The Skill Collector

In the mountains, far from both the city and the village, we head to the mountain hut where Potsung stands.

There's a stranger living there, one of the regular ones.

I have decided to visit regularly to negotiate, and this is the first time in four months.

Continue along the beast path, tearing up lush weeds and reaching the summit.

The trees are cut down near the summit, so the view is excellent.

In the top part there is a simple cabin connecting the marutai, surrounded by fields planted with colorful vegetables and several pieces of Kasayamako for training.

When I checked with Katsuyamako nearby, there were scratches everywhere. This is a sign that he punches in every day.

"Whoa, you were here! Collector! You're no different."

A man's shout is wooden spirits all around him. You look fine. Above all.

An all-you-can-stretch face with hair and mustaches that have not been taken care of at all. I don't know how to shape my face, but I do know that it's beautiful.

He's wearing simple clothes, but that seems to have been made from the leather of an animal he hunted himself.

I don't know his name. He doesn't know my name either. I said we've been dating for a long time.

"You seem to be doing fine for nothing. Yes, I bought it in the city."

"Always, I'm sorry!

Basically, I do it on a self-sufficiency basis, but it's hard to make up for everything, so this is how I meet him. I take consumables and necessities with me.

"What do you say, how are you?"

"Oh, you'll see when you see this body."

The body that took off its jacket and exposed its upper body... is a brilliant word.

The body, shrugged away from waste and forged in pursuit of only practical muscles, has the beauty of even feeling its value as a work of art.

"Have you gone higher?"

"Ouch. I'm going through days of training and exorcism. This mountain is good. Intermediate demons and beyond will be ruined."

He is bending his arms and emphasizing muscle tension to give him a dazzling smile as he slaps his bread.

You look happy. This life would be possible for me too, but I don't want to do it.

He lives alone in a demonic zone with no people and places himself in extremes for a reason......

"Collector, can I ask for it?

Yeah, that's why I'm here.

The only thing I have brought is a product with me. The original purpose is this way.

I stood in front of him, staring over my head and activating 'Appraisal'.

There's - there's nothing there.

If you're a skilled opponent, some kind of letter and level comes up, but... nothing.

"Was that face no good?"

"Excuse me."

"Why, the collector apologizes. Besides, you knew it. Still not enough, shaggy. We need to bully ourselves more."

He smiles uncontrollably and shows no regret, posing to accentuate his muscles.

That's what I knew for sure. This result had been visible for a long time before I did the 'appraisal'.

"I've been carving dolls lately, considering the possibilities of art. That's pretty good. You want to take it home?

I'm supposed to be used to acting bright, but my heart hurts so badly.

He's... incompetent.

Those who are not born with a single skill. Being forsaken by God. Subject of contempt.

It is said that the incompetent has a chance of giving birth to one in thousands. The same is true of those who were born and branded by God as not gifted.

Live scorned, discriminated against, and narrowed shoulders by people. That's the incompetent.

But not everyone does. Few incompetents had an inverted spirit and worked harder and more successfully than anyone else.

And those who train themselves day and night to gain skills like him.

Skills may also be remembered acquired. The same goes for magic, but other skills can wake you up to talent with a mundane trigger. - If you're a normal person.

The incompetent never wakes up to skill.

People have a skill slot that determines how many of their talents they have. Even if you were born with only one skill, if you have five slots, that means you could wake up to four skills in the future.

But not for the incompetent. Skill slots do not exist for those born without skills. So I can't even sell my skills.

All their lives, they die without benefiting from their skills.

There's the biggest factor in the incompetence hating hairs.

"Why don't you stop now? I've told you before."

"I don't have a skill slot, do I? So this effort is wasted, too."

Return the blatant words.

How many times will this exchange take place?

I watched him for the first five years without telling him anything. Because there was just no precedent, and I couldn't say enough that it wasn't possible.

But I worked harder than anyone else, pushing him to the extreme to gain skills, and sometimes seeing him hurting himself right before he died... revealed the truth.

