If I could start an industrial revolution, I might be able to clear a Labyrinth like that in a jiffy.
The one who had thought up such a thing after pondering a whole lot of things the previous night was none other than .
It was important to play to my strengths as an Otherworlder.
By contributing to the cultural level of this world, clearing the Labyrinth using machines instead of magic sounded a good idea.
But the reality was that I had neither the ti nor the connections to make that happen.
I doubted the law of physics would hold true to what I knew in the first place. Sure, Id want to test it out so day, but it wouldnt be possible without money.
Thus, once again, I was confronted by a monetary barrier, so I reluctantly went out for a walk in the town.
The world runs on money.
I checked the culture of the town by basically wandering around public institutions.
Other than that, I looked around stores unique to the world, such as weapon shops and tool shops.
There were so shops called Magic Shops, basically shops for magicians, but their items were too expensive for my financial resources.
It was plain information-gathering work, but if I thought of it as sightseeing, it didnt feel as tedious.
Ti soon passed, and my work at the tavern began.
Just like the previous day, I would be doing my chores around the hustle and bustle of the busy tavern.
The work remained the sa, but I wasnt doing the exact sa thing during the work.
I tried a new usage of the Display.
By focusing on a monster, I had managed to get the monsters information to show on the Display, so I tried to see if I could do it on a human and it succeeded.
For example, if I focused on the big guy with a large scar on his face
Status
Alvin Colson
HP: 165/172 MP: 0/0
Class: Swordsman
Level: 11
STR: 6.72, VIT: 4.54, DEX: 2.01, AGI: 1.78, WIS: 1.32, MAG: 0.00, APT: 0.67
Information about the big man, Alvin Colson, appeared on the Display.
There was no privacy before .
But it was surprisingly fun to do.
I got carried away and checked the strength of every custor who ca into the store.
I had no reason to stop, as I was getting a better understanding of how to handle Display in the process by observing different people.
Also, I found out that I could put conditions on the Display for to look at.
When the Display showed a persons information to , if I strongly desired to know only their na, level, and skills, this would show up:
Status
Alvin Colson
Level: 11
Innate Skills:
Sewing Skill: 1.10
Acquired Skills:
Swordsmanship: 1.23
Apparently, that big man was great at sewing.
The gap between that fact and the bulk of his huge body teased a small smile from .
Just like so, I continued to observe all sorts of people
Until I spotted a familiar face.
It was the boy who looked like a girl that I had t.
A hood hid his face, but I recognized him imdiately since I always kept Dinsion up whenever I found the ti.
He ordered a light al at the counter seat.
Lynn-san took his order, it seed. I couldnt talk to him since I was still at work, but I focused on him to check his na and skills.
Status
Diablo Sith
Level: 1
Innate Skills:
Holy Magic: 3.78
Gods Divine Protection: 3.07
Judgent: 2.00
Concentration: 2.02
Attribute Magic: 2.09
Overcapacity: 2.00
Life Extension: 2.23
Aiming: 2.02
Acquired Skills:
Swordsmanship: 0.09
???:
???:
"Heh?"
I couldnt keep my mouth closed.
Id seen about a dozen Statuses since that morning, and I had never seen one that had such a ridiculous amount of skills as that one.
One or two skills per person was the norm.
Sotis, a skilled adventurer might have three at most.
The numbers were all between 0.00 and 2.00, and none of them had more than 3.00, besides .
And yet, that boy had nine skills, and all of them were highly proficient.
Whats with him
"Hey, Christ-kun! Dont be idle! The manager wants you to wash the dishes in the back!"
Lynn-san saw I was halted in my tracks and spoke up to .
"Y-yes!"
It seed like the kitchen was getting busier.
Curious as I was, I retreated into the back of the store.
Then, after I winced at the sheer amount of dirty dishes that had accumulated, I went about my work.
As I did, I couldnt get the Diablo boy out of my mind.
His talents were so high that youd think he was a joke. A being who was, I dare say, a bit too privileged by the world. If I assud that this world was indeed a ga, then that ant that boy most likely had so pretty important role to play.
Either that, or he was in the sa boat I was. I couldnt wait to find the opportunity to introduce myself and talk to him about it.
As I simulated the conversation I would have with Diablo in my head whilst wordlessly washing the dishes, a loud voice bood from the tables.
The tavern was already a noisy place, but Diablos voice, which I had already heard, caught my ear, so I went to check on him.
"Ha ha ha!! Working with a level one brat will give nothing to gain. Id rather not have you hold back and get killed."
One man laughed out loud; a crowd ford around him.
"Sure, my level is low! But Im confident in my sword, and I know so simple magics!"
