Chapter 6
The morning after reaching E-rank.
Before leaving the inn, I opened Membership.
【Membership Rank: Bronze】
【Your points: 135P】
【Total P Acquired: 575P】
Last night, I was so happy about reaching E-rank that I went straight to sleep.
"One hundred and thirty-five."
I wanted to keep fifty P for one use of Recovery.
But there was no need to hold on to more than that. I gained P by defeating monsters and completing requests, so I was better off turning the P I could use into strength.
"Strength and Agility, I guess."
【Purchase Strength Enhancement?】
【Required: 30P】
"Buy it."
【Strength: 60 → 70】
【Your points: 105P】
Power welled up from deep within my body.
I enhanced my Agility next.
【Purchase Agility Enhancement?】
【Required: 30P】
"Buy it."
【Agility: 70 → 80】
"All right."
I would take another request today.
◇
"Good morning."
When I entered the Adventurers' Guild, Felicia was already there.
"Good morning, Allen-san."
Felicia walked over to me and studied my face.
"What is it?"
"…………"
"Felicia-san?"
"Did I do something again?"
"What do you mean?"
"Aren't you stronger than you were yesterday?"
We hadn't even fought yet.
"How can you tell?"
"I just have a feeling. Lately, something about you is strange every day, Allen-san."
"I trained a little."
"I can't believe you when you say 'a little' anymore."
"That's harsh."
"Whose fault do you think that is?"
We chatted as we headed to the reception desk.
"Good morning."
The receptionist we always saw smiled at us.
"You're E-rank starting today. Would you like to take a request right away?"
"Please."
"In that case…"
The receptionist checked a few request forms and handed one to us.
【Orc Extermination】
"An Orc?"
"Yes. One has been spotted in a forest about a two-hour walk south of town."
I knew about Orcs.
They were large monsters that could exceed two meters in height, more intelligent than Goblins, and incomparably stronger.
"Will two E-ranks be all right?"
"I believe the two of you can handle it. However, monster sightings in that forest have been increasing lately. Please be very careful on the way there, too."
"Understood."
"The reward is twelve thousand Jenny."
That was more than for Horned Rabbits or Gray Wolves. The job must be that much more dangerous.
I looked at Felicia.
"Shall we go?"
"Of course."
We accepted the request and headed south.
◇
We first encountered monsters about halfway to the forest.
"Gigi!"
"Four of them…"
Goblins had appeared beside the road.
There were four in all, armed with clubs and rusty swords.
A few days ago, when I saw a Goblin for the first time, I'd gripped my sword nervously.
But now, I barely felt afraid even with four of them in front of me.
"I'll handle them."
"All right."
I drew my sword.
The first one charged at me.
It raised its club.
Too slow.
Even before its attack began, I knew where it was aiming.
I closed the distance in an instant.
"Hah!"
"Gah!"
The first one fell.
I reversed my sword.
The second Goblin was about to leap at me from the side.
I stepped in before it could.
"Gih?!"
By the time it reacted, my sword had already reached it.
The second one fell.
The third one fell, too.
The last one turned its back to run away.
"I'm not letting you escape!"
I kicked off the ground.
The distance between me and the Goblin vanished in an instant.
One swing.
"Gah!"
The fourth one fell, too.
【You defeated four Goblins】
【You acquired 40P】
【Total P Acquired: 615P】
I shook the blood from my sword.
"…………"
"What's wrong?"
I looked at Felicia.
"There were four of them, you know?"
"Yes."
"I didn't do anything."
"It was faster this way."
"Didn't we fight three Horned Rabbits together before?"
"That's right."
"It hasn't even been that many days, has it?"
"That's right."
"…You're definitely strange."
She'd said it again.
◇
After we'd been in the forest for a while, three Gray Wolves appeared this time.
They weren't enough to give us any trouble, either.
I dodged the first one's leap and cut at its neck, bringing it down.
The second one came from behind.
