Chapter

arc1 · 006-ch6

Chapter 6: Unfortunate Specialized Job

After the three-day break ended and my muscle pain finally healed, it was time for our first real exploration just for us.

The location was still the Shibuya Dungeon. According to Higashi-san, Shibuya Dungeon is indeed the easiest to conquer, which is why it's recommended in the beginner training.

If it's a grassy plain with a wide field of view, it's easier to focus on battle. First, we'd get used to fighting, raise our level to five, then head to the forest and gradually learn exploration techniques.

With no particular reason to rush, if we prioritize safety above all, this is the best approach, he said.

So today too, we were in the grasslands fighting Horned Rabbits.

"Kawabe! You're being targeted!"

"I know! Ggh, guooooaaah!"

Our equipment was the same as in the training, the beginner set we bought with our own money. And Kawabe had changed his shield to a great shield, and swapped his staff for a mace like mine.

Perhaps due to the influence of getting the <Warrior> job, his shield handling had changed so much from the other day, deflecting attacks and immediately swinging his mace. However, the Horned Rabbit quickly distanced itself to avoid it.

"Ugh, it's fast after all!"

"It's fine! Just buy me time!"

I was starting to feel impatient at the agile movements as always. But, we're different from the last time.

This time, there's no need to strike multiple times. We have the firepower to finish it with one hit.

"Good! Get away!"

Following Ina's voice, I create distance from the rabbit.

Ina, wearing a black robe that looks like <Mage> gear over the beginner set, was holding a staff wrapped in pale blue light.

And then, with sharp eyes like he was aiming to shoot, he shouted.

"Ice Princess's Frolic!"

What was that?

While I was standing there dumbfounded, Ina's <Magic> was unleashed. White mist came out from the staff, enveloping the Horned Rabbit. Then, making cracking sounds, it began freezing the Horned Rabbit's legs along with the ground.

"Bu?! Bubu, buu!"

The Horned Rabbit started thrashing, easily cracking the ice. But if it can't move, it's not scary.

"——Draaaaaaaugh!"

Kawabe's full-force strike crushed the Horned Rabbit's skull. And then, he delivered the finishing blow to the convulsing rabbit. Compared to the last time, it ended easily.

Kawabe's improved movements were one thing, but more than that—

"Fuh. See that. This is my true power."

"That's amazing, Ina. You took down a Horned Rabbit so easily."

"Yeah. Leaving flattery aside, you're amazing. I'll admit that. But what was that? What did you say?"

"Hm? You mean 'Ice Princess's Frolic'?"

He gave off an air like "Is something wrong?" but he couldn't hide his smug look.

And I still couldn't quite catch what he said.

"Hmm? Well, that's what it was, but um, what language was that?"

"German. It was cool, right?"

Hm? Hmm... well, yeah. I'll admit that. It was certainly cool.

"<Magic> doesn't activate unless you say a spell like that?"

"No? That was just something I decided on my own, though?"

"You're the one naming it? I thought such <Magic> existed from the start."

Kawabe was at a loss too. Of course he would be. I would be too.

Ina said with a difficult expression.

"How should I say it, <Magic> is quite intuitive. Apparently I'm good at ice, but there's a limit to the power I can output, and it feels like I decide what kind of <Magic> to make within that range. Like deciding how to distribute the resource of power between power and range."

"Haa, I see~. So it's a matter of the caster's sense, huh."

"<Magic> is like that, huh? ——Wait no. That's not what I'm asking. Why is it such a chuuni name? The one listening is embarrassed."

A thirty-something man being cringe has limits.

People will think we're the same. Terrible damage to our reputation.

Even though I made a valid criticism, Ina looked at me with eyes like I was the weird one.

"What are you talking about? We're currently living in a chuuni world, aren't we?"

"...Damn it! When you say that, I can't say anything back!"

"But isn't a name that's hard to say a problem? What if you bite your tongue when trying to fire it in a pinch?"

"Hmm. Certainly that's true. Then what kind of name would you use?"

"Huh? Ah... simply 'Ice Bind' or 'Icebind'?"

"Haa, you have no sense at all. This is why uncivilized <Warriors> are..."

"Haa?! Better than a <Mage> shamelessly exposing his chuunibyou, don't you think?!"

I'm voting with Kawabe on this. If you're going to try to look cool, that much is fine. Keep it simple. Keep it simple.

