Chapter 6: The Northern Plains

7 HOURS AGO 1 COMMENT

Translator: Soafp

“Anyway, I’ll explain the skills before the battle begins.”

“You still have something to tell me, ……?”

“Don’t look so bothered, mou.”

　Wearing the equipment we had purchased from Fino, Hisana and I formed a party and stepped out into the grasslands to the north of the city.

　It was a grassy field as far as the eye could see, but there were plenty of players around.

　Apparently, the goal is to fight the enemies of this plain, just like me. …… It’s a hindrance when there are so many people.

　Well, there will be a few less people when we get to the end. In the meantime, I should listen to the explanation of the skill.

“Sensei, there are several types of skills, as you probably know. Weapons skills, magic skills, set skills, and sub skills.”

“Yeah, that was explained to me when I created it.”

“Skills can be equipped as many times as there are skill slots available. One skill slot each for Weapon and Magic, and five for Set in the beginning. In the case of the current Sensei, these are the only skills that can be effective.”

　In my case right now, I’ve got all the skills I have equipped.

　However, if I want to acquire more skills in the future, I will have to increase the number of skill slots or remove some of them and put them in the sub.

“So, Sensei, you’re not going to use the …… “mining” skill now, are you?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Yes. So I’m going to ask you to take one useful skill and replace it with that one.”

“Hoo. What kind of skill is useful?”

“The name of the skill is “Identify. Open the skill’s menu and select “Learn Skill.”

　I did as I was told and operated the menu.

　Then a screen with countless skills was displayed in front of me, just like the one I saw when I created my character.

　The only difference was that the top column showed “Current SP: 2”.

“To learn a skill, you must spend its SP…… also known as skill points. Try searching for “Identify” in the search field.”

“Let’s try ……. Fumu, it came up.”

“It’s the initial skill. It’s the initial skill, so even the current Sensei should be able to acquire it.”

　I followed Hisana’s words and selected the “Identify” skill.

　Then, along with a description of the skill, a choice of whether or not to learn it was displayed.

■ Identify: auxiliary active skill

　It displays information about the target in focus.

　The target can be a human, a monster, or an item.

　If the skill level is lower than the target’s level, it may fail.

“I see, a skill to read information about the opponent.”

“Just knowing the name of the person you’re dealing with is useful in many ways. There is also another skill called “Appraisal”, which gives you more detailed information instead of taking time to display. But–“

“…… Well, that one will be hard to use in my case.”

　It’s a pain in the a*s to have to stare at someone for a while.

　It’s better to be able to take a quick look and get some information about the person.

　Information is one of the most valuable powers. If I can get it just by looking at my opponent, there’s no harm in learning it.

　With a small nod, I pressed the “Learn it” button.

“Once you’ve learned it. Press the set skill “Mining” and exchange it for ” Identify”.

” …… Okay, I’ve got it.”

“Okay. Then, please try to identify me. I don’t think you’ll be able to see much because of the difference in levels.”

　Well, I guess it’s important to see how it feels.

　I nodded and looked at Hisana. Then, a semi-transparent screen appeared beside her.

■Hisana

　Race: Human

　Level: ????

　State: ???

　Attribute: ???

　Battle Position: ???

“I see it, but I can’t tell much for sure. What does attributes mean?”

“If you’re looking at a player, it’s usually the magic attribute, though it can be affected by equipment. For enemies, I use their attributes to determine their weaknesses.”

“I see. …… This can be used for items as well, right?”

“Yes. So make sure you use it aggressively – and look, it’s the enemy.”

　I was aware of the approach itself, but at Hisana’s words, I looked forward.

　Because of the unobstructed view of the grasslands, I could immediately identify the approaching figure.

　That figure is…

■Fang Rabbit.

　Type: Animal, Demon

　Level: 2

　Status: Active

　Attribute: None

　Battle Position: Ground

“What is that, just a rabbit?”

“Don’t let your guard down, it’s definitely a rabbit, but it’s so quick and its target is so small–“

　While Hisana was saying this, the rabbit rushed towards me and then leaped and charged at me.

Well, there is no need to worry about it.

　While ducking and dodging, I pulled out my small sword in the manner of an iai and slashed the rabbit’s neck as it leapt towards me.

　A moment later, the rabbit falls easily behind me – and then it’s gone.

[Your level has increased. Please allocate your status points.]

[Your sword skill level has been increased.]

[Your skill level in “Death point shot” has increased.

“Even a rabbit can raise a level. ……, was it status?”

“I’ve beaten them normally, though beginners struggle quite a bit. …… Well, it looks like you have accumulated experience when you beat Freed. The level only goes up by one. If you have excess experience, it will be added to your next level.”

