Chapter 8
Throughout the journey toward the Royal City of Monotiz, Izumi kept asking many questions. The thing that interested her the most was the Players.
"So they can keep growing stronger without limit, right?" Izumi asked.
"Yes, you are correct, Miss Rumi."
Tom nodded slowly.
"At first, the System was fair. It's just that..."
"Just that?"
"Because of racial differences, their starting status is vastly different from ours."
"What do you mean?"
"Okay, I'll give you an example."
Tom cleared his throat before continuing.
"This is the starting status of a Human."
Star: 0
Lvl: 1
STR: 5
HP: 5
AGI: 5
Mana: 5
DEF: 5
"Meanwhile, this is the starting status of the strongest race in the world, the Dragonoids."
Star: 0
Lvl: 1
STR: 200
HP: 500
AGI: 200
Mana: 200
DEF: 1000
"See? The difference is enormous, isn't it? Hahaha..."
Izumi didn't really understand.
She simply nodded.
In her mind, she compared the explanation to the games her former comrades used to play.
This sounds like those games my comrades used to play. But I was never interested in them because they were troublesome and a waste of time.
To Izumi, playing games was nothing more than wasting time.
She was more interested in training.
Training.
Weapons.
Training.
Weapons.
Shooting practice.
Physical training.
And various combat equipment.
"And that's not the only reason Humans are so far behind."
Tom continued.
"There are other reasons too, such as lifespan."
"We Humans are extremely vulnerable to death. Especially death from old age."
"Unlike the higher races. They don't die from old age. Some of them can even live for a million years."
"Since age isn't a limitation for them, they can keep leveling endlessly and hunting monsters without worrying about time."
Izumi used all of her brainpower to understand the lengthy explanation.
"Hmm..."
She fell silent.
For a long time.
A very long time.
Even ten minutes passed.
"Ah... I see."
Tom blinked.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on NovelFire. Report any occurrences.
Did she actually understand everything I just said...?
Izumi finally nodded.
"I see. Yes, we Humans are indeed very vulnerable to death."
"If age is no longer relevant for most of the higher races like you said, then you're right. Humans are at a tremendous disadvantage here."
Thank goodness she understood... Tom sighed inwardly with relief.
"Yeah... but what can we do? For us Humans, life is short, and life itself is a blessing."
"Not bad."
Tom simply chuckled.
Suddenly, Darius raised his hand.
"Big Sister Rumi... how old are you anyway?"
"Hey, Darius! That's rude!"
Tom immediately scolded him.
"Asking personal questions to someone you've barely met isn't polite. Remember, don't ask questions like that again!"
"Sorry, Father. I was just curious."
"Ah... it's fine. I've already considered you two my comrades."
Izumi smiled brightly.
Tom and Darius looked at her at the same time.
"Comrades?"
"Are you planning to become a merchant too?" Tom asked.
"No."
Tom looked confused.
"Th-Then what kind of comrades do you mean?"
"Hm..."
It seems people in this world don't really understand the meaning of comrades. Rather than explaining it...
"Friends! Let's just say we're already friends."
"Waaah... really...?"
Darius looked delighted.
"Father, you look like a little kid."
"Be quiet."
Tom cleared his throat, trying to maintain his dignity.
"I never expected you to consider us friends."
"That's because you've taught me a lot about this world. So one day, I'll repay you."
"This world...?"
"Yeah."
Tom stared at Izumi.
"The way you say that makes it sound like you're from another world."
The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
Then—
"Hahahaha..."
"Hahahaha..."
The two laughed together.
Several hours later, they arrived at the Western Gate of the Royal City of Monotiz.
A massive stone gate towered before them.
"Miss Rumi, if you want to enter, just say you're an adventurer."
"They won't make you pay the entrance fee if you claim you're an adventurer planning to stay in the Royal City."
"Eh? But I don't plan to stay here for long."
"Hm... I see. Then you can say you're only staying for a few days before leaving."
"But before that."
Tom took out a bundle.
Inside was a white dress combined with black leather armor, a small dagger, and a pair of black boots.
Izumi immediately fell silent.
"Hm? Is something wrong?"
"N-No. It's not that. It's just..."
"Doesn't that dress look a little short?"
"Oh, this? It's designed that way so adventurers can move freely while hunting monsters."
"So... that's normal here?"
