Chapter 19
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Your Race level has increased. You acquired 1 SP.
Your Job level has increased. You acquired 1 SP.
Your 【Earth Magic】 level has increased.
You learned the Stone Pillar and Stone Wave spells.
【Earth Magic】 has reached its growth limit. It can evolve.
You spent 6 SP to evolve 【Earth Magic】 into 【Terra Magic】.
You learned the Earthquake spell.
Based on your experience so far, you can acquire 【Lava Magic】.
You spent 6 SP to acquire 【Lava Magic】.
You learned the Lava Bullet spell.
Your 【Water Magic】 level has increased.
You learned the Water Pillar and Water Wave spells.
【Water Magic】 has reached its growth limit. It can evolve.
You spent 6 SP to evolve 【Water Magic】 into 【Water-Ice Magic】.
You learned the Ice Touch spell.
Based on your experience so far, you can acquire 【Tree Magic】.
You spent 6 SP to acquire 【Tree Magic】.
You learned the Thorn Whip spell.
Based on your experience so far, you can acquire 【Smoke Magic】.
You spent 6 SP to acquire 【Smoke Magic】.
You learned the Heat Mist spell.
Your 【Fire Magic】 level has increased.
Your 【Wind Magic】 level has increased.
You learned the Wind Pillar and Wind Wave spells.
【Wind Magic】 has reached its growth limit. It can evolve.
You spent 6 SP to evolve 【Wind Magic】 into 【Storm Magic】.
You learned the Storm spell.
Based on your experience so far, you can acquire 【Sandstorm Magic】.
You spent 6 SP to acquire 【Sandstorm Magic】.
You learned the Sand Wind spell.
Based on your experience so far, you can acquire 【Lightning Magic】.
You spent 6 SP to acquire 【Lightning Magic】.
You learned the Thunder Arrow spell.
Based on your experience so far, you can acquire 【Explosion Magic】.
You spent 6 SP to acquire 【Explosion Magic】.
You learned the Magic Bomb spell.
Your 【Dark Magic】 level has increased.
Your 【Void Magic】 level has increased.
Your 【Summoning】 level has increased.
Your 【Enchantment】 level has increased.
Your 【Magic Circle】 level has increased.
You learned Tomoe Magic Circle and Activation Standby.
Your 【Necromancy】 level has increased.
Your 【Curse Magic】 level has increased.
Your 【Trap Magic】 level has increased.
Your 【Spirit Summoning】 level has increased.
Your 【Evil Magic】 level has increased.
Your 【Linguistics】 level has increased.
Your 【Sneak】 level has increased.
【Sneak】 has reached its growth limit.
Your 【Surprise Attack】 level has increased.
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Yes, this is the result of the two of us going on a Ratman killing spree. Good grief, it's gotten incredibly cluttered. That's because magic can now evolve and composite elements have finally been unlocked. Naturally, I acquired every one of them.
Let's only go over the explanations for the spells that aren't self-explanatory. ◯Pillar and ◯Wave are obvious enough, right? They're exactly what they sound like.
The other ones that are exactly what they sound like would be Earthquake and Storm. They really were just that. ...Though I never want to use them in the sewers again.
I'll explain the other spells. First up is Ice Touch from 【Water-Ice Magic】. I've finally learned to control ice. Apparently, the first step is a spell that freezes whatever it touches. How difficult to use!
【Tree Magic】 is Thorn Whip. It's a spell that lets you freely control vines covered in thorns. It feels like Iris's tentacles plus thorns. Though it's inferior in power.
【Lava Magic】 is Lava Bullet. It fires a lump of lava. It doesn't have much range or speed, but it's interesting that the lump remains for a while after landing on the ground.
【Sandstorm Magic】 is Sand Wind. It releases wind containing sand, and all it does is blind the enemy. If you ask whether that's a weak effect, I'd say no. It lasts quite a long time, so it should have its uses.
【Smoke Magic】 is Heat Mist. It creates a mist of searing heat. This is seriously nasty. One of the Ratmen apparently inhaled it, and its airway seemed to have been burned as a result. The spell also lasts a long time, so you need to disperse it immediately with 【Wind Magic】 or escape the area. Anyone who doesn't know how to deal with it will suffer severe burns.
【Lightning Magic】 is Thunder Arrow. It fires an incredibly fast arrow of lightning. Its power is low, but it can apparently paralyze the target. Its speed also gives it a high hit rate. I suppose you could call it highly versatile.
