Skill Collector Chapter 1

Collector of Obsolete Skills

"Unnecessary skills with no use. Annoying skills that are nothing more than a nuisance. I will relieve you of the skills you have no need for, no charge! Alternatively I will also purchase them! Any skill is fine, please feel free to approach!"

With a loud voice and spring in my step I walked around the newly visited city.
Unlike my home town this place was brimming with energy and I allowed myself to anticipate some good trades.

"Excuse me, mister. Relieving people of skills and buying them, what's that about?"

An interested lady called out to me, answering my expectations.
She was on the chubbier side, but her face was most charming. An amiable person.
It appeared a circle of onlookers had already formed around me, men and women glanced over while pricking their ears. The interest was there, but my offer must have seemed too suspicious for them to approach.
Let's switch to a slightly louder voice so they can properly hear, [Articulation] Lv 10 and [Vocal Volume] Lv 8 should do the trick.

"You did not mishear. I am here to purchase and collect skills, no ceremony."

"That I don't understand. I don't think I've ever heard about something like skill collecting."

"That would be because I'm the owner of an Only Skill, [Purchase] its name. At first I was utterly clueless as to what its ability was, but, as it turned out... It allows one to purchase skills and make them one's own."

Noticeable surprise responded to that revelation, stirring could be heard from here and there around us.
Truly, holding people's attention was a good feeling.

"I can't say I'm familiar with such a skill."

"Remember, it's an Only Skill. Skills that exist no more than once in this world, surely you've heard of them?"

"As rumors..."

Extraordinary skills that even the most successful individuals and those praised as heroes are only rarely said to possess.
For normal skills, although there is a wide variety of them, none are particularly uncommon. Usually there are who knows how many people that possess the same skill set; the number of adventurers with the skills [Sword Mastery], [Hand-to-Hand Combat], [Resilience] and [Inhuman Strength] can hardly be counted.
However, my Only Skill is a unique. There is none other like it, a skill of utmost rarity.

"As you know, everyone in this world owns a handful of special abilities called skills. Usually two to five, I suppose. But while convenient skills exist, so do skills with no realistic benefit for oneself, do they not?"

"They certainly do. I actually have a skill called [Monster Attractor], but because of it I haven't taken even a single step outside town. Every carriage I entered would be attacked by monsters if I ever went on a trip."

"I understand, absolutely. My, how wonderful it would be for that skill to just disappear! ...is surely something that has crossed your mind? That would be my ability; I purchase your unwanted skills."

My usual signature phrase made the ring of people around us tighten. How wonderful to see a customer full of curiosity.
They knew that skills are not necessarily a blessing.

Summoning small misfortune, [Bad Luck]
The inability to speak quietly, [Loud Voice]
Growing old quicker than other humans, [Aging]
And of course, the lady's [Monster Attractor]

Such is the existence of skills with nothing but negative effects to oneself. Activated at all times regulating them was impossible.
——For those without the skill [Control].

"What do you say? Would you allow me to purchase that bothersome skill of yours?"

Hearing those words her spirit swayed. To me, who had [Psychology] Lv 10 toggled on, the other party's feelings were like an open book, their gestures their prose.

"...If I sold the skill, what would happen to it?"

"It would be transferred to me, the buyer."

"But wouldn't that mean I made you shoulder my troubles?"

To think she would worry about me, what a kind lady.
That was the reaction of someone who had already experienced hardship themselves.

"Please do not be concerned. I possess a skill that allows me to both activate and deactivate skills at will. Upon purchasing [Monster Attractor] it shall be sealed."

"My, is that so. How convenient. Then, would it be possible to sell you... I suppose that would be asking for too much. Would it be possible to have you collect my skill?"

"My heartfelt thanks! In that case I will briefly check its status with [Appraisal], if I may."

"You even possess [Appraisal]!?"

