-Scavenger Guild, Top Floor
“So, are you Japonese?” (Saull)
The sudden question made my eyes wide as Saull breathed out a large ring of smoke with his pipe. He was nonchalantly sitting on his desk with his foot on the table.
“H-How do you…? Also, it’s Japanese.” (Ryuji)
Saull's mouth curled into a wide grin as he exhaled a perfect smoke ring from his pipe.
(I guess they have tobacco here too… Also why does this feel like I’m meeting up with a mob boss?)
“It’s kind of easy for me to tell you are a reincarnated person with your previous life’s memories with those weird techniques you got.” (Saull)
He said nonchalantly before he continued,
“Though, you are not the first one. I met two others. One is also Japanese… While the other is… Uh- I can’t remember. I guess I'm getting old.” (Saull)
Definitely a lie. But I wasn't going to pursue it.
Two other people from my world. I’m not sure if I should be happy or not.
“You met them? Where? When?” (Ryuji)
Another cloud of smoke came out of Saull’s mouth, forcing me to wave my hand to disperse the smoke. Though that gave me a new idea about a jutsu I will try in the future.
“I met a girl during a big dungeon expedition a year ago. You bear a striking resemblance to her... Dark hair, slanted brown eyes. I think she said something about being Japanese. She asked me if I met anyone else that is also Japanese. The woman claimed that she had been brought here by a white-haired lady in armor. I’m assuming it was the same person that brought you here.” (Saull)
My blood curdled. A woman with long braided white hair in armor flashed before my eyes. I recalled the way she adressed me.
Shinobu Ryuji, Tenacious One.
“Mister Saull, I think that white haired woman is behind the Adan incident.” (Ryuji)
He put his foot down and immediately jumped to his feet. His golden eyes were widened with surprise.
“How do you know? And you met her?” (Saull)
I replied with a nod.
“Shit… Sit down kid.” (Saull)
Saull also sat down as I sat across from him. From the depths of contemplation, he emerged, his sigh echoing with profound meaning as his fingers played delicately with the intricate strands of his majestic, braided beard.
“I met three people that met her except your party Ivorystand. One is you and the other two are also Scavengers… One of them is the Loremaster.” (Saull)
“Loremaster?” (Ryuji)
He sighed.
“He is the founder of Scavengers Guild. An extremely smart and powerful individual. I'm sorry, I cannot talk about him too much. Though I can say this much, he is one of the most powerful people I've met during my long life. Both physically and influentially.” (Saull)
A world with monsters beyond comprehension.
“I am telling you all this, because I don’t think you can beat the other reincarnated anyways. The girl I mentioned is also an Adamantine Scavenger like me… Hm, and I think she’s stronger than me in terms of sword skill. She’s a Swordsaint. I think she goes by… Rōnin.”
A Swordsaint. The highest rank of a Martial Artist. A living legend.
The last part of his words startled me so much that I involuntarily rose from my seat.
“Are you sure she calls herself that?!” (Ryuji)
“Calm down kid. Sit down.” (Saull)
I sat back with a sigh as a rumble emanated from my chest.
(Rōnin… But there were too many people who called themselves that… I can’t remember if there was any female Rōnin in history though…)
“Huff—Sorry, I’m calm now. Please tell me anything you know. I think that M person brought us here for a specific purpose.” (Ryuji)
Saull kept stroking his beard, his eyes fixed on me with a pensive gaze.
“How strong do you think she is?” (Saull)
“A monster. I don’t think anyone can beat her in this world. She killed me without even touching me.” (Ryuji)
Saull chuckled.
“Kid, there are many people or beings in this world that can kill you and me even with their stares.” (Ryuji)
(Just by staring? Good grief.)
“Mister Saull, who do you think is the strongest in this world?” (Ryuji)
“Hm… I could easily say the Five Dragon Lords of Brilliance are. Perhaps Galatea Stargleam too, the Chosen of Luminestelle. They are the guardians of Turais. I’m certain any of them can beat M.” (Saull)
“What about the Gods? Are Dragons stronger than them too?” (Ryuji)
Saull puffed his pipe, but this time did not blow it against me.
