Chapter 20: Seems like I evolved

We work in the field as usual. That said, weeding and watering is better than not doing it. And because of the fast growth rate, harvesting must be done regularly. Currently, our food storage area is full of vegetables as we can’t eat them all.

“But this is really a mysterious place. Where does nutrition come from?”

I said that while I’m weeding and Erna replies back while she’s watering.

“Maybe the corpses of the creatures here are the source of nutrition…”

“I see! It may be the case! The corpses at the disposal site that have become nutrients are distributed to each level of the dungeon! The reason why this place is so prosperous is probably because it is close to the disposal site!”

Once I realized it, it was now easy to understand. According to its own cycle in the dungeon, food chains were created.Translated by Yume Neiji

But I wonder who created this mechanism and for what purpose…

Of course, how monsters occur is still a mystery.

“Have you heard what’s at the bottom of the dungeon?”

“Hmmm well… I heard that according to the report of the adventurer who has gone through the dungeon, there are amazing treasures there.”

“Amazing treasures? How amazing is it?”

Erna thinks with her finger on her mouth.

“Hmm? We might know if we go to the royal capital, but unfortunately this is the countryside, so we won’t know.”

“In the end, it’s still a mystery huh. I just started reading Great Mage’s book too, it looks like I still have a long way to go.”

I started reading the books in the hideout. It’s not because they are the books left by Great Mage Moore but rather, it’s because of my interest in the former resident who lived here. I did not progress that easily though. That is because the words written by Moore were difficult to read as they were written in a quirky style.

Even Erna, a resident of this world, couldn’t understand it unless she opens the dictionary on the bookshelf. As for me, I stopped reading his diary at the very first page.

When the field work was over, me and Erna head to the disposal site. Corpse looting may be a job that is being looked down upon but it is not a reason to refrain from making more money.

As usual, seeing the mountain of corpses, I put my hands together and pray for their souls.

“Hey, I’ve been wondering about it for a long time now, why do you put your hands together?”

“In my hometown, this is an act of expressing prayer. I’m doing it in a sense of gratitude.”

“Gratitude huh… Then why do you thank the corpses of these strangers?”

“In a sense it’s in appreciation of their hard work and I’m doing that through prayer. I hope that you pray and thank the dead too.”

Erna answers with “Hmmm”. She then put her hands together and bowed just like I did. There may also be religions in this world but I think that the feelings while praying are the same.

Immediately after, we approach the mountain of corpses and collect the weapons and armors. As I collect the silver coins and magic stones in the rucksack, I found something rare inside.

“Is this a map?”

When I opened the parchment, an island like that of Australia was drawn on it. At this moment, it is not possible to tell whether this is an island or a continent, but for now, I’ll just call it an island.

At the center of the island, it is described as “Rogas Kingdom”, and many other countries are marked around it. The territory is not so large, and it feels like a small country surrounded by five great powers. And this small country is the country where I currently live.

“Hey Erna. Where is the Mana city here?”

“Let me see…. Hmm, is it around here?”

She pointed the eastern frontier of the Rogas Kingdom. It’s definitely a rural area. In the nearby vicinity, a country called “Estent Empire” is written.

“Where is Erna’s hometown?”

“My hometown is here.”

The country she pointed to is written as “Sanargia Great Forest Country”. It is located in the upper left of the Rogas Kingdom and appears to be adjacent to Estent Empire.

“To call it Great forest Country…”

“That is just right! It is Sacred Tree-sama that governs the country after all. Do you have any complaint about it?”

Erna glared at me and I could only swallow my words. It’s strange that a sacred tree governs the country but in a world with magic, it might happen.

I want to go there someday.

For the time being, I put the map in my pocket and start looting for corpses again.

　◆◇◆

“Hey, did you try your Skill Picking on the corpses?”

I am looting a corpse when I heard Erna’s voice. Certainly, I haven’t tried it yet, but that skill can’t be that simple, right? While thinking so, I used the Skill Picking on the corpse.

【Kevin McLaine: Swordsmanship(Intermediate), Taijutsu A(Intermediate), Self Recovery (Beginner): Please select the skill to acquire】

I must have an outrageous foolish look. That was a shocker!

Gingerly, I select the skills and then these words appeared in my head,

【Do you want to acquire Swordsmanship(Intermediate), Taijutsu A (Intermediate), Self Recovery (Beginner)?  YES/NO】

After selecting YES, I immediately opened my status to confirm the changes.

