[Hint 1: In your mind, designate a target. Then, think the word, "Status."]

[Hint 2: Start with yourself. In your head, think of yourself, then call to mind the word, "Status."]

Status.

[Name: Cracken]

[Class: N/A]

Stats

[Strength - 4]

[Dexterity - 3]

[Sense - 10]

[Mana - 0]

[Faith - 1]

Abilities

[Beta-Tester (Legendary)]

[Translation & Interpretation (Rare)]

[Innovative Self-Torture (Unique)]

"Strength four?"

I'd started going to the gym before I died. Apparently, it hadn't helped. I was weak. And slow. Weak and slow.

"Innovative Self-Torture?"

This was a "unique" ability. It meant the ability was a one of a kind, unique to the unit, class, or species. Unique abilities were more rare than "legendary" abilities, but that didn't mean they were necessarily good. They could even be bad.

"Aghhh! It burns! My skin! Damn you, the sun!!!"

My party members were docile. They listened to me. I asked them to take a seat or make themselves comfortable while I organized my thoughts.

As was the case in Fantasy Survival, the vampire took damage from being out in sunlight.

Looking down the list of stats and abilities, I noticed something interesting.

[Translation & Interpretation (Rare)]

Is this because I worked as an interpreter for a little while?

My list of abilities reflected my short employment history.

First, my current job. Beta-Tester.

Next, my first job, phone interpreter.

Finally, my last job, self-torturing MeTuber.

Now, my first job might be crucial to surviving first day of monsters.

I looked at the goblin, and activated [Translation & Interpretation].

"Can you understand what I'm saying?"

"W-what? Boss can speak our tongue??"

"I'm using an ability. What I'm saying makes sense to you, right?"

"Yes! You're not speaking gibberish anymore."

"By the way, how did you know I wanted you to sit down?"

"Huh? I was just tired."

Apparently, at least one of the party members wasn't actually listening to me.

"What should I call you?"

"You can call me whatever you want. Give me a name."

Was it just him that didn't have a name? Or was this the same for other heroes as well?

"You really don't care what I call you?"

"No."

"Okay. I'll call you Gob then."

"Gob. Gob. I like it. Call me Gob."

"Gob. Can you go bring that rock for me?"

I wanted to see if giving commands were possible, if he would listen to me.

"Whatever boss says."

Gob jogged over to a nearby rock and picked it up.

He walked back. He pushed his hand out to me, waiting for a response.

"Um. Thank you. I appreciate it."

Gob shot me a smile. At least that's what it seemed like. I could see his jagged teeth filling his large smile.

That was easy.

Having a goblin who'd actually listen to me was a big plus. Not only did I now have 5 members of the party instead of 4, goblins also got stronger faster than most human heroes, and started with better stats.

Only problem, they decided what abilities they would learn and what attributes they'd invest into. But I had a feeling that wouldn't be an issue for me and Gob.

I noticed the rest of the party staring at me. Did they also want a name?

"Are you...talking to that beast?"

The elven archer asked, face in confusion.

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"You mean you didn't understand what I was saying?"

"Well, yes. You were hissing and grunting. It didn't sound anything like Maronese."

"Maronese?"

"It's what you're speaking. It's the shared language we use across countries and territories."

As far as I could tell, she was just speaking English.

I looked at the priestess.

"Is what she's saying true?"

"Yes. It's also the official language of the church."

I guess this is how things worked in video games. Humanoids all speaking a shared language. That shared language being whatever language the player or developer spoke.

None of the party members could understand what Gob and I were saying.

This would be an efficiency issue. I'd have to say the same thing twice, once with [Translation & Interpretation] on, then another time with it off.

They also wouldn't be able to communicate without me. That was a problem.

Could I teach Gob to say a few things in English? We'd have to see later.

※※※

"Okay, here's what we are going to do."

I looked around the party of F-Rank support characters.

"The first couple of nights will be easy. It's designed that way. You get stronger in the first few nights, choose what attributes and abilities you'll develop, and hope your strategy works until day 10."

I waited to see if there were any objections.

There wasn't any.

"Did anyone wonder how I knew that?"

Silence again.

I saw each member change their expression, thinking about what I had said.

The succubus spoke up.

"No. You were chosen to lead us because of your knowledge. If we want to survive, our best bet is listening to you."

"Who...told you that?"

"..."

She closed her eyes half way, breathed slowly, and brought a finger to her mouth.

"No one. It was something...I just knew."

I guessed this was another one of those "convenient" things you see in games.

"The sun is starting to set."

The yellowish sky had turned to an even odder brownish red.

"The goblin in our party. His name is Gob. Tonight, we all will be supporting him. The priestess-"

"Iris."

"Okay, Iris, buff him, heal him, do whatever he needs you to do to survive."

"I'll do as you say."

I looked at the elf.

"What's your name?"

"It's Aerin."

"Do you think you hit monsters without endangering Gob while he's close-quarters with them?"

I asked Aerin, more or less knowing the answer.

"I don't think that will be an issue."

The worst elven archer still had crazy accuracy. The damage was pitiful. Their mobility wasn't enough to make up for that. They didn't have any power over spirits of the forest to be useful either.

I looked at the vampire.

"And what should I call you?"

"You will call me Alexandru."

"May we call you Alex?"

"...If you must."

The words seemed to be forced out of his mouth. There was something about this world that coerced them to listen to me. It was an uncomfortable feeling.

"Please weaken enemies before they get to Gob with your spells."

"Understood."

Alexandru glanced at Gob. It seemed to be a look of disgust. But who knows. Facial expressions weren't universal.

Lastly, I looked to the succubus.

"What's your name?"

"Please call me Lili."

"Lili, I need you to turn into a spirit and debuff enemies, prioritizing those closer to Gob."

"I think I know what you mean. I can do that."

Lili put on a wide smile.

"Okay. Lili, Alex, Aerin, Iris, Gob."

"I'm Michael."

At once, everyone except Gob either frowned, tilted their head, or raised their eyebrows.

Lili the succubus opened her mouth.

"I'm sorry, but we must call you Cracken."

Alex the vampire nodded in agreement.

"You are Cracken. There is no doubt."

Iris the priestess hesitated, but opened her mouth too.

"I feel a strong, single-minded desire to call you Cracken as well."

"...Same here."

Aerin the archer added.

In familiar shock, I looked at Gob, my last hope.

"Gob. I'm Michael. Can you call me that?"

"Sure, Cracken. Whatever boss says, I do."

"..."

I didn't like being called "Cracken."

I still don't.