Worthless Skill Escape (WN)

Yes, this is the epilogue, which means it is the end of the novel. Now that the ship has docked, I would like to thank all of you readers who followed this novel. I am truly grateful for your support until the very end. Without your support, I might not have been able to finish translating this novel. I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to seeing you again in other novels!

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TL: ALT

Epilogue

It hasn’t been that long since those turbulent days.

Harukamiya Hayato, who stabbed Tozaki at the Prime Minister’s Office, was arrested only three days ago.

Today is December 24 in Japan.

It’s Christmas Eve.

Huh? Why did I specify “in Japan”?

Because I’m not in Japan right now.

Blue sea, blue sky.

It’s a cliché, but I feel like I’m seeing a place that truly deserves that description for the first time.

The view from the atoll in the Indian Ocean truly looks like a resort.

I’m sorry for my lack of vocabulary, but that’s the only way I can describe it.

“Yuto? What’s wrong?”

The water villa even has its own private pool.

Serika, wearing a swimsuit, peeked out from the pool and called out to me.

The sunlight near the equator reflected off the water, making her wet skin sparkle.

“No, I can’t believe this is real.”

Am I lost in some parallel world that suits me, or am I being attacked by some weird skill that is showing me illusions?

“Come on, don’t say that. Let’s just enjoy this.”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

I got up from the chair I was sitting in and joined Serika in the pool.

Right now, Serika and I are in a villa on an atoll in the Maldives.

I know. You’re wondering why we’re here, right?

After the incident, Japan fell into chaos as expected.

Tozaki’s “strategy” caused a huge uproar, and then there was the attempted assassination of the prime minister by a member of the imperial family.

Furthermore, that imperial family member was also the country’s top explorer.

I took Haruka-san away from there, but the authorities naturally called for me to turn myself in.

After reuniting with Honoka-chan at the Asylum, Haruka-san said she had to take responsibility and go back to the surface.

The Tozaki administration was on the verge of collapse—in fact, it had already collapsed.

Nevertheless, the current lineup will remain in place until the next prime minister is chosen.

Despite being threatened, Haruka-san, who held an important position, said she would fulfill her responsibilities until the end.

Haruka-san’s elf-specific mental symptoms have disappeared. She is not mentally anxious, but the job will still be stressful.

I truly respect Haruka-san for wanting to fulfill her responsibilities, even though she is not obligated to this country.

I’m honored that someone like her and Honoka-chan are interested in me.

I say “too good” just for the sake of saying it, but as long as I have Serika, I don’t want a second or third wife.

…Oops, I got sidetracked.

Haruka-san returned to the surface, but I couldn’t return that easily.

After all, I was an important witness to the attempted assassination of the prime minister by Harukamiya Hayato.

At the time, I thought I might be framed, but that wasn’t the case.

Haruka-san and ECRT’s Todou were watching the situation closely.

Furthermore, the Detailed Appraisal log clearly shows that Hayato attacked Tozaki.

Now that everyone has access to the Detailed Appraisal, there are no more excuses.

I was the one who gave the Detailed Appraisal to all citizens, with some exceptions, so it’s possible that I used some kind of trick.

Still, as the police are conducting the investigation, it’s only natural that they’d want to question me. After all, I was present at the scene and effectively apprehended Harukamiya Hayato.

One could argue that letting me go unpunished for breaking into the Prime Minister’s official residence alone and apprehending the criminal would damage the police’s reputation.

Breaking into the Prime Minister’s official residence without permission is clearly a crime, and there’s no way they can let someone who committed such a blatant crime go free.

As for the “crime” I committed, I was “protecting” the people from another world who came through the gate to this world. They were being used as explorers—in other words, I kidnapped them. This obviously needs to be investigated.

Even if protecting the people from another world was necessary, it’s not up to me to decide. Legally, the proper course of action would be to arrest and prosecute me.

That’s why I decided to “escape.”

That said, I didn’t decide to escape overseas on my own.