"Yes, of course."
With some hesitation, Izumi put on the outfit.
"So... what do you think...?"
"Waaah! It suits you perfectly! Big Sister is beautiful! Really beautiful!"
"He's right. It suits you very well, Miss Rumi."
"R-Really...?"
Tom and Darius answered at the same time.
"Yes!"
"That's good then."
"Thank you for giving me these clothes."
"Ah, it's only a small gift. It doesn't even compare to the food you gave us."
"But why did you have these clothes?"
"Hm... because I used to hope for a daughter."
"But instead, I got a son."
Darius immediately looked at his father.
"Eh... well, having a son is also a blessing... hahaha..."
Tom quickly rubbed his son's head.
"Hmmp..."
"Are you angry at me? Come here, give your father a hug..."
"Hmmp..."
Watching their closeness, Izumi unconsciously smiled.
"It's our turn now."
"Ah, right."
Tom drove the carriage forward.
Two knights were guarding the checkpoint.
"Show me your identification."
"Here, Sir Knight."
"So you're a merchant."
"That's correct, Sir."
"Hey, rookie!"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Inspect the carriage."
"Understood, Sir."
A few minutes later—
"Everything is clear, Sir. He's only carrying herbs and Normal-Class scrolls."
"Very well. You're permitted to enter."
"Thank you, Sir Knight."
Now it was Izumi's turn.
The knight named Pobi looked her up and down.
"Hmm..."
"What is it?"
"Show me your identification."
"I'm an adventurer."
"Oh, really? Then show me your adventurer card."
"I'm new, so I don't have one yet."
"Huh! Then show us your abilities."
"Hey, rookie! Take her to the training test grounds."
"Eh, but Sir... my duty is here..."
"I ONLY TOLD YOU TO TAKE HER THERE, YOU—"
Pobi stopped himself at the end of the sentence.
"I want you to escort this girl there so the staff can evaluate her. After that, return immediately."
"Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sir!!"
On the way to the training grounds, Izumi walked beside the young knight named Jihan.
"Hey... is that guy normally like that?"
"Ah, you mean Sir Pobi? That's normal, hahaha... He's like that because of certain reasons."
"Reasons? What kind of reasons?"
"He lost someone he loved."
"Because of monsters?"
"No. Because of bandits."
"Bandits, huh..."
"Yeah."
"You're a really kind person."
"Ah? Do I look like one?"
Jihan blushed.
"By the way, what's your name?"
"My name is Jihan. I'm a knight, eighteen years old, single, and living alone."
Uwaah... I only asked for his name, but he gave me his entire profile. I actually feel bad for him.
"Jihan... that's a nice name."
Jihan blushed again.
Izumi frowned.
Why is he acting so strangely...?
Then she looked at herself.
For the umpteenth time...
She forgot that she was now a woman.
Damn it...
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the training grounds.
"Alright, Miss Rumi. Just go in there. A knight inside will evaluate you."
"I need to get back quickly before Sir Pobi yells at me again."
"Yeah, thank you."
"You're welcome."
Jihan immediately ran off.
Seriously, that kid really is... Ah, whatever.
Izumi walked into the testing area.
"Hmm? Looks like there are a lot of people besides me being evaluated."
"Hey... you."
A girl's voice called out to her.
Izumi turned around.
"?"
"Sit here..."
"Are you talking to me?"
Why does she talk like that? Is she some kind of barbarian woman...? the girl thought.
"You're here for the training test, right...?"
"Yeah."
"Then sit here and wait your turn."
"Hmm, alright."
"Oh, right. My name is Nera."
Instantly, Rumi's memories surfaced.
Nera.
A name very similar to her younger sister's.
The younger sister who had died six months ago.
The younger sister she had buried with her own hands.
"?.. What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?"
"No... I'm fine."
"Your name is very similar to my little sister's."
"Eh... really?"
"Yeah."
"Then you're already the eighth Nera I've met besides myself. Hahaha..."
"I see..."
Nera smiled.
"If you don't mind me asking, where is your little sister now?"
A sharp pain instantly gripped Izumi's heart.
Even though she was nobody.
She wasn't that girl's real older sister.
She was merely occupying Rumi's body.
But why...
Why did her chest feel as though it was being cut apart?
Izumi answered briefly.
"She's dead."
"Nera: ..."
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.