CH 56

“Now then…”



Before entering the shopping mall, I retrieve the scrapped cars and boulders that were used during the battle. Unlike water, these weapons can be used multiple times. I should collect them properly.



Naturally, I didn’t forget about the high orc’s magic stone and weapon either. It seems like Ichinose-san left without laying a hand on them.



“… it’s huge.”



Just by picking up the high orc’s magic stone, it is clear that it is different from the ones from before. Its size is around that of a fist. Once placed inside the item box, it is displayed as “The Magic Stone of Rufen”.



“Rufen…?”



I thought it will be displayed as “The Magic Stone of an Orc”, but apparently it is not so.



Rufen… was it the high orc’s name? Now that I think about it, I remember hearing that word when I was on the verge of fainting.



Named Monsters.



In games, it’s basically a given that monsters with names are exceptionally powerful. When looked at from such an angle, the high orc’s monstrous abilities become understandable.  Even so, as someone who was almost chased to death, it feels unreasonable.



“… Before anything, I should get going.”



Thinking can be done later. After all, it isn’t known when monsters will come knocking again. The flock of Shadow Wolves also worries me.



I should enter the mall quickly.



“Otto.”



It might be due to the fatigue, but my legs get tangled.



“Wan!”



Along with the bark, Momo comes over to support me with Shadow. What a good girl. I feel healed. When I pet her to express my gratitude, she narrows her eyes as if to show how comfortable it is.



“Furu Furu.”



Aka, who is currently mimicking as my clothing, also seems worried.



“I’m fine. Now, let’s go.”



After being cheered up by Momo and Aka, I enter the shopping mall with them.



“….This is … awful.”



As one would expect, it is quite disastrous inside the shopping mall. Not only are the walls and floors destroyed, the majority of the goods are scattered across the floor. Furthermore, with the lack of electricity, it is very dim and ominous.



“Monsters… aren’t present I guess.”



There aren’t any reactions from “Enemy Detection” and “Bad Feeling”



It seems like all the orcs that the high-orc was leading have marched to the Home Center. To be honest, it’s a relief. In this fatigued state, I want to avoid battles as much as possible. Nonetheless, I should be wary of mimics. They can get past skills like “Sense of Danger” and “Enemy Detection”.



While paying close attention to the surroundings, I wander around in the stores, eventually bearing witness to a mountain of corpses. They must be people who weren’t able to escape in time. They are gathered and piled up casually in one location. Among them were the dead bodies of the JSDF.



I pass by the ‘mountain’ while bearing indescribable emotions.



During the past three days, I got used to being around dead bodies. The increase in “Stress Resistance” must have played some part in this. Rather, without the skill, it wouldn’t be possible to avoid being traumatized.



“Getting used to it is not a pleasant feeling…”



Just looking at the corpse is bad enough. I wonder how stressful it would be if I end up killing someone one day. I don’t want to imagine it.



I walk pass the mountain of corpses and enter a store.



“For the time being, somewhere around here should do, right?”

“Wan”



I sit on a bench that is facing an entrance that is different from the one that I entered from. From here, I can escape quickly even if an accident occurs. I want to look around the store and restock some supplies, but there is something that is more urgent. It is the confirmation of my status.



Because I fainted, I wasn’t able to finish listening to the Heavenly Voice. As such, I want to confirm how exactly my status has changed.



If I’m not wrong, I should have leveled up three times. After defeating the high orc, I gained three levels. Should I think of it as gaining three levels after defeating one monster, or should I think of it as only gaining three levels after experiencing a life-and-death situation?



For now, I open the status screen.



Kudou Kazuto

Level 16

HP: 40/130

MP: 16/16

Strength: 98

Endurance: 94

Agility: 254

Dexterity: 223

Magic: 0

Magic Resistance: 0

SP: 63

JP: 36



Professions

Assassin LV9

Hunter LV6



Unique Skills

Precocious

■■■■



Skills:

Silent Movement LV5, Night Vision LV3, Critical Aim LV3, Attention Cutoff LV6, Appraisal Interruption LV3, Enemy Detection LV7, Telephoto LV3, Agility Reinforcement LV7, Dexterity Reinforcement LV4, Observation LV9, Listening Ear LV4, Body Strengthening LV9, Swordsmanship LV4, Stress Resistance LV6, Fear Resistance LV8, Poison Resistance LV1, Paralysis Resistance LV2, Virus Resistance LV1, Heat Resistance LV1, Aberration Resistance LV1, HP Auto Recovery LV1, Hostility Sensing LV6, Crisis Sensing LV9, Latency LV2 , Getaway LV4, Defense Instinct LV1, Item Box LV10, Mail LV2, Concentration LV3



Party Members

Momo

Assassin dog Lv3

Aka

Red slime LV9



As expected, I gained 60 SP and 30 JP. Momo and Aka also gained levels. Overall, my status shows considerable growth. “Strength” and “Endurance” should reach three digits soon. Also, my HP is at a dangerous level. As I thought, it seems like my body didn’t fully recover yet. I should rest properly afterwards.



More than anything, however, there is something under the “Unique Skills” category that piques my interest. This part under “Precocious.”



■■■■



What the hell is this? I don’t remember seeing this before the battle with the high orc. While it should be a skill since its under the category of “Unique Skills”…



I try to click on it. Nothing happens. When I try to increase its level by spending SP, there is no reaction.



“What does this mean?”



Thinking back at the events, I do faintly recall the Heavenly Voice mentioning something akin to a “Subjugation Bonus” before I fell unconscious. Did I acquire this skill at that moment? Then why can’t I see it? It’s definitely different from the skills I’ve acquired thus far.



It’s making me curious… but I can’t do anything about it. Previously, I was able to guess the effects of skills and occupations through the texts presented, but there is nowhere to go in this case. Since I don’t have a method to investigate, I’ll put the subject on hold for the time being.



As usual, let’s allocate the SP and JP as needed. In particular, with today’s incidents, “Assassin” occupation can be raised to LV 10. If it is like how it was with “Spy”, more advanced occupations would be released.



Without waiting, I consume 10 JP in order to raise the level of “Assassin”. Now, what will happen? I wait for the Heavenly Voice with a pounding heart.



{ The Assassin’s Level has reached the upper limit.}

{ Senior Jobs and Derived Jobs are now available for selection.}

{ The Third Occupation is now available.}

{Advanced Occupation “Killer” has been released.}

{ Advanced Occupation “Executioner” has been released.}

{ Advanced Occupation “Ninja” has been released.}

{ Certain conditions have been satisfied >

{ Derived Occupation “Hidden Weapons User” has been released >

{ Derived Occupation “Fugitive” has been released >

{ Derived Occupation “Carrier” has been released >

{ Derived Occupation “Shadow Master” has been released >



Once again, more advanced occupations and derived occupations have been presented.



Which one should I select?