If I hadn’t wanted to turn myself in, I could have holed up in the Asylum in the basement of Shinjuku Station. There, I wouldn’t have had to worry about being caught. Therefore, there was no need to go overseas.

The person who came up with the idea for the escape trip to the Maldives was Seiran Natsume.

With the Tozaki administration collapsing and the next one yet to be established, the political world will fall into unprecedented chaos.

Strange political forces may emerge in the process, and it wouldn’t be surprising if there were moves to use the “summoner.”

I’ll arrange a passport for you, so just stay out of Japan until things cool down.

Accepting Seiran’s request—or perhaps the request of people with whom Seiran is in contact behind the scenes—I left Tokyo in mid-December and came to a resort island in the Indian Ocean.

The problem is that Serika has come along, too, for some reason.

I am still an explorer belonging to the “Paladin Knights.”

When we were creating the Asylum, I suggested that it would cause less trouble if I left the guild, but Serika adamantly opposed the idea.

Because I belong to the guild, the “Paladin Knights” have become embroiled in various political issues.

It would be problematic for Serika, the guild master, to leave now, but when she heard about my plan to escape the country, she said, “I’m coming too!”

Haitani-san joined in with her usual tone, saying, “Why don’t you enjoy yourself and relax since it’s your first time abroad? I’m sure you’ll have a great time with Serika-san!” Thus, my trip to the Maldives became my first overseas trip with Serika.

I’m glad she came with me, though.

This was my first time abroad, but Serika had been before.

Plus, unlike me, she’s pretty good at English.

I could have used my language translation skills, but I decided it was okay to take a break from exploring while at the resort.

That said, as soon as we arrived at the atoll, I cleared the small C-rank dungeon and bookmarked it for Dungeon Travel.

This allows me to warp back instantly if anything happens.

However, I’d rather avoid it if possible since it messes up my entry and exit records.

After playing in the pool for a while, we were taken to the villa for dinner.

I watched the sunset over the horizon and the red waves of the Indian Ocean.

The moment was so dreamlike that I wondered if I deserved such luxury.

As we watched the sunset, we sat side by side on a swing-shaped sofa by the pool. We enjoyed the sea breeze and talked about what had happened so far.

That said, Serika did most of the asking, and I answered most of the questions.

“Harukamiya Hayato… Was it the right thing to do?”

Some of the people from another world who took refuge in the Asylum hold a deep grudge against Hayato.

Considering their feelings, attempted murder is too lenient a punishment.

If I hadn’t been there, Tozaki would have died. What Hayato did was tantamount to murder.

It’s more like murder than attempted murder. It doesn’t seem right that he should be let off just because the victim didn’t die.

That said, I don’t think it’s right for me to kill him in the name of divine retribution.

“I think the truth about what happened in the other world will come out. Until now, the entire country has been in a state of unrest due to Tozaki’s strategy. However, I think the situation on the ground will start to become known from now on.”

Haruhara said he wanted to go to the other world to report on it. That sounds like him.”

Being a journalist in another world is probably more dangerous than being a journalist on a battlefield on Earth.

There are many dangers on Earth’s battlefields, but at least journalists are supposed to be off-limits.

However, in another world, Earth’s common sense doesn’t apply.

“He hasn’t done it before, but he seems to have the qualities of an explorer. I think he’ll be fine if he levels up first, but…”

He was my partner in the working world.

“Speaking of another world, Shaina seems troubled.”

She really likes Asylum, but she also hopes to rebuild her homeland in Springraven.

It’s hard to say if the former Kingdom of Ramanna, now effectively a Japanese colony in another world, can become independent.

Even though many reflect on the Tozaki route, there are probably many who don’t want to give up their vested interests.

Even after the strategy was abandoned, many still insist that Tozaki’s approach was not wrong.

“What about Asylum?”

“To be honest, I’m struggling with that. It was supposed to be a temporary refuge…”

What to do with the residents of the Asylum is a difficult question.

I thought that once Tozaki was brought down, the rest could be left to the country to figure out. However, it doesn’t seem like it will be that simple.