"Allen-san, behind you!"
I turned around.
Its fangs were coming at me.
But my body moved in time with ease.
I dodged with a half-step and brought my sword down on its body.
Felicia's Magic Bullet hit the last one.
"Magic Bullet!"
Smack!
The Gray Wolf staggered.
I closed the distance in an instant.
"Hah!"
The third one fell, too.
【You defeated three Gray Wolves】
【You acquired 45P】
【Total P Acquired: 660P】
"Even three Gray Wolves were over so quickly…"
"That's thanks to your support, Felicia-san."
"Still, though."
Felicia looked at me.
"Allen-san, you seem like a completely different person from the day we first met."
I thought so, too.
If I'd been the Allen who first came to the Adventurers' Guild, I couldn't have fought three Gray Wolves like that.
Every time I used P, my body grew stronger for certain.
"I feel like I can get even stronger."
"You still plan to get stronger?"
"Of course."
Felicia wore an indescribable expression.
◇
We found the Orc we were after about an hour after entering the forest.
"Bwooooh!"
"It's huge…"
Felicia gasped.
It easily stood over two meters tall.
Thick arms.
A massive body.
In its hands, it held a club about as thick as my torso.
The Orc looked at us.
"It's coming!"
It kicked off the ground.
Despite its size, it was fast.
It lifted its club with both hands and brought it down.
"Allen-san!"
I could dodge it.
But I wanted to see how well I could do now.
I gripped my sword with both hands.
"Hup!"
Clang!
"Guh!"
A powerful impact ran through my arms.
The earth sank beneath my feet.
It was heavy.
Unlike the Fanged Boar, this was the kind of force that tried to crush me from above.
"Allen-san!"
"I'm fine!"
I put more strength into the arms gripping my sword.
I was being pushed back.
But I could still hold on.
My knees didn't buckle.
My arms held out, too.
A few days ago, I would've been knocked away along with my sword. Now I could stop it.
"Haaah!"
I knocked the club to the side.
"Bwo?!"
The Orc's body was exposed.
"Felicia-san!"
"Yes!"
She raised her staff.
"Magic Bullet!"
A ball of light flew toward the Orc's face.
"Bwo!"
It clutched at its eyes.
I used the opening to get in close.
One step was enough to close the distance at once.
"Hah!"
I slammed my sword into its flank.
"Bwooooh!"
It still hadn't fallen.
The Orc swung its arm around.
Fast!
But I could see it!
I ducked, and its thick arm passed over my head.
I stood up at once and struck again.
Felicia's Magic Bullets came flying, too.
One shot.
Two shots.
Three shots.
They struck the wound I'd made with pinpoint accuracy.
"Bwooooh…!"
The Orc staggered.
"Now!"
I kicked off the ground and put all my strength into my sword.
"Haaah!"
I cut right through.
"Bwo…!"
The giant body fell to the ground with a heavy thud that echoed through the forest.
【You defeated an Orc】
【You acquired 100P】
【Total P Acquired: 760P】
"One hundred P…"
As I thought, the stronger the monster, the more P you gained.
"We did it!"
"Yes."
Felicia smiled happily.
I looked at my sword, too.
I'd blocked an Orc's blow and defeated it head-on.
I could feel once again that I'd grown stronger.
◇
In the evening, we returned to the Adventurers' Guild.
We submitted the proof of the Orc's defeat at the reception desk.
"This is definitely an Orc. Are either of you hurt?"
"No."
"I'm fine."
"I'm glad to hear it. That completes the request."
At that moment.
【Request completion confirmed】
【You acquired 100P】
【Total P Acquired: 860P】
Another display followed.
【You completed requests for five consecutive days】
"Huh?"
【Consecutive Request Completion Bonus】
【You acquired 50P】
【Total P Acquired: 910P】
"You get P for consecutive completions, too…"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, nothing."
Another new display appeared.
