Bob woke up, shaking his head. He touched his stomach again, feeling solid cloth covering still solid flesh. He let out a sigh and dropped his shoulders.

He was alive.

He looked up and took stock of his surroundings. He was lying in a field surrounded by a forest, a rough dirt trail to his side. He could see mountains in the distance. His eyes narrowed.

Looks like it wasn’t a dream. Or he was still in it. Or on drugs.

He sighed and stood up, and started walking along the trail. Nowhere to go but forward.

Just then a bright light started to shine in front of him. Bob shielded his eyes as the light grew, until the light surged in a final flash.

As the light faded Bob let down his arm and blinked.

Another angel.

A…tiny angel?

A little angel, no larger than his hand, flew in the air before him.

“What in the…”

“Ah, there you are, Sir Hero! We were afraid you had wandered off!”

Bob just stared at the little angel. She cleared her throat.

“Ahem, oh noble hero, I am Adoel, a servant of the Creator Goddess Ione. I have been sent to you to aid upon your quest, and guide you as you acclimate to our world.”

“...right…”

Adoel nodded.

“I’m certain you must have many questions. The Archangel said you would be most confused as to the workings of our world. Ask me your questions, and I shall enlighten you.”

“Which way is the closest settlement?”

Adoel blinked.

“Um, what?”

“Which way is the closest settlement?”

“Oh, um, that way I believe.”

“Thanks.”

“You are most welcome, noble one. What other questions may I…hey wait! Where are you going?”

Adoel flew after Bob as he started walking down the trail.

“To find shelter.”

“D-Don’t you want to know the mechanics of this world? What kind of races there are? The specifics of your quest?”

“Yes but I’d rather not spend the night in the forest.”

“That’s…”

“Can you explain along the way?”

“Um, I guess so?”

“Then do that.”

“Oh, um, ok. So, um, the Archangel told me I should introduce the world from the basics?”

“That would help.”

“Ok, so, have you played an RPG before?”

“No.”

“...um…well…how should I…hmmm….”

“...”

“L-Let’s start with the status then. Can you open your status?”

“How?”

“Oh, um, hold out your hand, imagine that you want to analyze your current state, and speak Status!”

Bob raised an eyebrow but did as requested.

“Status.”

A transparent, blue box appeared before him.

General Information Attributes Titles Name Bob Name

Value Name Effect Species Human STR 30 Hero from Another World +10% XP Gained, learn skills more easily, grants All-Language Comprehension Skill Sex Male MAG 30 The Faceless Minion Grants Presence Concealment Skill (Lvl MAX), Grants False Status Skill, Grants Trustworthy Minion Skill Age 18 DEX 30 Blessing of the Creator Goddess +20 to every attribute, +100 to HP and MP, Grants Favorability Skill, Grants Analyze Skill (Lvl Max) Level 1 SPD 30 XP 0/100 DEF 30 HP 120/120 RES 30 MP 110/110 LUCK 30 Active Skills Passive Skills Name Level Description Name Level Description Presence Concealment MAX Avoid being noticed. Higher levels increase effect and scope of valid targets/senses. Taking action increases risk of concealment breaking. All-Language Comprehension N/A Translates all languages both oral and written into wielder's primary language False Status N/A Present a customized status when scanned by Analyze Trustworthy Minion N/A Your employer's trust in you grows more rapidly, effect grows if employer is of neutral or evil alignment Analyze MAX Scan a target's status page. Accuracy and available information depends on level Favorability N/A The world itself, and all in it, look upon you favorably.

“...I have a lot of questions.”

“Let me see, let me see…oh, um.”

"I'm 18 again somehow?"

"Most Holy Ione created you a new body of course. It's the easiest way to adapt you to the new world!"

“The Faceless Minion?”

“A-All otherworlders get a powerful title and skill, so i-it must be a mighty skill and a great honor…”

“...”

“S-See look, you get Presence Concealment MAX! T-That’s super OP…I think…maybe…”

“...”

“I-It’s not me. I didn’t do it.”

“Your goddess did.”

“T-That’s wrong! S-She just takes the shape of your soul and uses it as a mold for her power to grant you the skill most suited to you! So it’s just a part of who you are!”

