The Worth of a Man

"I'm home."

"Welcome home. You must be tired."

Teisha greets me warmly.

"Do you need any help with anything?"

"No, that's fine. Take your time."

She responds gently.
Today was eventful, so I decided to lean on her a bit.

Probably because I returned late, the other two came back soon after.

"The forest does get wild after the rain, doesn't it? There were no traces of prey."

Though there were no large animals, he held two plump pheasants in his hands.

"Welcome home. Are you alright?"

I ask, noticing how exhausted they seem.

"It was tough. The trails were muddy and the scent faded quickly. Not an easy task."

He answers with a tired smile.

"Cheer up, Daddy. I'll make something delicious for you."

Today, since the hunting had been delayed, the butchering wasn't done yet.

"Should I help with the butchering?"

"No, it's fine. Two of us can handle it quickly."

While waiting for dinner, I inspect my equipment and wash my clothes.
The axe was only roughly washed and wiped, so blood remained on the handle.
Though the blade wasn't dull enough to need sharpening, I cleaned it with a tightly wrung cloth and dried it off.
As for my clothes, since there had been some backlash from when I slit the monster's throat, I scrubbed them hard.

After rinsing and drying, Riz informs me that dinner is ready.

Dinner consisted of pheasant and boar meatballs, offal, leafy vegetables in a milk stew, and bread.
The pheasant, which should have been a bit dry, was moistened by the boar's fat and smelled delicious.
I thought the offal might be gamey, but the sweetness of the vegetables and the herbs masked any unpleasant odor.

"A 7th-grade job, huh? Even with guild support, it's still a bit worrying."

Ast furrows his brow and mutters.

"But there are three people for a 7th-grade task. Since slimes aren't exactly aggressive, I don't think we need to worry."

"Is that so?"

I finish clearing the dishes and return to my room, wanting some time to think.

Flopping onto the bed, I reflect on everything that's happened.

Well, the administrator's intentions are unclear, but here I am in this world.
Up until now, I haven't lived seriously—gaming away my student days, resulting in this spare tire belly.
Complaining about being a corporate slave while calling myself a leader with eight subordinates, including temps. Managing progress and listening to grievances.
When things get too overwhelming, I become a one-man army. Can't quit because of the recession. The fear of unemployment makes me too scared to have the guts to leave.
My wife left me in the end because I was just so pathetic.

Even in this world, honestly, it's all thanks to what Grandpa taught me and some fortunate coincidences. Just one gear out of place and I'd be dead.
Meeting a god didn't give me an invincible body; it's just that I've been given permission to live here.
The power I received is something that would knock me out if I used it all at once. And even then, it probably couldn't pierce a decent steel plate.

The room slowly grows dark before me.

Scary.
Knowledge cheat? I can't even grasp the current situation, let alone what's coming next. Can't take responsibility. A hand pump could be a strategic asset depending on how you use it.
Knowledge kills people, right? I just wanted to try once, betting my life on human reason.

Scary.
With one axe, I killed three 'people.' This isn't a game. 'Brave' is no different from adrenaline. Just numbness from fear.
Once the effects wear off, this is all there is. No one knows, but the feeling of blood on my hands never goes away, no matter how much I wash them.

Scary.
The power given by the administrator feels like a cheat, but it's just an illusion. No manual, no limits, no certainty if it's even reliable.

Scary.
Graduated from a third-rate university and worked as an IT laborer ever since. Relying on what Grandpa taught me out of desperation.
No idea how this world is or where it's headed. My head isn't big enough to figure that out.

Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary.
Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary.

Afraid to scream. I just want to go back to my normal life right now.
That lukewarm life of complaining about work, playing games, drinking with parents and friends.

But...

But...

Suddenly, the room brightens before me.

Not just liking her. Far from it.

Her radiant ash-gold hair.

Oh, I love you.

Her dewy, lustrous emerald eyes.

Damn it!
Even risking death to save her...
Yes, I love her. She acted so carefree even when near death.
But this is the one thing I can't lie about. Deep down, I truly love her.

"So, here and now, I live."

I suddenly see Riz's face in front of me.

"What? What happened?"

"I knocked but there was no answer. I was worried." She wraps her arm around my neck and rests her forehead on mine. "Hey?"

"What is it?"

"You looked like a man." She mutters with a blush.

Oh, deep down, I can't help but laugh.

"Hahaha hahahaha!"

"Aaah! What's so funny? It doesn't make sense."

Yes, that's right.
Even if I'm overweight, inexperienced, weak, and just an office worker...

I was a 'man,' wasn't I?

<Skill 'Obtained' has been fulfilled. Skill 'Bravery' 1.00 has been integrated.>

The voice of the 'Obtained' teacher echoes. How tacky.

This is one of those times when less is more.

"Riz, I love you. Never letting go. Forever."