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“Hamstey Inn…”

“Yeah, Hamstey Inn…”

“By the way, Melt, do you know what a hamster is?”

We have arrived. At the notorious inn known as Hamstey Inn.

The name might be weird, but the exterior was pretty standard, nothing out of place. It was small and cozy, and gave off a warm, welcoming vibe.

It was a bit chilly now, but maybe in summer, they’d plant sunflowers in the flowerbed out front?

“Hamsters are a unique spirit species found on an island in the middle of a giant lake located inland on the neighboring continent, Raraleia. The island is home to an independent nation called Hamsterdam. Their sizes vary from as small as a thumb to as large as my own height. In Hamsterdam, they worship, revere, and live alongside hamsters.” (Melt)

“…What?” (Shizuma)

They’re apparently not the same hamsters I know.

“Hello!”

“Welcome!”

We opened the door to the Hamstey Inn and greeted the receptionist, a smiling woman.

“Two people? That’ll be two silver coins for one night. If you’re looking to stay long-term, it’s fifty silver a month. Meals included would be three silver per night, or seventy silver a month.”

Hmm, two silver, huh. I value one silver coin at about 1,000 yen, so 2,000 yen per night or 3,000 with meals is quite cheap by Japanese standards.

I should probably go for a long-term contract to build a base of operations and get used to life here.

“U-Um, I’ll just do one night… Three silver coins, here.” (Melt)

“Huh? It’s three silver for both of you, miss.”

“Oh… I see… Then, um… One silver and five copper?” (Melt)

Wait, why are we splitting it?

“Melt, I’ll pay. Excuse me, we’d like a one-month stay for two, no meals. Paying with one large gold coin.” (Shizuma)

“Alright. Don’t see many large gold coins around.”

We received the key from what seemed to be the innkeeper and headed to our room.

Apparently, the inn had three floors, and long-term guests stayed on the third.

“Um… Is it okay? I was planning to just stay one night and earn some money after that…” (Melt)

“Come on, I’m the one who brought you to this country, right? It’s only natural I help out until we get settled.” (Shizuma)

“T-Thanks, Seimu… I’ll work hard so I can earn money. So… if you ever buy a house, maybe I can pay rent and live with you…?” (Melt)

“Of course.” (Shizuma)

I don’t need rent, but she seems like the type to feel indebted and hesitant, so I figured I’d just agree for now.

“Alright then. I promised I’d explain everything about myself, so let’s start.” (Shizuma)

“Y-Yeah. Finally, the secret of Seimu…” (Melt)

Where should I begin… Guess I’ll go with something easy to understand and keep it concise. 

“I was apparently summoned from another world.” (Shizuma)

“Uh-huh, and?” (Melt)

“Eh!? That’s your reaction!?” (Shizuma)

“Well, I heard rumors about hero candidates being summoned to Golda. Remember how I got tasked with searching for those kids in the ravine dungeon? I picked up a lot from the soldiers’ complaints and gossip back then…” (Melt)

“Oh, I see… Yeah, I was one of the people summoned along with them.” (Shizuma)

“Thought so. But your race? Or species? Seems different.” (Melt)

“Yeah, well… when I was summoned, the Dungeon Master of that mansion in the great forest gave me power.” (Shizuma)

Her ears twitched at the mention of the Dungeon Master. Maybe someone with a connection to her.

“The Dungeon Master… Gave you power…” (Melt)

“So, summoning happens via dungeons?” (Shizuma)

“Yeah. You offer up a tribute to the dungeon. The Dungeon Master accepts it and draws in a soul from another world… So more than a summoning, it’s like forming a contract. I’m considered a native who got captured. That’s why I instinctively know what I am and how I’ll be treated.” (Melt)

“I see. So that Dungeon Master -Grim, I think?- offered power to all of us. I received the power to transform into a person who’s been dormant inside my soul.” (Shizuma)

I explained it as a person sleeping within my soul to make it understandable.

“What!? A person dwelling in your soul… Is that like reincarnation? I’ve read myths like that! Seimu, are you a god from another world?” (Melt)

“No no, nothing like that. Just happened to be that kind of person. Can we leave it at that?” (Shizuma)

“Y-Yeah. I guess people from other worlds might be like that…” (Melt)

“Exactly. That’s why I can change form. And the reason the others don’t recognize me is because I’m not in my original form.” (Shizuma)

“So that big scary man I saw at first… That was you?” (Melt)

“Nope, that wasn’t it either. I’m a guy about the same age as the others.” (Shizuma)

“Then I wanna see your original form!” (Melt)

Is that even possible?