In the midst of the crowd, a boy counterargued with a high voice.
It was a boy with golden hair.
I was caught off guard a little, but he seed to be Diablo for sure. His hair was long and smooth the previous night, but he had cut it short to shoulder length since then. And since it was tied back in a bun, it gave him a different appearance, making him look more like a pretty boy.
The adult woman sitting next to the laughing man explained it to the pretty boy, Diablo, in a pacifying tone.
* * *
* * *
"Aah, being able to use magic is indeed a huge deal. However, being a level 1 ans youre even weaker than so random little kids. Or rather, its not normal to be so weak. Even just by helping out your parents or leading a normal life, soone your age should be at least at around level 3. Nevertheless, seeing that you are at level 1, its not unreasonable for us to think that you were either born holding a silver spoonnot knowing a single hardship all your life, or youre a kid with so kind of problematic background, no?"
"Th-thatss!!"
At the womans reasonable answer, Diablo could only choke on his own words and fall silent.
"Damn right. Its near impossible youd be at level 1. Hahaha. If anything, finding soone at level one like you is much harder! Ahahahaha!"
The large man, who must have been an acquaintance of the woman, saw that Diablo was unable to say anything back and grew even more delirious.
It seed like that man was having fun making a fool out of Diablo.
Considering I was only level 1 until recently, his words hurt as well.
"Sh-shut up! Dont make fun of ! I can fight, even if my level is low!!"
Diablo beca agitated and grabbed onto the man. The man, however, simply brushed him off, pouring salt on his injury. Diablo grew even more upset and went to lash it out, cursing at him like so little kid.
Nobody stopped them.
They probably thought that it was just so regular skirmish. But not . That Diablo boy had a promising future waiting.
I knew he was a promising material for to profit from since I could steal a glance at peoples talents.
From the looks of it, Diablo was no match for the man. I thought that it was the perfect timing to make Diablo feel indebted to , so I went to approach him, but Lynn-san couldnt watch it any longer and intercepted faster.
"Okay, okay. Thats that. If youre here to play around, please go out. So immature, going against a kid."
Lynn-san, though she looked fed up, rebuked the man in an experienced manner.
"Oi, oi. Were just looking for a party to explore the Labyrinth with, okay? This kid poked around even though he didnt live up to standard, so I, as a senior adventurer, had to teach him how the world works."
"Then hes learned enough. Co on. You should stop being so short-fused."
With that said, Lynn-san pulled the man and Diablo apart.
"Shit."
Diablo must have realized that he would gain nothing in chasing the matter any further.
He gave Lynn-san the money for his al and was about to leave the tavern.
"With your level, no one is going to take you to their party. You need to consider other jobs."
The man gave Diablo yet another spiked comnt. Lynn-san, however, didnt reproach him for it. She, and most of the people there, agreed with him. Diablo clicked his tongue and left the tavern.
"D-Dinsion."
I imdiately casted the magic in a whisper.
Pouring in most of my MP, I expanded the effect of Dinsion to its limit.
Then, I concentrated on where Diablo was heading.
I would not let him escape.
He was a gem that could cut my Labyrinth exploration effort in half.
"Okay. Everyone, back to your tables. You too, Christ-kun, dont just look around; get back to your station."
"yes."
As I divided my attention between my work and Diablo, I returned to the chore at hand.
The rest of the work was done in a haze, and the store finally closed.
***
After that, I confird with Dinsion that Diablo had entered the Labyrinth.
But seeing he soon ca out in tatters, it was obvious he didnt achieve any luck there.
After the restaurant was closed, I t with the manager to bounce ideas about so basic dishes; then, I was allowed to make a light dish.
That dish then beca a al for , so I just left it lying on the table.
As planned, I went looking for Diablo, who was probably scooting up near so warm places by then.
I used up the last of my MP and caught sight of Diablo crouching down.
"Im hungry."
I was disheartened by how loud his stomach rumbled.
I called out to him, pretending we had just t by accident.
"We et again, huh."
"?! Aah. Youre that taverns employee, right?"
"Yup. Still no money today?"
"As you can see, I cant even eat now."
Diablo shrugged at his own words.
"Thats perfect. Weve got so leftovers. Want to grab a bite?"
"Leftover?"
He seed more than a little suspicious.
I imdiately responded with a line I had prepared.
"I practice cooking in that tavern after closing ti. Today, I have so failed leftovers that I dont know what to do with, you see."
"Aah, you an that. I didnt know you were a cook apprentice. But are sure thats okay? I dont think thats sothing you can just give away to so random stranger."
