2-27 Play
"Hey hey hey! How've you been?"
Today, I ended up feeling kinda sentimental for some reason, so I only did my sword and magic training, went looking for Ramza at night but struck out, and hit the sack.
It should've been a totally uneventful day.
But nope.
Right in front of me was a red carpet lined with neat bookshelves. A white-haired guy lounged elegantly on a fancy leather sofa, legs crossed.
Looked like I'd been dragged into his weird alternate space again.
"You always ignore the questions I tack onto my reports, but now you summon me out of the blue? What the hell is this?"
"Whoa, whoa, easy there. I basically don't interfere with you guys, so there's reasons I can't answer questions."
"Right. So I can assume you'll answer them here?"
"Depends on the question, I guess..."
"..."
The White-Haired Kid slowly uncrossed and recrossed his legs, sipping his tea.
"The reason I called you today... well, I figured I should give you a heads-up on this."
"A heads-up?"
"Yeah. How should I put it? You've run into another transferree, right?"
"...You were watching?"
"Nah, nah, coincidence. More like, I had the blonde one—y'know, not you—under protective observation. Then he met up with you."
"Huh... Why was he under observation?"
"Protective observation's just an analogy. Anyway, he was blabbing about being a transferree... and it looked like that was heading in a bad direction."
"So it would've been better to keep the transferree thing hidden? I just happened to go that route by chance."
"Yeah. Ideally, don't spread it around? Though I was fine leaving that up to you guys to some extent... circumstances and all."
"Got it. So the warning's about that?"
"Eh, not quite. That's worth a heads-up too, but the main point is... you shouldn't get too chummy with other transferrees."
"...Huh?"
The White-Haired Kid shot me a sarcastic grin as I furrowed my brows, took another sip of tea, let out a small sigh, and spoke up.
"I figured dictating your actions from the start would count as interference... but I was a bit off there."
"...?"
"Obvious in hindsight, right? Normal humans flock together. Finding common ground and all."
"Talking about transferrees banding together?"
"Exactly. If transferrees are in a bind, teaming up with others like them is natural. ...Barring a few exceptions."
Quit glancing at me like that. Hey.
"Even so, since transfer destinations and origins are all over the place... I thought it'd be fine. But some people go out of their way to gather them."
"Someone's been hunting—or 'protecting'—transferrees?"
"Seems like it. Relied a lot on luck, but gathered a decent number."
"And? That's the problem, right? Why?"
"It's dangerous."
"...Dangerous for who? Or what?"
The White-Haired Kid, who'd been rattling off words smoothly until then, clamped his mouth shut. Seconds ticked by.
"...Sigh. Hate to say it, but I gotta explain or we won't get anywhere."
More seconds passed. Tension raced through me at this weird reaction I'd never seen from him before.
"Sigh. The danger's the world itself."
"Huh?"
What the hell? I froze at the answer, totally off from what I'd expected.
"Why do you think I minimize interference and go to all these lengths? Messing with another world is that dangerous."
"Oh?"
"Y'know... people like you from other worlds warp the world just by existing. To sum it up simply."
"Living breathing hazardous material, huh."
"That said, I pick people who cause minimal distortion, choose methods carefully, pick the time and place. You living free in that world? No issues at that level. But gather that distortion and spread it? Whole different story."
"Transferrees grouping up equals gathering distortion?"
"Roughly. How they group and what mindset they're in matters too. But if they don't group, no problem—so we can skip that."
"No idea how many makes it dangerous? Like, you could hang out without even knowing the other person's a transferree."
"Unknowing gatherings? Even dozens should be fine, probably. But better safe—avoid teaming up knowingly with other transferrees."
"Got it. As long as no one's actively gathering, it's safe territory?"
"Think so. Minor risks like that, I can warn you if needed. So helping your blonde buddy? Fine. But watch the relationship after, and don't go around saving transferrees. That's my request... warning. Worst case, I might erase you."
"What do you mean?"
"Literal meaning. Wipe your existence. Get it?"
"Assassination?"
"Pretty much. Hate to do it, though."
Seriously? Meaning if he wanted to, he could. Scary as hell.
"Not planning to buddy up with other transferrees anyway, so I'm good. That's all?"
