Sierra

I was in the middle of the Job assessment in the gymnasium when someone went for a gag Job. I couldn't help shouting, and then a beautiful girl who looked every bit the well-bred young lady came over to talk to me.

By the way, she was probably angry.

“Yeah, sorry about that. It was so unbelievable that I blurted it out...”

“...Sigh. Well, fine. I can understand getting a little carried away because you’re starting school. But don’t just shout out of nowhere. You scared me.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful.”

Since I knew I’d caused a disturbance, I apologized sincerely. The girl gave off a faint air of exasperation, then forgave me.

She was quite generous.

“Hm? What is it?”

But when I took a closer look, I realized she was an astonishingly beautiful girl.

Her glossy, shimmering blonde hair fell straight to her waist, and her bright blue eyes were lovely.

Every gesture of hers was filled with elegance, but she didn’t seem unapproachable. Her slightly casual way of speaking made her easy to talk to.

She was about average height. She was nothing like Hannah. Somehow, she had a model’s figure.

“I’ve never seen a girl as beautiful as you. I got a little mesmerized.”

“Is that so? People tell me that all the time.”

“I bet.”

I’d blurted out something a bit too smooth, but a girl this beautiful must be used to compliments. She didn’t seem particularly flustered.

“Hey, about what you said just now—what did you mean by ‘impossible’?”

“Oh, I was wondering about that, too.”

The beautiful girl had something she wanted to ask about, too: that thing I’d mentioned. Hannah, who’d been watching us until then, jumped into the conversation as well.

“Oh, and you are?”

“Oh, sorry for interrupting. I’m Hannah. I’m hoping to join the 〈Dungeon Production Major, Alchemy Department〉. I came to the academy with Zephyrus-kun.”

“Zephyrus?”

“That’s my name. I’m Zephyrus, and I’m planning to join the 〈Dungeon Exploration Major, Combat Department, All-Position〉. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. I’m Sierra, and I’m planning to join the 〈Dungeon Exploration Major, Combat Department, Tank〉.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Sierra-san.”

With Hannah breaking the ice, we introduced ourselves to each other.

I noticed a certain symbol on her and realized she was the daughter of a count.

In 〈Dan-Katsu〉, people of certain “types,” such as nobles, have symbols.

If you spotted one, you could tell the person was a noble. Apparently, that was still true now that the game had become real.

But Hannah probably hadn’t noticed it.

Well, that would make it easier for us to get along.

And she seemed to feel the same way.

Still, it was a little surprising that she was aiming to be a Tank in the Combat Department.

A beautiful girl like her in the Combat Department... No, 〈Dan-Katsu〉 was a game where cute girls and beautiful women fought pretty often.

Then I guess this is business as usual. It’s just strange how abnormal it looks in real life.

Also, she’s a character I’ve never seen in 〈Dan-Katsu〉. I don’t recognize the name Sierra, either. I’m sure I’d remember a girl this beautiful. Maybe she’s a recruitable character?

“Now, about what we were talking about earlier...”

“Oh, right. It must’ve been something pretty outrageous to make you shout, Zephyrus-kun. It was the 【Muscle Warrior】, right? Why is that impossible?”

“Well, as far as I’m concerned, only a total oddball or a pervert would become a 【Muscle Warrior】.”

At my remark, Sierra furrowed her brow.

“...I heard it was a good Job...”

“That’s obviously wrong. Sure, its SUP (Status Up Points) are ridiculously high, but its equipment restrictions are way too severe. It’s overwhelmingly strong at first, but later on, when your equipment gets better, the gear itself starts granting bonus abilities like traits and resistances. For a 【Muscle Warrior】, whose abilities go up the less equipment they wear, those advantages gradually lose their value, and in the end, they become a liability.”

“Whoa...”

“...That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

Hannah looked impressed by my explanation, while Sierra wore a troubled expression. The contrast between them was striking.

I mean, this is practically common knowledge to me. So why don’t either of them know about it?