Wait…the menu screen only lets me switch between preset characters… So does that mean I can’t go back to my original body?

Kinda sad. I spent my whole life in that body after all.

Then again, I did wish to “become my game character,” so maybe I wasn’t that attached after all.

“Hmm…” (Shizuma)

“You don’t want to show me? Don’t trust me?” (Melt)

“No, it’s not that… I just don’t know how to switch back…” (Shizuma)

“What!? Is that safe…?” (Melt)

What would happen if I used the ‘Log Out’ option in the menu?

Could that bring me back? Maybe I should try it…

“Alright. Melt, I’m going to run a little experiment now. Could you hold onto this for me?” (Shizuma)

I took a leather pouch filled with some of the large gold coins I had stored in my menu and handed it to Melt.

“What’s this?” (Melt)

“I’m going to test if I can return to my original form. But I might disappear. If that happens, take what’s in this pouch and use it for your future.” (Shizuma)

“Wait! What!?” (Melt)

I have been planning to test it eventually. I might as well do it after making sure someone inherits something of value.

I took a deep breath and selected Logout.

And then…

“Huh… What just happened…?” (Shizuma)

There was a flash of light for a moment…and now, nothing.

Did my voice change? I can’t tell…

Is there a mirror—

“Seimu! Why would you do something so dangerous!? Disappear? You could’ve died! There is money in here —an insane amount! Were you planning to die!?” (Melt)

“Whoa!” (Shizuma)

The next instant, Melt tackled me, shouting.

We both tumbled onto the bed, and I kept taking damage to the chest from her repeated slaps.

Owowowow! Stop hitting me!

“S-Sorry, sorry… I just thought maybe I could return to my world…” (Shizuma)

“You don’t need to risk dying just to show me your original form… Never do that again.” (Melt)

“I’m really sorry… By the way, did my appearance change?” (Shizuma)

Yeah, I admit it. Doing that on a whim was reckless.

If that had actually been a real logout…it might’ve been game over for real. And just handing off money and leaving her alone? What was I thinking?

“Yeah, you’ve changed. You’re a kid now.” (Melt)

“A kid…? Well, yeah, definitely shorter than Seimu…” (Shizuma)

Isn’t it common for Asians to look younger?

“Is your name different too?” (Melt)

“My forms all have different names. You want to memorize them all?” (Shizuma)

“T-There’s that many…?” (Melt)

“Just over 20 more.” (Shizuma)

“Ehh… So what’s your original name?” (Melt)

“Shizuma. But for certain reasons, I try not to use this form much. I didn’t want to get involved with the other summoned people.” (Shizuma)

“I see. But if they’re in Golda, it should be fine, right?” (Melt)

“I hope so… Anyway, I’ve registered at both the inn and the guild as Seimu, so I’ll switch back.” (Shizuma)

“Good idea. Hmm… but I kinda like kid-Seimu. You’re relaxing to be around.” (Melt)

“Hey now, I’m not a kid. I’m 17, same age as you!” (Shizuma)

“What!? No way, we’re the same age! You don’t look it at all!” (Melt)

“Ugh… I really look that young?” (Shizuma)

While I was thinking about how to switch back, I found out that I could still open the menu in this form.

I checked the status screen, and…

“Huh… I can view my stats even in this form.” (Shizuma)

[Stats]

Vitality: 120
Strength: 120
Magic: 70
Willpower: 90
Agility: 70

[Growth Rate: Highest – Full Reflection]

[High-Speed Movement]
[Throwing]
[Cooking Lv1]
[Crafting Lv1]
[Sewing Lv1]
[Swordsmanship Lv1]
[Rogue Knowledge Lv1]
[Swordsman Knowledge Lv1]
[Warrior Knowledge Lv1]
[Mercenary Knowledge Lv1]

“What the heck…” (Shizuma)

All the skills from the characters I’ve tested before, as well as the ones I used as Seimu or as Shilent, and even the default ones, have apparently carried over into this form too…

Why is that? Shilent’s skills didn’t transfer to Seimu…

“…Needs further investigation.” (Shizuma)

For now, I returned to my Seimu form.

