Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Bandage Proficiency Scheme
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Skills.
They refer to techniques or abilities.
In games, skills are commonly known as such.
Odd talents using weapons or the body.
Or magic that manifests unknown powers in a single form—they all fell under this category.
And in Agas as well, skills existed, basically divided into job-exclusive skills and common skills.
First, job change or re-job change.
Then, reaching a certain level or completing job quests to learn field-specific job skills.
Of course, they could be acquired through training or specific conditions, but that was rare, limited to a tiny fraction.
The Scout and Steal that Luke currently possessed fell into this category, and though a bit unusual, finding the Night King's item could also be seen as a kind of job quest.
And next, the second type: common skills.
These could only be obtained through training, repeated actions, or specific conditions, with the biggest difference being that anyone could learn them regardless of job.
'This is the second one I've gotten. It's taking longer than the first.'
Well, it couldn't be helped.
He'd been running around stealing so much that combat was always an afterthought.
So Luke swallowed his disappointment and checked the newly acquired skill.
As expected.
The option itself wasn't great yet.
No, for a beginner, +1% damage was something to be grateful for, but to Luke, it barely registered.
'The Worst Criminal in History option was just too strong.'
He had 100% additional damage against humans.
Of course it paled in comparison.
"Huff, huff!"
"Damn these rotten things. They just keep coming endlessly!"
"I-I'm gonna die."
"Hang in there a bit longer. Luke hyung will switch with you soon!"
Rabbit, panting as he blocked the enraged monkeys.
Geliver, burning with anxiety atop the carriage, waiting for his mana to recover.
The party was currently defending the carriage from the second monster wave.
But they were struggling against the endless monkey horde.
Meanwhile, Luke had pulled back to the midfield to recover his health.
Occasionally picking off stray monkeys that lost aggro.
'Well, I've long since refilled my health.'
Even so, Luke didn't rush to switch.
Instead, he pretended to bandage while watching Rabbit diligently tank.
'Without a priest, there's no easy way to check party members' health.'
That's why they'd set up a separate signal for rotations, but Luke was ignoring even that.
'The difficulty is pretty bullshit, though.'
Despite solid tanking, they were already struggling on the second assault.
If he hadn't mediated from the middle, the party would've wiped around the third wave.
'In that sense, it might be time to rotate in...'
But he didn't.
Why?
To push Rabbit to his absolute limit.
To burn through her bandages as fast as possible.
'The wizard has some too, but with two more waves left...'
Eventually, there'd be no spare to share later.
"Hyung, how much longer?!"
"Ah, just a bit more!"
"That girl's about to die?"
"Just a tiny bit more!"
"A tiny bit more and she'll drop dead!"
As Geliver said.
Rabbit had been signaling for rotation for minutes now.
Now staring at Luke with teary, pleading eyes.
Switch with me quick.
Save me.
'Hah, tugs at the heartstrings.'
Of course, he had zero intention of switching yet.
"Whaa, Luke oooopppa!"
"My health's only at half!"
"Hyuuung!"
"Man, I want to switch, but...!"
What a pitiful sight.
"Ukikik!"
The enraged monkey swung its long arm with full force.
The last one remaining.
But Luke toyed with it leisurely, dodging right in front of him.
'Wind Bracelet boosts movement and evasion speed too.'
And he wasn't about to lose to a predictable level 10 monkey anyway.
This was even half-assed because of the party members.
'Just wish I had combat skills.'
That's right.
The one lacking combat skill.
All he had were theft-related ones, so he lacked techniques for fights.
Of course, he could clear Trial Forest without them, but combat skills would make battling easier.
Especially as levels rose.
'But as a thief, not sure if combat skills exist.'
He'd know once he found the Night King's items and got those powers.
Until then, he'd have to fight like this, regrettably.
'Well, since theft is my main gig.'
He wouldn't fight much otherwise anyway.
Luke thought that as he slammed his blade into the monkey's forehead.
+ Stat Points +1
A pleasant sound effect.
His level had reached 11 before he knew it.
"Phew, finally over."
"Yeah, hyung. Good work."
"No, you two worked harder. Rest a bit more, then we'll board the carriage..."
"That's the problem."
"Pardon?"
Geliver glanced awkwardly.
His gaze toward Rabbit.
Specifically, her standing with head bowed.
"Looks like this girl's bandages are already gone. I shared some, but considering what's ahead, it's short."
"...Sorry, everyone. You're all working hard, and it's because of me."
Rabbit fidgeted with her fingers, mumbling.
She seemed deeply sorry to the party.
"Ah, no way."
Ahh.
Could there be a more heartbreaking moment?
Bandages running out at such a crucial time.
'This is a problem.'
Luke secretly smirked, gauging the mood.
It was mostly his fault for delaying the rotation, yet neither blamed him.
Instead, this self-blaming atmosphere.
How could they both be so kind?
'Hah, guess I have to help.'
Of course, it was just a clever ruse for theft.
"Ah, that's serious. Mind if I ask how many bandages are left?"
Luke asked innocently.
"Including what Geliver gave earlier, five in total."
"Definitely short for the remaining waves."
"Uu, sorry."
"Hmm."
Rabbit dropped her head again, eyes full of guilt.
Luke, facing her, stroked his chin thoughtfully.
And then.
"No choice. I'll share some."
"R-Really?"
"But can you do one favor in return?"
"A favor?"
"Yes."
He smiled brightly, revealing his true intent.
As mentioned earlier, common skills could only be gained through training, repeated actions, or specific conditions.
Like raising weapon proficiency to learn mastery skills in that field.
Bandage wrapping was no different.
Just like wrapping bandages on oneself or others to build proficiency.
'Especially wrapping on others boosts proficiency more.'
Luke grinned slyly.
Rabbit, sitting with her back to him, suddenly asked.
"The favor was bandage wrapping? You sure this is okay? I can pay for them later..."
"Hahaha, it's fine. Party members help each other. Besides, I need bandage wrapping proficiency more than money."
"Ah, wrapping on others raises it more, right?"
"Yes, exactly."
That was it.
Luke's true goal.
Wrapping bandages on Rabbit.
Why?
To Scout comfortably.
Using proficiency as an excuse to create this situation.
'Tch, another miss.'
Of course, the odds didn't suddenly improve.
Just allowed uninterrupted Scouting like this.
'Still, being able to keep Scouting is something.'
Yeah.
Of course.
"Ah, even so..."
"Hm?"
Then.
Rabbit, sitting with back turned, blushed and spoke.
"I-It's a bit embarrassing. Someone wrapping bandages for me."
Was she conscious of it?
The close proximity.
'Well, you have to get close to wrap.'
No physical contact, of course.
Just using the item to mime wrapping up close.
But the closeness could feel awkward between man and woman.
'Can't give up, though.'
Braincleaver right in front of him—how could he?
"Don't worry, Rabbit."
"Pardon?"
"It feels awkward now, but you'll get used to it soon."
What did that mean?
Rabbit just tilted her head, uncomprehending.
But soon after.
"Lu-Luke, can you wrap once more?"
"I-I'm bleeding! Quick, bandage!"
"Uu, sorry every time. No words to say."
"......"
Through monster waves, she realized what it meant.
'I was in a position to rely on Luke from the start.'
No bandages.
Couldn't not tank either—tricky spot.
Eventually pushed to limit, crawling back to Luke.
A wretch dependent on others.
Realizing that, Rabbit couldn't lift her head from shame.
Just bit her lip and quietly accepted Luke's treatment.
'The expected reaction.'
Luke didn't show it, silently wrapping while repeatedly Scouting to maximize Braincleaver odds.
Right after repelling the fourth wave.
"Phew, I'll head to the carriage first. You two take your time treating."
The nuisance Geliver boarded first, looking exhausted.
'Oh, perfect timing!'
Party wizard Geliver.
Luke hadn't forgotten to Scout him occasionally, but nothing worthwhile.
Nothing to steal, just in the way—now gone.
"...P-Please."
"Leave it to me."
Rabbit approached naturally.
Sat with back turned, entrusting treatment to Luke.
'Good, nuisance gone. Please this time...'
Soar high.
Braincleaver odds.
With fervent wish, he Scouted again.
'It's here!'
The perfect stealing opportunity finally arrived.
'50%—fifty-fifty!'
High-grade drops by 5% per fail, so 9 chances.
Doable.
Yeah, totally doable.
'Never hit 20%+ before.'
No guarantee another 50% would come.
Last wave too.
'Gacha games cap at 1% these days—can't fail this.'
Luke believed it firmly.
But.
[Braincleaver chance reduced to 45%!]
First fail, anxiety hit quick.
'Huh?'
Something's off.
This shouldn't happen.
[Braincleaver chance reduced to 40%!]
Why does the chance keep dropping?
'Wha?'
Don't know.
Couldn't tell.
[Braincleaver chance reduced to 35%!]
[Braincleaver chance reduced to 30%!]
[Braincleaver chance reduced to 25%!]
[......]
Just permanently dropping by 5 each time.
Watching that, Luke realized how utterly unlucky he was.
'This shitty game's odds again...'
Cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Braincleaver odds already down to 10%.
One more fail and it'd hit 5%.
Could try once more then, but it'd incur penalty—like gambling with a handicap.
'O-Okay. Re-Scout. Only down 40% permanently?'
So re-Scouting would adjust between 0% and 60% max.
Higher than current 10% likely.
[......]
What is this?
Why no change in odds?
'No way this is the max in this situation?'
Odds locked.
Precisely, the initial 50% was the max.
Otherwise, it wouldn't stick at 10%.
'Screwed.'
Sensing that, Luke hesitated, eyes trembling on Braincleaver.
'Keep Scouting, reduced odds won't recover. Might even get worse later.'
No turning back.
Only forward.
'Even if fail, 5% left.'
No penalty yet.
So 10% isn't final doom.
Thus, must succeed here.
No, had to.
'Pleeease!'
Tension peaked.
The result of that final Steal was...