Chapter 3

July 12, 2015 - Typo corrections

On a road wide enough for the carriages of this caravan to pass each other with some room to spare, the two leading carriages were placed side by side to block the way. Additional carriages were arranged alternately in a line, with a total of seven carriages forming a barricade on both sides of the road, creating a barrier against the grassland and the forest.

The road surface, apparently hardened by the trampling of carriages and people, was not as bad as other roads.

A gentle breeze from the left side of the road carried the scent of summer grass, tickling the nostrils. In the direction of the wind, low grass grew on a gentle slope, forming an extensive grassland stretching over five kilometers.

If there were any ambushers, they would be on this side, right?

Turning his gaze to the right side of the road, which seemed unsuitable for ambushers, a dense, dark forest spread out, the perfect place for ambushers to hide.

Shifting his gaze forward again, he could see five goblins cautiously approaching on the road.

The distance to the goblins was about five meters.

Even though the barricade made of carriages was simple, they had more numbers. This side had a decisive advantage. It was really questionable whether goblins, who were launching an attack against such an opponent, were really that intelligent. Even if they had set up an ambush, it would be difficult to overturn this advantage, wouldn't it?

While harboring such doubts, he focused on the approaching goblins and recalled the results of his skill appraisal and the goblins' appraisals.

--- [Skill Theft Type A]

It seemed to be the most user-friendly.

No usage restrictions

Physical contact with the target's skin is required

Level 1: After using the skill ten times, it will level up to Level 2, regardless of success or failure

The best thing was that there were no usage restrictions, and the level would increase even if it failed. It was a skill that could be used without hesitation. It was a skill he wanted to level up as a priority. However, the conditions for leveling up from Level 2 to Level 3 were unknown.

In front of him were goblins with [Fire Magic Level 1] and [Wind Magic Level 1], and goblins with [Swordsmanship Level 1] and [Shield Mastery Level 1]. The other goblins either had no skills or skills at Level 2 or higher. Level 2 skills were attractive, but he decided to take it easy and acquire power steadily. If there was any room, he would aim for skills at Level 2 or higher.

Now, how to make contact. It seemed like a situation where the opponent might die before contact could be made. However, with the reliable guards around, he could simulate the flow from contact to theft relatively calmly.

"Bro, don't go to the front."

"Yeah, you're a rare light mage, so stay in the back."

From the other side of the carriage, the concerned voices of the guards could be heard.

"Thank you. I won't go to the front and become a hindrance, but please let me stay here."

He answered the guards with his voice and peeked forward, hiding more than half of his body behind the carriage.

The goblins on the road were approaching slowly, with the two in the vanguard holding kite shields. They were obvious targets, almost inviting arrows to be shot at them.

"Bro, what are you doing! Can't help it, don't go in front of the carriage!"

One of the three women in the guard, Carla, grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back to a place where the carriage could serve as a shield. It seemed he had gone too far forward.

"Sorry. I'm not used to this."

He bowed deeply to Carla while crouching to hide behind the carriage.

Of course, it was natural to be inexperienced. He had no combat experience at all. Perhaps he was in a hurry to seize the opportunity to steal skills.

"Bro, it's not safe here either. Be careful, especially for ambushers in the forest."

Carla said, leaning a white spear made of something bone-like against the carriage. She then switched to a large bow and arrow.

"Yes, thank you. I'll be careful."

He responded to Carla's words and turned his attention to the forest spreading to the right of the road.

Indeed, the forest deepened as soon as one deviated from the road, even though it was along the road. The green was deep due to the summer season, with large-leaved plants and tall grass growing densely. It was a good place to hide. He searched the forest carefully but saw no suspicious movements.

He returned his gaze to the goblins in front and simulated the flow of the theft again.

No good, the chances of me making contact with the goblins while they are alive are almost zero. Not only do we have more numbers, but our skill levels are also higher. With ten guards and eleven caravan members fighting, a total of twenty-one people are participating. The numbers are overwhelming. Goblins really are stupid.

Would it be possible to suggest capturing them alive? No matter the difference in strength, danger would be avoided. Besides, there would be no benefit to anyone other than me. No, that's not possible. Well, if I get lucky, I'll aim for theft. Even that would be a luxurious situation to think about.

