Konbini Ossan Volume 3 Chapter 33 — The Calculator and the Old Man
The day after returning from the dungeon. I finally decided to attempt an “experiment” with «Calculator».
I had long taken an interest in Arisa’s skill, «Calculator». But its potential applications were so broad that I hadn’t been able to pin down a concrete use.
However, during the recent dungeon expedition, I gained a much clearer understanding of its capabilities.
So now I’m ready to test out a method I’d been considering for some time.
“What exactly are you planning to do?”
I called Arisa over and had her meet me behind the shop.
While I began inscribing magic circles on the ground one after another, I explained the outline of the experiment.
“It’s simple and natural. Arisa, you already know I’ve been studying enchantment magic for quite a while, don’t you?”
“Yeah. Thanks to that, old man, you’ve been able to develop all sorts of magic tools, right?”
“Exactly. By applying my skills to various items, I can produce magic tools that would normally be impossible to develop, and at low cost.
…
That’s why my shop has been gaining both profit and reputation.”
It all started with magic stones for illumination. Now I handle a wide variety of goods, including chilled liquor.
Before long, I plan to use the orichalcum I recently obtained to produce weapons and armor aimed at wartime demand.
But this time, I’ll be using enchantment magic from a different angle than product development.
“As you can see from that history, enchantment magic can also bestow skills.”
“Well yeah, that’s obvious enough. But what are you getting at?”
“«Calculator» is a skill, isn’t it?”
At that, Arisa’s eyes widened as though realizing something.
“Old man, don’t tell me—!”
“Yes. I intend to try granting your Calculator to myself through enchantment magic.”
It’s a simple, natural choice. I prepare the magic circle with my enchantment magic, and Arisa activates it.
In doing so, her Calculator becomes temporarily available to me.
The downside is that skills bestowed upon living beings with metabolism eventually peel off with time.
But that’s fine. Even a short while with Calculator would be more than enough.
I have countless so-called useless skills.
And above all, I’ve been continuously recording everything with «Complete Record» since arriving in this world, amassing a vast trove of information.
Information so immense my mind could never process it on its own. But if «Calculator» could handle it all…
The answers produced might be beyond anything I can even imagine.
“But hey, old man. Are you sure this is safe? Calculator’s a skill the goddess herself granted me, right?
…
Isn’t it dangerous to try and bestow something like that?”
Looks like Arisa’s realized the same possibility.
“You’re right. There is a danger in granting someone a cheat skill. The skill is so overwhelmingly strong that its bearer might have had their soul or body altered by the goddess to handle it.”
“Then you shouldn’t do it! That’s too risky!”
“Yes. It’s certainly risky, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else. But the potential gains are enormous — so much so that the benefit is practically guaranteed.
…
Meanwhile, the dangers of bestowing a cheat skill remain only a possibility, and the degree of risk is unknown.
…
As long as it doesn’t kill me instantly, the attempt is well worth it.”
And the chance of instant death is very low. If the goddess’s alteration of body or soul had such severe side effects, they would be visible.
Yet in Arisa’s case, no visible change has appeared. That means the risk of a cheat skill causing instant death is extremely unlikely.
“But still, old man. You admit the chance of instant death isn’t zero, right?”
“Well, that’s true. But if we’re being honest, isn’t adventuring itself the same? Just the other day, the abnormal incident in the dungeon carried plenty of risk.
…
Dangerous gambles will be part of my life from here on. I don’t see why I should shy away from this one alone.”
Hearing my reasoning, Arisa frowned but stayed quiet. Looks like she’s accepted it — reluctantly.
While we talked, I finished drawing the magic circle. Now all that remained was for Arisa to activate it.
“All right, Arisa. Please.”
“Tch. Fine, fine! I’ll do it!”
Grumbling like she’d had enough, Arisa agreed.
I stood in the designated spot. Arisa placed her hand on the circle and poured in magic power.
The enchantment activated, releasing light. The glow seeped from the magic circle and soon engulfed me. My body was wrapped in radiance, and then…
My consciousness suddenly cut out.
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E/N:
That was one hell of a gamble! Stay tuned!
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