The Skill Collector

I got rid of my big job and haven't been back to the city where I'm based in a week.

It's been a little while since the sun went down, so by now the first floor of the inn is also an empty time after dinner.

There must be a few drinks left and seats available.

When I pushed open the inn door looking forward to dinner, the cheers and screams pushed in like a tsunami.

That's unusual, are drunks making a scene and fighting? I didn't know there were still reckless people who would storm in this inn.

Regular guests include a champion, his friend Congis, and many other familiar armed adventurers. When rubbing happens, they take the initiative to eliminate it, so there should be very few idiots in this inn who get busted.

Those who cause problems without knowing will be new American adventurers or at first glance.

There is a crowd at the center of the dining room. There are many people at this time of year.

Oh, you have a champion, too. It doesn't seem to be a fight, though, as I'm just roaring in arms.

"Damn, whoa, I want to lose again!

"So I tried to stop you! What are you gonna do, lose all your money today?"

"It seems to be on today."

Peeping inside the pedestrian walls, there are two men and women across the street with cards scattered across the desk.

The Lord of Screams was a young semash with a face that remained young, disproportionate to a disappointed body. Angry but worried staring next door is a childhood friendly, wizard sarpy.

This is the first face I've ever seen on the opposite side with a round desk pinched.

Golden hair long enough to be on the floor. Red and black eyes in the long cut eyes. Red lips like blood are smiling with joy.

It's an eye-catching beauty, but I feel a slight madness distorted by that look.

A bright red dress with a wide open chest is quite floating on this occasion. It's an outfit I see a lot in pleasure streets, but it doesn't look like this inn.

A short distance away from the guests, I walked over to two of the clerks watching what happened.

"Mr. Ceiri, Mr. Sumire, what the hell is this all about?

"Ah, collector! I was wondering if that beautiful woman would bet on her customers."

"Yes, yes. As far as we're concerned, if you're going to eat and drink, I'm not complaining, so I left you alone."

Betting. Betting in a tavern is not uncommon.

Casinos exist but only a fraction of them are used there, and most people are interested in gambling with their companions in familiar liquors for a little penny.

That's not a problem in itself...... The air in this place is unusual. Neither party nor wild horse excitement is unusual.

"Really? And how's this going?"

"Well, that's it, that woman's been winning. I've made about ten more bets and I haven't lost a single bet."

"Some of the regulars wind up all the money, and the semash. Oh, no."

I see, an undefeated amazing gambler?

Maybe the champion is a loser too. Let me talk to you for a second.

"Champion, can I have a word?"

"You're a collector. You were coming back."

"Earlier. By the way, did you lose too?

"Grungy. Well... na"

"How much, by the way?

"That's enough to buy quite a few new mansions. They took away my favorite jewel."

Looks like they took it quite a bit.

Normally, it's painful enough to brace your neck, but if you try to be a champion who has gained tremendous wealth and fame, it will only have a slight effect on the extent to which your total assets have been reduced.

frustration with the fact that it was not the money taken that he was about to regret, but the fact that he lost every battle.

You're the man at the top of the arena. The act of losing seems unacceptable.

"But it doesn't fall to your heart. How can you win if you're letting them choose what you're betting on? There were cards and scraps. It's just weird that you still don't know how to lose."

"It is"

If you keep winning card games alone, I'm convinced.

There are people who can manipulate their own bills as they wish, with cards that cannot be discerned by amateurs. If you say squid, it will take a lot of skill to reach that level.

I can still understand gamblers with that kind of training. But does this woman continue to win all kinds of bets?

Interested. Activate the 'Appraisal' to see their skills.

This... Skills are blurry and hard to see. Impact of 'cover-up' skills? I'll raise the 'appraisal' level a little bit.

All the skills you possess have been revealed, but I see. Is that the kind of tease? It is also convincing that it is undefeated.

Her skills line up shifting as if she was born to wager with Precision Behavior, Magic, Speech, Psychology, Appraisal, Cover-up, Intuition, and Betting.

That's beyond double digits, except for one skill.

