Chapter 2: First combat and Special power

First combat and Special power

We leave the imperial capital and walk along the road until the gatekeeper is out of sight. I tell Kinoshita-san about our plan once we're alone.

– Walk along the road and head toward a village or another city.

– Collect information about foreign countries so we can go there without any issues.

– When demons appear, I will fight. Kinoshita-san has to stay behind me.

– We will run away together if the number of enemies is three or more.

Kinoshita-san is surprised when I say I’ll fight two demons at once. Well, I think demons around the capital aren’t very strong. According to the usual RPGs...

The reason I set the condition for retreat when three or more demons appear is because I’m worried I won’t be able to protect Kinoshita-san. It’s natural to withdraw immediately when enemy reinforcements arrive mid-battle.

I set my conditions based on the enemy’s strength. According to Kinoshita-san, I should withdraw if I judge I can’t handle it. I might be fine on my own, but it’s impossible for me to keep watch on our surroundings alone. I expected her to provide objective judgment.

[But... could you really fight? If it becomes too dangerous, we should run away…]

[Of course. However, it will be dark soon. Since it’s dangerous to travel at night without preparation, I want to reach the first village before nightfall.]

[In that case, I believe it's more reasonable for us to run away to ensure our safety…]

Kinoshita-san clearly wants to avoid fighting. However, I need to make sure she understands that I won’t back down when it happens.

[For now, let’s start with one monster. Even if I look like this, I have some experience in martial arts. I’m also worried about the strength of demons in this world. So, let’s discuss it again after the first fight, okay?]

Because I’m not backing down, Kinoshita-san agrees.

[Understood. Let’s withdraw immediately if we think it’s impossible. Safety first.]

[Understood. Let me test my strength with the first demon that shows up.]

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After that, a demon finally appears about ten minutes later.

Two wild goblins appeared.

Two goblins with clubs block the road in front of us. Even in games, goblins are a common enemy, and the goblins in this world are particularly ugly.

[Gishaa]

[Hii~…]

Kinoshita-san shrinks back at the goblin’s shriek. I can tell they’re not pleasant to look at.

[Those are goblins. I’ll fight them. Kinoshita-san, step back a bit.]

[G-Good luck…]

[Alright~]

Kinoshita-san backs away while I step forward. I face the goblin on the right as it swings its club. I position myself so the other goblin can’t move forward while keeping Kinoshita-san behind me. I focus on evading without attacking for about two minutes. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

My body doesn’t move quite right. But this position gives me a wide field of vision, so dodging after reading their movements isn’t a problem. It seems the martial arts I trained in my previous world weren’t lost when I came here.

I should attack soon—if I take too long, other demons might join in. I charge at one of the goblins and strike its stomach.

[kurae!]

Dogo~. Gosu~. A heavy thud echoes from the fallen goblin. Uh, I defeated it. The fact that the goblin didn’t disappear proves we’re not in a game.

[Eh?]

Kinoshita-san looks dumbfounded. I wonder if it’s that surprising.

[Did you just defeat it with one punch? Why did it look so easy...? Was the enemy that weak?] (Spec: LOL One Punch Man.)

Well, I have no real comment about that. But I guess this proves I can defeat goblins with “this.”

[I didn’t think about it that much. Goblins are famously low-grade demons in games. If Kinoshita-san were to fight one now, it probably wouldn’t go this smoothly. It might take two or three hits to bring it down.]

As for the club—it would hurt if it hit. For someone as frail as her, it could be fatal.

Speaking of death, Kinoshita-san’s face turns pale as I keep talking.

[Then why? Why do martial arts from our previous world work so well here?]

I honestly hadn’t thought much about that... but it’s no good hiding things from my companion. I decide to tell her my secret.

[There’s a reason. I think it’s pointless to hide it anymore. Could you keep this a secret?]

I have a reason for not telling anyone. Kinoshita-san looks concerned.

[Understood. I won’t tell anyone. So please, tell me.]

After hearing her promise, I begin explaining.

[Actually... I can see this world like a game.]

[......Huh?]

Uh-oh. That clearly wasn’t enough. She looks confused.

[Like in a game, I can see my HP and MP, my attack power, my status. I can see it all here, too. More importantly, I can also see other people’s statuses.]

Back in that battle, I checked the goblins’ statuses first. I chose to fight because I compared their stats with mine and knew I could win.

[There’s a top-down map of this area, like in a game. I can also see enemy positions.]

