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The sound of knocking echoed through the room. I had a bad feeling about it, but…

“Who is it?” (Shizuma)

When I asked, the reply was…exactly what I expected.

“Excuse me, I was in the audience chamber with you earlier. My name’s Kaho.”

Trying to cozy up to me already? Annoying. But it seemed amusing, so I opened the door and let her in.

“What do you want?” (Shizuma)

I asked bluntly, making my distrust obvious. As expected, she began to fumble nervously.

“Uh, um… I just wanted to talk a little…since we’re in the same situation… Ah, um, I was hoping I could hear about the world you came from…” (Inami)

“I have nothing to say. Go home.” (Shizuma)

“Uh, um…” (Inami)

“I can see a person’s true nature with my power. What I see from you is no different than a swindler or someone like that. Hmph… Get lost.” (Shizuma)

I bluffed. It seems something must have clicked there, she blushed bright red and ran off. I guess she targeted me as the “next person to cozy up to”?

Come to think of it, wasn’t she flirting with Isaka back in the forest?

“Hmmm… I should probably avoid getting involved with that group any further for the sake of my mental health…” (Shizuma)

Looks like I need to start planning my escape.

As expected, the welcome banquet was anything but modest. It was extravagant.

I was momentarily distracted by all the nobles and girls in luxurious outfits, but I had zero trust in them. So I just said, “I’ll take some food and head back to my room,” and left the banquet hall.

They were apparently really focused on extracting my abilities, because they desperately tried to stop me. But when I quietly muttered, “What an unpleasant country this is,” they panicked and let me go.

“Hmmm… I should at least learn the local geography, then get out of here…” (Shizuma)

I pulled up my menu screen and searched through my inventory for something useful.

Let’s see what I can use to escape from here…

[Summoning Bell]

[Places a marker where rung. Using the paired bell allows instant teleportation to the marker location.]

Found it. A single-use item, but it’ll work as a return item. Okay, time to set it up…

I tossed one of the bells out the window, aiming outside the castle.

It sailed beautifully into a forest a little ways off. I’ve still got a good throwing arm, it seems.

“Alright, I’m all set to escape.” (Shizuma)

Back in my room, I locked the door securely and went back to checking out my unfinished alts.

“Man… Looking over them again, I really did make way too many characters… I created a bunch just to equip otherwise useless exclusive items…” (Shizuma)

You know, like female-only gear or race-specific equipment. I didn’t want to sell them, so I made characters just to use them. Then I got bored halfway through leveling them, or turned them into storage mules.

I also made some out of curiosity and abandoned them, or had classes that got nerfed.

I even have characters I sealed away because they were too strong and made the game boring.

“How about this one? I was actually raising this one seriously until recently.” (Shizuma)

Out of all my characters, I chose “Seimu”, who I created as my next main after getting bored of playing with maxed-out characters.

Oh, the name? My real name is Shizuma, so I just read it using the sound and added a little English flair.

I couldn’t bring myself to name my characters after popular anime or game characters… Pride wouldn’t allow it.

Not that I haven’t seen names like “†Kiri**†” or “Cl*ud” now and then.

“Yeah… I guess this one feels the most natural, maybe because the height’s similar to mine.” (Shizuma)

Seimu, unlike Shilent, didn’t have a flashy design. Slightly tall, average-looking face, plain blonde hair; nothing that stood out. I even made a ridiculously handsome character once as a storage alt.

Even when I aimed for “average,” this guy would probably look pretty good in real life. He’s only about a third as strong as Shilent, though. But then again, the playtime difference is huge.

“Alright, decision made. Once I get out of here, I’ll live as this guy. He’s plenty strong. Way stronger than those guys at least.” (Shizuma)

Having made up my mind, I moved on to the real fun part… Checking out my other characters. The female ones. I mean, hey, I’m a healthy guy…

P.S. Let’s just say…“Crap, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

The next morning, our training began.

We were split up to study combat training, magic studies, and local dungeon locations. The guys were assigned to combat training, the girls to magic studies, and I was assigned to learning the geography of nearby dungeons.

I see. They want me, the instant powerhouse, to start conquering dungeons right away.

I asked about the forest and mansion where we were summoned.

“You were summoned in the Dreamhill Great Forest, the largest dungeon on this continent. And…most likely within it lies the Mansion of Greed, a dungeon said to appear somewhere inside. It’s known as a place where a powerful Dungeon Master resides: one capable of creating other dungeons within a dungeon. Supposedly, a few people have escaped it alive by luck, but it’s considered a mansion where a demon lives that no human can defeat.”

