Worthless Skill Escape (WN)

Chapter 56

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TL: ALT

Chapter 56 – A Very Pragmatic Invitation

“To Paladin Knights?”

I asked back,

“Yes. If you want to continue being an explorer, you will eventually join a guild, right? If that’s the case, how about joining us…”

“I’m grateful for the offer, but is it really okay? If I joined because I knew Serika, the temperature would be different from the other members or something like that.”

“It’s true that Yuto is my childhood friend. But it is also true that you are an excellent explorer. Even without any personal favoritism, it’s only natural for me to recruit you as a guild master.”

“Didn’t you single-handedly hold down two ranks up Flood in Hikarigaoka Park? That’s more than enough of an achievement.”

Haitani-san nodded.

“But I’m working solo, you know? I don’t think I’ll be able to explore with a party in the future.”

“I won’t ask you to form a party with guild members. I understand your circumstances.”

“I have not heard about Kurashiki-san’s situation. But if you have special circumstances, it would be better for you to join our guild, where Serika-san, who is your friend and acquaintance, is the master.”

“That may be so, but…”

I don’t think I want to talk to anyone else about anything related to Escape.

In this sense, I would be grateful if Serika could help me.

However, it also means that I will continue to be a source of trouble for Serika…

“You don’t have to hold back, okay? It is certain that Yuto is an excellent explorer who can reach the “S” level in terms of skill. That’s a pretty good deal for us. Of course, I understand that you can’t reveal the situation.”

“But the guild…”

When you belong to a guild, no matter what Serika says, it is inevitable that you will have ties to it.

Besides, belonging to a guild means belonging to the Explorers’ Association.

If you are good at what you do, there is a risk that you will get involved in troublesome matters related to the Association.

“As I thought, I’ll stay free for now…”

“Why? Don’t you want to be in my guild?”

“N-no, it’s not like that, but… I don’t think it’s good to be indebted to you all the time.”

“I don’t mind; I’m the one who said it was okay.”

Serika’s cheeks puffed out in dissatisfaction at my reluctance.

“Master. Now, please convince him without any personal feelings, okay?”

“Ugh, I know, but…”

“Kurashiki-san, too. I think it would be wise to talk a little more before making a decision.”

“No, I mean talk.”

“From a practical point of view, there are many advantages to having explorers belong to a guild. No, it would be more accurate to say that there are many disadvantages… to not belonging to a guild.”

“Disadvantages of not belonging to a guild?”

“Yes. The first one is insurance. Do you currently have a researcher’s insurance, Kurashiki-san?”

“N-no.”

“Why?”

“Well, partly because I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had time to think about it… If I get hurt, I have the elixir.”

It seems unlikely that I will have a chance to get to a hospital for my injuries.

“What if you die?”

“If I die, that’s it. I have no dependents.”

I’m solo, not only as an explorer but also in life.

It would be nice to leave some money to my parents, to whom I’ve caused so much trouble by being shut in, but they’re not exactly strapped for cash.

If I tried to give them insurance, they would get angry and tell me not to worry about them.

“What will you do if you get sick and can’t explore anymore?”

“Uh… W-well, I’ve got my savings.”

I don’t know if 13 million yen is enough to prepare for an emergency, but it should be a good amount to feel secure.

“Isn’t explorer insurance expensive? It’s not worth it with the amount of money I make.”

Explorers often get injured because of their profession.

Not only injuries but deaths are not uncommon.

No wonder insurance companies charge high premiums.

“Yes, explorer insurance is expensive, but if you are a competent explorer, you can save some money on your premiums.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is. For example, if you are a level-ranked explorer like the master, the probability of being unnecessarily injured or dying is low based on your ability. Therefore, the rewards will be lower.”

“Oh, I see.”

I nodded,

“But you see, Yuto. There is something that is essential for an explorer who does not belong to a guild to objectively prove his ability. Do you know what it is?”

I thought about Serika’s words for a while.

“…I see… Level.”

“Yes. Insurance requirements are complicated, but if you simplify it to a very simple level, the higher the level, the lower the premium.”

“But didn’t the explorer have the right not to reveal their status?”

“Yes, but if you voluntarily reveal your level in order to get voluntary insurance, it doesn’t mean that you are forced to reveal your status.”

“I heard that in addition to your level, the insurance premium is determined by taking into account the rank of the dungeon you mainly raid, the strength of your party, the frequency of your raids, the guild you belong to, etc.”

“I see. If that’s the case, it’s hard for me to get insurance.

I don’t belong to a guild; I work solo, and my level is 1.

The insurance companies will see me as an explorer with a high mortality rate.

“If you belong to a guild, your insurance premiums will decrease based on your guild’s rank. Also, some guilds offer group insurance.”

“The same goes for Paladin Knights.”

“The insurance company gave us a policy with special good conditions because of our relationship with a person whom Master had helped in the past. I don’t think you’ll find any other guilds that offer such low insurance premiums.”

“The lower insurance premiums are thanks to Hisui-chan’s negotiations, though.”

From the looks of it, Haitani-san seems to be a capable person.

“W-well, let’s say I cover the insurance with my savings…”

I tried to explain, but…

“The insurance is fine. But what are you going to do about the taxes?”

Haitani-san shot her next arrow at me.

“T-taxes? I thought income from dungeons was exempt from taxes?”

“That’s only for income from mana coins dropped by monsters. If you earn income by selling items obtained in the dungeon, you are subject to income tax, just as if you were buying and selling regular goods.”

“Seriously?”

“What’s the point of lying? You have to file a tax return every year.”

“What did you say…?”

“Especially in the case of Kurashiki-san, many of the items you sell are expensive, right? After all, you are the kind of person who distributes Elixir to your acquaintances as if it were a year-end gift.”

“In the first place, Elixir is a government-designated exploration item, so it is forbidden to sell or buy it without permission. But since the exchange of Elixir between explorers who know each other can be handled by the DGP, it is practically overlooked.”

“The National Tax Office and other government agencies are quite upset that explorers are claiming that their income from the dungeon is tax-free. Therefore, if an explorer makes a large monetary transaction outside of the DGP, they will be thoroughly scrutinized by the tax office. Sloppy money management will result in immediate additional taxes.”

“Hyiie…”

I have very little experience as a working adult, and I have never done bookkeeping.

Because I was a shut-in, I even have a questionable understanding of what my social security and health insurance premiums are.

“How are you going to trade for expensive items if you don’t belong to a guild? You run the risk of being taken advantage of and beaten down. Even if you don’t, don’t you know the market price?”

“Ugh.”

“Hisui-chan is brilliant, you know. She always knows the transaction prices of important items. She has secured a number of trustworthy sales channels and is willing to negotiate prices for certain items.”

“That’s all because of Master’s trust.”

“Hisui-chan is also a licensed accountant, so she is very good at taking care of taxes. The guild offers free consultations to all guild members and will also take care of various procedures for you for a small fee.”

“I… is that so? That’s amazing…”

It seems that she was a person with a higher spec than expected.

“That’s what this is all about. What do you think, Kurashiki-san? How about joining us at Paladin Knights?”

To Haitani-san, who only smiles at me at times like this,

“…T-thank you for your help…”

I replied with a voice that sounded like I was trying to squeeze out an answer.