Because of that, I don’t have to worry about Kinoshita-san being ambushed or enemy reinforcements sneaking up on us.

[Just like in a game, I can compare strength and spot enemies.]

I gave a short explanation, but Kinoshita-san seems to understand. She must have played games to some extent.

By the way, the status and map appear in my field of vision. I can toggle their visibility, so they don’t block my sight. Since I know enemy positions, surprise attacks don’t work. Since I can see their HP, playing dead doesn’t work either. It’s kind of unfair.

[Well, that’s unusual.]

[But is that related to you defeating a demon in one blow? I think it’s convenient, but it doesn’t explain Shindo-kun’s strength.]

That’s unexpectedly a bit rude. But thinking about it, she’s right. Just having more information doesn’t explain the overwhelming power.

Of course, I plan to explain that too.

[That’s a separate power. I have the ability to steal a demon’s skills and stats. It lets me grow stronger while weakening them. That’s why I can beat them so easily.]

I can take their skills and stats while viewing them. I can confirm enemy positions using the map. There’s no real way for me to lose. My only defeat condition is if Kinoshita is attacked while I’m fighting three or more demons.

As I explain, Kinoshita-san’s face shows shock.

[How can Shindo-kun do that? I can’t do anything like it. No one at school ever mentioned it either.]

Because no one else can. I checked many people’s statuses back at the castle and in the capital, but nobody had the same ability.

So I never told anyone until now. That’s also why I was forced to leave the capital without protest.

[By any chance... is this your blessing?]

[It isn’t.]

The concept of blessings came up unexpectedly. Mine isn’t like that. It’s not something granted by this world’s rules. My ability operates differently.

[This is... a special power.]

[A special power...]

Kinoshita-san repeats the phrase. It’s a power I received when I came to this world.

[It’s better if you see it yourself instead of just hearing about it.]

I pull a memo pad and pen from my breast pocket. All the bags were left at school in our previous world, but the things on our bodies were summoned with us.

[What are you doing?]

[Wait a minute, I’ll write my status.]

--

Name: Shindo Jin

Sex: Male

Age: 17

Race: Human (From another world)

Skills: <Body Reinforcement LV3> <Sword Mastery LV2> <Spear Mastery LV3> <Blunt Weapon Mastery LV1>

Special Powers: <Power of Life and Death LV1> <Clairvoyance LV->

--

[This is a simple version. Here.]

I hand the paper to Kinoshita-san. Her expression grows more serious as she reads it slowly.

[This is really amazing... I want to hear more about it.]

[What do you want to know?]

[Well, first, let’s put aside the name and race. I can already tell that much just by looking at you.]

[You’re right.]

I was surprised too when I saw “Human from another world” written under Race.

[What about the skills? Are those blessings?]

[It's different. Blessings are one-of-a-kind skills. A skill contains natural talent or effort. The ones given by the goddess are blessings.]

There are unique and rare skills too, but let's set those aside for now.

[What’s the difference from a special power?]

[Special powers are abilities outside the rules of this world. They might look like skills, but their effects are totally different. Because I have a special power, I didn’t receive a blessing. I guess they’re incompatible…]

It’s outside the system—basically a cheat. How could you receive a blessing with that kind of power?

[So, that <Power of Life and Death> and <Clairvoyance> are Shindo-kun’s special powers. Could you tell me what kind of powers they are…?]

I already explained a bit, but this time, let’s go into more detail.

[<Power of Life and Death> can be described as give and take. It lets me steal skills and stats from enemies and give them to someone else. Do you know what stats are?]

[Yes, I’ve played games before… But the way stats work varies depending on the game, right? How does it work in this world?]

So Kinoshita-san does have some knowledge of games. There are many kinds of stats in games. I write them down again, checking the sub-column of my status screen.

[These are the stats in this world:]

LV: Overall strength level

HP: Health points. If it reaches 0, you lose consciousness, are dying, or die.

MP: Magic points. Used when casting magic.

Physical Strength: Determines power of physical attacks.

Endurance: Stamina. How long you can keep fighting.

Magic: Determines power of magic.

Agility: Speed. Affects movement and evasion.

Defense: Reduces physical damage taken.

Resistance: Affects resistance to magic and abnormal status effects.

Luck: Influences various events.

[There are a lot after all. These are basically the same stats I’ve seen in games. And you can actually take them from others…]

[Of course. I can take from demons as well as people. When I take their stats, they become mine. Oh, and there are some stats that are hard to explain, but let’s leave those for later.]

