Kays Translations

Chapter 28 “Special Force”

"What a coincidence, Klaus... I never thought you'd still be here?"

Klaus looked at the young man who approached him, feigning surprise, with cold eyes.

"Yeah... I'm still here."

*Chill...!*

The people around seemed to have understood the subtly tense atmosphere. 

*Swoosh...* The air felt slightly colder.

I see...

It's been several years, hasn't it?

...That was,

Yes, that was the day when my skill manifested, three years ago...

　※ ※

At that time, the boys and girls who turned 15 and successfully manifested their skills were celebrating. 

Then, those who manifested some kind of skill were gathered together, and each chose a profession that suited them.

Some were immediately scouted by various parties.

Of course, among them was Klaus, who had acquired an unusual skill.

Common Skills

Unique Skills

Rare Skills

Taboo Skills

Among the several skills that existed,

The skill that manifested in Klaus was the incredibly rare Unique Skill, "Automatic Function Auto Mode."

It was a mysterious skill not recorded anywhere, and when it first manifested, it caused quite a commotion.

It was what you'd call a Unique Skill, with a manifestation rate of one in a thousand or even rarer. Moreover, it was a skill like no other, so Klaus was widely praised and celebrated, sending him into ecstasy.

Being in the spotlight and receiving attention wasn't something he was used to, but... he didn't feel bad about it.

It was as if he had become the one and only supreme being in the world.

...It makes sense that if something so rare existed, various countries and organizations would make moves to acquire it.

In fact, Klaus received numerous offers from scouts and research institutions, to the point where he couldn't handle them all on his own.

At that time, despite being just a child, thanks to the dependable presence of Liz, who was mature for her age, Klaus was able to avoid the sweet talk of malicious adults.

There was only one person—someone Klaus trusted from the bottom of his heart.

...And that person was his fellow classmate, Gain Cash.

He also possessed a Unique Skill and, above all, shared the same goal of becoming an adventurer.

Due to the influence of their parents, Klaus had believed from an early age that the only path where their Unique Skills could be utilized was that of an adventurer. This common belief led to a strong bond between them.

And Gain shared his dream.

He spoke of creating the strongest clan and party, eventually becoming the ruler of a castle and even a whole country.

It was nothing more than the dream of a 15-year-old child.

Normally, people wouldn't pay it any attention, and they could have even laughed it off.

However, Gain had the power to back up his dream, and above all else—his family, while holding the low-ranking title of barons, still belonged to the privileged aristocratic class.

Klaus readily embraced Gain's ideals without hesitation.

Being at the age of still harboring dreams and aspirations at just 15 years old played a significant role as well.

Gain's family, rumored to have purchased their title with wealth, was literally a financial conglomerate.

Klaus was captivated by Gain's power, wealth, and the grand dream of seizing control of a nation.

Looking back, it was embarrassingly naive.

It could be considered a dark and awkward chapter of their past.

However, Gain was dead serious.

As soon as he discovered that he possessed a Unique Skill, he swiftly mobilized high-level adventurers he had prepared in advance and utilized his information network. One by one, he began recruiting Unique Skill holders, individuals with Rare Skills, and numerous other powerful individuals into his fold.

That was the birth of the up-and-coming adventurer clan, the 'Special Bond Special Force.'

As for Klaus...

Due to being excessively praised and flattered, and with the unwavering faith that Gain was the only one who could effectively utilize his Unique Skill, Klaus ended up rejecting various other offers and ultimately joined Gain's party, the 'Special Bond.'

That's right... It happened three years ago.

And that's when Klaus came face to face with his own abilities and the harsh, brutal reality...

　※ ※

*Clack, clack, clack...*

Gain deliberately made noise with his boots as he approached Klaus.

Certainly, he must have gained much more strength since then. His aura and the equipment he wore were on a completely different level.

"Hmm, it's nostalgic, isn't it? I haven't seen your face in, what, two years?"

"Yeah... It's been quite a while since then."

While Gain squinted his eyes nostalgically, Klaus remained expressionless.

...Back then, the 'Special Bond Special Force' had over ten Unique Skill holders and an equal number of high-level adventurers. 

Unlike Klaus, they had truly exceptional Unique Skills and knew how to wield them.

Gain's Unique Skill was [Space-Time Manipulation Timer].

As the skill's name suggested, it granted him the ability to manipulate "space-time." To put it simply, it was the strongest skill one could have.

As the rank increased, the power of the skill grew stronger, but even at Rank 1, the performance of this Unique Skill was astounding.

At Level 1 of "Temporal Control Timer," Gain possessed the ability of 'Time Stop.'