I understand the romance, but choose practicality. Names should be short. It's better to be easy to use in an emergency——?!

"Ina! Get back!"

Noticing that was pure luck. I just happened to catch a glimpse of it jumping out from the grass.

I pull Ina back and insert my body between him and it. Making a feint with one swing of the mace, it pulled back on its own before attacking.

"Grrrrr, rururu!"

A wolf, one size larger than the Horned Rabbit —— the "Grass Wolf," was baring its fangs and growling.

According to Higashi-san, it's the strongest monster among the trash mobs of the grassland zone. Only this one you need to watch out for, he said. It approaches while hiding, and it's simply strong for our level. Also, if you let it drag on too long, it can call allies with its howling. It's a troublesome type of monster.

Honestly, it was a relief that it pulled back. If it had attacked as is, I'm not confident I could have handled it.

"Ina! Hurry!"

"H-hwa, h-hwa-wa-wa-wa?!"

Kawabe steps forward, firmly protecting Ina. Good, with this, all that's left is to buy time like before. That's how strong Ina's <Magic> is.

So Ina, you prepare quickly. Not "hwa-wa." That's not cute.

"Vv-vv... Vwoooan!!"

"Fuh!! Ggh, nnguugh!!"

If it were me, the small shield and my arm might have been bitten and crushed. But Kawabe, while looking in pain, firmly withstood the Grass Wolf's attack.

With a great shield that reaches the ground, the wolf's body structure makes it difficult to attack effectively. The payoff of changing shields. It would be different if it were a pack, but if it's just one, Kawabe can be called an iron wall.

With this, if I just guard Ina in case of emergency, victory is certain. I'm absolutely not slacking off. This is a tactic for certain victory.

So Kawabe! I'm counting on you! I believe in you! You believe in me too!

And then, Ina's <Magic> is completed.

"I-it! I-it shhu, i-it shhu —— Ice Bind!"

He bit his tongue a bunch and gave up on the incantation. You should have done that from the start, idiot.

Ina's <Magic> attacks the Grass Wolf. Matching that, I jump out too. From here, it's time to pile on. I'm actively participating in bullying the weak!

Although it resisted more than the Horned Rabbit, the Grass Wolf couldn't counterattack while being beaten up while unable to move, and it simply collapsed.

When I confirmed it was dead, I felt a sudden heat in my body.

"Oh, is it a level up?"

"Yeah. Unexpectedly fast."

In the training, we didn't have that kind of composure, but now I can understand well. It's not just the heat, but the feeling of something expanding inside me. Or rather, that's about all I understand.

"Is there any change in your body? Like your strength increased?"

"No, I don't know. I don't feel anything there. By the way, you weren't slacking off, were you?"

"Haa? Stop with the false accusations. But if that's the case, if you don't know either..."

Is that what level 2 is like? Maybe the increase is small so you don't notice it.

"Haa, haa. I don't know about physical abilities, but my magic power definitely increased. I feel like the magic I used up has recovered a little."

"I see, so there's that kind of change... Huh? Wait, you used up all your magic?"

"Yes, apparently two shots is the limit in perfect condition. Without a break, any more than that is impossible."

"Say that kind of thing sooner!"

If we fought continuously without knowing, we might have died, for crying out loud!

"Either way, we have to dismantle them, so let's take a break. Without Ina's <Magic>, it's tough."

"That's true. Though it's frustrating, it's a fact that he's the main firepower. If we're going to overwork him in the future, it's necessary."

"My humble servants. Work hard for me."

"You're noisy, you idiot."

Leaving Ina who was breathing heavily on his shoulders, I and Kawabe, the two of us, worked on dismantling the Horned Rabbit and Grass Wolf. It was our first experience, but thanks to the dissection videos I'd watched repeatedly until I was sick of them, we managed to finish the dismantling, though it was clumsy.

After putting as much rabbit meat as would fit into the small cooler box. Then bundling the rabbit and wolf hides together, we packed them into the backpack and carried it on our backs.

"Heave ho. Ah, it's pretty heavy. Hard to move."

"Is it okay to leave it to you? Should I carry about half?"

"No, it's better if you focus on fighting more than me."

"That's... no, that's right."

<Alchemist> and <Warrior>. If you asked which one should do chores, there's no need to hesitate. No matter how you think about it, it's better to have Kawabe fight.

