Now that Jack had had the chance to interact with the 'Asian harem story' up close, his initial assumptions were mostly confirmed, making this current group indeed the best possible choice so far, though at the same time he was also considering whether or not he would have even better choice waiting for him in that village that Kenji mentioned. He had to admit, he liked the guy. Sure, he seemed timid for the most part, going along with whatever class rep. of theirs decided on, as well as taking her side whenever any vote their team made, but at the same time the kid was observant and always prioritized his crush's wellbeing, as indicated a short while ago when he made quick decisions to start setting up their camp while the rest of the group was arguing among themselves over something, clearly well aware that they should get out of their drenched closes ASAP. And, judging from Kaede's actions and reactions, the nerdy girl also held quite the candle for the boy. It was a wonder as to why the duo did not seem to be in any sort of actual relationship.

  'Stop. Don't forget that you only know Izumi and Kenji by name right now! Can't let them know I have appraisal type skill.' He was sure that the other party had similar thoughts, if the muted japanese conversation among the other group was to be believed. And while he believed that Kenji would at least try to warn him if one of his companions decided on something nefarious, why take the chance? He quickly sorted the information he had acquired about the group in his mind that his appraisal had revealed to him, updating each persons mini profile in his mind.

  Izumi Nakamura

  Class- Apprentice samurai(Rare)

  Potential- Good

  Personality- Straight forward, fair. Can be swayed by the majority though.

  Special skills- Charisma.

  The class rep. was just that, as much as he had guessed from his observations, though the fact she could be swayed by the majority did worry him a bit. Still,Jack reasoned that if he developed their mutual trust and helped the girl mature, she could become a reliable ally. The facts she had special skill Charisma just meant she could get along with people much easier, though would not work on him due to his awareness of the skills existence.

  Emi Inoue

  Class- Contractor(Rare)

  Potential- above average

  Personality- Spoiled, lazy. Fence sitter.

  Special skills- Appraisal (Rare)

  And there she was. The specialist of the group, equipped with the skills and class to ensure their group could deal with others on equal, if not much better footing purely due to the additional information their group would have access to thanks to her skills. The class was particularly interesting as she could form binding contracts with quite nasty side effects against the offending party. her skills could ignore distance and power gap, though at the same time both parties had to be willing and accept the terms laid out beforehand, being well aware of everything said contract and the breach of it entailed.

  Fumiko Watanabe

  Class- Duelist(Uncommon)

  Potential- average

  Personality- Bratty, tomboyish

  Special skills- Might comparison.

  Nothing special that Jack saw in Fumiko, though there he did not need to find anything. So long as the girl was reliable he would not look at her like an inferior being. In theory, all of the group was, so why single her out alone? He had reached the rank of divine the last go around. Still, he did not have a stick up his ass a few kilometers long from the ascension alone so he did not treat people like lessers just because he was superior. Her special skill was interesting though, as it warned her of opponents that are stronger than her and that skill alone made her valuable. Imagine the number of insanely dangerous encounters they could avoid thanks to this skill alone.

  Chiyo Takahashi

  Class- Scout(Uncommon)

  Potential- average

  Personality- Calm and collected. Cautious. Likes skill and confidence.

  Special skills- none.

  The last of the gals was also fairly average, though once again the class choice mattered a great deal. She was the groups eyes and ears, making sure they knew where to go and how to avoid getting encircled by numerous enemy parties. No doubt one of the main reasons why they had yet to lose any of their numbers. She lacked any special skills but her personality played in her favour. Jack could see her live a long life.

  Hanzo Kimura

  Class- Brawler(uncommon)

  Potential- below average

  Personality- Petty, arrogant. Delusions of grandeur. Short tempered.

  Special skills- none

  The last of the less interesting of the group was the delinquant- Hanzo. As expected, he either had rich parents of older siblings, causing him to act out with almost no regard for consequences. And while he had little potential, he was not all stupid, as evident by his current behaviour. Understanding the danger he would be alone in this world without any backing, he had toned down his outbursts quite a bit, though Jack could see it all boiling in the young man, just waiting for the moment he could explode once again. There was only one word he could describe the delinquent as- liability. And while he would like nothing more than to get rid of the guy, it was not his choice to make. Hell, there was no guarantee he could not find better group for his purposes in the village.

  The bookworms though, they were quite the interesting couple to be, something Jack believed he could facilitate in happening as the two were earning for each other. 'Could that be why they both were as they were?' he mused as he listed their appraisal status.

  Kaede Kato

  Class- Shrine maiden( uncommon)

  Potential- very high

  Personality- Kind, shy. Likes to read. Loves Kenji Hayashi.

  Special skills- Worlds gamble(Hidden)

  Worlds gamble- someone with high potential. The world has given them a special skill that is both a blessing and a curse. It makes their early stages much harder, limiting what classes and skills they have access in comparison to what they should have, though in return their growth would explode once past level twenty, should they survive that long that is.