【Explosion Magic】 is Magic Bomb. This one's unusual: it makes a designated coordinate within its range explode. I wonder what happens if I combine it with 【Trap Magic】. Heh heh heh, I can't wait.
I'm very happy to have acquired so many new spells. However, there's one piece of bad news I have to mention. Almost all of that huge stockpile of SP is gone. Well, I still have eight points left, but this is almost the first time I've had only a single-digit amount remaining, so I can't settle down. I suppose this is the ultimate expression of my penny-pinching nature.
Putting that aside, after we had made considerable progress mapping the southern area, we discovered another staircase leading farther underground. Apparently, this isn't the end after all.
I thought we'd go down and take a look, but things don't work that conveniently. The entrance to the staircase was crowded with more Ratmen than we'd ever seen before. There were enough of them to call it an army, and I have to admit that charging in with just the two of us would be difficult.
"Izam, that's the boss, right?"
"Yeah, without a doubt."
There were already a lot of them, and on top of that, there was a monster that looked like the boss, along with its entourage. Here are the results of their 【Appraisal】.
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Race: Ratman General Lv30
Job: General Lv0
Skill: 【Gluttony】
【Fangs】
【Axe Arts】
【Earth Magic】
【Dark Magic】
【Strength Enhancement】
【Defense Enhancement】
【Agility Enhancement】
【Command】
【Subordinate Enhancement】
Race: Ratman Knight Lv20~25
Job: Knight Lv0~5
Skill: 【Gluttony】
【Fangs】
【Sword Arts】 or 【Spear Arts】 or 【Archery】 or 【Axe Arts】
【Earth Magic】
【Dark Magic】
【Strength Enhancement】
【Agility Enhancement】
【Command】
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Um, even the boss's underlings—there are more than ten of them—are higher level than us. And the Ratman General is even stronger than the Trial of the Azure Moon!
No way. Reckless. Insane. If we charged in, we'd only die like dogs. Jigoro seems to understand that too; his face had tightened. He may enjoy fights with bad odds, but he doesn't like fights we have absolutely no chance of winning.
"...Should we go back?"
"...Yeah."
We'll get stronger, bring those three along, and come back to try again. I'll definitely defeat it. With that vow, we fled back.
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"I'm back."
"Oh, welcome home!"
When we returned to the laboratory, Iris stopped working and turned toward us. At the same time, Genjuro stopped spitting thread, and Ruby closed her book. It seemed each of them had been doing whatever they wanted. Good, good.
"How did it go?"
"The two of us made a circuit of the southern side. Then we found a staircase leading farther down."
"Oh! That's amazing!"
"But there was someone guarding the entrance. We gave up and came back."
"What!?"
Hearing my self-deprecating words, Iris was extremely surprised.
"What kind of enemy was there if even Izam-san, who made it through the Trial of the Azure Moon, gave up!?"
"Yeah, I'll explain that to everyone now. Everyone, open the party chat."
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Izam: This is the result of today's exploration.
Genjuro: Hmm, this is going to be difficult.
Ruby: It's frustrating, but we'd only be dead weight right now.
Iris: Eek. I can't believe there are monsters like that... Is there any chance they'll move from there?
Jigoro: Who knows. They were sitting there pretty solidly, but that doesn't prove they won't move.
Izam: Exactly. I never thought there would be a monster like that living nearby.
Jigoro: So what are we gonna do now? We ain't gonna keep hiding, are we?
Izam: Of course not. There are that many of them. It would be impossible for one or two people to clear it.
Izam: That's why I'd like the three of you to come with us.
Genjuro: Of course, I don't mind. But aren't we too weak to be of help?
Ruby: Grandpa's right. Like I said, we'd only get in the way.
Izam: That can't be helped. That's why I want the three of you to somehow level up.
Izam: Fortunately, it seems the strategy group has moved to the next field, and thanks to the incident we caused yesterday, everyone is concentrated in the northern mountains. The Western Forest, where it's easiest to earn experience, is empty.
Izam: For the time being, we'll level up in the sewers and the Western Forest, then challenge the underground once we've grown strong enough. Does anyone have any objections or suggestions?
Jigoro: No objections here.
Genjuro: Nor from me.
Iris: Um, may I make a suggestion?
Izam: What is it?
Iris: Since doing this every time is such a hassle, I think we should acquire the 【Linguistics】 Skill too. It's also a pain to use party chat every time we want to discuss things together, and I don't think it's fair to leave all the translation to Izam...
