you know?"

"..."

No, don't go silent, don't go silent, don't go silent.

Please don't make such a bitter face for real. I wanted you to tell me to follow along even then!

"Heh, heh heh. Well, with you two specifically, you wouldn't leave me behind, right?"

"Sorry, Futa. This party is two-seater!"

"W-well, Kawabe-sama! That's no good, Zamasu! Don't do something so mean!"

"Anyway, Futa should call himself 'Gyoza' from now on, shouldn't he?"

"Hah? Gyoza? Why Gyoza... Ah! 'Ch-changes,' is that what you mean?!"

"I left Futa behind. He hasn't trained, and honestly he can't keep up with this fight."

"Stop the behind-the-scenes bullying! Seriously, I'm gonna cry, okay!?"

Actually, since it looks like I'm going to be left behind, I'm seriously about to cry right now!

Being left out of the group even at this age is seriously tough!

Satisfied with my reaction, Kawabe said while laughing.

"Rest easy. I won't suddenly kick you out. Actually, we can confirm what it really is before it's too late, right?"

"That's right. If we try, we might feel like it can work surprisingly well. If the level rises, there's also the possibility of remembering combat skills."

"That's... how is that? As far as I know, Higashi-san hasn't heard of such a story either."

"How would we know that? There are no production jobs raising their levels, so there's a possibility. Like, you might become able to change the ground just by clapping your hands — pa! like that."

"To do that, you'd need to lose your real younger brother and limbs, though..."

"Since 'alchemists are strong' is a cliché, you can't say for sure there isn't. Characters who call themselves alchemists but are practically mages are lying around all over the place, aren't they."

"That's certainly something you see often~. If that were really true, how good it would be..."

Anyway, it seems I won't suddenly be kicked out. Good. It seems we can avoid following the banishment-type protagonist route.

Secretly relieved, Kawabe said — just.

"We won't force you out, but that's only for the beginning, okay? If we feel it's impossible beyond that..."

"Ah, that's of course. I understand."

I understand too. It's just that I don't want to end it before testing it out.

Of course, I do want to adventure with the three of us, and I don't want to be left behind.

More than that, losing such good people because of my selfishness is even more unpleasant.

"Before you guys say it, I'll say it myself. I can't cause that much trouble. For now, until level five... ten... no, fifteen."

"It's increasing, increasing. Up to where do you plan to parasitize?"

"As expected, we should look with strict eyes. Even if the dungeon doesn't work out, the Association will pick you up. Even if we abandon you, our hearts won't ache."

"That's a lie! It's just a little joke, right! Stop saying serious-sounding things!"

After that, without the atmosphere becoming heavy, we enjoyed the celebratory gathering with pointless talk.

Anyway, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow we won't be able to move due to muscle pain. So we'll wait and see for three days. After that for the dungeon, and with that we parted ways.

This decision was correct, and due to muscle pain that came a day late, it became an exploration where we used up the break perfectly. The decline of being in my thirties...

●　　　●

"Hey. What do you honestly think?"

After the celebratory gathering, parting ways with Futa who rides a different train alone, Kawabe asks Ina.

What, is obvious even without asking. It's probably about Futa's future.

"Honestly, it would be difficult, huh. A production job that can fight. If such a person existed, it would have become rumors long ago."

"Yeah, I guess."

Of course, I'm cheering for him, and Kawabe also thinks he wants it to be that way. But, thinking realistically, it's almost impossible — he understood that.

Like in fiction, the protagonist is special and discovers an unexpected route for an unfortunate job — that almost never happens. In the current era, dungeon-related information is openly released from the Explorer Association.

Moreover, what's doing the verification is national organizations like the Self-Defense Forces. There's no way there would conveniently be loopholes.

"But, I think that if it's Futa, maybe..."

"H~n. Why?"

"Since long ago, there were times when Futa felt wasteful. He's a good guy trusted by people, and he's not dumb. Just that he's modest, or has a part where he holds back. They say 'position makes the person,' right? I thought he was the type who, if you just put him as a leader, could produce results. Well, like me, he's not that type, so that didn't happen, though..."

But, now it's different.

"He himself chose the work called explorer that he genuinely wants to do. And not a company employee, but an individual business owner called an explorer. He's in a position where all responsibility falls on himself. In that case, I think he'll do it seriously. Thinking about what he should do to follow us, he'll think and act desperately to the point of dying. If he does that, there's an expectation that maybe, just maybe..."

"Ah. He certainly has that part. He doesn't do it unless he's backed into a corner, but once he does it, he can do it, or rather... hearing this, it makes me angry. Why didn't you do it from the start, you know."

"Also, of all people, I'm a bit curious that Futa was able to get <Alchemist>."

Hm? At Kawabe who looks suspicious, Ina says.

"If I got it, I could still understand. But, it's Futa, you know? Someone who has athletic ability and isn't against fighting on the front lines. He intended to too, and if he had actually become <Warrior>, I would have relied on him."

"Ah~ certainly. He's uselessly skilled and has good athletic ability. He was moving the most today too."

"Right. And yet, what he got was <Alchemist>. At this point, don't you feel something like the dungeon's will? If such a thing exists, couldn't there have been some grand reason? And, couldn't it become tremendous power? Thinking that, don't you want to try and confirm it?"

"...Are you seriously saying that? Do you really think such a fate-like thing exists?"

"I think it would be nice if there was, but that just now is like forcing a connection. So in the end — I just want to work with the three of us too, is all."

"Hmm, I guess so."

The two of them looked at each other's faces and laughed together.

Right. In the end, the reason doesn't matter.

If we can continue this situation of playing with friends, we want to bet on even a slight possibility.

●　　　●

【Exploration Hints! #4】

<Alchemist>

Among production jobs, it's the job with the highest versatility that can create all kinds of magic items across fields by using dungeon materials.

But, in exchange for being able to create items regardless of type, there are inferior parts such as requiring more material usage than experts, or having thin effects.

It's convenient but doesn't reach experts. Currently, it's a job that receives jack-of-all-trades treatment. But, that's only when looking at abilities alone.

If the place changes, the evaluation changes too. In the current environment where production jobs are few, due to the high convenience of being able to create various items even if inferior to professionals, generous recruitment from the Explorer Association and explorer product-related companies doesn't stop.

In other words, currently it can be said to be in some sense the most delicious job. If someone acquired it, they probably wouldn't have trouble living.

However — <Alchemist>'s potential isn't to that extent.

Although evaluated as a jack of all trades, the fact that production in different fields is possible means it's easy to touch the technology flowing at the root of creation using magic power. And, it means that can be diverted to all item creation.

If one masters alchemy and reaches the secrets of production jobs — already, there won't exist a thing that person cannot create.

Even creating life, reaching treasures beyond human knowledge — he would become an existence equal to God.