We walked for about ten minutes along the path indicated by the doorman.
Still, my impression is that there are very few men in this city.
It's not that they don't exist, but it's rare to see them. They all walked furtively down the street, looking ashamed. They were all middle-aged or older men, and I didn't see any young men.
On the other hand, young women strolled down the middle of the street as if they owned the place, the town, and the elderly, men, and children seemed to try not to get in their way... or rather, not to get involved with them.
I suppose all the young men have been recruited and are no longer in the city, but it still seems unnatural to see a woman acting so arrogantly.
Not wanting to draw too much attention to myself, I followed the others and walked to the side of the road, heading for the Adventurers' Guild. Some women were watching me, but they didn't seem to be saying anything in particular. Perhaps they were wondering why all the young men were supposed to be taken to war, or perhaps they found it unusual that I, a pure-blooded man with yellow skin, was out of the ordinary.
Ah, the townspeople have Caucasian skin, but their facial features aren't too cutesy. They have the kind of faces you often see in Chinese fantasy, and it's hard to tell if they're Westerners. Ah, it really makes you feel like you've arrived in an alternate fantasy world.
By the way, the main streets are mostly brick, which gives it a very Western European feel, but there seem to be gas streetlights here and there. It seems like a fairly technologically advanced civilization. They don't seem to use electricity or have cars, so perhaps it's as developed as the late Middle Ages.
Also... the city smells a bit. It seems like the smell is coming from the sewers in the street. People who have been living here for a long time may not mind, but for a modern Japanese person like me, it's a bit strong. I wonder if I'll get used to it over time.
With that in mind, I walked and walked until I finally found a sign that seemed to belong to the Adventurers' Guild. It had a picture of a traveling dove on it. If it weren't for the Adventurers' Guild, a sign with that design would probably belong to a post office.
Okay, thank you!
"The guild registration fee is five silver coins."
"I don't have a penny."
"Please leave."
The cold-hearted man at the reception desk rudely dismissed me when I asked to become an adventurer.
Um... could you hear me out a little more, please?
Honestly, I wonder if they're charging me.
I'm the one doing the work for the guild and getting paid for it, so... don't you think it's strange that I have to pay a registration fee on top of that?
When I complained about this, the receptionist sighed.
Sometimes people like you don't understand, but we are a union. "In order to maintain a healthy organization, we need to raise funds for the guild, and we have to turn away suspicious people like you. Do you understand?"
"But isn't it an organization that acts as a kind of social safety net, assigning problematic jobs such as collecting medicinal herbs or cleaning sewers to people in financial difficulty?"
When I tried to share with the receptionist the knowledge I had gained from online novels, he seemed displeased.
Well... it's true that we accept cleaning jobs that the government can't handle, but that's just one perspective.
"It's not our intention to support low-level workers. Our purpose in life is to exterminate dangerous monsters, and we want all guild members to be able to do that kind of work eventually."
According to the receptionist, the Adventurers' Guild is simply a monster extermination company, and the Multipurpose is just a side job to feed the inexperienced members of the guild. I guess that's true; after all, cleaning up the city is supposed to be the government's job.
"Then"
The receptionist looks at me coldly.
There's no work for a naive man like you who just ran away from home. Being an adventurer is hard work. If you understand, go home and raise your children. It's for your own good.
Huh? Do they think I ran away from home?
I don't have a home to go back to! I have to endure, no matter what...!
Wait, I'm from another world! If you don't hire me here, I'll starve to death... Please let me join the guild!
"Another world...?"
The receptionist blinked and looked me up and down again.
"Ah, yes... I've heard that, on rare occasions, people who claim to come from another world knock on our door, wanting to become adventurers..."
It turns out I wasn't the first person to be reincarnated in this world.
But that was the end of the matter. I leaned eagerly over the counter.
"That's right, I'm the reincarnated person!"
"...Yes, I've heard about it. Although it was just small talk while we were having a drink."
"Eh...? But then he became a legendary adventurer."
No. If he had, it would have been passed down as a heroic story. The fact that it remained mere talk means that he died or retired without achieving glory.
"I don't have any dreams..."
Well, if an ordinary person were sent to another world with only the clothes on their back, of course they would die. I think the main character is someone who suddenly shows heroic qualities and rises to power. Unfortunately, I'm just an ordinary person like everyone else...
The receptionist sighed in exasperation and stared at me.
Why don't you stop dreaming and look for a job that's a little more realistic?
"What job do you recommend?"