It allowed him to halt the time of a target or even the entire world, albeit for an extremely short duration...

During this period, the target's time would freeze, while Gain could move freely without any constraints.

The fact that, while the world's time was stopped, everything except Gain came to a halt illustrates how extraordinary this ability was.

In addition to Gain, the 'Special Bond' at that time included numerous Unique Skill holders and high-level adventurers.

There were mercenaries with the moniker ‘Storm’ 

And battle-hardened female warriors known as the 'Red Arm,' among others.

Speaking of Unique Skill holders, the remaining three people present today could be considered representative.

Chail Carmine: Unique Skill - "Weather Manipulation Weather Granny."

Glen Boghose: Unique Skill - "Atomic Conversion Atomic Change."

Mika Kisaragi: Unique Skill - "Life Bestowal Life of Live."

These three members also possessed exceptionally unique skills, as described above.

I'll spare you the details of their abilities, but well, just by looking at their names, you can probably imagine what they entail...

In addition to "special bonds," 

There were numerous "unique skill holders," "high-level adventurers," and support personnel. However, there were only four people here with a level below Gain. They are probably taking separate actions.

(But what business does the core member have coming here?)

Klaus used to be there too...

Among those monsters, the unique skill holders of that otherworldly class...

That's right. Compared to them, both now and in the past... among them, Klaus was certainly out of place.

No, even the term "out of place" seems too mild...

To put it bluntly, he was "mediocre."

While other members had abilities to control the weather or stop time, Klaus was the only one who had nothing more than the 【Automatic Function: Auto Mode】.

At Rank 1, he had "Automatic Return"...

While everyone else was showcasing skills of immense power in combat, Klaus was the only one who manifested the skill to automatically return home...

It's laughable, isn't it...

...Haha.

He was ridiculed...

Well, there's no need to ask about what happened afterward, right?

After joining the "Special Bonds Special Force," within less than a month, Klaus lost his place.

Incompetent... Ability holder...

Just a nuisance...

An automatic parasitic machine, Auto Parasite...

A man who just goes home on his own...

Various nicknames, accompanied by malicious remarks and rumors, circulated within the party. And in the Adventurer's Guild, everyone looked down on Klaus.

Despite having a unique skill, he was seen as a pathetic man who relied on his comrades for survival...

However, Klaus himself, influenced by his parents, at least knew the basics of adventuring, which made him slightly better than a complete amateur...

That was all...

So, he quit.

He bowed out voluntarily...

However, he didn't want to make any excuses.

He was utterly crushed by the overwhelming difference in abilities, 

And above all, the gazes of his companions were already painfully harsh.

Gain, however, saw potential in Klaus's abilities. He said that with increased rank, Klaus could be useful in some way.

Furthermore, Gain went out of his way to spend a large sum of money to have Klaus absorb magical energy from magic stones.

Then, he facilitated the upgrade of Klaus's 【Automatic Function: Auto Mode】, as demonstrated within the party.

...Looking back now, it wasn't that much money considering it was just to raise to Rank 2...

From Klaus's perspective at the time, Gain, who generously used magic stones to raise him by several levels, felt a sense of gratitude.

And as you know, at Level 2 of 【Automatic Function: Auto Mode】, there's 'Automatic Movement'...

A skill that simply moves automatically to a previously visited destination...

It was a skill that didn't differ much from 'Automatic Return'—a completely useless skill.

He felt nothing but shame... Embarrassment overwhelmed him...

He was heading towards Gain, intending to part ways with him.

At that moment, Klaus was definitively shown that he was fundamentally incompatible with Gain and the others.

Yes.

In one of the rooms of the mansion they were borrowing for the party—a room in the Clan House—Klaus happened to overhear a conversation between Gain and his close aides.

　※ ※

It was on a rainy evening, the rain pouring down steadily.

At that time, Klaus, unable to bear the increasing pressure within the party day by day, was about to knock on Gain's door to inform him of his intention to leave the party.

On the top floor of the Clan House.

Standing in front of Gain's room, he was about to knock on the door...

"Gain..."

"Hey, Gain! How long are you going to keep that useless guy in the party? I've had enough; my patience has its limits!"

"That's right! Because of him, our reputation is plummeting. What's with that 'Automatic Function: Auto Mode'? It's ridiculous!"

Glen and Chail spoke, hurling vulgar insults at Klaus.

"...What are we going to do, really? Surely, he's more than just a burden now? If Gain finds it difficult to say, I can..."

"Mika..."

Gain interrupted Mika, who was about to suggest parting ways.

In his voice, there seemed to be a hint of bitterness.

