Chapter 7
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John POV
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Though I am not Japanese, I was what you called an Otaku back in high school, and I am still now. I was lucky to find work in society as a mediocre employee. These events now are precisely like those light novels booming on the internet long ago. It is still so popular now that it has been implemented in most VR games. But this one isn't those. I am really transported into another world. I dreamed about this when I was in high school, but I never thought it would become a reality.
Damn it. I am just in the corner of my promotions. Why did I make such a wish at that time in high school? After so much hard work, I am almost reaching the peak of my happiness. I have a fiancee. My boss finally paid attention to me. I was supposed to get a promotion next month if I did not mess up this one project. After getting a promotion, I was supposed to get married. Why god? Why did you summon me now of all times?
In those novels, usually, the transported person has a cheat skill. But we are none of those at the moment. I guess this one goes down in hard mode. However, I am glad we are not in an insane way where people are transported without cheats. Our cheats aren't that awesome. It isn't some cheat skill that can annihilate entire regions or fight against dragons. Moreover, the cheat was controlled by the government. We must acquire those faith crystals first to get our powers before we do anything else.
In addition to that, I must babysit these three high schoolers. Being an adult is hell. Just look at them. The boy is so carefree, like the world isn't going to hurt them. I bet he must have been born in a filthy rich house with nothing to worry about. The girl is a crybaby. Honestly, you are not a kindergarten, you know. Why are you always crying when something isn't going in your way? The world doesn't care if you cry or not. Do you think people will take pity on you?
The initial stage of summoning was hell. I was transported into some random village with people talking gibberish. There are no such things as skills or status windows in here. I have confirmed it with the palace guard after getting my translation earring. Usually, in novels, you will know this world's language as a default skill when you get transported. But we have none of those.
My thought went crazy at that. I use some crazy sign language to get food in exchange for helping that village by plowing fields and bringing luggage. Thank goodness, some imperial soldiers showed up two days later. They ordered me to put on this translation earring.
It was a godsend. Afterward, we picked up the kids and headed straight to the capital. After that, it was smooth sailing from that point. It follows your usual hero-summoning pattern novels. But the king isn't as stupid as he is in the books. They had everything planned, huh? Well, at least I am thankful enough that he looks fair in his judgment. He intends to make a reasonable offer. But I must be wary, in your usual pattern, that point where the king can return us is most likely a lie. I must be able to survive here in this world on my own. Should I say goodbye to Lize on the other side? My chances of return might be zero this time. It is rare for those heroes in the novel to be able to go back to their own world.
Hmm, now the problems are other reincarnated ones. Other countries also have heroes. Even this nation alone has other 6 heroes beside us. I should not rely on the kingdom. I should depend on myself since they could throw me off at any moment should my abilities be insufficient.
Since this is a fantasy world, there should be something like an adventurer guild in this world. Once I receive faith crystals, I should work on those guilds. Although my power is high, it is not a cheat, so I can't carelessly make enemies. I wonder if money-based work will do for everyone?
Now I am in a caravan. They seemed in a rush. It is unlikely for the middle ages to be in this kind of rush. Is their life really in danger for them to rush like this? Considering I will live in the academy for 1 or 2 years, does 1 or 2 days really matter? But it might cost a village or two, so I can somehow understand.
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Parker POV
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"Stella, this is certainly only arithmetical questions, but...." Hart and the others give a sigh. There are several reams of papers stacked at the office that need to be processed.
"Sorry. But there are only 2 administrator officers in this barracks. We are really short-handed." The 2 officers gave an apologetic tone.
"But Stella, though we can do arithmetic, we can't read right? How can we process this document?" Nana asked. She is right. I just realized that now.
"Look at this document. You do not need to read anything. You just need to memorize 10 symbols representing each number. I wondered why I recognize this system too..." Stella said.
"So, this world numbering system is just like our earth. It is base 10. I see, though not impossible, it is quite a coincidence." I murmured
"After memorizing these 10 symbols. We put this bottommost number from these documents into these forms." She showed me the procedure to do it. I see what this meant. So, basically, the piece of paper she has on her left is something like a daily report. At the same time, the one on her right is some kind of recapitulation form. There seemed to be another form, but that is mainly handled by the actual staff. We just need to do the most tedious and numerous tasks. But honestly, why are there so many daily reports? How much are these guys slacking?
"Why are there so many?" Chloe asked
"These reports are daily reports per soldier group. We have around 100 groups here. And these reports are stacked from 2 months ago. We tried to ask for some kind of reinforcement, but the capital hasn't answered." The soldier answered apologetically.
