37　It’s Not About the First Impression.

 

　Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

　While Eko gathered the Magic Crystals using the Baku-agebon-bar method, me and Silvia kept hunting golems without stopping until all of them were basically extinct. As a result of doing this continuously until the end of the day, we earned a significant amount of experience.

　Yukari, who had gotten the same amount of experience as us, had a face devoid of emotion as she said in a cold tone “you truly are crazy”, at the scene after we finished our hunt. Since the experience points are evenly distributed among the team members, the experience points can be shared with the two who didn’t defeat any monster.

　By the way, while the three of us dived into the dungeon, I asked Yukari to do a certain job, since she would be idle. That was, to survey both the Blacksmiths and Adventurers Guilds. Since the more information we have, the better, and she even volunteered to collect that information. Well, since she was indeed a former assassin, collecting information of this degree should be child’s play for her.

　There were two important pieces of information obtained. One is, the next Proline capture group will be formed in three days. And the other one is, the Blacksmiths Guild is plagued with a chronic lack of mithril.

　From this information, it became necessary to reconsider our future policy.

　Become A rank as it is, participate in the group capture, prove the capture and have the Blacksmiths Guild trust us, and as planned originally, wholesale Mithril Alloy to them. Or, if the Blacksmiths Guild trusts us using the A Rank, not wait for the group capture and make an exclusive contract with the entire Blacksmiths Guild.

　With the former, we would hardly make any enemies, but it will take time to earn money. The latter is way more lucrative, but the Adventurers Guild will surely turn against us. Anti-monopoly law, you say?　There’s no such a thing in the Castall Kingdom.

“Hmm……”

　While returning to the town of Badgordo from the Proline Dungeon, I was troubled with my arms folded as I was deep in thought. Should I prioritize peace? Or maybe money? Both have their pros and cons.

“Master. May I have one more day?”

　At that moment, Yukari spoke.

“Do you have an idea? “

“Yes. Since it seems like Master doesn’t like to spend time uselessly. I might have a slightly different approach plan.”

“And that is? “

“Use the Merchants Guild.”

“……Uhmm.”

　I get what Yukari was trying to say. Instead of trading directly to the Blacksmiths Guild, we’ll do business smoothly through the Merchants Guild.

“There’s no way a merchant can let such a profitable deal pass. They will charge some fee, but I’m sure more money can be made that way. Luckily, we’ll raise our adventurer’s rank to A soon, so I doubt there will be a problem in terms of credibility.”

“But if that’s the case, wouldn’t we end up turning the Adventurers Guild into an enemy? “

“You don’t have to worry about that. Just take part in the group capture that’ll happen in three days, building some reputation with both the Adventurers and Blacksmiths guild. And behind the scenes, we’ll seal a contract with the Merchants Guild.”

　Eh?　I don’t really understand. How come we won’t turn the Adventurers Guild into an enemy?

“If Master just wholesales Mithril Alloy to the Merchants Guild in order to make money, that is, after completing the clear, you’ll most likely not be criticized too much. And even if the Adventurers Guild were to take some measures, the Merchants Guild will surely protect you.”

　I see, that’s the difference between them and the Blacksmiths Guild. Certainly, they will do everything they can to protect the “goose that lays golden eggs”. In addition, if the Blacksmiths Guild becomes reliant on the large amount of Mithril Alloy sold through the Merchants Guild, then the two guilds can be counted as allies. Then the Adventurers Guild will criticize me, but won’t do much aside from that.

　It’s just, it will surely become a big deal. Most likely, the power balance in Badgordo will shift dramatically. Well, not that I really care.

“Alright. Shall we go with that strategy?”

“Very well, please leave it to me. I’ll try to get someone’s agreement from the Merchants Guild by tomorrow.”

　After I gave the ‘Go’ to the plan, Yukari answered proudly. She had an incredible sense of confidence. You can see her in high spirits, trying to make herself useful in aspects aside from battle.

　Yukari was really helpful in those fields. She has really compensated for the abilities that I was lacking since I focused only on this when it was a game. I can clearly see her now as a full-fledged companion.

“Thank you. Sorry to become so reliant on you, Yukari.”

　To my thanking words, Yukari just said “Not at all”, in her usual cold tone while quickly removing her gaze from me. But the tips of her ears are slightly red. She’s still just as easy to understand.

——————————

　The next day.

　We delivered the Magic Crystals and became A rank really smoothly, then came again to the Proline Dungeon.

　This was to earn some experience while Yukari talks to the Merchant Guild.

　What’s more, as a result of using all my experience points, even the surplus I had saved from before, one of my 【Summoning Magic】 skills, 《Spirit Summoning》 has almost reached Grade 4.

