Shujinkou Janai! - CH 40

As the temporary confusion subsided, the excitement seemed to prevail in Maisie’s mind.

[This is amazing, Rex-sama! Of course, there’s your ability to gauge another person’s strength, but for the Duel to actually be able to be used like this……]

Maisie, who seems to have given up using honorifics other than calling my name with “-sama”, was full of praise for me.

The <Soul Duel> is often used as a test run for character builds in the game.

It’s not such a far-fetched idea to use it to check the aptitudes of a character, but it may be a surprising idea to local Adventurers, who only think of the Arena as “a place to fight in”.

(Or perhaps, could the inhabitants of this world need some external stimulus to make them behave in a way they don’t in the game?)

It’s an interesting point, but verifying that would be for later.

Just as I was about to move to the Temple, Maisie shouted “Ahh”, and asked me with a serious expression on her face.

[U- Umm, Rex-sama. Could I tell my party members about how you helped me check my talent? Of course, I’ll tell them to keep it a secret, so……]

I wondered what she was talking about because she sounded so serious, but of course, that wasn’t going to be a problem.

I was reflexively going to answer “Okay, but I thought for a moment.

[……No. In that case, just bring them over here.]

[Eh?]

[Since we’re at it, I’ll take a look at those guys too. Of course, you don’t really have to……]

As I was about to say that, Maisie jumped up.

[I- I’ll get them! I will bring them here! I’ll drag them out here with a noose around their necks, so wait…… Please wait!]

As soon as she said this, she was already running outside.

From her expression, it seems like she really was going to bring all of them here.

[……Perhaps, have I been hasty?]

I’m sure things are going to be busy after this, so I started explaining the training menu to Radd and the others who had been following me up to this point.

※　※　※

And so, the next day. The 12th Day of the 11th Month.

Resilia and I were walking leisurely toward the Guild.

[Today’s definitely the day I’m going to check up on Radd and his party.]

In the end, after that ruckus with Maisie yesterday, she had gathered all her party members and returned in only about 20 minutes since then.

What was unexpected was their reaction. Some of them were obviously still in their loungewear, but none of them complained, and were instead feeling thankful.

It was unexpected, but since they’ve already gathered, it can’t be helped.

I sent them all out of the Arena again, had them equip the appropriate equipment and Class Change to <Novice>, and then used the <Soul Duel> to check their aptitudes, and after giving them some advice about their Jobs after going to the Temple, the day was completely over.

Well, in the meantime, Radd and his party were working on their own training, so there was no loss of time, but still, I feel guilty for disregarding them.

[That’s why I said you should have turned her down.]

Resilia threw out her complaints, but I shook my head.

[No, that was a good experience. I got a lot out of it.]

I was able to firmly establish a method of looking at other people’s aptitudes, and I clearly understood the usefulness of being able to look at one’s Status using <Inspect>.

It’s easy to forget when you’re playing the game, but in addition to being able to determine a character’s aptitudes, the advantage of being able to “see the exact Status in numerical form” is surprisingly significant.

This was especially noticeable with Class Changes.

Apparently, people in this world only have a vague knowledge that “if you work hard as a Fighter, one day, you will become a Swordsman”, and they don’t make any calculations about the required ability values.

When I showed them their ability values in numerical form and told them the Class Change requirements for their next Class, their reaction was so great that it kinda scared me.

[I was able to confirm that a lot of my game knowledge is applicable to this world. So, I think I’ll actively spread information about the “Quantification of Aptitudes and Current Abilities” and “Class Change Requirements”.]

To be more specific, I will be doing the official work through the Guild to determine the Status and aptitudes of those who want to take part in it.

I’m still trying to work out the arrangements in this matter, but I’ve already talked about this to the Guild.

[Are you really okay with that?]

[Of course, that would diminish our advantage a little, and since we’re introducing a new concept, it won’t be easy.]

Someone might go ballistic that their aptitudes and their abilities can’t be so low, and the clear visibility of their aptitudes and abilities might lead to discrimination and bullying of some sort.

[I plan to align with the Guild and make adjustments with that. Well, we just got a big connection with them after all.]

More trouble may occur, but I’m prepared for some friction.

It’s just that, its advantages for me more than make up for it.

It was……

[……Information on Adventurers?]

[Bingo.]

At the very least, I’m currently the only one who can “quantify” Status”.

It means that Adventurers from all over the world will come to me to check their Status.

[I might be able to discover Adventurers with undiscovered great potential, characters who were famous in the game before a certain event occurs or perhaps…… I might even be able to find the “Hero”.]

And so, yesterday, I asked for a little “favor” as remuneration from Maisie and her party, who was feeling apologetic about the fact that “they had nothing to give me back for teaching them great things”.

————–Actually, I’m going to start a business judging aptitudes.

————–So, I want you to spread news of what I did today, to the extent of what they’re capable of.

I dub this the Grassroots Publicity strategy.

In the first place, I have a bad reputation in the public.

Even if I were to force myself to advertise about this, there’s a good chance that no one would show up.

So, I’m going to have Adventurers actually try it out, and gradually gain recognition for it.

It was a roundabout but sure-fire plan, or so I think.

[Y- You really told them that?]

Resilia’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Well, the subtleties of matters like this were still unknown to the young Resilia, so I suppose it can’t be helped.

[Sure, I could have gotten some remuneration from them, but those guys are still Lv 11. Rather than forcing myself to accept a small reward, I decided to use it as a stepping stone for the future.]

[N- No, that’s not what I meant……]

While Resilia still doesn’t seem to be fully convinced, I groaningly convinced her.

[It will be alright. Numerically looking at the Status certainly looks simple, but those who understand it can see its usefulness. Besides, the effect of word-of-mouth is surprisingly significant. Well, I think it will take time to see the effect, but by repeating steady activities like this, it will make quite a difference…… Hmm?]

I was so engrossed in the conversation that before I knew it, I had arrived in front of the Guild.

Opening the door just like usual, I found that the number of people in the main hall somehow seemed small.

(What, did they have some kind of big-time Quest?)

I tilted my head, but there was no way I would get an answer from them.

Not caring about that anymore, I headed for the training grounds.

[Nii-san! Please wait, Nii-san!]

While Resilia strangely looked flustered, I went out to the training grounds.

Then, there I found a big crowd.

And the moment I entered the training ground……

————–Stare.

All eyes were suddenly on me.

[Eh……?]

I prayed that they were just directing their attention to the wrong person, but my fleeting hope was crushed the next moment when they all rushed toward me like an avalanche.

Wondering what was going on, they came rushing toward me, as if they were trying to overtake the others……

[Rex-san! Please tell me my abilities!]

[Wait right there! Don’t cut in the line! I’ve been waiting here since three in the morning!]

[Hey! I want to be an <Imperial Sword>, how do I……]

[I- I’ve always been your fan! P- Please shake my hand!]

[How much is it? How much do I have to pay? I’ll pay you how much, just tell me my Status……]

Like beasts swarming around their prey, they pull me from right to left, trying to somehow get my attention.

As I was surprised that there were this many Adventurers in this town, they surrounded me, saying all sorts of things, but I had no time to react.

[No, hold…… Wait…… Calm……]

Jostled by the waves of people surging towards me, unable to move……

[……I told you so.]

For some reason, the only thing that clearly resounded in my eardrums was Resilia’s exasperated voice.