"Yeah."
"Mind if I ask questions with the time left?"
"Fine, I'll humor you."
"Sweet. Been wondering: no real mission or destiny for sending us here, right? Our myths had demon lords and stuff, got me thinking."
Wait, do demon lords even appear in myths? Kinda mixed up.
"Demon lord? Heh~"
The White-Haired Kid suddenly started grinning at the mention of demon lord.
"...What?"
"Nah, just every world thinks alike."
"Meaning?"
"If I had to say one thing: no demon-lord-destroying-the-world types. Far as I know, anyway."
"Wasn't it something like a king invading from a failed other world? Tied to monster spawns?"
"Dunno. Can't rule it out."
He kept grinning, giving a vague answer. Annoying.
"So as far as you know, none exist?"
"Boring. Woulda been fun if you bit harder."
"...Second question—or just popped into my head. If you don't want transferrees grouping, why not summon the group leaders here and warn them?"
He dropped the grin, turning to me with a slightly bitter look.
"Yeah. Short answer: contacting this space has conditions. Yours was tough but doable. Not guaranteed for others. That's it."
"Oh?"
"Plus, would they even listen? Y'know some call me an 'evil god'? Even after I explain I'm not a god."
"Oh?"
"Don't get me wrong—I haven't screwed them over. Just pent-up grudges: wrong god, blame-shifting for their failures."
"Got it."
Evil god, huh.
No proof he's benevolent. But judging here won't help, and doubting him won't improve things. Whatever.
"Third question, been bugging me forever. Setting aside if you're a god: others like you send people to other worlds, or built this one's system, right? Risk getting noticed scouting this world? Any ways to dodge that trouble?"
"Nice angle. Fresh. Bottom line: doubt you'll get noticed. Haven't contacted system builders/maintainers, so zero chance of 'foreign object' treatment? Close to zero, anyway."
"Basis for 'close to zero'?"
"None. Or there is, but can't explain—includes non-disclosable info."
"Got it."
Vague as hell.
Ignore ambiguities, sort info: No higher beings noticing. Can't explain why, but he's near-certain. No problem? Cool.
"Fourth... had tons of questions, but blanking now. Ugh. Anything else that'd screw you over besides grouping?"
"Hmm. Nah? Maybe, but... don't spread distortion, live free."
"Ah, right! Remembered one. You get info from transferrees here, right? Parsed the status/job system?"
"A bit."
"Figure you won't spill extras, but any parsed results in your range?"
"What d'you wanna know?"
"Basics: what's the system, why's it here? And anything on Interferer job."
"Can't do specific jobs—haven't parsed that deep. Was gonna avoid extras, but..."
"..."
"Your enthusiasm—I'll toss a hint."
"Hint?"
"My guess? It's for play."
"...Play?"
"Maybe kindness too. But c'mon, it's play."
"Meaning?"
"Hint ends there. Q&A over. Pretty generous, right? See ya~?"
"Tch, fine."
Same as always—an exit appeared outta nowhere. Slipped through, back on my bed.
...What happens to my body in that space?
Kinda curious, but no way to check.
Maybe communicate with night-owl Don?
...Possible?
I bugged Don, who was rolling around munching snacks in the corner, to play along. Yes: nose on right hand. No: left. Tested communication.
Asked if my body vanished suddenly at night, or any weird stuff.
No anomalies, per Don.
Mind only travels?
Grabbed the magic gun physically then, so... what's the logic?
Just deepened the mystery.
Can't keep hunting for Ramza forever.
So, prepping for an overnight hunt tomorrow regardless. Counted remaining coin: just shy of 2 gold.
Guild fees and junk ate it up.
Restocked consumables, headed to magitech shop. Unorganized district—finding it was a chore. Sheesh.
"This the one?"
Sasha eyed the guild's rough map and craned up at the sign.
Hung from a second-floor window: Imani Munyu in red.
Probably it.
"Hello~?"
No answer.
"Hellloo~?"
Pattering footsteps. Short-haired woman in work clothes peeked from the back.
"Oh, customers? Sorry, receptionist's on break. Come on in."
"Uh, sure."
Snagged a chair at the counter-ish spot.
Magitech scattered around—no real sales vibe. This tiny counter's the only deal spot.
