CH 127

I stare at the new occupations that are available to me.



So the advanced occupations above “Hunter” are “Veteran Hunter”, “Tracker”, and “Brigand” while the derived occupations this time around are “Actor”, “Scammer”, “Exterminator”, and “Prayer”… There are quite a number of derived occupations… “I’m assuming that ‘Actor’ and ‘Scammer’ are the direct results of using ‘The Art of Transformation’.” From what I can see, derived occupations reflect the actions of an individual as he or she levels up. Since I disguised myself as Ichinose-san to enter the City Hall, “Actor” and “Scammer” became available to me.



But a “Scammer”…. Well, in a sense, it was a scam? After all, I was lying to them.



As for “Exterminator”, it should be because I exterminated a large number of ants. It should also reflect my act of slaying the spider monsters a while back.



(Nevertheless, what is this about becoming a “Prayer”?) A “Prayer” should be something similar to a Shaman or an Oracle, right? I don’t remember doing anything of the sort… In fact, I’m an atheist.



I highly doubt it’s because of Kiki’s resemblance to foxes, and if it’s because I can hear the Heavenly Voice, anyone who possesses a skill should be in the same boat as me. (TN: FYI, the author is referring to how Japan has many legends about fox spirits.) I don’t remember hearing anything strange either…. Hmm? I feel like something happened before, but I can’t seem to recall it.



Well, it shouldn’t matter much.



First of all, let’s select an advanced occupation.



“Which one shall I choose…” Aka might have a profession in mind which would fit me.



“Aka, what is your recommendation? ‘Veteran Hunter’?” It is a valid option in my opinion. It sounds like the enhanced version of “Hunter”, so it should strengthen my detection abilities and long-ranged attacks.



“Furu furu.”



Aka shakes in disagreement.



“…Then ‘Brigand’?”



From the sound of it, I’m guessing that it would enhance the offensive abilities of the “Hunter” occupation?



In that case, I feel like there would be an overlap with the “Assassin” occupation as they are both focused on conducting ambushes.



“Furu furu.”



However, Aka once again shakes to inform me that this one isn’t right either.



“Then… the ‘Tracker’?” “Furu furu!”



Aka trembles strongly in agreement. Apparently, Aka is recommending me to become a “Tracker”.



In my mind, becoming a “Tracker” sounds like it would offer enhanced enemy detection abilities as compared to a “Hunter”.



“Aka, why do you recommend me to become a ‘Tracker’?” “Furufuru, furufuru furu.” I’m not exactly certain what it’s trying to say, but it should be in the lines of “it’ll surely be of help.” This is just like what happened with the “Shadow Master”. Can Aka and Momo foresee something which we couldn’t?



It’s too specific to call it their intuition. Well, I’ll believe Aka’s words for the time being and select it.



It requires 3 JP to convert to an advanced occupation. If I do so, I would only have 3 JP remaining. As selecting the fourth occupation requires 4 JP, I will put it on hold for now.



I look forward to the next time.



Well then, let’s proceed with the advancement.



“‘Hunter’ has been converted to the higher level occupation, ‘Tracker’.” “Your occupation has been changed to ‘Tracker’. You have acquired the skill ‘Tracking’. You have acquired the skill ‘Terrain Understanding’. You have acquired the skill ‘Enhanced Senses’. You have acquired the skill ‘Wide Ranged Enemy Detection’.” “As you already possess the skill, ‘Enhanced Senses’ will be integrated into the existing skill ‘Enhanced Senses LV5’.” “‘Enhanced Senses’ has increased from LV5 to LV6.” “The existing skill ‘Enemy Detection’ has been integrated into ‘Wide Ranged Enemy Detection’.” “‘Wide Ranged Enemy Detection’ has increased from LV1 to LV4.” I acquire some new skills. At the same time, knowledge about the skills’ effects and how to use them flow into me. I’ll check them later on.



“Next is raising the skills’ levels.” I have 62 SP total, which include the points I gained today and the previous leftovers. With these, I can raise a considerable amount of skill levels.



To begin with, raise “Active Physique LV7” to LV10.



“‘Active Physique’ has increased from LV7 to LV10.” “The level of ‘Active Physique’ has reached the upper limit.” “Certain conditions have been met.” “You have acquired the skill ‘Improved Physical Abilities’.” “The existing skill ‘Body Strengthening’ has been integrated into ‘Improved Physical Abilities’.” “‘Improved Physical Abilities’ has increased from LV1 to LV3.” “The existing skill ‘Active Physique’ has been integrated into ‘Improved Physical Abilities’.” “‘Improved Physical Abilities’ has increased from LV3 to LV5.” “The existing skill ‘Enhanced Senses’ has been integrated into ‘Improved Physical Abilities’.” “‘Improved Physical Abilities’ has increased from LV5 to LV7.” Oh, I obtained a new skill again. “Improved Physical Abilities”. From my status table, I can tell that all my stats including HP and MP have been corrected by LV×10.