“...”

“I mean…um…sun’s getting real low, we better get a move on!”

Bob let out a sigh and held his head.

These angels are so annoying.

“Ok, so, um, your status. This shows you your current state, and the powers and abilities you possess.”

“...So I get powers in this world?”

“Not only that, but you can develop new ones by gaining experience.”

“Gaining experience?”

“There’s a lot of different ways, but the most common ones are developing your skills, or hunting monsters.”

“Monsters?”

“Magical beings hostile to sapient life.”

“...Isn’t it dangerous to walk in the forest then?”

“This area has low atmospheric mana, so it should be fine.”

“...should?”

“Y-You have a weapon, you know!”

“Where?”

“In your inventory.”

“And where is that?”

“Oh! Right, so inventory is not just a physical location but…”

Bob and the angel conversed for a while longer. A while longer. With much stuttering, and many headaches. But he was now able to pull some of the starter equipment gifted by the goddess from his personal inventory. Bob went ahead and equipped the basic armor, and wrapped a shortsword around his waist.

“Ok…so people in this world can improve their bodies and minds as well as develop superpowers through the wanton slaughter of powerful beings that exist solely to murder us?”

“Well…when you put it that way…”

Bob let out a sigh. This world seemed very annoying.

As the pair walked down the trail they started to hear noises. Bob could make out the clanging of metal and the shouts and grunts of men.

He continued walking.

“Hey, listen!”

He continued walking.

“I think there’s something going on over there!”

He continued walking.

“S-Shouldn’t we check it out?”

Bob raised an eyebrow at the angel.

“Why?”

“Some could be in trouble!”

“And?”

“And? And you should help them!”

“Why?”

“You’re the hero!”

“I’m a level one foreigner with nothing but a basic sword and who knows nothing about this world or its political situation. Intervening in a fight of any sort is the height of foolishness.”

“T-That’s…it should be fine! You have the blessing of the Goddess herself!”

“And that’s enough to defeat any foe regardless of their level, skills, weapons, numbers, and tactics?”

“T-That’s…look you have Presence Concealment, right? So no harm in at least checking, right?”

Bob let out a sigh.

Bob and Adoel hid in the bushes on the edge of the forest. Before them was a larger highway. The air was filled with shouts and screams and the scent of blood. A pink carriage was surrounded by knights in shining plate armor, who were in turn surrounded by a large number of men in rags. The knights were exacting a heavy toll, but they were about to be overrun. Adoel landed on Bob’s shoulder, whispering into his ear.

“See! I told you!”

Bob nodded, and then turned to leave.

“Where are you going?!”

“I’m not getting involved in a fight between people.”

“Why not?!”

“I know nothing about the people, culture, political climate, or ongoing conflicts. Intervening haphazardly would be foolish.”

“What do you mean?! That’s clearly a noble girl’s carriage, under attack by bandits! What more do you need to know?”

Bob let out a sigh.

“Is this a bandit group from afar, or a local insurgency? Are they opportunists looking for an easy score? Are they local farmers driven to desperation by a malicious ruler or just plain bad luck? Members of a criminal syndicate executing a premeditated plan? An organized rebellion with a political agenda? Foreigners sent by a hostile nation? Undercover agents sent by a rival noble? Undercover agents sent by the ruling authority? Are they targeting just any carriage, any noble, or that particular person? If so then why? Maybe they just want a ransom and surrender will result in the least amount of bloodshed. Maybe the noble in question has traitorous intentions and needs to be dealt with. Maybe they’re a malicious tyrant who drove their people to the brink for their own greed and amusement. Maybe this is a feud between two noble houses. And what is the nation’s stance on vigilante justice? Are local authorities enroute? Won’t they be suspicious of the foreigner with no alibi who tries to cross the border in the middle of an ambush? Am I committing to a political faction or noble house by intervening here? Will they draft me into some kind of army? Will they get rid of me as a loose end and potential threat? Will I make powerful enemies by disrupting their plans?”

Bob stopped, and pulled the angel from his shoulder to his hand so he could look her in the eye.

