“That won’t do.” [Willieris]

Willieris-sama stopped her.

“Sheesh, it’s just for a little. He came all the way out here. It would be a waste if we didn’t take this opportunity. Besides, if it’s here, then he won’t get hurt.” [Kirillel]

“No. Right now, Ryouma-kun might look like a human, but he’s actually nothing more than a soul.　You may not be able to hurt his body here, but you can definitely hurt his soul. That is far worse. One step wrong and he’ll be an invalid. If you really want to do it, we should get Tekun to make him some equipment and consult with Fernoberia first.” [Willieris]

Willieris-sama seemed so peaceful just a moment ago, but all of the sudden, she wasn’t willing to take a step back. In response to that, Kirillel-sama openly showed her reluctance.

To be honest, I also don’t want to turn into an invalid due to an accident…

“Tekun. Fine. But talking to Fernoberia is a pain… Besides, there’s no way he’d cooperate…” [Kirillel]

“How about you teach him the Intimidate skill instead?　Ryouma-kun, didn’t you say that you didn’t know how to use it?” [Rurutia]

“Yes. It didn’t work against the bandits, and I couldn’t use it when I wanted to.” [Ryouma]

“What do you think?” [Rurutia]

“As long as it’s just talking,” Willieris-sama nodded.

“I think it’ll be easier to learn it in practice, but I’ll be coming here from now on anyway, so I can just continue our lesson when we meet again next time. Honestly, though, the Intimidate skill is a difficult skill to learn for you.” [Kirillel]

“What do you mean?” [Ryouma]

Are my abilities lacking?

“It’s the opposite. Normally, someone as skilled as you should naturally be able to use it already. The Intimidate skill urges the instinctual fear and wariness of a target. Someone sufficiently skilled at it can use it to suppress his foes or use it to feint. It’s something expected of in a battle between experts.

…But you’re already skilled enough and can even use it properly when fighting. It’s just that when you don’t feel like doing it, you can’t do it at all. In that regard, those thugs whose voices are just loud are actually better off than you.” [Kirillel]

The Intimidate skill can be learned just by threatening others. But the level gained in such a case is only about 1 or 2.

“Right… Think about it like this. There’s a huge man in front of you. The man is crouching and shaking. He’s crying and sobbing loudly. All of the sudden, he goes and says that he’s going to kill you! Will you find that person scary?” [Kirellel]

“…Not really. No. If anything, I might find him creepy.” [Ryouma]

“Exactly. When it comes to scaring someone, words alone aren’t enough. Your actions and thoughts need to work alongside your threat or your Intimidate skill won’t work.” [Kirillel]

I see… So, how does that translate to my situation?　I don’t think it’s my body that’s at fault. I did it resolutely back then. And I also have experience succeeding with the skill before. Admittedly though, it’s a bit wonky. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

“In your case, it’s probably an issue with your mindset.” [Kirillel]

A problem with my mindset…

“You were originally Japanese, right?　Those guys who are always going ‘Let’s put down our weapons and talk!’　’If we talk, we should be able to understand each other!'” [Kirillel]

“…That’s a rather prejudiced view, Kirillel-sama. It’s true that Japan is often said to be safer than other countries, but…” [Ryouma]

“Oh really?　There were actually a lot of people like that among the Japanese that came here.” [Kirillel]

“There were a lot? …Wait, you mean there have been a lot of Japanese who came here before?” [Ryouma]

“Remember what we said earlier about choosing people according to a criteria? Well, we had a tendency to pick Japanese people more often.” [Rurutia]

“Of course there were people other than the Japanese too.” [Willieris]

“Most of them either adapted to this world or just looked away, but there were also those who died without fighting. I don’t get it, but they were pretty amazing in their own way.” [Kirillel]

There were people like that too? Oops, we’re digressing. Let’s get back on topic.