Now that the strategy has been canceled, there is a backlash against the policy of accepting immigrants from another world.

There is a growing sentiment that accepting large numbers of people from a different culture who were not born and raised in this country is not a good idea, especially those with the abilities of explorers.

They welcomed them under Tozaki’s banner, but now that he has fallen, they are reluctant to accept them.

The victims of this flip-flop are the people from the other world who were taken in by the Asylum and the general explorer guilds.

“Actually, it’s a nice place to live. If you want, you can live a normal life there. It’s like paradise.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

To eliminate any sense of oppression or claustrophobia, various measures were taken to make the Asylum a very livable space.

The only drawback—the inability to see the sky—was addressed with an illusion magic technique that displayed a three-dimensional sky on the ceiling.

While the inability to see the sky hasn’t been completely overcome, this solution has been well received by nature-loving races like the elves.

Right. Recently, we found a way to make the Dungeon Shrine appear inside the dungeon.

The clue came from the Magatama of the Lost House, which I obtained in the Job World.

This item enables access to the Dungeon Shrine when moving between floors, but it was ineffective in the Skill World until now.

I had the “Lost House’s Magatama” analyzed by the top magicians at the Research Institute, who created a magical device to convert it for use in the Skill World.

After activating the device in the Asylum, I created an opening to the Dungeon Shrine in the dungeon’s backyard.

The god I met seemed more energetic than before.

Public opinion was divided, which weakened the god’s power.

Now that the strategy had been revealed, things were beginning to come together again.

I proposed enshrining the god as the guardian deity of Asylum, to which the god readily agreed.

Asylum is home to people of various faiths, so we don’t force anyone to believe in anything. However, people are naturally beginning to worship the god.

I’ve mostly talked about what I’ve done, but of course, the residents of Asylum have also contributed their wisdom to make Asylum a better place to live.

“I’ve grown quite fond of Asylum myself.”

“Me too.”

During the “Friend Summon” meetings, I sometimes showed Serika and Haitani-san around the Asylum.

It’s only been a short time, but I’ve grown close to Shaina.

“The problem is whether the Japanese government will recognize the Asylum’s existence…”

The Asylum is essentially a “country” with extraterritorial rights within Japan, which is probably not appealing to the government.

They may claim that protecting people from another world is the state’s responsibility and demand that the Asylum’s residents be taken back.

Naturally, some explorers are furious that I took people from another world that they spent a fortune to “buy.”

If they demand the return of their “property,” it’s doubtful the government could legally oppose it.

If public opinion turns against accepting people from another world, there will be calls to send them back.

Now that the immediate threat to people from another world has disappeared, it is difficult to justify an emergency evacuation.

“No matter what the government says, as long as they can’t enter the Asylum, we can just ignore them.”

This may sound anarchic, but I’d like to get along with the government if I could.

However, if they insist on saving face and the situation becomes complicated, it will be problematic.

“I guess we just have to hope for the next prime minister’s political judgment…”

Serika said.

“Seiran-san is doing his best, but I wonder how it will turn out. It’s unlikely that he will actually be able to decide who the next prime minister will be.”

I told Seiran-san that I wanted him to choose the next prime minister, but I didn’t really think he could.

Seiran-san certainly has political influence, but it seems that it’s not the only factor deciding everything.

Personally, I thought I could minimize the political turmoil when Tozaki’s misconduct was exposed.

“First of all, I can’t think of any politician I would want to see in this position. Well, maybe that’s always the case…”

Is it too cynical to say that Japanese politics are always like this, not just in this case?

“It would be nice if there were someone worthy of entrusting the fate of the people of Asylum to.”

I repeated my foolish complaint over and over again.

“Why doesn’t Yuto just take the position?”

Serika suddenly said.

“What? As a politician?”

“No, I mean you should become the king of the Asylum. If Yuto suddenly declared the Asylum independent, no one could do anything about it.”

“Well, that’s true…”

No one could invade the territory, so even if other countries said they wouldn’t recognize it, it wouldn’t hurt us.

