Second Job Selection and New Skills

I look over the newly presented Jobs.

'Killer,' 'Executioner,' or 'Ninja'?

"...I see."

'Killer,' huh?

Hmm, hmm. I see.

How is this even pronounced?

I can't even read this normally.

'Kyoshu'... maybe?

I take a Japanese dictionary out of the Item Box and look it up.

Ah, 'kyoshu' was right.

A person who targets someone with the intent to kill them. Or the means of doing so.

So it's definitely the Advanced Job for 'Assassin.'

"...Damn."

I'm honestly embarrassed that I couldn't read it...

I'm technically a working adult, you know.

My vocabulary is way too poor...

"Whiiine?"

Momo's look asking what was wrong hurt.

It's nothing. It's nothing, Momo.

Well, I mean, it's not like a word like this ever comes up in everyday life, so it doesn't count.

Let's go with that.

It's not like anyone's watching.

Pulling myself together, I'll choose a Job.

"If I'm choosing, it's got to be 'Killer' or 'Ninja.'"

'Killer' seems like the Advanced Job version of 'Assassin.'

Does 'Executioner' improve combat ability in addition to stealth?

'Ninja' gives me the impression of a joke Job, but it feels like it might actually be quite powerful.

I mean, if I could reproduce the ninjas seen in games and manga in real life, they'd have to be pretty powerful.

"...It'd be convenient if I could use 'ninjutsu' like that in real life..."

Clones, transformations, and the like. Earth Release being weak to Lightning Release, and so on.

It'd be incredibly useful if I could actually use stuff like that.

Most ninjas hardly ever hide, but it would be worthwhile as another option to add to my current fighting style.

"There are enemies my current style won't work against, after all..."

Monsters like Orcs and Shadow Wolves, against whom stealth tactics don't work.

Especially that High Orc—it was a monster I couldn't even escape from when I tried to run.

I can't say something like that won't happen again.

There are fights you can't avoid. To overcome them, what I need is 'power.'

If so, 'Ninja,' which is suited for combat and might strengthen my existing style, is extremely appealing.

"It's decided."

It costs four points to switch to an Advanced Job.

I steel myself and select 'Ninja.'

Come on.

≪Assassin has changed to the Advanced Job 'Ninja.'≫

≪Your Job has become Ninja. You acquired the Skills 'Ninjutsu,' 'Throwing,' 'Enhanced Senses,' 'Odorless,' 'Silent Action,' and 'Concealment.'≫

≪The Skill Silent Movement has been integrated into Silent Action.≫

≪Silent Action has increased from Lv. 1 to Lv. 3.≫

≪The Skill Stealth has been integrated into Concealment.≫

≪Concealment has increased from Lv. 1 to Lv. 2.≫

The voice of heaven echoed in my head.

I pumped my fist inwardly.

Yes! I got the Skills I'd expected.

'Ninjutsu.' As soon as I acquired it, abilities I could use came to mind.

Whoa... This power looks incredibly useful.

I can't wait to try it.

And the other Skills I acquired are all good, too.

'Silent Action' and 'Odorless' are especially welcome.

They should help against Orcs and Shadow Wolves.

Now for the Third Job.

I have to choose from among the Jobs I've acquired so far and the new Variant Jobs that have appeared this time.

Civilian, Adventurer, Office Worker, Negotiator, Shut-In, NEET, Ascetic, Cook, Jockey.

Informant, Fire Thief, Monster Tamer (Lv. 2).

Hidden Weapon User, Fugitive, Courier, Shadow Figure.

This is a tough choice.

At first, I was planning to go with 'Monster Tamer,' but the Variant Jobs that appeared this time are hard to pass up, too.

Especially 'Shadow Figure.'

This Job probably appeared because I acted together with Momo.

I assume it's a Job that lets me control 'Shadows.'

It should strengthen my teamwork with Momo.

But if I'm thinking about teamwork with both Momo and Aka, 'Monster Tamer' is hard to pass up, too.

'Courier' feels like it could strengthen my Item Box.

What should I do...?

"Woof!"

"Hm...?"

As I pondered, Momo climbed onto my lap.

I wonder what Momo wants?

"Woof."

Momo looked at my face and manipulated its own Shadow.

Could it be trying to make a pitch?

"Is 'Shadow Figure' Momo's recommendation?"

"Woof!"

Momo nodded as if to say, "That's right."

Hmm...

"...(shakes)"

Aka was trembling as well.

As if agreeing with Momo.

So Aka recommends 'Shadow Figure' too...

"'Monster Tamer' would probably make coordinating with you two even stronger, though?"

"Woof, woof!"

"...(shakes)!"

When I asked them to be sure, both shook their heads. Though Aka doesn't have a head.

It was as if they were proudly declaring that they could work well together even without a Job like 'Monster Tamer.'

"All right, then. Let's go with 'Shadow Figure.'"

The Third Job also requires four points to acquire.

I select 'Shadow Figure.'

≪Your Third Job has become 'Shadow Figure.' You acquired the Skill 'Shadow Manipulation.'≫

Only one Skill?

But considering Momo's example, perhaps the range of what I can use it for and the Skills I gain will increase with each level.

Even controlling 'Shadows' alone is incredibly powerful.