【P needed for next membership rank: 90P】
"Ninety…"
Once I'd acquired that much, I would rise to the next membership rank.
"Allen-san, what have you been looking at this whole time?"
"There's something I'm curious about."
"Another secret?"
"…That's right."
"Suspicious."
Felicia puffed out her cheeks.
I gave a wry smile.
But how long should I keep it a secret?
I thought about that for a moment.
◇
That night, in my room at the inn, I opened Membership.
【Your points: 410P】
【Total P Acquired: 910P】
"Four hundred and ten…"
That was more than I'd ever had before.
Even so, I no longer felt like saving it all up.
I was going to fight monsters again tomorrow. There was no reason to go into battle weak when I could get stronger today.
"I'll keep fifty."
I enhanced Strength, Endurance, and Agility four times each.
【Strength: 70 → 110】
【Endurance: 60 → 100】
【Agility: 80 → 120】
【Used: 360P】
【Your points: 50P】
"…………"
I'd enhanced myself twelve times all at once.
I stood up slowly.
I could tell just from that that my body had changed again.
When I put a little strength into the foot I planted on the floor, my body wanted to surge forward. I was careful not to clench my fist too tightly, yet my fingers pressed hard against each other.
"So this is what it's like to go over a hundred…"
I couldn't properly test it in my room.
I went out behind the inn and checked that no one was around.
I'll try running just a little.
With that thought, I kicked off the ground.
"—!"
The scenery flew past.
I'd meant to run only a few steps, but I'd gone more than ten in an instant.
I hurriedly dug in my heels.
My shoes scraped the ground.
"Too fast…"
This time, I held back as I kicked off the ground.
Even so, I was far faster than before.
I tried lifting the large water barrel beside the inn with both hands.
"…Light."
It was full of water.
Before, it should have been heavy enough that I'd needed to use my whole body to lift it, but now I could raise it with just my arms.
I slowly put it back where it had been.
【Strength: 110】
【Endurance: 100】
【Agility: 120】
【Magic: 18】
"What will I be like tomorrow…?"
I was a little frightened of myself.
◇
The next morning.
I met up with Felicia at the guild, and we checked today's request.
【Exterminate an Armored Bear】
It was a large bear-like monster, known for its tough fur that was difficult to cut through.
"Please be careful. Your sword may have trouble getting through its hide."
After the receptionist explained the details, we left town.
After we'd walked for a while, Felicia glanced at me from the side.
"Allen-san."
"Yes?"
"Aren't you walking fast?"
"Oh."
It seemed I'd been walking at my usual pace without thinking.
I slowed down a little.
"You really did get stronger again, didn't you?"
"Probably."
"You're not allowed to say 'probably' anymore."
"Come on."
"And you're not allowed to say 'I trained a little,' either."
"You're strict…"
"Whose fault is that?"
She'd said almost the same thing as yesterday.
◇
On the way to our destination, we encountered two Gray Wolves.
The first one leaped at me.
I kicked off the ground.
"Huh?!"
By the time I heard Felicia's voice, I'd already circled around to the Gray Wolf's side.
I swung my sword.
The first one fell.
The second one turned as if to run away.
I chased after it.
I caught up in two steps.
"Hah!"
The second one fell, too.
【You defeated two Gray Wolves】
【You acquired 30P】
【Total P Acquired: 940P】
【P needed for next membership rank: 60P】
"Sixty more."
"Now it's sixty?"
Felicia asked.
"It's nothing."
"There's definitely something going on…"
Just a little more.
◇
The Armored Bear was deep in the forest.
Its blackish-gray fur covered a massive body that easily stood over two meters tall when it reared up.
"Grrrr…"
"It's big."
"Yes."
I drew my sword.
The Armored Bear kicked off the ground.
"It's coming!"
It brought down its forepaw.
I dodged to the side and slammed my sword into its left shoulder.
Clang!
"…It's hard!"
My sword only cut in shallowly.
Even so, a little blood seeped out.
