ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 54
54 ② Layer 2, Aoba PT
Souji shows us the terminal screen.
The options are as follows:
＜Select the desired qualifications＞
・ Unparalleled sword’s cutting edge
・ Shield that envelops everything
・ Deep abyssal magic tool
・ Abundant and loving wind
“What’s this…?”
“Is it about choosing the field we want to excel in?”
“It seems each option is linked to a job role. I’m not sure if we can redo it, so it’s better to be cautious.”
“Be cautious, you say… If only Shouma were here, it would be a big help…”
“…Speaking of which, I received an email address from him earlier. —— We can contact him, but…”
“EH!?”
We’re surprised by Tō’s statement.
When did he exchange emails with him? Souji looks frustrated, and I wonder why he wants that guy’s email address so badly.
I wouldn’t need it, though…
“…I’ll send him our situation just in case, even if I don’t know when he’ll respond.”
“Oh, oh! Please do! But why won’t he give me his contact information!?”
“…Maybe he dislikes you?”
“OOF!? Wh, what’s with that…!?”
“Is it because of what Akane-chan said…?”
“What do you mean? Why is that!?”
“I mean, it’s a fundamental problem or something… Uh, sorry! It’s nothing, don’t mind it!”
“When you say that, it makes me more curious…”
With unresolved emotions, we continue to explore ABYSS while chatting with our friends. As we do, Tō’s magic crystal terminal (Portal) starts shaking rather quickly.
“It’s a reply from Shirol. …Read it.”
“Hmm, what’s this?”
[Flom: Shirol Shouma]
＜If you tell the receptionist, you can go back to a lower-ranking job. If you don’t want to pay 100,000 MP, be careful with your choice＞
“100,000…!?”
“…There’s a way to redo it, it seems.”
“Then, let’s do it!”
‘A’
In an instant, Souji had made his choice. The screen of the magical crystal terminal (Portal) gleamed with light, enveloping Souji’s figure.
When the light faded, there stood the unchanged Souji.
“O-oh…! Job change, huh? It feels like I’ve gained some power, and my status has gone up too!”
“You idiot! What did you choose, you?!”
“Well, I chose the tank option, but…?”
“Let me see the terminal!!”
“Ah!”
I snatched the magical crystal terminal (Portal) from Souji’s hand and checked the job information displayed on the screen.
――――――――――
[Souji Aiba (LV.5)]
[Defender/★☆☆]
Overall 【90】
――――――――――
…Defender?
Is this Souji’s new job?
“Wait, I got an email from Shirol.”
“What did Shirol say?”
“I’ll read it now. –It seems that when you choose an option, you can acquire a job corresponding to it. The job is determined by the individual’s aptitude, so even if someone else chooses the same option, it doesn’t mean they’ll get the same job… That’s what it says.”
“…Is that story true? It still feels off, considering how knowledgeable Shirol is about this…”
Even if he was taught by his sister, isn’t Shirol just a lazy person at heart? It’s possible that his knowledge is incorrect, right?
When I asked everyone, the two guys reacted badly. …I had a hunch, but it seems they have a high opinion of Shirol?
Or is it that we’re underestimating ourselves?
“…Hey, Ayumu. If I chose the Healer option, what job could I get? Can you ask Shirol for me?”
“Ayumu!?”
“…It’s fine, but even Shirol might not know about the jobs in the East Cloud…”
“Yeah, that’s true. But it wouldn’t hurt to try, right?”
Saying that, Ayumu flashed a mischievous grin.
To be honest, I was surprised. Ayumu didn’t usually go that far with people outside of his close friends.
Does Ayumu have an interest in Shirol too?
My chest felt a little fluttery.
“–Ah, yeah. Let’s keep it a secret that I’m asking Shirol, okay?”
“Why is that?”
“I think it’s weird to get all worked up about it.”
“Hmm? Well, I get it. I’ll send a message to Ishiura as a question from me.”
“What’s going to happen, anyway?”
“What’s that?”
“Are you a little excited, feeling a thrill?”
“…It’s not going to happen, anyway.”
I gaze at the three of them, who are filled with anticipation, with a calm expression. I somehow feel a little left out.
――Before long, the message returns.
It doesn’t matter, but is Shoma really searching for ABYSS? Is it okay to send a casual email like that? Won’t he get attacked by monsters or something?
While the three of them focus on their portal devices, I’m thinking about this on my own.
“—So, what did he say in return?”
“That’s a job I’ve never heard of.”
“Do you know about the Evil Priest, Akane?”
“Evil…?”
I don’t know the details, but from the word’s meaning, I can tell it’s a job that doesn’t suit Akane. Devil and priest? Is it something like a devil priest? Shoma must have said something ridiculous.
“What is Shoma saying to Akane?!”
“Well, well. I don’t think Ishiura-kun meant any harm.”
“But—”
“Anyway, I’ll try changing my job too. That way, we can see if what Ishiura-kun said is wrong.”
“That’s a good idea, isn’t it?”
Akane, who has gathered her thoughts, operates her portal device and selects an option. Then, a light similar to the one that enveloped Sōji emanates from her portal device.
“—”
After the light fades, Akane is silently checking her status.
“How was it?”
Sōji asks Akane.
“Hmm… I’m a Medic.”
Akane smiles and reports back to us. A Medic. I’m sure it’s a basic healing job. I know it’s a famous one.
“—It’s not a lie, after all!”
What’s with the Evil Priest?!
Even as a joke, it’s annoying!
“You’re going to catch a sweet kid like that and call them ‘Evil’?! Next time we meet, I’ll ask them about it!!”
“Hey, hey, calm down, Akane-chan”
“But, even Shoma can make mistakes, right?”
“What’s with your trust in that guy?! Shoma’s been a good-for-nothing since way back!!”
“Well, I won’t deny it…”
The guys float a wry smile. In the end, Sōji and the others are on Shoma’s side, aren’t they? Their attitude is infuriating. I didn’t say anything wrong…! I’m the one who’s known him the longest, and I know him best!!
“Come on, calm down, Akane-chan…”
“But, but!”
Only Akane, who’s also a girl, tries to soothe me. Her words somehow make me feel a little weak.
“—Of course, there’s no evil, right? I’m a girl too. I got a little annoyed, didn’t I?”
…… Eh?
Kaoru smiled as she said something she wouldn’t normally say. Her voice was soft, so the two boys didn’t seem to hear it.
“Later, let’s call you out to a place with no people, okay? ――Hehe, I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of face you’ll make, Ishiru-kun?”
“K-Kaoru……?”
What’s with this pressure?
Is the person in front of me really the “Kaoru” I know? My voice is trembling with fear.
“――Just kidding, just kidding”
“Huh?”
“I don’t want to make Akane angry. I wonder how she’ll react if I get angry too〜〜”
――The result was a huge success.
Mischievous Kaoru stuck out her tongue and went “tehe”.
“What’s with that――!”
I realized I’d been completely played, and I started getting angry at Kaoru, my face red with rage. Deep down, I was relieved, and I was also fascinated by this unexpected side of Kaoru.
“Ishiru-kun, you’re in trouble later……”
Kaoru raised both arms and stretched. Her last whisper was inaudible to me.