　【Summoning Magic】 is divided into two main parts. One is 《Monster Summoning》, and the other is 《Spirit Summoning》. The former is a skill mainly used for taming and making use of monsters, while the latter is a skill to control a 『Spirit』, of which only one can be possessed per character.

　Raising 《Spirit Summoning》‘s rank to Grade 4 unlocks the 《Spirit Possession》 skill. This is a very powerful buff skill that temporarily increases your status by having your summoned spirit possess your body.

　It’s not an exaggeration to say this is an essential skill if you’re aiming for the top in the world. That’s why I have given priority to acquiring 《Spirit Possession》, and in the past six days I’ve only raised 《Spirit Summoning》.

　……Then, at lunch time.

　Just after 《Spirit Summoning》 reached Grade 4, I was able to learn 《Spirit Possession》. However, since I haven’t yet acquired the essential piece, a spirit, I can neither use possession nor summoning.

　Since I have it, I’ll use the Premium Spirit Ticket that came with the 『Limited edition premium avatar』 when I’ll have to call for a spirit. Since it is said that a spirit with a strength of 25,000 or more is promised, this was an item that basically shouted “Look at my money!”.

　By the way, the spirit strength is a numerical representation of the power and rarity of a spirit. It was similar to the capsule toys (Gacha) value system, a spirit with an initial strength of 10,000 or more was uncommon, 20,000 or more was rare, 25,000 or more was super rare, and 30,000 or more was extremely rare. However, since the spirits grow and evolve as they develop, the final difference in spirit strength becomes insignificant.

　Well then. The question here is, when should I use the Spirit Summoning Ticket?

　I have one concern.

　At the time of Mobius, the spirits were only characters who spoke predeterminate phrases. But here is the real world. I have a feeling that the spirits might have a will of their own, probably.

　If so, that would increase the number of companions by one. Adding a new member with this timing, when we’re still trying to figure things out, it kind of feels off.

　Then, when should be good to do it? I’m in no rush, but it’ll be a problem if I do it too late. I’ll just have to take some time to think about it, I suppose.

“Mmm. Second-dono, there’s a message from Yukari.”

　While I was deep in thought, Silvia spoke to me. Eko was sleeping on her knees. That feels quite comfortable.

“Ohh, I didn’t notice. Thanks.”

　I opened the chat section for Team communication.

　Ohh. The message from Yukari read, “I got to talk to them, but there seems to be one problem.” I wonder why? I have a bad feeling about it.

　After we finished our lunch break, we headed towards the Merchant Guild and joined Yukari.

 

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Cheat sheet

Stats details

＜Status Details＞

• HP　Hit Points
• MP　Magic Points
• SP　Stamina Points
• STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
• DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
• AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
• INT　Attack Magic skill power.
• LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
• VIT　Simple defense.
• MGR　Magic defense.

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

Swordsmanship

1. 《Soldier Swordsmanship》　                  Normal attack.
2. 《Lance Swordsmanship》　                    Piercing attack.
3. 《Knight Swordsmanship》　                   Precision attack.
4. 《Silver Swordsmanship》　                     Strong single-target attack.
5. 《Gold Swordsmanship》                           Small-range attack to all directions.
6. 《Bishop Swordsmanship》                       ???
7. 《Rook Swordsmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　       ???

List of Shieldmanship skills

Shieldmanship

1. 《Soldier Shieldmanship》　                  Normal defense.
2. 《Lance Shieldmanship》　                    Piercing deflection.
3. 《Knight Shieldmanship》　                   Defense + knockback.
4. 《Silver Shieldmanship》　                     ???
5. 《Gold Shieldmanship》                           Ranged guided defense + knockback.
6. 《Bishop Shieldmanship》                       Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
7. 《Rook Shieldmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》　       ???

List of Archery skills

Archery

1. 《Soldier Archery》　                  Normal range attack.
2. 《Lance Archery》　                    Piercing range attack.
3. 《Knight Archery》　                   Precise sniping range attack.
4. 《Silver Archery》　                     Strong single-target range attack.
5. 《Gold Archery》                           Weaker range attack with added knockback.
6. 《Bishop Archery》                       Strong piercing range attack.
7. 《Rook Archery》　                      Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
8. 《Dragon Horse Archery》　    Powerful piercing range attack.
9. 《Dragon King Archery》　       Powerful on-impact range attack.

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

Ranking of the skills

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.

1. 16th class
2. 15th class
3. 14th class
4. 13th class
5. 12h class
6. 11th class
7. 10th class
8. 9th class
9. 8th class
10. 7th class
11. 6th class
12. 5th class
13. 4th class
14. 3rd class
15. 2nd class
16. 1st class
17. Grade 1
18. Grade 2
19. Grade 3
20. Grade 4
21. Grade 5
22. Grade 6
23. Grade 7
24. Grade 8
25. Grade 9
26. Title

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 ToC    

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