Detesting The System: Sundering Fate

When I finally got to the fourth floor, it didn't take more than a few minutes to strike gold as I came upon a cl.u.s.ter of herbs by the side of Dungeon Wall.

[Appraised Status

Name: White Tipped Daisies (377 grams)

Quality: Worthless

Description: According to the encyclopedia of herbs I browsed, these aren't that valuable as they're use is highly limited. Moreover, they appear to be of almost unusable quality with lightly greyed white tips, instead of the "coveted" pearly white, white tips… Moreover, with bits of petals apparently chewed up or damaged from neglect, it's hardly a mystery why his cl.u.s.ter of herbs is rated so poorly.]

Sighing, at my lack of beginner's luck I still chose to pack these herbs away as it would be in my best interest to get as much practice as possible; especially in these beginner stages. After using my Sickle to carefully implement my Harvesting Skill and free the herbs from the ground, I placed them in a wooden box within my backpack. Sadly, it was just an ordinary box, not geared to preserve picked herbs so I'd need to use them sooner rather than later as their herbal essence would all but escape before the day ended.

For the next two or so hours, my life revolved around fighting monsters and harvesting resources. Soon into my solo adventure, I came across some ores, but I figured they were not worth carrying for now. Studying them out in the field was more than enough for my Appraisal skill, as I had my hands full with just carrying Monster Cores and Medicinal Herbs; not to mention the weight of my equipment…

Though my status wasn't increasing as exaggeratedly as it did during my first two days in this world, at least I had a couple of breakthroughs now that was able to go all out without support. Alas, only my skills would see any notable progress as the breakthroughs to my parameters would only take place when my Goddess updated them.

[Status

Name: Nathanial Keter

Level: 1

Power: D 581 (C 601)

Endurance: D 585 (C 607)

Dexterity: D 591 (C 608)

Agility: D 583 (C 602)

Magic: A 822 (A 831)

Name: Chain Sickle Basic Mastery

Level: H → G

Effect: If this were karate you'd be an orange belt. Using fundamental moves from the basics of Chain Sickle attacks now becomes intuitive and attempts at some intermediate level attacks are possible.

Name: Appraisal

Level: Null → H

Effect: You should be well equipped to appraise most resources found down to the fifth level of the Dungeon. That along with products made with said resources up to Mediocre Quality.

Name: Harvesting

Level: Null → I

Effect: Success rate of harvesting herbs you've harvested before rise by 5%. Monster cores extracted from familiar monsters lose about 5% less mass provide you aim correctly and drop rates increase by the same margin under the same conditions.]

Sitting by the stairs that led to the fifth floor, I decided to eat my lunch as it was probably noon on the surface; that and I was admittedly hungry after all the hard work. Without a companion, it became nerve-racking having to keep a lookout for potential threats as I ate, but since the stairs of the Dungeon were usually devoid of monsters, it wasn't too bad.

Unpacking the lunch I got from the Hostess of Fertility, I was once more affirmed the notion that they were an establishment worthy of frequent visits. A mere 150 Vali had granted me a hearty meal which consisted of fried potatoes, a sandwich, a salad, and some fruits. It was a meal that was both nutritious and delicious, and though I only had ice-water to go along with the food, because of the labor-intensive work I'd been at for the past couple hours, said water was as delicious as any juice or flavored drink I could have bought on the surface.

When I was done with my meal, I packed up the box it came with and left about a cups worth of water in my insulated bottle, before getting up to continue exploring the fourth floor. I didn't even consider heading deeper as safe adventuring on this floor was already nearing the limit of my ability. Continuing any deeper whilst knowing that my burdens would only grow with the steady acquisition of Monster Cores and Dungeon Herbs would be beyond foolish. Thus, I picked a different path along the labyrinth of paths characteristic of every floor and went on my merry way; fighting, harvesting, and increasing my skills all the while.

Eventually, I became over-enc.u.mbered… not by the weight of the things I carried in my backpack, but by the volume. In any case, by now I'd amassed several different types of herbs which could be good enough to start Alchemy on, so I decided to head back up to the surface.

Half an hour later, I was back to the ground level of the tower of Babel. From there I went over to the Guild to cash in my Monster Cores, becoming 11,831 Vali richer as a result. But before going back to the ruined church, I went to the Blue Pharmacy, a store owned by the God Miach, to buy some equipment to begin practicing my Alchemy. I hadn't forgotten the favor this God had done for my Familia, so with little hesitation I chose to start my career as an Alchemist by entering a relationship with him.