Chapter 10

In front, there are two Kobolds, and behind, there are two more.

This is quite a predicament.

"Hey, look, Elise. A beginner is being attacked by Kobolds," said Joffre.

"Really, Joffre. By the looks of it, he's a level 1 apprentice swordsman. He's holding a sword but doesn't draw it. He's probably a complete novice trying to fight with a rock. Shouldn't we help him?"

Saved, other adventurers came from the front.

A red-haired man around 18 years old and a blue-haired woman around 17 years old.

With them here, I can get through this.

But something seemed off.

"Alright, Elise, how about a bet? Which will win, the Kobolds or the beginner?"

"Joffre, is that even a fair fight? He looks like someone who has never fought before. Trying to fight Kobolds with a rock. We should probably help him, right?"

"A fight is a fight, Elise. I'll bet on the beginner. Hey, beginner, we won't help you! You have to get through this on your own!"

What the heck, are you serious?

"Are you not going to help me?"

"Of course not. Adventurers are rivals to each other. Helping you wouldn't be good for us, as our senior adventurer said. A lion praises its cub for climbing out of the valley. Go for it, beginner! We're cheering for you!"

"We also nearly died when we were beginners. But thanks to that, we became stronger. You can do it too."

I thought things were not improving at all, but then the Kobolds in front tried to head towards Elise and Joffre.

Alright, now I can focus on the two behind—so I thought.

The sound of a whip cracking was heard.

"Don't come over here!"

Elise's whip turned the Kobold around. Is that a skill too?

The situation was not improving; two Kobolds from the front were charging at me.

"You guys probably haven't had your rabies shots. Don't you dare bite me."

Saying that, I readied the sharp rock.

One by one.

If I defeat one, my level will go up.

Then I can use a sword and get through this situation.

1 vs. 2 is tough for a beginner swordsman, but I also have the status of being unemployed.

So—there's a chance I can win!

I made up my mind and ran backward.

Then, I charged between the two Kobolds.

The two Kobolds extended their claws and slashed at me.

But I tackled through the gap.

I only got a few cuts.

Then, I kept running.

Naturally, the four Kobolds chased after me, but I was faster.

So, naturally, the gap widened.

But I slowed down my pace.

Then, I turned around.

As expected, there was a difference in speed among the Kobolds, and one was leading.

Seeing this, I turned around! I could have a 1-on-1 fight before the other Kobolds caught up!

I decided to finish it quickly.

Aim for the neck, the fatal spot!

I charged at the Kobold with the sharp rock.

The Kobold opened its large mouth to bite.

I also extended my right arm forward at the same time.

The result—

Ouch! It hurt as much as being kicked by a horse! No, maybe even more!

The Kobold's fangs sank into my left shoulder—but at the same time, my sharp rock pierced its throat.

Blood spurted from the Kobold's throat, staining my face red... but the blood and the Kobold disappeared in a flash of light, leaving behind a magic stone and fangs.

Huh? My level didn't go up!?

I turned around and ran again... Why isn't my level going up?

Maybe levels don't go up during combat?

Just as I thought that, after running a bit—

[Ichinoshou's level has increased]

[Apprentice Swordsman Skill: Sword Equipment obtained]

[Apprentice Swordsman Skill: Slash obtained]

[Job: Apprentice Spearman unlocked]

[Unemployed Skill: Second Job Setting upgraded to Third Job Setting]

[Unemployed Skill: Job Appraisal obtained]

[Automatically set Third Job to Commoner Lv15]

The level-up notification.

So, levels don't go up during combat.

I should make my third job a Hunter.

I changed my third job to Hunter and checked my status, but the other Kobolds were closing in.

I already had the Sword Equipment skill.

Then—I drew the sword from my waist.

The sword that I couldn't draw before was now very light! It felt natural in my hand.

This is the power of a skill.

Next, I was curious about the Slash skill.

What kind of skill is Slash?

Do you use it by shouting and swinging?

"Slash!"

I chanted and swung the sword.

