Surviving as a Useless Bard in a Game

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I heard my voice and immediately looked around.

‘Ah, please.’

It was a familiar yet unfamiliar scenery.

A typical medieval fantasy interior… a white bed, sunlight pouring in through the window, and antique wooden furniture.

It looked just like the adventurers’ inn I often frequented in my previous life.

“Ah, ahhh—ah.”

What a beautiful voice. So stunningly beautiful that I could hardly believe it was mine… a woman’s voice.

Anyone passionate about subculture genres and games would immediately understand my situation. I had entered into a game. As the character I had created.

I saw two soft breasts I had crafted myself. My shoulders felt oddly stiff.

I shifted my gaze lower.

My partner in this life, who I hadn’t even used yet… was gone.

Calmly taking a deep breath, I began searching for my belongings in what I assumed to be the room I was staying in.

‘Basic starting equipment, clothes, hygiene certificate, key, and token…’

Though there was no calendar in sight, I could guess that it was spring.

The tradition that started in the previous work indicates that spring always starts the four seasons. The sunlight warmed my skin, wrapping me in a cozy embrace. It was lovely weather.

Though my mood felt quite gloomy.

If the game began according to the character sheet I had written, this room would surely be an accommodation certified by the Adventurer’s Guild or a local noble.

With a hygiene certificate and a token that serve as ID in this world, I had little to worry about.

However… here was the problem.

“Status window.”

Holding back my embarrassment with bated breath, I called forth the status window.

How on earth did other novel protagonists endure this feeling? Watching to see if anyone was around, it felt excruciatingly humiliating…

–
[Selina]
[Female]
[22 years old]
–
[Strength: 0(-3)]
[Intelligence: 2]
[Skill: 2]
[Charm: 8]
[Health: 0(-5)]
[Speech: 10]
–
When I created my settings, I had high expectations for fun, but had I known it would turn out like this, I would have made a combat-specialized male character.

Regret flooded in, but there was no way to turn back now. I would have to accept it.

If thinking like an average person, I would feel shocked that I was a woman—.

But with a positive mindset, I could think, “Wow! A cute girl! Free life!”

‘For now… should I go downstairs?’

If this were the adventurer’s guild lodging, there would likely be a simple counter on the first floor for requests and meals.

I wasn’t certain how much the systems had changed since the last game, but I hoped my memory was correct.

I wasn’t a veteran of this game; I certainly wasn’t a crazy fan who memorized every detail and hidden piece.

In the end, unlike other protagonists who happened to be reborn into an otherworld, I had no choice but to move forward honestly and straightforwardly.

‘First things first, what I need to secure is…’

I started setting my short-term and long-term goals.

The short-term goal was this.

–
[Strength: 0(-3)]
[Health: 0(-5)]
–
As I focused on the minus values in my status, only the currently negative statuses appeared briefly.

It seemed I didn’t have to worry about flailing my fingers in thin air.

Anyway, the most urgent goal was to find a “status item” that could resolve this damned penalty.

If I couldn’t resolve the penalties, I might suffer and die from minor injuries. An utmost priority task in many ways.

If I can’t find it, I’ll die. Seriously.

And, naturally, the long-term goal was—

‘Return.’

I had no clue why I had fallen into this world.

There were no common quests, no guides. No flying fairy character to help me in a tutorial. It was the worst possible start to an otherworld adventure.

But I must return.

I had neither family nor friends, and while I had occasionally expressed a wish to enter the game world, I had never meant it.

Because I had achieved something.

The good university I got into after studying hard, the good job I secured after working diligently.

I couldn’t imagine giving all that up to live in a game world… especially a medieval fantasy world!

I am a modern person. I do not want to spend a boring life in a place devoid of the latest gadgets, Wi-Fi, and video games! I am not an old person!

‘Alright. Let’s get out of this room first.’

I opened the door and headed outside.

A clean hallway greeted me, with slanted sunlight pouring in between the windows. The subtle scent of flowers filled the corridor, and I could smell the peculiar rural aroma.

The building seemed smaller than I had anticipated; I could see the end of the hallway with just a few steps.

First confirming the direction to the stairs, I took out a copper key that I assumed was for the room and locked the door behind me.

Fortunately, the key fit perfectly.

*
As I went down the stairs, I saw people.

Far more people than I had expected. It seemed ridiculously crowded for a countryside adventurer’s guild.