"...Well, I think it would be best for you to get married and stay at home. With just one wife, the family finances might be limited, but if you had another lover, the three of you working together could make ends meet."
"...Or you could be a gigolo!"
"I'll be a househusband!?"
My God, this receptionist has a serious face, but he's crazy!
Of all people, he advised me to become a kept man and earn a living!
Is polygamy the norm in this world? And even if it is, what about ethics? Other worlds are scary.
"This is sudden, but let me explain!
In this world, the male birth rate is 25%, which means that only one in four children is born!
To begin with, society suffers from a chronic shortage of men!
Therefore, it is common... for low-income people to buy sperm from a prostitute and raise the child as a single mother, or for several people in a household to share the same husband.
By the way, it is a society with a large disparity in wealth, so among the rich, a woman often has several men in her harem.
The receptionist stared at me and tried to persuade me with a serious expression.
I know it's not my place to say this, but you should stop being an adventurer. With your talent, I'm sure you can find a better job.
"But I really want to be an adventurer!"
—Reincarnating, becoming an adventurer, and becoming OP with cheat abilities is a typical pattern.
Wouldn't you really like to approve me at least once?
"At least let me take an adventurer aptitude test or something!"
I see you know very well. In fact, it's part of the guild registry and requires a fee.
Sighing for the umpteenth time, the receptionist took out a crystal ball from under the counter.
I understand, I'll let you take the exam. I'll lend you five silver coins as a personal loan. In return, if you don't have the talent, you'll have to give up completely.
"Yes! Thank you!"
Although she had a cold face, the receptionist was a very nice person.
I always wanted to try this skill check.
Isn't it typical that at this point it's revealed that the character has incredible potential, the crystal explodes, and you think, "What the hell is this...?"
Excitedly, I brought my hand close to the crystal and shouted, "Wow..." while emitting a mysterious aura. I wonder if it worked.
"Okay," said the receptionist casually, then looked at the crystal.
"W-What is this...?"
Oh! That's the pattern that makes him tremble with awe at my potential!
The receptionist blinked as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing, then muttered under his breath.
"...I've never seen anyone so unsuitable to be an adventurer..."
"Eh!?"
How ridiculous! This is my idea of a basic set for an adventurer in another world! I filled it with languages and otherworldly endurance skills.
"Look closely, I have a lot of endurance skills!"
"Ah, of course there are a lot... It's the first time I've seen someone with so much endurance. But even if you have so much... Besides, you don't have any magical power, so how do you plan to defeat monsters with this?"
"Damn it."
Magical power...? But I'll be a front-line expert, so I don't need it, right?
What are you talking about? It's obviously essential for the vanguard.
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
...According to what the receptionist said, it seems that everyone in this world is born with innate magical powers.
Magical power is not only necessary for rear-guard jobs to use attack and recovery magic, but front-line jobs also use it to increase their own strength and destructive power in battle. In addition, magical power is also used unconsciously to mitigate damage from enemy attacks.
The only ones who don't need magical power are support classes like rogues, but even they use magical power to detect traps and the presence of enemies.
In other words, I have absolutely no magical power, so I have no right to participate in battle.
It can't be helped! After all, there is no magic in the modern world!
...Ah, maybe if I had been reborn as a local without [Inheritance], would I have been able to have magical powers? But even if that meant losing my personality...
Damn it, this is how my life as an adventurer is cut short before it even begins...!
The first thing that came to mind was a phrase from the Flame Dragon collection that had crossed my mind before I left the blank space.
Maybe I could buy tricks from that vending machine later?
I needed to acquire 15 Great Sage Talent cards, but if I settled for weaker magical powers, they should be much cheaper.
...No, wait a minute?
I don't have a single coin left right now, but if I can achieve something in this world, I'll be able to get some new ones.
If that's the case, I can't give up on the path of an adventurer now.
"Please! I still want to be an adventurer!"
"Well, didn't you promise to give up if there was no hope? You have no magical powers, and your strength and speed aren't very good... You can't be an adventurer like that. I'm saying this for your own good."
"Are there really no monsters I can hunt?"
"Hmmm... I think I can handle something like a horned rabbit... No, it's no good, it's no good. Give up... quietly. Adventurers are reckless."
"Then let me ask you the opposite question: what can I do?"
"If you become a prostitute, you can rule the world."
< Although he lacks common sense, he is an educated person from another world who possesses advanced knowledge!
With [International Language Conversation], you can have everyday conversations with VIP customers of all nationalities!
A body that will never contract a sexually transmitted disease thanks to [Disease Resistance]!
