part1 · 053-ep53

Episode 53: A New Skill

Having felled the Darkhound, Ren was pushing deeper into the fourth floor.

Nothing like the third floor. The presence of monsters was stronger here, and the paths more tangled.

Even so, the Ren of now could pick his way through carefully.

After walking a while—

"...Hm?"

Ren stopped.

A little way ahead, against the wall, sat something he knew.

"...A treasure chest?"

Ren approached warily. He'd found treasure chests before. But there was no telling what this one held.

"No traps... right?"

Ren checked his surroundings. No sign of monsters.

Even so, he approached with care. Touched it lightly with the spear's tip. Nothing happened.

"...Looks fine."

Ren slowly opened the lid.

Inside was a white orb giving off a pale glow. Very like the one he'd seen when he got the Appraisal skill orb.

"...A skill orb?"

Before reaching out, Ren used 《Appraisal》.

《Name: Skill orb》

《Effect: Grants a skill to whoever touches it》

"Thought so."

Ren gazed at the white orb.

"What skill will it be this time, I wonder."

With just a touch of anticipation, he reached for the skill orb.

The moment his fingertips touched—

White light burst out. The light poured into Ren's body.

And—

《Skill 《Item Box》 acquired.》

"...Item Box?"

A sense he'd never had before was born in his mind.

Nothing stood before his eyes. But when he turned his awareness to it, he understood there was a space there.

"This... can store things?"

Ren picked up a pebble lying nearby. Focused his awareness.

And—

The pebble vanished.

"...!"

Ren was startled. He turned his awareness to it once more.

And the stored pebble appeared before his eyes.

"I can take things out, too..."

Ren rolled the pebble around in his hand. He thought of all the loads he'd carried on his back until now.

Food. Water. The things he'd gather from here on.

"With this, I can cut down on what I carry."

Though how much it could store, he had no idea yet.

"I'll test that back at the water."

This was the fourth floor. Getting a new skill was no reason to let his guard down.

Ren pulled his eyes from the treasure chest. And re-gripped his spear.

"Let's go."

New power in hand, Ren started walking deeper into the fourth floor again.