01x01 - Takatsuki Makoto, Shinja ni Naru

[bunniefuu]

Where am I?

I'm glad you are here, Makoto.

I've wanted to meet you.

And you are?

I'm a goddess.

You're a goddess?

Uh...

What do you want with me?

I've been watching you
for quite some time.

As a consequence, I would like
to make you my acolyte.

Huh?

I have high hopes for you.

Makoto,

will you become my believer?

- WILL YOU BECOME THE GODDESS'S BELIEVER?

- YES

- NO

- MAKOTO TAKATSUKI
BECOMES A BELIVER

- Where am I?

I remember.

We were in an accident on our
way home from the ski trip.

It got incredibly cold.

I started to feel sleepy.

I don't remember anything after that.

Were we rescued?

That must mean this a hospital.

Okay!

Fire Arrow!

Huh?

Tackie-dono!

You're awake!

Fujiyan!

I was worried about you!

I didn't know what I was going to do

if you didn't wake up like the rest of us!

Sorry for worrying you.

More importantly, are we...

We were fortunate.

Would you believe it?
We're in every gamer's dream!

This is another world!

I knew it.

Huh?

You're oddly calm about this.

I got excited the moment I first
saw people with animal ears.

I kind of figured as much
when I looked outside.

I see.

Apparently we're in the Water Temple
within the nation of Roses.

They cared for us after we all passed out.

It sounds like it's okay for all
of us to stay here for a while.

That's good to hear.

There's also something even more
exciting and attractive here.

This is another world.

And just like any isekai story...

Are you serious?!

You mean there are skills?!

What about everyone else?

They're here, too.

Not everyone, mind you.

Huh?

We're missing a few who were with us.

I see.

Hey, Takatsuki!

You're finally up?

I thought you might never wake up!

That wouldn't be funny.

The people here can tell you
what your skills are.

Fujiyan, where's Sasan?

Now that you mention it,
I haven't seen Sasaki-dono around.

Takatsuki-kun.

I can't believe you're playing
a game while we're buried alive.

I mean, I'm almost at the point where
I'll get to see my favorite ending.

You really do love games, don't you?

I see.

We were talking to each other up until
the end, so I thought she'd be safe.

Tackie-dono!

Even though we've been saved,

we now have to live in a world
brimming with monsters.

You can't take it easy!

That's true.

Well, first you need to go
learn what your abilities are.

All right!

I'll be back!

You are the last one to awaken, yes?

Yes!

My name is Makoto Takatsuki!

In that case, allow me to explain.

This is a different world than
the one you all came from.

In order to come here,

a person must have died
in their original world.

Okay.

Our holy goddess, in her great mercy,
has transferred all of you to this world.

In addition to that, she has
granted each of you unique skills!

I want to know my
unique skills right away!

Then allow me to check for you.

Yes.

This is a Soul Book.

It will record your skills,
stats, and so forth.

But first, let us offer
a prayer to the goddess.

A prayer?

Yes.

Kneel down here,

and pray.

I'm quite excited.

All of you otherworlders

often come to possess exceptional stats.

Surely you will, too.

Your unique skills are: Calm Mind,
Water Magic [Beginner], and RPG Player.

Those are strong skills, right?!

I've never heard of the last one,
but the others are quite basic...

Hm?

They're quite average.

Average?

Next are your stats!

- WHISPER

- There must be some mistake.

- I don't believe so.

But these numbers...

Pfft! Worse than a commoner!

But he's an otherworlder!

Um, is there something
wrong with my stats?

Not at all! You're fine!

It would seem that your stats are very—

Not as high as expected, perhaps.
But nothing to be concerned about.

Now, if you'd please handle
the rest for me, Sister!

Here you go.

Ten years?!

Does this mean I only have
ten years left to live?

You can extend it by paying
reverence to our holy goddess.

Reverence?

The simplest method is
donating to the church.

Money, huh?

You can also earn it by
defeating monsters,

saving people in trouble, and so on.

I see.

Now,

thanks to our holy goddess's great mercy,

you may reside here free
of charge for one year

and undergo training in a
variety of fields including magic.

I hope you manage to find a job
that suits you well in that time.

Farewell.

How'd it go, Tackie-dono?

Kind of dicey, actually.

One of my unique skills is Calm Mind.

It allows me to maintain a
calm state of mind at all times,

remaining unfazed and never panicking.

My second one is Water Magic [Beginner].

As the name suggests,

I'm stuck at a beginner level
because I possess so little mana.

Then there's RPG Player.

It allows me to utilize the
perspective of someone playing a game.

Supposedly, that lets me
view my situation objectively,

but do you have any idea
how I'm supposed to use it?

Wouldn't you be the expert on
that one, since you love RPGs?

I guess so.

Well, I guess I'll figure
it out eventually.

What did you get, Fujiyan?

