“Of course being a warrior is harder!”

“No way, it’s way more dangerous in the rear! And reeeaaally painful too!”

A sturdy-looking man in metal armor and a woman in a sand-colored robe were arguing in the tavern.

Even without activating the Listening skill, I could hear them clearly from the next table over.

The two of them, a man and a woman, were shouting back and forth while the other two in their party—who seemed to be their companions—watched on in silence. Judging by their exasperated expressions, this scene was likely an everyday occurrence.

“As a warrior, I bravely jump in front of the enemy, putting my life on the line to protect you guys! That’s totally different from you, sitting comfortably in the back all protected!”

He had a solid build but a boyish face, and what he was saying sounded childish. He was probably in his late teens.

“And you're whining like that while wearing that sturdy armor? Mages can’t wear clunky gear that interferes with casting! Plus, spirits hate metal, so our gear is just thin cloth! One hit from a monster could break our bones, and if we get hit in the wrong spot, we could die just like that!”

The one countering the warrior’s words was a woman who looked like a mage, with long hair braided and wearing glasses. She also seemed to be around the same age as the warrior.

They kept going back and forth, belittling each other while bragging about how tough their own role was. They just repeated the same cycle. The commotion grew so loud that other customers began leaving. Before I realized it, I was the only one still sitting near them.

Normally, I’d have left like the others who couldn’t enjoy their meal in peace, but I had a reason for staying.

The other two members of the four-person adventurer party were people I knew.

They were the former wise old sage I had previously done a skill trade with and his granddaughter.

I’d been keeping an eye on them ever since, and whenever I spotted them, I’d erase my presence with a skill and watch over them like this.

They didn’t seem to have noticed me. The two ignored their bickering companions and continued eating. …Unfazed as ever.

“So, what do you think, Luiyo? Being a warrior is harder, right?”

“Peeri, you understand how tough it is being a mage, don’t you?”

The two eating were suddenly dragged into the conversation and gave awkward smiles.

By the way, Luiyo was the name the former sage was currently using, and Peeri was his granddaughter.

The party was well-balanced: two frontliners—both warriors—and two backliners, a mage and an archer.

Rumor had it that although they were newcomers, they’d been completing requests smoothly and without trouble.

They weren’t just taking on monster hunts either. They were also actively doing menial work and herb gathering jobs that most young adventurers avoided.

In those cases, Luiyo’s knowledge as a former sage came in handy.

It was nice to see that he seemed to have integrated well into the party.

“Hmm, I think both roles are tough in their own way, right, Luiyo?”

“Indeed. Both frontliners and backliners face their own challenges. It’s not about which is better.”

“Luiyo, I’ve always thought this—but you talk like a grandpa.”

“Do I?”

“Yeah. But I actually like how you talk.”

She wasn’t wrong. He didn’t sound youthful at all.

Maybe I should’ve sold him an Acting skill too? But since Peeri liked his speech, maybe it was fine the way it was.

“Hey, don’t just get caught up in your own conversation! Answer the question!”

“Yeah, seriously! We’re talking about whether frontliners or backliners have it tougher!”

Even though they were just fighting, now they were perfectly in sync. It didn’t seem like they actually disliked each other after all.

“You guys have this exact same argument every time. I don’t care anymore.”

Peeri answered while resting her cheek on her hand and spinning her fork. She clearly had no intention of taking the matter seriously.

“Indeed. Repeating this endlessly is pointless. Peeri, don’t wave your fork around. It’s bad manners.”

“Sooorry.”

“Honestly.”

The exchange between Luiyo and Peeri was straight out of a conversation between grandfather and granddaughter.

They looked different now, but watching them still warmed my heart.

“Still, it’s troublesome that we always have to step in. If both of you are so insistent that your own role is tougher, why not switch roles for once?”

The remaining three tilted their heads, as if they didn’t understand what the old sage meant.

“Perhaps I phrased it poorly. What I mean is, Semash the frontliner could try taking on Sarpy’s backline role. And Sarpy could try being the frontliner instead. What do you think?”

“Ooh, that sounds fun! It should be fine if it’s against weak monsters, right?”