While scoping, she returned towel 'round neck, wiping sweat, tray of tea in hand.
"Here, on the house."
"Thanks."
"You too, miss."
"Thank you."
Sipped: bitter, but flowery aroma. Tea-like something.
"Tasty."
Sasha murmured; short-hair flashed a bright grin, sipped her own, sighed long.
"Phew. Customers, right?"
"Yeah. Guild said you do magitech maintenance for hunters."
"Ah, gotcha. Probably us around here. Whatcha got?"
Lifted the magic sword propped on my knee.
"This sword, helmet too. Sasha here's got a Magic Wall bracelet—needs maintenance, and magic stones too."
"Ooh, job. Sword and helmet magitech?"
"Yeah. Magic sword: sharper edge, easier magic. Helmet's first maintenance—tons unknown. Check for hidden functions if you can."
"Huh? Don't know its functions? Found it?"
"Street stall buy. Thought just non-obstructive vision, but noticed abilities."
"Oho. Bargain find. Neat, if ugly."
"Yeah. Looks are the big flaw."
"Noticed what?"
"Wider field of view, easier breathing, minor night vision maybe."
"Night vision? Yeah, eye area's suspicious-shaped~"
"On/off switch? Defense rating? Wanna know."
"OK. Hardness test's risky—defense approximate. I'll check what I can."
"Please. Rates?"
She pondered, scribbled numbers on scrap paper, calculated.
"Depends on tests, but maintenance: 10 silver each. Bracelet simple—5."
"Got it."
"Investigation's the hassle~. Rough calc: 12-13 silver covers it."
"Magic stones?"
"Right. Lemme see bracelet. Standard—2 silver each?"
"Gimme 10—no, 20."
"Thanks~ Total... how much?"
"Hey, you good? Maintenance 25, investigation 12, stones 40? 77 total."
"Ooh, cheers. Should cover, but contract after my guy's back? Boss yells if I deal solo."
"Yeah."
"Time's money—start maintenance! Bracelet quick."
"Sword and helmet?"
"Few days if possible."
"Both in—sword by tomorrow?"
"Hmm, deal! Not daytime—tomorrow night."
"Ah, got it."
Too late for tomorrow hunt. Shoulda come sooner.
"Gonna work back there. Reception should be back soon..."
"Got it."
Young guy in kimono-like garb emerged—Oriental-Arab face, not striking, but... wings on back. Impressive pair.
"Sorry, was out for lunch."
"Nah, didn't wait long."
"Heard the deal: 77 silver for maintenance, investigation, stones?"
"Yeah."
Grinning service, then wry grimace.
"Actually pricier, that idiot rough-calced... Eh, service price."
"Oh? Cool."
True or not, discount. Or maybe overcalc'd. Whatever.
"Stones with bracelet later. Anything else? Waiting's boring."
Rubbed hands prayer-like, grinned. Obvious sales pose.
"Yeah... short on cash, but explain those magitech?"
"That's the spirit! Star item: this!"
Pulled small wooden box-like magitech. Something inside, music-box vibe.
"Get this: mana recovery device! Slot magic stone here... crank, grab tab... mana recovers! Handy, right?"
"Transfers stone mana to you. How much per stone?"
"Uh... this size stone, a bit...?"
"A bit?"
"1 or 2 numerically, heard. Don't knock it—1-2 can be life or death."
"Maybe."
Size bigger than Magic Wall stones, for 1-2... Poor efficiency.
Nice emergency reserve, though.
"Price?"
"1 gold exact! Bargain."
"Is it?"
Magitech pricey, sure. But inefficient MP recovery, stones extra, 1 gold... Nah.
"Bracelet done!"
Short-hair emerged from back with bracelet and stones.
"No damage, well-used. 3 silver fine."
"Hey, don't—"
"Sorry, but gouging loses customers?"
"Fine, but I said don't haggle solo..."
They started flirting; I cut in, handed 43 silver.
"Rest on pickup good?"
"Yeah, tomorrow night. Too late, I'm asleep."
"Dinner before, then."
Chatted with short-hair, left shop.
...Hungry.
"Grab food?"
"Yes."
Sasha perked up.
Wonder what...