[Drug Resistance] Provides complete resistance to alcohol and dangerous drugs!
[Pain Tolerance] Gives you the endurance to withstand any unpleasant or rough client!
A mindset that doesn't mind being imprisoned in a brothel thanks to [Mental Resistance]!
In addition, he has a slim, toned physique that he inherited from his previous life!
These qualities make Eguene Yuji the perfect male prostitute!
He is truly a natural-born whore sent by God!
"I have no intention of selling my body!"
"Really? I think it's much better than being an adventurer."
The receptionist looked genuinely puzzled. No, this was even more puzzling to me.
Is male prostitution so popular in this world? Are there women willing to buy me?
For starters, my chastity isn't cheap at all.
After all, if I had died without losing my virginity in my previous life, I should have received 25 coins, right? That's equivalent to 2.5 sets of the Explosive Flame Dragon.
I don't know if I'll be able to reincarnate with my personality intact in the next life, but if it's possible, I'd like to remain a virgin in this one to secure those 25 coins for the next.
Besides, I don't have any parents in this world, so I won't suffer any penalties for being disloyal.
Of course, if I met a girl in this world that I really liked, I wouldn't mind losing my virginity, but I would wonder if that girl is worth two and a half sets of the Exploding Flame Dragon set. I wouldn't be interested in her unless she had a spectacular figure, a pretty face, and a personality that I liked.
... Well, who does he think he is, a guy who was never popular with girls and never had a girlfriend in his previous life?
— — —
"Well, that's why there's no place for you in our guild, so please leave."
Wait, do something about it! The magical power will emerge in me!
It won't emerge! A person's magical power is determined at birth! It's impossible for someone who is hopeless now to do anything in the future!
Hmmm... What an unreasonable receptionist!
I know she's rejecting me out of genuine concern, so it hurts, but I can't give up now either! —And if this doesn't work, I'll probably have no choice but to sell my body... although I don't think there's any demand for it.
As I clung to her and the receptionist tried to pull me away, we started arguing...
Oh, really? I haven't seen you before... Is there anything we can do for the guild?
I turned around when I heard the voice behind me and saw a calm and beautiful woman wearing glasses. She had a sharp, slender face, was wearing a luxurious robe, and looked to be between 19 and 20 years old. She was about my age, but she already had the air of a competent boss who worked hard at a top-tier company.
She looked at me with a smile that didn't match her somewhat cold features.
"Ah, so you're from the East... I've been told that you live in a country on the eastern edge of the world. The Great Vrishab Empire has also expanded its colonies to many different lands, so lately we've had more opportunities to see people of various races. So what were they discussing?
"Ah, Master. Excuse me, but this person here, uh... a person who claims to be from another world, is urging me to let him into the guild.
"Wow... I see. It's an honor that you chose our guild."
—Judging from the way the receptionist spoke, it seemed that this lady was the guild master. —She must be very competent, being in charge of the guild despite being a woman.
She has a friendly smile on her face, but...
The receptionist pursed her lips as if she had just tasted something bitter and lifted the crystal ball.
"No, it's just that... I don't think it's possible for this person to succeed as an adventurer with their skills..."
"Oh, let's see?"
She looked at the crystal ball, snorted, and suddenly smiled.
Great! [Resistance to Disease] and [Resistance to Poison] are wonderful gifts for an adventurer. With those, there are many jobs that only you can do!
"Eh..."
The guild master clapped his hands in joy. Oh, what a great sign!
The receptionist is pale. I wonder if he's surprised that his superior has completely rejected his character assessment.
We've been looking for someone like you! Would you like to lend a hand to our guild?
"Of course! Thank you!"
Well, I guess people really do feel sympathy after all!
I smiled back at the guild master.
...If things are going so well, can I be a little arrogant?
"Well, the truth is, I just arrived and I don't have any money. If it's really possible, I'd appreciate it if you could lend me some to cover my expenses and buy some equipment.
"Ah, I see. It can't be helped if you're from another world. Sure, I'll lend you about 20 silver coins from my pocket. As for the equipment... Wes, I'm sure the bronze class group left some items in the warehouse that they didn't return the other day, right? Give it to him."
The receptionist, named Wes, nodded; his face clearly showed confusion.
"Yes, there is one, but to be honest, it's not in very good condition. It's been abandoned for quite some time.
Still, it should be enough to fight a horned rabbit. If you start as a beginner and use high-quality equipment, you won't have the joy of growing. Don't you think so, Yuji?