"Correct. This is one of the skills I have purchased. Haha, I sure bought it at a high price. For several days I lived without food, only surviving on rain water. Hahahaha."

A cheerful laugh while tapping the back of my head.
Practical experience in purchasing skills. Proof of that, as well as softening the doubts that I'm some villain. And most importantly, making the unrealistic event of losing one's skill easier to take in.
The loss of a special power residing within you is, calmly considered, a most terrifying thing.
Thus I lighten the mood, not letting the grave atmosphere set in, allowing people to sell their skills at ease - That is my daily endeavour.

I focused my concentration on right above the lady's head. With little delay my field of vision was filled with red letters floating in midair.

Skills
[Monster Attractor] Lv 10
[Cooking] Lv 7
[Cheerful] Lv 5

Oh? Some pretty high levels there. Level 5 in a skill could already be considered exceptional. With something like [Monster Attractor] Lv 10 your likelihood to encounter monsters becomes immense.
The other two are quite splendid skills. They're both on the common side, but there's no downside to possessing them. You could say that inn keeping and cooking were her calling.

"Could it be that you work at an inn or restaurant?"

"My, well done. Then you really do see people's skills, that's amazing. Yes, I work at an inn just down this road. Do come by if you'd like."

"I will make sure to stop by later, thank you very much. But I went off-topic, my apologies. Now then, since your [Monster Attractor] is a rather potent skill, how about 1,000,000?"

Locking eyes with the other party I voiced the appraisal's results. Shock was written on her face, eyes wide open and her mouth agape. She certainly made it easy to tell how she felt.

"O-of course, I suppose a removal free of charge would be unreasonable for such a bothersome ability... That's just how expensive of a matter it is..."

The lady dropped her shoulders and let out a deep sigh.
Hm. There appeared to be a misunderstanding. A common event when purchasing skills.

"No-no, I am the payer. I would like to purchase your skill for 1,000,000."

"Pardon!? This, nothing but a bother skill?"

Truth is, her ability could turn into quite the asset when used the right way.
There are beasts in this world that you are near impossible to happen upon under regular circumstances. Harmless creatures of immense value due to their adorable appearance. However, they are swift and almost never encountered in the first place.
Her skill would be a precious help when trying to catch one of those beings.
Further uses would be going along with adventurers to speed up their hunting quests, or attracting monsters for a rookie's first real combat training. There were plenty of ways to utilize her skill.

"I'll sell it! Gladly!"

"Thank you for your patronage."

Very well, this concludes negotiations.
This [Purchase] skill of mine can only be used when the other party is willing to part with the skill. Consequently, negotiating is necessary groundwork. As a result I've also grown used to business talk.

"Now, please stretch out your hand. I will gently grip it, but... This won't go from business to sexual harassment, I promise."

After easing the mood with the usual gag I gently grasped her hand.

"I shall purchase this one's [Monster Attractor] skill for 1,000,000. Conclusion of Contract!"

My standard line.
Incidentally, [Purchase] can be activated without saying anything at all, but reciting something reminiscent of an incantation makes the seller's anxiety sink while their trust rises.
Light began gathering in her grabbed hand, which soon traveled through my arm towards my chest, where it seemingly dissipated.
Of course, this was more acting. A combination of [Luminescence] and [Telekinesis].  [Luminescence] allows me to let light radiate from any touched object; after applying that effect to a coin hidden in my palm I let it travel through my sleeve to my chest.

"With this, [Monster Attractor] has vanished from within you. But, even if I say that you may have doubts, in which case don't forget to visit a temple to have them take a look. Finally, please accept the 1,000,000."

"I mean, even if you tricked me, I couldn't complain about being paid for it. You don't seem like a liar either... Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you."

Now she was the one grasping my hand, her eyes shimmering with tears.
It was no act out of philanthropy, but what joy to bring happiness to others.

