Chapter 22

### 200 Years Ago

The Demon King Famiris Larite was crowned and placed the southern continent of Tsaoval under the rule of the demons.

Lake Altar, located in Tsaoval, was a sacred site for both the demons and the Lacoent Church, the largest religious faction in the world, leading to a war over the control of Lake Altar.

After a long war, 12 years ago, four heroes defeated the Demon King Famiris Larite, drove the demons to the southern side of Tsaoval, and reclaimed Lake Altar.

One of those four heroes, Haru mentioned, was the magic technician Daiziro.

Come to think of it, the memoir was also written 12 years ago.

Did he become a hero, gain respect, and have enough money?

I had assumed he received the power of teleportation from a goddess and made a fortune through unfair trade, but reality seems to be far beyond my imagination.

Facts are stranger than fable, indeed.

By the way, the magic city of Mareigurri, where Daiziro is said to be, is the capital of Tsaoval.

"Hmm, I see. Slash... it's tough."

Staring at the blue gel-like monster in front of me, I muttered in a discouraged tone.

It's a slime, the enemy on the fourth floor.

Despite having become much stronger, why can't I defeat it?

"Slash! Yes, physical attacks are not very effective against slimes, and slashing them with a weapon will rust your weapon. It's best to attack from a distance with Slash."

For now, slimes are slow, so I won't be hurt if I do this.

However, there's also the issue of MP and the possibility of being surrounded, so I want to defeat it properly.

Ten seconds after the previous Slash, I used it again and defeated the slime.

I accidentally dealt the final blow, but thanks to that, I gained more experience points.

[Ichinojou's level has increased]

[Apprentice Mage Skill: Fire Magic acquired]

My lumberjack level increased to 8, and my apprentice mage level increased to 5.

Fire magic... magic... magic is here!

This is exciting.

After all, when it comes to another world, it's all about magic.

Here, I recalled Daiziro's memoir.

[In this world, magic is one of the abilities. It's the magic that everyone on Earth dreams of. Simple magic, such as fire magic, can be learned at apprentice mage level 5. When you acquire magic, just say "Magic List Open" and the available spells should be displayed. By the way, to learn healing magic, you need to be a level 60 apprentice mage, which is not easy to achieve.]

So, I muttered,

"Magic List Open"

...

Petit Fire Lv1 MP Cost 3

"Seems weak, Petit Fire... Is it okay to say it out loud?"

If saying the name of the spell automatically casts it, that would be scary. So, I faced a direction where no one was and extended my hand.

Then, I focused on using the magic and said "Petit Fire."

A small fireball shot out from my palm and hit the wall, disappearing without leaving a burn mark.

[Ichinojou's level has increased]

Oh, level up. Using magic seems to increase the experience points for the apprentice mage. My level is now 6.

"Master, was that magic?"

Haru, who was picking up the slime's magic stone and a dried jelly-like item, asked.

"Yeah... Magic makes it easier to deal with slimes."

"Yes, with that power, you can defeat a slime in one hit. Are you a magic swordsman, Master?"

"Huh? No, not really."

"Usually, swordsmen have weak magic, and mages have almost no physical strength. Only magic swordsmen or mages with many physical enhancement skills, or swordsmen with many magic enhancement skills, can use both effectively."

"Um, just think of me as a profession similar to a magic swordsman."

I plan to explain my joblessness a bit later. I just don't like saying, "I'm unemployed."

It's like being asked about your job at a group date and saying, "I'm unemployed." No one likes that.

"By the way, in the guild's arena, is it okay to use magic even though swords are forbidden?"

"It's not forbidden, but the audience who come to watch the fights will boo."

"True, they probably won't be happy."

I muttered this while putting the jelly-like item and the magic stone into my item bag.

It's like going to a professional boxing match and seeing one of the fighters with a bow and arrow.

Also, using Petit Fire once didn't increase the magic level.

It seems that what's needed for magic level-ups is not experience points but something called proficiency, so it's not a growth cheat.

"I've heard that a lot of money is needed for a mage to become successful. Mages grow by using a lot of magic, but mana potions, which are needed to recover MP, are expensive."

"I see... So, I need to become an alchemist and make my own mana potions?"

"Actually, it's not an alchemist but a pharmacist who makes mana potions. Only high-level pharmacists can make them, which is why they are expensive."

By the way, to become a pharmacist, you need to raise your farmer level to 5, unlock the gatherer profession, and then raise the gatherer level to 10.

To become an alchemist, you need to raise the apprentice mage level to 10 to unlock the apprentice alchemist profession and then raise it to level 20.

By the way, pharmacists make potions and other items.

Alchemists extract metals from ores and create alloys.

"Is that a slime over there?"

Using presence detection, I sensed a presence a little distance away.

There are three types of monsters on this floor: slimes, giant bats, and goblins. Since the monster repellent incense doesn't work on the fourth floor, there are many enemies.

"Yes, it smells like a slime."

"Alright, let's give it a try."

Running over, I saw a golden slime.

"......"

"......"

Our eyes met, mine and the slime's.

Okay, I'll try saying "Petit Fire."

"Ah, Master, that slime!?"

"What?"

Haru was surprised, and I exclaimed.

But the slime evaporated... it was easily defeated.

[Ichinojou's level has increased]

My jobless level increased to 54, my swordsman level to 7, and my lumberjack level to 9.

And then—

[Title: Rare Hunter acquired]

[Title Skill: Luck UP (Slight) acquired]

Wow, my first title.

This is lucky. Checking my stats, my luck increased by 10%.

"Master, it's a rare medal."

"Rare medal?"

The golden slime dropped a medal along with the magic stone.

This is apparently a rare medal.

"What's a rare medal?"

"A rare medal is an item that rare monsters always drop. If a monster tamer feeds it to a tamed monster, the monster will power up."

"It's a useful item."

"It's a very rare item. A rare medal can be sold for 30,000 cents. In low-level dungeons like the beginner's dungeon, you might see one in a lifetime."

"30,000 cents!? That's good luck. It's a shame that the experience points are the same as a regular slime, though."

Putting aside the feelings of the monster that can eat an inorganic medal, I looked at the small golden medal and asked a question that came to mind.

"If I collect a lot of these rare medals, can I exchange them for rare items with a king?"

"Since they are valuable and highly useful items, I think any king would exchange them for items if you collect enough."

"I see... That makes sense."

I asked a strange question.

For now, I'll put the rare medal in my item bag and continue exploring the dungeon.