Chapter 8

"Go, Taro!"

"Got it!"

"Good! It seems you have the minimum combat ability now."

It has been three weeks since I started leveling up under the guidance of Lieutenant Thunder. Now, I can defeat Sand Lizards. Following Lieutenant Thunder's instruction, "Just thrust with all your might!" I thrust my spear with all my strength into the Sand Lizard in front of me, and it vanished.

As always, when I and my party members defeat Sand Beasts, they disappear. Since we don't get any divine currency or materials, and there's no reward for defeating Sand Beasts, I've come to realize that I can't make a living as a hunter. However, in terms of efficiency, it's actually very good because we save time pulling out swords and spears from the dead Sand Beasts and don't have to collect divine currency or materials.

My level-up progress has been smooth, and my level has already reached eighty-seven. It feels like a significant growth, but it might not be that impressive. Honestly, it's hard to judge.

"Is there a standard for levels? Like, at what level are you considered a professional?"

During a break, I asked Lieutenant Thunder about the level standards for being a professional or an expert. I had heard that there's a lot of individual variation, but I wanted to know if there were any guidelines.

"Ordinary people usually aim to reach levels three to five to avoid heatstroke during work. Most people can't even defeat Sand Lizards. For soldiers and hunters who can manage to defeat Sand Lizards, levels ten to thirty are common, but there's a lot of individual variation."

If you have talent, you can defeat Sand Lizards at level five. Conversely, some people can't move past Sand Lizards even at level fifty.

Still, if you become a hunter and accumulate enough Sand Beast kills, you can live a decent life.

"In the end, it comes down to talent, doesn't it?"

"Even if ordinary people level up to level thirty, many still can't defeat Sand Lizards. Most ordinary people without talent can't reach that level. Of course, nobles and the wealthy can."

"There are nobles and the wealthy who level up using money, right?"

You can't level up without defeating Sand Beasts, but defeating them is very difficult. If you fight poorly, you'll die quickly. So, nobles hire hunters who can defeat Sand Beasts to level up for them. Essentially, they buy levels with money.

"Because their physical abilities improve, they become stronger than ordinary people."

In the end, not all nobles have the qualities to be soldiers or hunters, so they become military officers through connections. Then, they have their veteran soldiers level up for them.

This country has severe exploitation by nobles, and the common people are very dissatisfied, but most of them can't defeat the high-level nobles. They give a little to strong soldiers and hunters to prevent rebellion. I'm starting to see the reality of this world.

"Higher levels make you less prone to illness and heal faster. High-ranking nobles even have their infants leveled up. One reason is that children are more likely to die."

There's also a difference in medical technology and hygiene, but many children die from the heat. To prevent this, nobles and the wealthy pay top dollar to excellent hunters to level up their infants and keep them from dying.

"Still, Taro, you're truly a 'Reformer.' You can defeat Sand Lizards with ease in such a short time."

"But I don't get any divine currency or materials even when I defeat them."

This is likely due to my level increase. I don't sweat as much even after a full day of hunting in the scorching desert, and I don't get heatstroke. However, no matter how many Sand Beasts I defeat, I don't get any divine currency or materials. The defeated Sand Beasts just disappear.

As a result, the nobles and the king have a very poor opinion of me. Even though I claimed to be a noble and the king promised to support me for a month in front of his subordinates, after that, I was told to leave the capital because I was useless.

"Just one more week."

"I'm leaving the capital, and Lieutenant Thunder is retiring, right?"

To make a young noble a lieutenant, they are retiring the experienced Lieutenant Thunder. I can't help but think this country is hopeless. It might be safer to be expelled.

"Just one more week. Get stronger."

"Got it."

For the next week, I hunted Sand Lizards relentlessly. My level reached ninety-eight, but it became harder to level up at this point.

"Are you at least level twenty? Ah, it's better not to tell others your level."

"I can defeat Sand Lizards with ease, as I heard before."

"That's a shame. If you could get divine currency and materials, I would have invited you to my party..."

I feel bad lying to Lieutenant Thunder, who has been so kind to me, but if he knew my level, it might cause unexpected trouble. So, I told him, "I'm at the level where I can defeat Sand Lizards with ease."

He will continue hunting Sand Lizards around the capital as a hunter. Because I feel indebted to him, it's better if he doesn't get involved with someone like me.

"By the way, what does the king want to see me for?"

"I don't know. Maybe he'll say something nasty?"

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

After the training and leveling up, I thanked and said goodbye to Lieutenant Thunder, who was also retiring, and left the barracks to head to the audience chamber where the king was. There, the king sat on his throne, looking visibly displeased, resting his chin in his hand, waiting for me.

"At least you could have contributed some divine currency and materials... I understood that you were a 'Reformer' and thus different, but you've been a complete liability. Be grateful for the free meals I provided for a month and head to 'Water City.' I'll even pay for your boat fare."

"Water City? What kind of place is that?"

"Hey."

The king didn't want to explain, so he gestured to Baron Stein, who was sitting below, to explain.

"I understand you want to show off your greatness, but you shouldn't treat your subordinates like that. You're trying to make yourself look important by treating them poorly, but it's just causing resentment."

"Water City is an island nation located in the middle of the sea at the center of the Great Desert. It's an independent city-state, and its unique feature is that it is governed by a council of wealthy merchants."

"Hmph! A ridiculous, money-grubbing country."

It seems the king dislikes Water City. It's a wealthy country, so he's calling it money-grubbing. Also, since there are no kings or nobles, and it's governed by merchants, he looks down on it.

"There, even someone as incompetent as you should be able to find a job. I, who drew a dud 'Reformer,' am too busy as a ruler. Leave immediately."

"Understood. Thank you for your hospitality."

"Hmph."

Given how much I'm disliked, it's probably best not to stay in this country. I'll take the boat fare and leave the capital.

"Lord Taro, I'm sorry."

As I left the audience chamber, I was apologized to by Baron Stein, who was also leaving. He's a really good person. That's why he can't seem to advance in this country, and it's a pity.

"It's essentially an exile, isn't it?"

"In the end, it's probably for the best, so I'm not worried."

Being half-talented and half-skilled and being used by that king is worse. Besides, Water City seems to have plenty of jobs, so it might be the best place for me, who can't earn money by hunting Sand Beasts.

"To get to Water City, first, you'll take a 'sandstream ship' from this capital to the port of 'Risus' in the Kingdom of Bart, which is located in the 'Central Sea.' Then, you'll take a water ship to Water City."

First, I'll travel by sandstream ship. It's a ship that runs on sand, which is rare in my world.

"Is that so? We don't have such things in my world."

"Yes, in the Great Desert, sandstream ships are more common."

That makes sense since the desert covers eighty percent of the area.

"I've arranged the tickets, so don't miss them. Here's the ticket for the water ship from Risus."

I also received a regular ship ticket, and I left the capital of the Kingdom of Bart, where I had spent about a month.