Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Veronica
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Veronica.
I trudged toward the Adventurer's Guild, groaning with every step.
'What the hell is this thing made of?'
Every time I moved, my body felt like it was going to collapse.
I had no idea why. But my mana control was completely off.
'...Every time I try to control my mana.'
There was this bizarre sensation, like something was blocking it at every turn. Still, I could guess why Volkan had prepared these iron weights.
My muscles creaked with every movement.
Each step felt harder than walking through the Labyrinth on high alert.
'...If I had to enter the Labyrinth without a few days' grace period for this, I would've been in real trouble.'
After wandering around for about three hours, that was the result.
Fortunately, removing them was incredibly easy. If I set my mind to it, I could do it in less than 0.1 seconds.
'Probably to prepare for any unexpected combat.'
Unexpected combat, huh.
I entered the Adventurer's Guild.
The guild had countless facilities.
Places to head to the Labyrinth, spots to form parties with magic, areas for temporary item storage, and even dedicated training grounds for higher-ranked adventurers.
I headed to the training grounds as usual.
"Oh, you're here? But what to do—Volkan's not in today."
"...I'll just do a light workout and go."
I went through my usual routine. Since reaching Level 3, my normal exercises had felt a bit easier, but with the iron weights from Volkan and Durin, it was brutally tough—practically deadly.
'It's definitely effective exercise.'
But it was too grueling.
I felt like I was dying. Still, it was bearable.
Compared to fighting for my life in the Labyrinth, this was much better.
After finishing my workout,
I sat in the rest area with a dazed expression, staring at one side of the wall.
The distance was pretty far, but the vision correction from Mastery of the Bow let me read the distant text with ease.
'...Requests, huh.'
The Labyrinth makes adventurers stronger.
Apparently, the strongest among humanity—excluding the heroes—were only around Level 3 in the old days.
'...Me being the strongest human? That's ridiculous.'
It was almost laughable.
But things were different now.
Most people couldn't exceed Level 2.
Among them, the so-called elites topped out at Level 5.
The Empire even gathered Level 9s just to appoint a duke.
Anyway, the Labyrinth had requests too.
For Labyrinth requests, you picked the level requested by the client, and if deemed appropriate, you could accept it.
To put it simply,
[Cradle] Goblin Village Discovered. Eliminate Goblin Village. Risk Level: Level 3 Reward: 10 Gold Coins They were organized like that.
'Something like a Level 3 being equivalent to a mercenary band's strength?'
Not a request worth my time. The reward wasn't great anyway.
'...And it's too far away.'
Going to accept that one would take at least a week round trip. Better to run the Labyrinth once more instead.
Solo play limited me to the second floor, but it was still more profitable.
That was just my situation, though.
Thanks to Mastery of the Bow for vision correction and Rogue Mastery (S) for adapting to darkness, sure—but requests like that one sold surprisingly well.
'Just a bunch of simple, minor ones.'
I wasn't planning to take requests unless something really caught my eye.
Maybe if a unique item came up.
With that thought, I averted my gaze, closed my eyes, and focused.
'Let's try handling mana.'
Mana control.
One of the mystical powers in this world.
Mana, aura.
Right now, all I had were those two.
If I included something more special, maybe gifts and violet too.
'Violet seems like a mana-based power, though.'
Every time I used it, there was this bubbling, eerie sensation.
But it often felt like it belonged under mana.
Anyway, I tried controlling my mana.
Currently, I only used mana for skills or infusing my body with power.
'This world is a bit weird—no such things as circles, auras, or martial arts.'
Yet, oddly enough, unique sword techniques existed.
'According to Rishiel, you can gain mana through meditation.'
But the amount was so minuscule that without an A-rank or higher mana-related gift, it wasn't worth it.
You risked mana backlash turning you into a vegetable, so better not to bother.
'Hmm...'
So no reason for me to mess with it.
Summing it up, I felt a bit strained.
'...If one more gets added here, can I even handle it properly?'
The reason I was pondering this was simple.
It was the reward from my changed relationship with Veronica.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You can claim your reward. '...I can't even fully utilize the gifts I have now.'
Others might curse me for saying it, but I'd prefer skill or technique upgrades.
Something straightforward.
I claimed the reward.
What came out was,
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have acquired Skill: Shadow Dance (B). You have unlocked Technique: Throwing. You have acquired Skill: Venom Arts (B). You have unlocked Technique: Poison Mastery. '...Oh.'
