The End of Day Two

I immediately stored the scrapped car I'd used in the battle in the Item Box.

While I was at it, I might as well collect the other cars, too.

Of course, I didn't forget the Shadow Wolf's magic stone or those of the other monsters.

As I thought, the Item Box's effective range has increased, too.

Judging by feel, it's probably about twenty meters now.

It's gotten incredibly spacious. How convenient.

I looked toward the home improvement store.

The students were still fighting the monsters.

But the number of monsters had decreased.

The high school girl with the machete seemed to be putting up quite a fight.

Her crimson eyes, glowing fiercely, were quite frightening.

The sheer force of her presence was so overwhelming that, for a moment, I found myself wondering if she wasn't the monster instead.

"Everyone! Just a little more! We'll wipe them all out in no time! Keep it up!"

"Ooooooooooo!"

I heard Nishino-kun shout to rally everyone.

...At this rate, they should be fine.

They should be able to manage on their own.

Just as I was thinking that and about to leave, Nishino-kun's gaze turned toward me―――

"—..."

―――Can he see me?

No, that's not it.

They were using flashlights and helmets with lights, and he shouldn't have the 'Night Vision' Skill.

He couldn't see me, but it was the sort of gaze that said he'd sensed someone was here―――.

In fact, he soon looked away and focused on the battle in front of him.

Well, it wouldn't be strange if he'd noticed me.

They'd made quite a racket, and I'd fought knowing they might find out it was me.

I couldn't have defeated that Shadow Wolf without being prepared for that much.

Even so... he's really something.

He hadn't tried to call out to me, even in this situation.

He must have decided that doing so might unsettle everyone else.

That was convenient for me, too.

As I left, I mowed down the goblins and zombies nearby.

Thanks to that, I was able to level up one more time.

Momo and I left the home improvement store.

After that, we managed to escape without any monsters pursuing us.

We were now in the living room of an empty house.

It hadn't been locked, and nobody was inside, so I took the liberty of using it.

I wanted to just go to sleep, but before that, I wanted to finish raising my Job and Skill levels.

There was also something I wanted to check.

In that battle, I had gone up three levels all at once.

As a result, I had 53 SP (3 remaining + 60 gained − 10 spent on the Item Box) and 30 JP saved up.

First, I should raise my Jobs.

I raised 'Assassin' and 'Hunter' to Level 6.

That used exactly 30 points.

Since each had reached Level 6, the levels of their associated Skills rose as well.

Next were Skill Points, but first there was something I needed to confirm.

It was what I'd heard the heavenly voice say when I raised the Item Box's Level earlier.

At the time, the heavenly voice had announced:

≪Your Item Box's Level has reached its maximum.≫

≪Conditions met.≫

≪Additional functions are now available.≫

That's what it had said.

So each Skill has a maximum Level of 10, after all.

Reaching the maximum unlocks either an advanced Skill or additional functions like these, I suppose.

I clicked the Item Box entry.

A new entry called 'Item Box Additional Functions' appeared.

'Item Box Additional Options'

・Storage Capacity Expansion (up to 5 times)

・Storage Size Expansion (up to 5 times)

・Simultaneous Storage Limit Expansion (up to 5 times)

・Simultaneous Retrieval Limit Expansion (up to 5 times)

・Effective Range Expansion (up to 5 times)

・Add Preservation Function

Seeing the option at the very bottom, my smile deepened.

I did it.

I finally had the preservation function I'd been waiting for.

With this, food stored in the Item Box should no longer spoil.

One of my biggest concerns—the food problem—would be resolved.

It was a good thing I'd prioritized raising its Level.

I tried clicking each one, and it seemed that every function required 3 Skill Points to add.

The expansions could apparently be performed up to five times.

For now, the preservation function should be enough.

The other options caught my attention, but they weren't something I needed to raise right away.

I spent 3 points to add the 'Preservation Function' to the Item Box.

That left me with 50 points.

I might as well use the rest to raise my current Skills.

I had no notable initial Skills left to raise.

Considering that surprise attacks might not work, as with the Shadow Wolf, I should raise Physical Enhancement first. I raised it straight to Level 9.

Then I raised Agility Enhancement and Enemy Search to Level 7, and Swordsmanship to Level 4.

I'll save the remaining 3 points.

"Momo, want to eat some magic stones?"

"Woof!"

I gave Momo all the magic stones I'd obtained at the home improvement store.

This left my stats looking like this:

Kudou Kazuto

Level 10

HP: 70/70

MP: 10/10

Strength: 73

Durability: 69

Agility: 217

Dexterity: 185

Magic: 0

Magic Resistance: 0

SP: 3

JP: 0

Job

Assassin LV 6

Hunter LV 6

Unique Skill

Early Bloomer

Skills

Silent Movement LV 5, Night Vision LV 3, Vital Strike LV 3, Presence Concealment LV 6, Appraisal Interference LV 3

Enemy Search LV 7, Telescopic Vision LV 3, Agility Enhancement LV 7, Dexterity Enhancement LV 4

Observation LV 4, Keen Hearing LV 4,

Physical Enhancement LV 9, Swordsmanship LV 4, Stress Resistance LV 5, Fear Resistance LV 5, Poison Resistance LV 1, Paralysis Resistance LV 2, Virus Resistance LV 1, Heat Resistance LV 1, Provocation Resistance LV 1, HP Auto-Recovery LV 1, Enemy Sense LV 4, Danger Sense LV 5, Stealth LV 2, Escape LV 1, Defensive Instinct LV 1, Item Box LV 10

Party Members

Momo

Shiba Inu LV 8

As usual, the increases in Agility and Dexterity were incredible.

Compared with last time, they had increased considerably.

Also, Momo's Level had gone up without my noticing.

Momo is almost at the Level 10 milestone.

Since my initial Jobs and Skills had a Level cap of 10, I wonder whether something will happen when Momo reaches Level 10, too. I'm curious.

But, well... I should get some sleep for today.

Just as last time, I built a barricade, and Momo and I went to sleep.

And so, the second night came to an end.

Then dawn broke.

The curtain rose on the third day.