It Seems My Job Aptitude Didn't Come with Human Rights

Reverse Scale

As I engaged in hunting and continued to assess the abilities of the beastmen, I realized something—it was difficult to determine their true strength without observing them in actual combat.

Unable to discern much from mere observation, I decided to ask them directly.

「Mikel, Rolf, what are your job aptitudes?」

Approaching them, they exchanging glances and answered me promptly.

「We're both archers.」

「We have the Hawk's Eye too.」

It seemed that both were skilled archers. Mikel specialized in precision and was adept at sensing presence, while Rolf excelled in rapid shooting, making him particularly effective in defense.

「Mikel seems suited for a ranger, while Rolf is more of a hunter type. Depending on their configuration, they could perform well in both solo ventures and guild siege battles,」

I mused, imagining the ideal skill set for both. As I nodded quietly to myself, I noticed their puzzled expressions.

Next, I approached Abel, who had just returned from a hunt and was skinning a small magical beast. From a short distance, I called out to him.

「Abel?」

「Hm? Oh, Lars... Just a moment.」

Abel replied in a low voice while using a large, machete-like weapon to sever the neck of the small magical beast. Had our first meeting been this moment, I would have been terrified. Even now, I had not once seen him smile, which gave him the aura of an unsociable craftsman.

Wiping the blood splatters from his cheeks with the back of his hand, Abel walked towards me.

「What do you want?」

A muscular beastman, stained with blood, approached. Not exactly the "fluffy" mood I envisioned.

Despite that thought, I ventured to ask him a question.

「Abel, are you a warrior?」

This question was entirely based on his appearance. He made a somewhat complicated face at my question. Perhaps, underneath that exterior, he was a mage. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel⸺fire.net

Abel crossed his arms and shook his head.

「I suppose I'm a warrior... but I haven't learned any skills.」

「What?」

I couldn't help but ask again. His expression grew sterner. It seemed like something he was reluctant to mention. How could he be hunting every day without learning any skills?

I needed to investigate this further.

「Would you mind if I joined you on a hunt sometime?」

「Why?」

「Out of curiosity.」

When I said that, Abel frowned and glanced toward Irinya.

「It's dangerous. I wouldn't care if a human child got hurt, but...」

「Master Lars getting injured is absolutely unacceptable. It's out of the question for him to die!」

Irinya's voice was emotional and angry, while Abel snorted and turned back to me.

「Your guardian seems to have complaints.」

「Irinya, I appreciate your concern, but I want to understand the village's combat strength...」

As I attempted to explain to Irinya, Abel, hearing the truth slip out, furrowed his brows deeply.

「What? And what do you intend to do with our village's strength?」

His voice lowered even further. It was possible that he suspected me of being a spy for those who enslave beastmen. I had just gained the villagers' trust, and it was disheartening to raise doubts here.

Having no other choice, I decided to share part of my thoughts.

I looked directly into Abel's eyes and spoke sincerely.

「Honestly, I think this village could fall at any moment.」

「What did you say?」

The air became tense with those words. But it was necessary. They needed to understand the harsh reality that their village could be destroyed at any time.

Facing the intimidating Abel, I gathered my determination.

「This forest... you've moved through it countless times, built villages repeatedly, and fought desperately against magical beasts, suffering losses each time. But if things continue this way, the village could...」

「Quiet.」

I tried to speak on the future of the village but was cut off by Abel. Provoking him wouldn't be wise. Following his instruction, I fell silent and waited for Abel's reaction.

Seeing me comply, Abel closed his eyes to calm his anger, inhaling and exhaling deeply multiple times. Noticing Irinya stepping in to shield me, Abel opened his mouth again.

「... I'll hear your reasons.」

Seeing Abel force himself to calm down made me appreciate him more. As a leader of beastmen, I felt he had strong convictions. For him, hearing my opinion that the village had no future was likely unwelcome.

Yet, for the sake of the village, Abel was willing to listen to opinions he didn't want to hear. Small and emerging, but Abel showed a quality befitting a leader.

Ah, it seemed I had dropped my formal speech in my excitement. Oh well, it's fine.

-------------= Author's Notes -------------=

If you found yourself curious about 'what happens next,' it would make me happy if you could press the ☆ button at the bottom of the page!

It motivates the author!・:*+.\(( °ω° ))/.:+

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

【ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌ )】