1-2: Diligent Effort

I stepped outside.

It seemed I'd been in one room of a large building. Heading down the stairs led me to the exit.

Opening the door, I emerged onto a road paved not with asphalt, but packed dirt and gravel.

The surrounding buildings were stone-built, a jumble of colors that somehow felt natural and soothing—like the historic streets of Europe or Central Asia.

There weren't many people walking around, and the road was narrow, so this must be some back alley.

I headed vaguely toward the noise and soon reached a grand avenue of neatly laid cobblestones. A rickshaw rolled slowly down the center, surrounded by bustling crowds. This had to be the main street.

But man, it was packed with people—people everywhere. Their clothes were all over the place: Western-style outfits, kimono-like robes, ethnic garments from who-knows-where, even folks in what barely qualified as clothing, half-naked and shameless. It was a total mishmash, and everyone acted like it was the most normal thing in the world.

It was the kind of cultural diversity we'd long forgotten back on modern Earth... or so I felt like waxing poetic.

"Hey, mister! You're in the way standing there like that!"

A vendor auntie yelled at me from the roadside stall. Chastened, I started walking with the flow of the crowd.

Come to think of it, I had no money.

I'd really only brought the clothes on my back. Not that Japanese yen would do me any good here anyway.

This felt like a game world, so there had to be an Adventurer's Guild or something if I looked around.

For now, I needed any job that paid, no questions asked.

The main street was nothing but shops, so I ducked into a side alley. Soon, pink signs and shady shop names lined the way.

(Oh crap, this must be the red-light district.)

I had no clue about this world's sex trade customs, so going in felt risky. But just passing through should be fine. I quickened my pace.

Regulations must be lax here—the touts weren't creepy guys whispering "How about some tits?" but scantily clad women luring customers with way more direct temptations.

I'd only meant to hurry past, but I still got hit with a full-on paizuri assault. Bent ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠forward, I cranked my speed to a sprint and broke free.

Emerging from the red-light district, I reached an area where people stood stock-still in rows, some in manacles and leg irons.

Another type of pleasure quarter? But watching the merchants, it didn't seem like it.

There weren't just women who looked like they'd be the "targets"—burly men and wrinkled old folks were on display too.

(Ah, slave market.)

It clicked, but I didn't feel much disgust. Was it because this was another world and that was just how things were? Or because I was a slovenly guy with no sense of justice to begin with? Hard to say.

(Slaves... slaves, huh.)

Back on Earth, I'd completely given up on relationships.

I didn't think I had any appeal anyway, and even if someone bit, I figured it'd fizzle out fast. There were a few times I could've settled for someone, but the hassle always won out.

Once I became unemployed, the idea that no one would bother with a misfit like me solidified. Before long, I'd abandoned the thought of deep connections altogether.

But slaves? They were built to revolve around their owner.

If it didn't work out, sell 'em at market. Find a good match, and spoil her rotten.

Maybe I could handle that.

I'd come to this world bored of Earth life, without a clear goal. But now, one truly base desire crystallized.

A slave harem. That's it.

(Alright, let's do this.)

I'd half-resigned myself to dying quick if that's how it went, but now I felt motivated. I clenched my fist.

(First things first: make some money.)

Glancing at a price tag on a scrawny child slave by the roadside: "30+ silver coins—negotiable."

So 30 silver was the floor, and everything else was up for haggling.

A young woman of "that" type would cost multiples more than this kid.

(100 or 200 silver coins... that's my provisional target.)

Buoyed by my new goal, I strode on with lighter steps.

Then I spotted "Monster Material Buyback Center."

Not quite the classic Adventurer's Guild from stories, but it seemed related. Brimming with enthusiasm, I marched in and asked the cute receptionist—short hair in the front, twintails in back.

"How do I get a job hunting monsters for cash?"

The air around the counter froze. I felt the staff glancing over, snickering.

"Um, sir? Are you here to sell monster materials?"

"Ah, n-no."

"For consultations, please go to the consultation desk."

"S-s-sorry..."

I'd clearly said something stupid. Mortified, I shuffled awkwardly to the consultation line. The woman there was a long-haired beauty... who'd aged into an auntie. She looked kind, though—a relief.

"How may I assist you, sir?"

"Well, I'm interested in monster-hunting jobs for pay. I wanted to gather info on the system here in town."

I'd rehearsed it in line and blurted it out fast. As a lifelong loner, getting shot down early wrecked me.