And I'll stay behind and parasitically let them guard me in a safe position! Fuhahaha!

...Yeah, it feels empty. Let's stop this bad joke. It's nothing but escapism from the future we'll eventually face.

Whether he sensed my complicated heart or not, Kawabe said with a floating tone.

"But you know. Level goes up easily, we made today's earnings too, and it's going smoothly. Just with these hides and meat, we'll get a pretty good price, right?"

"That seems to be the case, but we weren't good at it and damaged them quite a bit. I think the price will probably drop."

Horned Rabbit and Grass Wolf. Both are common materials, but since they're consumed in large quantities, it seems they won't be refused. That said, it's not enough to overlook the damage.

"Probably about fifteen thousand in total? No, I don't know exactly."

"...Five thousand yen per person per day? Huh, risking our lives and it's low... no, if we could dismantle cleanly, it would go up a bit more, right? Also even if we're bad, if we hunt a lot, we'll get more——"

"Would you really be able to hunt that much, when you're this exhausted from just two monsters?"

...Yeah. That's true.

Ina's question, with his pale face, is full of persuasiveness. Kawabe fell silent too.

"Fundamentally, the amount we can carry is limited. We have to have Kawabe protect us, so we can't make him carry luggage. In that case, it's just me and Futa, but if I fire a few <Magic> shots, I won't be in a state for that. Futa can't carry that much either, right?"

"That's true. Physically too, and with this backpack, it feels like more hides could fit."

Today I brought a cooler box to try it out, but considering earnings, rabbit meat is honestly not good. It's simply bulky so it becomes just that much luggage, and since it's easily obtained food, the purchase price is low to begin with.

But at this stage, we can't continue fighting long enough to collect multiple monsters' worth of hides.

"Is it possible that explorers don't make money?"

"What are you saying now —— I'd like to say that, but this is something you can't understand without experiencing it. To be precise, it's probably correct to say they don't make money at first."

If we become a little stronger, we'll be able to hunt more, and moreover, there might not even be such a need, and we could target prey with higher purchase price materials. If that happens, income would rise all at once. It doesn't even have to be monsters —— plant or mineral materials would be fine.

But, reaching that point is surprisingly far.

"Equipment is also a consumable, so eventually we have to replace it. That's another expense."

"Considering savings and living expenses for that, it's nowhere near enough. We'll have to dip into our savings."

"Considering fatigue, exploring every day is impossible, as I well understood. One day in, one day off. Even if we can do that, we can only work half the month. Yeah, it's still not enough."

"But if we're reckless and get injured, then we really can't work. At that point, it's over."

"But, I'm sure there are many people who rush and end up like that too. We're the same, we spent a considerable amount on initial equipment costs, so there will definitely be people trying to earn it back."

"And then they get injured, with even more unnecessary expenses... But if we're too solid, income decreases, and the danger to life doesn't become zero."

"We earn less than I thought. If we're bad, we'll die easily. The more I think about it, the more I understand why many people give up. As a working adult, this is tough. Certainly doing it as a student's part-time job might be the smartest."

"Perhaps, we were really lucky. With the three of us, the balance between danger and income is barely managea——"

"Wait. Why are you guys so calm? If this continues, we can't make a living, you know."

Huh? No, even if you ask me why.

"I was able to reconfirm there's no need to rush. In the end, as long as we raise our level, everything will be solved. It's just patience until we get there."

"In any game, the beginning is tough to manage, but once you progress to a certain point, it becomes easier, right? If you think of it as initial investment until you get there, seeing your account balance go down isn't sca... wait, Kawabe. How much savings do you have?"

——No way. No, no way. Not even possibly, but you!

I had a vague feeling, but looking at Kawabe, I'm certain.

Kawabe smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry. I only have this month's rent."

"You, really...! At your age, why...!"

"Money is for spending, right?"

"I'm not saying don't spend it! Just know your limits! Which social game did you spend it on this time?!"

"The new character in 'Sugarless.' I seriously fell for Ricia-chan and couldn't hold back up to the ceiling..."

"Sugarless" —— "Sugarless Fantasy"! That game for lolicons?! There's no saving you! Charging all the way to rent, what kind of idiot's delusion is that! Come to your senses already!

Even Ina was put off by this.

"You, becoming an explorer, and you didn't even make any savings and were able to quit your job?"