"Here they come. Watch out for the three in the back. The arrows might be a feint; they might use magic. Also, don't neglect the sides."

Einos, who was looking at the goblins in front, gave new instructions.

Impressive, he could predict that the three in the back could use magic. It made the guards seem even more reliable.

To avoid the two goblins in the vanguard who were approaching ostentatiously, arrows were shot at the three in the back. The goblins seemed surprised, not expecting an attack on the back while the vanguard was ignored.

Several arrows hit the three in the back, and one of them died. The other two were barely alive. Please don't die. He watched them, praying, and saw three arrows pierce his feet. At the same time, he felt an intense heat in his right shoulder. Had he been attacked? Was it fire magic?

"From the side. As expected. There are more of them now. Be careful."

Einos's instructions came from the front.

Only then did he realize his foolishness and the attack from the side. What a start to his first battle, getting injured immediately.

The heat in his right shoulder was not from fire magic but from the damage caused by an arrow. He realized that when an arrow pierces, it feels hot before it hurts. Despite this, he was tearing up as he tried to pull out the arrow.

The arrowhead had a barb. When he pulled it out, the flesh was torn, and the pain was intense. He almost fainted but managed to stay conscious by using light magic, which was a good thing.

Carla, the guard next to him, looked at him with a surprised expression.

Pulling out an arrow with the flesh was probably too much for a woman to see. He pretended not to notice and healed the wound with light magic.

Just in case, he also used a light magic to detoxify. Even if it wasn't poisoned, it was a goblin's arrow, so it was disgusting.

The battle with the goblins attacking from the side continued, but the number of enemies had significantly decreased, and they were being pushed back into the forest. It was only a matter of time.

He appraised the two goblins from the front who had been barely alive a moment ago. They were still alive. Confirming the survival of the goblins who could use magic, he ran towards them. They were on the verge of death, so he had to hurry.

Both were still alive. The battle was still ongoing, but it didn't matter. If he went, he would only be a hindrance. His top priority was to acquire power.

Following the instructions in the letter from the goddess, he activated [Skill Theft Type A]. He placed his hand on the goblin's face and shouted in his mind.

Type A, activate!

He activated [Skill Theft Type A] on the goblin who could use [Fire Magic Level 1] and [Wind Magic Level 1].

Failure, failure, failure, failure, failure.

Five consecutive failures.

Well, it's fine. I won't be discouraged.

He activated Type A again.

Success! He stole [Fire Magic Level 1]. He could feel it without appraising.

He stole more.

Failure, failure, success. Good, he stole [Wind Magic Level 1]. After stealing the two magics, he had no more use for the goblin. He finished it off and moved to the next goblin.

He activated Type A repeatedly on the other goblin.

After several consecutive failures, he finally stole [Earth Magic Level 2].

[Skill Theft Type A] had also leveled up to Level 2. Good! What a good start.

He couldn't help but make a mental fist pump.

After finishing off the goblin who provided the earth magic, he looked towards the forest. Only about half of the guards were visible from where he could see. The rest had gone deeper into the forest.

However, from what he could see and hear, it seemed the battle was over.

He headed into the forest to check if there were any surviving goblins.

He saw the guards about a hundred meters into the forest.

"Good work, everyone. You're all so strong."

He called out to the guards in the shallow part of the forest.

Indeed, the battle was over. The guards who had pursued into the forest were returning.

"Hey, you finished off that one, thanks."

"No, that's all I can do. If I joined the battle, I would only be a hindrance. I really appreciate everyone's help."

He expressed his gratitude to the guard who thanked him, feeling quite guilty. No, the gratitude was genuine.

Looking at his feet, he saw one goblin still alive.

It had [Swordsmanship Level 1] and [Shield Mastery Level 1].

Good! He made a mental fist pump, crouched down, and pretended to finish off the goblin while stealing its skills.

Type A, activate!

As expected, at Level 2, he only failed once for each Level 1 skill.

After stealing the skills, he finished off the goblin and moved on to the task of removing fallen trees.

◇

"Michinaga, can you come here and check this instead of helping with the fallen trees?"