Peeri clapped her hands in excitement. The two in question exchanged glances, looking uncertain.

Semash was clearly a warrior type, and Sarpy was a slender mage. If they switched roles... it really did sound interesting.

“If I may speak seriously—experiencing each other’s roles and struggles could help improve teamwork moving forward.”

“Yeah, yeah, I totally agree!”

“W-wait, but she can’t wear armor or anything! Mine’s super heavy, you know!”

“Right? I’m not strong at all. And besides, Semash wouldn’t be able to use magic even if he tried being in the backline!”

They were more worried about the other than themselves.

Now that they were calming down, they probably realized the idea was a bit extreme.

Luiyo, the former sage, probably wasn’t serious either—he likely just wanted to make them rethink their positions.

“Though, there is a way they could truly assume each other’s roles… but it wouldn’t be worth the trouble. It’d also cost a large sum.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“What are you talking about, Luiyo?”

“What do you mean by ‘possible’?”

Luiyo must have intended that as a monologue, but his voice was too loud. His companions latched onto his words.

What he meant by “that method”… was probably asking me for help.

But using it just to settle a petty newbie adventurer squabble would be far from cheap.

Still, the idea sounded interesting. Personally, I was curious how it would play out too.

Quietly, I stood up from my seat, deactivated my Concealment skill, and walked toward their table.

“It's been a while, Lord Luiyo. And you were the sage's grandchild, weren't you?”

With a business smile on my face, I feigned ignorance and spoke to them.

Luiyo and Peeri looked surprised when they saw my face, but they quickly returned the smile. The other two, whom I was meeting for the first time, looked at me suspiciously.

“Oh, oh! You're the one we met at Grandpa's place, right? You know Luiyo too?”

“It’s been a while, Collector.”

“Collector?”

Everyone except Luiyo reacted to the word. Now then, let’s begin the business talk.

Though, since they're just beginner adventurers, I can’t expect much profit.

“I overheard your conversation, and though it may be rude, I decided to speak up. I'm thinking of starting a new business soon. I believe it might be of some use to all of you.”

The next day, I was to accompany them on an adventure, and we had arranged to meet in front of the Adventurer’s Guild early in the morning.

We're about five minutes past the appointed time... Ah, here they come.

“Sorry for the wait!”

“My apologies. We’ve kept you waiting.”

Peeri and Luiyo, the grandparent-grandchild duo, arrived in their usual outfits. A little behind them, Semash and Sarpy followed sluggishly.

Their steps were heavy—not out of reluctance, but more likely due to discomfort. With their clothing and new abilities.

“Are we really going on an adventure in this flimsy clothing? There's no defense at all, this is hopeless.”

Semash, a warrior, pinched the hem of his thin robe and grimaced.

He swung the staff in his hand like a spear, but it clearly didn’t feel right.

“Hey, don’t treat my staff so roughly! Geez, have you even wiped that armor properly? It stinks of sweat. But with armor this sturdy, enemy attacks shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Sarpy, who is a mage, was now wearing armor—but it didn’t suit her at all. Since she's not much shorter than Semash, the size was okay, but it felt more like the armor was wearing her than the other way around.

Despite her slender frame, she didn’t seem bothered by the weight of the metal armor and walked with a light step, clearly excited. ...When really, she shouldn’t be able to move at all.

“You really are amazing, Collector. I'm sorry for doubting you yesterday.”

Sarpy bowed her head in apology, appearing like a completely different person compared to how she was when talking with Semash.

Apparently, they’re childhood friends from the same village. When they’re together, their language becomes more casual and rough, but normally she’s quite well-mannered.

“I still can’t believe skill exchange is even possible. It blows my mind.”

That’s the usual reaction from people who learn about my ability for the first time.

Yesterday, I had offered to exchange their skills.

I temporarily purchased both their skills, then transferred Semash’s to Sarpy and vice versa.

From Semash, I obtained: Spear Techniques, Superhuman Strength, Sturdiness, and Pain Resistance.

From Sarpy, I got: Mana Conversion, Fire Magic, Water Magic, and Magic Manipulation.

There are two types of skills: innate skills one is born with, and learned skills acquired later.