There would be a risk of economic sanctions, but there are plenty of ways around that.

“There are microstates like the Vatican, Monaco, and San Marino. Even if a country called Asylum were established inside a dungeon, Japan wouldn’t lose any territory.”

“…I guess so.”

Generally, a dungeon’s interior is considered part of the territory of the country in which it is located.

However, the dungeon’s interior is often beyond the government’s reach.

As long as monsters keep spawning there, it’s basically abandoned, as there’s no other use for it besides exploration.

Moreover, Asylum isn’t part of the dungeon’s normal interior space.

It’s an area built in the dungeon’s back region, which is usually off-limits.

“Maybe we could sell commemorative stamps to make a living?”

“Haha. That’s not a bad idea, but seriously, Yuto can easily craft items in the dungeon, right? Exporting those alone would be a huge source of income.”

“Yeah, you’re right. We could also publish some of the research department’s research results related to dungeons and get patents.”

If we try to do it within the framework of Japanese law, there will probably be a lot of hassle with regulations and politics.

If we establish an independent country, however, we won’t have to worry about unnecessary interference.

“How will we secure food and daily necessities?”

We’re experimenting with agriculture inside the Asylum, but it won’t be possible right away.

Daily necessities, especially the manufacturing of precision equipment such as smartphones and computers, will be impossible within the Asylum.

“We’ll have to negotiate that with the Japanese government. In the meantime, it would be better to stock up on essential supplies.”

“I can go out and buy them secretly, but the population is becoming a problem.”

If the country can’t function without me, then it isn’t a proper country.

Should the shopping team be equipped with “stealth” and other skills?

No. If we’re going to establish the Asylum as a country, we need to avoid illegal activities.

“Will the Japanese government agree to negotiate?”

“They might reject it at first, but in the end, they’ll have no choice. With the threat to their national security, they can’t afford to make Yuto their enemy.”

“If it comes down to it, we can always threaten them with Kudave.”

But if I summon him for something like that, Kudave might get upset.

“All right, it’s getting dark, so let’s summon him.”

The sun has set, so no one will see us.

I summoned Kudave to the side of the villa facing the sea.

“Huh? Are there any enemies?”

The divine dragon, appearing for the first time in a long while, looked around in confusion.

“There aren’t any enemies, but since I came all this way, I thought you might want to come too.”

“I see. What a beautiful place. I didn’t know such a place existed in this world.”

“Just try not to be too intimidating.”

“Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve seen that girl. You and Yuto seem very close.”

“Long time no see, Kudave-san. Yuto and I are in love, so don’t interfere, okay?”

“Oh, I apologize. Since I’m here, I’ll fly around the area. I haven’t had a chance to stretch my wings lately.”

“Sorry for summoning you.”

I thought I might need to summon Kudave when I fought Harukamiya Hayato, but I ended up not needing to.

I felt bad that I hadn’t had a chance to summon him recently.

“It’s good to do this once in a while. Even warriors need a break.”

Kudave said this as he filled his massive wings with air and soared into the sky.

“It’s getting a bit chilly.”

“You’re right.”

Even in the tropical paradise of the South Seas, it gets chilly once the sun sets.

Serika leaned against me.

“…What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just that we haven’t spent much time together lately…”

“Oh, I see.”

“Weren’t you lonely, Yuto?”

“I wasn’t in the mood for that.”

“I think that’s when you’re supposed to say you were lonely…”

“No, I was actually lonely. More than lonely… I don’t know. I just really wanted to hold Serika. What am I saying?”

“It’s okay. You can hold me as much as you want.”

“Okay.”

I put my arms around Serika’s shoulders and waist, lifting her up.

“Kya!”

“Let’s talk about the rest inside.”

“Talking is nice, but I want to do something else…”

In the darkness, Serika’s moist eyes reflected the lighting of the villa and sparkled.

“Let’s do both. We have plenty of time.”

“It’s like a dream…”

Serika wrapped her arms around my neck and clung to me.

“Me too.”

