Chapter 4: GPRMAN
Takashi checked the reward he received. It was a rare-class skill called Beast Small Size. This skill allowed beasts to shrink their size significantly.
"This is great! Let's use it to make Izanami smaller," Takashi said, explaining the skill to Izanami. After discussing it, they both agreed to activate it.
As the skill was used, Izanami's towering lion-like form shimmered with light and shrank into a smaller, more manageable size, almost like a large dog. Izanami tested her new form, wagging her tail slightly, and nodded approvingly.
The group walked through the day, taking breaks when needed. By evening, they arrived at the Noscal Elf Kingdom. The scenery amazed Takashi—it was a vibrant, green paradise blended with advanced technology. The elves had vehicles powered by unknown energy, restaurants that glowed warmly, grand libraries, and elegant hotels for visitors. It was reminiscent of Earth but lacked internet or media networks, making it feel both familiar and alien.
"If you'd like, you can stay with me," Rose offered with a smile. "I'd like to introduce you to my father."
"Your father?" Takashi asked, curious.
"He's one of the elders of our kingdom and a professor in the art department at our university," Rose explained.
Takashi nodded. "Alright. If it's no trouble, I'd love to meet him."
With that, Rose led the way, and the group ventured deeper into the glowing heart of the kingdom. The buildings became more elaborate, showcasing intricate elven architecture mixed with futuristic elements. Takashi felt both awed and slightly out of place as they walked toward their destination.
As the group walked through the Noscal Elf Kingdom, Takashi couldn't shake the uneasiness creeping into his chest. The earlier incident, where he killed the rogue knights, lingered in his mind like a shadow. His hands felt heavier than usual, the weight of his actions bearing down on him.
Now, as Rose led them deeper into the kingdom, WoB's voice echoed in his head.
"Hmm, this was a reckless decision on your part," WoB said with a hint of exasperation. "Killing those knights might have been justified in the moment, but it doesn't erase the fact that you killed knights. Regardless of your so-called title as the Punisher of Knights, remember that to most people, the Punisher is just a fairy tale. Right now, you might be strong, but let's not forget that you're still an amateur. I hate to admit it, but I'm worried about you. And look—Rose says she's taking us to see her father, the elder, but pay attention to the surroundings. Do these buildings look like anything but military facilities to you?"
Takashi's eyes darted to the structures around them. WoB wasn't wrong. The closer they got to their destination, the more the scenery changed. The greenery of the kingdom gave way to rows of buildings that bore a stark, utilitarian design. The structures were fortified, with guards patrolling their perimeters, their armor gleaming under the dimming evening sky.
"I know," Takashi thought back to WoB. "It's not normal, is it? She's...too calm. Too composed. It's like she's putting on an act."
"Exactly," WoB responded. "She's trying too hard to make everything seem ordinary. And that? That makes her even more suspicious."
Takashi's steps slowed for a moment as he glanced at Rose's back. She walked ahead of them with a seemingly casual stride, her demeanor pleasant and unbothered. Izanami, in her smaller beast form, padded beside Takashi, occasionally glancing up at him as if sensing his tension.
"Stay alert," WoB warned. "You might've stepped into a bigger trap than you realize."
Takashi nodded subtly, gripping the hilt of his sword just in case.
However, Rose seemed to notice the tension in Takashi's expression. She stopped abruptly, turned around, and looked him in the eye.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly, her voice calm yet steady. "Don't worry, Takashi. You saved me. I know what you're thinking, but let me make something clear. I can act normal right now because of you. Today, you saved me from a disgrace that would have haunted me for the rest of my life. I'm grateful to you, truly. You protected my honor."
Her voice trembled slightly, and Takashi noticed her wiping away a tear as she continued. "I've already reported the incident to my superiors. I told them about the rogue knights and how you punished them. But don't worry—I left out the full details. I only said you saved me and acted in self-defense because our lives were in danger."
As she spoke, a soft, warm smile graced her face, one that felt genuine despite the pain that lingered behind her eyes. She reached out and gently took Takashi's hand in hers, her grip firm but not forceful.
"I'm a knight," Rose said, her voice breaking slightly. "I have to be strong. I can't act like a normal woman. But today... you reminded me what it means to be truly protected." Tears streamed down her face, betraying the vulnerable emotions she tried to keep hidden.