"No, um, I really wanted to quit my job. I thought if I'm an explorer and work hard, I can earn in a short time..."

"It was really tough for you, wasn't it."

I'm already past anger and into pitying you.

Unexpected, but there's probably no more reliable vanguard than this guy going forward. Abandoning him is absolutely not an option. Actually, he's already saved us.

"Tch, can't be helped. Kawabe. Be grateful that I'm here."

"Fu, Futa-san! Could it be, you're lending me money?!"

"I'm not lending it, obviously. Not that —— did you forget what my job is?"

"Huh? Unfortunate production job? Future Association exclusive staff?"

"I'll kill you...!"

Seriously, should I stop helping this guy?

While I was seriously agonizing over whether to show compassion or not, "Ah," Ina spoke up. It seems he realized.

"I see. If it's specifically Futa, his circumstances are different from other explorers. Perhaps he can make something that sells?"

Correct. Yes. That's why I'm not panicking.

The conversation just now was about explorers who got combat jobs. But I'm <Alchemist>. I can earn through production too. So, after getting the job, I researched various things.

"For low-level potions that even <Alchemist> can make, they can be made with materials from this grassland. And apparently, they buy these for thirty thousand each. By the way, retail price is fifty thousand."

"Seriously?! That makes crazy money! I mean, retail is expensive! Even though it's low-level?!"

Yeah, it's surprising, right. I was surprised too when I found out.

But, if you hear the explanation, it makes sense.

"Even though it's called low-level, it can heal most external injuries if given time, even if it can't handle missing parts. And for this low-level potion, beginners like us use it of course, but even mid-tier explorers use it normally, so there's demand. But production jobs are few, so there's always a shortage."

"With that amount, it's natural. If Futa weren't here, considering we'd have to buy for emergencies too, there's no greater advantage."

"You can sell to earn money, and you can procure it yourself without buying, so no expenses... Huh? Where's the unfortunate part? Isn't <Alchemist> quite capable?"

Looking at me with wide eyes, Kawabe fills me with a sense of superiority. Mmmmm! You can praise me more than that, you know.

But, calming down, I realize it's only for now, though.

"Seriously, it's just not stumbling at the start. Being called unfortunate among production jobs doesn't change, and the moment you raise your level a little, this advantage disappears too."

The strength of producers in the current environment just negated the bottleneck of new explorers.

I won't struggle with money soon. Once that happens, what's needed is strength. I don't have the crucial part of that. Unless I somehow obtain that, or obtain something to replace it, I won't be able to keep up with them.

After explaining that, the two were looking at each other's faces with unspeakable expressions.

Are they thinking something like "we'll end up leaving him behind," I wonder. Probably.

"That's why, the money problem is solvable. We hunt monsters to level up. When we get tired, switch to collecting potion materials, then hunt again or go home without overdoing it. How about this for a while? It might be a bit slow, but shouldn't we just not overdo it at our own pace?"

"...Hey, you take a larger share of the potion profits. You're the one making them, and I'm fine with just getting a little extra reward."

"Yeah, I'm fine with that too. In exchange, sorry, but if I get injured, please let me use potions. If I end up earning, I'll pay back what I used up until then."

"Haa, what is that? Then it's meaningless, and anyway, if we're earning as a party, it's decided to split evenly, right."

"No, but..."

Probably, the guilt of thinking we'll part ways someday. Or, precisely because they're friends, it's a proposal from consideration, with clear boundaries drawn, but I don't want you to think about that.

Precisely because our time together might be short, I don't want to lose even this experience of adventuring in a relationship of equal companions.

"I don't really get it, but if you feel apologetic, help me collect medicinal herbs. We need quite a lot. And guard me."

"...Understood. Leave the guarding to me! I'll protect you!"

"If it's medicinal herbs, I can carry them too. Let's collect a lot. No matter how much stock we have, it's fine."

That's true. Or rather, item creation is basically done outside the dungeon. And I can't dive into the dungeon alone on a holiday just because materials are insufficient, so it's better to collect as much as we can't finish processing.

As Kawabe started walking, looking around vigilantly, he asked me.

"So, what do medicinal herbs look like? Can you find them immediately?"

"Yeah. In grasslands, they appear here and there apparently. Medicinal herb isn't just one type, though. Any plant that can be used for recovery medicine is fine, it seems."