“So basically there are all sorts of people in Japan, but basically, it’s a safe country, right?” [Rurutia]

“Yes.” [Ryouma]

“As someone who’s lived in a safe country like that for many years, did you frequently intimidate others intentionally?” [Kirillel]

“…No, right?” [Willieris]

Although there were a lot of people who were afraid of the way I looked, I never intentionally tried to scare others.

If anything, because they were scared of me, I did my best to avoid scaring them.

But despite trying so hard, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough…

“And that’s why. It’s become a habit for you. You can use it when you really need it or when you actually mean what you say, but… While you may not realize it, you have a tendency to hold back or stop halfway through. In other words, you’re messed up.” [Kirillel]

As one might expect, I was concerned when she said that, but before I could say anything, Willieris-sama and Rurutia glared at Kirillel sharply. Apparently, they found her words to be improper.

“Anyway, that’s what we mean by it being a mindset issue.” [Rurutia]

The atmosphere started to become awkward, so Rurutia changed the topic. Because of that I couldn’t pursue the issue. It’s a concerning topic, but I think I’ll just ask about it again next time when an opportunity presents itself again.

“Mental stuff like that aren’t my specialty, you know? In the words of your homeworld, I suppose you could say… You’re in need of counseling?　I’ve never done something like that. And even if I could, it would take a lot of time. Besides, I’m way better at getting physical than talking… The same goes for my teaching.” [Kirillel]

Tl Note: Just to clarify, the releases aren’t getting shorter. I standardized the parts like a month or so ago, and they’re mostly 900 to 1000 words. This one is at 1007 words. The reason there have been more parts lately is because the RAW chapters have been getting longer. Since the parts are standardized now, more chapter parts is actually a good thing, as that means there’s more story to read. Just thought I’d throw that out there.

“You can’t.” [Willieris]

“I know, I know… Honestly, I’m at a loss myself. Well, why don’t you just keep trying at it? Maybe you’ll figure it out yourself eventually?” [Kirillel]

“So there’s no shortcut, huh? All I can do is to keep on training?” [Ryouma]

“Anyway, that’s how it is. That body of yours still has a lot of potential to grow, so if you want to become stronger, you have plenty of time.” [Kirillel]

Indeed. This body is still in its tens. It’s unlikely that I would actually meet the end of my lifespan in just 10 or 20 years.

I also plan on continuing to hunt the bandits… Oh, right.

“Can the bandits that I catch be rehabilitated?” [Ryouma]

I was thinking of praying for those guys I caught. When I remembered that, I asked the goddesses about it.

But they all wore a difficult expression.

“Unfortunately, a person that has committed a crime has a high probability of committing a crime again. Especially, those who committed acts of banditry. Their guilds expel them, and they won’t be able to register again even after being released, making it hard for them to find a job. Of course, it’s not impossible to find work without a guild, but most jobs are taken through the guild since it’s a much more reliable method of finding decent people than just judging people based on their looks…” [Rurutia]

“Unlike Japan, there’s also a strong sense of ‘Protect yourself with your own body’ here. There aren’t many who would hire a former convict.” [Kirillel]

“I hear you hire the people of the slums, but even those people don’t have it easy. Although they haven’t committed any crimes, just the possibility makes it hard for others to consider them.” [Willieris]

” I can relate…” [Ryouma]

It’s a story I can sympathize with.

I can also understand the feelings of the employers.

Just thinking about the possible damages to the other staff after hiring a strange person gives me the chills.

But…

A bitter memory flashed through my mind.

“…Rurutia. This might be a stupid question, but what if I provided more opportunities for former convicts to be hired? Do you think that would make things better?　We have plans to increase my branch stores. Although we currently only have three managers whom we’re raising, as the store continues to go well in the next few years, the number of managers and stores we have should also increase. When that time comes, we’ll need to hire a lot of employees.” [Ryouma]

“…It would still depend on how much they regret their actions and how much they want to change. Also, how much they can endure the prejudice that people hold against them. But just having the opportunity to find employment should make it easier for them to be corrected.” [Rurutia]

“There’s no reason for you to go that far.” [Kirillel]

Kirillel-sama is correct. There’s no doubt about that.