By the way, both Kinoshita-san and I are level 1. Experience from our former world doesn’t transfer here. Still, even though we're level 1, our movements aren’t any worse than in our original world.

[So you became stronger by taking stats from the goblins.]

[Not just goblins—I also took from the soldiers who kicked us out. Goblins use clubs, so they don’t have sword or spear mastery.]

Both the goblins and soldiers had <Body Reinforcing>. But I probably got most of my power from those soldiers, since they were trained for war.

Here are the skills of people I’ve taken from so far:

Soldier A

LV7

<Body Reinforcing LV2> <Sword Mastery LV1> <Spear Mastery LV2>

-

Soldier B

LV6

<Body Reinforcing LV2> <Sword Mastery LV1> <Spear Mastery LV2>

-

Goblins x2

LV3

<Body Reinforcing LV1> <Blunt Mastery LV1> *Note: Small green ogres. Among the weakest of demons.*

[How did Shindo-kun manage that while being taken away...? Now that I think about it, you did have some time back then.]

[Well, I already knew about my special power at that point. I had my doubts about the people who summoned us, and my patience was at its limit. Think of it as compensation. Not that I asked for permission.]

[Then doesn’t that mean those soldiers are weak now?]

[Uh, there’s a limit to what I can take. They won’t die from being hit with a rock or something.]

They have armor anyway, so they should be fine. Still, they were hostile. I honestly thought I might have to kill them as we were being thrown out.

[That’s a bit much…]

[I think it was the right call. I won’t forgive anyone who’s hostile to us. I made preparations while being exiled from the city—including the decision to kill if necessary.]

I stated it clearly. That’s my resolve to survive in this world.

[I'm still not ready for that. I can’t do anything in this state... I’m very sorry.]

Kinoshita-san shrinks back as she says that. Honestly, it would be bad if a high school girl suddenly got used to killing. If we get too used to killing demons—or people—we might not be able to return to normal life.

As for me? I guess I’ll be fine. I’m proud of my adaptability.

[It’s okay. You don’t need to go that far. Fighting is my role. Now, should we get back on topic?]

[Okay. Your other special power—<Clairvoyance>.]

[It lets me see a system window. Like in a game. It has three functions: status check/compare, map, and help.]

I used to think just having a system window would be cheat-level.

[It can do all that?]

[Yeah. It’s a convenient power.]

Honestly, we could probably survive in this world with just that one ability.

[I know the first two from earlier. What about the last one?]

[I don’t fully understand it yet, but it’s kind of like a glossary and a Q&A mixed together.]

[So it gives you quick answers to questions. That alone is enough to be called clairvoyance.]

Kinoshita-san seems to get it. It’s like having a cheat sheet no one else can see.

[That’s amazing… Wouldn’t they treat you like a hero if they knew?]

[No way. They only care about “heroes with blessings.” And that country’s acting suspiciously fast regarding the summoning. I’m sure they’ll make a move soon. I’m also worried our classmates might get brainwashed…]

[P-Please wait! Did you say brainwashed?!]

Kinoshita-san shouts in surprise. Oh, she didn’t realize it…

[Well, if they weren’t brainwashed, wouldn’t someone have stood up for us before we were thrown out? Weren’t our friends and teachers there?]

[Uh… I don’t think anyone ever wanted to protect me. People used to dump water on me in the restroom, and everyone just ignored it... Even the teachers laughed sometimes…]

I think I just saw a glimpse of Kinoshita-san’s dark past. Not only was the bullying known—it was tolerated. That probably has nothing to do with brainwashing though.

I swear I just saw the light vanish from her eyes. I panic and try to give her a sympathetic look. (Spec: I think I see the first sign of Yandere here XD) (NeroD: Looks like MC’s future is gonna be rough.)

[Oh, I’m not worried about that anymore! I’ll be fine, as long as Shindo-kun is here.]

Well, she’s opened up to me now. I’d better not dig any deeper into her past.

Let’s get back to the topic.

[We were driven out anyway, so why should I complain when I was transferred to another world alone with a schoolboy? That’s unnatural too.]

Kinoshita-san composed herself completely.

[I think you’re right. Everyone was way too calm in that situation.]

[The reaction of the boy who shouted was normal in that kind of situation. What was unnatural was that nobody followed him. The possibility of brainwashing is very high, especially if you include all the things the princess said.]

