The Skill Collector

The Commander of the Demon King seems to be forced to attend the dinner party at the royal castle he is calling for, "He's going to be back after a night or two," a member of the group who came back earlier told me.

I explored the neighborhood wondering if there might be a sister's hand watching over the team, but I don't feel any other sign of anyone.

I think my sister would know the connection between me and the Commander of the Demon King, but she doesn't even care, or is she watching in a way that I don't perceive?

I don't have an answer, but I've never been over alert.

I was planning to discuss the future with the Commander of the Demon King tonight, but I'm free, so I'm headed to the location indicated on the map that I was previously handed over to to clean up an errand.

This map was enclosed in a letter that reached the Inn in Pile Country. This is what the letter said.

'Ask us if you have the opportunity to come to this city.' Cause I'd like to talk to the collector once. '

There was only one. I completely forgot until recently that I threw it in my bag because it was frigid content, but I had extra time, so it depended on me coming.

"This is where the map says it is, right?"

A flamboyant and immense mansion of colour that stands out even in the affluent part of the city.

Two gatekeepers in polished armor are watching in front of the iron gate. I've checked my skills, but I've got some good people inside.

"Can I help you?"

As we approach, one of the gatekeepers reacts.

The language seems polite and well-educated.

"Excuse me for the night. I've received letters like this before."

A gatekeeper who gives a letter and then confirms it.

When I read through it, I said "Please wait a moment" and went to contact the mansion.

Beyond the gate is a well-maintained garden. If the garden is so large that there is no shadow at night, the gardener will be busy taking care of it during the day.

Looking out into the garden paranoid about that, the mansion door opens in momentum.

I thought the gatekeeper came out, and it was a luxurious man who popped up.

Tailored clothes for hair that is not habitual enough to pass through.

At a glance, young people such as a typical rich son rush to see how well they grow up.

"Or a collector! You wanted it at the best time!

I was asked to shake my hand, so I was sweating when I grabbed that hand.

I breathe on my shoulders to the extent that I ran through the garden, and I can see my lack of strength.

"Is the Lord of that letter you?

"Yes, it is! I heard rumors about the collector and asked the house folks to carry the letter. What is it in a place like this, in my room?"

He is forced to come to the Mansion without even hearing from me.

Explore the signs with vigilance that my sister's hands are spinning, but nothing particularly suspicious. Too vigilant?

The youth room is quite spacious, but the interior taste is quite original.

There is a bed and a desk chair in the corner of the room. This is normal, but it takes up more than half the room with a bunch of weapon gear.

There are also a number of workout equipment rolling on the floor.

"Oh, have you noticed"

If this lookout was decorated with brand new weapons and protective equipment, everyone would see it.

They all seem to be polished without scratches. When I tried "appraisal," it turned out everything was a pretty expensive product.

Is collecting weapons and protective equipment a hobby? Though it is common for the rich.

"Are you surprised? I work as a merchant, but it actually looked like this, and I was an adventurer."

I pose like I make a force bubble, but I don't see any muscles that are supposed to push my clothes up.

Then there are only two skills that exist if you wonder if they are abundant. It is also a combination of 'calculation' and 'falsehood' that is not a combat system.

'Computation' is often gained by merchants and people who are good at math, so sometimes you wake up if you are well educated....... a little high level for it.

'Falsehood' makes it easier to spit lies. If the level is low, it's to the extent of throwing up a little lies, but when you come beyond level 10, lies mix in a significant proportion of everyday conversations, and the effects of your skills also create strange persuasiveness in those lies.

This young man had 'falsehoods' slightly over 10.

"This is how we train ourselves when we're in the room."

He proudly speaks by pointing to instruments for training, but there is no sign of any instrument being used.

I can assure you that I may have used it once or twice, but not in it.

"Excuse me, but it's a lie, isn't it?

"What are you saying? He's a man who works out on one, works out on two, doesn't have three or four, and works out on five. The Adventurer's Guild even calls it a ghost of workout."

"That's a lie, too, isn't it?

"What is it about"

I put a scratch in the flat lying young man, but he doesn't look like he's moving.

Don't you feel uncomfortable with what you say because it is already routine in him to lie?

"So is workout, but aren't you also an adventurer?

If there is no trace of the weapon being used, it is suspicious if it has a size in the first place.

That great sword or mace won't even be able to lift it.

"Had you been spotted? Yes, I can tell lies like I exhale..."

He has a self-derisive grin and scratches his head at ease.

Was I just aware of it?

"So I asked the collector for a favor."

Are we finally talking about fate? Probably talking about buying away the 'falsehoods' though.

"Actually, I have a poor lover. Sophisticated and humane, the flowers bloom if you walk in the meadows, and the beauty of those who walk in the city and see it is incontinent."

"... ha"

There is no word to return it to a round overexpression if it is a lie.

"Me and my girlfriend were friendly, and we were always excited about the adventure."

"Adventure?"

A young man should not be an adventurer.

"Yeah. She's an adventurer, too. as a holy healer."

"And her?

