"Gah... Damn it... Aren't these dreams supposed to end? I saw the old me get obliterated by some massive blast... I think? But it seems like he's still alive after all that... crazy bastard."
At first, I wasn't sure if the dreams I was having were from a past life. Then, out of nowhere, this clingy secretary appeared—not in a dream, but in real life—and whisked me off to another world. Now, I'm 100% certain that crazy bastard is indeed my past... reincarnation? Incarnation? Whatever.
Anyway, yesterday was a complete mess. I asked why there was an "Otherworlder" option on the form, and she launched into this whole rant about people arriving from other worlds. But she did mention something interesting—the Free Guild Leader and its creator is an Otherworlder named Yuuki Kagurazaka. Definitely sounds Japanese. Apparently, he had to work really hard, and she was practically worshipping the guy. Honestly, it was kind of refreshing to see someone else getting that kind of attention for a change. I've had celebrity status for one day, and I'm already over it.
So, she explained that since the guild leader had a tough time as an Otherworlder, he set up a system to help others like him. If you select the "Otherworlder" option and prove it, you don't have to pay any fees to register with the Adventurer's Guild.
And since I don't have any money, and Jinrai is practically broke, I had no choice but to go with that option. They handed me another form with some Earth country names as examples, and I filled it out as best I could.
After some time, I was supposed to take an Adventurer's test, but instead, they just handed me a card with "Special-A Rank" on it. Okay... I guess?
Well, I don't want another info dump by asking her questions about Ranks. So, if I can defeat a C+ Rank who's actually a B Rank with only my conqueror haki, then Special A Rank must be A+, right? Someone who can use a sword or special power like Hero's Haki or something like that. Based on my gacha experience, the guild's highest rank must go up to SSS+ or something equally absurd.
They also gave me a sword and some leather armor since first-time adventurers get those, apparently. And since I'm an Otherworlder, I got some coins for it as well. At first, I thought revealing that I'm an Otherworlder was a bad idea, but seeing the money and gear, I changed my mind real quick. It turned out to be a great idea.
After that, Jinrai and I found an inn to spend the night.
Another thing I've noticed... The skill seems to take time to affect others. But how the hell did the adventurers get influenced so fast if it takes minutes for it to work on a receptionist?
Two possibilities come to mind: either the adventurers were weak, or the skill works like a virus—the more people it affects, the faster it spreads.
I really need to find a way to turn this skill off...
Knock... Knock
"Sir Hero... You should wake up..." My train of thought was broken by a knock on the inn's door and Jinrai's voice from outside.
"Yeah... Yeah... I'm awake."
I opened the door to find Jinrai standing there with a tub of water and some kind of black stuff. I looked closer—it was coal.
"Sir Hero... Freshen up. Here, use this to wash your mouth," he said, handing me the coal.
"What is this? What am I supposed to do with this?"
"Uh... You brush your teeth with it..."
"You don't have any toothpaste, do you?"
"Toothpaste...?"
"Okay, you don't need to say anything... I got my answer."
"No, Sir Hero, I'm curious. Please, tell me."
"Well, it's a paste that's used to clean your teeth. Thus, toothpaste..."
"Aha... I remember now. I've seen higher-rank adventurers using that."
"Well, show me how to use this..."
"Yes... Sir Hero."
Don't judge me—I've never used anything other than an automatic toothbrush. I used knowledge from those dreams to manipulate stocks back in my world and made millions, so I might be a bit privileged.
After leaving the room, Jinrai and I headed downstairs. We sat at a table near the door and had some bread and porridge before heading to the Adventurer's Guild to take on my first quests.
Okay... As I found out, Special-A Rank adventurers get assigned really, really tough quests.
"Are you sure... I can do these quests?"
"You're a hero. You'll be fine. It'll be a piece of cake for you."
Okay, asking people affected by my skill about my capabilities is pointless. Noted.
"But Jinrai is with me, you know... And since he's a C+ Rank adventurer, can we get some quests that are suitable for a C+ Rank adventurer? Please."
"Oh... Yes, I'm sorry. I was just blinded by your brilliance... I made a mistake." Okay... Where's the perfect receptionist from yesterday? What did you do to her, you scary skill?
"So, what do you think about this quest, Jinrai?" I asked, pointing to the quest board.
"Which one, Sir Hero?" He asked, looking puzzled.
"The Bees Extermination one..." I pointed out.
"Ohh... I've done that before," he said, launching into an info dump. As much as I hate it, I need to know this stuff, so I kept my focus.
We finally got a C+ ranked extermination mission. According to Jinrai, the monsters are E+ ranked without a queen, but if they have a queen and a nest, their threat level goes up to C+.
Jinrai bought his adventurer's gear, and I put on the guild-issued armor and sword. Now, off to complete my first quest.
"Well then, I hope we can complete the quest safely."
"Don't worry, Sir Hero. Everything will be fine," he said with a big smile. I just looked back at him, mortified...
D...did he just tempt Murphy?
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Author's Note: Murphy doesn't exist; he can't hurt you... But I do exist through...