  'That is some protagonist aura right there.' Jack chuckled in his mind as he filed away the relevant data about the girl. Normally, this is where the evil protagonist would weave an elaborate plan to steal the girl from her crush and tie her to himself. Jack had no desire for such actions for two reasons. Firstly, the girl was not his type. She was petite and fragile looking, not to mention only sixteen while he could be considered to be in his late forties, both lives combined. This life plus the time past this moment in his first life that would round out at some twenty years. Secondly, he liked this Kenji kid and it would just feel right seeing the kind, nerdy guy have a happy ending, or the entire run, truth be told. The fact that kenji was also quite the potential ally once appraised only elevated Jack's initial feeling.

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  Kenji Hayashi

  Class- Protector trainee( Uncommon)

  Potential-very high

  Personality- Kind, assertive. Likes to read. In love with Kaede Kato

  Special skills- Worlds gamble(Hidden)

  'Damn, the kids are made for one another. A tank and a healer. Dps can be easily acquired as they need. Yup, let's play the matchmaker if I get the chance. The two clearly want that as well. Yes, let's do that.' He reaffirmed his earlier decision in helping the duo realise at least that particular longing of theirs as he dug into his personal version of this world equivalent to roasted chicken legs with coal baked potatoes. Add on the couple of custom made spices he had already used when cooking the meat and you are presented with a high class gourmet food, clearly a luxury barely anyone could enjoy in this tutorial zone.

  --------------------------

  "So? What can you tell us about the guy?" Hanzo asked Emi, his voice irritated beyond reason. The spoiled rich kid was clearly pissed off that some random old man could feast on such mouth watering meal while they were stuck with dried meat and bland bread.

  "The name is Jack as he introduced himself, so no falsities there. His class is Virtuoso, a rare class of crafting inclination. Apparently he needs to come up with recipes himself, though whatever he does come up with is indeed of high value, though it seems that it is so only of his current level. I would bet that what he can make would help us immensely at the very least in the tutorial zone, perhaps even a bit once we are outside. Also the class description implies he is either eccentric or a bit lacking in the sanity department."

  "That's the same shit, just worded differently." Hanzo scoffed. "What about the stuff around him? Those small bowls of liquid and stuff? If he has poison we have to be twice as careful."

  "Nothing I noticed so far. All those things around him in the small bowls are spice mixes. The dudes been doing culinary experiments, creating his own seasonings. Damn, it smells so nice. The descriptions I have to read of the stuff does not make it any easier." Complained Inoue, droll almost leaking from her mouth.

  "It can't be that bad, can it?" Izumi asked with slightly furrowed brow.

  "You tell me?" Inoue grumbled and used their party connection to 'link' a description of the dish she had seen displayed when she appraised Jack's plate with the finished meal, the added seasonings and everything.

  Frogmop roasted leg with mashed sweet Rezo root- high quality meat dish with toppings and spices that even nobility would pay large amounts of money for. The sweet, honeyed chicken like taste and texture of the meat is perfectly accentuated with the sweet and sour mixed taste of the Rezo root and the exotic sauces added, creating a contrasting, yet perfectly intertwining and mutually empowering taste.

  "Damn!" uncharacteristically loudly spoke Kaede as she too almost drolled, blushing up a storm the moment she realized she had spoken her thoughts out loudly. Neither she nor Kenji were coming from rich families, so the mere thought of tasting something so deliciously described, worthy of even nobility fired off her imagination at full throttle.

  "I did hear one of the other parties at the inn say frogmops legs did taste like chicken, though they were also quite the rare encounter near the river." added Chiyo as she remembered a conversation she had overheard.

  "So? The dude is a crafter, is strong and knows how to cook? I think I am in the wrong group. Ha ha ha ha." helplessly laughed Fumiko, clearly joking to lighten the relatively sour faces of the party, yet not succeeding all that much. "Tough crow huh?" she added and shrugged, joining in on the sulking along with the rest of her group. While the most of them were not so much envious of Jack as of their own situation, it was clear that Hanzo was in the former camp, his spoiled rich kid background rearing its head, though as quickly as it surfaced, it was suppressed by the young man in question, causing Fumiko to think the dude might actually be growing out of his spoiled phase. The next few hours until it got entirely dark outside the group of youngsters sat around, mostly doing nothing but chatting or just relaxing their eyes. Only Chiyo left occasionally to check if the rain had stopped, only to return each time with a shake of her head.

  It was slightly before dusk that Kenji finally gathered his courage to engage Jack in some conversation as the youngster moved just a bit away from his group, though still clearly in their part of the cave, or so one could assume by the looks of it.

  "Ehm, sir? I meant Jack?" Kenji started since he saw Jack messing around with another unshaped item, possibly thinking what to make out of it.

  "What is it kid?" he calmly responded, his eyes still on the unprocessed item in his hands.