【Status】 Name:  Shinichi Tanaka Age:  17 years old (56 years old) Race:  Homeless Occupation:  Adventurer Magic attribute:  No Attribute Magic:  None Skills:  Appraisal (Advanced), Pressure Point (Advanced), Swordsmanship (Advanced), Archery(Beginner), Axemanship(Beginner), Spearmanship(Beginner), Taijutsu A (Intermediate) ↑, Super Sensation(Beginner), Self Recovery(Beginner) New, Skill Picking

Certainly, the acquired skills are added. I was so happy that I wanted to dance naked. I didn’t really do it because Erna is here.

This is a great skill!

Appraisal and pressure points skills were also quite good, but they can’t outdo this one. Getting skills from the dead huh… Even if I made mistake, is it possible to gain skills and get stronger?This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

A hero, Shinichi Tanaka is born.

“Hey, what happened? Did you get a skill?”

Erna seems fed up as she stares at me. For the time being, I take a deep breath to calm down.

“Apparently, Skill Picking enables me to get a skill from a corpse.”

“E-eh!?  What’s with that!? Isn’t that against the rules!”

“Uhm, in the meantime let’s keep this a secret between us.”

“…Y-Yeah, that would be for the better. I’m sure it’s going to be a big problem if it is known.”

After ending the conversation with Erna, I decided to get skills from random corpses. I won’t know what kind of skill it is unless I use it.

Then my status changed significantly.

【Status】 Name:  Shinichi Tanaka Age:  17 years old (56 years old) Race:  Homeless Occupation:  Adventurer Magic attribute:  No Attribute Magic:  None Skills: Appraisal (Advanced), Pressure Point (Advanced), Swordsmanship (Advanced), Axemanship (Advanced) ↑, Spearmanship (Advanced) ↑, Hammermanship (Advanced) new, Archery (Advanced) ↑, Taijutsu A (Advanced), Taijutsu B (Advanced) new, Stealth (Intermediate) new, Danger Detection (Advanced) new, Super Sensation (Beginner), Self Recovery (Intermediate) ↑, Skill Picking

There is one thing I understand.

Regardless of how many times I acquired a skill with the same rank, the skill is not added. Even if I add Swordsmanship (Beginner) to Swordsmanship (Beginner), it will still be in a beginner level. Therefore, it wouldn’t make sense unless I aim for the higher rank of the skills I already have.

Nevertheless, looking at the skills I acquired, I don’t mind. This is still a skill festival. Wasshoi! Wasshoi!

I am especially happy about Stealth and Self Recovery. Stealth seems to be able to erase my presence, and it is so effective that Erna even frantically search for me as I disappeared before her eyes.

However, sound and odor were not erased so it may be dangerous if I use it incorrectly. As the name suggests, Self Recovery seems to be a skill that increases my recovery speed.

With my knife I cut my arm and the scene in which the wound closes up in a few seconds occurred. If I have to say my impression, it felt unpleasant.

But as expected, the recovery is not as much as the cure mushroom. Anyway, it was a big harvest today.

Me and Erna then leave the disposal site and return to the hideout.

　◆◇◆

After making stew for dinner, I poured it into a wooden bowl and give it to Erna. When the preparations were over, we started eating together.

Erna picks up the stew with a spoon and eats a bite.

“So delicious!….. Why is it that Shinichi is better than me at cooking?”

“Uh, I also don’t know why. Rather, it is strange that Erna is a poor cook.”

When I say so, she clicked her tongue. It seems that I shouldn’t have mentioned the part where she is poor at cooking. But speaking of it, before I became a homeless, I was quite good at my part-time job in a restaurant. To begin with, I didn’t hate cooking and on holidays, I used to show off some elaborate dishes for my family. At that time, I thought I have a nice family, but it must have been a misunderstanding. It’s my past that I want to forget…This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“But this stew is a dish that goes well with bread. I’ve never seen such a dish before, so where did Shinichi really come from?”

“As I said before, I don’t even know where this is. I’m a wanderer lost in this distant place.”

“Homeless, right? But thanks to that, I was able to meet Shinichi and I even become a proper mage. I’m really grateful.”

Erna’s cheeks turn pinkish while chewing. I will also feel shy saying thanks directly to someone.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s fine so quickly eat more.”