“I see. So do dungeons disappear if you defeat their Dungeon Master?” (Shizuma)

“If the dungeon was created entirely by the Dungeon Master’s power, yes. But if it’s a natural area that was altered, then not necessarily. Also, Dungeon Masters have something called a Dungeon Core: a powerful object that holds vast magical power and nourishes the land. Some hide it in their bodies, others seal it somewhere in their dungeons. Our king seeks to use the Dungeon Core to enrich the kingdom, protect it from foreign threats, and act as a deterrent against rogue nations.”

“Got it… So then, could you tell me more about the other countries?” (Shizuma)

Now let’s see what kind of conflicts and international situations we’re dealing with.

But as soon as I asked, the instructor began to fidget and avoided the question, saying, “I don’t really know about other countries…” Hmm…is it censorship, or do people here really know nothing about the outside world?

“I see. So I’ve got the general geography down. My immediate objective isn’t this forest, but rather the Scorched Earth Ravine on the border, right?” (Shizuma)

“Y-Yes! That’s right. We’ve received reports that the vile invaders from the Holy Principality of Lendia are attempting to conquer it without permission. So…we would like you, Shilent-dono, to conquer it before they do…”

“I see. Understood. I’ll request an audience with the king.” (Shizuma)

“Certainly! I’ll arrange it immediately!”

Judging from the name, Lendia sounds like a religious nation. Either way, I don’t have any info about them. I’ll have to learn more outside the castle.

“Oh! Are you heading out to conquer the dungeon already!?” 

“Not yet. I want to gather some intel in the castle town first.” (Shizuma)

“Ahaha, the townsfolk wouldn’t know anything worthwhile. If you need supplies, we’ll provide them. Please stay here and wait. I’ll arrange a carriage to take you to the ravine right away.”

“No, I’ll go on foot. I want to learn about this country and this world with my own eyes and ears.” (Shizuma)

“…No, no, the commoners don’t know anything. They just live day to day. Many will likely spout nonsense that would trouble your ears, Shilent-dono. Please, take your time…”

An audience with the king. Ever since he learned about my abilities, he has been oddly deferential. And now, he was desperately trying to keep me from gathering information outside the castle. Must be something really inconvenient for him.

Just then, my former classmates showed up in the audience hall.

“Your Majesty! Is it true that Shilent-san is going to conquer a dungeon!?”

“You’re going to help us out?”

“That’d be amazing.”

…Perfect timing.

“That’s a mistake. Looks like I’ve come to hate this country. They restrict information and desperately try to stop me from finding things out on my own. It’s like they don’t want me to know anything about the outside world. Kukuku… What a joke of a nation I’ve been summoned to. Sorry, but I’m leaving this place. I doubt we’ll meet again.” (Shizuma)

“W-What!? Do you really think we’ll let you get away with this, Shilent-dono!?”

The king stood up, his face bright red. But I pulled something out from my menu and showed it to him.

“Do you know what this is?” (Shizuma)

“Wha—!? That glow… It’s a Dungeon Core!?”

“I killed the master of that mansion in the forest and took it. I think I’ll take this to… Yeah, maybe to Lendia, and see what I can get in return.” (Shizuma)

“D-Don’t joke around! You were summoned by this kingdom! Why would you give that to some fox of a woman!?”

“Not my problem. See you around, Your Majesty. You’d better train those weaklings of yours who you don’t even know if they will ever become useful… Let’s hope your country lasts until then.” (Shizuma)

Saying that, I stored the Dungeon Core and took out the Teleportation Bell instead.

The moment I gave it a light ring, a dazzling light flared up beneath my feet. And then…

“Later, you hypocrites. That other guy in the mansion said it himself: ‘They tricked me and left me behind.’ You’d better start doubting your own allies!” (Shizuma)

With those final words, I vanished from the spot, enveloped in light.

Alright, alright!

“I said it… I actually said it. I mean, come on, something’s clearly messed up here. Information control? What is this, some dictatorship in the north? I guess this world really is underdeveloped in terms of civilization and culture.” (Shizuma)

I expected pursuers to come after me soon, so I immediately switched my character to Seimu. Looking around again, I realized I was now deep in the mountains, untouched by people. I’d better get back to the castle town before night falls.

“Eek…! A p-p-person came out…and transformed!”

Just as I was deciding on my next move, I heard a girl’s voice from behind a nearby tree. When I looked over, I saw a broken bell lying on the ground nearby. Oh crap, someone picked it up.

…What do I do? Is this irreversible?

“Eeeek! It’s a human! Run! Aaaaah!”

