1-4 Forming a Party
Suddenly, I noticed a maroon carpet, stylish paintings, and neat bookshelves. Snapping around, there was the white-haired kid, legs crossed on a fancy sofa.
"Yo, long time no see."
"This is... not a dream, right?"
"Nope. You're Yoyo, yeah? Not a very fancy name."
"Leave it. What's the deal today?"
"I told you before. Time for your report. Mind giving me a quick rundown on that world you went to?"
I answered the kid's questions, explaining how I'd started hunting monsters to survive, a bit about the world, and stuff like spawn points that caught my interest.
"Hmm, even more monster-infested than I expected..."
"You dumped me there with no money or weapons—do you know how rough that was?!"
"Sorry about that. But didn't you explore your starting base?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"That spot was an abandoned hideout for some criminal gang that fled... You probably could've found a treasure or two they left behind."
"Wha—! You asshole, tell me that first!"
"Hahaha, guess you didn't notice. Too late now anyway—the guards have probably secured it."
"For real... Starting from nothing, selling my clothes, camping outside the walls... I thought I was gonna die for real."
"Well, since you've been working so hard, here's a reward this time."
"Reward?"
"Yeah, take it."
The kid made a tossing motion, so I caught it—a metal tube and some weird handgrip thing.
"This... looks like a gun, shape-wise?"
"Right. More precisely, it's called a magic gun from that world."
"Magic gun... So guns exist as a concept."
"Pure firearms are produced in small numbers too, but apparently they're underwhelming."
"Huh. So this magic gun—magic gun, basically?"
"Yep. Press that trigger-like magic crystal, and it sucks MP from the user to fire magic bullets."
"Heh."
"Got it from another source. Inspected it already—here, for you. Parsing was fun, but the idea's basic. Nothing game-changing."
"You sure?"
"Honestly, my setup was off. Sent a few others, but you're the only one scraping by."
"Wait..."
"Monsters are freakishly numerous, and there are other weird inconsistencies... So, as my valuable intel source right now, a little aid seemed fair."
"Then gimme more—gold, armor, whatever..."
"Sorry, that's the limit. I basically can't interfere there. Had to summon you here specially to hand over one thing made in that world. That's my max—cut me some slack."
"Fine, better than nothing."
"That spawn point thing, though? Total curveball. Definitely not normal."
"Really? In my old world, monster-overrun places were standard. I figured those things were why."
"Kinda, but usually monsters spawn from world-specific causes. Spawn points, though... well..."
"What?"
"Whoops, that's enough. Next reports won't need summoning. I'll give a little something for them... Got that virtual space terminal you brought?"
"Yeah, here. It wouldn't expand here, though."
"Huh. Anyway, lemme borrow it."
The kid fiddled with it—I had no clue what.
"There. Made it so you can open a tunnel to an extradimensional space from your terminal."
"What!?"
"Submit monthly reports on the first—use it for storage too if you want."
"That space safe? Like, world-safety wise?"
"Totally. Worst case, some mental whatev—"
"Not okay!"
"Relax. My stuff doesn't glitch easy. Hop aboard."
"Right... How much storage?"
"Not huge. Like a big locker? Perfect for valuables."
"Stuff I put in won't vanish?"
"Probably not. Only you and me can access. But I'm at that age—spare me the porn mags."
"Like I'd put that in!"
"Wouldn't you? Best hiding spot ever. Kidding—if I see, I'll pretend not to."
"Whatever. Handy safe—thanks."
I thanked him straight, and the kid eyed me oddly.
"You're... looking more genuine?"
"Guess I care about people more than I thought."
"Yeah... well."
"Found a goal in this world, and scraping by lit a fire under my NEET ass."
"Reformed a NEET—I'm heaven-bound."
"Thought you were god."
"I denied that. God-like from some angles, maybe."
"Got it. Back door again?"
"Yep. Awaiting next report. Try not dying for a few years."
"Years, huh... Don't worry, I'll outlive your nagging."
"Haha, looking forward to it."
I slipped out past the desk-working kid, through the white wall, back to my cheap inn bed.
In hand: the magic gun and modded terminal. Proof it wasn't a dream.
Fiddling with the terminal acted weird, so I let it expand—a black misty portal hovered above.