Does the healer possess the skills of the 'healing' system?

If that's true, I'll be back as an adventurer.

Human resources that can heal wounds are scarce, so they are solicited and taken care of by powerful adventurers just because they have that skill.

"She's perfect that beauty and knowledge coexist, but that's why I'm anxious. I was wondering if all the stupid, miserable men would flirt with her!

He explains his strength with a huge gesture.

I listen to it half the time because it's what I say with 'falsehood', but I think it's true that I have an attractive girlfriend.

'Psychology' is also activated, but 'falsehood' lies are difficult to determine. I can't judge him because he's not having a conversation with me because he's going to lie.

"The other day, when we were both talking about adventure, she mentioned this." Next time, I won't try to adventure with you "..."

"That's troublesome."

Hammer without emotion.

I thought that would happen as a story flow, but did it still happen?

But what are you going to ask me for? Now I just sold "falsehoods" for a later festival. Instead, 'falsehood' is mandatory to make excuses.

"That's where I want to ask the collector! Could you sell me as many skills as I can as an adventurer! I'll pay you as much as I want!

Oops, was this guy aware of the existence and true ability of the 'buy and sell' skills?

I didn't know it was becoming more popular in pile countries these days, but it was known to other countries. You don't have to hide this anymore.

"Did you know"

"Because you're a celebrity among merchants. Business is about information."

If there is a pedestrian in suspicious business who calls himself a collector, it is natural to look into it.

His strength as a merchant is unknown, but you should consider the merchants here to be quite the doers.

"I mean, I want to get the skills to be an adventurer so that lies to her don't come to light. So that's it."

"Exactly. Can't you handle it!

I want to say no immediately because it sounds like a stupid request.

But it might help against my sister if I get connected to the merchants in this city.

But I can feel free to trick his lover into letting him do the lying to him.

"Do you mind if I let you think about it?

"I promise to go on an adventure with you tomorrow at noon! So it's really stuffed with cutting feathers!

I have trouble clinging and being compelled by tears.

I don't have to think it looks pathetic, but the lies I originally threw up on myself are bad. Even if that was due to skills, it should have been possible to tell the truth.

'Falsehood' is a long ability to lie, but it's not like you can't tell the truth. People who are good with their skills live as artists turning lies into laughter.

I guess his lies have their roots in the glory of wanting to be seen often by her.

"Isn't it splendid just to be the son of such a big merchant? I don't think you need to fake yourself."

"Born doesn't make me proud of anything. That's why I wanted my credit. I've tried many times to work out my body, but in addition to my frail physique at birth, I didn't have time to be chased to work... No, that's a lie, too. I used the lack of time as an excuse to do nothing. I was just happy I bought the tools..."

Dropping his shoulders and sighing loudly, he looked sincerely regrettable.

Both will be happy. I'll give you as many hands as you want if you're lying, but this time they're pitiful.

"I'll ask you again tomorrow morning, then."

"Please, please! If, once I could have an adventure with her, I'd be happy with that already. I apologize for all the lies I've made, and I'll let everything go of her."

"Wouldn't you resent her if we were to break up?

"Yes...... But I want to believe. Love needs to be shaken by this! She said she would laugh and forgive me for any lies...... I believed you!

I didn't want to think the youth was lying about what they were going to talk about as they trembled.

The next day at noon.

The young man stands next to a woman who feels clear in a loose white robe, wearing brand new full body armor.

Your proud girlfriend is either beautiful, but she's not an extinct beauty.

The brunettes, stretched up to their hips, are tied together with strings to make it easier to move.

I agree that you are friendly and humane.

Tall as a young man and tall as a woman, but not so rare as adventurers have quite as many women with back lengths as that.

The young man walks without losing the weight of his armor. Thanks to the 'power' I sold.

In the end, I decided to sell my 'powers', 'swordsmanship', 'health' and 'disconnect' to the youth. I really wanted to sell a few more, but I compromised because I only had three skills slot vacancies.

One missing skill slot bought 'falsehood' and kept it growing. Youth don't need this skill anymore.

Wave small on the backs of two people leaving the city with their feet in place.

I didn't need to worry if they were strong enough, so I could safely drop them off.

"You told the truth when this adventure was over. I hope it works out."

The 'falsehoods' I bought out are quite high.

- Because I bought two for you.

I stopped by the Adventurer's Guild last night to see her rumored on her return from the youth mansion.

I found him unexpectedly lightly because I learned his name and characteristics, and I hid the young man's story and listened to him.

When you talk about buying skills from a collector, you say to me, "Please. I want you to buy away your 'false' skills," he has begged.

When I listened in detail, there was a lie I'd been hiding from my youth, and it was painful, and I always wanted to tell the truth, but I would tell lies under the influence of my 'false' skills, he said.

So I thought if I lost the 'falsehood', I could tell the truth. Then he bought the skills and visited the young man the next day to accept every favor.

"Is it a love that can forgive any lies"

If he asked his lover for it, he would surely forgive her lies, too, and get over it.

Even if she was... a man.