[The princess’s lines... Ahh!]

Her reaction looked like she recalled something.

[Please let me apologize.]

When Kinoshita-san said that, she dropped into a seiza without worrying about getting dirty.

[Apologize? Why?]

[Because I said something unreasonable to the princess, and Shindo-kun ended up being driven out with me. I’m really sorry for getting you involved.]

She placed her hands on the ground and lowered her head. In short, a dogeza. No, wait—why is a high school girl performing a dogeza in front of her male classmate?

[Wait, why are you doing a dogeza like that!?]

[If it had only been Shindo-kun, I think you might have been able to stay. You wouldn’t have ended up in the worst situation like being kicked out of the city. It’s all because I spoke without thinking. And worst of all, I screamed at you when you tried to help me. So I have to apologize and thank you sincerely from now on.]

Kinoshita-san spoke while keeping her head lowered.

I see. I could say her outburst did make the situation worse to some extent.

[Understood. I’ve received your thanks and apology, Kinoshita-san. But it’s not that big of a problem. The princess might’ve still kicked us out anyway. I think she just used your remark as an excuse.]

Kinoshita-san looked up, her expression anxious.

[Really…?]

[Yeah, without a doubt. If you were the only one driven out, I was planning to follow you anyway.]

I didn’t say that just to be nice. I had to live in the same situation as her now.

[Err, t-thank you for that.]

Kinoshita-san blushed slightly. Oh, she looks a bit happy.

[If Kinoshita-san had been kicked out alone, it would’ve been hard for me to live with the other students who got blessings.]

[That’s true. I really need to thank you.]

[At the very least, your special power should be known—]

[Eh?]

Kinoshita-san’s eyes opened wide. Eh? Did I say something strange?

[Shindo-kun… did you say I have a special ability?]

[Didn’t I say so earlier? You can’t receive a blessing if you have a special power. Kinoshita-san, you’re the same.]

Q: Can someone with a special power receive a blessing?

A: No. People with a special power cannot receive a blessing. However, not all people who are summoned without blessings will have a special power.

By the way, this is the official answer. It’s absurdly convenient, so let’s call it “Help Sensei.”

Kinoshita-san stood up and looked at me.

[What kind of ability do I have!?]

[Who knows?]

[Who knows!?]

Well, even if you look at me like that, your status doesn’t say…

[I’ll write down Kinoshita-san’s status.]

I copied the information from the status window onto paper.

[Here.]

---

Name: Kinoshita Sakura

Sex: Female

Age: 16

Race: Human (Human from another world)

Skill:

Special Power: <???>

Title: Summoned Person, Person with Special Power

---

[The special power column is usually blank for other people, but in your case, it says ???. Maybe it’s because you haven’t realized what it is yet.]

[No way…]

[It’s alright. It’ll show up eventually. Until then, I’ll protect you.]

[T-Thank you very much.]

Kinoshita-san blushed again. Although I’d only seen her pale and tearful until now, I finally saw her smiling. Ah, the blushing face of a cute girl is really something.

Q: What can you get from defeating a demon?

A: Equipment. Parts. Demon stones. Many demons have a demon stone inside their body. These stones are useful in daily life and can be sold.

Q: What is a demon stone? Give more detail.

A: It’s a demon’s core. Destroying it kills the demon. If the demon dies and the stone isn’t removed, it might turn into an undead. When selling, both color and size determine value. Generally, darker and larger stones are more expensive.

Since the help function tells me all this, I smashed a nearby rock with my club and used it to make a makeshift knife. Then I removed the demon stones from the goblins.

[Then, let’s go. According to the map, we should reach the village in about an hour.]

[The map is really convenient.]

I’m glad you understand. I want to reach the next village before dark, if possible. Looking at my watch, it’s around 17:00. Considering the time and season, we have about 1–2 hours before sunset. We might make it in time.

Come to think of it, my status has increased a bit. I should write it down more clearly.

---

Name: Shindo Jin

Sex: Male

Age: 17

Race: Human (Human from another world)

Skills:

<Body Reinforcing LV3>

<Sword Mastery LV2>

<Spear Mastery LV3>

<Blunt Mastery LV1>

Special Powers:

<Power of Life and Death LV1>

<Clairvoyance LV->

<???>

<???>

<???>

<???>

<???>

Title: Summoned Person, Person with Special Power

---

Well… maybe it’s a mistake that I have seven special powers.