"Now then, ladies and gentlemen. Do you, too, hold an undesired skill? Keep in mind, skills with overflowing potential that you have no realistic way of harnessing are also appreciated. If you are troubled by monetary matters but in possession of an excellent skill, then please, do approach! The amount of money will have to be negotiated, but there is no need to hesitate; the price assessment is free of charge."

After appealing to the onlookers around me I was soon swamped with requests by spectators of the earlier live performance.
It seems relieving the lady of her undesired skill and properly handing over the payment rid them of their doubts.

"I apologize, but please form a line! Be at ease, I will be accepting skills for as long as time allows! Poor manners throw a shade on price assessments, so please, I beg your cooperation!"

Gazing over the reluctantly forming line of customers a smirk nearly took hold of my lips. However, that was firmly kept in check with a merry as ever attitude.
Now then, let us move on to actual business!



"And that puts today's results at twelve skills. Some harsh expenses, but they were certainly recoverable."

Four of them overlapped, causing a level up.
It's a truth hidden from the world, but skills have a level mechanic attached to them. The ability remains the same, but the higher the level the more powerful the effect.
Some people have high level skills from birth, but raising those levels yourself is also a possibility. Applying a skill over and over for years, or decades even, might cause a level up.

For me, raising those levels is a simple task. When purchasing skills I already possess, their overlap causes them to combine with an increase in level. The higher the level the less frequently does the merge result in a rank up, but even low level versions can cause a level up more often than one may think, just by combining them with a high level one.
Skills at level 1 have subtle effects that their holder may hardly be aware of, thanks to which people quickly part even with profitable skills, as long as you present the right amount of money.
Well, even just discovering the level mechanic required me to get my hands on an [Appraisal] of delicate level, which I then further raised to level 30.

"Today's [Sword Mastery] Lv 1 and [Thousand Yard Stare] Lv 1 were a particularly good catch. Little use to farmers and merchants, after all."

I would have loved to visit a tavern and think back on today's fruits of labor with a chuckle on my face, but now it was time to get serious. A hefty sum was waiting to be negotiated.
After a quick check at the map I had kept in my breast pocket I entered the district's back alleys.

As I walked through an alley void of activity I sensed three figures lurking ahead of me. [Sensing Presence] continued to prove useful. One could call it part of the reason I was still among the living.

"The three gentlemen hiding over there. Let us show each other's faces if there is business between us."

I could sense the vibrations of their flickering auras. [Sensing Presence] was a common low level skill, which resulted in many opportunities to acquire it. Consequently, my current level easily surpassed 30. Level 10 could be considered first class proficiency, but something like level 30 was the realm of masters.

"Noticed us, eh. Not bad."

What appeared from the dark was what seemed like a group of thugs, wearing thick fabric sewn together into clothes. Most likely something along the lines of ruined adventurers or ganged up criminals.
It was no surprise I attracted the eyes of these kinds of people with my flashy payments, handing over money without reserve.

"A long time ago, too. So? Will this be the usual 'If you don't want to die then leave your money here and disappear,' I wonder?"

"Ain't that make it quick. That bag on your back, put it down and we'll let you live."

There was too much distance between us in that gloomy back alley to make real use of [Psychology] , but their plan was obvious enough even without relying on skills.

"No, I believe you'll kill me either way, won't you? The fact you're not hiding your faces makes it quite apparent that you're not planning on letting me walk away."

I expected some kind of denial at least, but instead they went straight to unsheathing their blades. Some very straightforward folk.

"Tch. And here we were gonna end it quickly if ya didn't resist."

"I appreciate your cliched remarks. Then let's begin, I'll make it quick. Unlike you, I don't have the time."

Riled up by my simple provocation the gang attacked.
Hm, let's go with [Hand-to-Hand Combat], [Swift Feet], [Inhuman Strength], [Good Luck] and [Sensing Presence], level 20 across the board.
Currently five simultaneous skills was my limit, but with opponents like these that was already excessive self-defense——!