"Gwooooh!"
The Armored Bear turned and swung its forepaw again.
I dodged.
It wasn't faster than me.
It wasn't stronger than me, either.
But that fur was troublesome.
"Felicia-san!"
"Yes!"
I pointed to the wound on its left shoulder.
"Can you aim for there?"
"I'll try!"
Felicia pointed her staff.
"Magic Bullet!"
Smack!
The first shot struck the wound.
"Gwo!"
"Magic Bullet!"
The second shot hit the same spot.
Then came the third.
"Magic Bullet!"
"Gwooooh!"
The Armored Bear's body rocked violently.
"Amazing…"
All three shots had hit almost exactly the same spot.
Felicia's Magic Bullet wasn't very powerful on its own.
But hitting the same point over and over made a difference.
The wound that had been shallow at first was definitely spreading.
The enraged Armored Bear turned toward Felicia.
"This is bad!"
The giant body charged toward Felicia.
"Felicia-san!"
I kicked off the ground.
My body shot forward in an instant.
I'd been behind the Armored Bear, but I caught up in a flash.
I pushed off again and moved in front of it.
"Huh?!"
Felicia cried out in surprise.
The Armored Bear brought down its forepaw.
I blocked it with my sword.
Clang!
"Guh!"
It was heavy.
But I could take it.
I put strength into my arms and pushed its forepaw back.
"Felicia-san, one more time!"
"Yes!"
"Magic Bullet!"
One shot.
"Magic Bullet!"
Two shots.
"Magic Bullet!"
Three shots.
Every one of them hit the wound on its left shoulder.
"Gwooooooh!"
The Armored Bear's huge body staggered.
Now!
I kicked off the ground.
In an instant, I circled around to its left and brought my sword down on the widening wound.
"Haaah!"
This time, my sword cut deep.
"Gwo!"
I struck once more.
Finally, I swung my sword in a wide arc.
"Gwooo…!"
The Armored Bear collapsed to the ground.
【You defeated an Armored Bear】
【You acquired 80P】
【Total P Acquired: 1,020P】
"…I made it."
The next moment.
【Your total P acquired has exceeded 1,000P】
【You have met the requirements for a membership rank increase】
"It's here…!"
【Your membership rank is increasing】
【Bronze → Silver】
"Silver…"
It was the rank after Bronze.
I'd made it there.
Another display appeared.
【Silver Member Benefits Unlocked】
【New Benefit: Share】
"Share?"
I focused on it.
【Shared Members: 1】
【Sharing Rate: 10%】
【10% of your abilities are transferred to shared members】
【While sharing, your corresponding abilities decrease by the same amount】
【Fractions are rounded down】
"Transfer my abilities…?"
"Allen-san?"
I looked up.
Felicia was watching me curiously.
"What's wrong? You've been acting strange for a while."
I looked at the Share display again.
I could share with one person.
If I used it on Felicia, she would get stronger, too.
But I couldn't use it without explaining anything to her.
"Felicia-san."
"Yes?"
"There's something I want to talk to you about."
"…What is it?"
After taking a claw as proof of the Armored Bear's defeat and burying the bear, we moved to the shade of a nearby tree.
"It's about my Skill."
"Membership?"
"Yes."
Felicia's expression changed.
"I've kept it secret until now, but I plan to keep taking requests with you, Felicia-san. So I thought I should tell you about it."
"…All right."
I explained Membership to her.
That I gained P by defeating monsters.
That my P also increased when I completed requests.
That I could use P to enhance my Strength, Endurance, and Agility.
That I could even heal injuries with Recovery.
And that enhanced abilities didn't return to normal.
"…………"
Even after I finished explaining, Felicia said nothing.
"Felicia-san?"
"Wait a moment."
"All right."
"So the day after we first defeated Horned Rabbits together, when you suddenly got incredibly fast…?"
"I raised my Agility."
"And when you were able to stop the Fanged Boar's charge?"