"There's no special restriction on hunting monsters. Exit the gates, kill them, harvest materials, sell here for income. Is that clear so far?"

"Yes, sorry. I just assumed you'd need permits or registration."

"You're not the first to think that—take your time. Regular hunters targeting non-monsters often need licenses due to hunting quotas."

"R-right, yeah~"

She was being nice, so I played along. Sorry.

"Around Slagee, we have spawn points ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for goblins, green caterpillars, and blood slimes. None are too strong, so exploring nearby gives plenty of chances."

"Can you tell me more about these spawn points? I'm clueless."

"Spawn points are singularities where specific monster types emerge periodically. You probably know that—my apologies. Many villages and towns exist to manage them. Slagee started as a base due to its many spawn points."

"Huh, didn't know that. I'm pretty ignorant on history."

"Street talk skips it, but schoolkids learn it first lesson."

"I see...?"

Basic knowledge, apparently. Damn, info-gathering in another world is brutal.

"For first-timers, I recommend green caterpillars. Even kids can kill them barehanded given time. They're gross, though."

"I see."

"No real market for their materials—just magic stones. Rarely, they drop thread balls worth a bit, but it's pocket change."

"Hmm."

"Magic stones fetch around 10 copper coins each with bounty, if harvested carefully. We take a 10% fee."

"Got it."

I wanted to ask how many copper made a silver, but held back. Figure it out later.

"Folks from town might not know: leaving the walls costs 1 silver to re-enter. Merchants and such get discounts or waivers, but don't forget your coin."

"What if you don't have it?"

"Worst case, guards nab you for illegal entry—criminal charge."

"Ugh."

"Bring at least 1 silver."

"...So I need 10 green caterpillar stones minimum to break even?"

I gambled to probe currency values. If wrong, play dumb.

"Exactly. Factor other costs—12 or 13 to be safe."

Jackpot: 100 copper = 1 silver.

"Tough... Do they spawn that much?"

"Might be. Start at a loss to gain experience."

"Harsh world. Thanks for the advice—and info."

"Glad to help."

"Huge help. Can I ask more later?"

"Of course. For research, check monster info on the second floor or the town library."

Google it first, basically.

"Will do. Sorry for the bother."

"No trouble."

"Bye."

Upstairs, I skimmed monster data and the wall map of local spawns before heading out. Epic embarrassment, but no registration fee was good—no guild system after all. Silver lining.

So now I had a plan: hunt green caterpillars outside. But first, secure 1 silver for re-entry.

"What can I sell now... yeah, just clothes."

I pictured the half-naked folks on the main drag. No other way.

I barged into a shop selling commoner's wear and pitched my outfit.

"Nice tailoring. Jacket and shirt for 3 silver total."

"3 silver? What about these socks?"

"Hm? Decent quality, but they stink—no buyers."

W-well, wash 'em...? Deflated by the smell callout, I slunk away, sold what I could, and pocketed 3 silver.

I agonized an hour over pants.

But shorts-only? Nah. Sold jacket and shirt, left in running shirt half-nude.

Occasional glances, but no open scolding.

Half-naked people existed, so safe-ish.

I told myself that.

(3 silver... street food's copper coins, so maybe 100 copper = 10,000 yen, 1 silver = 100,000 yen? Ballpark.)

Total assets: 30,000 yen equiv. Nothing left to sell. Broke. 10k for entry—20k left. No weapons.

(At least a knife... and food. Food means survival.)

Panicking at my sudden poverty, I splurged 30 copper on a big knife, 10 on a heaping yakiniku rice bowl from a stall, and devoured it.

Might skip meals soon—ate like a king.

Post-meal urgency hit; panicked till I found public toilets.

Medieval-ish world with public restrooms? Shock. And flush (probably)—bonus.

Culture level higher than expected. Slavery aside.

"Alright, off to meet Green Caterpillar-chan."

Sun high—probably noon since transfer time unknown.

Gate exit: no checks. Armed guards glared; I slipped out quietly.

Crowd waiting for entry checks. Vendors hawked outside targeting them.

Expected worse—surprisingly chill.

(Near gates might be cleared of monsters. Camping outside viable.)

I was prepped for wild camping anyway.

Safer than slums—would slack off and rot there. Not happening.

My soul ignited... for the noble goal of slave harem.

Such vulgar thoughts as I walked the highway. Passed occasional people—peaceful.

