I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship, so I Became a Space Mercenary Chapter 6 – Mercenary Guild

Translator: SFBaka

After I arrived in front of the reception counter, I found myself facing a guy sporting nurous old battle scars on his body. His left arm also seed like a chanical prosthetic. How should I put this? It felt like I finally encountered sothing rcenary guild-like.

“Ahn? The hell do you guys want?”

“He’s a newbie. This guy’s going around Underground without registering with the Guild.”

“Huh? Underground? I sotis hear about guys like that, but it’s my first ti seeing one in person. C’mon over and take a seat bro.”

“Ah, yes.”

I sat down in front of the counter like I was told. This guy was pretty intense man. If I t soone like him back ho in Japan, I’d never want to get involved with the guy at all. He really looks like soone from a rather “dangerous and illegal” profession.

“Even if you’re unregistered, you do own a ship right? Tell your ship na and I.D. It’s parked in the hangar bay right?”

“Yes.”

“Pfft. You really seem like a frightened little kitten. So interesting.”

“Shut up.”

I glared at Elma, who had one hand over her mouth while trying to stifle her laughter but didn’t seem to be able to. Dammit! I can’t help it okay! This uncle’s just hella scary man!

The receptionist uncle with a terrifying face inputted the ship na and I.D. I gave him on a tablet terminal and fiddled with it for so monts.

“The hell? What’s up with your ship kid? I’ve never seen a model like this before.”

“Although I can’t exactly disclose the source, I guarantee I didn’t get her illegally.”

“Nah, y’know… Well, it’s a breach of manners to ask about a rcenary’s past. It says here you engaged three pirate ships in battle four days ago and managed to win, but that’s about it. Rather, you don’t have any other activity records kid.”

“I seem to have gotten involved in an accident while my ship was on Hyperdrive and got thrown out sowhere near this colony. Because of that accident, I seem to have lost most of my mories, and I currently have absolutely no idea where I am.”

“You serious? Ah… Well, that’s fine. You don’t have a bounty on your head anyway. Oh yeah, could you stop it with that polite language thing? If the other guys hear you talkin like that, you’d get looked down on y’know.”

“Y- Yeah.”

Man, it sure takes so serious balls to talk in a casual manner with this grim-faced uncle…

“That’s true. It’s more or less over for a rc who’s underestimated, so watch how you act from now on. However, you’re still as lax as ever, aren’t you?”

“You’re also aware of the rules, right missy? There’s no rit for probing about a rc’s past. If they’ve got no bounty on their heads and properly earn their keep, then there’s absolutely no problem.”

A question suddenly popped into my head while the two were having their conversation. So I decided to just blurt it out right away.

“Um, a starship’s not exactly cheap, right? So I’m sure there aren’t that many guys who go like [I got myself one, so I’ll be a rcenary starting today!] just like that yeah? How do you even manage to recruit enough mbers then?”

I think my question does have so rit. I’ve investigated the general market prices in this world these past few days, and in order to purchase a properly ard ship, you’d need to fork out at least 50,000 Enel. If you convert that to Japanese Yen, you’d end up with 5,000,000. I haven’t managed to investigate the average inco of people in this world, but I’m sure that’s still an astronomical amount of money for the average joe.

“Well, there are actually lots of guys who’re forrly from the military active in this business y’see. They’re pretty high leveled and have great skills. There are also so who just plain love fighting and chose to beco rcenaries as a result. There’s also them extrely greedy, money-obsessed types.”

“There are also those who graduated from the rcenary Training Institute right?”

“Yeah. But there’s none of those types in this particular star system.”

“Those still seems to be a bit lacking as sources of ‘fresh blood’ though.”

“Guess so. But the galaxy’s a friggin huge place kid. We’ve managed to get enough mbers to fulfill most of the requests sent to us.”

Hm. In other words, there are lots of prerequisites, so they’ve managed to gather up only the folks who fulfill those conditions. Or maybe there just isn’t a lot of rcenary work in this world? Hm. I don’t get it. I don’t get it, but I’ll just go with the flow anyway.

“I’ve finished setting up your registration. The only thing left is the test.”

“Test?”

“Yeah. If we don’t know how skilled you are, won’t we have no idea what type of jobs you’d be able to take up?”

“That’s reasonable. But how are you gonna test ?”

“Training course. There’s a simulator here for that purpose. I’ll have you undergo that.”

“OK.”