"Hey guys, we are working here, not reprimanding. Let's just do it. Stella is already sitting in a corner." I said while looking at her. But hell, she works incredibly fast. Mental calculation? She is already done with 10 papers even though she just started a minute ago.
"When is this due?" I asked.
"That box is due in one week, that part is due in 1 month, and the most important is the one on the table. It is due in 3 days."
"Alright! Let's aim to clear everything here!" Hart said while rolling his shirt and showing his muscle. I don't think your muscle will do any good here, Hart.
6 hours later
"Whew, I am dead," Hart said as he slumped on the floor. "We really cleared all of them."
"You are just lazy, Hart." Will commented, "Though I must say that I have some difficulties memorizing the numbers, after an hour, it was okay."
"He is the type that uses his muscle. Administration works like this must be hell for him." Nana also commented
"Thank you so much. You guys count quite fast." the guy that works here praised us. But really, mathematics here needs to be developed more. They didn't use multiplication tables for multiplication. Instead, they use addition to do it. The soldiers are very talented for being able to do it mentally and quite fast too.
"So, your payment is 18 grams of gold.'
"Isn't that too much?"
"Umm, is it?"
"Paying freelancer at the guild cost 2 or 3 grams of silver at most. Well, they do it daily, though." Then is it weird that Stella received 10 grams of silver for working 3 hours?
"Let's see, because of them, we do not need to hire additional help for another 2 or 3 months. 90 days times 3 is equal to 90 plus 90 plus 90. So it is 270 grams of silver. The current exchange rate from silver to gold is 1 to 9,5, so they should receive..."
"270 divided by 9,5. Around 28 or 29 grams." Stella and I answered almost at the same time
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"See, we profited, right?" the soldier smiled at the other.
"Hey, aren't you paying us way too low?" Will complained
"Not at all, mister. You worked for 6 hours, while those working for 1 or 2 weeks straight. Though I do not deny that the work is the same. But the payment is different."
"What's that?" Hart said as he tried to complain.
"Enough, Hart. We are thankful for the money, mister. Sorry for the disturbance."
"Yeah. Well, we won't have another work for you in months. But I can introduce you to some merchants later. I am sure they will need your talent."
"Alright. Thanks." I said while bowing and leaving with the rest of my teammates
"Hey, aren't they abusing us by paying a lower amount?" Hart complained
"Your thinking isn't wrong if you count it mathematically. But it is another different matter if you think about competition and politics. It is like buying things in bulk and buying things in singles. Why did you think buying things in bulk is cheaper?"
"I can't really accept it." Hart gave a sullen look. We have a higher pay per hour than the others. Even though we receive less money in the end.
"Then, you want to get paid 30 grams of gold? You should get confined there for another week. How's that?" I said
"That's......"
"Come on, Hart, we have money. Though it is evening, we can still spend it. Any good idea?"
"Stalls is here." Stella pointed. As a modern person used to buying things in a comfortable supermarket or mall, I can't enjoy buying stuff in a traditional market like this anymore. Besides, males don't enjoy shopping, unlike girls, who can spend hours inside malls. I am suddenly reminded of being an escort for my girlfriend in malls. It was an indescribable hell. But I can't refuse since I also want to know the market prices here. But judging from those officers, 18 grams of gold looks high, considering we only work 6 hours.
"Mister, can we take a look at those clothes?" Chloe asked for an open stall with clothes lined up.
"I... want to taste those fruits and foods." Stella was going somewhere on her own.
"Hey, check it out! They have swords here!" Hart was also in high spirits. Wait. Swords? I checked out, and the stall Hart attended had weapons lined up. From swords to battle axes. Those are real, aren't they?
"A cane or staff or robes..." Will murmured while wandering in the shopping district. He wants to roleplay as mages now, isn't he? Now my interest is piqued. I want to see those stores too.
After splitting our money into 20 grams of silver for each person, we went on our own way. There are money changers here. After a brief explanation, it looks like most metals can be used as money. The prices of those metals constantly fluctuate, just like in our world, where dollars and yen always change. For types of currencies, they have iron, copper, silver, gold, titanium, gems, diamonds, and mithril. Small stalls like this only deal with copper, silver, and gold. Iron currencies only happen around iron mines, so they are not widely used. And it seems there are some regulations when dealing with titanium currencies.
What a complex structure. It's like a country where you can use dollars, yens, and pound sterling everywhere. I think it is weird that soldiers remembered the current rates despite their limited mathematical skills. Remembering currency exchange is vital here. I need to remember them too.