“Loremaster told me a long time ago that the Eleven Deities do not interfere with Turais directly. Instead they choose themselves a Champion to do their biddings for them. In other words, Chosens. And Dragon Lords are far more powerful than any of us can comprehend.” (Saull)
(So Dragons actually exist here. That is just so cool!)
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“What’s wrong kid, you seem very excited.” (Saull)
“I just can’t help it. In my world there was no magic. However, I must say that we were far more advanced technologically.” (Ryuji)
"Rōnin told me that she came from a world of swords without any magic or magical beings. So how come your world is more advanced than ours?" (Saull)
(I knew it. That Rōnin person is from a different time period than myself! But doesn't that mean M can time travel?!)
"I believe she is from a different era. But I'm only assuming, she is probably from fourteenth- sorry, I mean 600 hundred years before my birth, meanwhile my era was far more advanced." (Ryuji)
Saull was completely engrossed in listening to me.
"How advanced are we talking about?" (Saull)
And then I began telling him about the brief history of my world. How the humanity quickly began flourishing with the help of science and technological advancements. In the year 2100, my world was already recognized as a Type-1 Civilization in the famous Kardaschev scale. I briefly informed Saull about how the Kardaschev scale works and how this world called Turais, is merely a Type-0 world.
"It's so unreal... Instead of magic, your people utilized technology and science. And to think that they had the power to conquer the entire world and even inhabit their moon! Simply unbelievable." (Saull)
I described to him the devastating occurrence of a nuclear war between major global superpowers, which rendered both South America and Africa completely uninhabitable. Consequently, countless individuals were compelled to seek refuge in Antarctica or the Moon.
"Flying carriages and ships without magic or any beasts pulling them... Massive castles made from metal and glass piercing through clouds or armor that enhance human capabilities. A dream like world. I am very interested in this Earth you speak of, kid. (Saull)
Though what he said next really surprised me.
"We have similar things though. I don't think you heard of the Rune Rifles the Dwarves can use, or the Flying City of Sonskyne." (Saull)
(Rifles?! They got guns here?)
"Interesting. Mind telling me about them?" (Ryuji)
Saull nodded approvingly while taking a deep puff from his pipe, effortlessly exhaling a dense cloud of smoke capable of engulfing anyone in its path before he put it down, extinguishing the pipe.
"I think you would fit in the Magic Academy they have in the Sonskyne with your four elements, though there is one problem." (Saull)
(OOH!! THERE IT IS! THE MAGIC ACADEMY I DREAMED OF!!!!)
I found myself daydreaming of the school life I've always wanted... A magical academy with cute girls, all of them falling for the overpowered protagonist - me, while I get to enjoy my youth which I couldn't in my previous life thanks to attending a small Ninja academy...
(Can I finally make my dream school life come true?! Not to mention I am somewhat of a big deal now with my four elements! The youthful friendships... Showing off my abilities and acting totally cool, rejecting a lot of girls and saying stuff like... 'Sorry... I cannot answer your feelings...' Or perhaps making the snotty, arrogant noble girl with drill hair fall for me by beating her in a duel in the first day of my school life!✨✨✨)
"You need to be seventeen years old in order to take the entrance exam... Sorry kid." (Saull)
"Eh-" (Ryuji)
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" (Ryuji)
My dreams... Are shattered...
----------------------------------------
After calming me down and giving me more crucial information about the Shandria, he has agreed to keep my true identity a secret except his Loremaster.
We got up from our seats simultaneously. I squeezed his big green hand.
“I look forward to seeing your growth and perhaps learning more about your world, Ryuji. Oh one thing, keep telling people that you are from Assai. No one will get suspicious unless they know about the reincarnated people. Tell them you are from Miyaza, the capital of Assai.” (Saull)
(Oh, it’s the first time he used my name… And Miyaza? It sounds Japanese.)
“Alright, thank you, Mister Saull.” (Ryuji)
I shook his hand. Unlike Erneis and Milgard, he did not try to crush it.