I still have 18 JP left.

As for how to use it, I can decide after raising my Skills.

Jobs gain one level in their attached Skills each time they reach Lv. 3, 6, or 9.

In that case, if I use SP to raise my Skills first and then level up my Jobs, I should be able to reduce the total SP cost.

So I'll raise my Skills first.

My remaining balance is 63 points.

First, I'll raise Ninjutsu, Throwing, Enhanced Senses, Odorless, Concealment, and Shadow Manipulation to Lv. 3.

That leaves me with 35 points.

"Next... it'll cost a fair bit, but should I raise 'Observation'?"

Observation is currently Lv. 9. The next level will max it out.

Maybe I'll acquire the Advanced Skill 'Appraisal.'

Let's give it a try.

I raise Observation's level, my heart pounding.

≪Observation has reached its level cap.≫

≪You have met the required conditions.≫

Come on!

≪―――You acquired the Skill 'Prediction.'≫

"..."

Damn it! Why isn't it Appraisal?

Well, it still looks like an incredibly useful Skill!

So Observation doesn't lead to Appraisal... What a disappointment.

How do I get Appraisal, anyway...?

Well, whatever.

There's no point regretting what's already happened.

Besides, it's an Advanced Skill, so it'll be plenty useful.

Pulling myself together, I move on to raise another Skill.

Come to think of it, 'Physical Enhancement' was nearly maxed out too.

I've got points to spare, so I might as well raise this one, too.

There's no downside to raising my stats, after all.

I raise Physical Enhancement's level.

≪Physical Enhancement has reached its level cap.≫

≪You have met the required conditions.≫

≪You acquired the Skill 'Physical Activation.'≫

Whoa, this Skill sounds powerful!

Physical Activation... What does it do?

I immediately check my status and find that various values have increased.

While Physical Enhancement only affected 'Strength,' 'Endurance,' 'Agility,' and 'Dexterity,' Physical Activation seems to grant a +5 bonus to every stat, including HP and MP.

It even grants bonuses to Magic and Magic Resistance, which had been zero until now.

Amazing. This is a really good Skill.

I allocate my remaining points to raise Physical Activation to Lv. 3, Ninjutsu and Shadow Manipulation to Lv. 4, and Prediction to Lv. 2.

After that, I use JP to raise Ninja and Shadow Figure to Lv. 4.

As expected, the levels of their attached Skills increased by one as well.

Kudo Kazuto

Level 16

HP: 40/145

MP: 16/31

Strength: 121

Endurance: 117

Agility: 284

Dexterity: 253

Magic: 15

Magic Resistance: 15

SP: 0

JP: 0

Job

Ninja Lv. 4

Hunter Lv. 6

Shadow Figure Lv. 4

Unique Skill

Early Bloomer

■■■■

Skills

Ninjutsu Lv. 5, Throwing Lv. 4, Enhanced Senses Lv. 4, Odorless Lv. 4, Silent Action Lv. 4, Concealment Lv. 4, Night Vision Lv. 4, Vital Strike Lv. 4, Presence Concealment Lv. 7, Appraisal Interference Lv. 4, Enemy Search Lv. 7, Telescopic Vision Lv. 3, Agility Enhancement Lv. 7, Dexterity Enhancement Lv. 4, Observation Lv. 10, Keen Hearing Lv. 4, Shadow Manipulation Lv. 5, Physical Enhancement Lv. 10, Physical Activation Lv. 3, Swordsmanship Lv. 4, Stress Resistance Lv. 6, Fear Resistance Lv. 8, 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, Hostility Detection Lv. 6, Danger Sense Lv. 9, Escape Lv. 4, Defensive Instinct Lv. 1, Item Box Lv. 10, Email Lv. 2, Concentration Lv. 3, Prediction Lv. 2

Party Members

Momo

Assassin Dog Lv. 3

Aka

Red Slime Lv. 9

That should do it.

I feel strength surging through my body.

My Strength and Endurance have both entered the triple digits. I must've gotten quite a bit stronger, right?

No, I can't let my guard down.

I need to establish a solid foundation and proceed cautiously.

Never grow complacent. Ever.

"Next is this."

I take 'Rufen's Magic Stone' out of the Item Box.

I'll give this to Momo.

Aka played a major role too, but Momo was the reason I was able to get back on my feet.

"Woof, woof!"

Momo happily ate the magic stone.

The magic stone was large, but Momo crunched it up noisily. What a wild thing.

After that, we tested the new Skills and weapons we'd acquired.

The weapon was the decapitating cleaver the High Orc had been carrying.

The Item list displayed it as 'Orc's Cleaver (Fine).'

We tested how it handled and tried out the Skills.

Ninjutsu, Shadow Manipulation, and the Skills Momo had newly acquired were all powerful and practical.

The battle with the High Orc had been grueling, but perhaps the rewards had indeed been worth it.

Ninjutsu in particular was incredible.

I never imagined I'd be able to do something like that in real life.

I got so excited, it was almost undignified for my age.

"Well, shall we go?"

"Woof."

"...(shakes)"

After thoroughly testing our Skills, we resumed exploring the shopping mall.

Next, we need to replenish the supplies we'd used up.

I hope there's still something intact.