Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: First Party (3)
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"That's a unique skill, huh?"
"Rud."
While I was testing my skills on the goblins we ran into along the way, Rud came over, showing his curiosity.
"It seems to operate on a different mechanism from the sensory enhancement spells used by priests or mages, doesn't it? Using it aggressively like that..."
Hm? I'd already heard from my conversation with Miranda that my [Sensory Amplification] felt different from other sensory enhancement spells, but was the aggressive use what stood out?
"Sensory enhancement spells aren't used like that?"
"Grr. Of course not. Those spells are buffs. Even if you cast a hearing enhancement buff on a monster and make a loud noise right next to it, it won't writhe in agony like that. They only enhance up to a tolerable level."
I see? I had no experience with other buffs, so I didn't know.
From what he said, senses enhanced by buffs didn't feel like your own, so even if you overloaded them beyond limits, there were no issues. Strictly speaking, despite the name "sensory enhancement," they weren't truly amplifying your senses.
For example, a <Smell Enhancement> spell wasn't just "strengthening smell," but more like "detect scents within 100 meters."
My buff wasn't like that—it purely amplified the raw senses themselves, which allowed this aggressive application. Of course, I'd have to be careful using it on myself or allies too.
"Grrk. Could you try it on me? With smell enhancement."
"Sure, hold on."
Intrigued by seeing me use my skill, Rud wanted me to cast [Sensory Amplification] on him.
Let's see... Block out the unnecessary "taste" for now, and amplify smell with [Sensory Amplification]......
"How's it feel?"
"Sniff sniff... grrk..."
Honestly, I was curious too. Rud, being a wolfkin, already seemed to have a sharp nose, so what would happen if I amplified it further?
"Grr... human scent... iron scent... goblin scent... Quite a useful skill."
He sniffed around for a bit, detecting the smells wafting from our surroundings, then suddenly grimaced and asked me to cancel it.
"Keh!! Fucking goblin shit stench!"
Oh.
"Keh... grr... The skill seems useful. But we shouldn't use it carelessly."
The effect must have hit hard—he dry-heaved for a while. Hm, amplifying smell on myself didn't faze me much. Did the amplification scale with one's natural sensitivity?
I'd have to remember that. It probably applied to other senses too.
We reached the 3rd floor of the Labyrinth without incident, scouted the area, and took a short break.
During the rest, some personal curiosities arose, so I asked Brams a few questions.
"Brams, you can handle mana, right?"
"Yeah. You can use it too, can't you?"
Use it... I did use it. [Sensory Block] consumed mana. If using skills counted as handling mana, then sure. The problem was I could only use skills—I had no grasp on manipulating mana itself.
"I can use skills, but I don't know how to handle mana."
"Hm? You're an odd one. Usually, you learn to handle mana first, then acquire mana-consuming skills afterward."
Mine were skills I got when I fell into this world. For those three years with no skill progression, I'd clung to that vague sensation trying to manipulate mana, but it always failed.
Even among otherworlders, few could properly handle mana, it seemed.
I'd asked Alensia about mana too, but she just said natural training would reveal it in time. Since I already had mana-using skills, focus on the sensation while casting them—but honestly, I wasn't getting it.
"Well, some people stumble into such skills by chance. So? Want me to teach you how to handle mana?"
"A mentor figure told me to focus on the sensation when using skills."
"That's correct. There are other methods, but if you already have mana-consuming skills, honing in on those is fastest."
Tsk... True, but even during those three stagnant years, I felt mana drain when using skills. No matter how much I focused, mana never budged.
"Those with high mana affinity feel it from birth, and high-level alchemists brew potions to boost mana affinity."
Hm... I wanted a mage's advice, but no shortcuts apparently. I'd hoped a proper mage might offer different insights on mana.
"Mana sense varies by race too. Elves have high mana affinity. Orcs have low."
"Hm? What was that?"
"Huh? Mana affinity depends on the ra—"
"No, before that. What's mana sense?"
"Oh, it's sometimes called mana affinity. Basically, better at feeling mana means higher affinity."
Hm... sense...
Wasn't that within the scope of [Sensory Block] and [Sensory Amplification]?