I have Storage, which allows me
to store and withdraw items at any time.

I also have Appraisal, which allows me

to ascertain the value and
quantity of items.

Both are ultra-rank skills.

Ultra? That must be nice.

I also have Visual Novel Player.

It lets me read conversations
with people as text,

save them in a log,

and view them again later.

Seems fitting for all the
dating sims you play.

Well, none of my skills
are useful in combat,

so I think I'll become a merchant.

That's a solid choice.

Perhaps your skills will prove their worth
once you start using them!

I'm not so sure.

A job, huh?

Well, I can use water magic,

so mage is probably a safe choice.

Takatsuki-kun!

You woke up, huh?

I'm glad.

I was worried about you.

Oh, thanks.

Ryousuke Sakurai.

He was a central figure in our class,

- and the ace of the soccer team
despite being a first-year.

- Ryousuke, what are you doing?

- Frankly, we didn't really get along.

- Come on, let's go!

- He was the polar opposite of me.

- S-Sure.

Takatsuki-kun, do you
have any plans coming up?

Well, I'll probably be
training here for a while.

We don't need any training.

Ryousuke here's the
Hero of Light, after all.

Wow, really? That's amazing.

Listen, we're planning to
head out tomorrow.

Would you like to come with us?

Huh?

Hey, Ryousuke!

Wh-What are you saying?!

He can just hang out
with Fujihara-kun.

I really do want to train for a while,

so I'll hang back.

I see.

Thank you, though.

Later.

- Even if I did go with them, I'd only
be capable of carrying their gear.

- Ryousuke, we have to prepare
for tomorrow, right?

- Let's hurry up and go!

- Yeah, sure.

Plus, with those two girls around,
I'd become a servant for sure.

Goddess of Water, Eir,

please accept our quiet prayers.

- Goddess of Water, Eir,

- I started my training in
the beginner rank class.

- please accept our quiet prayers.

- Of course, that meant I was alone,
without any of my other classmates.

- Keep your chant steady. Again!

The strength of a mage's spell
depends on how much magic power,

or mana, the mage possesses.

My mana was extremely low, so I was
stuck at the beginner level.

Conjuring a water ball the size of
ping-pong ball was the best I could do.

Fortunately, mastery, the speed
with which a mage can use magic,

- improves the more one uses magic,

- There!

so I trained my use of water every day.

During that time, my classmates

steadily left the temple with
VIPs from other nations

or scouts from various groups.

So you're finally leaving too, Fujiyan?

Yes.

I'll be going to Macallan,
the town closest to here.

I'll be working there as a merchant.

I see.

Once you leave here,

make sure you stop by, okay?

All right.

Good luck with your training!

You take care, too!

I'm finally able to use it
decently after nine months.

Wow! It's Priestess Sophia!

- Priestess Sophia!

- Priestess Sophia?

Lady Sophia Eir Roses.

She is the princess of Roses

and also the Priestess of Water.

I suppose she's come to
recruit people personally.

The Priestess of Water is recruiting!

I see.

You possess the Golden Knight skill, then?

Then allow me to grant you her blessing.

Now you are a believer of Goddess Eir.

Please use your power for
the good of our nation.

I will!

Thank you very much!

Now then...

Sophia-sama!

I'll become a believer
of the Water Goddess, too!

Would you please grant me her blessing?

It's okay.

I've been diligently
training all this time.

Water magic? Beginner rank?

Please work hard.

Oh. Okay?

Excuse me.

Huh?!

Hey!

Please wait a moment!

- Grant me a blessing, too!

- Hey!

- Stop! You're being disrespectful!

- Please!

- Sophia-sama!

- Stop it!

It looks like you need a
bit more training first.

Perhaps next time.

Why?

Why only me?

This world...

is a shitty game!

After that,

no scouts ever came for me,
the weakest one,

and finally, my year was up.

Thank you for your hospitality.

Please be careful!

Don't die out there!

If you run into a monster, flee!

I was an apprentice mage stuck with
dicey skills, and unwanted by anyone.

Well, clearing a shitty game
is the mark of a true gamer.

I'm going to full clear this world!

It's so peaceful.

I haven't sensed any
monsters at all lately.

I might as well train my
magic while I travel.

That'll get my mastery up, too,
so it's two birds with one stone!

No, no, I shouldn't be wasting
my mana on that right now.

Macallan is still a long ways off, anyway.

I wonder how Fujiyan's doing.

Oh!

I got a ping on my Scout skill.

That's convenient!

I can hide or avoid them,
so it'll be a piece of cake!

Somebody!

Please help!

No way...

Is someone...

This is finally starting to
feel more like a game, but...

- that looks really dangerous.

- Stay back!

- Stay back!

This is reality.

If I die, that's it.

I can't do anything here.

- I'm sorry!

- I don't want to die yet!

Help!

First, calm down.