The receptionist uncle stood up from his seat, called out towards the back of the office and guided Elma and to another room. Why’d Elma follow anyway? Elma grinned mischievously at when she noticed my gaze.

“Don’t you think I have the right to see just how skilled the rookie I brought with is?”

“You do?”

Well, I did manage to smoothly proceed with my rcenary registration thanks to Elma, so I don’t really mind if she observes my moves. Moreover, the opinions of a veteran rc with five years of experience under her belt would be valuable. If I have her evaluate , I’ll be able to more properly judge my overall skill level.

“It’s right here.”

The room with the simulator was surprisingly bigger than I expected. Lined up within it were simulator machines that looked a bit like small-sized trucks. Or rather, they seem to be mimicking just the cockpit block of a ship.

“Chose sothing which resembles the cockpit model of your ship and get in.”

“Gocha.”

The overall look of a ship’s cockpit is largely influenced by its manufacturer. That also goes for the cockpit controls. So most ships are made to be compatible with most cockpit blocks available on the market. This essentially ans that it’s possible to detach a cockpit block and install it onto another ship. This function was also available on Stella Online, so I’m quite used to it.

“Guess it’s this one.”

“Hoh. Ain’t that a high-end military model? Alright. I’ll have it prepped straight away.”

The uncle, who seed sohow impressed when I chose my cockpit block, went away sowhere. I’m sure he’s going to the control room for the simulators. Elma’s figure was also gone. Guess she’s spectating from sowhere else.

“Well then, let’s start the evaluation test.”

“Roger that. What about the operating data of this test unit?”

“I’ll upload your ship’s data on it. You should be able to control it like you usually do after…… Oi, oi. What the heck is this?”

“What’s up?”

“You really askin ? This unit’s data… Can you really use this thing?”

“I think I’ll be okay if it’s Krishna’s data.”

Was there sothing strange about the data. Well, I don’t really know how Krishna would be evaluated in this world. It was a pretty strong unit back in Stella Online though.

“Oh well. This is a test to evaluate your skills after all. The objective of the test is pretty basic. Destroy all enemy units. All ships except for you are enemies. They’ll be few in number at first, but they’ll be coming at you in waves. The difficulty will increase as their numbers go up.”

“Got it.”

“Then let’s start the test. Activating the unit.”

The cockpit interior dimd; only a minimal amount of illumination remained. So it accurately simulates even a ship’s dormant state. I fired up the main generator with practiced motions and brought it up to battle level. In response to that, the simulated Krishna activated, and a space environnt gradually unveiled itself before . It was a pretty realistic view. This simulator’s extrely detailed.

[Unidentified ship detected. Its weapon systems are online]

I also activated my weapon systems and quickly set course for the location of the enemy ship displayed on the radar. I accelerated all at once. I felt my body being strongly pressed down onto the seat.

“Whoah. This thing even simulates the Gs.”

What kind of tech did they use to make this thing? Well, if this world really was the sa as Stella Online, then a gravity generating device should have been developed. This machine must be using sothing like that.

A figure that seed to be the enemy ship was cruising in the distance and carefully approaching in order to mount a surprise attack. I’ve already managed to get a lock on the slowpoke. The four manipulator arms deployed from the hull and imdiately aid at the enemy ship. The mont I pulled the control stick’s trigger, four beams of light fired straight at the enemy and tore it open. I managed to shoot down the enemy in one attack.

“How fragile.”

Not to ntion slow as heck. Judging from its appearance, it was a small transport ship with a high carrying capacity. Just this huh?

More enemy ships appeared after that, but all of them were pretty weak. Slow. Fragile. They’re no different from live targets. I don’t think they would be able to properly gauge my abilities with these.

“Ah, looks like the evaluation program for new recruits just won’t cut it.”

“Hey. Isn’t the difference in unit specs too lopsided?”

“Well, you’re right but… Let change to a different test program.”

“Roger.”

I tried out the new program. It was definitely better than the first, but the enemies were still quite slow. Damn weak. They’re no different from those suckers I shot down a few days ago.

“They’re so weak. I can’t feel any sort of pressure.”

“The hell kid… This is an evaluation program for veterans y’know.”

“Wha— You’re joking right? Isn’t there anything more difficult?”

“There is… But I think this one’s a bit of an overkill.”

I finally felt so pressure this ti. More than ten pirate ships attacked all at once, and their weapons were also quite powerful. But if I keep a close eye and take tily evasive actions whenever they fired their high-powered ballistic weaponry, I’d be fine. Their laser cannons can’t even penetrate my shield, so they’re practically no threat. The light cruiser model that ca out at the end was pretty tough. But once I managed to get to its blind spot, it beca a done deal.

