Chapter 4 – Port Sazan and the Guild

Author: A lot of explanation.

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After exiting the forest and heading south for an hour, Port Sazan finally came into view.

As we made our way there, Kosuinen started to grate on my nerves, constantly asking me about the item I had used to heal Nellie. I ended brushing him off saying that I had received them as a reward for saving the lives of some nobles and had used just used up the last of my stocks.

Although I had already spoken at length with Nellie and the three guards, finding out more about the world without giving myself away proved to be quite difficult. Eventually, I remembered I had learned Advanced Conversation and Advanced Seduction, and upon activation, conversation proceeded so smoothly that I wondered why I was even worried in the first place. Though to be fairs, these were skills only used to deceive NPCs of enemy nations back in the game.¹

From our conversation, I learned that the three guards belonged to an organization called the “Adventurer’s Guild.” The Guild was responsible for dispatching adventurers to perform a kind of contract work. It mainly commissioned monster neutralisation, escorting, exploration, etc. The trio had taken on the request to accompany Kosuinen as guards.

Additionally, one’s class referred to the fundamental job knowledge and skill information that the guild would impart via magic to those who satisfied the necessary requirements. No wonder they thought “kunoichi” was a one of the rare hidden classes. Incidentally, the guild also had basic slave as a class, Nellie being such an example, because some were already paying out of pocket to buy slaves to use as meat shields for Guild work.

“Is that so?” said Quinn. ”So you arrived here from another continent?”

“Yes, so there was this magic research institution that was conducting an experiment on teleportation. And at the time, I happened to be escorting some big-shots by the area when I was unfortunately caught up in the explosion… The next thing I knew, I was in the middle of the forest.”

“That sounds… really rough,” Quinn said, offering her sympathies while making a pained expression. “Here I was thinking your items and your appearance didn’t seem around from these parts. So it was because you were from another continent… I’m a little shocked.”

Yeah, even I felt it was a lame justification, but thanks to having activated my conversations skills, she didn’t seem to doubt me in the slightest… Well, even if I had told them the truth that I was from a different world, they’d likely have an even harder time believing me.

“In that case Shino-dono,” Quinn continued, ”you should think about registering with the Guild in this town! If you plan on travelling, it would serve as a good replacement for an ID, and with your abilities, even reaching A-rank wouldn’t be far off.”

“Hmm, why not. I do need to secure our finances too.” Thinking about it, I didn’t have any money that could be used in this world since all of Sengoku Online’s currency was in kan.²

As our aimless chatter filled the air, we at some point arrived at Kosuinen’s end destination, Port Sazan.

*karma*

“Right, good work you all. Get out the commission completion certificate, and I’ll sign.”

Govack took out the paper, “Here you go.”

“Ah, yes,” writing on them, Kosuinen handed them back, ” this seems all good. Here you go.”

Looking it over, Govack’s face twisted, “Kosunien, sir, what’s the meaning of this ‘C’ evaluation? The cargo was unharmed?”

“Hmph, though you could say monsters’ appearance was more than we had budgeted for, I still lost my beastkin girl’s arm… She was still my property then. Of course I’d subtract off my evaluation.”

“… Tch, no helping it then.”

“Ha, be grateful that I didn’t mark the request incomplete. Hahahaha.” With an evil smile curled on his face (or so I was convinced), Kosuinen left us and headed towards the merchant district. Likely on the way to deliver his cargo.

“What an aggravating guy…” I spat out, glaring at the air in the direction he had left in. ”Just thinking a bastard like him was once Nellie-chan’s master ticks me off.”

Nellie quietly pulled at the sleeves of my tunic, “But Goshujin-sama… now I belong to you.” Like the very embodiment of a cat, Nellie nuzzled her neck against my back.

“Ahh! Nellie,” I turned around immediately hugging her tightly with both arms,” you’re just too cute! But you know Nellie, could you call me not by Goshujin-sama, but by my name?”

“Uhm… uhh… Shino, sama?”

“Yes, yes, one more time.”

“Shino-sama…”

“Mhm, you’re so adorable.”

*karma*

*karma*

“Uhm… Shino-dono?” Govack’s voice brought me back to my senses. I had almost lost myself in a world of just Nellie and I.

