After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World

”Just what is a Professional, truly?” She asked, ”How does it differ to people who have knowledge of the field, still experts at it?”

The NPCs looked at each other, pondering who would be able to answer best. In the end, it was Oslo who spoke out.

”Occupations can be triggered when a person is detected to have sufficient knowledge and talent regarding a field.”

”Not all ’experts’ could trigger it as talent is unfortunately a requirement. Unless, the person worked so incredibly hard for years that this barrier was broken.”

Rowan nodded. ”This is quite rare, less than a third of the people I know have occupations. I don’t think even one-of-ten of these people broke the ’talent barrier’ on their own.”

Crutch looked at him. ”That’s already quite high. You must be from a town.” He said, and turned to Althea. ”In my small village, not even a hundred were professionals. We have a few thousand people there.”

Her eyebrows rose a bit at this.

”Can non-specialist do similar work?” She asked. After all, she could make quite a number of special medicines even before she triggered this occupation.

”Specialization increases chances of activating occupation-based skills. Non-specialists are also limited to D level skills and products.”

”Getting a job qualification isn’t related to levels, but to skill. However, certain skills need certain levels.”

Althea paused, before nodding. ”What are the advantages of receiving it?”

”Once detected, you will have a high chance of receiving knowledge.”

”Oh?” Althea mused, very curious. ”Where from?”

Rowan shook his head, not clear on the issue either. Most of the others were the same.

The knowledge simply appeared in their minds, ready for them to practice and put into use. Of course, knowledge and practical applications were still different, and they had to sacrifice a lot of raw materials to be able to actually create the product.

For Rowan and Oslo, they had to practice countless hours to master a single point of knowledge.

Althea looked at the blonde, who had the deepest background.

Oslo noticed her look and held back a smile. Calmly, he spoke up. ”The records say that there is a so-called World Knowledge, interlacing the world together, compiling all knowledge that intelligent beings have created.” He said, ”It existed for thousands of years, but they had become accessible for everyone a thousand years ago. It was one of the things the elves left behind before they perished.”

”It ’sends’ knowledge’ to professionals’ heads?” She asked.

”It sends appropriate techniques and knowledge according to various factors, most quantifiable of which is the level.”

”Everyone starts at level 1 of their professions, but the growth and the quality of knowledge varies from person to person.”

Althea’s eyebrows furrowed. ”I didn’t see any progress…”

At this point, the NPCs finally figured out that the lord must have awakened a profession. They were very curious what it was.

”No one knows how to really improve on it with numbers. It was more intuitive. From my knowledge, practicing continuously and learning new knowledge was the way to go.” He then smiled at her. ”It is why I’m so thankful to you, my lord, for exposing me to your wonderful buildings.”

Althea shook her head and looked at him very seriously, ”These details are nothing if you don’t have the skills to see them.”

Oslo blushed a bit, scratching his nose in embarrassment. Then, in an attempt to compose himself, he added some information he suddenly remembered.

”My lord. I heard that different people of the same profession receive different sets of knowledge.”

Brenda couldn’t help add, eager to share. ”I know this as well! For us weapon makers, at a certain level, we could imbue elements in our weapons. The set of techniques, elements, and abilities will differ per person.”

”Indeed,” Oslo nodded, ”The knowledge sent is different for every person. It depends on the experience, knowledge bases, race, etc., but mostly it depends on aptitude and talent. The prevailing theory was this was done in order to maximize the use of the skills passed down.”

Althea blinked, eyes bright. Then this must be the so-called World Knowledge that awarded her with such good things as her bow and defense suits.

If this World Knowledge truly collected the knowledge of intelligent beings, then it was estimated the knowledge she contributed may also be sent to some pharmacists out there.

How curious.

”Do they receive some knowledge as soon as they are tagged for the occupation?”

”To my knowledge, yes milord.”

Tsk. She obviously contributed first, when will this World Knowledge send her some formulas back?

The others noticed the difference in her expression, and finally couldn’t stop themselves from asking.

”Did you trigger a profession, Milord?”

She nodded, and the four looked excited, urging her to continue.

If their old selves from a few days ago could see them now, they’d bump their heads together—how could you be so casual with the Lord?

There was no way, the Lord herself didn’t act the pompous majesty of other nobles. On the contrary, she was so friendly and welcoming.

She even invited them for delicious tea and snacks every day.

Their lord had such an attractive aura that made her approachable despite the quiet strength and confidence she exuded, it was inevitable for them to be charmed.

Althea was a little embarrassed by their obsessive stares. ”I’m a pharmacist now, apparently.”

Silence ensued in the room for a while, with the NPCs’ eyes wide, someone even almost—almost—spilled tea. ”You’re a pharmacist, my lord?! That’s amazing.”

Oslo said, blue eyes brighter than ever. All the others looked at her like she was a god.

Althea was even more embarrassed. ”W-What is it?”

”That’s very amazing, my Lord!” Brenda gushed. ”In my town, there was only one pharmacist, and his status was just after the Lord!”

”Indeed, my Lord. The threshold for Pharmacy is very, very, high. Deep knowledge of plants is needed, a very good head, and a sharp intuition for its effects.”

”In most cities, there are only a handful of pharmacists, let alone smaller territories. I heard they create the most miraculous things.”

Althea’s slight shyness was swept away when she heard of this. ”What skills have you heard of?”

”I heard they could make concoctions to increase levels,” Rowan said, Clutch nodded.

”I heard of a pharmacist that could make an exploding potion. It seemed that a level 10 Mooselion was no match for it ”

”I know pharmacists that could create all-poison immunity potions.”

And finally Oslo, ”The pharmacist from my hometown could make potions that could grow limbs…”

Althea’s back straightened, feeling very excited.

Even if she didn’t learn everything, just a few of these are already amazing, right?

Anyway, the economic and military development were now on track. She could finally focus on what she did best!

.

.

.

.

Later that night.

Althea was locked in her laboratory after eating dinner late at night, using her solar-powered lights to light up her laboratory.

She was extremely focused on her craft. Dealing with and mixing various plants and chemicals, she was unperturbed, entirely fixed on the task at hand.

But… sometime later, a familiar ding suddenly rang in her head.

[It has been detected that Altera Village has been qualified for Upgrade for 100 hours. Please prepare for a mandatory upgrade within 28 hours.]

Althea who was just about to mix an experimental bomb: ”...”

Darn it!