Calm Mind.

Hm?

- SAVE THE MERCHANT?

- YES

- NO

- What's this?

- Is this an effect of
my RPG Player skill?

Hey, now. That's some
considerate production.

I wouldn't be much of a gamer
if I didn't save him.

All right, time for the
first battle event!

Water Magic, Ice Arrow!

That was weak.

I guess my magic can't defeat them.

Still, I got their attention.

Huge!

I can't take a hit from that one.

I'd prefer to avoid close combat, but...

Water Magic, Ice Needle!

Yes!

Now!

Water Magic, Freeze!

I did it!

I managed to freeze its blood.

But that used a lot of mana.

I'll use my Flee skill.

There should be a river nearby.

If I use RPG Player...

Good. So long as I have water...

Water Magic, Walk on Water!

Hey, over here!

Good!

Water Magic, Flow!

I pulled it off!

I never imagined my first battle
would be against a group of goblins.

Still...

It looks I'll be able to
manage with my unique skills.

Adventurer?

I'm so glad!

You're safe, too!

Man, you really saved me back there.

Then you even agreed to guard me.

It's just the right thing to do.

You've already given me plenty of thanks,

and you're letting me ride
with you to Macallan.

I was headed that way, too.

Still, I'm glad. So glad.

Oh, my lifespan has extended a tiny bit.

It looks like I've gone up a level, too.

It's starting to get dark,

so let's make camp
for the night up ahead.

Where am I?

I'm glad you are here, Makoto.

I've wanted to meet you.

And you are?

I'm a goddess.

You're a goddess?

Uh...

What do you want with me?

I've been watching you
for quite some time.

As a consequence, I would like
to make you my acolyte.

Huh?

I have high hopes for you.

Makoto,

will you become my believer?

Believer?

It looks like you need a
bit more training first

Perhaps next time.

The Water Priestess was cruel, wasn't she?

You don't have to believe in the
goddess people like her have faith in.

Did she read my mind?

May I ask your name, Goddess?

I am just a minor goddess,

so I doubt my name would
mean anything to you.

I'd still like to know
if I'm going to be your believer.

I'll tell you eventually.

You said you've been watching
me for quite some time.

So why didn't you recruit me
while I was at the Water Temple?

The Water Temple falls under the
purview of the Water Goddess, Eir.

So I chose to refrain.

Believers from other goddesses
came to recruit people, though.

Well, good for them, then.

She played that one off.

Now, Makoto!

Let's make you one of my believers!

Why would she want me, someone with
weak skills and stats, as her believer?

In RPGs, there's often some kind
of catch behind deals like this.

There's no catch.

I'll take some time to consider it.

Huh?!

P-Please hold on!

You'd get to be a goddess's acolyte!

Getting to hear directly from your goddess
is an incredible honor, you know!

Is she a real goddess?

I am a real one!

Listen,

it's incredibly difficult for
me to come to the human world,

so could we please make
the contract tonight?

Please?

Please let go of me for the moment.

You're too close.

H-Huh?

It won't work on me.

Your Charm spell.

Huh?

I can remain objective.

Huh?!

No...

No, no, no!

I finally have a chance to gain a
believer after a thousand years!

- I need you to become my
believer right away!

- I can see up your skirt.

Then... would you become my
believer if I gave you a peek?

How can you even suggest that?

Please, please, please!

Please become my believer!

Please!

- You're the only one who can!

- This couldn't sound any shadier.

Please, please!

- WILL YOU BECOME THE GODDESS'S BELIEVER?

- YES

- NO

- Still, it's the first time anyone
has bothered trying to recruit me.

- Please!

- I'm begging you!

All right.

Huh?

I'll become your believer.

Huh?

Oh, are you sure?

Yes.

Yay!

Woo! Woo!

- Yay! Yahoo!

- The dignity she started
with feels like a lie.

Then could you lend me your
Soul Book for a moment?

Oh, here you go.

The Goddess's First Believer?

There's no one but me?

I used to have more in the past, you know.

You're the first believer
I've had in a long time.

Consider it an honor!

So, what about your blessing?

If you offer prayers to me every day,
then you'll have it in due time!

I see.

Oh, but don't worry!

I'll give you this instead.

I won't forgive you if
you lose it, though!

Be sure to hold onto it while you pray.

Well, please call on on me
if you're ever in trouble, okay?

Huh?

Hey, don't you have any directions for me?

You like open worlds more, right?

You're well-informed.

Just one thing, then.

Please grow stronger!

I won't forgive you if you die too easily.

Because you're my only believer, okay?

I have high hopes for you.

High hopes?

Well, good luck!

Hm?

The goblin's dagger...

So that wasn't a dream.

Goddess,

thank you very much!

I'll do my best to live up
to your expectations!

EPISODE 2 MAKOTO TAKATSUKI
EMBARKS ON A QUEST