By the way, it seems the effect of potions changes depending on the ratio of these medicinal herbs.

"Haa, the type where you can compound by category. In games, that's the convenient, thankful type."

"I know. Recipes that are strictly specified are annoying, like 'just missing this one material,' and entering the dungeon just for that happens often, right."

It's not impossible, but it's the troublesome type. And then, of course, they appear only at those times. Just one material short. Since they don't have a clear method to defeat, they're more troublesome than bosses.

"Hm? Perhaps you studied materials beforehand?"

"Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn't know which ones are materials. That said, it's impossible to learn them all, so for now just the materials that can be used for potions. If I had <Plant Appraisal> like <Pharmacist>, I wouldn't even need to study like that."

It seems production jobs come standard with appraisal skills related to their respective materials. For example, <Pharmacist> handles plant materials, so it's <Plant Appraisal>.

"In <Alchemist>'s case, initially, you don't have appraisal skills. But perhaps because they handle items in all fields, they can later learn <Appraisal> skills, it seems."

"So even in that aspect, the drawbacks of high versatility are showing. If you think you can appraise all materials with effort, it balances out... No, but wait. At this stage, just with potions it's this much... Eventually equipment too..."

Ina seems to be seriously muttering and thinking about <Alchemist>, but honestly, there's no need to think about it. If anything, it would have been better to be <Pharmacist>.

"So? What kind of things are medicinal herb materials? You can't help unless you tell me."

"That's true too. There were easy-to-understand ones, but there were also ones that looked just like the weeds around here, so it's quite hard to distinguish."

"Heh. Then maybe even this kind of thing could be a medicinal herb?"

Kawabe squatted at the spot and pulled up something that really just looked like a weed.

——<Numbing Grass>.

"Ah, Kawabe, wait! That's called <Numbing Grass>. Throw it away, throw it away!"

"Geh, a poison plant?! Crap!"

Without hesitation, he tossed the <Numbing Grass>, and Kawabe looked at his own hands.

"Is it okay? There's no numbness, though..."

"Who knows? If it were really dangerous, they'd explain it in training or something, so maybe it's a weak type? But it's better to be careful, and don't touch things you don't know."

A situation where casually touching something becomes a fatal injury will happen from now on. It's better to get into that habit now. Especially since Kawabe is the main shield, it would be trouble if he fell.

Unlike us who were paying attention to Kawabe's condition, Ina stared fixedly at the discarded poison plant and said casually.

"Futa. Did you research poison plants too? You said earlier you were at your limit with just medicinal herbs."

"Haa? I wouldn't do that. Medicinal herbs alone have many types, and poison plants too..."

...Wait?

"Why do I know about <Numbing Grass>?"

"That's what I'm wondering about. Why?"

"No, I really don't know anything about poison plants... Hm? Hmmmm?"

I can understand that I don't understand? This is——

Reflexively, I direct consciousness inside myself. And, the word that floats in my head.

【Skill】——【Plant Appraisal】

——Huh? No wait, that's weird. Why?! Even for me, that's too fast... wait!

"——Haaaaaaah?! Huh, why?! Whyyy?!"

"Woah?! You surprised me!"

"Why are you suddenly screaming? Did something happen?"

What kind of level is "did something happen"?! Why did a skill get skipped and a job popped up?! And <Appraiser>?!

It's so surprising that strength leaves my shoulders. Seriously, what is this. What's going on?

"Hey, what's wrong with you, suddenly. Starting to panic out of nowhere is creepy."

"That's right. It's an act that ruins the evaluation you've built up all at once. If something happened, say it quickly."

"...For some reason, not only the <Plant Appraisal> skill, but I got the <Appraiser> job too."

"——Haaah?!"

See, that's the reaction you get.

"Huh, ah. Was it when the level went up earlier?"

"Probably, right? I was only paying attention to physical changes... I didn't notice I acquired a new job..."

"That's normal. Who would think of getting a second job at level 2. But <Appraiser>, this is..."

Getting multiple jobs is a common story. Actually, I was thinking that by getting combat-related skills or jobs, even as <Alchemist>, there might be a possibility to keep up with them. That was my hope.

But, at this low level, I didn't even consider a second job. And moreover, that precious job slot turned out to be <Appraiser> of all things——!

"Hey. <Alchemist> can eventually appraise all materials, right?"

