Numbers That Didn't Explain Enough
The Adventurers' Guild was louder than it had been earlier that morning, but the noise felt fizzled. People talked because silence made them nervous, and Ruko could tell most of them were pretending the Demon General hadn't just walked in and cursed the town.
He stood near the counter with Kazuma while Luna prepared several status cards, the thin enchanted plates glowing faintly as they were activated. Aqua sat on a bench nearby, grumbling loudly about divine mistreatment, while Megumin leaned against the wall pretending not to listen even though she clearly was.
"Alright," Luna said, placing a card on the counter. "Since you're directly involved, we should confirm everyone's status. Especially after a curse-class incident."
Kazuma sighed. "Every time we check those things, I feel worse about my life choices." Ruko took the card when Luna handed it to him. The surface warmed slightly under his fingers, symbols forming clearly instead of flickering.
This wasn't his first time seeing it, but it still felt strange. Unlike most adventurers, he didn't feel any urge to allocate points or select skills. The system didn't acknowledged him, recorded him, but didn't push him.
Name: Ruko Satou
Class: Unassigned
Level: Low (15)
Skill Points: 15 (remained)
HP: 50 / 50 STR: 12
AGI: 15 VIT: 11
INT: 15 (Hidden 1000 IQ)
MP: 8 LUK: 61
Skills: Registered (Non-Allocated)
That last line stood out. "GAH," Ruko is in shock. Kazuma leaned over his shoulder. "That's it? That's depressing." "It's accurate but it's painful to see reality,since i havent " Ruko replied calmly. "I don't buy skills. But i have to take my time learning them, since they can help me to survive."
"What in the name is hell is this, I have been imagining my fight with many enemies before and since I don't want the readers to thing I'm a useless character who get his ass beaten by creatures but still survive" Ruko yapping and gasped in his thoughts.
"Realization hit hard than getting a heart break by a beautiful, spectacular woman."
Megumin blinked. "That's… inefficient and how well you survive so long."
"And yet," Ruko said, glancing at her with kitty expression. "I'm still alive." Kazuma snorted. "He's got a point."
Luna adjusted her glasses. "Normally, adventurers allocate points to unlock basic skills early. Sword proficiency, magic resistance, things like that." "I know," Ruko said. "I want to try learning them manually first. If it fails, then I'll consider it."
Kazuma stared at him. "You're telling me you're choosing the hard mode on purpose." "Yes." "…You're insane."
Ruko slid the card back across the counter. "Can I try registering basic training? No skill unlocks. Just guild-certified practice."
Luna hesitated, then nodded. "That's allowed. It won't grant skills immediately, but it will update your card if you meet the conditions naturally." Aqua leaned over. "Wait, so you're doing all that work without instant rewards? That's awful."
Ruko looked at her leg, where the curse markings were still faintly visible. "And yet you're the one who keeps getting cursed." Aqua recoiled. "That's not my fault!"
"It is statistically impressive," Ruko continued evenly. "Most people only anger one Demon General in their lifetime." Kazuma burst out laughing. "Please don't stop."
Darkness smiled faintly. "He's cruel."
Megumin crossed her arms. "At least I know why he annoys people." Ruko handed his card back to Luna. "Update it after today."
Once the paperwork was finished, the group moved to a quieter corner of the guild. Ruko watched the adventurers coming and going, listening instead of speaking. Fear was spreading unevenly.
Some people wanted to fight immediately. Others wanted to leave town. Nobody wanted to think. "The curse is a structured one doesn't," Ruko said finally. "One death per day. That's cold for some people."
Kazuma nodded. "He's forcing us to act on his terms." "And if we attack too early," Ruko continued, "he start to escalates us in no time flat for brains. If we do nothing, people die. That means the solution isn't brute force."
Megumin looked uncomfortable. "This… this is because of my explosion, isn't it." No one answered immediately.
Kazuma rubbed his neck. "I mean, yeah. Probably. But it's not like you knew he'd curse the whole town."
"I knew he lived there," Megumin said quietly. "I just didn't think he'd care."
Ruko looked at her. "That's the mistake. You assumed pride wouldn't outweigh logic." Megumin frowned. "Are you blaming me?"
"I'm just the stating facts, nothing else" Ruko replied. "He wasn't guarding territory. He was guarding a reputation that is quite stupid to me but who cares." Aqua scoffed. "That's stupid."
"Yeah seems consistent and predictable," Ruko said.
Kazuma leaned back against the wall. "So what's the plan, genius?" "We learn," Ruko said. "Today, we will observe and we will test the curse's limits and I confront him tomorrow."
Kazuma blinked. "Confront him?"
"Talk," Ruko clarified. "Not fight."
Megumin opened her mouth, then closed it. "That's… not how Demon Generals usually work." "They still listen," Ruko replied. "Even if they don't agree."
Kazuma studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. I'm trusting you on this." That was new. Later that afternoon, Ruko stayed at the guild training area while the others handled errands. Ruko take something out of his pocket and it's red stone that shine brightly. "Ok lets see what you got core alloy, change to basic sword." The Core Alloy change to basic sword and he is happy but decided to kick it up a notch.
10 minutes later
He tried different type of shame but can only use the basic type of weapon's but it's still pack a durable punch. OK let's use basic sword cause I need the fundamental of it use.
He practiced simple movements, repeating basic sword forms by mimicking borrowed equipment, focusing on balance and efficiency rather than speed.
There was no glow, also no notification, and no instant feedback. Just muscle strain and correction. When he finished, Luna updated his card. No new skills appeared.
But one two line changed.
STR: 12.5
VIT: 11.5
Ruko stared at it longer than he should have. Whatever was watching him now wasn't acting openly. And that made it worse since sealer is a hawk watchingthere prey.
Tomorrow, he would face Beldia again but not with power, but with intent. And for the first time since arriving in Axel, Ruko felt certain of one thing. This curse wasn't just punishment. It was a conversation to grow smartly.