"Well, thats true Actually, I was there today when you caused that commotion, you see. As an employee, I should have admonished that guy ASAP, but I was so gutless I couldnt do anything So I felt bad for you, so"
"Aah, you saw that? It didnt really bother Though, Ill take the food. Take what you can; thats the kind of guy I am."
After understanding my motive, Diablo stood up, looking relieved.
I might have co off a bit suspicious, but the food seed to sway him.
We returned to the tavern while we had so light chat, and we both devoured our als together.
The food tasted good, and Diablo was surprised that I had made it.
Perhaps culinary culture wasnt so advanced in this world.
"Man, this kicks Right, I heard you went to the Labyrinth before. The female waitress told ."
"Kind of"
Sotis, I wore short sleeves at work.
My burn scar was visible when I did, which sparked interest in custors who then asked Lynn-san about it. It seed like Diablo was one of them.
"How far did you go?"
Diablos interest lay in the Labyrinth.
So, naturally, the topic drifted there.
I chose my words carefully. I didnt want to sound too rushed.
"I tried to dive in alone and got seriously wounded on the first floor. I havent gone in since."
"Heeh, so you were a solo as well."
Diablos face lit up.
Perhaps he was glad he had found a kindred spirit.
"I wasnt lucky in finding a party, you see"
"I see"
I carefully watched Diablos expression.
I anticipated what he was thinking and guided him in the direction I wanted.
After that, we talked about our knowledge of the Labyrinth, our levels, and our statuses.
After a few more such conversations finally, I succeeded in fishing out the long-awaited words from Diablos own mouth.
"Hey. If youre cool with it, why dont we go to the Labyrinth together?"
Diablo invited to join him, looking anxious and hesitant.
If it had taken any longer, I would have invited him myself. I imdiately accepted his invitation without any hesitation.
"Right. That doesnt sound bad. Were pretty close in terms of strength, and covering each others downfall sounds good to ."
"R-really?! Thank you!!"
"But Im working in the tavern at night. I can only help out for a short ti in the morning."
"No, thats enough! Thats no problem at all! Man, youre a life saver!"
Diablo continued to show his gratitude, smiling all the while.
It seed like he was delighted that his long, bitter search for a companion finally bore fruit.
I didnt show it on my face, but I was actually celebrating deep inside.
Above all else, getting an ally whose loyalty to extended above an obligation was valuable. An ally who was knowledgeable about this world and the Labyrinth would make it easier for to deal with the unexpected.
"Then can we start tomorrow?!"
"Yeah, we can. My na is Christ Eurasia. Feel free to call Christ."
"Got it. My na is Dia, no surna. Just Dia. Call that."
We finished introducing ourselves, and he didnt seem to show any particular reaction to my na.
I was lowkey hoping that he was soone from my original world, considering his ridiculous status and skills, but it seed like things werent that simple for .
Also, he nad himself differently.
His Display obviously showed the surna Sith.
Depending on how surnas were given in this world, it didnt seem like Dia was lying. It was possible that the Display anticipated the na he would assu in the future when it showed his full na.
This ga-like Display.
There seed to be pitfalls for waiting within it.
"Ehehe"
Dia bead with joy at having for company.
Combined with his androgynous, beautiful face, he was many tis prettier than any random girl. I myself have a delicate, unmanly facial profile, but not as much as him. I tried to verify his gender through the use of Display, but Display had no entry for gender. Either way, it wouldnt bother much. If he himself said that he was no girl, then it was best to go with that.
"Erm, nice having you with . Dia."
"Ou!"
And what was shown on the Display next were these words:
Diablo Sith has Joined your Party
Party leader is Kanami Aikawa.
After that, Dia thanked for the food, and we parted ways normally.
When I asked him about where he would sleep, he told he would usually sleep out in the open, but there was nothing I could do about that. I couldnt have him stay inside the tavern after it was closed, so it was hard for to help him any further.
In the corner of the tavern, I thought about what would co in the morning.
I fell asleep while working out my strategy.
Third Day, Finished
Status
Na: Kanami Aikawa
HP: 151/151, MP: 2/141
Class:
Level: 4
STR: 3.03, VIT: 3.16, DEX: 4.07, AGI: 5.05, WIS: 6.09, MAG: 8.08, APT: 7.00
Constitution:
Confusion: 4.26
EXP: 127/800
Skill Status
Innate Skills:
Swordsmanship : 1.01
Freezing Magic: 2.02
Acquired Skills:
Dinsional Magic: 5.01 0.10
???:
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Magic
Freezing Magic:
Freeze: 1.00
Ice: 1.01
Dinsional Magic:
Dinsion: 1.03
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