The girl screamed and fled deeper into the mountains before I could react.

…Huh? Wait, what do you mean “It’s a human, run”? Am I a criminal or something?

I caught a glimpse of something like a tail on her as she ran away. So this world has beastkin-type races or something…?

“Man… I should’ve thrown that bell somewhere less likely to be found. I’m such an idiot.” (Shizuma)

When I left the forest and tried to return to town, I found the huge city gate shut, blocking my way. Right, I came in by carriage before… I guess there are traffic restrictions in place. It looked like some kind of processing was required, and there were long lines of people and wagons.

So I snuck around to the back of the gate, tossed a bell inside the city wall…and teleported in. Not great. These are consumables, so I can’t afford to waste them like this.

“Whoa… Walking around here really hits different. Feels like I’m on a movie set.” (Shizuma)

It’s rare to see people actually selling goods out front like this nowadays. I even spotted massive chunks of meat I’d never seen before and bundles of dried meat hanging around.

The streets were bustling with people, full of life and energy.

But in the middle of all that, everyone suddenly rushed to the sides of the road as a swarm of carriages and soldiers passed through. That’s gotta be…

“So they’re heading for the border to chase after Shilent, huh?” (Shizuma)

Glad I said something random before I vanished. I’d like to stick around this town and gather more info for a while. As for tackling the dungeon… I’ll get to it when I feel like it.

“Alrighty… When it comes to gathering intel, the usual go-to is a tavern. I should barely pass for an adult now. Let’s see if I can find a decent-looking one…” (Shizuma)

I headed toward a building lots of people —especially the armed ones— were entering, but unfortunately it wasn’t a tavern. It looked more like a bank.

Huh. Are all the fighters here broke or something?

“Oh? I don’t recognize you. Is this your first time at the guild?”

A woman in warm-colored clothing spoke to me while I was glancing around curiously.

Looking closer, I noticed several other people wearing similar outfits. Probably a uniform?

“What’s a guild?” (Shizuma)

“Eh? The guild is… Well, a guild! In older terms… I guess you could call it a job placement center.”

“Ah, I see.” (Shizuma)

Oh, it’s like those adventurer guilds in games.

I wonder if registering here would make it easier to get around.

“Sorry, I’m a bit out of it. This is my first time seeing so many people.” (Shizuma)

“Fufu, I see. If you’re registering for the first time, I can help you out. Interested?” 

“Ah, yes, please.” (Shizuma)

Things were moving along surprisingly smoothly. Is this okay? There’s no downside to registering, right?

I started to fill out the paperwork…but sadly, I couldn’t read or write.

Embarrassed, I admitted as much, but she just smiled and said, “It’s quite common, don’t worry.”

So the literacy rate isn’t that high here…or at least in this country. I don’t know about the whole world yet.

I told her I was a traveler who had been taken around from place to place and didn’t know my place of origin, and she looked genuinely sympathetic… Maybe that means a lot of people here come from orphan or slave-like backgrounds?

“Registration is complete. However, since you can’t read or write, the only jobs I can offer you will be physical labor. …Just between you and me, things have been looking shaky in this country lately, so there’s been a big uptick in escort missions abroad. Seimu-san, you might want to consider taking one of those and working outside the country if you can.”

“R-Really…?” (Shizuma)

“A merchant is planning a major transport operation soon. They’re hiring a lot of escorts. Can you fight?”

“Oh, I’m fine with that. I’ve done that kind of work before, actually.” (Shizuma)

“Is that so? I assumed you were used to menial labor… Are you sure? I should warn you, the guild only provides support before and after a job is accepted. Injuries sustained during the job itself are not covered or compensated.”

Yeah, this character just looks like a soft pretty boy. I should’ve made him buffer or something; more like a seasoned warrior type like Shilent…

“I may not look it, but I can handle myself, you know?” (Shizuma)

“Is that so…? Then, there’s a test for people taking combat jobs. Based on the results, I’ll see if I can get you onto that escort mission.”

“Ah, thank you. You’ve been really kind…” (Shizuma)

“Fufu, I struggled quite a bit before landing this job at the guild, so I can’t help but relate.”

Ahh…so healing. After all the crap I’ve been through since arriving here, I was seriously starting to lose faith in people.

…If this job ends up being a trap or part of some sketchy scheme, I feel like I’ll go full villain.

And so, with what felt like a weirdly warm sendoff, I followed the receptionist around to the back of the guild to take the test.

Still… Why did everyone else inside the guild suddenly turn to look at me?

…Why is everyone giving me that “poor thing” look!?

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