Volume 1: Fledgling freelancer

Chapter: 1 Old man leaves the party

I’ve spent about half a year since I was transferred to another world.

I was a nondescript middle-aged man who could be found anywhere.

Even bothering to shave my beard was too much trouble for me.

I’ve never had a girlfriend, and since coming to this other world, my beard has been growing wild.

He was that kind of man, but now he’s active as an adventurer.

His rank is E-rank.

Even in such a so-called lowest caste, he struggles to survive every day.

And today, he’s being bossed around by the younger party leader again.

His name is Ridas.

“Hey, old man. Go get us a place to stay.”

“Yes.”

With such a reply, he goes to get a place to stay.

It’s a task that anyone can do, but it’s obvious.

In simple terms, “errand boy.”

I’m a man who gets bossed around like that by a guy who’s at least 15 years younger than me.

(That was the case when I was in Japan too.)

Being pushed around by younger guys, I was a 35-year-old man like that.

A voice comes from behind.

“Leader, that old man is really pathetic, isn’t he?”

It was the voice of a female party member.

I can also hear Ridas’s voice.

“Don’t say that. He’s still struggling to survive.”

Listening to such words, I start to feel pathetic about myself.

(Why did my life turn out like this?)

No, the answer is obvious.

(Because I was always playing games and fooling around.)

I remember from the time I was conscious, I was always playing games.

The genres were RPGs, action games.

Well, I played all sorts of games.

By the way, my favorite is action games.

I honestly dislike turn-based ones.

But action games are different. You can completely shut out enemies without taking any damage.

I love games.

Even someone like me can save the world or have the in-game characters treat me kindly.

That’s why I love them.

(I want to play games, erotic ones. I want to be treated kindly by girls.)

While thinking about such things, I walked and realized something.

(Now that I think about it, this world is like a game, isn’t it?)

Status open.

*Boop*

Name: Tatsuya Ono

Level: 5

Attack Power: 5

Defense Power: 5

Stats appear like that.

(This world really is like a game after all.)

By the way, the reason I bow my head so obediently to that leader is because his level is higher.

There’s a prevailing notion in this world that the higher your level, the more respected you are.

(Well then, maybe I should level up too?)

Just like in games, defeating enemies raises your level in this world.

(Yeah. Today’s party activities are over. Maybe I should try leveling up afterwards.)

With such thoughts in mind, I arrived at the inn.

I talked to the innkeeper and got a room.

After receiving the key, I returned to Ridas.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

As I tried to hand over the key, Ridas spoke up.

“Hey, old man, can’t you move more quickly?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

I bowed my head.

Bowing my head was something I was good at.

But Ridas’s complaints didn’t stop there.

“Idiot, useless moron.”

His complaints turned into mere insults.

Listening to that, I couldn’t help but think.

(Why am I earnestly listening to the lectures of someone like him?)

Can I continue being in this party like this?

For now, it’s still okay.

But think about it.

Will I still be in this party when I’m 40 or 50?

No, can I even continue being an adventurer at that age?

As I began to think about it, I started feeling anxious.

“Old man? Do you think an apology will be enough?”

Ridas smirked.

At that moment, I felt something snap inside me.

“Leader.”

I looked at Ridas’s face.

“What is it?”

“I’m leaving this party.”

“And what will you do after leaving? A useless weakling like you will still be worthless no matter where you go.”

There it is.

No matter where you go, the result won’t change, man.

I don’t trust guys like him.

If this were Japan, it might be different, but this is a game-like otherworld.

I believe that the results can change depending on my efforts.

I told Ridas what I’m thinking right now.

“I want to become a freelancer.”

Upon hearing that, Ridas laughed heartily, holding his stomach.

“Hahaha! You, a freelancer? Old man, spare me the jokes. Freelancing is for strong people. Even if you were to become a freelancer, who would trust a useless person like you with a job? Huh? Think about it.”

“It’s not a joke.”

I replied firmly.

“You’re not joking, huh? Old man. Don’t come crawling back to us later, got it?”

“Understood. Thank you for everything.”

I bowed my head, and Ridas spoke again.

“I’m kicking you out of this party, old man. Don’t even think about rejoining us. And another thing. You’ve been with our party for six months. Even if you beg other parties, no one will take you in, you know? They’ll see right through your lack of commitment.”

With that, the leader walked away.

As a parting shot, Ridas added

“No matter where you go, incompetence stays incompetence, old man. I’m looking forward to watching you die a miserable death.”

I watched as the leader and the others walked away.

Then, I checked my current funds.

【3000 gel】

It’s like having 3000 yen.

(There’s no time to rest.)

First, there’s something I need to do.

Leveling up.

In a world like a game, numbers should rule.

That means I need to level up.

(Level 5 is ridiculously weak.)

With that determination, I checked my equipment and immediately headed to the dungeon.

◇

【Goblin Forest】

This was the closest dungeon.

As the name suggests, it’s a dungeon where only goblins appear.

When it comes to goblins, I have the image of them being representative of weak monsters.

(But I’m practically a beginner now, so I can’t let my guard down.)

Alright, let’s proceed cautiously.

The forest is dimly lit.

Of course, because it’s surrounded by tall trees.

And it’s already nighttime.

I navigate through the forest, relying on the moonlight.

At that moment…

*Glitter*

(There’s something shining in the bushes to the right.)

*Rustle.*

*Thud!*

A goblin jumps out of the bushes and attacks.

The earlier glimmer was just the moonlight reflecting in my eyes.

The goblin was attacking the spot where I had been standing.

If I had reacted a little slower, it would have hit me.

“Gyiiiiiiiiii!”

Getting hit by that club would hurt.

But if it doesn’t hit, there’s no problem.

I ready my sword and face the goblin.

“Now, let’s begin the battle, goblin.”

“Gyiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!”

In response to my words, the goblin lunges at me.

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