Ch.26Chapter 26. I Don’t Make These Jokes to Just Anyone.

Having decided to help Merilyn Sutherland with her activities, I headed to an Adventurer’s Guild located on a different part of Earth than the one I had previously used.

While they do the same work and belong to the same organization, with so many adventurers, they need to manage them in separate divisions.

Well, given that my name is known in a bad way, if I were to enter another place recklessly like before, it would cause quite a commotion.

“May I take one of these masks?”

Such concerns were on my mind when I passed by a marketplace.

After finding a suitable item there, I took out coins from my pocket, handed them to the vendor, and then quickly concealed my face with the mask I received.

“Did you buy a mask?”

“Ah, yes. Well… as you might have noticed from what happened at the tavern earlier, I’m somewhat famous in a bad way.”

“Ah, come to think of it, they called you the Hero Killer or something…”

Merilyn tilted her head slightly as her words trailed off.

Then she tilted her head to the opposite side and asked me:

“Did you really kill a Hero?”

“…If I had really killed one, I’d be in prison by now.”

Law enforcement doesn’t move without evidence.

Even if rumors spread as if they were facts, as long as I didn’t directly kill anyone, they wouldn’t come after me.

But unlike others who might judge and suspect me based on my infamy alone, Merilyn didn’t ask anything further and just smiled brightly.

“Hehe, that’s a relief then.”

Whether she wasn’t interested or trusted what she had seen of me with her own eyes.

Either way, it seemed she didn’t think it was worth worrying about, and soon her attention shifted to the stall where I had bought the mask.

“Speaking of masks… since we’re here, I think I should buy one too.”

“What? You too, Merilyn?”

“Memories are important. Even if it’s something you only wear briefly, keeping it helps you reminisce about memories. Wouldn’t it be good to buy a small souvenir to remember today by?”

Saying that, she handed coins to the vendor and reached for a transparent cloth hanging next to the masks.

As I stared blankly at her, she chuckled and draped it over the front of her hood.

A veil with threads densely woven together, appearing white on the outside.

With the addition of the veil to her already all-white attire, it suddenly reminded me of a certain outfit from my original world.

Yes, what’s commonly called a “wedding dress.”

“How is it? Does it suit me?”

Merilyn showed me a bright smile as she slightly lifted the veil.

Looking at her pursed lips, I felt a tickle in one corner of my heart.

I thought this must be what a bride looks like at a wedding.

“Ah, yes…”

Damn it, Hyoseong Woo, you idiot.

No matter how attractive she is, fantasizing about marriage is going too far.

“It suits you well.”

“Hehe~ Thank you for the compliment.”

Merilyn let out a laugh, unaware of my inner thoughts.

Feeling somewhat guilty, I quickly diverted my attention and hastily headed toward our destination.

I felt an uneasy worry that if I faced her any longer, I might start fantasizing about spending the rest of my life with her.

***

Fortunately, there was no trouble when we arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild.

Even though I have the ability that prevents people from forgetting me, that only applies if the person who encounters me properly recognizes my existence.

“So, Merilyn, you’ve already applied to be an adventurer, right?”

As we stood before the receptionist who would assist us with our business.

Nodding to my question, Merilyn took something out from her possession and showed it to me.

“Yes, I was originally wandering outside this place, but I thought having adventurer qualifications would be beneficial for activities within the Empire, so I applied. Here’s my proof.”

A card certifying her qualification as an adventurer.

It contained her portrait along with general personal information, but some sections were still blank.

“…Your class is empty.”

“Class…?”

So she didn’t know after all.

Well, I suppose it makes sense that a newcomer wouldn’t know about classes, since they can only be inscribed after joining the guild.

Actually, while classes are also recorded in the status window, this too is only inscribed after visiting the guild and going through the relevant procedures.

“Since I need to change my class as well, it might be good for us to do it together.”

Thinking this was a perfect opportunity to help her, I asked the receptionist to prepare the necessary documents and tools, and soon they were placed before me.

These included documents required by the Adventurer’s Guild to record personal information, and talismans needed for acquiring or changing classes.

