Delusional Multiversal Travels

Fanfiction by: Final_Order

Delusional Multiversal Travels

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 7: Apparently, even fantasy-worlds have their own social rules.

- - -

Yosh.

Ayakafurushi Retsu, it's time to put all those delusions of yours to good use.

I lied. Technically, I didn't give the full picture to Akane. What was below there was terrifying, to say the least.

Not that I was able to infiltrate it, but I can manipulate Shadows, so I tried using [Shadow Sense].

Naturally, I had maneuvered it in a discreet way that wouldn't draw attention.

It was a little, but definitely, what I sensed down there, honestly, might be beyond what any of my classmates or I can currently handle.

Hence, I'm making a to-do list.

Goal: Hunt a dragon.

Yes. I'm deadass.

See... the last time I went to a tavern, I found out that dragons exist in this world.

Now, I'm not sure if the concept of Dragon Slayer applies here the same way it does in fiction…

But it's worth researching.

All the other days, I've kept on sneaking out to gather more information about the heroes before us.

However, other than crushing the demons underneath, everything about them is obscure, especially with the hero who I heard single-handedly defeated the demon king.

Of course, I'm not sure exactly how the system of this world works. That is why I need to do this.

Fantasy Checker.

Or so I named the To-Do list. In which case, I test the theories of other fantasy world rules to see if those rules apply here.

Such as ...

Does killing a dragon grant you the Dragon Slayer perk, or does bathing in dragon blood or eating their heart grant you more power?

Potato, potahto.

Either way, I intended to find out.

Tonight, I planned to get my hands on a map or the overlay of this world. I tried getting my hands on the one inside the royal library.

Tsk. It was glued to the wall. Hence, it is highly likely I will raid some shops tonight, if they are, however, open.

With the way things are, I want to be at least one step ahead, so nothing catches me off-guard.

And with that mindset, I kept working, I continued my work until I finally completed the compilation.

Having done that, I packed it all, stuffed it into a bag, and tossed it straight into [Shadow Storage].

Now that I think about it, it's about high time I too begin to increase my efforts in working towards getting stronger.

But anyways, the time now was perfect.

The sun had sunk completely, with the sky now painted in the colors of the night sky.

Also, it's probably dinner time currently. However, I usually don't dine with the team.

Well, not everybody did. You could make the request and the food will be delivered to your door.

At the very least, that was what I always did. But I don't really need it currently.

If I were feeling gracious, I might thank the Empire for giving us that sliver of autonomy.

The bare minimum of freedom.

But grace wasn't on the to-do list.

With that, I flipped open the wooden framed window as the evening breeze blew against me.

"Hmm."

With a hum, I stood on the frame, moving my hand to the left as my hands sank into the shadows cast upon the sill.

Removing my hand from the shadows, I pulled a cloak and wrapped it around my body and, without hesitation, jumped down from my window.

In hindsight… considering how tall the castle was,

My room alone sat about eight floors up. And streaking down from such a height was me.

So yeah, I was freefalling from a height that should've been fatal.

But just before I hit the ground. My feet slipped clean into the shadows below.

PLOP!

And like entering a body of water, I sank into the [Ocean of Shadows], drifting past the ocean and appearing in a place I couldn't recognize.

"An alleyway, huh?"

I muttered, brushing the shadow from my coat.

Faint lighting shone into the alleyway; that was why I navigated there. I wanted an inconspicuous place to pop out from.

"Good drinks over here!"

"By the way, did you hear about what happened-"

"Hey~ do you wanna have a fun time with me?"

The streets were certainly lively as crowds walked shoulder to shoulder.

Merchant stalls were still open and lanterns glowing from poles and balconies.

And, for a fantasy world, it had some certain level of tech. Obviously far from the modern world…

However, "magic and lanterns, or a magic tool." They obviously have their own progress, too.

"I guess I shall take all my hypotheses with a grain of salt until proven right."

[Language Comprehension]

I felt mana build up to my eyes as I stared at writings across the districts I passed. Rather, most were identifiable with their signs.