“I see. Then it looks like my level will rise quite a bit.”

　I nodded to Hisana’s words and completed the status manipulation.

　I’ve already decided on a growth strategy, and I don’t think I’ll need to worry about it for a while.

　While feeling satisfied with the number that was rising, I checked the figure of the fallen rabbit.

　The blood flowing down the rabbit’s body is very realistic, but I guess it’s because I turned off the gore filter.

　As I touched the rabbit’s corpse, a window appeared in front of me.

[“Do you want to dismantle 【Fang rabbit】? Yes/No”.]

“Dismantle?”

“When you defeat a demon, you can get its materials. If you touch the corpse and dismantle it, you’ll get an item.”

“Hoo. Let’s try it.”

　Nodding to Hisana’s words, I pressed Yes on the window.

　Then the rabbit’s carcass disappeared as particles of light, and new text appeared in the previous window.

　It seems to be a description of the item you got.

《Material: Ingredient》 Fang rabbit meat.

　The meat of a fang rabbit.

　When grilled, it has a light and refreshing taste.

Material: Leather: Fang Rabbit Fur

　The fur of a Fang rabbit.

　Not very large, so it’s not suitable for armor.

　Apparently, the items obtained are stored in my inventory without my permission.

　For now, I can just collect them like this when I defeat an enemy.

　After checking the items section, I closed the menu after checking the skill increase.

　However, the skill levels are uneven.

　If I don’t use it to increase my skill level, should I use the ” Enhanced Magic” for now?

　It would also increase the MP auto-recovery.

　With a small nod, I tucked in my small sword and drew it out.

　I think it’s important to remember that when using magic, one should be aware of the magic one is using.

“—-Sharp Edge.”

“Raising your magic skill level? I think it’s a good idea. Just keep it on if it gets interrupted.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that. Okay, let’s go next.”

　With the orange glowing sword in hand, I proceeded through the grassland.

　Compared to earlier, when we were near the city gate, the number of people is gradually decreasing.

　And with that, the number of demons attacking us would start to increase.

　As if in response to such expectations, a different demon appeared next.

■Step Wolf

　Type: Animal, Demon

　Level: 3

　Status: Active

　Attribute: None

　Battle Position: Ground

[Identification skill level has been increased.]

“Hoo, a wolf.”

“Ah, the novice killer wolf. Please be careful. The size of the wolf, but it attacks faster than a rabbit.”

“That’s what canids are like.”

　While replying to Hisana, I held up my sword.

　A wolf is a terrifying animal. People who own dogs know that dogs run much faster than humans.

　They weigh a fair amount, and if they were to hit you, they could easily push down a person with an unsteady center of gravity.

　If someone mounts him, that’s it, he’ll bite your throat out and that’s it.

　If it was a wolf that was about a meter long from nose to rump, it would be even more of a threat.

　Of course–

“Grrrrrrr ……!”

“That’s a lot better than getting into a fistfight with a bear. I have a sword.”

“Ha?”

“Gah!”

　Hisana raised a question mark in response to my comment, but before I could reply, the wolf attacked me.

　The wolf, with its greenish body hair, was a bit of a protective color in the grasslands, but it drove its four legs beautifully and charged at me.

　Fast, but – slightly slower than a real dog.

　Apparently, it was set to be slow because it was a game.

　With some disappointment, I sidestepped the wolf that was trying to bite me with my legs and cleaved it with the sword.

” Shi!”
“Ga—Gaa?!”

　A step just before it was about to bite.

　The wolf was only slightly frightened by the impact of the strong step that struck the ground, and at that moment, its paw was sliced off by Cleave’s sword.

　Naturally unable to stand, I slashed the wolf’s throat as it fell down with my blade.

　I could have crushed its head, but there was the possibility of damaging the cutting edge.

　A thrust through the bone would have been better after I had tested the sword a little more.

[Your level has increased. Please allocate status points.]

[Your “Sword” skill level has increased.]

[Your skill level in “Enhanced Magic” has increased.]

[Your skill level in “Death Point Shot” has increased.]

“That amateur gave me quite a bit of experience, too, huh?”

“Well, true, but …… looks like you won’t be needing backup for a while.”

“Well, yeah. ‘Deal with whoever comes at you’.”

“I know.”

　Satisfied with Hisana’s sighing nod, I began to move on again.

　But it seems that there are not many strong enemies. It’s not worth it if the wolves don’t come at me in packs.

　Even if I think about it, there are only about three wolves that come out at the same time.

　It’s not a very interesting fight, as anyone who attacks Hisana is immediately cut down.

　As we proceeded, wondering what to do, we came across a place where several players were hanging out.