Before one of them could completely close the distance between us I performed a rapid side step into close range myself and sent a powerful palm strike to the pit of his stomach.
Paying no further attention to the one that just got sent flying, a head kick to the temporal region knocked out the next fellow.
Finally, I turned to the one that had not even unsheathed yet, swiping him from his feet by placing one hand on his neck and driving the other into his thigh from the side. After letting his body perform half a cartwheel he was thrashed into the ground.

"And that's all. Let's perform an [Appraisal] just in case. Hmm, I see. Well aren't those some decent skills."

Placing my bag on the ground for a moment I retrieved some paper and something to write. I listed my offers for each of their skills on three separate pieces of paper and entrusted them to the pockets of their clothes.

"Should you be pressed for money I'll gladly take care of your skills. Quite some wasted talents there."

With those words I left that place behind.
I ended up losing some time, but I still arrived at my destination on schedule.
It appeared like a mere isolated building, but a mere isolated building was not equipped with two spear men guarding its entrance.

"Good evening. I am here regarding the request."

"Oh, the skill collector! Leader's waiting inside."

The two visibly brawny men stepped aside to let me pass, even opening the door for me.
The hall I entered awakened the impression of being more spacious than the building's outside appearance would have one think. Ahead of me, seated in a high class sofa, was a man with a raised hand and a naked upper body.

"Ohh, so you're back. Over here, come, come. Sit with me."

The man with the mane of a lion patted the spot on the sofa next to him and I obediently obliged.
His splendidly well built body was fascinating as ever; calling it an armor of muscle would be no exaggeration. His arms seemed as though a light push from them could prove fatal and scars covered his entire body. The only men to try meddling with him after seeing his body were either fools or without hold of their senses.
When I took my seat, maids brought us drinks and meals, lining them up on the table in front of me.
High grade alcohol and an extravagant buffet. Looked like he was in a welcoming mood.

"Don't hold back, you can eat and drink as much as you want. How'd it go?"

"Right, there were no problems. I acquired [Monster Attractor] ."

"Bravo, well done! So, how much?"

Despite his wide smile and high spirits his expression certainly turned serious rapidly once negotiations began. You could say the question of how much I could, and dared, demand for it was where I had to prove my ability as a trader.
I allowed myself to respond with the full set of [Articulation], [Talkative], [Psychology] and [Negotiator].
Frankly, going all out with this line up would allow me to settle any deal as planned as long as the other party was no seasoned master merchant. And this time as well I was able to settle on my desired sum. ...At a hundred times the buying price.

"Alright, now insert [Monster Attractor], I beg."

"Are you certain? It turns out to be rather potent, once you take possession of it just leaving town will result in constant monster attacks."

"That's my wish. I ain't satisfied with my arm, nowhere close, I still have to keep honing it. This arm brought me wealth and fame, but my hunger for strength ain't sated! Challengers stopped daring to approach me a long time ago and even monsters just panic from sensing me."

"That's no surprise after you spent five years defending the title at the capital's arena."

Champion of the capital, "The Undefeatable." That was the man sitting next to me. Even with my most supreme skill set, victory would be uncertain. His strength was of a different order of magnitude.

"But damn, how convenient your skill is. Being able to buy skills and even sell them again."

"Although the selling part isn't known outside a select circle, keep in mind."

My Only Skill. Its true name is not [Purchase], but [Trade].
The ability to buy people's skill, and furthermore to sell one's possessed skills to others. If this became public knowledge I would be swamped with people begging for my services, even being caught up in crime wouldn't be unlikely. Thus I pick my buyers, approaching them myself.
In addition, it was no coincidence that today's lady reacted to my hollers. I knew she was in possession of [Monster Attractor] from the very beginning, although my surprise at her level 10 was genuine; [Appraisal] requires one to be in close range for levels to display.
The champion was seeking [Monster Attractor], so I wandered the town until I discovered the lady. To then acquire her interest, I promoted myself next to her. A simple task with no elaborate tricks.
Unlike the purchasing, the conditions around selling skills were fairly loose. As long as the other party knows of the skill and hands over a payment the contract can form.

