ch61-ch80 · 062-ch62

Chapter 62: New Skills

It's not what you think.

This is all a misunderstanding.

I'm not getting excited about orcs or anything.

No, seriously, something must be wrong with me. Definitely.

Actually, the doctor said there's nothing wrong with me...

Anyway, I collected the magic stone and the General's armor.

The helmet had a hole in it, but I picked it up anyway.

Mia-san should be able to fix it up somehow.

[Blacksmiths] must have skills for adjusting sizes and stuff.

She can probably repair the helmet with leftover materials from that process.

With this, no one can call me a fake [Light Armored Warrior] anymore.

So, after exiting to Floor 21, I used the 'Left Gate' to return to my warehouse.

I'll sit here in the warehouse and allocate my skill points.

Since I'll probably be taking breaks here a lot, I should get some chairs or a couch that can get dirty.

"[Status]. Then select [Skill Points]. From there, choose the sub-job [Scout]. And the available skills are..."

Skill Points: 14

'[Scout] Available Skills'

[Weapon Enhancement・Dagger] 2

[Weapon Enhancement・Throwing] 2

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[Presence Detection] 2

[Presence Concealment] 5

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[Search] 2

[Listen] 2

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[Night Eye] 2

[Darkvision] 2

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[Silent Step] 2

[Deodorize] 2

[Mimicry] 2

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[Detect] 3

[Lockpick] 1

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[Presence Concealment]! I want that!!

It costs 5 skill points?

[Search] and [Night Eye] are definite choices, costing 2 points each for 4 total.

[Presence Detection] doesn't work through 'Gate.'

Apparently, your head has to pass through the Gate for it to work.

[Search] consumes MP, but it seems to be a skill that emits a mana sonar-like pulse from your hand.

With this skill, if I stick one hand through a 'Gate' while using it, I can tell what's happening on the other side.

This info comes from Scout-class adventurers who actually use it across floor gates, so it's definitely reliable.

Between [Night Eye] and [Darkvision], [Darkvision] lets you see better, but apparently, you can't tell colors while [Darkvision] is active.

Everything looks green, they say.

[Night Eye] apparently lets you see fine as long as there's even a little light.

The Chiba Dungeon has been confirmed to have outdoor areas up to Floor 41.

If it's like the headquarters dungeon, Floors 1-50 should all be outdoor areas.

The stars at night are amazing.

Even without skills, you can see the ground.

So adventurers say [Night Eye] is better for the headquarters dungeon.

[Darkvision] is probably for dungeons with caves or indoor areas.

If you prepare a light source, [Night Eye] should work even in pitch darkness.

[Presence Concealment] is a mysterious skill.

Well, all skills have mysterious mechanics, so I guess that's nothing new...

It's a skill that erases your presence.

Dungeon monsters are said to have higher levels on higher floors.

Which means their ears and noses should be better too.

Yet they don't notice you.

In other words, it's a skill that makes sounds and smells seem like they have no human presence, just normal ambient sounds and smells.

"Like, footsteps becoming insect noises?"

There aren't any insects in the dungeon.

The insects that are here are monsters.

Apparently, it doesn't consume MP.

And right now it only costs 5 points.

I wanted to save points for an advanced job, but...

With just this and [Gate], I feel like I could reach the boss floor without fighting.

"Let's try getting it."

Skill Points: 14→5

I spent 9 points to acquire [Presence Concealment], [Search], and [Night Eye].

"Should I do another lap? [Gate]."

I'll test [Presence Concealment] and [Search] on Floor 20.

From the warehouse, I use the 'Right Gate' to go to Floor 21.

Once on Floor 21, I enter the 'Gate to Floor 19,' then exit through the 'Gate to Floor 20' on Floor 19.

Right away, I'm back on Floor 20 in the boss area.

The moment I enter the boss area, I run.

I sprint up the hill.

Hurry, I only have one minute.

After passing the spot where the Orc General spawned earlier at the summit...

"[Gate]."

I open the 'Left Gate' and jump through.

(Vanish, vanish.)

Back in the warehouse, I dismiss the Gate I just came through.

...Has it been a minute yet?

I should time it properly next time.

I want a durable wristwatch.

Apparently, there's a trash skill called [Clock] among the weird special skills.

Sorry for hitting the jackpot.

([Presence Concealment]. [Gate].)

From here on, I won't make a sound.

I silently slide my right arm up to the wrist into the 'Right Gate' that appeared without a sound.

([Search].)

My surroundings appear in my head... no, that's not it.

The area around the 'Left Gate' beyond the 'Right Gate' is being mapped in my head.

The boss has spawned properly.

The formation is the same as before.

Everyone's facing away.

(Chance.)

Holding my rental spear, I jump through the 'Right Gate' and burst out of the 'Left Gate.'

[Presence Concealment] is still active.

Not a single one has noticed me.

I aim for the gap between the helmet and armor from behind the Orc General.

The General is about 2 meters 80 centimeters tall? One size bigger than the other orcs.

A satisfying thunk.

As I immediately pull it out, the General turns around clutching its neck, wondering what happened.

Right away, I thrust again from under the chin toward the head.

"Gguooo."

The General drops its halberd and clutches its jaw with the opposite hand.

It won't die even with two holes in its head...

But continuing the fight should be impossible.

Its HP should run out eventually.

Next.

I'll take out the bow-wielder.

From the right.

As expected, since the General made such a fuss, they've noticed my presence.

[Presence Concealment] is already dispelled.

I ignore the nearest mage and run past.

Then I thrust at the face of the bow-wielding Orc Knight who's reaching back to pull an arrow from his quiver.

"Guh."

The impact feels solid.

Doesn't look like instant death.

[Charge・Spear・Weapon Enhancement・Spear] only works while [Charge・Spear] is active.

Either my weapon's sharpness isn't enough, or my arm strength isn't enough without super mode.

Still, it looks like combat incapacitation is certain.

He's crouched there not moving.

I turn around and target the mage who started chanting.

The face is no good.

Under the jaw.

Aim for the neck.

A deep piercing sound.

This is good.

This should be a fatal wound.

Even with high HP that prevents instant death, massive bleeding should keep reducing HP.

He'll die soon.

Eight left.

Can I do this without super mode?

"Whoa."

An arrow flew at me.

I only didn't get hit because I was behind the mage Orc Knight.

Dodging arrows isn't humanly possible.

"Can't do it. [Gate]."

I jump into the 'Left Gate.'

(Vanish, vanish.)

Back in the warehouse, I immediately close the 'Right Gate.'

Alright, should I wait about a minute?

"[Status]."

Name: Kasugano Haruki

Job: [Charge Spearman] [Scout]

Lv: 24

HP: 720/720

MP: 306/360

Strength: 60

Endurance: 60

Agility: 48

Magic: 36

Skills: [Gate] [Charge・Spear] [Charge・Spear・Weapon Enhancement・Spear] [Charge・Spear・Strength Up] [Charge・Spear・Endurance Up] [Charge・Spear・Agility Up] [Charge・Spear・Aiming] [Presence Concealment] [Search] [Night Eye]

Skill Points: 5

No injuries.

[Search] seems to consume 1 MP per use.

I'll do this several more times to reduce their numbers.

Can I defeat them all before the bodies get absorbed by the dungeon?

Maybe fighting in super mode would consume less MP than all this back-and-forth...