Chapter 5
The Aranda Ape opened its mouth wide. I immediately realized it was about to bite me.
I stopped just outside its range and moved to the left, keeping my distance from the Aranda Ape.
Its extended jaw couldn't reach me.
The Aranda Ape was far faster than I was.
But I knew its motions, movement patterns, and reach.
It wouldn't hit me so easily. I just had to stay out of its range.
Besides, my opponent was a mindless monster.
The Aranda Ape left itself open, but I didn't move in.
Even if I landed a hit, I would be killed in one blow if it counterattacked with 〈Fire Claw〉 afterward.
The Aranda Ape stretched out a foreleg to strike, but I dodged by retreating a good distance.
"Giiiiii!"
When it screamed, a magic circle appeared, and a dim green light came flying toward me.
It was the magic Skill 〈Poison〉, which inflicted the Poisoned status.
Annoyed by me darting around just outside its range, it had used magic that could attack from a distance.
Just as I'd intended.
I charged straight at the Aranda Ape.
A spell cast by an opponent far stronger than me from this distance was nearly impossible to dodge.
In that case, I'd charge in, prepared to take a hit.
Since it was a spell that inflicted a status ailment, it wouldn't kill me outright.
The light of 〈Poison〉 hit me, and I immediately started feeling sick.
I swung my blade, fighting back the urge to vomit.
"〈Disarm〉!"
The blade glowed purple as I slashed the Aranda Ape's neck.
But my sword barely penetrated.
It seemed to have done almost nothing, but the Attack Power Reduction should have taken effect.
"Giiiiii!"
The Aranda Ape raised a foreleg, trying to set its claws ablaze.
That was the 〈Fire Claw〉 Skill.
"That won't work. 〈Poison〉 costs 【7】 MP... and 〈Fire Claw〉 costs 【5】 MP."
And the Aranda Ape's maximum MP was 【11】.
It couldn't use 〈Fire Claw〉 anymore.
That's why I'd kept my distance and made it use 〈Poison〉.
〈Fire Claw〉 imbued its claws with fire-element mana, then used that mana to momentarily boost its physical strength.
That was why its MP consumption was rather high despite it not being a magic-type Skill.
Taking advantage of the Aranda Ape's opening, I swung my sword again.
"〈Disarm〉!"
〈Disarm〉's Attack Power Reduction effect could stack up to three times.
However, it only lasted a minute, so if I kept hitting it with 〈Disarm〉, the first effect would expire in the meantime.
The Aranda Ape had now taken two 〈Disarm〉 hits, reducing its Attack Power by 【40%】.
I backed away from the Aranda Ape as if fleeing.
The Aranda Ape seemed increasingly irritated by my constant darting around, and immediately charged after me without a moment's pause.
I turned to face the Aranda Ape and waited, chest thrust out, ready to meet it head-on.
The conditions were now in place.
The Aranda Ape was out of MP and unable to use its Skills, and its Attack Power had been reduced twice by the two 〈Disarm〉 hits.
Meanwhile, thanks to the Title 〈The Immovable〉, my Defense while standing still was increased by 【+10%】.
Before deciding to fight, I had run a simulation in my head. Under these conditions, I could completely block the Aranda Ape's attack and meet 〈Wall Counter〉's activation requirements.
"Giiiiii!"
The Aranda Ape sank its fangs into the chest of my armor.
Right after that, my armor began to glow and knocked the Aranda Ape back.
"〈Wall Counter〉!"
The Aranda Ape's massive body was sent flying with ease, then landed on its back.
"G-G-Gii..."
The Aranda Ape glared at me with all eight eyes.
"Impressive that you're still alive, but this is the end!"
I leapt at it and plunged my blade into its belly.
Already badly wounded by 〈Wall Counter〉, the Aranda Ape finally died from that blow.
【You gained 28 experience.】
【Your Level increased from 8 to 12.】
【You acquired 4 Skill Points.】
The Aranda Ape's body melted away, leaving behind a magic stone with a dull brown sheen.
It was an earth-element magic stone.
Hmm, it's a decent size.
"That was an unexpected complication, but I'm glad I managed to reach 【Lv: 12】 on my first day."
I immediately opened 〈Status〉 and allocated my points.
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【Skill Tree】
［Remaining Skill Points: 1］
〈Oath of Heavy Armor [15/100]〉【+3】
〈Defense Increase [0/50]〉
〈Beginner Swordsmanship [0/50]〉
――――――――――――――――――――
Hmm...?
I wanted to put all 【4】 points into it, but I could only raise it to 【15】.
【You can no longer increase 〈Oath of Heavy Armor〉.】
I recognized that message.
I sighed inwardly, wondering if that same quirk from 〈Magic World〉 was still in effect.
It was a little frustrating, but it wasn't a big problem.
I could resolve it right away.
【You acquired the Normal Skill 〈Parry〉 because 〈Oath of Heavy Armor〉 reached [15/100].】
More importantly, this was a far greater benefit.
Now I had most of my basic Skills.
――――――――――――――――――――
〈Parry〉【Normal Skill】
Deflect an opponent's attack with a sword or shield, creating an opening.
――――――――――――――――――――
〈Parry〉 was a powerful Skill.
There was a time when people said it was difficult to use because it depended so heavily on the user's knowledge and technique. But that meant it could become an absurdly overpowered technique in the hands of a true expert.
"Y-You... who are you, really...?"
Ares stared at the magic stone in my hand with a dazed expression.
"...At this rate, it looks like you really could manage on your own. I guess I was sticking my nose where it didn't belong. It wasn't my place to worry about you."
Ares murmured that with a slightly forlorn look.
"I feel kind of bad."
I replied, then closed 〈Status〉 and put the magic stone in my 〈Magic Bag〉.
A 〈Magic Bag〉 was a convenient item that could hold far more than its appearance suggested, and its usefulness made it quite expensive.
I'd brought the one I'd used at the Edvaughn estate with me.
When poisoned, strenuous movement causes the poison to spread and deal continuous damage, and your Speed is reduced by 【10%】.
But once I got back to town, I could buy an antidote or receive White Magic at a church. There were plenty of ways to deal with it.
With Ares accompanying me as a guard, I carefully made my way back to town.