With "Precision Behavior" and "tricks," Squid Sama will do whatever he wants.

Read the other person's psychology in Psychology and flirt with it in Speech.

Discover the opponent's abilities in "Appraisal," cover up his emotions and facial expressions in "Cover-up," and avoid dangerous battles in "Intuition". Perfect.

One thing that bothers me is the existence of a skill called 'betting'. I've never seen such skills before. Probably an only-skilled one.

If you have skills that are literally specific to gambling, is it harmless if you don't get involved?

"Ah, I've already lost. Ahhh!

"You're not a big deal either!

Shouts of men and women echo in the inn. Do you continue to make bets by changing opponents?

Apparently, he even got hit by childhood enemies and a challenged sarpy.

"Collector. Oh! You look like a tough guy! Take back my loss."

"I don't feel sorry for you! The collector has nothing to do with it."

"But wow, all this money is par. We'll just have to have some water tomorrow."

"You should borrow it from Luio or Peari. It's embarrassing, though."

Two people who have been robbed of their money are rushing over and crying.

I know it sounds pathetic, but the beating is self-inflicted at the start. Win or lose.

"That was a shame. But I didn't like gambling."

"Aren't you just not sure, actually?

The champion stares down at me and distorts his mouth. It sounds like you're going to be inciting me, but I'm not even willing to get involved.

If you were forced to participate and you were owed money, you can take it back with me challenging the battle, but if not, you should wipe your own ass.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!

"Seriously. Ahhh!

A great deal of cheer and screaming.

There was a woman who constantly grinned faintly when she turned her gaze to the scene and a middle-aged woman who was trembling at her desk - the innkeeper's general.

... What are you doing, general?

"Hey, whoa, whoa! Mom, I wasn't cooking in the kitchen! I told you it was forbidden once I almost broke myself in gambling!

Cheiri rushes over in a hurry to see what it looks like.

I'm surprised you liked gambling, General.

When my daughter, Cheiri, and the general are talking about something, I wonder if that complexion has turned blue, and now it stains bright red.

"Ohhhhhhhhhh idiot! What are you thinking about gambling with the rights of the store?

I have the illusion that the floor swayed with Cheiri's screams. It was so ambitious with angry emotions.

"The lodging house is so out of places to work. ⁉"

"Duh, what do I do! What can I do, what can I do!

On the left, grab my arm and tear-eyed Sumire.

To the right is Chaili, who runs over screaming and hugs him and begs him at the top of his head.

On the front is Niyanya Laughing Champion.

Is this my turn? Though the general likes gambling, I don't think she would make the inn, which she has spoken of from day to day as being the next most important thing for her daughter, an object of betting. I guess this was the opponent's skillful use of 'psychology' and 'talking' and induced the conversation to be so.

Looks like your meals are ready. I have trouble losing a comfortable base. Should I take off my skin?

To be honest, it's convenient because I'm interested in her 'betting' skills.

"I'll take care of it"

Smiling at them both, they both let go of their hands.

As I walk into an empty seat in the front of a woman, people who are turning into spectators pave the way.

Slightly pull the chair and look to the front. Although the smile of the woman smiling calmly seemed to deepen for a moment.

"Is it possible to jump in and participate?

"You're taking part in the bet. Yes, go ahead, collector."

I had a thin grin on my face, just like her, but my eyebrows are about to move on that word for a second.

Does this guy know about me?

"Oh, I don't remember you naming me."

"I've been waiting for you to come out. I was just feeding more for it."

Whoa, were you after me from the beginning?

What's the purpose? If you want to buy or sell skills, you just have to contact them normally and ask for them. You don't have to go around like this.

"Do you need anything from me?

"No, I have nothing to ask of you. I just asked you to come down and take orders."

Remove the grin from your face, narrow your eyes, and stare at them.

'Intimidation' is included, but it is not moving in a way that feels like where the wind blows.

"Well, I'm scared. That's his brother."

"You know where I am."

When it comes to my sister's use, I can't involve her around.

The only time I turn my gaze here to the champion who's talking about my situation, he just seems to have guessed and nodded small.