While helping with the fallen trees, he was called by Einos from near the central carriage.

"What is it?"

He was told by the people he was working with, "This is enough, go to Einos," and he hurried to the central carriage.

"Sorry, can you heal these people? Of course, I'll pay you."

Einos pointed to two guards with minor injuries on their hands and feet and two apprentice merchants with arrow wounds.

"Healing, got it. Sure, but I don't need payment. I'm in your debt."

He agreed and immediately started healing without waiting for a response.

Light magic doesn't cost anything, and he could heal as long as his magic power lasted. Besides, they not only protected him from the goblins but also put him in a near-death state, allowing him to acquire attack skills. He felt a significant power-up. Well, it was actually true.

He quickly started healing.

◇

"If there are any others with minor injuries or wounds, please bring them here."

After finishing healing the apprentice merchant's arrow wound, he made a request. Of course, he spoke loudly enough for the guards waiting nearby to hear.

The apprentice merchant and the guard's expression stiffened at his words.

Huh? They didn't seem surprised when he used light magic in front of them earlier. Why are they surprised now?

"Can you still heal? You healed your shoulder just now, right? Is that okay?"

Carla brought a young apprentice merchant with a fresh bandage on a cut.

"Yes, it's fine."

"Good. Then, can you heal this kid?"

He lightly tapped his right shoulder with his left hand, showing a relaxed expression, and Carla pushed the boy towards him.

He removed the bandage from the boy's wound and started healing with light magic.

By the way, his light magic was at Level 5 from the start. Was this true for all the transferred people? He recalled his light magic level while healing.

"You have that much magic power, you're in the top tier of light mages. You can make a living with just your light magic and magic power anywhere."

"Your magic power is amazing, and you're healing deep wounds at an incredible speed. If you don't make the same mistake as before, you'd be in high demand as an adventurer. No, why don't you join us? You don't have to answer right away. Take your time to think about it."

Carla said while he was healing the boy, and Einos, who had appeared beside her, followed.

"Thank you. I appreciate your offer, but I need some time to think about it."

He felt a bit bewildered by the sudden rise in his evaluation but wanted to calm down and organize the information, so he left the scene and headed to the carriage where Mariel was waiting.

◇

So, I'm in the top tier of light mages in this world.

If that's the case, it's likely that all the transferred people are top-tier mages. It would be a good strategy to find and cooperate with other transferred people.

The fallen trees are almost cleared. The carriages will start moving soon.

He entered the carriage and, while teasing Mariel, thought about the future.

I don't know the average magic level in this world, but in this guard team, the highest magic level is Captain Einos's [Fire Magic Level 3] and Barry's [Wind Magic Level 3]. The others have Level 1 magic if they have any at all. Most don't have magic. No, there was one person in the caravan with [Water Magic Level 2] and one with [Fire Magic Level 2].

With such a small sample, [Light Magic Level 5] must be quite high.

Swordsmanship and spear skills are slightly higher than magic, with a few people at Level 3. The highest levels are Captain Einos's [Swordsmanship Level 4] and Carla's [Spear Mastery Level 4]. Physical attack skills seem to be more widespread or easier to learn, with a relatively high average level.

On the other hand, magic skills are likely difficult to learn and have a low普及率, leading to a low average level.

Considering this, I might be a decent adventurer, having [Light Magic Level 5] and four elemental magics.

However, it's strange to have [Swordsmanship] and [Shield Mastery] without combat experience. I need to gain combat experience and back up these skills.

Acquire knowledge of this world and gain combat experience. Find and team up with other transferred people.

There's a lot to do.

The fact that the word "level" didn't come up suggests that the concept of levels might not exist. I need to be careful about that.

The fallen trees were cleared, and the carriages started moving.

It's about half a day to the town of Thor. At this rate, we should arrive in the middle of the day.

Since I haven't taken a bath since coming to this world, I decided to look for an inn with a bath while teasing Mariel.

[Skill List]

Michinaga Fujiwara

Light Magic LV5

Fire Magic LV1

Wind Magic LV1

Earth Magic LV2

Swordsmanship LV1

Shield Mastery LV1

Skill Theft Type A LV3

Skill Theft Type B LV1

Skill Theft Type C LV1