And, color me surprised, but... it seems like we can acquire other abilities than the set ones we have.

Of course, this is not without proof.

[Language Comprehension] was such.

But they seem to be only basic skills. Or perhaps I just haven't tried enough.

However, it seems like not everyone is aware of this yet. Hence, I'm planning to use this to my advantage in my own way.

CLING!

The dull clang of a wooden door being pushed open rang out as I stepped into a tavern packed with people.

"Hey! Where's the booze at!"

"Ooh~ today's food is looking as delicious as ever."

The scent of roasted meat, peppered stew, and stale ale filled the air.

Looking around, the front side was occupied by people, however, the cornered side of the tavern, however...

Spotting the perfect spot, I skipped over and sat down at a table.

"Hello customer. Is there anything you need?"

The moment I sat down, I was approached by one of the waiters, a tavern girl with tan skin and short black hair tucked behind her ear.

I glanced over, barely looking at her. "Your recommendations."

Saying that, I saw the person sitting opposite me raise an eyebrow, but he didn't speak yet.

"AHHH, Alright!"

The waiter beamed before dashing away, and I couldn't help but feel a foreboding.

"Say, kid. You're new here, aren't you?" The person across from me finally spoke.

"Your voice… and what you just said. Almost nobody orders the house recommendation unless they're either too drunk to care or fresh off the boat."

The person said, chugging down a mug as I properly turned to him.

[Name: Ruk]

[Occupation: Information Broker]

It took me long enough, but I finally met one. But it seems like they'd also caught onto my identity.

"Color me surprised." I said evenly. "And here I thought your kind didn't hang around in broad daylight."

He smirked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"That's a rookie misconception, kid. Information deals, spreading rumors, buying and selling knowledge, there's no place better for it than a place like this."

He swept an arm around lazily, gesturing to the noisy room full of slurring men and belly-laughing drunks.

So, he was the real deal.

Maybe information brokers weren't that rare after all. But they didn't need to be. Not when the environment made them strong.

Gossip spreads where people gather.

The only thing that matters is knowing the right time to hear it.

And really—there's no better time to gather information than at night, is there?

"Here are your recommendations, sir!"

A plate and wooden cup were served as fermented air hit me hard in the face.

Definitely ale.

And the food… stew, maybe.

Meat of ambiguous origin swimming in something that looked far too oily to be comforting.

I stared down at it, frowning.

Too late to protest. The tavern girl had already bounced off to another table.

So, that's what it's about.

"A blunder on my part, huh?"

"Exactly, we live in a tough world, kid. Things like this are already norms for us."

Right. My own words—"your recommendations"—had outed me instantly.

Only an outsider would say that.

Locals knew what they liked. They didn't need suggestions. They came here because they already knew what to ask for.

Which meant…

I wasn't a local here, so I wouldn't know what they served. And if I'd asked that, it would have resulted in the same.

"Everybody that comes here is more or less acquainted with this place. Am I right...?"

"Heh. Who knows. Anyways, what do you want? A kid like you shouldn't be here by this time."

I took the cup, swirling it as I brought it close to my lips and took a sip. Too strong. I put the cup down.

"Well, if a certain kind stranger could help me out, this little kid will be happy."

I said, giving him a faint, knowing smile. Then, to add, I tossed a small pouch to the person opposite me.

CLINK!

He raised an eyebrow.

"This—Haah. What do you want?"

"I want to know about this kingdom and what other lands are beyond this kingdom. Preferably, ones that house monsters and... a blacksmith shop from around."

"That's a tall order, but sure."

The person chuckled as he then began talking.

Holy Empire Valencia.

A holy empire with countless histories.

One that stands out is that they fought against the demon lord about 400 years ago.

Amongst all the races in this world, humans felt that they were at the bottom of the chain.

Nay, it was a fact.

And it was natural to think so. That is what has progressed technology from our other world.

However, to fight against the strong beings of this world, they devised a weapon.

Thus, the hero summoning.

And like I'd scarcely heard, the hero summoned before us was called Rei. In other words, the "Real Thing".