"You guys are home. I'm home. That's it for today! I'll pay for the loss later, so go home."

"Eh! That's not true, champion. Now's a good time."

"Does the guy with the objection talk to me with his fist?

A champion swells his muscles with force all over his body.

When the people who were complaining shook their heads violently, they left the inn at once.

All that's left in the inn is me, the champion, the damsel and the clerk. And an in-person woman.

"Mr. Ceiri, Mr. Sumire. Will you take the general away from the inn for a moment? There will be wild horses left outside the inn, so I think it would be safe with them."

Talking to them while keeping their minds calm, the two nod with a strange face.

"Looks like there's something going on, so I'm not going to pursue it in depth. Well, please don't push me."

"I won't ask what's going on, but good luck"

Raise your arms softly with your two backs up. Thumbs up and make an appeal that it's okay.

The opponent kept an eye on our exchange, nothing pinched his mouth and his hands didn't come out.

As far as skills go, they all seem to have no fighting power, but my sister's people can't be caught off guard.

"Looks like you're done paying people. Shall we begin the battle?"

"Wait a minute. I don't know what your purpose is, and you haven't told me what your bet is."

"Oh, you did. I'll introduce myself first. Call me Kymrose."

Fake name smell, but there's no need to pursue it.

"How about if you win the bet and I'll give you back everything I earned today? I'll give you your sister's information."

Not a bad condition. There is also the means to forcefully extract information from them, but it is easy for them to speak voluntarily.

"So what am I paying for?"

"Ugh. You don't have to be a fool, you already know that. Chip is your life."

I was expecting it, but this is where I snorted, and I just had to refuse to pay. Is there anything behind it?

"It's easy to take that, but there's no guarantee you'll pay, is there? There's no guarantee that you'll keep your word."

"Right. Because you can't count on promises. And I'm afraid I'm going to break in if I have to."

I look up at the champion staring at me from behind, gesturing like she was frightened. The smile hasn't disappeared from that face.

"So what about this? 'Betting' activated"

Moment after moment, I had the feeling that something was going through me.

I am not uncomfortable with my body. Confirm my skills in the 'appraisal', but I found no anomalies.

There is no change in Kymrose either. It seems to have activated the 'Betting' skill, but how does it work?

"Earlier," is it possible to jump in and participate? "You asked, right? The activation conditions for the 'bet' are in place with what I admit. Rest assured, nothing is harming you in this state."

... What's the status now? It's like declaring something will happen in the future.

'Betting' is a skill that requires special conditions for activation. Is there a procedure just as my 'buying and selling' skills require their consent?

"Oh, you're calm. I know this' bet 'doesn't have to be explained, but it's an only-skilled one. Activating' Betting 'disables all non-wagering means in this space. That's about a little narrower than this inn. You can't unplug weapons, you can't take out tools, you can't act violent. Would you like to try and hit me?

Kymrose provokes the rear champion by saying so.

When the champion scratches his neck muscles boldly, he slaps his fist against the pillars of the inn.

His fist should break easily. The pillar doesn't contain a single scratch.

"That doesn't sound haphazard."

The champion throws up with his nose ringing.

There are many one- and two-habits of only-skills, but this is a remarkable difference among them.

"Then I'll explain this skill. Everything in this betting space is voided except for gambling related acts. The only way to get rid of it is to end the bet or I will."

Doesn't seem to mean I'll be stuck here for the rest of my life.

"I don't care what the bet is about. Betting begins if we are comfortable with each other with that. However, we must always bet something on each other, and the rules of betting are absolute. I can't break that."

"You want me to believe that?

"You don't have to believe me. Violations of the rules will be considered defensive losses, and as a penalty, the winner will be able to take anything from the opponent. For example... all the skills you own."

If this is true, it can be described as the worst assassin.

Are you saying that you can uproot the countless skills that you have collected over the years?

It's unclear whether it's a lie or a truth, but here's the only way to believe it.

"He said I had no escape route and the only way out of here was to take a bet"

"Sounds like you understand. Let's decide what the bet is and what the rules are."