"I can't do that... I was the one who approached him. He pushed through numerous scouts, resisted the sweet words of many invitations, it was me who approached him. And I noticed his skill... Do you understand the significance of that?"

"M-Meaning... you mean..."

Mika stammered and fell silent.

Even Glen and Chail fell silent in front of Gain's stern expression.

"What you're saying is like telling me, 'I can't judge people properly.' Is that right, Mika?"

"Huh? Oh... N-No!! N-No, no, no, no, no!! Th-That's not it!!"

"That's right, isn't it?"

Gain smiled faintly. His eyes, however, showed no sign of amusement...

"B-But what do we do then? Surely, not only other party members, but also mercenaries and hired adventurers are watching, right?"

Glen fell silent, his voice coming out strained as he spoke forcefully.

"So are you suggesting we just discard him?"

"W-Well, that's..."

"Listen. Other people's judgments can be quite troublesome, you know? How do you think the Guild, the country, the knighthood, other clans, and parties view the 'Special Bonds Special Force' that discards members who are deemed useless?... They probably think this: 'They're just a party relying on money to gather competent members,' right?"

"S-So that means...!"

Glen fell silent, clearly shocked.

"That's not...!"

Instead, Mika tried to say something, but...

"No, I see. ...Gain's right. It makes sense now... That's why he subtly incited us to treat him coldly, even if it seemed roundabout," Chail said, finally understanding.

"I see... That's right, he's our leader. He went so far as to isolate him like that! Man, being a party leader means you have to think about even that kind of stuff, huh?"

"Hey, come on... That sounds bad. But in reality, you guys dislike him too, right? Kukukukuku."

What...?

"Well... I'm honestly baffled... I never thought there could be such a useless unique skill. Even with our Rank 1 abilities, we can surpass intermediate adventurers who are veterans."

"That's true... I mean, Uppupupu! I-It's the ability to automatically return home!"

Uppupupu.

When he heard that much, Klaus quietly moved away from the door.

The rest didn't require much imagination.

Uppupupu.

Kukukuku.

Kukekekeke.

““"Gyaaahahahaha! There's a limit to incompetence!!"””

Gyahahahahahahahahahaha!!

"Kukuku. Don't make me laugh, everyone... Anyway, things have been going well so far. All we need is a trigger, and he'll want to quit on his own."

"Understood, understood... But what if he stubbornly refuses to leave?"

Mika spoke bluntly.

"Well, in that case, there's no helping it... Rain."

"Yes, sir."

There was one more person in the room.

Rain, a highly skilled female warrior with a prosthetic arm found in an ancient ruin, wore the device. She was an advanced adventurer known as the 'Red Arm.'

"...He'll probably meet with an unfortunate accident, a very unfortunate one—do you agree?"

"As you wish."

............

I see. Gain.

If you want him gone that badly, don't make it so troublesome...

If you didn't want everyone to know, you should have told me quietly...

The recent cold treatment and the rumors circulating about the useless Klaus in the guild were all for this.

(Sorry, Gain... I won't cause you trouble anymore...)

Before they could resort to the use of force, Klaus made up his mind while their relationship was still barely intact.

He returned all the meager wages he received, asking them to use it for the magic stone expenses, and handed back all the equipment he had received.

Of course, Gain tried to persuade Klaus to stay with his usual leader-like attitude, but Klaus knew it was just an act. Without giving in, he left 'Special Bonds' behind.

He could see Gain's faint smile in the background, but he chose not to acknowledge it.

That's right.

This relationship had ended for good...

And so, Klaus, a rare individual with a unique skill, became an adventurer on his own. 

The rumors of his uselessness and his inefficient skill had faded over the years and were largely forgotten.

During that time, not a single person was willing to team up with Klaus, and he ended up going solo until now.

However, the value of having a unique skill remained unchanged. The guild in this town continued to approach him for research opportunities. 

Occasionally scouts came from small countries' knighthoods.

Well, once they found out that Klaus's unique skill was truly a useless outlier, they disappeared from his surroundings too...

In the end, it took nearly three years, but Klaus's 【Automatic Function】 finally began to show its true worth—quite recently, in fact.

And Gain was the man who caused Klaus to end up silently accepting his fate as a solo low-level adventurer…

　※ ※

"So, it's been two years... Feels long and yet short, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, you're right..."

Meeting like this again... 

Ideally, he never wanted to see that person's face again, not in two years or even three.

Gain Cash.

The leader of the clan "Special Bonds Special Force," consisting only of unique skill holders and high-level adventurers...

A hypocrite disguised as a charismatic leader...

And

(One day, I want to deliver a punch right to his face!!)

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