“So, miss angel, assuming I am capable of intervention in an armed conflict involving professional knights, which side should I intervene on and what will be the consequences in the short and long term both for myself and the nation at large?”

“U-Um…t-that’s…u-uh…l-let’s see…u-um…i-if you help the noble, t-they might reward you? T-Then you wouldn’t need to find shelter on your own?”

Just then they heard a female knight cry out.

“Why are you doing this?! The harvest is good this year, Count Demaret is offering jobs and rations to every able-bodied person of this realm! You have no reason to resort to banditry! And don’t you know who this is?! We’re escorting the beloved princess of the nation! The whole kingdom will hunt you down for this!”

One of the bandits crossed their arms and let out a laugh.

“Gwahahahaha! Let’s kill all these suckers! We’re the Green Ogre Gang! We kill and plunder, in that order, no exceptions, and we don’t care who! Tremble and despair, noble knights! Today we become the gang that killed the princess! For no other reason than fun! And the whole nation will learn to fear us! Muahahahahaha!”

Bob held his head and let out a deep sigh.

“See see! You can verify their identity with Analyze! Now go, be a hero! You wouldn’t just let a bunch of psychopaths murder a beloved and innocent princess and destabilize the king’s mental state and thus the nation all for mere fun, would you?”

Bob just groaned.

But he did as she suggested and checked the situation with Analyze. The bandits were in fact members of the ‘Green Ogre Gang’ with no further affiliations. The knights in fact were knights of the kingdom. And the stats of the bandits were such that he could in fact intervene, at least on paper. He let out a sigh.

As the fight resumed he snuck up behind one of the bandits on the edge of the fight, pulling out his sword. He took a deep breath.

And then stabbed the guy in the neck.

You have slain: Christopher Loup (Level 12 Human)

Gained 58 XP!

You have learned the skill Assassination!

You have learned the skill Swordsmanship!

Bob rushed back to the trees and observed the battlefield. He released his breath.

No one had noticed anything.

Method established, Bob got to work, slaying four more of the bandits.

“Um…I’m glad you’re helping…but this method seems a little…”

“Is there a problem?”

“It’s just…this doesn’t seem very…heroic…”

“And it’s heroic to rush in and kill a bunch of people I don’t know based solely on appearances?”

“When you put it like that…wait, where are you going?!”

“Job’s done.”

“There’s still bandits!”

“The knights can handle what’s left.”

“B-But, the princess! You don’t want to meet her? Get rewarded for your noble deeds?”

“Do we need to have a talk about interacting with high-ranking political leaders with no information?”

“...no.”

“Then let’s get going.”

“...I feel like there’s something wrong about all this.”

Bob's Final Status (253 XP gained from slaying 5 men at roughly level 12):

General Information Attributes Titles Name Bob Name

Value Name Effect Species Human STR 32 Hero from Another World +10% XP Gained, learn skills more easily, grants All-Language Comprehension Skill Sex Male MAG 31 The Faceless Minion Grants Presence Concealment Skill (Lvl MAX), Grants False Status Skill, Grants Trustworthy Minion Skill Age 18 DEX 32 Blessing of the Creator Goddess +20 to every attribute, +100 to HP and MP, Grants Favorability Skill, Grants Analyze Skill (Lvl Max) Level 3 SPD 32 XP 53/100 DEF 31 HP 120/123 RES 30 MP 111/111 LUCK 30 Active Skills Passive Skills Name Level Description Name Level Description Presence Concealment MAX Avoid being noticed. Higher levels increase effect and scope of valid targets/senses. Taking action increases risk of concealment breaking. All-Language Comprehension N/A Translates all languages both oral and written into wielder's primary language False Status N/A Present a customized status when scanned by Analyze Trustworthy Minion N/A Your employer's trust in you grows more rapidly, effect grows if employer is of neutral or evil alignment Analyze MAX Scan a target's status page. Accuracy and available information depends on skill level and level difference with target Favorability N/A The world itself, and all in it, look upon you favorably. Assassination 2 Increases user's knowledge of stealth and vital points Swordsmanship 2 Increases user's knowledge of sword technique.