The joyful emotions didn't seem to be hidden out, making me smile the most today.

An expression with a raised corner of the mouth and a lowered eyeball. I guess this is the original smile.

"Come on, what shall we play with? Oh, let's start with the rules. Yeah, well, the caveat is that outside of this space, time stops."

"It doesn't matter how much time you take to bet."

Does that mean that betting here is an instant event for the people outside?

"If you fight normally, you have no chance of beating you, whose skill levels and numbers are not the norm. The number of skills available there is limited to two, what about level 10 fixation?

"Just two skills"

"Yes, two. Betting is absolute in this space. So it will be executed under conditions that are not possible. It's possible to change sex from man to woman, taking away your youthfulness at the price of betting. You can play games that aren't really possible."

That's a hell of a skill than I imagined.

What to do.... I'm talking about not being executed unless I agree here.

It's only to my detriment to limit skill levels and numbers. It's like the biggest sale has been sealed in.

I know their skills, so I can work out measures.

"Precision Behavior," "tricks," "speech," "psychology," "appraisal," "cover-up," "intuition," and "betting" skills, are excluded because "betting" is active.

'Appraisal' is also pointlessly close if you can activate only two skills. Only one skill left to activate even if you know the opponent's skill is quite unfavourable in battle.

Precision Behavior, Magic, Speech, Psychology, Cover-up, Intuition. The rest of your skills depend on the content of the match. Shouldn't we decide on the contents of the competition first?

"Do you want to decide what battle you want to play first?

"Fine. What would you like? Unless I'm so unfavourable."

Will you let me make a choice? Cards and board games are more advantageous to the person you are used to playing.

Activate the 'appraisal' to check the opponent's skills again, but I don't see anything. No, you haven't activated it.

"Collector, it's no use. It's already a" bet "space, any skills other than" bet "are now inactive."

That's a terrible skill. If this makes it possible to physically attack, it means that if you are physically capable, any skill can be won by the target.

... Wait a minute. The inability to activate a skill in this state means that it cannot be replaced by 'control'?

- This is a genuine crisis. What could I possibly use to bet on the skills I'm setting right now?

"Trading," "Immortality," "Cover-up," "Intuition," "Control," "Psychology," "Appraisal," "Sign Detection," "Conditional Abnormal Tolerance," "Fortune."

Combat skills are not likely to be used in betting, so you can exclude them.

"Trading," "immortality," "control," "sign detection," and "state abnormality tolerance" are useless in this situation. There is also a hand in betting on whether it is possible to change skills with 'control'.... reckless about how much and everything.

"Intuition," "cover-up," "psychology," and "appraisal" are worn with their opponents.

'Luck' is a skill that is not on the other person.

'Psychology' would be the most user-friendly bet. If they can read their thoughts, they can carry things in their favor. But 'psychology' is not omnipotent. Make it pointless if the other person doesn't put any emotional ups and downs on the table. I don't think it works for Kaimrose, who is good at beating.

When that happens, will the options be limited?

"So what about the contents of the battle in a single battle of cointos?

"This is a simple bet, isn't it? I don't hate that. Finger the coin and hit the front or back, that's fine."

"Yes, so"

"We both agreed. You can't change it anymore."

When I agreed, the letters came up on my desk.

"Cointos One Battle"

I see, is this how the decision appears?

"Then declare what you bet on each other before choosing your skills. I made all the money on the bet and all the information about the collector's sister. That's okay, right?

"Right...... This one puts his life at risk, so can't we call this condition reciprocity? It depends on how much valuable information you have."

"That's certainly your best opinion. If you lose, you will be a slave to absolute obedience. I'm sure you understand that my skills are competent."

This is an unexpected suggestion. Are you offering because you are confident that you can win?

With her only-skilled, any strong opponent or sister opponent has the prospect of winning. I've never crossed a lot of hand tags.

"On that condition, please"

Okay, that's it.