“Pa-pardon me… I couldn’t help myself.”

“What are your plans now? If you’re planning on registering with the Guild, we could take you along yeah?”

“Ah, yes, if you could.“

Although it pained me to, I extracted myself off of Nellie’s cushy body, and, without letting it show on my face, followed after Govack’s group.

“Oh, so it’s like a proper place after all,” I said to myself, ”almost like a city hall.”

“Well, this is the second largest town next to the capital after all,“ said Govack responding to my offhand remarks with sincerity, ”not really sure what a ‘city hall’ is though. Come in this way.”

Following after his party, Nellie and I entered the guild. The inside was an area with several windowed counters, much like a government office, placed alongside a dining hall.

“New recruits should go to that counter, if I recall.”

As if hearing Govack’s words, the lady behind the counter replied, “Yes, this counter is fine.”

“Ah, not for me. This lady here would like to register.”

“Very well. Please fill out this form with your name, age, sex, and class you are applying for. Place of birth is optional.”

“Understood.” I took the paper form and began to fill it out. It seems the writing is the same as Japan’s. Thinking about it now, people could understand what I was saying, though perhaps it was to be expected of the world closest to my own.

“About that, the lady told me she’s from another continent, and her class is something called a kunoichi… Will that cause any problems?”

“A, kunoichi? Please wait a moment…

We have no records of a kunoichi class here. It would be a completely new class. We won’t be able to grant you any skills with magic, but if you still would like continue, we can register you and your new class.”

“Yeah, I’d fine with that.” I already had more skills than I would ever need anyway.

“Thank you very much. Should you provide us with information regarding your class’s skills, we will waive the registration fee.”

“Hmm, would I have to reveal all my skills?”

“Not at all, just one skill exclusive to the class would be sufficient. Or five non-class-exclusive skills.”

“Then that’s no problem, I’ll share the information. What do I need to do?”

“Thank you very much. Please place your hand on this divination stone,” taking out a pure white, mousepad-like stone, she continued, “and bring to mind the image up of the skill you would like to share.”

Deciding on a which kunoichi skill, I placed my right hand on it.

“The scan is now complete. The skill you offered is:

Shadow Bind, mana cost 0
Able to cast after a shuriken or similar weapon is lodged into a target’s shadow.
Once cast, it seals the target’s movements.
Relevant Attributes: Mid, Dex
Resistance Attributes: Mid
Base Success Rate: 80%

Is that corec— eeehhh!? Paralysis effect, 0 mana cost, and a success rate of 80%!? I-i-is it really alright!? Are you really okay divulging this ultimate-like skill to us!?”

“I don’t mind at all.”

“Unbelievable, what a crazy skill,” said Govack, wholly impressed.

But it wasn’t as if anyone over here were familiar with what ninjas³ could do, I myself had resistance to it, and it wasn’t even my strongest skill. And indeed, in Sengoku Online, it was a skill that didn’t see much use.

“Tha-thank you. Now then, I only need transcribe the information from your form onto your guild card… Just as before, please place your hand over here.”

Compared to the stone before, I put my hand on the much smaller… plaque the size of a smartphone she handed me.

“Please wait one minute… It is now ready.”

In that minute, the smartphone-sized plaque turned pitch black.

“Depending on your class, your card does change color, but such a dark black is really quite unusual… Please hold your card and imagine the words ‘open status’.”

“Alright.” Open status… hmm.

*karma*
Name: Shino Kagura
Sex: Female
Age: 21
Total Level: 85
Guild Rank: F
Class Level: Kunoichi 85

*karma*
Titles
‘Equilibrium of the Cosmos’
‘Kunoichi Master’

Special Skills
Character Change
Mana Release
Mana Transfer

Type Affinity
Shadow +50%
Fire +20%
Light −10%

Blessings
World’s Unnamed Overseer
*karma*

… Somehow, I get the feeling that it’d be unwise to show anyone else the contents of this card.

My MP is ‘N/A’!? And what’s with this ‘Equilibrium of the Cosmos’ title!? Though the Character Change skill is was probably there so I could make use of my alternative characters…

“Uh, uhm.”

“Yes?”

“When I want to use this as an ID, must I show everything?”

