Episode 9: "Testing out new cheats with a steely mentality"

Wes, it seems like my magical power has increased, so could you please appraise it for me?"

"Haa."

　The next day, when I went to the Adventurer's Guild, Wes gave me a quick reply.

　What's with that lame reaction?

　Wes sighs exaggeratedly.

"Yuji, I understand. The amount of magical power a person possesses is determined from the moment they are born, and it cannot be increased later in life."

"But it has increased?"

"That's why it can't increase. If it were possible to increase it through training, it would completely disrupt social order. Some people even say that one of the reasons why nobles are nobles is that they are born with a huge amount of magical power. Magical power is inherited through blood. It can't increase later on."

　Wow, I see.

　Well, just having magical power gives you a huge buff in terms of physical abilities too. If you have high magical power, then you're treated as a special person.

"So that has increased, hasn't it?"

"...were you listening to what I said?"

　Wes sighed again and shook his head.

"Even if your magical power really has increased, how did you know about it, Yuuji?"

　Oops, can you hear that?

　I guess it'd be a bit difficult to say that I bought it from a cheat vending machine last night.

　After all, I would have to explain that "I was praised by God for being used as a masturbation aid by the women of this town 10,000 times, and received some pocket money, so I used it to buy magic power." That would really make people question my sanity. If I were in the opposite position, I would never believe it.

"...A hunch?"

"..."

　Wes's cold gaze pierced me as I tried to explain something with my eyes wandering.

　Eventually Wes took off his glasses, polished them with a cloth, and sighed for the third time.

"Well, there's no other way. I'll take 10 silver coins, is that okay? Appraisal isn't free, after all."

"We did it!"

　As expected, Wes knows what he's talking about!

　Well, all the other receptionists hate me. They blatantly frown at me. I don't think racism is okay.

Let me explain!

　Racism isn't the main reason this guy is disliked by the male reception staff!

　For example, let's say one day a young, voluptuous beauty joins the workplace of our world. And the president says, "I'll give this girl to the employee with the best performance as a wife," and all the male employees fall in love with her. How would the female employees who were already there feel? That's it! ≫

　When I hold my hand over the crystal ball, the same mysterious characters appear as before. As usual, they are characters I cannot read. Next time I have the opportunity to get coins, I might buy the skill to read and write the language of another world. I have no idea how to get coins, though.

　While I was thinking about this and waiting for Wes to decipher it, he opened his eyes wide and let out a stunned cry.

"I can't believe it...! My magical power has definitely increased!"

　Oh, did it!

　Well, it's only natural that my magical power has increased since I bought the cheat, but I'm still excited. Seeing the locals surprised is the best part of cheats, right?

"I can't believe something like this happened... How on earth...!?"

"So then? How much magical power do I have?"

　When you say my magical power is strange, does that mean it's too high?

　It's the lowest value for demons anyway, so maybe around 30? No, maybe 100? Sorry, I'm too strong!

"Oh, the number is 1."

"1"

"That's the lowest price imaginable."

"The lowest price..."

　I collapsed on the spot.

　Ah, I see! Well, even among demons there are bound to be huge differences between individuals! The theoretical minimum for the demon race is 1! Whether it's demons or humans, the minimum is 1! There's no difference there!

　Oh man, I've got one! Ahahahahaha!

　Don't mess with me, you scam catalogue.

"Eh... Yuuji-san, are you crying...?"

"Leave me alone. I've wasted six months of my life...!"

　Wes looked at me as he seemed uncomfortable talking to me as I broke down and cried, hitting the floor repeatedly.

　Fail failed fail failed fail failed.

　If I could send a message to myself yesterday, I would tell him never to believe the sales pitch in that fraudulent catalog.

　What are you confident about recommending this game? It's 100% malicious. Is there an alternate world where beings who give you cheats intentionally try to deceive you? That's way too hard.

　While I was feeling devastated, Wes leaned forward from the counter with an excited look on his face.

"That's amazing, Yuuji! Your magical power went from zero to one!"

"The increase is only 1."

"It went from nothing to something, it's amazing!"

　It's okay, you don't have to force me to encourage you like that.

"By the way, how much magical power does the big-horned rabbit have?"

"Um, I think it's about 20."

"I'm a worthless human who's only 5% of a rabbit!"

　I mean, even a rabbit that doesn't use magic or anything still has 20 of them?

　...Well, that's fine then.

"Well then."

　After crying for a while until I felt refreshed, I pulled myself together and stood up straight.

　I've been experimenting a bit more lately. I guess it was a good idea to get that thing yesterday.

　Wes looks at me with a twisted expression on his face, but with my empathy completely gone right now, I can't read his emotions.

"Well then, I'm off to do some hunting."

"Oh, wait a second. You won't tell me how you increased your magical power?"

"Yes, it's a secret."

　Well, I don't mind saying that, but I'd have to give an explanation that would make people question my sanity.

"I see... So it's not something you can just reveal to others."