Takashi stood there, speechless, staring at her. For a brief moment, his doubts and guilt began to ease. He thought back to the rage he'd felt earlier and the decision he'd made to punish the rogue knights. Seeing Rose's heartfelt gratitude now, he felt a small sense of relief wash over him.
"It wasn't for the title," Takashi muttered to himself. "It wasn't for glory or revenge. It was for moments like this... for people like her."
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Rose, I'm glad I was able to help. You're stronger than you realize, and you don't need to face this alone anymore."
Rose nodded, her smile widening slightly, and together, they continued their path toward the knight's headquarters, the tension between them now replaced with a quiet understanding.
As they arrived, Takashi gazed at the colossal structure before him—a grand building carved from marble and adorned with intricate elven designs. The towering spires reflected the warm hues of the setting sun, and banners displaying the sigil of the Noscal Elf Kingdom fluttered gently in the breeze. The sheer size of the headquarters was intimidating, its pristine white walls contrasting with the vibrant greenery surrounding it.
Two female knights stationed at the main entrance snapped to attention and saluted Rose. Their eyes briefly darted to Takashi, assessing him.
"He'll be accompanying me," Rose said with authority. Without hesitation, the knights stepped aside, allowing them entry.
Inside, the halls were bustling with knights, most of them female, adorned in gleaming armor that seemed to amplify their disciplined demeanor. As they walked, Rose exchanged salutes with several knights, her rank clearly commanding respect. Takashi couldn't help but notice the oddity of it all—almost every knight in sight was female.
Finally, they arrived at a grand chamber. Two female knights guarded the massive double doors, their stoic expressions softening as Rose approached. After exchanging a silent nod with Rose, one of the knights knocked on the door. A moment later, an authoritative yet aged voice called out, "Come in."
One of the knights entered, briefly conversed with someone inside, and returned with a nod. Rose and Takashi, with the now-miniaturized Izanami perched on his shoulder, stepped inside.
The chamber was expansive yet filled with an air of quiet wisdom. At the center stood an elderly elf with a commanding presence. He wore a black shirt beneath a long white military coat, adorned with gold accents and insignias. His bald head gleamed under the warm light, and a long white beard cascaded down his chest. A monocle rested over one eye, and behind him stood towering bookshelves, packed with tomes that spoke of centuries of knowledge.
Upon seeing Rose, the man's stern expression softened. He walked toward her and embraced her tightly. "I heard what happened to you. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me."
Rose returned the hug. "Don't worry, Father. I'm fine. He saved me," she said, glancing at Takashi.
The old man released her and turned to scrutinize Takashi. After a moment, he whispered something to Rose, causing her to blush furiously.
"Why must you always think of such things, Father?" she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly with embarrassment.
Ignoring her reaction, the man approached Takashi, extending his hand. "I am Logesh Greeneye, head of the Greeneye family, the First Elder of the council, the Military Minister, and a professor at Elven Noscal University. I am grateful to you for protecting the Greeneye family's successor. Rest assured, no one will question or trouble you about the earlier incident. The knights you punished were forbidden to act as they did. They were already under suspicion, but we lacked sufficient evidence. As you may know, only males capable of reproduction are permitted to marry in our kingdom, and they... were not capable."
Takashi hesitated but reached out to shake the elder's hand. "I'm Takashi Nutsu... uh, sorry, Takashi Nohara," he said awkwardly. "I'm just a solo beast hunter and, as of recently, a beast tamer."
What's with that fake name? You just keep your first name anyway, WoB commented sarcastically in his mind.
Takashi ignored the remark, but his thoughts lingered on the elder's words. Not capable of reproduction? What kind of policy is that? He decided to hold his tongue—this seemed like a secret best left unspoken.
As they settled into the plush sofa, a maid brought in a delicate tea set. The scent of herbal tea filled the air as Logesh sipped from his cup and observed Takashi with a curious glint in his eye.
"So, Mr. Takashi, how many wives do you have? And where exactly are you from? Your black hair is rare for humans. Are you from the North? Though I must say, even Northerners don't typically have hair like yours. You're... different from any human I've encountered," Logesh said with a chuckle, stroking his long beard.