I thanked Brams vaguely, sat down, and experimented on myself.
First, [Sensory Block]. Target: tactile sense in my core. Since mana felt like it emanated from my heart when casting.
Then [Sensory Amplification]. Amplify... "mana sense." Would that work? Or the sense for feeling mana?
[Sensory Block] skill and [Sensory Amplification] skill have been cast.
Feeling the skills activate successfully, I turned inward to observe.
"........."
No sensation at all.
Well, I never felt mana normally anyway, so amplifying it now wouldn't show much. What if I ramped up the stimulus?
Shifting my gaze, I spotted Kaitel drinking water during the break. Rud was sitting farther away, so I cast on the nearby Kaitel.
'[Sensory Block]'
I designated some random sense to block, focusing on the mana consumption. My heart thumped, and something indescribably strange, ethereal, extended thinly from my heart toward Kaitel.
This is... beyond imagination.
"Time to head out."
Rud's voice announcing departure snapped me from my thoughts. I stood, grinning unwittingly, and checked my gear.
With hope that maybe, just maybe, I could learn to handle mana.
The Brutal Scorpion lived up to its name, resembling Earth's scorpions.
Differences: four claws instead of two, and size like two human heads smashed together—not palm-sized.
Big and highly venomous, so when hunting, avoid the tail stinger. It paralyzes muscles on hit with intense pain. But sans poison, it's weak—remove the stinger from range or resist venom, and it's decent prey.
"...Ian, you okay?"
"Yeah, this much is fine."
In other words, easy pickings for me. Even Level 1 [Poison Resistance] was rare for a reason—not a vital hit, and I could shrug off superficial scratches injecting venom mid-fight.
"A sturdy warrior..."
Honestly, Kaitel scared me more than the monster. After tanking the poison and killing it, her gaze turned friendly, muttering about sturdy warriors.
I didn't think I judged women harshly, but Kaitel? No thanks. Just keep the attention away.
Not about pretty or ugly—her muscles and face were brutally intimidating.
"Orcs have long valued robust physiques; strong warriors lead and tank hits. Racially, we revere frontline tanks. To Kaitel, you look like a warrior enduring pain and poison."
"It's just the skill. I told you about [Poison Resistance]."
"Isn't that skill earned by those who overcome poison?"
Brams kindly explained Kaitel's attitude. Warriors pressing through pain were orc ideals. Next time, I'd fake some agony when poisoned.
"Grr? Found it."
While harvesting Brutal Scorpion poison glands, Rud, on watch, spotted something and called us.
Up close, it matched the herb from Rud and Brams's quest description.
"Faster than expected."
"Sniff. This 'Pink Rabbit' herb grows where venomous monsters dwell. That's why we party with those hunting venomous byproducts."
Labyrinth Guild matching worked like that? Not just same-floor goals, then.
"I've studied Labyrinth herbs somewhat—what's this one for?"
"Grr. Aphrodisiac."
"Pardon?"
"Aphrodisiac. Specifically effective on some beastkin. Brothels use it, from what I hear."
"...Quests for that?"
"Herbs from just 3rd floor are weak. Legal trade item—used for anhedonia treatment or licensed brothels. Concentrated for actual use."
Plenty grew, so after fulfilling Rud and Brams's quests, leftovers remained.
"Grr. Divide the extras by party member."
"Eh, honestly don't need it."
"Visit the commercial district. Shops buy these herbs. They're surprisingly pricey. Minus quest amount, it's pocket change, but still."
Party seemed pleased—not bad haul. Decent price, apparently. Legal, so I pocketed my share.
"Doesn't affect you, Rud?"
"Wolfkin barely feel it. Good on rabbit or cat beastkin, I hear. Know a girl? Use at drinks. Unconcentrated works for mood-setting. Grr."
"........."
Can a priest say that?
Anyway, cat beastkin... Hiss came to mind. The woman from the clinic. Thanks to her, my skills grew.
Heard she was a beginner adventurer around the entrance. Might run into her sometime.
"This way?"
"Yeah. Just three of 'em."
"Adventurers? Big deal? Same as always. Everyone playing here is beginner-level anyway. No different from us."