CH 109

Chapter 109 – <Link> Skill

“B-Bouchi-kun… what do we do?” Totoki asked me uneasily.

“What do you mean? Isn’t this a good thing? This means your little sister has powers.” (Bouchi)

“B-But… What kind of power?” (Koine)

I was curious about that, too. But there was no way of knowing this unless the person themselves said what it was.

…No, if I used the [Appraisal Looking-Glass], then perhaps…

I took the [Appraisal Looking-Glass], which I always carried, out of my pocket.

“Bouchi-kun, what’s that?” (Koine)

“I bought it from a merchant at a great cost.” (Bouchi)

“A merchant?” (Koine)

“He’s a guy who sells mysterious tools. It’s possible to get some useful things from him for a certain amount of money. This is called an [Appraisal Looking-Glass]. If you look through it, you can find out the name, rank, and strength of monsters. Of course, it works on humans as well, not just monsters.” (Bouchi)

“D-Does such a person really exist on Earth?” (Koine)

Well, of course she’d have such doubts.

“That merchant is most likely a skill user, which is why he can make those mysterious tools.” (Koine)

“…! I see, that’s certainly one way to think of it.” (Aika)

“Right. That flying book is also one of those things then!”

I wonder if that’s convincing enough?

When everyone quieted down, I looked at Mahina through the [Appraisal Looking-Glass].

“……..I see.” (Bouchi)

“….Please tell us, Bouchi-kun.” (Koine)

It was their little sister. It was natural for them to want to know. I didn’t plan to keep quiet about it either.

“The skill’s name is—<Link>.” (Bouchi)

“Link…? Like connecting things together?” (Koine)

“Probably.” (Bouchi)

While everyone had their attention on Mahina, I used the <Shop> skill and checked the detailed description of the <Link> skill, which appeared in the list of products.

The reason why Mahina was able to communicate with Ior and Yofel suddenly became clear to me.

“Uhh, B-Bouchi-kun?” (Koine)

“Hm? What’s the matter?” (Bouchi)

“Can I also take a look through that thing?” (Koine)

“…Here you go.” (Bouchi)

“Thanks. Wow… It really is written there.” (Koine)

“Really? Can I see it too, Bouchi-kun?” (Aika)

I gave Totoki’s older sister my permission, also allowing her to take a look through the [Appraisal Looking-Glass].

“….It’s really true. It also shows the status of the subject. To think there was such a handy thing…” (Aika)

Totoki’s older sister looked a bit dizzy, perhaps because the reality she perceived as common sense was constantly being defied before her eyes. If I were in her shoes, I’d probably feel the same.

“This <Link> skill most likely allows her to literally form a link or connection of some sort and communicate with other people.” (Bouchi)

Immediately after the world underwent its transformation, there were people who were bestowed skills. But that didn’t necessarily mean they would become aware of it. There were people like Mahina out there, who didn’t know what the word ‘skill’ meant.

That was probably why there was a system that went out of its way to let people know that they had a skill. If there was such a system, I felt like it would have been better to let people know from the very beginning, but I didn’t know the details of the situation. I didn’t even know who was bestowing these skills in the first place.

For now, I had to accept that this was the best understanding I could come to at the moment.

“Uh, so Mahina’s ability is that she can talk to anyone?” (Koine)

“Well, it’s something along those lines, I guess?” (Bouchi)

That was what the description in the <Shop> said. But of course, that wasn’t all.

Surprisingly, if this <Link> skill was mastered, it was apparently possible to communicate with monsters and even share their five senses. In other words, even if Mahina was right here, for example, she could perceive the sights and smells of those far away.

Although it wasn’t a combat skill, it could be a powerful support ability depending on how it was used.

“That said, I wouldn’t say it’s a very strong skill. It’s great for interpreting though.” (Bouchi)

“Hmmm. But onee-chan, isn’t this for the better? If Mahina had a combat ability, then, well…” (Koine)

“Yeah, that’s true. It’s a very friendly and sociable skill. It’s very like Mahina.” (Aika)

This <Link> skill… It was a useful ability to have on hand. If I could share the perception of one of my Familiars, like Sol, who was in charge of gathering intel, I could see the exact sights that she was seeing.

This would allow me to broaden the usage of the [Copy Doll] and avoid the trouble of using a [Camera Marker] to monitor it. It was a skill that I wanted to acquire if possible.

But it was really expensive… It cost ¥500,000,000.

It seemed that the cost of a common skill was set at ¥500,000,000. Unique skills were three times that amount, at ¥1.5 billion.

It wasn’t that easy to obtain. I had to earn more money.

Right. Now wasn’t the time to be sitting around. Besides, I still had to discuss with Yofel and Ior about the future.

“It’s about time for us to head out.” (Bouchi)

“Eh? …You’re leaving already?” Totoki said, sounding let down.

But there were no benefits to sticking around here. Well, acquiring Mahina’s skill was a pleasant miscalculation.

“U-Ummm, Bouchi-kun… We can see each other again, right…?” (Koine)

“Who knows? I’m pretty busy.” (Bouchi)

“Busy? What are you up to?” (Koine)

“It’s obvious. The world is like this, you know? I have tons of things I have to do to survive.” (Bouchi)

“I see… That’s true.” (Koine)

“You too… If you want to protect Mahina and don’t want to die, you’ll have to use your head. Well, that goes for you, too.” (Bouchi)

I turned my gaze to Totoki’s older sister.

“Right. This time was a rash decision on my part. I’ll reflect on that.” (Aika)

It wasn’t like I didn’t understand her desire to go visit their father’s grave. Under circumstances like these when you never knew when you were going to die, it was natural for them to want to visit their father’s grave at least once.

If I didn’t have any powers, there was a possibility I might have gone to visit my parents’ graves as well.

“Eehh, you’re going back already, onii-chan?! No! Stay longer!” (Mahina)

“Sorry, Ma-chan. Your onii-chans have to head back now.” (Bouchi)

“I’m sorry. But… we’ll be able to see each other again.” (Ior)

“….Really? You’ll come again?” (Mahina)

“Yeah, promise. Right… I’ll give this to you.” (Ior)

Ior put his hand in his hair and rummaged around as if was searching for something. When he removed his hand and opened his palm, there was a seed.

“What’s this?” (Mahina)

“Hoh, Ior is entrusting this to you, huh? Mahina, this is a [Plamon Seed]. If you grow it, good things will happen to you.” (Yofel)

“Plamon Seed?” (Mahina)

“Mm-hmm. It’s a present from my brother. Please accept it.” (Yofel)

“Yeah! Thanks, Ii-chan!” (Mahina)

Mahina beamed brightly like a sunflower, and Ior gave a small nod, his cheeks flushing a bashful red.

Seeing the pure interactions between these two was always so heartwarming. Children were truly so innocent.

They saw us off at the front door, and we boarded the [Jet Book].

“Ah, Bouchi-kun!” (Koine)

“Hm? What is it?” (Bouchi)

“Ummm… Err… See you later.” (Koine)

“…….Protect Ma-chan well.” (Bouchi)

“Yeah, I promise.” (Koine)

“Bouchi-kun, I know I may have said some impolite things, but I’m grateful to you. Thank you so much for everything.” (Aika)

“Not at all. Don’t worry about it. See you then.” (Bouchi)

I gave a slight nod and left the Totoki residence with Yofel and Ior.