Caught off guard, Takashi nearly choked on his tea. "Oh, no, I'm single!" he replied awkwardly. What kind of world have I been summoned into where people ask a kid about wives? he thought.
Rose's face turned a deep shade of red at his response, and even Logesh laughed awkwardly, realizing his question might have been too forward. The atmosphere became somewhat tense but quickly shifted back to a lighter mood.
"Sir Takashi, your armor is impressive. It looks both functional and elegant," Logesh remarked, changing the subject.
"Oh, it's a family heirloom," Takashi lied, trying to keep his explanation brief.
Surprisingly, Logesh didn't press further. Instead, he began sharing stories about his life and his family of thirteen daughters. Takashi's eyes widened at the revelation.
"Thirteen daughters?" he muttered, glancing at WoB internally. What are you hiding from me? he asked in his mind.
You'll find out soon enough, and when you do, don't blame me for it. It's not my fault, WoB replied cryptically.
After what felt like an extended family history lesson, Logesh leaned forward, his tone suddenly formal. "Sir Takashi, I insist you stay with the Greeneye family during your visit. First, head to the Visa and Visitor Center to register yourself as a tourist in our kingdom. After that, allow my family to host you. It's the least we can do to show our gratitude for what you've done for Rose."
Takashi hesitated, but he knew he had little choice. He had no money, no understanding of the local currency, and no alternative place to stay. Reluctantly, he agreed. "Thank you, sir. I'll do as you suggest."
Rose and Takashi, accompanied by the now miniaturized Izanami, left the Greeneye estate in a crystal-powered carriage. It glided smoothly along the roads, powered by glowing crystals in place of horses. The vehicle was both elegant and futuristic, adding to Takashi's amazement at the kingdom's technological advancements.
As they rode, Takashi's thoughts wandered, his gaze shifting toward Izanami, who sat quietly in her miniature form. "Rose, could we stop by the market? I need to get something for Izanami," he asked hesitantly. Then the realization hit him like a brick. Oh, wait, I don't have any money... His voice trailed off, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
Rose noticed his discomfort and smiled warmly. "I can help you with that, Takashi. Consider it a small thank-you for saving me," she offered.
Takashi quickly shook his head. "No, no, that's not necessary! Please, let's just continue on our way. I can figure it out later," he replied, feeling embarrassed at the idea of being a burden.
Rose gave him a curious glance but didn't press further. She simply nodded. "Alright, as you wish. But don't hesitate to ask if you need anything," she said kindly.
The carriage continued its smooth journey toward the Visa and Visitor Center. The building was a sprawling green structure with a roof made of crystal-clear glass that reflected the sunlight. The surroundings buzzed with activity, and Takashi noticed numerous humanoid figures with beast-like features, similar to Izanami's human form. Some had animal ears, tails, or even fur patterns decorating their skin.
"WoB, are those also beasts like Izanami?" Takashi asked internally.
No, you idiot. Shut your mouth and focus on your current situation. I have a bad feeling about this place, WoB replied bluntly.
Takashi frowned at WoB's tone but said nothing. He followed Rose into the building, his senses on high alert as they passed through the bustling entry hall filled with various races and officials.
Upon entering the reception area, Takashi noticed a long line of people, both male and female, though their clothing looked worn and unkempt.
"Smartass, they're slaves. And most of them are male slaves," WoB said.
Takashi didn't fully understand what she meant by that.
The receptionist saluted Rose, and Rose gave her instructions about Takashi. Without waiting in line, Takashi was led into a white room. Rose did not accompany him.
Inside, there was a table, and the receptionist, wearing a short skirt and a light white shirt, appeared. She was stunningly attractive and instructed Takashi to sit at the exam table.
Takashi sat down, confused at first by the exam paper in front of him. However, a screen window popped up and translated it for him. The world's written language looked more like art to him. The form asked for his name, his mother's name, and his empire of origin.
He wondered why only his mother's name was required, and WoB suggested leaving the empire field blank.
The receptionist then sat on the table, glanced at the form, and asked, "Why are you selling yourself to the Greeneye family? With your looks, you could sell yourself to any human, vampire, or demon empire. You could even sell yourself to the elf royal family. You have no kingdom? Why is that?"