"I don't know the details, but it was certain they called the hero that."

"So? What happened to Rei?"

"No idea. Some suspected that they reached their life expectancy, while others claimed they returned to their world."

Say, there's an interesting notion.

This notion was brought up when I consumed way too many pieces of literature of this genre I am experiencing.

The number of heroes summoned is proportional to how problematic the world is.

Which is absolutely true in most hero-summoned-to-another-world tropes I've read back in my world.

I don't know about the rest, but the ones I've personally read, it is true for them.

Especially with situations like this.

Thinking back, I relaxed onto the chair.

"Then, why summon them again when the demon king is done with?"

"Hah. How would I know? Perhaps, to rally the dregs of the demon-kind."

No. Even though I can't be absolutely sure. From what I've sensed within the castle, that should be more than enough.

This nation isn't lacking in strength.. Unless the remnants of the demon kings are even stronger.

But that can't be, or at least, not entirely possible. It's been 400 years also. There's no way humanity wouldn't have progressed.

"Fishy." I muttered.

He raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything more, and instead; "Well, about your other requests."

The man slid a rolled-up parchment over as I grabbed it and unrolled it. A map. Just what I wanted.

"I don't know why someone of your stature is here, but if you need it then, do with it as you wish."

I chuckled. "Thank you, kind sir."

"Sure, sure. And as for the blacksmith, go straight down. On your left, make a turn, then the first left turn you see, then the third right turn. You should meet one."

My lips curled up as I dropped another bag on the table.

"For the food, tell the boss to keep the rest."

Naturally, these weren't my own funds but rather the Empire's funds.

Anyways, I have to continue.

Despite already commissioning weapons, I wanted to see other available options.

Knowing about their technical work would also be insightful. Hence, I am sparing no effort.

And, following the hooded man's instructions, I soon stood before a weathered iron sign swinging gently above a thick wooden door.

With a satisfied expression, I entered the shop with the ding of the bell.

The inside was unexpectedly dimly lit. But I could sniff the scent of metal and polish even.

With a light tap of my toe on the floor. Floor polish?

Other than that, weapons were hung on practically every side of the walls, safe for the window spot.

And naturally, at the far end was the counter, placed on top of display shelves for accessories.

"Ah… a customer?" A tired male voice, muffled slightly from the backroom. "Sorry, we're closed for the day."

Now, that won't do.

I could come back tomorrow, but that in itself is another stress for me.

Without a word, I flicked a small pouch forward. It landed on the counter with a solid thump.

"I can pay more."

Silence. Then footsteps.

The man emerged slowly, mid-thirties, muscular, with a slightly grease-streaked apron and pale eyes that darted from me to the pouch.

His fingers tapped the counter once. "What do you need?"

"I just want to take a look around."

I said that as I stepped closer to the walls, scanning the weapons and feeling them. Naturally, I used analysis.

Most of the weapons were forged from a metal labeled:

[Super Iron]

Now, I wouldn't question this world's naming sense. And sadly, however, nothing interested me.

At the very least, not the weapons.

However,

"Hm?"

[Magic Tool] - [Nameless Fingerless Gloves]

[+ Magic Power Conversion (Skill)]

"Huh?"

I blinked.

'Expand on Magic Power Conversion.'

[Magic Power Conversion (+)]

[Description]:

[The ability to manipulate raw magic power. Allows users to convert magic. Can be used to amplify physical stats, amplify spell effects, or increase the output and responsiveness of any skill that requires mana.]

[Bonus: Continuous Conversion Enabled]

"I've struck gold!"

[Magic Power Conversion (+)]

This literally changes everything; I could work with continuous physical enhancements and a whole lot of other things.

"Boss!"

The blacksmith looked up slowly, raising a brow.

"Those black fingerless gloves. I want them."

He hesitated. "…Huh? But that's just—"

"Less arguments. More selling!"

I slammed another bag of coins onto the counter. The sound echoed, and the man couldn't help but blinked.

"…Right. Well. That'll do."