"Ahh, now monsters might finally approach me."

"Should you no longer need the skill do let me know. I'll gladly take care of it."

"Definitely, I'll be counting on you if that time comes."

Telling the delighted champion my farewells I took my leave from his hideout.
I easily made up for today's expenses and was thinking of staying at the lady's inn for tonight. I did owe her for the profit I turned that day, so I felt like passing her a gift.

"Oi, stupid brat! Can't you see you sullied my clothes!"

"I-I beg forgiveness..."

A man's anger and a woman's remorse could be heard from an alley to my left.
My, the probability to run into a side alley quarrel was high as always.
On a whim I toggled [Stealth] and peaked in on them. Revealed was a man with not a single strand of hair on his head, an exemplary ruffian, kicking a girl collapsed to the ground.

"Who do you think you are, standing in front of me! Damn slum kid!"

A drunkard who was looking for an excuse to get violent.
The victim he picked was a girl with ruffled hair and meagre arms thin like sticks, wearing clothes with traces of dirt all over them. By no means did she invoke the impression of leading an easy life.
She was holding what seemed like a flower basket, but the flowers themselves had been scattered all around the alley that the two figures had made their stage.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

The poor thing. But what was I doing myself, just looking on!
With [Ground Contraction] I instantaneously moved to behind the drunk man, from where I toggled [Hardened Body] while squatting down. Next I folded my hands and with only my index fingers stretched out I fixed my aim on his buttocks.
Finally I sprung back up, properly making use of [Jump] for extra power.

"Higuaaa!!"

With a dull sound the man's body was lifted into the air, before promptly falling to the ground, senseless and foam bubbling out of his mouth.

"Can you stand?"

"Y-yes. Thank you very much."

The girl was without make-up and layered with dirt, but with some meat on her bones and a cleaned body she might've been quite the beauty.
It was a shame, in more ways than one.
I picked up the flowers and returned them to her basket, upon which she bowed her head repeatedly.

"I'd like the whole basket full. May I buy everything?"

"O-of course, certainly!"

Her happy smile had quite the charm.
When she handed me the flowers I allowed myself to use [Appraisal].
Let's see, [Sad Fate] Lv 5, [Sickly] Lv 2 and [Weak Constitution] Lv 2.
I was a little shocked, it was the most unfortunate collection of skills I had ever seen. Had misfortune preordained all her life?
If she had been wealthy she could have received an appraisal and taken counter measures to an extent, but coming from poverty she probably never had an opportunity to be analyzed in the first place.
I was going to pay her a good sum, but she answered with "I can't accept this much!" and firmly declined it.
Despite being a child of poverty she didn't throw away her pride. A noble spirit.

"This is my thanks for the lovely flowers. It may look like too much, but I made a lot of money today, you see? I would love to have you share that fortune with me. Would you be so kind?"

"I-if it really doesn't inconvenience you, I'd be happy to accept."

End of negotiations, you could say. I lightly supported her timidly stretched out hand from below as I placed the coins in it, afterwards tightening her grip around them as I let go again.

"Thank you."

She kept bowing her head towards my departing back, which was transmitted to me through [Sensing Presence].
Today I acquired a good amount of money and even some beautiful flowers.
On top of that—— 
[Misfortune], [Sickly] and [Weak Constitution] also wandered into my hands.
I said it, did I not? "May I buy everything?"
And furthermore, I certainly said "I would love to have you share that fortune with me. Would you be so kind?"
That's conclusion of contract.

"Since the payment was still a little meagre for a purchase of three skills I compensated her with [Fortune]. I hope it fits her tastes."

While thinking about the girl's future with a smile on my face I briskly headed to the inn, the bought flowers in hand.
I already knew a lady to gift them to.

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