Call This a Status Window?

Light flashed, and the world around me changed.

From a courtroom to a rustic village square.

The moment the townsfolk spotted me materializing out of thin air, their eyes went wide and they started eyeing me with open suspicion.

Well, fair enough — if a person just poofed into existence, you'd be on guard too...

And I already knew the first rule for situations like this: both hands up over your head, broadcasting that you're harmless.

The second I showed my empty palms and made it clear I meant no trouble, I felt the villagers' wariness ease off a notch.

Hmm. Body language really is universal. That said — why the dead center of the square, of all places? Hmm...

I was just thinking they could've dropped me somewhere safer and more out of the way when a somewhat older-looking villager carefully approached.

"Could you be... the Hero?"

What? Why the sudden hero talk?

Come to think of it, reincarnated heroes were a staple fantasy cliché. But Kylie had never once called me a hero, so I figured I probably wasn't one. Best to tell the truth.

"I'm not a hero."

I was honest. The otherworld native didn't buy it.

"But... you match the Hero legend passed down through the generations exactly."

What kind of legend involves randomly appearing in a town square? Sure, it's impressive, but isn't there something more plausible? Pulling a sword from a stone, maybe?

Grumbling about the so-called legend under my breath, I opened my mouth to correct the middle-aged-to-elderly man's misunderstanding.

"I'm just..."

But the instant I tried to speak the truth and introduce myself, the words jammed in my throat.

How was I supposed to introduce myself? Otherworlder? Reincarnator? Amnesiac?

...

No matter which one I picked, it looked like trouble.

"You needn't hide it. Though the Church of Kalla has split, they would hardly dare harm a Hero."

When I couldn't finish my sentence, the villager spoke as if he understood everything.

Ha... I really should've checked my status window somewhere quiet...

The moment that complaint crossed my mind—

...? The status window appeared! But...

The status window was weird. The job was weird. And updates? Is this a game? Look, I get that having a floating status window at all is already absurd, but even so...

Hmm... First, let's check the villager standing in front of me.

...? Every other villager I could see had the exact same locked-down window.

No... I can't even read other people's status windows properly, and the stats are letter grades instead of numbers... What kind of status window is this!!!

I needed to find a temple as soon as possible and meet Kylie.

But first, I had to deal with those sparkling eyes locked onto me.

"I'm not a hero. I'm a slave merchant, Chief."

"Haha... No need to hide it."

"It's the truth. I'm looking for a temple. Where's the nearest one from here?"

I had no time to play along with the chief's hero fantasy. I needed to see Kylie and ask about this status window — immediately.

"So you truly have received the Goddess's call! Hahaha! Did the Goddess tell you to conceal your job? But slave merchant is a poor choice of cover. Slavery was abolished on the Kalla Continent over a hundred years ago. There's no way a slave merchant would exist. Disguise yourself with that profession and you'll be found out at once."

What is this now...?

"I'll guide you to the temple tomorrow. Tonight, enjoy the festival celebrating the Hero's arrival, and depart in the morning. And since you seem unfamiliar with the Kalla Continent, allow me to give you a rough explanation as well. Everyone! It's the Hero! The Hero has come! Prepare the festival!"

I let the chief's words wash over me and tried to organize the situation.

The status window is weird. I'm a slave merchant. My stats and skills don't look great. This continent is Kalla. There are no slaves on the Kalla Continent. No slaves means, obviously, no slave merchants.

Excuse me? Goddess?

I was starting to wonder whether you could sue a god for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fraud. Should've studied law a little harder.

Whether I was spiraling or not, the villagers were buzzing with excitement, deep into festival preparations. I found myself missing a mother I'd never even met.

As I blankly stared at my status window, the Special tags attached only to Potency and Slave Management caught my eye — along with the ? after Interpretation. The instant I wondered about them, the status window went to work.

So this is superhuman virility... Wait. Then does that mean the 31 cm, 16 cm is...?!

The meaning of those outrageous numbers hit me. I snuck a glance down at my crotch, then checked the status window again.

Well, that's basic for reincarnation.

Ooooh!!! Slave Summon!

I'm sorry! Lady Kylie!

Apologizing for badmouthing Kylie without even examining the status window properly, I focused on the rest of my abilities and skills.

Hmm... Raising my evaluation rank is top priority if I want a slave harem. But how do I raise it... Do I have to send them out for service or sell them like in a game...? I don't like the idea of someone else using what's mine, though...

A little different from what I'd expected, but the explanations made sense enough.

...

Alright. First priority: find somewhere secluded and use Slave Summon.

Having thoroughly examined the status window and carefully formulated a plan, I stood up to look for a place suitable for training a slave — when the chief called out to me.

"Hero. The festival preparations are complete. This way, please."

I'd been so absorbed in the status window I hadn't noticed, but looking around now, the square was bathed in sunset light, laden with prepared food, and filled with mouthwatering smells.

"Chief, I'm truly sorry, but I'm not a hero — I'm a slave merchant. I have business to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."

The spread of food was tempting, but slaves came first.

"Oh, Hero. Still with those lies. Very well, then. Show me your ID card. If it lists you as a slave merchant, I'll believe you."

Is there such a thing...?

"This may be hard to believe, but I currently have nothing on me."

As I said it, I started turning out every pocket of my pants. But the moment I slipped a hand inside, my fingers brushed something hard, thin, and rectangular.

... Is this it?

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

I carefully pulled the object out.

"Hahaha. Why do you keep lying, Hero. Now then, let's see. Han Mir, Hero. Primary job is Slave... Merchant?"

The chief's face began to harden as he looked at my ID card — one I hadn't even seen myself yet.

"Yes. As I told you earlier, I'm a slave merchant. Now please return that card."

I stretched out my hand to take it back and noticed the chief's eyes had gone sharp.

"This can't be! A slave merchant has reappeared on the continent! Get out of here! You slave-merchant scum! You came to our village to hunt for slaves, didn't you! Get out! Get out!"

"Farewell!"

I started running out of the village, leaving the raging chief behind. A glance over my shoulder showed the townsfolk grabbing anything that could serve as a weapon, having clearly heard his shouts.

Look, I told you my job, but the chief alone refused to believe me and went and prepared a whole festival — why am I the bad guy here?

But if I stopped to argue that now, I'd end up skewered on that pitchfork.

I died from a stabbing and got sent here. Getting turned into a kebab the second I arrive is not happening.

How long did I run along the road? When I looked back again, no pursuing villagers were in sight.

"Whew..."

Letting out a sigh of relief, I walked along the path, scanning the surroundings. I needed a secluded spot to use Slave Summon.

And then I found one.