　Wes nodded, his glasses gleaming.

　He sounds like he's using some amazing secret technique, but he's just been used as a masturbation aid by dirty women 10,000 times. Well, if that makes sense, that's fine.

" By it seems like the number of them is increasing.... What on earth are these [Influencers] and [Demon Breeding Rights]...?"Blessinggift

"I want to hear it!"

　Hearing "Demon breeding rights" in a public place in broad daylight sounds really ridiculous.

　Well, since I'm here, I might as well check the information.

"...It's the right to safely have children with demons. Do you know what a demon race is, Wes? I think they're probably a type of monster."

"No, I've never heard of it."

　Wes tilted his head and gave a puzzled look.

"At least there are no such monsters in the Naropa region. Our empire includes the Indispice region in the east, but their existence has not been confirmed. Perhaps they live in the Dark Continent to the south, or in the depths of the New Continent across the western sea..."

"Wow."

　I guess this is quite a rare species.

　I don't think I'll ever have the chance to meet someone like that.

　Well, I'm glad I didn't encounter any dangerous races that would spread curses just by having sex. But still, this world is way too hard.

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　Brishav Island is full of rabbits.

　The island is filled with a variety of rabbit-type monsters, including not only normal-sized rabbits, but also big-horned rabbits with large horns, sleeping rabbits that can cast sleep magic, white rabbits that run around on two legs carrying a clock, and the March Hare, whose roaring laughter can drive anyone who hears it to insanity.

　According to what I heard when I went on a picnic with Wes, originally there weren't many rabbits living on the island, and there were no monsters either.

　However, some time ago, the culture of deer hunting was introduced to the island from the Naropa subcontinent, which the island faces, as a pastime for the nobility. The nobles became obsessed with deer hunting as a super exciting sport, and went on a deer hunt. They hunted all the deer on the island, almost to the point of wiping them out. Take it easy, you idiot!

　With the deer gone, the nobles had nothing to hunt, so they started hunting foxes instead. Foxes are not as big as deer and there is less risk of counterattacks, so although the sense of accomplishment from hunting them is modest, they are a fun prey to hunt because of their small bodies and their quick movements. So much so that they were driven extinct again.

　So what would happen on an island without foxes? The main prey of foxes is rabbits. In nature, populations are regulated by the food chain. With no natural predators, rabbits multiplied wildly. They multiplied wildly and spread across the grasslands of the island, eating every bit of grass, and invaded villages, destroying crops. As a result, the island's cities and villages had to be surrounded by walls.

　That was still okay.

　According to Wes, there is a law that governs the appearance of monsters in this world, and monsters are born from species that prosper to a certain extent in one area. Large and ferocious rabbits began to be born from ordinary rabbits, and as generations passed, they grew larger and larger, and the Great Horned Rabbits were born, with huge horns as weapons. This was the most stable species, and the Great Horned Rabbits proliferated all over the island, replacing the normal rabbits that had existed up until that point, and Brishabu Island became the rabbit kingdom that it is today.

　When I heard this story, I blurted out, "Nobles really don't do anything good," and Wes covered my mouth with a pale face. I'm glad it happened when we were on a picnic, I don't know what would have happened if I had said it in the city. Well, Wes is also a low-ranking noble.

　Fortunately for humans, the large horned rabbits, which made up the majority of rabbits, were weaklings in terms of combat. Although they had dangerous characteristics such as no mating season, extremely high reproductive rates, and being voracious eaters, extermination itself was something that even ordinary people could handle.

　In other words, even a low-level adventurer like me.

　I hid in the shade of a tree whose bark had been completely nibbled away, and watched the big-horned rabbit. It was the size of a wild boar, and was munching mercilessly on the brave weeds that had finally started to grow back. It was cute to see it occasionally nuzzling its nose, but it was also a belligerent monster that would get excited and charge at any human it saw, so it was important not to let my guard down.

　I've also made mistakes a few times and have had holes in my leather armor and body. If I pour a potion directly into my body, it just hurts like crazy, but if there's a hole in my armor, the repair costs are steep. I don't have any money, so there's still a hole in my armor. If I don't fix it quickly, it will start to tear, but I don't have any money on hand, so I can't do anything.

　Well, there's a chance that my hunting efficiency will improve dramatically from today onwards... Thinking this, I tightened my grip on the hilt of the magic item.

　I usually fight with a one-handed spear and shield, but this time I'm holding a small baton instead. It's called a "Shock Baton" and is one of the legacies left in the warehouse by my missing predecessor.

　It can fire an electric shock, but it is non-lethal and will not kill the big-horned rabbit. At best, it will stun it and stop it moving. Even if an ordinary person is shocked by it, they will only feel a tingling sensation and lose all strength in their body, so some men carry it around as a measure against perverted women. Basically, it's a stun gun for self-defense.

　Even though it was just a magic tool, it was something I really wanted to try using. I've always wanted to try using a magic item in another world. ...Or rather, there are just too many inconveniences if you can't use magic items. Magic items like flashlights have been invented in this world, but I had zero magical power up until now, so I couldn't even activate them.