  "My apologies if this sound rude, but i was wondering, were you summoned all on your own? I think our entire class was dragged here, though we have yet to see a hint of the rest of them."

  "Nope, just the little old me. Got some friends you worried about?"

  "Acquaintances at most. All I care for is luckily within my reach." Kenji awkwardly laughed, his gaze darting back to camp.

  "A friendly advice from someone a decade or so older kid. Don't waste your chances, especially in a place like this where you don't know when you will breathe your last, so just ask out the girl you like and if not, do give the nerdy girl that hides behind you a chance. It's clear even to me that she has the hots for you."

  His words clearly caught Kenji off guard, the younger kid went red with embarrassment and hope. "Are you s-sure? What could anyone see in someone l-like me?"

  "Beats me." Jack shrugged "I ain't no fair maiden to know what happens in their heads. All I can do is observe and comment on what I have seen. On an unrelated note however, why do you walk so oddly?"

  "Excuse me?"

  "Your posture. It's weird. Like you are not used to the frame you are sporting."

  "Oh, that. Yea, I am growing thanks to my class, not by much but it is fast and I feel weird as it happens, hence the result."

  "Hmm. does sound like it makes sense." Jack nodded, well aware of the possibility a class could have on one's physical form, though almost always in a positive manner, though there could sometimes be exceptions. "That all you wanted to talk about?"

  "Do you think we will make it through this tutorial zone as the angels dubbed it?" Kenji asked, slightly worried but clearly having some trust in the fellow hobbyists opinion.

  "Well..." Jack drew the word as he considered how to better reply "I suppose that depends on what the condition for clear is. If it's to survive for a given duration, dealing with roaming groups of goblins and hobs, I would say the likelihood is high. If there is some sort of a warband however, with even stronger monster leading them? Now that is a whole another issue with tons of attached questions. If yes, how large is the main force? How many scout groups do they have? How far away are they and so on and so forth. There should always be a probability though, no matter how small. I would say make sure you have your party well rounded- front liners to hold the enemy at bay, a scout or two of sorts to always be on top of your surroundings, a healer who would patch up your group if necessary and a few damage oriented people as well to deal with the incoming enemies, though I believe you should know all that. But most of all make sure that you can trust the rest of your group. Fear and distrust makes people do some crazy shit. And this right here is just the right setup to make it come true, so watch your back kiddo, and the backs of those you hold dear."

  "Are you not worried for yourself? You are all alone after all." Kenji pointed out the obvious.

  "Ha. You are a decade too soon to worry about me. I am a Virtuoso kid. It's a rare crafter class. If anyone can coast here, as well as find a group easily, thats me. Think about it, what would you be willing to pay if you and your whole group could be guaranteed your weapon sets with plus one to an attribute of your choice? That plus two attributes kiddo. That and a slight boost to another, more esoteric stat like for example reaction speed. I just have to visit that village you mentioned and present my case. I am sure I could even entice an entire war about who gets to employ my services, for a fair price of course. Not that I will go around it in such a manner of course, so can I count on your discretion on the matter as a fellow hobbyist?" Jack explained as he leaned back against the cave wall, having finally donned his own T- shirt that was finally dry.

  "Of course Jack. Kaede seems to be looking for me. I will head back. Thank you for the conversation." Kenji bowed his head and quickly returned to the rest of his group, the five or so meters might have as well seemed like a chasm of separation for the younger kid.

  "No worries, do make sure nobody approaches during the night. I am a light sleeper and might react incredibly violently in case of a boundary breach. You and the shy girl seem nice enough, but I don't trust the other guy. He gives me bad vibes. Like a bully from school or something. Bad news." Jack waved the kid off with a parting sentence. Not like there was a large separation between the two camps in the cave.

  Jack remained in his own position, his back pressed against the wall of the cave, covered by a blanket of sorts he had created during one of his personal experiments with his crafting skills. He had to say that it had turned out better than expected, the soft yet water resistant blanket maintaining his body heat with surprising efficiency. That, combined with the campfire ensured he had incredibly pleasant rest for the nigh and thanks to his reason defyingly high spirit, he would wake up should anyone approach him during the night. He had not lied to Kenji in a sense for he could indeed be considered a light sleeper now.

  Jack Raja(?)

  Age- 27

  Species- human(?)

  Level- 6

  Class- Twin aspect of Creation and Destruction(EX)

  Stats unassigned: +8

  Attributes:

  Strength- 17 (9+7+1)

  Vitality- 16 (7+7+2)

  Dexterity- 11 (5+6)

  Intelligence-7

  Spirit- 25 (20+5)

  Skills- Wisdom of Creation and destruction(EX), Choice of the creator(EX), Eyes of procurer(EX), Matter storage(EX), Arukain language(C)

  Spells- temporary spatial storage (shrinking)

  Titles(unlocked): The real Monster, Big Game Hunter, The brilliant rookie, The insane Solo.