I carried her into the villa and slowly laid her down on the oversized bed.

“You’re getting good at carrying girls.”

“That’s thanks to you, Serika.”

I’ve carried Serika before when she was drunk, but the farthest I’ve ever carried anyone was Honoka-chan. If I’m used to it, it’s because of my experience carrying her.

“Ah, you’re thinking about Honoka-chan, aren’t you?”

“You’re the one who brought it up.”

“I guess I’m pretty jealous.”

“That’s not surprising at all.”

Serika has waited for me all this time.

Even I, who am insensitive to such things, can understand the strength and weight of her feelings.

The first forest dungeon I ever entered was near my parent’s house, but when I think about it, the location is not particularly significant.

It’s full of childhood memories for Serika and me, but that’s all.

Why did a dungeon form there?

Maybe because of Serika’s “wish”?

I can’t help but think that.

“If you say you were disappointed later, it’ll be too late.”

“You’re too insecure, Yuto. Do I look like the type who would say that?”

“No, you don’t.”

“Then it’s okay.”

“I love you, Serika.”

“I love you, too, Yuto.”

I climbed onto the bed and covered her with my body. I gently touched her lips with mine.

What happened after that… It’s too embarrassing to talk about.

“Hey,”

Serika pulled the sheets up to her chest and said.

“What?”

“If I get too heavy… please escape, okay?”

“I won’t escape.”

“It’s okay. If you feel like you can’t breathe, escape. I’m probably pretty possessive.”

“But—”

“In return, don’t be shy. If you feel suffocated, escape to protect yourself. That’s all. If you want to come back, do so without hesitation. I’ll think about how to keep our distance.”

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind. I don’t think I’ll ever dislike Serika.”

“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever hate you either. But I don’t think you like being tied down.”

“Thanks. You really understand me.”

Having someone who understands you better than you understand yourself is a miracle.

With Serika by my side, I won’t be trapped. Instead, I’ll be able to fight or escape with confidence when I need to.

I’ll be able to provide refuge for someone who’s been cornered.

I mustn’t forget that I would have been doomed if the dungeon hadn’t appeared.

Anyone can fall into a hole from which there is no escape.

Perhaps there will never be a world without such dead ends.

Like cleverly hidden pitfalls, dangerous traps lurk everywhere in life.

Even if things seem to be going well now, it’s almost impossible to know what will happen in the future.

That’s why we must escape before all hope is lost.

I want to escape with Serika, who is smiling in front of me, and never let her go.

Serika will surely follow me.

No matter how good I am at escaping, I can’t do it without her.

“I’ll never let you go.”

I gripped Serika’s hand tightly.

‘Special condition fulfilled. Your unique skill, ‘Escape,’ has reached its maximum level.’

Congratulations!!! ────────────

Special condition fulfilled: “Raise a unique skill to level 4 or higher and overcome the limits of your soul.”

Reward: The unique skill’s level has reached its maximum value of 6.

────────────────────

“The usage conditions for ‘S. Lv2 Escape from Reality’ are invalid.”

“S. Lv. 2 Escape from Reality” can no longer be used.

Skill:

Escape:

S.Lv. 1 Escape from Combat

[Unusable] S.Lv. 2: Escape from Reality.

S.Lv. 3: Escape from difficulty.

S.Lv. 4: Escape from the current location.

S.Lv5 Skipped

S.Lv. 6: Escape while holding hands.

[NEW!] S. Lv. 6: Escape while holding hands.

Escape to a world just for the two of you with the person you’re holding hands with. From there, you can return to any point in time or location in the original world. However, you cannot go back to a point before either of you were born.

Usage conditions:

………………

…………

……

“Hey, another crazy ability has appeared.”

It seems like my exploration still has a long way to go.

“With the Useless Skill ‘Escape,’ I Aim to Become the Strongest While Staying at the Lowest Possible Level ~ The Story of How Experience Suppression and Staying at Level 1 Caused My Skill Points to Inflate Like Crazy and Let Me Unlock Unlimited Skills~”

――FIN.――

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