“Is there a reason why you think that way?” [Willieris]

“My past… Willieris, don’t you know about it?” [Ryouma]

“I don’t believe so.” [Willieris]

“Me too. The decision which otherworlder to pick is left to Rurutia and the others. The only thing we know is what Rurutia tells us and what we’ve personally seen from your life here in this world. It would take a lot of time otherwise if we had to remember every otherworlder’s life from start to finish.” [Kirillel]

I thought all the gods knew about my life, but now that she mentions it, I guess it makes sense.

“A lot of things happened when I was young.” [Ryouma]

That was my first year being a company employee. I bought some stuff at a convenience store on my way back home, but it was already midnight then. At that time, I happened upon a group of three muggers.

They entered the convenience store carrying guns and fired at the ceiling. The three muggers laughed as they asked the customers inside the store – including me – to bring out our wallets. They also ordered the clerks at the counter to take out the money.

The three muggers were all men and had hidden their faces. They laughed from start to finish. It was as if they were playing a game, almost as if they were intoxicated or something. Maybe they were, maybe they weren’t, but one thing was for sure, they weren’t in the right mind of thinking.

Frightened, the clerks started preparing the money, but they were so scared that they tumbled about and dropped the change. When the three saw that, they spoke in that same frivolous tone they had from the start.

“Hurry it up.” [Mugger 1]

“What? Are you trying to resist?” [Mugger 2]

“Trying to buy some time?” [Mugger 3]

After saying that they took the conversation into a disturbing turn, and then suddenly, as if one of them just thought of it, one of them pointed his gun at a woman.

“Okay! That’s too bad! But I guess I’ll have to teach you a lesson~!”

As soon as I heard that, my body moved.

Although I didn’t believe they were in their right mind, I knew that the man was serious.

All of their attention was focused on the woman.

It was as if they were watching an interesting show. They weren’t paying attention at all to their surroundings.

I knew they wouldn’t be able to notice me if I moved.

The result was obvious. But in the process, the arm that the three thieves were using to hold their guns respectively were all broken. One had his organs ruptured, one had his skull fractured, and one suffered damage to his subclavian artery. As a result, I was accused of excessive self-defense.

…I still remember the shock of the cops when they arrived and the confusion and fear in all the eyes that gathered on me.

What’s more is that my time in jail was extended…

1. Everyone possessed a real gun, but I was barehanded.

2. After investigations, it was found out that the men had taken drugs.

3. After entering the store, there was a high probability of them shooting at the woman.

4. There were three of them, so if I just disarmed them, there was a high probability that they would be able to fight back. It was decided that the situation was not one where I could have held back.

5. Although I inflicted heavy injuries on the assailants, the only attacks I made were either a blow to the arm holding the gun or to the head or the body.

6． After the attack, I immediately contacted the cops and asked that they contact the hospital. I also performed as much first aid as possible.

7． The whole thing was caught on camera, so the people in authority were able to judge that only the least force needed was taken.

8． Other than that, there was also the testimony of the clerks and the customers in the store.

Because of the above eight reasons mentioned, the court decided that the actions I took were taken in legitimate self-defense.

But while I was able to get off legally, that wasn’t the end of the story.

Word of my actions had spread throughout the country. By the time I was released, people were doing as they pleased and memories of the actual event were starting to fade. A group of three armed muggers were taken out by an unarmed man. Moreover, the armed muggers were all wounded heavily.

“I know my son did something bad, but he didn’t deserve to be hurt this much!”

“If a hospital wasn’t nearby, he might have died!”

At first the public treated me like a hero, but then the media sought out the family of the assailants to get an uncensored interview. The elderly family cried in front of the camera and pleaded. In the following days, the internet and the weekly publications made a big deal out of it, but at the time, there was no way for me to know about the state of society.

“By the time I came back to work again, I no longer had a place where I belonged.” [Ryouma]

The reason was although I was able to save people, everyone else just saw me as someone who tried to murder three people.