"Yeah, that's true. And <Appraiser> is..."

"Stop it. I know, so stop it. Don't deliver the finishing blow...!"

<Appraiser> —— A specialized job that can appraise anything.

Goods, materials, accurately seeing their value, depending on the work, it's a job that often appears in zama-style protagonists with titles like "Huh?! <Appraiser> is the strongest?!" or "Huh?! You can see that much from appraisal?!" Some even get cheat abilities where they can see the future from appraisal, like "as if that would happen."

But, in this world, <Appraiser> is not such a cheat job. Why is that?

Kawabe confirms something he doesn't even want to say.

"<Appraiser> doesn't have skills like <Person Appraisal> or <Monster Appraisal>, right?"

"No. It seems you'll be able to appraise materials and also antiques and art, though. In a sense, it's correct as a real appraiser..."

"What's important is monster information...! If you get <Appraiser> in the dungeon, why can't you do that...!"

Right, this is it. The biggest disappointment of <Appraiser>.

When this job was confirmed, everyone was conscious that this was absolutely important.

There is that. Absolutely will learn. There's no way they wouldn't. Everyone was naturally waiting for that time.

But, as the reality became clear, the number of people tilting their heads saying "Huh?" increased, and when the Explorer Association officially announced skill information, complaints of "There isn't any?!" blew up on the internet.

For only raising expectations and then betraying with anger, <Appraiser> came to be called this.

——Currently, the most unfortunate specialized job.

"This is only in the sense of as an explorer, and like <Alchemist>, it seems to be in high demand for material appraisal by the Association, so isn't it okay not to be too depressed?"

"You, your route to Association staff is getting more and more solid. It's like, the more you advance, the more you're being told to quit as an explorer..."

"Stop it. Do you want to make me cry that much?"

I want to be an explorer, me! I'm absolutely not a civil servant!

"Setting aside art, material appraisal is something <Alchemist> can do too, right? Build-wise, it's a failure. Abilities overlap, don't they."

"That's true, but <Appraiser> has all <Appraisal> skills from the start. If you think of it as being able to shortcut what you'd normally have to work hard to learn, well, somehow..."

"Don't give clumsy consolation. It just makes me more miserable."

"...I see. Then I'll say it honestly. Unfortunate production job with unfortunate specialized job, you're in a terrible spot. You're piling shit on shit to make even bigger shit. Super funny."

"To think there's such a double extreme. When did you become a disciple of a broken monk? But if you're used like this, even the monk would cry, you know?"

"I'll cry before that?! I said don't console me, but I didn't say bully me!"

Seriously, why only am I going through this?

I'll kill you... I'll kill you, Dungeon Master...!

While harboring killing intent toward the unseen Dungeon Master, receiving consolation mixed with teasing from the two, we left the dungeon that day after collecting plenty of medicinal herbs.

Honestly, I was too shocked to muster any more motivation for exploration.

●　　　●

【Exploration Hints! #5】

Explorers can earn. This is an indisputable fact.

Top-tier explorers earn huge sums amounting to hundreds of millions in annual income. Even mid-tier explorers reach tens of millions, and even those under level ten exceed the average annual income of salarymen.

Birth and upbringing don't matter. Everyone has the possibility to earn that much. Therefore, those aiming to become explorers never cease.

——However, that's only after they become able to earn.

The working environment of the period called rookie, before reaching that point, is extremely harsh.

The income obtained by selling materials acquired in shallow layers doesn't match the risk of risking one's life. Considering equipment replenishment, consumables like tools, plus food expenses, housing costs, and other living expenses on top of that, it's difficult to even live a decent life.

If you explore alone, income increases, but so does the risk of death. If you increase the number of people, it's safer but unprofitable.

Without money, you can't live. While bearing the stress of battles that risk your life, a life where only money goes out certainly corrodes the heart. Far more people quit exploring due to this reality poison than fear of battle.

To overcome this, you need luck blessed with jobs and companions. Certain planning ability that looks to the future. Endurance to endure harsh living. All of these are necessary. And, those who possess all of these are surprisingly few than expected.

Anyone can become an explorer. But, it's not an easy business that anyone can earn in.

That's why —— if one can live without income trouble despite being a rookie, it's like being promised a path to the future.

If such a person were among your companions, that person would hold immense gratitude and trust toward those companions.