I took one of the talismans, attached it to my hand, and concentrated on the power emanating from it.

“When you attach this talisman to your body, the magic embedded in it applies to your body, creating a semi-permanent inscription.”

“If it’s an inscription by magic… does it cause physical changes?”

“Well, rather than grand changes, think of it more as minor buff effects.”

In normal society, a class refers to an occupation based on one’s major, and in games, it determines the overall path a character takes.

But since anyone can become an adventurer in this world regardless of conditions or background, they provide a few auxiliary means for applicants to be immediately deployed in the field.

One of these is the semi-permanent buff effect from this “Class Change Talisman.”

If you receive permission from the Adventurer’s Guild to use this talisman, you can get bonuses for abilities or adaptations according to your desired class.

“For instance, the Scout class I previously had basically enhances intuition a bit and sharpens nerves, which helps with tasks like tracking or disarming traps.”

Professionally, it could help with treasure hunting or reconnaissance work, but even apart from that, it’s perfect for finding safe places to hide when a party is fighting.

Because of this, Scout is the most chosen class among porters, but now that I’m aspiring to be an adventurer rather than a porter, I felt the need to change my class.

“How is it? Has the class been applied well?”

“Yes, it seems to have been applied well.”

At the receptionist’s question, I tried jumping in place and felt my body was lighter than before.

It’s a perfect auxiliary for a role that fights in close proximity, though not directly on the front lines taking enemy attacks.

Additionally, when I grabbed the spear on my back and swung it, it felt much more comfortable in my hands than before.

It’s like I had a familiarity with such tools, as if I’d been using them for a long time.

While I might not be completely proficient yet, it would greatly help me get the hang of it until I became properly skilled.

Yes, that’s all good, but…

[Reincarnator Hyoseong Woo]

[Class: Spear Man.]

…Damn it.

I asked them to match me with a class that uses spears, but why is my status window modified like this?

“Excuse me, receptionist. Doesn’t this class name seem a bit strange?”

“Yes, we’re aware of that… but the Class Change Talismans used by the guild are based on accumulated records, so modifying the registered names is currently impossible.”

“…What does the record have to do with the name?”

“The Class Change Talismans we provide remember the activities of those who have used them and convey that information to other users in a standardized way.”

In other words, the minor buff effects from class changes are based on the activities of those who previously used these talismans.

Of course, since they’re just minor buff effects and not very pronounced, the more data accumulates, the more efficient and objective the effects become.

But the problem is that this fact applies not only to the abilities of the talisman user but also to places where notation is mandatory, like the status window.

“And though it’s not well-known, in the past, when distinguishing classes, gender-specific terms like ‘man’ or ‘woman’ were often attached to class names. For example, a warrior would be called a ‘male warrior’ or ‘female warrior’.”

“…So you’re saying that such perceptions or customs from the past also influence these talismans?”

“Yes, for that reason, spear-wielding professions have been such major objects of avoidance that even name changes haven’t occurred.”

They should have explained this beforehand.

I chose this because the spear was the weapon that suited my hand, but now I’m being tricked like this.

Isn’t this an unfair targeting of just me, even considering how messed up the world can be?

“That guy over there. Did you choose Spear Man as your class?”

“Spear Man? It suits him well.”

“Everyone, look at that man! Isn’t he the epitome of a Spear Man?”

“Celebrate the birth of a great Spear Man! Hahaha!”

As other adventurers in the guild started laughing and snickering at me.

While the veterans among them probably understood the situation, they all had such temperaments that they didn’t spare any mockery directed at me.

But if I wanted to change it, class transitions require a minimum one-month grace period to prevent abuse… Damn it, if I had known this, I would have chosen a warrior-type class with similar effects instead of letting them choose for me.

“So Hyoseong, you’ve decided to become a Spear Man.”

Merilyn approached me and asked as I was lamenting the unfair treatment directed at me.

The way she tilted her head habitually and placed her hand on her chin gave off an air of innocence, as if she didn’t even know what it meant.

No, surely not.