　By the way, the power of the tool is not affected by the user's magical power. Even a worthless human with magical power 1 like me can emit a specified amount of electric shock if I activate it. Magic power 1 is the minimum grip strength needed to press the switch on a flashlight. ...It makes me want to cry when I say it like that.

　Now, let's get into the battle.

　Still hiding in the shade of a tree, I aimed the tip of my shock baton at the big-horned rabbit and, just like Wes had taught me, said, "Activate."

　Then, Baton, who had shown no reaction no matter how many times he tried up until then, slammed the air with a creaking sound as he aimed an electric shock at the Great Horned Rabbit, as if everything up until then was a lie. The garbage in the air burned, and the distinctive smell of ozone tickled his nostrils.

　...Ahh, that's great, it's so good! I really feel like I'm using magic right now! Since I came to another world, I wanted to try using something like this!

"Peeeesh?!"

　The big-horned rabbit, having been struck by electricity, let out a shriek and shook slightly.

　As previously explained, it seems that it will only be a bit of a surprise.

　He immediately looked around, and then his gaze was directed towards the tree I was hiding in. Oops, he's found me...

　The big-horned rabbit's red eyes were filled with rage and it stomped its hind legs on the ground, signaling it to charge.

　I held up the shield in my left hand and gripped the shock baton tighter.

　Now here comes the main topic...!

　I got the big horned rabbit firmly in my sight and took a bite.

"[Influencer] - [Magic]!"

　Suddenly the Big Horned Rabbit lost its balance and fell to the ground.

"Gah?! Gah?!"

　The big-horned rabbit desperately tries to sit up, but it seems he can't put the strength into his body. He just stares at me and trembles.

"Hehehe... Welcome to 'this side'. This is the world of shitty weaklings with magic power 1...!"

　It was just as I thought.

　For the creatures of this world, magical power is directly linked to their offensive and defensive power. In other words, they unconsciously use magical power to move their bodies. What would happen if you transplanted the status of a shitty weakling with magical power 1 into that? The answer is that, like the rabbit in front of me, they would lose control of their bodies and lose their balance.

　If the opponent is strong, why not just make them weaklings like you? ... It makes me sad to say it. However, I think debuffs are the king of tactics.

"Well then, let's move on to the main experiment."

　I readied my shock baton and unleashed an electric shock on the Great Horned Rabbit, whose magical power was now at 1.

"..."

　The smell of roasting meat fills the air.

　I was speechless when I saw the charred remains of the dead big-horned rabbit.

　Its fur was scorched mercilessly, and the exposed skin was covered in lightning-like tree-like marks. I remember reading an online news article about people who miraculously survived being struck by lightning and were left with similar marks all over their bodies. This big-horned rabbit did not survive, though.

　It was probably fortunate for the rabbit that it died so quickly and without any pain.

　His tongue was hanging out of his mouth and his flesh was also charred.

　I instinctively covered my mouth with my hand and crouched down on the spot.

　I felt extremely sick. Tears flowed uncontrollably from my eyes.

　This was me. I had come to see myself in the fate of this rabbit.

　A creature with magic power 1 would end up like this just from being hit by magic like a stun gun.

　If I encounter a monster that uses magic, no matter what kind of magic it is, I will die like this.

　Over the past six months, I had been hunting big-horned rabbits and thought I had somehow improved. I was under the misconception that I was getting a little closer to being a proper adventurer.

　What kind of growth do you mean? I was only lucky to have been able to continue as an adventurer for half a year. If I had encountered a goblin mage that other adventurers had been defeating frequently, I would have definitely died.

　The world with magic power 1 was a world of despair where anyone who was even touched by magic would die instantly.

"...This won't do."

　Although I am controlled by [Mental Resistance], that doesn't mean I don't feel fear. I can still make rational decisions to avoid danger.

　No matter what I do, it's impossible for me to continue as an adventurer. I'm not crazy enough or confident enough in my fighting skills to do Owata-style adventures in real life. My life will definitely end sooner or later.

　A creature with magical power 1... in other words, my purpose in acquiring [Influencer] this time was to find out what would happen if I were to be hit by magic, and it was certainly worth it.

　I learned that one hit of elementary magic would scorch me to instant death. This information was enough to buy my life.

　If I can reduce the opponent's magic power to 1, they won't be able to use magic... In other words, I figured I could use it as a magic sealing skill, but [Influencer] can only be used on targets within my field of vision. In other words, if a spell flies at me from a place I can't see due to a surprise attack or melee, I'll be dead in one hit. I don't want to take that risk.

　I finally understood what Wes had said to me six months ago: "I've never seen anyone less suited to being an adventurer than you."

　A person who can die with a single spell certainly shouldn't be an adventurer.

"...Okay, I quit being an adventurer!"

　Thus, after half a year of adventure, I decided to retire and embark on a new path.