"Mister, that is a long steel sword mainly used for infantry on the battlefield. With this, even though you are a new freelancer, your equipment is the same as standard soldiers. It is just 5 grams of silver. Or is the sword not to your liking? We also have axes, maces, daggers, and even bows. A big guy like you seemed more proficient with axes or maces, isn't he?" a merchant explained the goods that Hart was holding. His eyes are totally entranced. I understand you, Hart. Weapons are men's dreams. Just like dresses are girl's
"Oh, you have quite a good eye, mister. Though the material is ordinary steel, that one is crafted by some famous blacksmith. You can take a look at its gleam. How it reflects light. Just look at its edges. It is clearly different than ordinary swords, right? You can buy for just 15 grams of silver."
"Hmm, what is the best weapon you have here?" I asked.
"Parker?" Hart asked, looking worried. He knew we would definitely be out of budget.
"We are just looking. I want to compare each store here. Besides, the country will provide us with the necessary weapons. If it is something like steel swords, the kingdom will give it to us. But I am more interested in something above the standards. "
"Ahh, so you are something like apprentice knights? Well, you can't skimp on equipment since it might save your lives someday. I like it. Even though the country will provide everything you need, you still looked for a way to enhance yourself." Quite the flattery. He is genuinely shameless, huh?
"And so, here is the pride of this stalls. A steel sword embedded with fire rubies. Perfect for magic swordsmen but also usable by a swordsman. With a certain chant, you can fire a fireball with this. Since magic swordsmen have higher talent, it is strong enough to kill. But for a normal swordsman, it might cause some diversion. It can be used either way. It is sold for 50 grams of gold."
"I see." I just murmured. Well, this is just a stall on the street. I can't expect something like Excalibur, flaming swords, or swords made from Mythril, right?
"You don't look impressed, huh? Rank C or B freelancers should be satisfied with this. Are you some wealthy noble? You can go to a more specialized shop if you have more money. I apologize if my wares don't suit your taste. "
"Okay. Thank you very much, sir." I bowed while leaving. Honestly, this is my first time seeing magical weapons. It is not like I underestimated it, but I can't find a comparison to be impressed. I need to work on this. I do not want to be viewed as arrogant.
Ultimately, very late in the evening, we returned to our dorm without buying anything except food. 2 grams of gold is large enough to live for 1 week. Still, more is needed to purchase weapons to work. I am starting to feel reality upon me. It is just like on the other side where you worked as an accountant with millions of dollars going in front of your eyes but only paid 200 or 300 dollars a month.
"So, all of you didn't buy anything too?" Hart asked when we meet in front of the academy's dorm
"Well, we didn't have enough money. So we were just window shopping." Nana answered
"2 gold is still too little to purchase anything but food. Well, many clothes are in those ranges but were low quality." So they were comparing the clothes we wear now with those in stalls. We are this country's guests and heroes. So, their comparison is unfair.
"Here is the money. Maybe we should let you keep it. We should use it as a group sometimes." Nana, Chloe, Will, and Hart return the money. In the end, we didn't find any object of interest, huh? I am sure they saw something, but the money isn't enough.
"Stella?"
"Sorry, I used mine."
"You are quite a glutton, huh?" Nana commented. That one is sharp. If I say it in our world, a slap or two might come my way. But girls using them was different.
"No, I only use 3 silver for food."
"The rest?" I asked. It is Stella, after all. I am really interested in everything she is doing.
"I use it on freelancer guild."
"For what?"
"To pay a reader. In the freelancer guild, a lot didn't know how to read, and thus they hired a reader. I used my money and thus registered there. I also read many quests applied on the board, but I haven't taken any quests."
"Even though you have amnesia, you definitely knew this world, huh?" Hart was surprised.
"She looks like an avid reader. I am sure she read those kinds of light novels too." Will added.
"But, why didn't you take any quest?" Chloe asked
"No time or skills. Most of them are monster subjugation."
"Let's do it next week! I definitely want to subjugate some monsters! Parker? We can bring down some weak mobs, right?" Hart was highly excited.
"Sure. But let's ask for information too. I don't want to bite more than I can chew. Although the measurement says we are rank S, without crystals, we are rank D. Let's not get over our heads." I warned them. Although deep down, I am incredibly excited as well.
"Here we are. We are home now. Miss Anna, please ready the bath... huh?" Chloe gave a surprised voice. What's the matter now? Troubles keep appearing one after the other.