“Oh, you’re back. Hmm… But I wouldn’t have minded if you stayed a kid. You were kind of comforting.” (Melt)

“I’m the one who doesn’t feel comfortable. Besides, I’m weak in that form.” (Shizuma)

“Really? Well, if that’s the case, then I guess it can’t be helped.” (Melt)

But if I’m in my original form…and I can carry over not just crafting skills, but all skills… then wouldn’t that form be the strongest in the end?

Maybe I should consider registering as an adventurer under the name Shizuma at some point.

“Hmm… Hey, hey, what other forms can you take? Oh! But if there’s still a risk of disappearing again, then don’t do it!” (Melt)

“Oh, that’s all fine now. It’s been confirmed there’s no more danger.” (Shizuma)

“Yay, that’s a relief…” (Melt)

“Alright then, how about I turn into Shilent, my first big guy form?” (Shizuma)

“The scary one? If I know it’s still you inside, then it’s okay. Go ahead and change!” (Melt)

Alright, time to summon forth my first character, Shilent! Well, I’m the one turning into him though.

My line of sight rises, and the ceiling feels closer.

Looks like the transformation into Shilent was successful.

“Whoa… That’s seriously intimidating… You look super strong…” (Melt)

“Do I really come off that way?” (Shizuma)

“Eep! Even your voice is scary! You seem really strong… It feels like standing in front of a big monster or something.” (Melt)

“Well, out of all the forms I can take, Shilent is definitely one of the stronger ones… Oh, and Shilent is the name of this form, by the way.” (Shizuma)

“Shilent… Got it. I’ll remember it.” (Melt)

Her reaction was so refreshingly honest, I found myself happily switching to the next character.

Next up… I’ll transform into the crafting-class character I first used to learn cooking as Seimu.

“Alright.” (Shizuma)

My view drops sharply. I’m probably about the same height as Seimu, maybe a little taller.

“Whoa!? You turned into a woman!? Your gender changes too!?” (Melt)

“Yep, that’s right. By the way, this form is an amazing cook. Even the food Seimu makes now is kind of borrowing some of this form’s power.” (Shizuma)

“Woooow!!! Then you’ve gotta cook something for me sometime! …Oh, that reminds me, why did you pick the no-meal option when renting the inn? We’ll die after a month without food, you know?” (Melt)

“Oh, that’s because I plan to eat at lots of different places instead.” (Shizuma)

Hahaha, did she really think I was going to go a whole month without eating or drinking? I already scoped out the area around the inn earlier and confirmed there are a ton of restaurants and taverns.

I’ve got plenty of funds, so I’m going to explore the culinary landscape of this world through good old-fashioned food tours.

And so, I explained that to her.

“That’s wonderful! So luxurious…eating all over town. I wonder what kind of dishes they have… You know, the only real food I’ve had was back when Grandma was still alive, and the meals you shared with me on our journey. I really don’t know anything else.” (Melt)

“Wait, then what were you eating before that?” (Shizuma)

“I’d just boil or roast things and eat them with salt and herbs. That was enough, but…once I had your cooking, my world changed. It’s amazing how just looking forward to a meal can make the whole day better.” (Melt)

Ugh… That’s so sad and adorable! I’ll make sure you get to taste all kinds of food from now on!

I hugged her on impulse. I couldn’t help myself.

What is this? Are these the emotions of this character, “Seira”?

Where’s the name from? Well…it’s pretty obvious if you think about it from Seimu.

“Ooph! Your boobs are squishing me!” (Melt)

“Sorry, sorry, I got carried away.” (Shizuma)

“…You’re so pretty…and your boobs are huge.” (Melt)

“Ahh… Yeah, they really are.” (Shizuma)

Let’s just say that getting used to this form really put my mental discipline through some serious training overnight.

I had to call on all my self-control.

Incidentally, this character has the classes [Chef] and [Light Warrior].

Her backstory is: “A woman traveling in pursuit of becoming a chef. She’s skilled with a dagger the size of a kitchen knife for self-defense. She used to serve in a noble household.”

Also, just so you know, I was able to train so many characters thanks to her.

Leveling up takes money after all.

And the one who helped me make that money was this chef character.

To be specific: “Dishes prepared by a master chef are in high demand as buff items.” They’d sell like hotcakes on the market.

Well, not many players go all-in on production classes, after all.

“Let’s stop here for today. Once I turn back into Seimu, let’s go get something to eat.” (Shizuma)

“! Yeah, let’s go!” (Melt)

Alright then, time to go enjoy a meal, which is quickly becoming Melt’s greatest joy in life.

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