"Cointos One Battle"

"Collector's Life

Kymrose The Slave of Absolute Obedience '

Writing increased. You can order that if you become a slave to absolute obedience, you get the information out, or you return all the money you make today.

"Now that we've accepted the collector's terms so far, you can adopt mine,"

"Yes, I don't mind. Choose only two with skill level 10 fixation. So let's do it."

"Thank you. You can't change it now. Then choose your skills. Because I choose too. Of course, we can't check each other's skills."

The advantage here is that they haven't grasped my skills. I owned an 'appraisal' but if I had high 'cover-up' skills, my opponent's 'appraisal' wouldn't work.

Kymrose doesn't know what skills I currently possess. That's where I choose Cointos comes alive.

"Make a declaration of skill in your heart. So the battle begins."

When I decided not to speak up, there was a change in the letters.

"Cointos One Battle"

"Collector's Life

Kymrose The Slave of Absolute Obedience '

"Choose Two Skills"

It's a bet from here.

admonition to himself who was relying on his skills.

If you cannot overcome this degree of predicament, you do not even have the right to see your sister.

"Then I'll give you a coin, do you mind?

"Go ahead."

Until recently, I was unable to even retrieve my wallet, but I was able to retrieve the coin as if it had been deemed necessary by the coin toss.

Remove the commemorative coin carved with the figure of the brave from the nostalgia. This is quite expensive, and they say this one is worth about as much as building a mansion.

"That's not a rare coin traded for a high price"

"You know very well. This coin is worth it because it's a centuries-old hit-and-run game that risks your life."

Perhaps she has chosen 'Precision Behavior' or 'Trick' among her skills. Because that's about all the skills that are likely to be available in Cointos.

In this case, the other party shall have the right to raise the coin toss. For this reason, "Speech" and "Psychology", which carry negotiations in their favor, come alive.

No skill dependent arms, no knowledge, no rush. She's probably better qualified when it comes to gambling. Winning is thin when it comes to pure fraternal battles.

"By the way, collector. One suggestion."

Earlier Kymrose tried to say something, so raise your right hand and seal the other person's statement.

My actions seemed unexpected, and I told her that I...

"I will buy your 'bet' with this coin"

I made that declaration and activated 'trading' level 10 (...).

"Say what... eh ⁉"

We can see that the 'betting' space that was covering us has been lifted. I tried activating one of my skills, but it's not a problem.

"The betting space disappeared ⁉ eh, wow, what's going on, so awesome!

Finally, the laughter broke.

Kaimrose rides herself out on her desk with an eye-opening and impatient look.

"I just bought your bet."

"Hey, what are you talking about? You shouldn't be able to buy only-skills in the first place! Besides, I'm not allowed to buy it!

He's blowing up a chair, holding his head and shaking his long hair.

It is also impossible not to accept the status quo.

"You still don't understand. Didn't you say yourself that your rules in the 'betting' skill space are absolute? Even unrealistic things happen in this space. You made a big mistake when you set the rules, making the mistake of choosing two skills and fixing the level to 10."

"What's that... if you do ⁉"

Looks like I finally understand what happened to me.

Eyes slammed restlessly with a flashing look.

"Only-skills overshadowed the notion of not rising from level 1, and 'buying and selling' skills were fixed at level 10. You know that the higher your skill level, the more powerful you become, right? Temporarily elevated to 10," buying and selling "seemed possible without the other party's permission. Besides, you can buy only skills. This is a big discovery."

It's unclear if buying only-skills is possible from level 2 or if you need it to level 10, but it's enough to know it's possible.

There were elements of luck, but everything was as planned. The battle was also coined in order to remove the coins and establish the conditions that would allow the purchase.

Even if the 'bet' could not be bought, there was also a calculation as to whether the opponent could forcibly buy the two skills chosen.

"Ugh, lie. This... And even at level 10, there must have been a chance you couldn't buy it! Even so, such an indeterminate element makes a strong battle..."

"For once, I included 'luck' as an insurance policy. But still, it doesn't always work."

So divide the conversation once.

I took a sigh of relief staring at her as she crashed onto the floor and said the following words.

"You won the bet."