"I raised my Strength and Endurance."
"And you're even faster today than you were yesterday?"
"I raised them again last night."
"…………"
Felicia clutched her head.
"You said you 'trained a little,' didn't you?"
"I have been training."
"That's pretty close to a lie!"
"Sorry."
"So you really weren't normal after all!"
She sounded a little angry.
But she didn't seem genuinely upset.
After a while, Felicia's expression grew serious.
"Is it all right to tell me something so important?"
"I don't plan to tell just anyone. But we've fought together many times now, Felicia-san."
"…………"
"It didn't seem right to keep it a secret from someone I trust to watch my back."
Felicia looked at me.
"You trust me?"
"Of course."
Felicia's expression softened a little.
"Thank you."
"There's one more thing."
"There's more?"
"My membership rank just became Silver."
"Membership rank?"
I briefly explained how that worked, too.
That your rank rose based on the total P you'd acquired.
That Silver came after Bronze, followed by Gold, Platinum, and Orichalcum.
"I passed a thousand P just now and became Silver."
"Did anything change?"
"I unlocked a new benefit."
"A benefit?"
"Share."
I explained what it did to Felicia.
"So…"
Felicia pointed at herself.
"Your power… to me?"
"Just ten percent."
"But you'd get weaker by that amount, right?"
"It seems so."
"Then shouldn't you avoid doing it?"
"It's fine."
"Why?"
"I can use P to raise my abilities again."
"…………"
Felicia gave me an exasperated look.
"So that's how you think, Allen-san."
"Wouldn't we have a better chance of surviving if we both got stronger instead of just me?"
"That's true, but…"
"If you don't want to, I won't do it."
"I do want to!"
She denied it more forcefully than I'd expected.
"Ah…"
Felicia looked a little embarrassed.
"Um… I want to try it."
"All right."
I opened Share and focused on Felicia.
【Eligible Member】
【Felicia Roth】
【Register as a shared member?】
"Register."
A new display appeared.
【The target's consent is required】
"Felicia-san."
"Yes?"
"It says you need to consent."
"What should I do?"
At that moment.
"Huh?"
Felicia's eyes widened.
"Can you see something?"
"Yes!"
It seemed Felicia could see the display, too.
"A request from Allen Valdis to register me as a shared member…?"
"That's it."
"Should I approve it?"
"Probably."
"Then… I'll approve it."
Immediately afterward.
【Felicia Roth has been registered as a shared member】
【Sharing Rate: 10%】
A strange sensation ran through my body.
"…Ah."
My body felt a little heavier than before.
I checked my ability information.
【Strength: 99】
【Endurance: 90】
【Agility: 108】
【Magic: 17】
They really had gone down.
And then.
"Eek!"
"Felicia-san!"
The moment Felicia took a step, she moved farther forward than she'd expected.
I hurriedly grabbed her arm.
"Are you all right?"
"Y-yes…"
Felicia looked down at her own feet.
"I only took a normal step just now…"
"It seems twelve points of my Agility transferred to you."
"Twelve?"
"Those are numbers only I can see."
Felicia opened and closed her hand.
"My body feels light. And… I don't know, I feel stronger, too."
"Eleven points of my Strength transferred, too."
"Eleven…"
Felicia slowly looked at me.
"This is only ten percent?"
"Yes."
"…………"
"What's wrong?"
"Allen-san."
"Yes?"
"How strong had you gotten all by yourself?"
"Well…"
I didn't know how to answer.
Some of my power was now in Felicia's body.
I'd become a little weaker by that amount.
Even so, it didn't feel bad.
It was better for both of us to get stronger than for me to be the only one.
"Starting tomorrow, I think we can take on even stronger requests."
"…Allen-san."
"Yes?"
"Are you already thinking about our next request?"
"Of course."
Felicia looked exasperated, then laughed.
"You're such a strange person."
Total P Acquired = 1,020P