“Yup!”

I scoop up some stew with a spoon and the thick white soup produce steam. After putting it in my mouth, the mellow sweetness and the rich extract of meat and vegetables entwined on my tongue, the slightly added cheese also enhances the flavour.

―But words suddenly prompted while I’m having such meal.

【Evolution will begin soon. Once evolution is completed, there is no going back. Do you want to evolve? YES/NO】

For a few seconds I was stunned while holding the spoon.

Evolution? W-What the heck is that?

“Hey Erna…I’ve been asked if I’ll go through with my evolution, but please tell me what it means…”This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

When I said so, Erna was also stunned.

“Evolution…..what will you become?”

“Uhm…I don’t know, it’s not written…”

“Alright, just in case, I will explain. Evolution means that one can level up their race. For elves, we become high elves while for humans, they become high humans. But it is very rare to evolve. I also don’t know the reason for it but it seems that there are cases where one can become a different race.”

“A different race…”

I’m worried! Is it okay to evolve like this? Or should I cancel it?

I’m also satisfied with my current self, that’s for certain. If I proceed with this evolution thing, I may even lose the skills I have acquired by evolving…

When I look at Erna, she nods at me with a smile on her face.

“I will never leave Shinichi even if you’ve become any other race. It will be alright, it will surely be a wonderful evolution.”

“Uhm…”

Well it’s also true that I cannot move forward if I am afraid of facing changes. I even decided to live in this world. Then, I will take it boldly like a homeless would!

I selected YES from the displayed characters.

【Evolution will start in 5 minutes. You will experience extreme drowsiness, so please lie in a safe place and wait. 】

I hurriedly finish my food and I lied down on the sofa right after. I’m now prepared to evolve. I’m a little excited about this, what will I look like after? Maybe, I’ll have four arms… Mufufu, I’m really looking forward to it.

“Wait a minute! What should I do while Shinichi is evolving!?”

“Hn? Well… you can just read a book first and wait until I wake up. If it takes a long time, you can just cook and eat by yourself.”

“Gnununu… I’m not good at cooking…”

She groaned but having hit by extreme drowsiness, it makes it hard for me to talk. I then closed my eyelids and soon, my consciousness was then cut off as I succumbed to slumber.

“Uh………”

When I woke up, the room was already dark, seems like I overslept. I am very thirsty so I start drinking water from the water bottle next to the stove. I drank about 3 litres of water. Satisfied, I sit down on the sofa.

Thinking why I overslept, I immediately recall that evolution thing. That’s right, I should have evolved!This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

I quickly turn on the light and moved in front of the mirror.

“Whooaaaaaaa! What the heck is this!”

My body turned into a bigger size and my height grown up to 180cm. In addition, a tribal patterned arabesque tattoo spread all over my body, it strongly emphasizes its existence up to my neck.

Finally, my hair! My hair which was black and about the shoulder length now extended up to my feet and it changed into transparent silver hair.

I immediately took out the knife and trimmed my hair till an appropriate length.

“This length should be fine…”

I’m satisfied though it’s a little longer than before. I then stared at my face in the mirror. I now have a deep chiselled features, my appearance may have been improved. I looked quite handsome.

“Fu~a~ Shinichi, you finally wake up…”

Erna who’s in her pajamas comes out of the bedroom, she stared at me with her eyes wide.

“Err… who…?”

“What are you talking about? It’s me. It’s Shinichi Tanaka.”

“Eeeh?! It’s really Shinichi!?”

She runs up to me and made a serious observation. Rather than that, I was surprised at the strength of my current body. I’m brimming with power and my fighting spirit seems to be welling up.

The evolution tremendously strengthened my body.

When I opened the status, I found out what I had evolved into…

【Status】 Name:  Shinichi Tanaka Age:  17 years old (56 years old) Race:  Homeless (Variant) Occupation:  Adventurer Magic attribute:  No Attribute Magic:  None Skills: Appraisal (Advanced), Pressure Point (Advanced), Swordsmanship (Advanced), Axemanship (Advanced), Spearmanship (Advanced), Hammermanship (Advanced) new, Archery (Advanced), Taijutsu A(Advanced), Taijutsu B(Advanced), Stealth (Intermediate), Danger Detection (Advanced), Super Sensation (Beginner), Self Recovery (Intermediate), Skill Picking

I became a homeless variant!

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