Since the skill is at LV7, that would mean a correction of 70. Moreover, the boosts from “Body Strengthening” and “Active Physique” haven not disappeared. Additionally, as “Enhanced Senses” was integrated, aspects which are not represented on the status table should have been improved.



This is a great skill to have.



Next up on the agenda is “Crisis Detection LV9”. With one more level-up, it will also reach the upper limit.



“‘Crisis Detection’ has increased from LV9 to LV10.” “The level of ‘Crisis Detection’ has reached the upper limit.” “Certain conditions have been met.” “You have obtained the skill ‘Danger Avoidance’.” “The existing skill ‘Crisis Detection’ has been integrated into ‘Danger Avoidance’.” “‘Danger Avoidance’ has increased from LV1 to LV3.” “The existing skill ‘Hostility Detection’ has been integrated into ‘Danger Avoidance’.” “‘Danger Avoidance’ has increased from LV3 to LV5.” I see. The skill above “Crisis Detection” is “Danger Avoidance”.



Just like what happened with “Mental Distress Tolerance”, “Danger Avoidance” has integrated the other skills below it.



Truth be told, the number of skills have increased so much that I’m grateful for the integration of some of them.



Afterwards, I increase the level of “Tracking” and “Terrain Understanding” which I just received to LV3, “Ninjutsu” to LV9, and “Swordsmanship” to LV6, safely completing the distribution of points.



I check my status.



Kudou Kazuto



Level 22



HP: 325/325



MP: 149/152



Strength: 253



Endurance: 249



Agility: 464



Dexterity: 435



Magic: 120



Magic Resistance: 120 SP: 0



JP: 0



Occupation



Ninja LV7



Tracker LV1



Shadow Master LV5



Unique Skills



Precocious



Profession Enhancement Skill



Ninjutsu LV9, Throwing LV5, Odorless LV6, Silent Operation LV6, Concealment LV5, Night Vision LV4, Critical Aim LV5, Attention Cutoff LV7, Appraisal Interruption LV4, Tracking LV3, Terrain Understanding LV3, Wide Range Enemy Detection LV4, Telephoto LV4, Agility Reinforcement LV8, Dexterity Reinforcement LV5, Observation LV10, Listening Ear LV4, Shadow Manipulation LV6, Enhanced Physical Abilities LV7, Swordsmanship LV6, Poison Resistance LV1, Paralysis Resistance LV2, Virus Resistance LV1, Heat Resistance LV1, HP Auto Recovery LV1, Danger Avoidance LV5, Riding LV3, Negotiation LV1, Getaway LV4, Defense Instinct LV1, Item Box LV10, Mail LV2, Concentration LV3, Prediction LV3, Fury LV5, Mental Distress Tolerance LV4, Acting LV3 Party Members



Momo



Assassin Dog LV7



Aka



Mimic Slime LV5



Ichinose Natsu LV25 Kiki



Lesser Carbuncle LV8 Finally, all my stats have entered the three digits. “Agility” and “Dexterity” are over 400 as well.



(I know that I’ve gotten much stronger, but I don’t feel a sense of relief at all…) What’s more, Momo’s and Ichinose-san’s levels are rising. She did mention that she was hunting monsters while observing. Damn it, Ichinose-san still has a higher level than me.



“Aka’s and Kiki’s levels rose as well.” Is it because Kiki assisted during the battle through her buffs and “Reflection” skill?



If Kiki follows the same pattern as Momo and Aka, she should evolve after leveling up twice more. In fact, she might evolve today if things go smoothly.



During the next level-up, I would also be able to have my fourth occupation. I need to carefully consider which occupation to choose.



Is “Prayer” a good candidate?



“…Oh, quite a bit of time has passed.” The clock tells me that it has already been over an hour. Considering the time I would need to travel, I’ll barely make it.



“To be honest, I’d like to test out the new skills, but I guess there is no helping it.” Well, some of the skills can be tested while I am moving. I leave the house and head towards the City Hall. After a few minutes, I arrive at the City Hall.



(I can sense more presences…) I wonder if there were new arrivals while I was out.



As I approach the barricade, I see someone standing there. I guess he was waiting for me to come back. He walks towards me while waving his hand.



“Hey, I was waiting, Ichinose-san —- No, should I call you Kudou-san from now on?” “…Nishino-kun.”



“You arrived much earlier than expected, and Fujita-san isn’t with you. I have a lot of questions which I would like to ask… are you willing to ‘tell’ me?” “…Yes.”



I nod.



Rikka-chan, Shibata-kun, and the others are also behind Nishino-kun. I enter the City Hall while being accompanied by them.



Now, I hope our conversation goes well…