“Now get out of here, I got things to do. And as a Silver rank Scavenger now, so do you.” (Saull)
He grinned mischievously.
(Tsk—I guess he is still an annoying geezer.)
As I made my way back to the reception to receive my Guild Card, I saw my friends get up from their seats and walk towards me with concerned expressions.
“Buraza!” (Milgard)
“Ryuji, what happened? We were worried sick!” (Melodia)
Feeling their concern lifted my spirits a little.
“Don’t worry guys. He was just telling me how things work. I am officially a Silver rank Scavenger just like you guys!” (Ryuji)
“Oh yeah!” (Milgard)
Clovea smiled while Melodia jumped around happily.
"Yayy!" (Melodia)
“Ehem, Ryuji-sama? Please approach the counter so I can give you your guild card and necklace-nya.” (Arabella)
(Oh, it’s the cat girl!)
I approached Arabella with others behind me. She placed down the card and the letters morphed into Japanese. There was also a very detailed drawing of my face. I guess they don’t have photography in this world.
"Arabella-san, just who made this drawing?!" (Ryuji)
She charmingly tilted her head, her long black tail flicking behind her with curiosity.
"It's from our guild artist, Cyn Cerise-san! She told us that she had great inspiration while watching your fight with the Guild Master-nya. Is it bad-nya?" (Arabella)
"No! Absolutely not... In fact, it's amazing.✨" (Ryuji)
(Oooh~ very well drawn. Though why did she draw me without my shirt? I guess that she has a muscle fetish... But she perfectly managed to capture my masculine charms.✨)
My friends looked perplexed as I nodded to myself.
image [https://i.hizliresim.com/luhbn3k.jpg]
And the rest of the card was looking modest with minimum detail being only business related. It seemed like the card had an intricate system too with the taking and turning in the quests.
-----------------------------------------
Name: Shinobu Ryuji
Profession: Ninja, Quadruple Elementalist, Martial Artist, Illusionist
Rank: Silver
------------------------------------------
(It does say Ninja on my card! Amazing! And illusionist? I think it refers to me being able to summon clones.)
Arabella placed the silver rod necklace on the counter before she stamped my card. As she infused the card with a small amount of mana, it emitted a shimmering silver glow. I assume she just activated the card.
(Woah. Magic is really useful in this world.)
“And… Thank you for what you did for me-nya. I will not forget about it-nya.” (Arabella)
A confident grin formed across my lips without realizing.
“Don’t mention it!” (Ryuji)
(SHE IS SUPER CUTE!!!)
She calmly nodded. Bowing respectfully as her ears twitched, urging me to scream out loud.
“I wish you luck on your adventures-nya.” (Arabella)
“Mhm!” (Ryuji)
"Congratulations, Ryuji!" (Melodia)
"Now we are an official party." (Clovea)
I put on the necklace around my neck, then slid the card into my black backpack.
Then suddenly a woman in a gray hood approached us. I immediately understood she was a woman because of her voice.
“Greetings, Scavengers.”
We all directed our attention to the owner of that soothing voice.
“How can we help you?” (Clovea)
“Forgive my rudeness for not showing my face. I have my own reasons. However, I assure you that I am willing to pay you handsomely if you accept my request.”
Clovea’s eyes glowed green. I assumed she was using her skill.
“How much are we talking about?” (Clovea)
Her eyes stopped glowing. Did she fail to analyze her? Her expression looked worried for a brief moment, though she quickly hid her emotions away from us.
Though my instincts told me that this person isn't weak. In fact, she is probably as strong as me, if not stronger.
“About 100 Gold Thalers.”
Eyes of the Ivorystand members widened.
“WHAT?!” (Milgard)
As loud as usual, Milgard’s voice attracted attention. Some of the Scavengers looked in our way, thankfully they did not hear the mentioned amount.
“Please, keep your voice down, Milgard-dono.”
(She knows his name? That means she specifically chose us. I am assuming she saw my fight with Saull too then.)
“Let’s change places. We don’t want people hearing us.”
-End of Chapter 6