‘I distinctly remember someone from the last work saying the rural Adventurer’s Guild was quite tranquil; has the setting changed in this sequel? Or maybe I’m confused.’

Thanks to my charm stat, I could feel the eyes of the crowd on me with each step down the stairs. A little sweat broke out.

‘Why did I pick a ‘timid’ trait?’

I didn’t think I’d feel all jittery just because a lot of people were staring.

…for some unknown reason, it strangely felt good.

Is this how it feels to be the center of attention?

“Is there a bard like that in this countryside?”

“…It’s surprising to see someone with such looks isn’t well-known.”

“Pink eyes… I wonder if reporting her to the body hunters would earn me something?”

Some rugged-looking adventurers were talking about me, and some of their comments made me furrow my brow.

Honestly, I wanted to protest right away, but with my fragile body, I might die from a single punch.

Swallowing my pride, I pushed through the gazes and whispers toward the counter.

‘First things first, the basics of adventure… check requests.’

Right. No matter how much the genre changed and the sequel came out, the essence of the game wouldn’t have changed.

There would surely be requests aimed at lower-tier adventurers, treated as tutorials. I’d gather a little money and resolve my glass body problem, then head to the capital to search for a way to return.

That was my plan.

“May I see the requests…?”

“Oh, you’re the one who registered yesterday. What grade are you looking for?”

“Bronze token.”

It wasn’t quite my reflection in the mirror, but a beauty that didn’t fit a rural receptionist began to guide me.

“Bronze adventurers can take up to silver requests. However, since this is your first request, I’ll recommend this for you.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Check it out, and if you like it, let me know. I’ll stamp it right away. Just come back by the indicated time below.”

I bowed my head in thanks and began reviewing the request sheet she handed me.

–
[Grade: Bronze]
[Herb Gathering]
[Please gather 15 ‘Bending Hands’.]
[1 Copper]
–

Bending Hands, one of the key ingredients for healing potions.

Fortunately, it was an herb I had seen in the previous work.

I was worried about encountering an unknown herb, but this was good news.

“Hey.”

While I was feeling dejected about the mere 1 copper request reward, an unfamiliar voice started calling me.

Sweating profusely, I slowly turned around.

Why does that ominous feeling never fail? A fearsome-looking bald adventurer was staring at me with strange eyes.

“…Me?”

“Yeah. You.”

“Why…?”

“It looks like this is your first request, so I’ll teach you. I just happen to have some free time.”

Could he be a kind gentleman? Was I hastily judging based on his appearance? He might actually be a nice person.

It sounded like a surprisingly thoughtful offer.

‘Still… it’s just herb gathering.’

Regardless, a man has his pride. I couldn’t take help from someone else just to gather herbs.

And who knows what might happen if I ended up alone in a remote mountain with such a rugged man! Always be cautious!

“I’m fine.”

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“This isn’t a suggestion.”

He said that while pointing to his companions behind him.

His group, sitting nearby, comprised 3-4 similarly rugged-faced individuals.

“Is this… a threat?”

“I made a bet with those guys and won. So, I have to go on a request with you. It’s not a bad offer for you, right?”

So, he had bet on me?

Ah, got it. It’s like when a somewhat cute girl shows up at a club, and they bet on who will be the first to talk to her.

‘If only I weren’t that pretty girl, I wouldn’t care…!’

Now being the subject, it felt disgusting. I mean, I wasn’t a girl! If you knew I was a guy, you’d freak out?!

Then a strange window suddenly opened in my view.
–
1. [Accept]
2. [Decline]
3. [Persuade] (Speech Bonus)
4. [Taunt] (Speech Bonus)
5. [Fight]
–

…TRPG!

Why did it just now come back to me! This world was based on a TRPG, and there were status windows!

Of course, at this important moment, the game would send me choices. And these are options that would leverage my chosen ‘Speech’ stat.

Gratefully acknowledging the options that appeared like a savior, I adjusted my quivering gaze to persuade.

And…

–
[Taunt]
–

I accidentally ended up looking at the wrong choice.

‘Habit of being careless.’

Roll, roll.

With a sound of something rolling, a virtual 20-sided die appeared before me, and my speech bonus kicked in.

–
[Taunt – 10 or higher]
[13 + 5]
[Success!]
–

My mouth started moving beyond my control.

“Your mom.”