"That's right! Starting from the bottom feels more like climbing up!"
Do you know my name? Maybe you already saw it in the crystal ball.
With that in mind, I looked into my crystal ball, but the language was one I couldn't read.
[Conversation in Other World Languages] doesn't cover writing, does it? I guess I messed up. But hey, I didn't have enough coins, so it can't be helped.
The guild master nodded with a smile and seemed to be in a good mood.
We will prepare a room for you on the second floor of a bar with which our guild has a close relationship. Of course, you will have to pay for the accommodation yourself...
"Of course I can't cause you so much trouble!"
You understand your position very well. I'm sure you'll achieve great things. It may be difficult at first, but there's no need to rush. I'm sure you'll be successful one day. Until then, I'll support you.
He's a great guy! He's a true master of the guild!
That's how a leader should be.
Oh, it's an easy reincarnation game in another world!
======
====
===
After Yuji left the guild excitedly, the receptionist, Wes, burst into the guild master's room with a worried look on his face.
What are you planning, Master? Welcoming him as a guild member... He has no combat skills, and he'll die sooner or later.
Deabolica, the master of the Adventurers' Guild, lights a cigar and takes a quick puff, exhaling smoke along with a cold breath.
He won't die. I'm not going to give him any work that could kill him. I'd like him to do things like emptying sewers, collecting medicinal herbs, or hunting rats... or even horned rabbits. Just give him that kind of low-level work. Don't let him take on any work that could put his life in danger.
"...? If we treat him like that, he'll get tired of it and stop being an adventurer. Anyone who wants to be an adventurer will dream, more or less, of defeating dangerous monsters and becoming a hero."
"Yes, it's fine to let him go. In fact, I hope he leaves as soon as possible."
Deabolica smiled cruelly.
Wes couldn't read his boss's intentions, and his expression suddenly became confused.
"...What do you mean?"
"If he quits, I'll be able to introduce him to a promising adventurer."
"So, you were planning to make him give up from the beginning..."
Yes, that's right. Being an adventurer is not an honorable job. Even for fairly skilled adventurers with a solid reputation and some savings to spare, it is difficult to find a husband. After all, it is a job where you never know if you will end up dying, and no matter how much money you earn now, there are few ordinary men who want to marry a woman who will probably be widowed.
For the average citizen, it is well known that young men are highly valued by their families. They are considered a valuable asset, and marrying someone from a wealthy family creates strong bonds. Therefore, young men are kept confined to their homes until an arranged marriage is arranged, and they are rarely allowed to go out.
In such a social environment, there is little room for free love, and adventurers are often second or third daughters who have been expelled from their homes and often do not even have the connections necessary to arrange a marriage.
For these adventurers, marriage to a young man is the very sign of success.
Deabolica laughed deeply.
I never thought that such a suitable young man with no family would suddenly appear before me. Now I can't help but worry about who he will marry.
"......"
As a man, Wes couldn't help but feel sympathy for Yuji.
Being born a man in this great Vrishabh Empire means there is no freedom.
Although Wes, born into the aristocracy, has been able to fulfill his desire to integrate into society and work, he is destined to marry someone arranged by his family. From the moment he is born a man, he is essentially deprived of the right to live freely.
Even though he knew that, he still felt guilty seeing an evil woman toy with a man's life.
Seeing Wes's expression, Deabolica shrugged.
"Oh, Wes, don't look at me like I'm the devil. I'm painting a picture that makes everyone happy. The adventurers who long for a man will be happy because he can finally marry the handsome young man of their dreams. Yuuji, who gave up his adventures, is happy because he is now married to an adventurer and can live a comfortable life. And the guild is happy because it has earned the loyalty of the adventurer who married them. Isn't it a win-win story?
"Everyone is happy except Yuuji, who will be forced to do hard and painful work until he gives up his adventure."
When Wes spat out those words, Deabolica flashed a crooked smile that was typical of a Brishav noble.
Remember this, Wes. Only those who can pull off tricks like this can be considered nobles.
"...Yes, I learned a lot. I'll keep that in mind."
Ignoring Wes' sarcasm, Deabolica pointed enthusiastically with the cigar in his mouth toward the calendar.
"Well, Yuuji, how long can you mentally endure doing such hard, stinky, low-quality work? A week? Two weeks? We have provisions here too, so I hope you can last at least a month... hehehehe!"
--And then six months passed.
Phew! I'm done cleaning the sewer! It feels so good to do work that helps people!
Yuji was completely fine!!!