The senpais and coworkers that treated me warmly before no longer approached me.

Bad rumors started to spread around about a criminal who was able to live carefree without receiving justice.

Although the topic died out in society as a whole, with the subject of that topic right before their eyes, it wasn’t as easy for it to die out in the company.

And then less than one week after I started going back to work, my boss and I were called by the company director.

“It seems you intend to continue working for our company, but… I won’t say anything bad. This must be tough on you too. You should resign and find another path. …You have overdue work as well, right?　I believe this is the greatest contribution you can make for our company.”

When my boss at the time heard that, he prostrated himself before the director.

But the director paid him no heed, and in the end, he said that the one to make the decision would be me.

Just that…

“The one who would take responsibility in the case of losses, as well as receive the dissatisfaction of your coworkers is the person who kept you from leaving.”

“In other words, the boss beside me… He was a really good person.” [Ryouma]

He bowed his head to clean up after the mess his subordinate made. He voiced out his opinion when someone above him gave an absurd order. Although he was really strict at work, he was a reliable and respectable person.

The reason why I wasn’t fired immediately after being detained, the person who pleaded for me to be released on bail, that was all him.

He was a doting father who would always show me the picture of his three children as if they were his treasures.

“That director is such a jerk… He could have just fired you if he wanted to. That would have been easier than doing things in such a roundabout way like he did.” [Kirillel]

“According to Japanese law, my actions were legitimate self-defense. The company can’t use the incident as an excuse to dismiss me. That’s why they needed me to retire on my own to be able to get rid of me.” [Ryouma]

It’s what is referred to as ‘Encouraged Resignation’. Of course, I could ignore it and stay in the company, but the people around me will remain hostile and unhappy. I hated that atmosphere, but that person accepted me. He encouraged me. That’s why I was thinking of paying him back by working hard.

But… Even my benefactor’s position started to be at a risk. The company was not loathe to such behavior.

As such, my resignation was decided after I left the room.

“Thank you for everything until now.” [Ryouma]

Those were the words I said to him in the end, but he appeared to be full of regrets and apologetic. Still, somewhere deep inside, he seemed to be relieved. I caused him so much trouble, after all. It was only a given.

“I looked for another job after that, but I resigned too quickly after employment, so I had to explain why I resigned. Because of that I just kept getting rejected. Before dying, I somehow managed to find work, but… My experience at the time was just like that of a former convict. It’s a bit late to be thinking about it now, though.”

The body I forged and the techniques I mastered were powerless before the laws and opinion of society.

I didn’t think I was wrong back then. And even now that hasn’t changed.

But it was also true that I heavily injured those people, so I thought it couldn’t be helped for others to treat me differently.

That was the result of my actions. I had to accept it.

But still, I regretted it.

…The actions of the bandits are no different. They have to be judged, and then atone for their crimes.

I don’t like the behavior of the men yesterday and I don’t feel like employing them.

But what about after they atone for their crimes?　What if they have a change of heart?

If they’ve really had a change of heart, then wouldn’t it be fine to give them a second chance.

At least that’s what I think.

“And that’s why you’re going to hire them.” [Willieris]

“No. I haven’t decided that yet… First of all, unlike the slum people, they have actually committed a crime. Although they’re former convicts, deciding to hire them on my own won’t do. Not only is there the issue of risk management, I would also be ignoring my current employees. That’s why if I’m going to be hiring them, I will have to interview them first, explain to the employees, bow my head, and then get them to agree.

I could also have the former convicts tend to a new store instead, but before anything else, I first need to confirm: 1. What crimes they’ve committed. 2. Why they committed them. 3. And if they’re planning to turn over a new leaf. There are all sorts of crimes too…” [Ryouma]

For example, although those bandits were cowards, they knew enough to avoid killing someone. I spoke quite a bit with one of them, and I think there might be room for rehabilitation. But there are people who don’t think anything of committing crimes… An extreme example would be someone who enjoys killing people. Those type of people are definitely out of the question. I’ll limit my former convict employees to those who I feel have reflected over their actions and have turned over a new leaf. Maybe I’ll limit the acceptable crimes to just misdemeanors too.

