"Huh? Something's on the ground."
…Is this like a drop item in a game?
A kind of reward for defeating a monster.
The goblin I just beat turned into dust and vanished without a trace.
At its feet, a dark red stone-like object was lying on the ground.
I picked it up and rolled it in my palm while examining it.
It was about the size of a small stone and gave off a dull glow.
It looked like a cloudy candy. Maybe like a piece of amber candy.
It's probably a magic stone, or something like that.
In anime and manga, these are used as fuel for magic or traded for money.
"Well, I might as well keep it!"
It must be useful for something.
I slip it into my pocket.
Then, suddenly a voice echoes in my head.
The unfamiliar sensation shocks me.
[Your experience has reached the required value. You have leveled up!]
"Whoa! That startled me! A voice in my head?!"
Level up?
I had a feeling this was all like a game ever since the dungeon and goblins appeared and I was right!
Defeat monsters, gain levels, earn rewards.
It's a common setup. And I love that kind of setup.
You work, you get paid.
You do your job, you get recognized.
That's how it should be!
But in reality, no matter how hard you work, your salary doesn't go up.
Overtime pay? What's that? Is it tasty?
In a big company, that doesn't exist.
Forget goblin rights, my own human rights weren't even protected!
Big companies should burn!
No overtime pay, no recognition. Even basic things like that aren't respected in the real world.
Your effort leads to nothing.
Instead of being praised, you get yelled at.
But games are fair. The rules are clear.
If you fight and win, you get rewards, experience points, dropped items… piles of treasure.
And that same system exists in this dungeon!
If you work hard, you're rewarded. You grow stronger.
Gaining levels feels exciting!
"If I leveled up, does that mean I have some kinda stats now?"
As soon as I think that, a translucent window appears in front of me.
My stats are now displayed right before my eyes.
Oh, nice. I really do have stats.
But then I see them…
"All my stats are... C grade?! That's… so average!"
---
Name: Vian Irekki
Level: 2
Strength: C
Stamina: C
Agility: C
Intelligence: C
Magic: C
Vitality: C
Job: None (Available)
Skills: None (Points remaining: 10)
-----------------------------------
Is C the lowest rank in an ABC functioned system?
Or maybe it's average in an ABCDE functioned system?
Even if it's average, it means I'm just normal.
No cheat skills for me, huh? Well, I didn't expect things to be that convenient.
Even if my strength is average, I still beat that goblin in one hit.
But maybe goblins are just weak.
If you ambush them with a weapon, they might just go down easily… Still, that's reassuring.
Besides the stats, I also have job and skill sections.
Job… none! Basically unemployed!
That stings a little.
Ah, but I'm still technically using my paid leave, so I'm not jobless.
I'm still a working adult. Yeah, I'm pretty chill.
I keep trying to justify it, but I don't think my real-life job matters here.
The "job" in this world probably means something like a game's class.
The status window says jobs and skills can be chosen.
"A job, huh… Let's see what I can pick. Where is it… here."
This window works like a smartphone. I can operate it with my fingers.
I tap the job section.
---
Please select a job:
1. Cook
2. Slave
3. Cleaner
4. Manager
5. Warrior
6. Ninja
7. Slugger
---
The window changes.
Looks like I can choose from several options… though the list is kind of weird.
Cook, cleaner, manager…
Are these related to my real job? I do manage a restaurant, after all.
Maybe it would boost my cooking or cleaning skills.
There's no description though. I probably have to select it to find out.
Slave? Wait that's a job?
Is this because of the harsh work conditions I went through?
Corporate workers are modern-day slaves.
No way I'm picking that. Not a chance!
Warrior.
Finally, a proper RPG-style job.
Probably the sword-wielding kind.
Then there's Ninja.
The one and only NINJA.
Fighting with ninjutsu and tools. A solid option, no, it's pretty much decided!
I mean, who doesn't want to be a ninja?
Still, I should at least look at the others.
Slugger.
Probably because I used a metal bat earlier.
Doesn't feel like a job, more like a power hitter.
I bet it boosts my attack with bats or something.
But I don't want to be stuck using a bat forever, so I'll just pass.
So… between warrior and ninja, I'll have to go with ninja.
It seems more versatile, and fun!
Ninjutsu, hidden weapons, tools… it's full of fun stuff!
I confirm my choice, "Ninja".
*Tap!*
As I operate the window, a voice echoes in my head again.
[Your stats have been adjusted according to your job.]
---
Name: Vian Irekki
Level: 2
Strength: C
Stamina: B (Up)
Agility: B (Up)
Intelligence: C
Magic: C
Vitality: C
Job: Ninja
Skills: None (Points remaining: 10)
-----------------------------------
"Oh! So your stats go up depending on the job!"
My stamina and agility went up to B.
Agility, huh. That means speed and dexterity.
Essential for a ninja.
I try jumping and moving around to test it out.
"Whoa! I feel so light!"
Amazing…
When I jump straight up, my view is way higher than normal, kind of scary!
Feels like I can jump 1.5 to 2 times higher than before.
Reminds me of when my dad carried me on his shoulders as a kid.
When I run, the wind brushes past me. Even though I haven't exercised much lately, my feet don't trip at all. Side-to-side steps feel smooth. I might even be fast enough to leave a blur behind.
Even with the increased movement speed, I don't stumble. My reflexes and body control must've improved too.
And my stamina has increased!
I don't feel tired at all. I'm not even breathing hard.
"NINJA is amazing! Now I do have a cheat ability!"
So this is what updated stats can do.
If I competed in sports, I could break world records!
…Not that I want the attention.
Standing out would be risky. It's not just that I want to stay low-key.
In today's world, someone with unnatural movements like this would seem suspicious.
I'd end up on the news, become famous, and get questioned endlessly.
Saying something like "I just awakened mysterious powers" wouldn't help either.
Besides…
Telling others about this dungeon gives me a strange, uneasy feeling.
Since I'm a ninja now, I should live like one, hidden from everyone's sight.
That's what being a ninja is about.
It's not just a job.
It's a way of life. A lonely path to walk.