However, acquiring skills post-birth is extremely difficult. Everyone’s heard the tale of the master swordsman who swung his sword endlessly every day but never acquired the Swordsmanship skill in his lifetime.

Skills are inborn talents. They give an edge, but lacking them doesn’t mean one can’t make it. That swordsman had no talent but made up for it with sheer effort.

Still, some skills are easier to acquire after birth. Those are abilities that go beyond the laws of this world—magic.

Why only magic-related skills are easier to learn remains a mystery. Scholars and the Magic Association have differing opinions. Common belief says it's a divine blessing.

Even so, “easier” is relative. It still takes more than a bit of effort. Sarpy likely worked very hard to master two elements.

This time, since it was a trial run for a new business, I waived the usual fee for the exchange.

Large adventurer organizations often have internal issues, and even the Champion once came to me with a similar consultation.

If this goes well, I might start offering temporary skill exchange services in earnest.

Truth be told, I’d rather not let the skill trade spread too much. But among mid-level and higher adventurers in this city, the knowledge has already gotten around. Thanks to the Champion...

Even if you ask people not to talk, you can’t stop rumors. I did my best to convince them to keep it quiet, but they likely consider it just an uncertain rumor anyway.

“Your Superhuman Strength skill is really useful. I can’t believe I can wear such heavy armor so easily!”

“Your magic is amazing too. I was always kind of jealous—you can shoot fire and stuff, that’s awesome!”

Their attitudes were completely different from yesterday—they were now complimenting each other’s abilities.

They were clearly excited and having fun.

“So nice! I want to borrow some skills too later!”

“Don’t drool over it.”

Luiyo warned his granddaughter, who was staring longingly at the two.

At this rate, we’d never get going, so I urged them with a “Shall we get going now?” and our adventure finally began.

“Scary! What is this, it’s super scary!”

Before her stood a kobold, a well-known two-legged dog-type monster often considered weak, yet Sarpy screamed in fear.

She was holding a shield and spear, but her posture was completely hunched over—not fit for a frontliner at all.

“Idiot! With kobolds, all you need to do is keep them in check with your spear!”

“I know that! I know it in my head! But it’s terrifying to be staring an enemy in the face at this close range!”

“I know that too!”

Semash shouted in a voice that straddled the line between a scolding and a concerned remark.

The kobold's crude club struck the metal armor again and again, but it wasn’t enough to pierce the sturdy armor—no damage was getting through.

“Kyaah! Kyaah! I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die!”

She was clearly suffering psychological damage. In a panic, she swung the spear wildly, making it dangerous for allies to approach her.

I continued to observe, but I’d step in if it got too bad.

“Calm down! Calm down! I said calm the hell down, you flat-chested brat!”

“Who are you calling flat-chested?! Wait—whoa!”

Oops, maybe the anger dulled her fear a bit. She actually dodged the attack properly for the first time.

Once she regained her composure, she seemed able to assess the situation. Though she was still a bit shaky, she was starting to respond properly.

“Heave-ho! And hey, don’t just stand there criticizing me—use some magic already!”

“Oh, right. Yeah... So, uh... how do I do that again?”

“Seriously…? Focus your mind, and feel the flow of mana inside your body.”

“O-Okay. It’s that wriggly thing, right?”

He closed his eyes and exhaled with a dramatic “haaah,” more like he was pumping himself up than concentrating.

“Then, thrust your staff at the target and activate the spell!”

“Hell yeah! O flames of crimson born from the abyss! Obey my will and turn the wicked to cinders!”

A ball of fire shot from the tip of the outstretched staff, engulfing two kobolds in flames.

Not bad at all for a first-time battle spell.

“What the heck was that embarrassing incantation?”

“I made it up yesterday. Pretty cool, huh? Wait, huh? What the... is this anemia or something?”

Semash, who had been proudly brandishing his staff, suddenly dropped to one knee, clutching his forehead.

Ah, I see.

“You used up too much mana. You’ve got to control and limit how much you pour into it.”

“W-What the hell, that sounds like a pain in the ass…”

Yeah, that's a beginner’s pitfall. I’ve got magic skills too, and when I was starting out, I made the same mistake from sheer excitement. Ah, memories.