Jigoro: Ah, yeah. I'm in favor.
Ruby: Yeah. It feels wrong to just rely on Izam because he can converse normally.
Genjuro: Ho ho ho. I've already acquired it, you know?
Jigoro: What!?
Ruby: Grandpa!?
Genjuro: Look, there are all kinds of books here, aren't there? Old books use old-fashioned expressions, and I acquired it while deciphering them.
Izam: What...? That's enough to acquire it...?
Iris: Did you acquire yours in a different way?
Izam: It was one of the ten initial choices...
Jigoro: Better luck next time.
Ruby: My condolences... Oh, right! I have something to say too!
Izam: I'd like to hear it.
Ruby: The party name! Can't we do something about this 'Nonhuman Brothers'? I may look and sound like this, but I'm a girl, you know?
Genjuro: Indeed.
Jigoro: It's lame, too.
Izam: Guh... I can't say anything about that!
Iris: But Izam should remain the leader, right?
Jigoro: Obviously. I can't do it—I can't see what's around me.
Genjuro: No one objects to that point. Right, Ruby?
Ruby: Yeah. Izam put this group together in the first place, right? Then it's obvious.
Izam: Is that so? Then I'll continue as leader. So, what should we call the party? I hate to say it myself, but I have no naming sense.
Jigoro: Are you still hung up on that?
Izam: (。´Д⊂)
Genjuro: Now, now, that's enough. Why don't we each suggest a name we like? I'd say 'Team Nonhuman.'
Jigoro: ...
Iris: ...
Ruby: Grandpa, that's a little...
Izam: (・∀・)人(・∀・)
Genjuro: Hmm...
Jigoro: How about 'Qliphoth'? I've forgotten which mythology it's from, but I think it meant something like the demon world. It's perfect, isn't it?
Ruby: I was thinking along the same lines. Maybe 'Tartarus'?
Iris: Um, how about 'Night Parade of a Hundred Demons'?
Genjuro: Oh?
Iris: We joined up after Izam invited us, right? He drew us here. Izam will probably continue recruiting monster-type players in the future. Isn't that a perfect name for people like us?
Jigoro: Sounds good to me.
Ruby: It fits. I'm in!
Genjuro: Then is that settled?
Izam: No, there's no way I can recruit a hundred people. I'm not the sort of person who can lead that many.
Jigoro: Then let's call it 'Night Parade of Ten Demons.' We'll cap the membership at around ten and make it an elite small team. How about it?
Ruby: I like it! That gets me fired up!
Genjuro: We'll have to get strong enough to be called elite. Ho ho, I'm looking forward to it. But there are only five of us right now, so shouldn't the number match?
Ruby: I'm in!
Jigoro: Yeah. If the number doesn't match, it won't look right.
Iris: Izam, are you okay with that?
Izam: Fine. From now on, our party name is 'Night Parade of Five Demons'... No, how is that any better?
Jigoro: Yeah, true. It's a hassle, so let's shorten it to 'Night Parade.' For now!
Izam: Hmm... Is everyone okay with that?
Iris: Yeah!
Jigoro: You bet!
Genjuro: Let's give it our all despite our age.
Ruby: We'll do our best!
Izam: Now that we've settled the party name, let's split up and do our own things. I'm going to work on 【Alchemy】. What about everyone else?
Jigoro: I'm going back to hunting Ratmen.
Iris: I'll finish my production work, then go hunting.
Ruby: I'm going to read books and acquire 【Magic Control】 and 【Null Magic】, then go hunting.
Iris: Ruby, do you want to go together, then?
Ruby: Sure! I was just about to ask you!
Genjuro: Then I think I'll tag along with Jigoro. Is that all right?
Jigoro: Sure, old man.
Izam: All right, we've decided on our plans. Then, dismissed!
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And so, our provisional party name changed to 'Night Parade.' From now on, we'd be playing the game under this banner. As the leader, I can't afford to embarrass myself.
Yeah, having companions really is fun. Devouring knowledge from books alone isn't bad, but there's far too little variation. Only by actively interacting with others like this can you gain experiences of a different kind.
"Don't let your guard down, you two."
"Gya-gya (Sure)!"
"Click (Indeed)."
Jigoro and Genjuro immediately set off to hunt. Iris and Ruby would probably head out after a while too.
This time is different, but I'd like to practice fighting together as a full group as soon as possible. For now, though, I'll put my effort into 【Alchemy】. I can't do it right away, but I want to acquire a new Skill soon.