Chapter 46
Monday.
That morning, Hannah and I headed into the 〈Stillwater Underground Dungeon〉.
This was another cave-type dungeon, with pools scattered along the paths.
The fact that the cave was brightly illuminated was one of those things that only happened in games.
It was a little otherworldly.
“Wow, it’s so pretty~”
“Yeah. There aren’t any monsters in the water, and you can use the ‘Fishing’ Skill there. You can catch fish.”
“Really? Do you have a fishing rod?”
“Nope.”
“Aww...”
“W-we’ll do that another time. Today we’re here to gather monster materials.”
After making that promise to Hannah, we started hunting monsters.
I’d told Hannah, “There’s no point in coming now that you’re 【Alchemist LV20】,” but for some reason she wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I brought her along.
It was a big help just having her put the materials into our 〈Item Bag (Capacity: Large)〉, but was it really okay for Hannah to spend her time on menial tasks like this? Wouldn’t it be better for her to use her time more effectively? But she said, “It’s fine. I want to come with you,” so there was no helping it. Well, I was happy to be with Hannah, too. And she could make us lunch.
We explored the dungeon until two that afternoon, successfully gathering the required amount of every type of monster material. We did fewer boss runs than usual, just twelve.
The boss was a 〈Alligator Lizard〉. It was a lizard that looked like an alligator. Its body was small, and it moved very much like a lizard. Watching it charge at us with its huge mouth wide open was pretty terrifying. Well, its massive mouth got in the way and blocked its vision, so it was easy enough to dodge.
Basically, you could beat it by dodging its charge and slashing it from behind.
There was a gimmick where you could cut off its tail, and succeeding added one more ‘Boss Drop,’ so I cut it off on all twelve runs.
Man, cutting off its tail gave me such a huge sense of accomplishment. I couldn’t help shouting, “Yeah!” Then Hannah would call out, “Nice one, Zephyrus-kun!” which got me even more pumped. That was fun~.
This time, we got eight ‘Wooden Chests’ and four ‘Silver Chests,’ which was a pretty good haul. One piece of rare equipment dropped, but it was a dagger, and none of us could use it. I decided to hold on to it for when we got new members.
Then, once I reached my target of 【Hero LV20】, we called it quits on the boss runs.
“Congratulations on reaching Job LV20, Zephyrus-kun!”
“Thanks! I appreciate it!”
I thanked Hannah for the congratulations.
It was a novel experience having someone congratulate me on leveling up like this! 〈Dan-Katsu〉 had been a solo game, after all.
Now, LV20 is a kind of milestone.
That’s because the second tier of a Job’s Skill Tree unlocks at LV20.
Now I’d be able to use my 【Hero LV20】 Skills, too.
Here’s the Skill list:
――――――――――
‘Physical Enhancement LV10’
‘Double Power’
‘Double Speed’
‘Danger Sense’
‘Hunch LV5’
‘Premonition’
‘Utility Magic’
‘Slash’
‘Sonic Sword’
‘Rush’
‘Defense’
‘Recovery’
‘Lightning’
‘Shining Lightning’
‘Healing’
‘Aura Heal’
‘Appeal LV5’
‘Hate Slash’
‘Brave Slash LV1’
――――――――――
Eighteen Skills had been unlocked.
It was quite a sight.
I’d been saving my SP (Skill Points) since 【Hero LV16】, so I had four points available to use.
I put one point each into ‘Sonic Sword,’ ‘Recovery,’ ‘Shining Lightning,’ and ‘Aura Heal’ to activate them.
I also wanted ‘Defense’ and ‘Hate Slash,’ but I didn’t have enough points, so I’d have to leave them for later.
Their effects were as follows:
‘Sonic Sword’: A slash performed while moving at high speed.
‘Recovery’: A single-target spell that cures status ailments.
‘Shining Lightning’: Wide-area lightning magic, upper-intermediate level.
‘Aura Heal’: Single-target healing magic, mid-intermediate level.
That was about it.
I’d picked up a nice balance of abilities.