“Ah, no, you are able to hide everything but your name, class, guild rank, sex, and age. In that minimal state, it will still serve as an ID without any issues. Additionally, Guild staff are also unable to view hidden sections except under extenuating circumstances. We guarantee your privacy.”

Alright, I should be safe for the most part then.

“If everything looks in order, then I would like to continue explaining each section.”

“P-please do.”

“Ahem, in that case…
Name, sex, class level, and age all mean what you expect,
total level is calculated from the experience gained from all your classes,
your guild rank is your rating within the Guild,
ranks range from EX, S, A, B, C, D, E, to F highest to lowest,

because you just joined Shino-sama, you are an F-rank,
incidentally, C-ranks are veterans, B-ranks are the elite, A-ranks are the top elite, S-ranks are the equivalent heroes, and EX-ranks may as well be legends,

HP is your life force,
MP is your possed mana,
Str is physical strength,
Vit is vitality or robustness,
Dex is dexterity,
Spd is speed,
Int is intelligence,
Mid is willpower,

for all stats except HP and MP, the average for adults is between 8 and 12, and for humans, the max is 18 in each stat,
the higher your level, the more difficult it becomes to raise it,

titles are like second name given at the will of the gods,
special skills are specific to the individual or to the class, and will persist in effect without needing ever to equip them into your skill slots,
type affinity affects your attack power and damage received for the associated type,
positive affinity is of course more desirable, and those who possess any affinity of over +20% are quite rare,
and blessings refer to divine protection granted by gods or beings of equal stature.

That should be about everything to give a rough idea.”

“T-thank you for taking the time to explaining everything to me…” Amazing, she said everything in one breath without stopping.

“Should you wish to take on any requests, please proceed to the next counter to apply.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Great, it’s seems you’ve registered. Next is this counter.” As if waiting for me to finish registering, Govack led me to the counter next door in charge of commissions.

“It’s already this late, so I’d like to leave looking for work for tomorrow.”

“Ah, that’s not it, Shindo-dono. Actually, the scale vipers you defeated are the target of an ongoing neutralization request, and if you bring what was designated as the kill proof, you can receive guild points and other rewards in exchange.”

“Is that so?”

“This is your share of five gems… The gems on the scale viper’s head serves as the proof for them. Try handing them in to the counter along with your card.”

“You took the time to gather my share as well?”

“Well, you did save our lives, so we had to do something in return, though it’s not much… We didn’t get much off this job, so please let us off at just that.”

“No need to worry, this is already plenty. Thank you.”

In contrast to his outer appearance, he was quite attentive to the small things. Much appreciated.

In short fashion, I went to the commissions counter to submit the five gems, “Can you process these?”

“Yes, these gems are… from scale vipers? And five of them! … Please wait a moment.”

The lady behind the counter disappeared deep inside and, after some rummaging, returned holding two bags.

“This small one contains two gold coins, and this large one contains 50 silver coins. One scale viper is 5,000 kram totaling to 25,000 kram.”

“Thank you very much,” I replied to the counter lady. Then I asked Govack next to me, ”By the way, about how much is this worth on this continent?”

“Let’s see, with 10 kram, one could buy a meal at quite an appetizing restaurant. With 100 kram or 1 silver coin, you could spend a night with two meals at a middle-grade inn.”

“… It’s quite the amount then.”

“It is. But adventurers have a lot of expenses between weapons, armor, and medical treatment… It’ll be gone before you know it if you’re not careful.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

But at least now I found a path to the life together with Nellie.

So many things happened today. I felt exhausted, especially mentally. Can this day just be over so I can find an inn to pass out in squeezing Nellie like the lovely mass of pillow she is.

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Author: Shino-san is walking straight down the path of a degen at a terrifying pace (lol).

¹ Non-Player Characters (NPCs) are citizens of the game world that do not have a player behind their actions. Typically not used to refer to monsters.

² Kan, also known as kanme, is a unit of measurement for weight in the context of the real world. As of 1891, following the Japanese government’s efforts to standardize it, the kan is equivalent to exactly 3.75 kilograms or 1000 momme (the standard unit of measurement in the pearl industry).

³ For those forgetful, kunoichis are a gender-specific term for female ninjas.

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