Still, he doesn't bend himself. Since then - even now, fifty years have passed, that hasn't changed.

A body I don't think of as an old man, but it's clearly decaying compared to the full season.

If you're only physically capable, you're no match for those adventurers there. But if the champion asks me if I can beat him, I can't shake his neck vertically.

I know because I created the finest flesh. There is a difference between the skilled and the unskilled.

"There's still a lot we can do. Speaking of which, a few months ago, I went down the mountain and bought a book, and it said something interesting. He says it takes more than just daily effort to wake up to skills, it takes physical and spiritual in extreme conditions"

"There's that theory, and I've actually heard examples of waking up."

"What, you smell like water. Give me that information."

"Because it's a new novel that's been pervasive lately. I was going to tell you."

It's a lie. I wasn't willing to teach you that.

What was written there is not a mistake. Except for the incompetent.

So I didn't tell him that. If we hunt him down any more, we'll be sure to wait there - because it's death.

We should stop it. If you were young, you still should not let this happen.

"I'm glad it's possible!

A face that laughs innocently when it comes to being an old man is like a boy.

I swallow words for that look. How persuasive are human words that have blessed their skills and have used their abilities.

Whatever you say, you won't be able to stop him.

Denying it is the same as denying his life.

Then all I can do is keep an eye on him the way I've been. This way, I only visit once in a while enough to see how it goes.

"When I wake up to my skills, will I be the first feat as an incompetent person? Then, don't let them tell you you're a great man! Once you have achieved your skill encounter... some other incompetent people don't have to feel the draw."

I grip my fist, there is an unwavering belief in his eyes.

For decades, it never went away... the flames of passion.

"Perhaps."

If that were possible, it would leave its name in the world. And many incompetents can be braved.

If that's really... possible.

"Seriously, isn't it time to wake up to your skills? You think so, so does the collector."

"Right."

"Guhaha! As always, you're a lousy liar!

That said he laughed lavishly.

Six months have passed since I met him.

It was spring that day, but now winter is near.

It will be around the time the snow begins to accumulate at the top of the mountain. Do you suppose to carry cold clothes, preserved food, or medicine to it?

Stop at the lodging village closest to the cabin and buy in the products you need. I always set up the 'Power' because it has reached a considerable amount.

"Customer, I probably bought it."

A large number of upset shopkeepers called out to me.

Do you want to go on a conversation while gathering information here?

"Deliver it to a friend who lives in this mountain."

"What mountain... is that weirdo's grandfather!

"Yeah, that's right."

"I rarely get here, but I hear a lot from travelers about half-naked old men fighting demons with many weapons near the mountains."

Looks like quite a celebrity. Because you're a man of strength who doesn't look like an old man. It's a rumor, of course.

Always half-naked considering the possibility of waking up to 'disconnect' and 'intuition'.

I deal with many weapons because for thirty years I didn't wake up to my skills as a result of polishing up only sword arms. I guess I made a trial and error wondering if I have the talent for other weapons.

"But, customer. It is not advisable to climb mountains at this time of year. Recently, a vicious demon who eats people has poured in from somewhere. There was a cautionary recommendation from the soldiers of the country to stay away from the mountains. The adventurers went to the mountains without even listening. You can't do that."

"Is it a vicious demon"

"Anything, big, white, bipedal monster, you think?"

Is that about a furry monkey called Yeti? Then an intermediate adventurer can win alone. He wouldn't have to be a good sword to be overwhelmed.

"Isn't that Yeti?

"No, it sounds like it's a lot bigger. He says he's about three times taller than you, and he's a giant who exhales cold air from his mouth."

I jumped out of the store without listening to the owner.

Shit, it's Frost Giant. A party of intermediate and above adventurers is a powerful enemy ready to challenge.

Living in an extremely cold land, a giant manipulating cold air. Giants are commonly known demons, but strength is considerable. Still, if a normal giant is the opponent, he will win.

