In the past, I was too afraid to shout for a party, so I played solo.

While walking to the Adventurer's Guild to kill time, I check my skills.

"Execute self-recognition."

As usual, a board appears in my vision.

Skill Information
- Sage
- Recognition
- Acquisition
- Stealth 0.16
- Bravery 1.00
- Common Language of the Fua Continent (Conversation) 0.29
- Common Language of the Fua Continent (Reading) 0.07
- Common Language of the Fua Continent (Writing) 0.01
- Spear Technique 0.18
- Vigilance 0.35
- Prayer 1.60
- Magic Formula Control 1.14
- Attribute Control (Wind) 1.37
- Attribute Control (Water) 0.36

Hmm, overall, my skills seem to be gradually improving. Probably due to fighting slimes and other activities.
The increase in Prayer is unusual, but that's probably because I directly communicated with a deity.
My magic formula skills haven't improved as much as I thought. During the wolf-like monster fight, I had divine assistance, so it's not like I mastered them.

Wait, something new has appeared: Attribute Control (Water)... Maybe from the slime? I don't remember receiving a report about it.

<Notice. At the time, your mental environment was severely disturbed, and the communication environment was unstable, so there is a possibility that the report did not reach you properly.>

Oh, that's right.

Even 'Sage' sensei seems upset with me:
<Notice. To ensure the integrity of communication, you need to have an appropriate receiving environment on your side.>

I've calmed down after being taken aback.

Indeed, I was on the verge of collapsing from excessive rebound. I don't remember receiving anything at that time.

I understand the situation. Well, I can check it afterward, so it's not a problem.
In that sense, it's inconvenient to have reports too frequently. I wish you could adjust the frequency.

<Notice. From now on, I will report only when a new skill is acquired or when a skill level increases by one rank.>

Impressive, 'Sage' sensei. You're quick to respond.

By the way, based on the name "skill proficiency," it seems that skills can not only increase but also decrease.

<Explanation. Skill proficiency indicates how much you have mastered the skill compared to its baseline. Therefore, if you forget the content or action, the proficiency will decrease.>

That's right. That means it's not good to spread myself too thin.

<Explanation. Generally, living beings maintain skill compositions specialized for their roles. It is more efficient to improve the skill compositions required for your role or position.>

That makes sense. That's why Hartis specialized in Stealth, Vigilance, Short Sword Technique, and Projectile Technique.
I thought veterans would have fewer skills, but maybe it's because they are specialized to survive as scouts.

"Cancel self-recognition."

I glance at the board disappearing and look up at the Adventurer's Guild building.
First, I'll talk to Hartis.

Inside the guild, it's fairly crowded, but since it's early in the morning, the receptionist is free. I ask her to call Hartis.
Hartis is inside the building and quickly comes out.

"Good morning. Thank you so much for your help the other day."

He grabs my hand with both of his and shakes it vigorously.
He seems more energetic than I expected. He's deeply grateful.

Regarding the retreat, what Hartis said was mostly the same as what Liz told me.
Hartis used Vigilance to escape with all his might, and there were no encounters.
When they reached the village, the lord's town sent a guild horse and carriage, and an audience was quickly arranged.
The town's guild sent a horse to investigate the surroundings, but no wolf-like monsters were reported, so it was recognized as a new species.

"It has very good fur and is very sturdy. Above all, its size and the fact that it's a new species have earned it a high evaluation."

It was appraised at the town's guild, and its high commercial value led to an audience being granted.
Since the northern forest is part of the viscount's territory, he was extremely pleased and granted an exceptional reward.

"From now until winter, the demand for fur will increase. Moreover, it's a new fashion material that can be exclusively obtained within the domain. The reward for discovering a new species is exceptionally high."

The amount is 1,000,000 Waruru, which is roughly a farmer's annual income. Hartis is excluded from the headcount for this discovery, so the reward will be split among the rest of us.
Hartis is performing a guild audit, so it's considered within the scope of his duties.
Since the discovery of a new species is the reason for the reward, there's no complaint. It's an unexpected income.

"I have received the achievement fees and rewards for this incident from Deed and the others."

This time, I receive 140,000 Waruru for the achievement and 250,000 Waruru as a reward, totaling 390,000 Waruru. I see a 100,000 gold coin for the first time. I carefully put it in my pouch.

"As for the monster, it has been named Diawolf."

That's probably a translation. Since it was the largest wolf in Earth's history, it makes sense.

"Usually, a party of 8th rank adventurers is appropriate for hunting a group. However, considering the scale of the group, even a party of 7th rank adventurers would find it difficult."

I hear that the minimum party size is three people: a vanguard, a rearguard, and a support or a skirmisher.
Indeed, a vanguard to restrain, a rearguard to attack, and someone to give warnings. That makes three people.
In fact, a 7th rank party was completely helpless, and that fact is clearly stated in the report.

"If it's a 6th rank, we assume a larger group as a premise."

The difficulty of quests that require parties is generally based on 7th rank and above.
Indeed, guarding alone without any backup is impossible.
6th rank quests are based on the premise of having at least two parties. I need to find five companions before I can reach that level. It's tough for a socially awkward person like me. I wish there were taverns where I could find party members.

"All the discoverers have confirmed your achievement. As a special case, we will add the achievement number for 35 Diawolves, at 6th rank."

I killed one and got credit for 34 more. It's indeed 35. By the way, guild contracts are binding, so there are basically no retroactive rewards.

"By order of the viscount, you are rewarded as a meritorious person who brought honor to the domain."

Wow, the powerful sure know how to bend contracts. Well, it's just added achievement points, so the guild's payout is almost nothing. My evaluation will rise slightly, but it's not unfair. I'll just accept it quietly.

"From your previous contract of 30 and this special case of 35, we will add a total of 65 to your current 10th rank."

With my existing achievements I had exceeded 80, so does that mean I'll level up?

"By the way, what happens to the fractional part when you level up? Is it discarded?"

"When you level up, we review your past quests. The achievement numbers within the new rank are added."

Ah, that's why he looked apologetic. 35 achievements at 6th rank is quite a lot. Now I understand.

"Do you have any tests? What kind of tests are they?"

"For 9th rank, you need to hunt goblins and other monsters with an auditor. Since you already have the achievements, you are exempt."

Indeed, I've already hunted goblins, and the Diawolf achievements are beyond that.

He uses a reading device to process the request and a newly created request form.

"Congratulations. You are now 9th rank with 48 achievements."

Hartis looks happy and shakes my hand again.

While shaking his hand, I think:

What am I going to do about forming a party?

This is the reality forced upon a 35-year-old, chubby, socially awkward salaryman.