"Huh... ma'am, it seems there's been some misunderstanding. I didn't apply or sell myself," Takashi stammered, pausing to change the subject. "What's next?"
The receptionist sighed. "You know, I like to have s*x with you without any test. I don't care about the rules, but that's not the same for others. Well, none of my business. Follow me."
"Wait, what the f*** she just say?!" Takashi asked WoB in his head.
"Hehe, I didn't hear anything. No idea what you're talking about," WoB replied.
The receptionist led him into a grand hall where doctors were visible. Following instructions, Takashi sat down, and a doctor drew his blood and placed it in a crystal jar.
At that moment, Rose entered the grand room.
The crystal began to glow, displaying strange numbers. "84%," Takashi saw, thanks to his system.
Everyone in the room started whispering and glancing at Takashi, some of them blushing.
Even Rose blurted out, "That's a lot!"
Takashi didn't understand the significance and assumed it was some kind of power measurement.
The receptionist approached him and said, "I'm going to have s*x with you!" before leaving the room.
"Huh? What the f*** did she just say?"
Rose grabbed Takashi's hand and said, "Let's leave quickly."
As Takashi stood up from the chair, the numbers on the crystal vanished. They left the grand room and returned to the reception area, where Takashi noticed people whispering and stealing glances at him.
He overheard someone say, "Did you hear? His genetic reproductive power level is 84%!"
"Is that even possible?" another person replied.
The receptionist handed Takashi his visa card. "And remember what I said earlier," she added with a sly smile.
Rose and Takashi immediately left the building and boarded the carriage to depart.
As Takashi and Rose exited the building and boarded the crystal-powered carriage, Takashi's mind swirled with confusion. The events at the Visa and Visitor Center left him with more questions than answers. Rose sat across from him, unusually quiet, her cheeks still tinged with pink. Izanami, in her small form, perched on his shoulder, glancing between the two curiously.
Breaking the silence, Takashi asked, "So, Rose… what was the test about? And what's this 84% thing?"
Rose avoided his gaze, her face growing redder by the second. "It's… complicated," she muttered, clearly uncomfortable. "Let's just say that, in our world, certain… qualities are highly valued. And, well, your results were… exceptional."
"Oh! You mean I have great magic power, right? That's awesome!" Takashi said, relief washing over him.
Rose looked at him awkwardly, her face turning crimson. "No, Sir Takashi… it's about your GPR—Genetic Reproduction Potential. It's a measure of… well… your ability to produce strong offspring. You see, the world has been suffering from a serious disease for the past century. It has drastically weakened the male population across all species—humans, demons, vampires, devils, and elves. The highest recorded GPR is usually around 22%. But you… you scored 84%."
Takashi blinked, his mind struggling to process what she'd just said. He wanted to shout at WoB for keeping something so significant hidden but managed to contain himself. Awkwardly, he muttered, "So… it's all about making babies…"
Rose's face turned scarlet, and she stammered, "Y-Yes… but the Greeneye family will never force you into anything. You are our guest, and we'll respect your wishes." Then, in a mix of embarrassment and frustration, she added, "If… if you want to be with the receptionist, I-I can call her to the mansion…"
"No! No, I'm not ready for this!" Takashi exclaimed, his eyes wide, thinking how utterly bizarre this world was.
Izanami, using her telepathic link, chimed in, "Master, even the beasts are facing the same issue. You said you'd share my pain and happiness. I… I want to carry your children in my womb."
Takashi nearly choked. "No, no, NO! What kind of crazy place have I ended up in?!" he thought in a panic.
WoB's voice echoed in his mind, "Didn't I already tell you? Welcome to the world of girls, GPR man!"
"Shut up!" Takashi snapped telepathically.
Desperate to change the subject, he asked Rose, "So… where are we headed?"
Rose, still blushing, replied, "We're going to the Greeneye mansion. Don't worry—I'll do my best to protect you from my sisters, my mothers, or… well… any other women."
Takashi slumped back in his seat, muttering to himself, "Oh great. I'm heading straight into a living microwave."
WoB just laughed in his mind. "Enjoy your new world, GPR man."