I'd gotten some assassin-like skills.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I returned to the training grounds.
I settled the knowledge churning in my head.
'...This has great synergy?'
Rogue Mastery (S).
It enabled pretty much anything a rogue could do, and it synergized perfectly with these.
What to call it...
'Rogue Mastery teaches all the general knowledge needed for Shadow Dance and Venom Arts.'
It made using Shadow Dance and Venom Arts seamless.
Shadow Dance was literally a way to assassinate— a passive skill.
Things like dagger techniques.
Venom Arts covered analyzing poisons, antidotes, coating weapons, spiking food, dispersing into the air against enemies, and more.
It professionalized knowledge I already half-knew.
Couldn't use Venom Arts here, so I'd test it in the Labyrinth.
I headed to the straw dummies.
'Shadow Dance first.'
I drew the two daggers I carried in my bosom. Shadow Dance sounded fancy, but it was simple.
Infuse daggers with mana and throw.
Whoosh!
The two daggers flew and embedded exactly where I aimed.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Technique: Throwing level has risen. This time, I drew four daggers and threw them.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
All four shot in different directions. Two of them collided mid-air.
Clang! Thunk!
And embedded right where I wanted.
-...Impressive technique.
Rishiel, who had been watching silently, marveled.
'A bit lacking compared to the skill's potential.'
Four daggers was my current limit.
Maxing the skill would allow up to ten, apparently.
'But the power's a little low.'
I could supplement that with poison.
Thanks to elven alchemy.
No proper facilities nearby, so only basic stuff, but still.
'...Maybe buy some now?'
No need to make poison exclusively. Potions for our party would work too.
Wonder where to get them.
"Alchemy? Head to the Alchemists' Guild."
Fortunately, Hilda kindly pointed me the way.
I followed her directions to the Alchemists' Guild.
"You don't look like an alchemist—what brings you here?"
"I'm learning alchemy and wanted to see machines for making poisons or potions."
"Ah, for a beginner then..."
I picked out something promising inside the guild.
"How much for this?"
"You want to buy it! The low end varies by skill, but a skilled alchemist can hit high yields. It uses world tree branch for superior mana sensitivity!"
The salesman was politely saying it wasn't for beginners.
Made me like it more.
'Price... 50 platinum coins.'
An insane amount.
I squinted, but it was the best available nearby.
'Think of it as an investment.'
Problem was, to use it, I needed a house or something.
'...Guess I need to buy a house too.'
Suddenly, expenses were piling up.
As I left the Alchemists' Guild heading for real estate, I sensed a familiar presence.
"What, it's the kid."
"...Can't you stick to one nickname? It changes every time."
"You were paying attention to that? So petty."
Wasn't that normal to notice?
"What brings you here anyway?"
"Just got interested in alchemy."
"Hm. You wouldn't waste interest on something useless... Must have a related gift. No, you have too many already."
Volkan eyed me narrowly for a moment before shaking his head.
"So you were gonna buy an alchemy machine. You've got the money... Ah, buying a house too, huh."
He inferred it instantly and looked at me.
"Hey, want a chance at a free house?"
"Hell yeah."
My immediate answer earned a sour look from Volkan.
"Strange coming from me, but... Holding that much gold and still... No, maybe I should praise you for not being swayed by money."
He sized me up.
I said nothing.
"Anyway, do one simple request, get a pretty nice house."
"How nice?"
"Hm... Bigger than most homes. It was for the kingdom's most important VIP. Better than average mansions."
Sounded perfect.
I grinned and accepted Volkan's offer.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "... "
If I'd known who the request client's boss was, I might've delayed accepting.
"Phew, as expected, he couldn't refuse me—the Saintess with the greatest beauty and talent in history..."
"I'm out."
"Hey, hear me out!"
Of all people, it had to be this woman.
I looked at Veronica.
Veronica stared back with a sulky expression.
"But isn't your request for someone with rogue skills? This guy's your prized sword disciple."
"Hmm... Seems some weird rumor spread. You know anything?"
Volkan asked me.
I shrugged, meaning how should I know?
"First off, he's not my prized disciple."
"Ah, sorry. That's the deal, right?"
"And originally, he's not just a swordsman—he's a rogue too."
"...Huh?"
Veronica gave me a blank look.
Why? What? Why?