“I should probably get someone else to handle the interviews too… I’m too biased toward the former convicts.” [Ryouma]

“…I get what you want to say, but… Seriously. You’re such a busybody. Just when I thought you’d made a clean decision to hand the bandits over to the guards, you’re suddenly thinking of what to do after they’re let out.” [Kirillel]

That might be true.

I gave them up to the guards and now I’m thinking of helping them.

If someone wants to say that my actions are contradictory, I have no words to refute with.

But that’s what it means to be human.

Humans have always been doing things as they please, just doing whatever is convenient for them.

And I too am one of those humans.

“This is this and that is that.” [Ryouma]

“Isn’t it fine? You’re in the position to do so anyway. Moreover, no matter what the reason is, looking back on your actions and reflecting, and then thinking about other people isn’t a bad thing. But you shouldn’t saddle yourself with so much.” [Willieris]

“Thank you very much, Willieris-sama… For the mean time, I think I’ll talk about this incident with my assistant-manager.” [Ryouma]

Whether I go through with it or not, everything starts from there.

Now that I think about it… It has already been over half a year since I spent three years in that forest after coming to this world and left for town. I now have an objective. To go to the Great Shurus Forest and retrieve the inheritance of my grandmother. But to that end, I need to be a C Ranker first. Although I’m taking it one step at a time, I am progressing with my preparations. If I manage to prepare everything early, I should be able to go next year.

But after that, then what?　What reason am I living for?　What will I use my money and power for?

I don’t want to keep working without a goal just so I can keep on making a living.

Although my environment and work are different, what I’m doing won’t be different from my previous life.

It won’t be long before I spend my fifth year in this world, and yet I still don’t have a long-term goal.

But as vague as it may be, if possible, I’d like to use my abilities for something that would be useful to others.

“…In Japan, there’s a saying ‘if there is a god who will abandon you, then there will also be a god who will pick you up [1].’ If there’s someone who will abandon others in this world, then there will also be someone who will save others…” [Ryouma]

Rurutia and the others picked me. That’s why I’m here today.

I’m able to spend my days happily now. That was an unthinkable thing back in my previous life.

“That’s why I want to thank you.” [Ryouma]

“Ryouma-kun…” [Rurutia]

“I don’t know what will happen to me in the future, but I too would like to be on the side of taking others in…” [Ryouma]

As I said those words from the bottom of my hears, that usual gentle light began to cover me.

“Out of time, huh. Alright. I’ll be off then.” [Ryouma]

“Yes. Do your best.” [Rurutia]

“I pray that fortune will grace you. Next time, I’ll introduce my husband to you.” [Willieris]

“I’ll watch over you from time to time too. Someday let’s have a match.” [Kirillel]

“Thank you very mu—” [Ryouma]

“Da!” [Kirillel]

When I was about to thank the two goddesses, Kirillel-sama suddenly yelled.

“You’re too stiff!” [Kirillel]

“Ryouma-kun, haven’t you had enough time to get used to us yet?” [Willieris]

…I understand.

“Thank you. Willieris. Kirillel.” [Ryouma]

“Now that’s more like it!” [Killieris]

“Fu fu fu. Do take care until the next time we meet.” [Willieris]

“Wait a moment!　How come you didn’t call my name—” [Rurutia]

My consciousness went back to my body…

[1] – This is the same ‘pick up’ as in the title. I wrote it this way to give the title nod, but another way to put is ‘take in’. So the sentence will read as: In Japan, there’s a saying ‘if there is a god who will abandon you, then there will also be a god who will take you in[1].’

Tl Note: Looking at it now, perhaps ‘The Man the Gods Took in’ or ‘The Man Adopted by the Gods’ or ‘The Man Saved by the Gods’ might actually be better titles.

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