(No, can't be that safe... detour.)

Map check: green caterpillars northeast, left into forest from east gate!

Skulking along, forest thinned to grassland. Green thing wriggling.

"Th-that it?"

Classic green caterpillar.

I lunged, stabbed its back with knife.

Stab, pull, stab.

It spat thread, wriggled at me. Giant maggot—gross. Sticky thread—gross. Not immobilizing, though.

Knife to its biting maw. Splattered in hemolymph (or whatever). Long struggle till it stopped.

"Haa... no clue how many minutes... No attack power saved me, but rubbery hide, survives gutting, stinky fluids—unpopular for a reason."

Even pros would hate fluid baths for under 1,000 yen equiv. Hard to find too.

Solo green caterpillars? Climb a tree, done. Test camping their turf.

Wrestled squishy hide, slit underjaw for magic stone. Wiped on running shirt, hunted more.

By sunset: 3 green caterpillars found, stabbed dead.

Walked that much for 3.

Stinkfest for 3k yen equiv. Sighed, found climbable tree near grass, leaned against trunk to rest.

(No guarantee safe... roll off, injured. Can I even survive back?)

Sentimental over sloth-to-grind shift, night fell.

Body exhausted, but no dinner/excitement kept mind sharp.

"...Time to check skills, tweak status."

Huh.

The numbers after Interferer and Traveler went up.

Levels? From killing green caterpillars.

Traveler levels easy—nice. Fiddling with status, spotted something.

"Fixed" tiny in job selection corner.

Lock a job? Pros?

Locking might be con, so other effects = pros. Interferer permanent anyway—lock it.

Yes.

Interferer grayed out, unselectable. Locked.

Nice—Interferer skills up.

Status View II—no visible change. Fiddle more later.

Status Display Limit... ah, pick what to show.

Test: hide name... no change.

Others too—no diff.

Misunderstanding? "View" irrelevant?

Maybe limits Status Display or appraisal-like skills from others.

Plausible.

Hide jobs, bonuses, skills, additional info anyway. Privacy.

Next: swap Traveler to check skills... wait.

Traveler (3)

Citizen (1)

Ruffian (1)

Survivor (1)

Dagger User (1)

Jobs proliferating!?

First real hunt/camp = Survivor.

Big knife fights = Dagger User.

Survivor skill: Digestion Enhancement. Easier food processing—survival-y.

Dagger User: Slight Thrust Boost. Minor power up on thrusts.

Short range meh, but if "thrusts" include throws... potential.

"Switch to Dagger User for now."

Hm, Dagger User boosts attack/agility.

Curious on exact bonuses. Library post-return—hope free.

Musing, I dozed off. Woke to dawn light.

"Fwaaa... find one caterpillar, head to gate..."

Trudged grass—10 min to worm. Knife frenzy, down.

"Slight Thrust Boost? Barely noticeable."

Getting better—harvested quick (10 min fight). West to forest.

Crossed to highway—straight shot home. No monsters on roads.

"Open—nice."

Gate stalls grilling meat. Morning—shorter entry line.

"Oi, uncle—two meat skewers."

"Sure. You stink, kid."

Grubby vendor nailed it. Damn.

"Green caterpillar earlier. Eat away after."

"Rough."

Devoured mystery meat, bought preservable wheat dumplings elsewhere, back to forest.

"Wrap in grass... meh."

Hard leaves from tree—bundled dumplings into rations.

Mid-forest spring: quick rinse. Heard predators hit water—nervous, but safe. No big animals anyway.

(Shallow woods hunted out?)

Soon grassland—hunt on.

Faster now: 6 stones by dusk.

Return rinse, dumplings for fill, highway-side grass for camp.

Highway monster-free = safer than deep woods. Hit road pre-dark, hunkered in grass shadow.

Risky, but tree sleep sucked. Hid in tree shade for rest.

Next day, woke early-ish.

No clock—dew, birdsong = morning.

Forgot status last night—check.

Dagger User lv up. No new jobs/bonuses.

Lock for easy skills? But want flex till more jobs.

Job Addition I implies II/III—upgrades via skill lv or Interferer lv?

Or II adds slots sans lv up. Anyway, no early lock.

"Gotta grind steady."

Diligent effort.

Words unfit for me. Muttered, wry smile.

11 stones total. 12-13 breakeven—hunt max today, inn after. Motivated, forest to grassland again.