“That did make sweat a little.”

“You can’t be serious kid!?” the uncle cried out in exasperation. Huh? Was that actually the highest difficulty?

“Uh… Well. Damn. The test’s over, kid.”

“Roger that.”

That was easier than I thought. I wonder how they’ll evaluate …? Well, judging from that uncle’s reaction, it’ll probably be alright. I cut the power flow from the generator, stopped the simulator and stepped out of the cockpit. When I went out of the simulator hatch, I found the receptionist uncle and Elma staring at with hard to describe looks on their faces. They could probably be described as disbelieving expressions.

“Um, what’s my evaluation results?”

“Ah, let’s get back to the counter and talk there.”

They sure are acting strange. I think it would’ve been fine even if they told the result here. For so reason, Elma also kept staring at my face. Just what’s with all this man?

I followed the two of them back to the lobby with my head tilted in puzzlent.

“Uh… First, about the exam result.”

“Yeah.”

“You passed.”

“That’s great. But what’s with those strange expressions?”

“Well y’see, we rcenaries have a ranking system in place.”

“Hm?”

Was it sothing similar to that adventurer ranking thing used in a lot of those isekai thed webnovels? Would this lead to a developnt where I suddenly get promoted to A or S rank?

“It’s called a Combat Rank, and it serves to objectively represent a rc’s combat capabilities. The five ranks are as follows: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Iron’s the lowest and Platinum’s the highest.”

“I see. So?”

“The last test you tackled was the one for promotion to Gold Rank.”

“Okay?”

“But y’see, even though you did pass the Gold Rank promotion exam, I can’t just suddenly promote you to Gold right from the start.”

“I understand.”

I’m not too hot on the idea of getting promoted to the second-highest rank just like that either anyway. This was sothing not present in Stella Online after all. I want to savor the pleasure of ranking up step by step.

“You don’t have a solid track record yet. You understand, right?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“So for now, you’ll be ranked Bronze. Temporarily, of course. I’ll pass the data from the simulation you took earlier to the higher-ups and have them confirm your ranking.”

“Spare from suddenly ranking up to Gold, will you? I’d miss out on the fun of steadily raising my rank.”

“I— Is that so?”

It sohow felt like I’m drawing too much attention. Elma kept painfully staring at from the side while sporting a especially grumpy expression. What? Please stop that. I’m just a newbie here, y’know. Please cut a little slack ma’am.

“For now, the rank’s tentative, but you’re already officially registered as a rcenary. You’ll have the backing of the rcenary Guild from now on. And at the sa ti, you’ll also be carrying the na and reputation of the rcenary Guild with you. Please try not to forget this fact.”

“Aren’t you supposed to explain the rules and regulations for new mbers or sothing?”

“It’s a pain, so just read the manual yourself. I’ll send it to you via e-mail.”

“Now that’s just plain lazy.”

“It’s not like you need to read it right away. Just run through it slowly tonight or sothing.”

“Now then, why is my great Elma-senpai so upset, I wonder?”

“Silver.”

“Eh?”

“I’ve just managed to reach Silver after five years worth of effort y’know.”

“Ah. Eh. Um…”

When I looked towards the receptionist uncle for help, he quickly turned his gaze away from mine.

“You’ll probably make it to Silver yourself soon kid.”

“Ah… Mmm.”

“Grrr…”

“No matter what my rank turns out to be, Elma-senpai will always be my senpai! Look, if I didn’t et Elma-senpai, I’d probably remain unregistered until now. I still don’t know left from right and need your help. I’m the pathetic scrub who doesn’t even know where the convenience store is. I’ll always be counting on Elma-senpai. It’s true!”

“I— Is that so? T— That’s fine then. Let’s go to the convenience store next. This ‘senpai’ will properly guide you.”

This disappointing space elf quickly regained her mood after my unrestrained bootlicking spree. How easy.

“Amazing~ How admirable~”

“As for this colony’s map……”

“We’ll be going ahead then!”

The receptionist uncle looked like he kinda wanted to say sothing but I stopped him with my gaze. Just stop uncle. It’ll be troubleso if her mood drops again okay.

Hold on? Y’know, I probably wouldn’t have any trouble going around this place if I managed to obtain a map. But let’s just stop that train of thought, shall we? Yeah.