But there are various individuals in the Titans. Frost, flame, mist, iron, etc. Giants with those names on their heads jump the rank of strength.

Challenging Frost Giants in extreme cold environments is too reckless. But he could try. He has a great opponent who lives only to gain skills.

"Don't hurry up! Don't go too fast!

I dared to climb Snow Mountain by activating "Handsome Feet," "Health," "Cold Resistance," and "Leap."

Kick the snow with enhanced leg strength and forcefully move forward.

Several signs caught on 'Sign Detection' that activated it. Three are signs of total ignorance, but the other would be his. And there is one sign that is vaster than any other.

That's definitely Frost Giant.

Increase speed and run as fast as you can. Raise and push the snow high in the direction of the path.

"Damn, that's ridiculous!

I swap my skills for Fire Attribute Magic and I snap my arms off.

The flames spread radially, the snow evaporates and the trees turn into charcoal.

Running through the burnt earth all at once, he jumped out of the slices of the trees.

At the end of his gaze is a snowfield, with three men rolling to the ground. He would be the reckless adventurer the shopkeeper was talking about from his gear.

The pair is white hair and white skin. His height is close to six meters, a mass of muscle comparable to that of the champion's flesh...... Frost Giant.

And it's - he's the one who stands by trying to shelter the adventurers.

My left hand is broken or shaking without force. One eye is blocked and a big mole on the back. What is full-blown creation?

But the giant is not intact either. Weapons are piercing all over my body. Those are some of his favorite weapons.

I'm pretty sure I'm pushing it.

"I'll join you!

"This is my prey!

My legs stop at the old man's anger.

His eyes staring at me with an impatient look. My eyes were about to complain that I was useless.

Whether they yell at me, or resent me for this, I should help. I know that.

If I don't want to kill him, I can't force myself into helping...

Because I know him so far, I can't step out any more...

"If I take this guy down, I can grab something! Be sure to get your skills and show them! Must be! Whoa, whoa, whoa!

The roar of the soul of an old man who doesn't know to give up.

Frost Giant is frightened by a human roar with no skills either, out of balance and poking one knee.

The old man, who popped into that gap, jumped up on the giant's knees as he packed his time at once, poking his sword at its chest, which he was most adept at.

"We did it!

A blow from the dead. The cuts in his life pierced his opponent's chest, inflicting fatal injuries.

- But the bitterly unleashed blow of Frost Giant was also capturing his body.

He is beaten with an arm like Marutai, blown away, and clashes to Oki after jumping twice on the ground.

He grinned contentedly with his blue face as he rushed to him.

"Did you see that, collector?... no skill, a man... alone, knocked him down... cheer him up"

Large amounts of blood are spit out of your mouth. My gut must have been hit.

Death is near. I can judge that without using my 'medical' skills. It was obvious to everyone's eyes.

"No more, don't talk! The wound spreads!

"It's okay, it's okay... Collector... Finally, listen to me for every favor."

My muscular hands shook and placed on my shoulder. My shoulders are gripped strong with my fingernails raised.

I grabbed that hand back and looked into his eyes as the lights of life went out.

"My skills... appraise me..."

"... Yes. Okay."

I'll activate the appraisal and put my gaze over his head.

"How'd it go, collector"

I put my mouth in his ear and communicated the results of the appraisal.

"Pleasure. He had a roaring skill."

Satisfied he nodded once, just before closing his eyes quietly,

"Until the end... you're a lousy liar, you are..."

That's what I said, smiled, and took my breath away.

Bearing him cold, he braces himself with a rope on his body and pulls the three rolling there.

The people he saved with his life at stake left him at a resting place in the mountains. I started the fire and kept allowances, so you'll be fine.

Carry him to the top of the mountain. Dig a hole next to a mountain cabin.

Lie him down in the hole and cover him with dirt. The tomb sign is already in his room, and I'll take it to him.

It was a simple object that just scraped the whole thing, and there it was carved 'The Untalented'.

I carved 'great' on top of that letter.