CH 4

As we kept walking in the forest, the tightly packed trees gradually turned sparse.

Advancing further, we came across a signboard with an arrow mark to the forest.

I was surprised to find out I could read it.

It's written in otherwordly language, and yet I read it like it's in Japanese.

Everything being too convenient like this is making me uneasy instead.

『-> Danger Zone - Magic Beast Forest Gruoz - Those without permit are to stay away.』

Danger Zone? I was there for real?

Judging from the name, people likely get killed inside, scary.

"You'll find a highway to the opposite of that arrow sign. Following the road will get you to the town."

"F-finally out of the forest. That was really tough for someone lacking exercise like me."

"Lacking exercise, even though you have a Combat Job? Were you recuperating from a cold?"

I don't have a Combat Job. Probably. To begin with, it's unappraiseable.

"No, uh, I'm... I don't know."

"?.. What is?"

"My, Job."

It makes me sound like a neet, doesn't it?

Look, even Alma has this 'What is this guy saying' aura around her.

Her expression barely changes though.

"You look like a grown up though, how old are you?"

"...25."

"Everybody decides on their own Job when they come of age. You must have one too. Is it hard to say?"

"No, that's not it, I really don't know."

"...Really. Everybody has their own circumstances. Sorry for prying."

And now she's being considerate. What kind of Job does she think I have...

Hm? You get Job when you come of age?

I think Alma is 16 from her status...

<<In this world, individuals come of age at 15, they determine their Skills as well Job they wish to have by that point.>>

Ah OK. Really now.

I was just wondering and an information display showed up automatically, wonder if it's some kind of Tutorial for people who just arrived in this world or something.

The sudden pop-up sure was surprising.

The highway is so much more easier to walk on than the non path of the forest.

To think I could feel so grateful for being able to walk on a flat road. I don't wanna get in that forest anymore... Not even when that forest path turns flat.

After a while, I spot a wall surrounding something.

That must be the town nearest to this forest.

"You can see it from here. That's the town I live at [Daijel]."

"Ooh~! Finally a town!"

It's too bad we can't see the insides due to the wall. Wonder if it's a countermeasure for magic beasts.

We stopped before the gate then an armored guard approached us.

I'm feeling nervous even though I haven't done anything wrong.

It's like when a policeman comes to ask you things.

"Oh, Almatina. You're back in one piece."

"Yup, I'm uninjured."

"Glad to hear that. By the way, who's the man?"

The guard asked while looking at my face.

Calm down me. I just gotta need to speak honestly.

"My name is Kajikawa Hikaru. I was saved by Almatina-san when a group of goblins surrounded me in the forest, and since I had nowhere to go, I asked her to guide me to this town."

"Inside the forest? You mean you got in Magic Beast Forest!? That's a Danger Zone!"

"Well um, I found myself in the forest before I realized when I came to during the night."

"Were you abandoned there? Where did you come from?"

"I lived in a place called Japan. I have no idea how far or close it is from here."

"Japan... Never heard of it. You wait here a bit."

The guard went in guardroom after saying that.

I sure sound suspicious, don't I.

Even if I told the truth, it's all uncertain.

"You were speaking with formal speech."

"...What did you see me as? Even children can speak formal speech, you know."

"Sorry, it was unlike the image I had in mind."

I guess my image would be someone who screamed out loud from getting surrounded by goblins who then proceeded to beat them to dead with a club? That's just the worst!

As I thought that,

The guard from earlier came back with someone.

A gray haired middle-aged man wearing a monocle. Some sort of scholar perhaps?

Gotta check up his stat.