Stuck my hand in: connected to some space. Hand vanished inside, pulled out fine.
"Ah, forgot to ask basics like if time passes inside..."
Sighing, I stashed half my coin and the magic gun. Tested quick retrieval.
Sun high—I'd overslept.
Heading south gate for blood slime hunt and gun test, the familiar guard called: "No more camping out?" Reported my residency permit. He ducked inside, back in under a minute—done.
Same on entry, but no big deal. Good to have.
Out to empty wilds, pulled magic gun from space, fired at a big rock.
Something drained from my body; light blob shot from the barrel. High-pitched whine—total beam weapon vibe.
But slow. From 10 meters, dodgeable if watching.
"Eh, figures."
As expected.
MP down, confirming magic = MP.
MP total up a bit—probably from Interferer or Survivor levels. Multi-jobs give MP edge if all bonus it.
(Maybe pick a magic job...?)
Test-fired: 2 MP per shot. No other MP use yet—workable.
Found a blood slime afar, fired from 10m+. Same beam whine; magic bullet flew straight.
Slime didn't dodge—too slow or oblivious. Hit, burst red liquid, dead. One-shot.
"One-shot... This changes everything! No retaliation worry."
Switched to spear, poked one down—spear fine too. Back to town.
Spear reach beats knife, but wood durability iffy. Cheap, so replace if breaks.
Plan: spear main, knife sub, magic gun ace in hole.
Today's haul: 6 blood slime stones, ~50 copper. ~10 each. Pre-spawn surge glut crashing prices.
Admin bounties rise, but market drop more—prices stay low. Time to graduate slimes. Next: goblins...
Goblins pack up. Solo risky.
"Why not recruit a party?"
Said the gold longhair at monster center—looser tone now (not auntie).
"Where?"
"Merc guild. Handles solo merc reg, temp parties."
"Got it. Heading there!"
No game-like adventurer guild—mercs fill in?
Or solo mercs evolve into guilds for monsters.
Early stage maybe.
Merc guild near north gate, pre-slums.
Solo and group sections separate; tough guys loitered at solo counter.
"Registration and party recruit/apply info, please."
Found consult counter, asked buff guy inside—no rushing.
"Fill this, register at counter 2 later."
"Yes."
"Parties: info exchange for registered solos only. Troubles your responsibility."
"Got it."
"Post-reg, ask back counter for matching apps."
"Recruit?"
"Fill form, submit back—we hold, notify if inquiries."
"Got it."
Reg easy. "Target biz": monster subjugation. "Named quests": hold.
No wars.
Party seeks: some goblin hunts—even ongoing ones. Surprising.
Thought fixed parties vague "monster hunts" for variety. Nope.
Goblin specialists.
Goblins pay well?
Most active 3x or 6x weekly—not full-time.
Temp goblin seeks: two by tomorrow. One "interview today"—huh?
(Two by tomorrow. One interviews today—what's that?)
"What's the interview?"
Asked bored-looking woman scanning docs.
"Means they wanna check your vibe first~ Do it?"
"Please."
Better judge them too.
Not scamming suckers, hopefully...
Contacted leader, set evening meet—left guild.
Crowded inside, stuffy. Fresh air outside. Prep tomorrow.
Coin spare: extra clothes, new sack, jerky.
Tired from walking, sun low—back to guild.
"Here for party meet..."
"You? Follow me."
Man behind me barged in.
"You Elliott of 'Brimty's Flowers'?"
"That's me. Dinner while we talk?"
"Fine? Thought interview formal..."
"Hahaha, you're the only applicant! Casual it is."
Elliott: tall warrior build, shoulder-length hair, sharp handsome face. Kinda pretty-boy vibe—not stunning up close, but aura sells it. Aura-ikemen.
Led to surprisingly upscale restaurant.
"I ain't got much coin..."
"My treat. Don't worry."
"Whoa, really?"
"Future party-mates—long haul. No need to hold back."
"Not temp?"
"It is, but pass and we want ongoing. Receptionist didn't say?"
"Nada."
That slacker chick... Forgot entirely.
"We're picky—want reliable partners, hard to find fresh each time. Regulars preferred. Issue?"
