Bab 3: Chapter 1: Part 3
There were calls from here and there that my bid was a waste of time, and that I was useless, and my bidding closed without a single offer.
No way, not a single bid… in fact, they outright refused to bid on me.
What would happen to me now if I didn't have a buyer? I was nervous, but I had no choice but to keep my wits about me.
"Since you received no bids, you're free to leave."
An old man with gray hair, dressed in white clothes like a priest's uniform, told me I could go. He looked like a good-natured old man, but he addressed the situation bluntly.
Now that the auction is over, the students are gathered in the waiting rooms of their respective countries, and I was brought to a separate room for anyone who didn't receive bids. The old man handed me a sword and a small leather bag.
"This is?"
"It's a sword and a small amount of money to live for a while. I feel sorry that you ended up being a [Chef], but we can't send you back to your former world, so please take these as a parting gift."
Are they going to throw me out after kidnapping me into this world, without me having any acquaintances or understanding of local customs? I don't know what to do, but rather than blame this person, I should be grateful.
I've lived alone so far, so I don't have any problem with continuing to live alone. I'm more concerned about the amount of money they gave me. How much there actually is will determine the difficulty of my life from now on.
"If it were compared to a typical household income, it would be enough to support a family of four for half a year."
Well, it's not that bad, is it? If I wanted to ask for more, there'd be no limit.
"That amount of money is sufficient, so what about the sword?"
"In this world, there exists a demon king and his demon subordinates, and thus monsters also exist. You, as a [Chef], will need to learn to protect yourself."
A quiet huh floated out of my mouth as I remembered that the purpose of us being summoned into this world was to fight the demon king, demons, and monsters. A chill ran down my spine.
I lived in Japan my whole life, and saw nothing of battles or war, but staring at my sword, I felt I'd now been thrust into a world where life was cheap.
The stone building where the auction was located was apparently a temple specifically for performing summoning rituals, and was located in the Rade Crude Empire. All the money that had been obtained from our auction would be donated to the temple.
Ah, that's right, I wasn't sold. It seems the temple needs a great deal of money to prepare for summoning the hero.
It sucks that this religion is responsible for human trafficking in this world, but considering the history of Earth's religions, which spearheaded wars, racism, oppression, and other evils, I feel like this other world's religion is no different.
I left the temple through a door. It was absolutely massive, about five meters high, but no matter which way one looked at it, there was only a door. There didn't seem to be a building or room on either side of it.
It was like a convenient tool from a blue raccoon's pocket* except for the size and the fact it was a double door. Apparently, I have to pass through this door in order to leave.
"This is called a Transfer Gate."
Ooohhh, it's that fantasy trope!
"Here, Sumeragi-dono will be transferred to a random country through this Transfer Gate."
"Uh… random, you say?"
"It's hard to be certain, but you don't belong to any country. More accurately, no country wants you. So, you are supposed to live your new life in this world in a randomly chosen country."
You don't have to blatantly say no one wants me! Please be at least a little hesitant to say it, for the sake of my feelings!
"Tsukuru-kun!"
I looked back when someone called my name. It was Ichinose, with some stranger and a few other students.
"We'll see each other again, won't we?"
"I'm free now, so if we're lucky, I think we'll meet again…"
You never know what could happen in a fantasy world. After all, monsters exist, so I might get eaten.
The man behind Ichinose seemed to be an official guardian of hers from whatever country. She must have wanted to see me off as I went through that door, but the people behind her were clearly looking at me with contempt.
Who are you people to look at me like that? I wanted to say it out loud, but it was better to ignore them.
"It's about time, Ichinose-dono."
An official calls Ichinose. And he's giving a signal to the old priest.
He must have signaled the priest to send me to the other side of the door faster.
"I want… I want you to say we'll meet again… I wonder if…"
"Y-yeah, see you later."
I stood in front of the door and took a deep breath. When I realized my new life was about to begin, any words I might have had to say died in my throat. Now―
*thud*
Someone shoved me through the door.
"…"
I was currently processing my situation.
I was told that passing through that huge door would send me to a random country…
However, what lay before me was neither a country, nor a town, nor a building, but a large tree, the likes of which you wouldn't find in Japan. Ankle-deep grass spread in all directions like a soft, bright green carpet. It was a forest.
"…I've been tricked."
It took me a few minutes to accept what I was looking at, and a few more minutes to accept what had happened to me.
"That son of a bitch!"
There was no door behind me. I was thrown out here on a one-way trip.
I'd basically been dropped into the lion's den, and would have to prepare for a primitive life, where if something bad happened, I wouldn't see the light of tomorrow. I wasn't given a choice in the matter.
That shitty old man was throwing me away, like a poor, honest, ignorant boy. Well this honest boy won't forget what you've done, you hear me? Hey!
I let out a big, long sigh and took a few breaths to calm my stomach. I told myself this development was a common trope in fantasy light novel stories. It helps to remember that, but the important question is, how am I supposed to live in this forest?
For now, let's confirm my status plate again. It's not as if my [Chef] job will have mysteriously changed if I check it one more time, but I just feel like clinging to something, anything familiar, to start thinking of ideas.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone