The Wild Boss Has Appeared (2)

"…Status window."

"Hmm…."

I'd lived my whole life as a non-awakener, but finally, I'd awakened.

Proof of that was floating right in front of my eyes, clear as day.

Two incredible S-rank skills—the kind that could make someone an S-rank hunter all on their own.

And two F-rank ones.

I must've fucked up the skill tree.

At first, the sight of two amazing skills coexisting with two total pieces of trash left me baffled.

And why did my rank show as changing from F to S? Shouldn't it just say S if it's S?

Still, I started by checking the one that was definitely an S-rank: 'Conversation Immunity.' The 'P' next to it suggested it was a passive skill, but who cares.

"…What the hell is this?"

For an S-rank skill, the description was pathetically vague.

I had no clue what I was supposed to do with it.

"Hmmm."

But after mulling it over, one realization hit me.

If I'm invincible during conversation, doesn't that mean I just have to keep talking?

Hunters and monsters can't talk to each other, but right now, I can. So theoretically, doesn't that make me invincible forever?

Even if a gate shock happens and an S-rank dungeon boss goes berserk, as long as I chat it up, I'm untouchable.

This is broken.

Eureka.

"Um, Fluffy? …No, wait, Mr. Wolf?"

"Yes."

I asked the massive Fluffy—still gazing down at me intently—for a moment.

The status window had just popped up; I needed time to check my skills.

I'd just awakened—getting chomped before even looking would be such bullshit.

Especially with two S-ranks. If I played this right, I could be an S-rank hunter.

Hell, it was basically guaranteed.

Thinking about how S-rank hunters were treated like gods in this world made my heart pound harder.

"P-please don't eat me… I'll just sit over there quietly."

"Heh, alright. I understand."

I kept emphasizing I had no intention of attacking while slowly crawling sideways.

Once some distance opened up, I pulled up the status window again to check the skills.

Conversation Immunity was done, so next: the other S-rank.

"Hmmm…."

Let's Be Friends, huh.

Cute, cutesy name.

Did my skills get all girly now that I'm a girl?

If I'd still been a guy, maybe it'd be something like "Become My Ally" or whatever.

Anyway, the 'P' means passive, so auto-activate.

-Glance.

"Hmm…."

Running into a massive Fluffy right after entering the dungeon? Probably this skill's fault.

It boosted my encounter rate with high-stature entities, landing me this giant instead of regular mobs.

Up to here, it's a massive downside. Worse than nothing.

But the key part's below.

"Gain favor from entities of sufficient stature…"

Fluffy being friendly toward me? Gotta be this skill.

Nothing else explains it. It was growling and ready to eat me at first sight.

"As expected of an S-rank skill?"

Turning a clearly non-standard massive wolf friendly in one shot? Super useful for a fragile little girl like me.

If I can ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠win over dungeon monsters' favor, no need to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fight them.

Not like I could fight in this body anyway.

"Alright, now… the F-ranks."

F-rank did feel a bit deflating, but better than nothing.

With two S-ranks already, low-grade extras were fine—

"Emergency ascent! Taking off!"

My first active skill was F-rank, but not just F-rank.

It could evolve to a higher rank—straight to S-rank Manifestation, no less. The potential seemed insane.

"But it says there's already an entity being assimilated… meaning the skill's already active…?"

Swish swish.

A tail that'd appeared at some point swayed softly side to side.

Sure enough, touching my head revealed doggy ears.

Assimilation's doing, apparently. A transformation skill of sorts.

Meaning I'm partially turned into this 'Fenrion' monster right now.

Just ears and tail 'cause it's only at 1%.

Makes sense.

-Stroke.

"…This what they call a beastkin?"

I pulled out my phone to check my appearance again.

I looked like the type who'd attract creepy rich weirdos.

Just in case, I snapped a pic and saved it. Perfect for posting on the gallery later.

Wonder if I can turn it off, though. Living like this forever outside the dungeon would be embarrassing….

"Oh."

Looks like I can release it.

But better to keep it until I escape the dungeon.

The extra ears picked up sounds better, and my body felt lighter.

Wolf-girl beats plain girl for survival odds until I'm home.

No wonder transformation hunters exist among S-ranks.

Turning non-human boosts physical stats—common knowledge.

"No idea why this is F-rank… maybe 'cause the transformation's still weak."

Anyway, evolve it later for a third S-rank Manifestation.

The strongest S-rank hunters have exactly three S-ranks.

Meaning I could be that powerful and famous too.

Me, a former non-awakener, an S-rank overnight? The strongest in the world?

"…Gasp!"

Just imagining it made my body tremble.

Might've been a little freaked out.

…Not really freaked, though.

Saying it twice: not freaked.

"Now, the last one…."

I checked the last skill, 'Data View.' Not a direct attack skill, but intriguing.

"Uh… Data View."

There was already one stored, so I gave it a look.

The moment I spoke, a translucent info window floated up.

"Huh?"

The skill was a bit glitchy.

Name and appearance showed fine, but monster details were censored.

All I got: Fluffy's real name is Fenrion, and I need 50 more affinity for a skill.

Rest was gibberish, so I closed it.

F-rank means buggy. Assimilation worked fine, though.

Eh, F-ranks are like that. Assimilation's the weird one since it evolves to S.

"Hope this evolves too."

Three hits out of four? One dud's fine.

One good skill lets you live as a hunter; I hit the jackpot with three.

Joy trembled through me again.

"…But escape first."

All skills checked, I decided on one experiment. Related to my most useful skill: Conversation Immunity.

If it's true S-rank invincibility, no dying in here.

And if so, one thing I had to try. Carefully, though—still scary.

"Um, Mr. Fenrion…?"

"…Did you just say my name?"

"Well, uh…."

Fenrion was friendly right now. Might grant a tiny favor.

"Could you… give me a little push? With a finger… no, a toe."

"Why?"

"I wanna check something."

One nudge from that giant paw would send me flying, ass-first into pain.

Meaning damage to my butt?

Strictly speaking, a push counts as an attack? If it blocks that, it's legit S-rank invincibility.

"…You truly resemble them. Truly."

Muttering something incomprehensible, Fenrion extended a front leg.

And gave me that little push as requested—

-Halt.

"…!"

Eureka.

Just as I thought. Even a push counted as an attack.

That massive body tried shoving me back, but I didn't budge.

Fenrion's toe stopped dead in front of me.

Meaning I had a real S-rank invincibility skill.

"Emerrrgency—! Real S-rank confirmed—!"

"Child, what are you…."

"Eep."

Joy bubbling from deep inside made me yell before I could stop—then I remembered Fenrion and shut up.

Gazing down at me, it muttered something cryptic again.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"…No. Too soon to say."

Good, no anger at my shout.

But having proven my skill's brokenness…

I had to do it. That thing I'd only imagined.

"Um, Mr. Fenrion?"

"Yes."

"One more favor?"

"One… more?"

Keeping the convo going, I slyly pulled out my phone.

"Can I take one photo?"

"Photo… what is that?"

"A photo's like… magic that records your current appearance! …Do you know what magic is?"

"Magic… Yes. I know."

I stressed it wasn't some attack spell.

Sudden camera might make it think assault.

-Click.

"See here…? That's my appearance recorded by magic just now."

"Fascinating magic."

Snapped myself first to prove harmless, then slowly raised the phone.

Click—Fenrion's face.

"Did it work?"

"Y-yeah."

Success.

Fenrion's huge, vicious mug was crystal clear in my gallery.

Meaning…

"…Heh heh heh."

One more cheat key for the gallery.

One more reason to survive this dungeon.