"Nah, suits me. Newbie, don't want drama."
"Great. Reserved table that way—let's go."
Into private room: three women around big table.
"Elly, candidate?"
Left: burly woman, prying eyes. Curly red short hair, no makeup, freckles. Tomboy warrior.
"Thought you'd bring a new girl..."
"Haha, that too—but only he applied!"
"No one interviews for temp goblin hunt... You actually showed."
Glared. Unusual, yeah. Receptionist could've warned.
"Was gonna start goblins anyway. Sounded fun—applied."
"...Weirdo."
Snorted mockingly, but fit her vibe—no offense.
"Introductions: left, Marie the Swordsman; Patch the Healer; and... Trishiera."
"Why no job for Trishiera?"
"...Shut up."
Bob-cut beauty Trishiera averted eyes, flushed. Elliott beckoned, whispered:
"She's Sex Warlock. My whim—don't tease."
"Wha—Sex... what?!"
Shuddered back; Elliott grinned refreshingly.
"Don't know Sex Warlock? Innocent for your looks."
"Haven't studied jobs... Sorry, Trishiera—no offense meant."
"...S'fine."
Trishiera beet-red, head down.
Sex mage? Sex arts master? Either way, lewd. Her shy reaction said it.
"Jobs on first meet okay?"
"Up to you. I don't mind!"
"Mine: Survivor."
"Survivor! Cool job."
"Rare?"
"Common option, few pick."
"Stats decent, hunter skills handy. Promising."
"Low level—temper expectations."
Women listened quietly. Interview? Elliott leads?
"I'm Yoyo. Went broke somehow, hunting monsters since."
"Rough! How long?"
"Recent. Green caterpillars, blood slimes... I submitted slime intel."
"Caterpillars stink... First goblin?"
"Yeah. Room for newbie?"
"Sure. Weapon?"
"Spear. Rest later."
Magic gun? Spear first.
"Frontliner welcome. Me and Marie swords, Trishiera bow."
"Your job?"
"Flower Warrior."
"Flower Warrior..."
"Rare, right? Conditions secret!"
"Frontline?"
"Yep—like cooler Warrior!"
"Cool, huh..."
(Narcissist prereq?)
"Pass or fail?"
"Ladies?"
Elliott deferred.
"Fine by me. Weaker than us—no threat."
"No issue."
Middle: Patch, Healer? Aqua short hair—unearthly color. Tiny next to Marie, cute animal vibe. Serious.
"...Whatever."
Trishiera: quiet, gloomy. Not bitchy despite job. Bob brown hair from downcast view. Beauty—Elliott's girl?
"Trishiera dating Elliott?"
"Hahaha, all my slaves."
"...Huh?"
"...Master Elliott."
Patch chided. Slip-up—later reveal planned.
"Relax, he passed—spill it."
"Sigh."
"We're me-plus-slaves party. Goblins need more numbers, frontliners."
"I see."
"Hot slave girls draw trouble... Interview checked compatibility, no creeps."
"No worries there. Three slaves in party... common?"
"Combat slaves not rare. Hard to trust mercs. Subjugation magic slaves? Rock-solid."
"Subjugation Magic, huh."
Probably enforces no-attacking-master, obey orders magically. No betrayal worry—diff from Earth slavery, new culture.
"Most combat slaves older men. Young beauties like mine? Rare."
"Hence caution."
No trap vibe. Too convoluted if scam. Minimal guard up.
Opportunity, though.
"Actually, slave harem's my goal. Spill details."
"Hah? Idiot..."
Marie scoffed; Elliott lit up.
"Comrade! None yet?"
"Broke start—vowed rise, harem. Broke still."
"I see. I'd get a Sex Warlock fir—glare from Trishiera, never mind."
"Slaves via backstreet market?"
"I shop proper stores. Markets have gems, but rough/wanted stock—hassle."
"Huh."
"Bit pricier, but trained, healthy, safe."
"Noted... Prices?"
Glanced at trio—rude topic.
"These? Few golds short. Patch/Trishiera were cheap kids."
"Kids cheaper?"
"Than peak age, yeah. Over elders."
"Need cash..."
"We do goblins-plus. Join us."
"Thanks."
Guild relays messages post-reg. Set for future calls.