Chapter 3: Sticks and Carrots

"It is true we have summoned a greater than expected number of ‘heroes’. But let me be crystal-clear about the situation. This isn’t your world. I do not care who you might have been or how you did things where you hail from, here you will abide by our rules! As long as you follow our commands, we will do our best to prepare you for what’s to come. However, should we find any of you lot too unruly, we will execute those that oppose us or fail to show their worth."

The mood in the cathedral became tense and filled with menace.

Of course, it was Yuji that took center stage and spoke for the class.

"Take it easy, everyone. There’s no need for unpleasantness," he gestured at me, "That troublemaker doesn't speak for our group. I am the leader and I decide if we are going to help you or not. And I say we will."

Maybe it was Yuji’s willingness to do their bidding or even his ‘Hero’ title, in any case, his words calmed the cardinal and soothed the agitated crowd. Realizing he had convinced the cardinal, Yuji walked over, grabbed me by the collar and shook me like an errant pet.

In a fierce whisper he said, "The hell do you think you’re doing, Loser?! Do you want to get us all killed? We don't know these people and they don't give a rat’s ass about our lives. Just shut up and let me handle this."

Yeah, maybe I screwed the pooch talking like that to the cardinal.

Yuji was being pragmatic. No one back home should reasonably expect us to fight and defeat a Demon King or whatever, but here they wouldn't give a damn. It’s do it or die. I better face reality, we’re royally ducked and we got nothing to say about it now that I see the big picture.

I followed Yuji’s instructions and kept my mouth shut, doing my best not to step on anyone’s toes anymore.

"Cardinal Siejy," Yuji turned to face the holy man, "I suppose we need to level up and get stronger like in a game, so we can fight the Demon King."

"Game?" asked the cardinal with widened eyes. "If you consider risking your life and fighting monsters and beasts to be just a mere game, then a mad man you must be. But yes, it is exactly as you have described."

"Since your numbers are greater than expected, it will take some time to prepare enough lodging for all of you heroes. For now, just follow the captain, he will train and instruct you to improve yourselves."

And with these parting words, the cardinal exited through a door at the back of the room.

Our new chaperone in question looked to be about 40 years old. His most prominent feature was a scar on his left cheek making him out to be some sort of veteran of war.

His gaze was measuring but uncaring. His neatly trimmed beard and short-cut hair were dark with some white in them. A massive sword was strapped to his back.

"I am Captain Jarve Rionheart. I am responsible for your training," the man explained in a clipped voice used to giving commands. His military demeanor was recognizable in any world.

"You’ve all seen your status screen. You can summon it whenever you want. But remember, those are just numbers so you can see your progress. A sword across the neck won’t save you no matter how high your Vitality is. Now follow me!"

If I stayed here I had no doubt I would be one of the first to die. And no one would mourn my sorry ass. But without knowing anything about this world, attempting to escape was just another way to die.

With my thoughts churning, I followed the others. After all, the cardinal had openly admitted that defiance would mean death. It was in my best interest to play along for now.

The building was a giant cathedral. Everywhere I looked were statues or images of sanctimonious looking guys in robes, armor, and sometimes just a loincloth. I’ve never been a believer, but I didn’t have any problems with religious people as long as they minded their own business and not mine.

The captain led us out of the cathedral through a garden and to an open training field inside the walled grounds of the church. He turned and addressed us once more.

"We’re aware that you come from a world where there is no Mana. But here, Mana can be used to accomplish many things depending on the skills you acquire as well your affinity for magic."

“Before we get into that, I want you to show me your status screens so I will be able to organize you into a party of vanguards, supports, mages, and maybe even mage knights."

"How do we show you our screens?" Yuji asked eagerly.

He sounded thrilled at the possibility of wielding magic. I hate to admit it, but I was no better. If I could throw fireballs, I might even start to like this new world.

"Say ‘Display status screen’ to share your information.” he flipped his hand at us and a blue translucent screen showed up for all to see.

｢Name: Jarve Rionheart

Primary Class: Grand Knight

Race: Human

Level: 88

Health: 2,200

Mana: 675

Stamina: 430

Strength: 650

Agility: 425

Vitality: 600

Wisdom: 250

Intelligence: 200

Luck: 66

Titles: Protector of the Kingdom - Swordmaster - Unbroken - Lone Heart｣

"Whoa! Look at those stats!" someone blurted out.

I was impressed, and so was everyone else.

"This is the basic status screen. There is another screen I will not show you that is more specialized. It unlocks when you reach level 20 and has other attributes such as Willpower, Fortitude, and your Resistances. After you unlock that screen, I advise you to never reveal the information in it to anyone."

After learning how to display their status pages everyone began showing off and comparing their attributes. Haru was hyped up, showing his status page to anyone who would look.

But before he could show me, the captain pointed at Yuji and called him forward.

"Show me."

"Display status screen," Yuji said in a loud voice, a proud look on his face.

｢Name: Yuji Sakamoto

Primary Class: -

Race: Human

Level: 1

Health: 150

Mana: 150

Stamina: 150

Strength: 50

Agility: 50

Vitality: 50

Wisdom: 50

Intelligence: 50

Luck: 99

Titles: Hero｣

His stats are five times higher than mine! How is that fair?

"Hm, you summoned heroes are always greatly favored by the world and the gods. I was not even close to these numbers when I first began. However, don't get overconfident, stat numbers are meaningless if you don’t know how to fight."

"Amazing. Your luck status is one point less than the maximum, you are truly favored by the gods. A high luck stat helps you find treasures and rare items or give you higher a chance for a critical hit. But do not depend on it when fighting. Now, focus your will on your title, and you will see its description and how it affects you."

Yuji did and his screen changed.

｢Title: Hero

You are destined to become a hero and the hope of the people!

The gods have blessed you with a great start to ease your way through this treacherous world.

All your endeavors will be successful, and the aura of Lady Luck will follow you for the rest of your life!｣

His Hero title basically meant that he was favored and blessed, so his stats were higher than average. I checked my own title to see what it said.

｢Title: Loser

Your existence until now has been without value, a waste of sacred life energy!

You have not done anything or created anything to earn the respect or approval of either your peers or the Gods.

Thus you have been granted no extra attributes, you have only the numbers that normal humans without any enhancement or boon start with.

This, Loser, is the reaping of what you have sown, and the path you journey down will be paved with regret and suffering｣

The system is trolling me!

Everyone was talking to each other about their stats and titles. Haru came over and showed his screen to me.

｢Name: Haru Miyamoto

Primary Class: -

Race: Human

Level: 1

Health: 120

Mana: 100

Stamina: 80

Strength: 20

Agility: 5

Vitality: 30

Wisdom: 7

Intelligence: 15

Luck: 1

Titles: Fatty｣

His Luck was as bad as mine and, of course, I wasn’t surprised to see his Agility was awful. But he beat my numbers in Strength, Intelligence, and by a surprising margin, Vitality.

I asked to see his title description.

｢Title: Fatty

You are repulsive and disgusting.

However, the God of Gluttony, Jian, has taken note of your gentle heart.

You have been blessed with Strength and Vitality to aid you on your journey｣

I was ready to give up at that point. Apparently it was better to be softhearted and super fat than it was to be unremarkable and outspoken.

"Let us not waste any more time. I will begin with basic sword training. All of you will have to go through this. No matter if you have an aptitude for magic or the sword everyone should at least know how to hold a weapon. It might save your life someday," the captain instructed us. His assistants fetched a chest with a pile of sticks.

"Everyone, grab a stick. We will go through the basics starting now. Ready up!"