Immediately, a shockwave from the sword split the three approaching Kobolds in half,

[Ichinoshou's level has increased]

[Apprentice Swordsman Skill: Spinning Slash obtained]

[Hunter Skill: Bow and Arrow Equipment obtained]

[Hunter Skill: Dissection obtained]

I grew rapidly again.

Then, I picked up the glowing stones and claws that fell.

These glowing stones are probably magic stones.

The claws are drop items... I'll put them in my item bag for now.

Phew, it's over.

I checked my status.

……………………………………………………

Name: Ichinoshou

Race: Hume

Jobs: Unemployed Lv37, Apprentice Swordsman Lv13, Hunter Lv11

HP: 63/74 (10+41+23)

MP: 28/30 (8+12+10)

Physical Attack: 75 (9+41+25)

Physical Defense: 70 (7+34+29)

Magic Attack: 19 (4+8+7)

Magic Defense: 22 (3+10+9)

Speed: 59 (4+20+35)

Luck: 40 (10+10+20)

Equipment: Cotton Clothing, Leather Boots, Iron Light Armor, Steel Sword

Skills: [Job Change], [Third Job Setting], [Stone Throwing], [Sword Equipment], [Slash], [Job Appraisal], [Spinning Slash], [Bow and Arrow Equipment], [Dissection]

Titles: None

Available Jobs: Commoner Lv15, Farmer Lv1, Hunter Lv11, Lumberjack Lv1, Apprentice Swordsman Lv13, Apprentice Mage Lv1, Merchant Lv1, Apprentice Spearman Lv1

Blessings: 20x Experience Gain, 1/20 Required Experience

……………………………………………………

The sword is now listed in my equipment.

This... apparently, the average HP in this world is 50, so I'm already above average.

But my shoulder hurts. My HP is down by 11. I had 30 HP earlier, so I would have died if I got bitten three times.

Rabbit attacks were painful, but they didn't reduce my HP at all, so their power is surprising.

I thought I had a safety margin, but it was a close fight.

Also, my MP is down by 2, probably from using Slash.

"Alright, Elise, it looks like I won the bet."

"Wow, Joffre, you're amazing. What about him?"

"Since the boss isn't here, we can leave him. As agreed."

Joffre forcefully pulled Elise's lips to his.

"Your lips are mine."

"Joffre... I thought I could finally take your lips this time."

...You lovebirds, explode.

At that moment, I genuinely thought that.

Then, right, Job Appraisal!

How do you use it? I'll try it on the two of them.

[Apprentice Swordsman: Lv23]

[Whip User: Lv15]

Oh, I can see it.

They're pretty strong.

As I watched the two leave, another set of footsteps approached.

[Apprentice Spearman: Lv16]

That's... Ah, it's the gatekeeper lady.

"The guy from earlier, he's hurt."

"He's fine, just a scratch."

"He's not fine. Here, drink this."

"Is this a potion?"

According to Dairo's book, potions significantly increase HP recovery speed. They're a bit different from game potions. By the way, I have three in my item bag.

"It's cheap, but it's issued, so you can drink it. If you report it as a consumable, it will be restocked."

"Then I'll take you up on that."

The potion tasted very bitter, but the pain in my shoulder did indeed lessen.

"I'm going to the 5th floor now and will be back at the entrance in three hours. Don't overdo it, okay?"

"Thank you."

Hmm, what a good girl.

Today, I'll go home and practice to gain experience.

One hour of practice is 400 hours of experience.

I walked out of the dungeon without encountering any monsters.

I also need to ask Margaret about weapon maintenance.

So, I headed to the clothing store to thank her.

By the way, I need to get a room. Is there any available?

I'll ask Margaret if she knows any good inns while I'm at it.

"Ah, that's perfect. Our store has second and third floors as boarding rooms. We have a room available, so you can stay here, Ichinoshou."

...She runs a boarding house too... Well, it's close to the dungeon, so I'll stay here.

"Hehe, the negligee is in the back of the wardrobe."

...My chastity is in danger again...

I became the 6th most popular daily. Thanks to everyone. Thank you.

Margaret's character is so strong that she seems like the main heroine.