We kept fighting after that, but—

“Ugh, stop running off into the distance! If I had magic, I could take them down!”

“Damn it, even just a graze hurts like hell! Die already, damn it!”

“Don’t hit them with my staff, pleaaase! It’s not made for that kind of use!”

What a noisy battle. The grandpa-granddaughter combo continued their hunting at their own pace.

Looks like these two were left in my care.

This feeling... it's nostalgic. I used to adventure with comrades like this, and even taught others the ropes before.

Now I make my living selling and trading skills like this.

While I was reminiscing, a kobold attacked. I jumped back a step and kicked it away. The kobold’s head vanished, and its body flew in an arc before crashing down far away.

“Hey, get down from there, you cowardly—no, cowardly monster!”

Sarpy was swinging her spear and yelling at a bird-like flying monster.

“I can’t hit it! Why is it so damn hard to land a shot—ahhff…”

Semash fired off several small fireballs and collapsed on his back.

He must’ve used up all his mana by spamming spells needlessly.

In the end, Peery's arrow struck the monster down, and today's adventure came to a close.

After safely returning to the inn, I restored both of their original skills.

I was invited to a drinking party under the pretense of a wrap-up and reflection session, so I decided to join.

The venue was the dining hall on the first floor of the inn where I was staying, which doubled as a tavern.

“Oh my, Mr. Collector! You’ve got lots of friends with you today, I see.”

The cheerful voice belonged to the proprietress who ran the inn.

She was the lady I once bought a “Monster Magnet” from, and we’d been on good terms ever since.

“Haha, yes. Could we get a recommended dish for everyone here?”

“Of course! Just wait a moment. I’ll bring out something delicious.”

This lady’s inn was famous for its cooking, thanks to her high “Cooking” skill—everything she made was exceptional.

We moved to a window-side table, which had basically become my regular spot, and soon enough the others showed up, just a bit behind me.

“Ah! There you are, Mr. Collector!”

Peery came running over, waving her hand, as full of energy as ever. Just being near her felt like getting a dose of sunshine.

Everyone took their seats, and once the food was on the table, Semash raised his beer mug high.

“Great job, everyone! First, let’s have a toast!”

We clinked mugs lightly and drank. Normally I’d just sip at my own pace, but today it felt right to chug it down in one go.

“Ahhh, that hits the spot. I’m beat today.”

“Me too, I’m soooo tired...”

The two of them collapsed onto the table, clearly worn out from all the unfamiliar work of having swapped skills.

They had started to get the hang of things toward the end, but were grumbling about never wanting to do it again.

“Who knew using magic would be so mentally exhausting? There’s no way I could pull that off mid-battle.”

“Wearing armor helps, but brawling with monsters at close range? That’s insane.”

As they grumbled, the two exchanged glances with the people sitting across from them. Even as they lay slumped on the table, their hands were clasped together.

Seems like they both came to understand how tough the other’s job is in just one day.

“It all went great! And it’s all thanks to you, Mr. Collector!”

“Once again, we’re in your debt.”

“Not at all. It was a valuable experience for me, too. I can apply it to my future business.”

I thanked Luiyo and Peery for their kind words.

Truth be told, I wasn’t thinking about business at all—I just enjoyed myself. But hey, this little whim of mine might’ve revealed that skill exchanges are more beneficial than I thought. Maybe there’s a way to make use of this in other areas.

“Oh, right! Mr. Collector, could I do a skill exchange too?”

“It’s possible, but…”

“Then let’s swap mine with Luiyo’s!”

“Pfffbbttt!!”

Luiyo, who had been quietly sipping his drink, spewed it everywhere in a glorious spray.

“Ugh, gross!”

“Cough, cough—haaah… Sorry.”

Guess that caught you off guard, wise old man.

It’s understandable, though. Exchanging skills could expose his identity.

Luiyo tried to calm the rowdy bunch of comrades eating and drinking.

Semash got dead drunk and passed out early.

Sarpy grumbled as she tended to her childhood friend anyway.

Peery kept pestering about a skill swap.

A noisy but joyful night with friends. I had long forgotten what that felt like. But maybe it’s not so bad to have nights like this once in a while.