Since SP is limited, spending it on lower-level magic would be a waste.
Unless you’re in a dedicated mage Job, it’s better to start with intermediate-level spells.
Lower-level spells don’t have enough power, so they become useless later on.
On the other hand, you can’t cast high-level spells repeatedly because of their MP cost. In my opinion, developing intermediate-level spells is the most efficient approach. Of course, I’m open to disagreement.
Since I’d acquired several kinds of magic this time, I’d also put some points into 【INT】.
From the mid-tier beginner ranks onward, you start encountering more enemies that require magic attacks.
――――――――――
Name: Zephyrus
Job: 【Hero】 LV20
SUP (Status Up Points): 22P acquired in total
Restrictions: None
【HP 162/162→222/222】
【MP 170/170→272/272】
【STR 70→80】 (×1.6)
【VIT 70】 (×1.6)
【INT 10→70】 (×1.6)
【RES 20→60】 (×1.6)
【AGI 50→60】 (×1.6)
【DEX 14→20】 (×1.6)
【SUP 176P→0P】
【SP 8P→0P】
Skills
‘Physical Enhancement LV10’ ‘Hunch LV5’ ‘Appeal LV5’
‘Status Ailment Resistance LV3’ ‘Sonic Sword LV1’
Magic
‘Recovery LV1’ ‘Shining Lightning LV1’
‘Aura Heal LV1’
Unique Skill
‘Brave Slash LV1’
――――――――――
The stats I increased the most this time were 【INT】 and 【RES】.
【RES】 affects healing magic, and monsters that use magic attacks start appearing from the mid-tier beginner ranks onward, so this was the right time to raise it.
My stats were finally becoming well-rounded enough to suit a 【Hero】.
From here on, the passive effect of ‘Physical Enhancement’ would multiply them by 1.6, making my stats so high that even specialized Jobs would have a hard time beating me.
My 【STR】 was effectively 128, for example.
Things were looking good.
I had Hannah distribute her stat points, too. It was a shame I couldn’t see her stats, since I didn’t have the 〈Crystal Dragon Statue〉 that let you view other people’s stats right now.
Hannah’s build was simple and clear, as always: specialize in 【MP】 and 【DEX】, and put a few points into 【RES】.
Her Skill setup was ‘Alchemy LV10,’ ‘Mixing LV10,’ and ‘Material Return LV5.’
It was a build completely specialized in alchemy.
Hannah’s new ‘Material Return’ was a Skill from the third tier of the Skill Tree, normally available at LV40 or higher, but it unlocked once you reached ‘Alchemy LV5’ and ‘Mixing LV8.’
It was a production-class Skill that returned items to their raw materials, like ‘Unravel Thread’ for a 【Seamstress】 or ‘Melt Down’ for a 【Blacksmith】.
The first time she used the Skill, the Potion turned back into medicinal herbs—in their leafy form.
It was a strange sight.
“I’m going to practice ‘Alchemy’ with these materials now. What are you going to do, Zephyrus-kun?”
Hannah hugged her 〈Item Bag (Capacity: Small)〉 and showed it to me.
I’d moved the materials Hannah wanted to use today over from the larger bag.
I was keeping the larger bag with me and planned to take it to Marie-senpai’s place.
“After I go see Marie-senpai, I’m planning to recruit guild members.”
“Oh, right...”
As soon as I mentioned recruiting guild members, Hannah’s spirits sank.
“...Don’t worry. You and I will always be together.”
“Yeah. Thanks, Zephyrus-kun. But still, it’ll be lonely when it’s not just the two of us anymore.”
“Yeah, I guess. But it’s something we have to do if we want to aim higher.”
“Yeah. I’ll do my best, too.”
“...For now, I’m only planning to let first-years join. I won’t let in anyone scary or mean, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
“Okay. But don’t push yourself too hard, Zephyrus-kun, all right?”
“Sure.”
After reassuring Hannah, we called it a day.
I went back to take a shower, then headed to Marie-senpai’s guild.