Chapter-08 · EP-118

Episode 118: Skill Scope

In the hall of the Shinjuku Dungeon building.

I met up with Yuno, Iori, Maika, and Professor Kushinada.

"Shirou, sorry to keep you waiting!"

Yuno spotted me and waved with a smile.

"Alright, let's head to the fourth floor."

As I said that, the five of us headed toward the dungeon entrance.

Just then –

"Hello, excuse me?"

A man called out to us in fluent Japanese.

A tall, blond young man.

A foreigner.

Yuno, startled, hid behind Iori. With her cute appearance, Yuno was often approached by men, so she had become quite wary.

Professor Kushinada and I stepped between them, as if to protect Yuno.

"Can we help you?"

Professor Kushinada asked calmly.

The blond man looked a bit confused as he looked at us.

"Sorry, I'd like to ask that girl something…"

"If you want to speak with someone, you can speak with me."

Professor Kushinada said in a clear, sharp voice.

"Um, did I frighten you? I'm very sorry."

The man started talking to Professor Kushinada.

――Something was wrong.

I felt uneasy.

If his goal was to pick up girls, the Professor right in front of him was also a very beautiful young woman.

Yet, he specifically wanted to talk to Yuno.

And, when we stepped forward, instead of talking to me, the taller male, he spoke to Professor Kushinada.

That was probably because he realized she was our leader.

But –

At a glance, Professor Kushinada looked about the same age as Yuno and the others. If anything, she looked younger.

Why would he speak to Professor Kushinada instead of me?

It was suspicious.

I used my Analysis skill on the man.

Josh Carmichael: LV45
Skill: Attack Enhancement, Acceleration, Vision Enhancement
Party Members: Marcus Johnson, Alex Harris, Caleb Wright

Huh?! Level 45?

Not just Susa this morning.

This man was also over Level 40, and a triple-skill holder too?!

A monster!

Why were monsters like this appearing one after another today?!

I panicked internally.

Then, I took another peek at Professor Kushinada's status.

Yumi Kushinada: LV23
Skill: Ice Magic LV3
Party Members: None

Professor Kushinada's Level was 23. For someone her age, she was incredibly strong.

But she was no match for this guy, Josh. Susa and this Josh were both off the charts.

No, wait.

Calm down.

We weren't going to fight.

Still –

How had this guy realized that Professor Kushinada was the leader, not me?

If he had an Analysis skill like me, he could see her level and know she was the strongest.

But he only had combat-oriented skills.

Why?

I observed Josh.

He was wearing glasses.

But the frame design looked oddly mechanical.

Something was suspicious. Curious, I used my Analysis skill on the glasses.

Skill Scope: Displays statuses, just like a Skill Board

"Skill Scope?!"

The words slipped out.

Josh looked at me in surprise, so I asked.

"Is that perhaps a Skill Scope?"

Josh's expression changed.

"What?! How do you know that?! Where did you hear that name?!"

He was clearly flustered.

"You were peeking at our skills, weren't you?!"

"W-wait, please. I apologize for that. I'm sorry. But checking skills isn't illegal in Japan!"

Josh desperately made excuses.

Well, I had been peeking with Analysis too.

Just then, Professor Kushinada spoke sharply.

"What were you doing checking people's status with a Skill Scope? Is this foreign espionage? If so, I can't overlook this!"

"N-no, it's not that! I just happened to notice that girl… Yuno-san's Healing Magic is Skill Level 2, and I was curious, so I called out to you!"

"What's wrong with Healing Magic being Skill Level 2?"

I asked.

"But her Explorer Level is only 3, right?"

"What's strange about an Explorer Level of 3 and Healing Magic at Skill Level 2?"

"No, I mean, to raise Healing Magic to Skill Level 2, you have to heal 100 people inside the dungeon. Isn't her Explorer Level too low to have gained that much experience?"

Huh?

"Ah, I see! So that's it! It's not about using it 100 times; you have to heal 100 people's injuries to raise Healing Magic's Skill Level!"

I couldn't help but understand.

"Ah, shoot. Sorry, please keep that confidential…"

Josh panicked.

"Wait a moment. What is that information? Isn't it perhaps classified?"

Professor Kushinada pressed sharply.

Just then –

"Josh, fall back!"

A voice came from behind.

Called by name, Josh turned around in a panic.

"Sorry to bother you!"

Saying that, Josh hurried away.

I said to Professor Kushinada.

"Professor, that guy is suspicious. Could you go get an Explorer Guild official?"

"You're right. He might be an intelligence agent from some country. You all wait here."

Professor Kushinada said and went to get an official.

I turned to Yuno and the others.

"Yuno, you all wait here. I'll follow them."

"Be careful, Shirou."

Yuno said, worried.

I nodded and ran in the direction Josh and his group had gone.