No matter how innocent she looks, how could a grown adult not know what that means?

“Ah, yes, well. Since it’s a profession that uses spears, they call it Spear Man.”

“Hmm, then should I choose the same class as you, Hyoseong?”

“Yes, that’s… wait, what?”

A blank expression formed on my face as I was casually agreeing.

Thinking I might have misheard, I looked at her with wide eyes, and she explained what she had said earlier.

“It seems that the Class Change Talisman’s effects are determined based on the records of past adventurers, but from what I’ve heard, there are very few who have chosen the same path as me among adventurers.”

“Yes, well, since they go out to work in the field, non-combat professions aren’t easy to pursue.”

“But coincidentally, I only have interest and talent in stirring up excitement… Even if I were to switch to another profession, there wouldn’t be much merit, so I thought if I’m going to choose, it might be good to select the same one as the person I’m with.”

Just listening to the process, it made sense.

Class selection is one of the benefits given to adventurers, and once chosen, it can’t be changed for a month, but there aren’t any particular demerits.

Yes, looking at it from that context, it’s not an incomprehensible choice, but…

“So I think it would be fine for me to become a Spear Woman following you, Hyoseong. Would that be okay?”

“What on earth are you saying with such a bright face!?”

“Aha~ I’m just joking~♪”

Merilyn laughed casually at my uncharacteristic outburst.

As if to show that her words without self-awareness were just a simple joke, she started giggling at my troubled expression.

“Having wandered the continent before coming here, I’m quite knowledgeable about worldly matters, but it seems my humor, built from such experiences, has unintentionally troubled you. I’m sorry, especially when you’re facing a serious predicament…”

“Ah, no. It’s fine if you weren’t serious.”

Of course, even her apology doesn’t seem sincere, but how can I spit on a smiling face?

So I wanted to let it go, thinking it was just light wordplay.

“…No, actually it’s not fine.”

“Pardon?”

“Merilyn.”

I placed my hand on her shoulder and turned her towards me.

Even with my masked face, I hoped my emotions would reach her.

“Please value yourself more.”

“…What?”

“You’re an attractive person, Merilyn. Even if it’s just a joke, such frivolous remarks might cause others to misunderstand.”

In this harsh world, there are so many who would use any excuse to harass a vulnerable woman.

As I expressed this concern, she looked at me intently, erasing the smile from her lips.

As if gradually understanding the sincerity behind my words.

“Are you… worried about me?”

“…Of course I’m worried.”

Thinking it was fortunate that the meaning had been conveyed, I removed my hand from her shoulder.

Soon, she smiled again and began to close the distance between us.

“I’m sorry for causing you worry, Hyoseong. But rest assured…”

As she narrowed the distance, almost leaning into my arms.

Feeling my body stiffen, she soon whispered in my ear with a quiet voice:

“I don’t make such jokes just anywhere. I only do it with people I have feelings for.”

“W-what?”

Feelings for?

What does that mean? Surely not…

“Ah, your ears are turning red~”

“…Ugh!”

Realizing it was a joke from her subsequent words, I distanced myself.

Only then could I imprint her face, visible beyond the mask, in my eyes.

With her hand on her lips, she burst into laughter, the very picture of a joyful woman by anyone’s standards.

“I’ve felt it since you apologized, but you really are an interesting person, Hyoseong. How cute~”

“…D-don’t tease me.”

So “having feelings” meant she found me fun to tease?

No, even the teasing is so ambiguous that it’s hard to tell what’s sincere and what’s not.

Thinking I might really cross a line if I continued to engage, I quickly approached the receptionist to create some distance.

“…Could you give Merilyn the Scout class, and recommend a quest suitable for two newcomers?”

“Yes, a mission suitable for two newcomers… Ah! I have just the thing here. Would you like to try this?”

The receptionist immediately responded and pulled out a notice.

The content was something that a novice spear-wielder and a non-combat profession like a minstrel could handle without burden.

And the moment I saw it, I had an immediate intuition.

Perhaps it was because the quest seemed so ordinary that my future self didn’t anticipate death and readily accepted it.