Chapter 17

"Skill: 'O Souls Seeking Salvation, the Wind Comes with Light'—but this is undoubtedly a unique effect!"

While asking for a refill of coffee, Mr. Gido was excited, and his voice was slightly rough. I wish he would calm down; he's bothering the other customers.

But more than that, I was caught off guard by the fact that my skill was said to be one-of-a-kind.

"By 'unique,' you mean... there are no similar skills at all?"

"No. The granting of special effects is extremely rare, but it does exist. However, it is limited to certain types of monsters, such as insect-type or ghost-type."

Monsters are classified in various ways. There are insect-like ones, zombie-like ones, birds, and even doll-like ones, each with a rich variety of species. Occasionally, some people obtain skills that grant special effects to specific species, though it's not unheard of.

But the fundamental difference between those people's skills and mine is significant.

"By 'unique,' in your case, it means there are no such restrictions. Do you understand?"

"...Special effects on 'monsters' themselves."

"Unprecedented. If it's a monster, regardless of type, you can exert special effects. In other words, you have gained an ultimate advantage in this era of the Great Dungeon!"

Ultimate... Well, it is indeed an incredible effect.

But when you say it's an advantage against the entire 100-year era of the Great Dungeon, I can't help but think you're joking.

I want to say that, but... the title 'Bringer of the Next Era'... Mr. Gido's ramblings have a certain persuasive power, which is rather unpleasant. It's like Mr. Gido at the front door and System at the back door, a two-Plato situation.

And there's another issue.

Actually, this one might be even more problematic.

The special effect target of the skill 'O Souls Seeking Salvation, the Wind Comes with Light' has another target besides monsters—evil thoughts. The fact that it's listed separately from monsters gives me a terrible feeling. No matter how you look at it, this reeks of trouble.

Mr. Gido also seems to have his thoughts on this, and he is now speaking more cautiously and calmly, choosing his words carefully.

"Regarding the other special effect target, 'evil thoughts.' To be honest, I don't fully understand it. This is truly unprecedented. There are no similar expressions in other skills."

"You mean it's different from monsters?"

"If it's written as 'and,' then that would be the case. Evil thoughts... targeting the evil intentions of all beings, not just monsters? For example, even humans, if they are evil, could be the target of the special effect?"

"...What, that's scary."

Even though it's my skill, the mere thought of it makes me shudder. Ten times the special effect on anything evil, whether it's a monster or not—what kind of joke is this? Am I supposed to be some kind of absolute monster killer?

What's the point of such a skill? Skills are given to explorers, and explorers are those who conquer dungeons. So, shouldn't skills be related only to dungeons?

"Are there any other evil things in dungeons besides monsters?"

"Hmm... The established theory is that only monsters inhabit dungeons. But there might be something else that hasn't been discovered yet."

However, it's difficult to understand what constitutes evil. I agree with Mr. Gido's comment. From whose perspective is something considered evil? From a human's perspective? Or from System's perspective?

Hmm, I'm starting to wonder what System wants from me. There seem to be hints scattered around.

I recall past titles, skills, and System's announcements.

"...Not allowing the use of weapons. Advising against hurting or killing."

"Kohsei?"

"Expecting you to bring about the next era. Hinting at saving souls and illuminating evil and darkness. Giving you the power to defeat monsters and evil... Wait, this is..."

What if... No, maybe.

As I list the information, a hypothesis forms in my mind.

—The main target of the special effect of the skill 'O Souls Seeking Salvation, the Wind Comes with Light' isn't monsters but evil thoughts. Did System give me this skill to make me defeat evil thoughts? And because the special effect target is too limited, did it add the monster special effect as a bonus?

"I don't know what evil thoughts are, but almost all the explanations of the titles and skills I've obtained so far are about saving souls and defeating evil."

"So, the reason System is giving Kohsei such extraordinary titles and skills is to defeat evil thoughts?"

"...No, it's just a hypothesis. It's also possible that System is just randomly distributing skills it drew in a lottery."

Let's not get carried away with wild speculation. It narrows your perspective.

After all, if that were the case, the efforts of the explorers who have fought and conquered dungeons would be treated as trivial matters. I think that's a disrespectful idea. I have enough sense to understand that much.

But the doubt remains.

Evil thoughts.

I feel an indescribable unease.

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