Chapter 50

The next day, after delivering the items, I went to the library from early morning to look up information about the Sense I couldn't investigate yesterday.

In the bookshelf Claude had shown me, there were several thick books in a series like a dictionary.

Starting with "Sense Lecture: Beginner's Edition - Weapon Edition," there were various categories such as Armor, Magic, Physical Ability, Movement Assistance, Production, and Life, covering a wide range.

I picked up a book, considering my Sense status and playstyle.

I looked at the table of contents in the Weapon Edition and opened the section on bows.

"'A bow and arrow must be used together.' Isn't that obvious?"

The other notable information was about the automatic arrow recovery function. It was clearly stated.

Furthermore, when the Weapon Sense exceeds level 30, a derived Sense called a "Derived Sense" is generated.

For example, if it's a sword, it can branch into several types like one-handed sword and two-handed sword. However, this branching doesn't mean consuming the sword Sense to become another category; rather, it means you can acquire the one-handed sword Sense while still having the sword Sense.

In other words, you can equip a one-handed sword Sense at level 1 while holding a sword at level 30.

So, what's the difference from growth? While additional categories cannot be reversed, derived Senses can be reversed.

Growth in additional categories is just an enhancement, but in the case of derived Senses, there is a significant damage correction and special Arts for specific weapons when using the corresponding weapon.

While the basic Sense like a sword is versatile and can make attack judgments for multiple types of swords, a derived Sense significantly enhances just one type. Additionally, it's attractive that you can learn multiple derived Senses within the range of your SP.

A one-handed sword, which is balanced in offense and defense when held with a small shield.

A greatsword, which can crush enemies with a single blow due to its weight against highly defensive enemies.

Dual swords, which can perform unconventional attacks in PvP.

Such usage can be easily imagined.

Moreover, according to Miu, in the beta version, it was proven that when facing enemies in areas where the average Sense level exceeds 30, using the pre-derived Sense can result in insufficient firepower.

"Derived Senses include longbows, shortbows, and... there are so many. My weapon is a longbow, so I'll try to acquire the longbow Sense. Still, it's surprising that the official guide acknowledges the poor accuracy of bows."

The book states that the longer the distance, the harder it is to hit the enemy. It recommends beginners start by getting used to shortbows or rapid-fire bows.

"Well, the direction of the bow doesn't change, so if necessary, I can acquire other derived Senses. Is there any other useful information?"

I skimmed through the table of contents, but as the title suggests, it's for beginners, so the information I could understand was limited to initial Senses and their derived Senses.

Even if I read other books, most of the information was about growth or derivation at level 30.

However, the magic book mainly contained information about various attribute magic skills up to level 30.

"My earth attribute skills are... Bomb, Clay Shield, Mud Pool, Earthquake, Rock Burst, and Explosion."

Bomb is the weakest attack magic, just an explosion, added through skill enhancement. Clay Shield, learned at level 5, creates a wall of earth from the ground.

There's a rule in magic that new skills are learned at every 5 levels, and since nothing is explicitly stated for level 30, it's expected that there will be growth at level 30.

Mud Pool is a spell that explodes a designated area and then creates a mud swamp. Earthquake raises the designated ground, and it's quite an interesting spell.

Rock Burst is a ranged attack where rocks weighing one kilogram explode and fly like buckshot.

The final Explosion is an enhanced version of Bomb, with a significantly greater explosion power.

After reading this, you might think the earth attribute is interesting. However, when compared to other attributes, the reason for its unpopularity becomes clear.

"The earth attribute can hinder the movement of allies."

For example, fire or wind defense spells create walls of fire or wind that dissipate after the effect ends. However, Clay Shield remains for a long time. Of course, it disappears if destroyed, but unlike other attributes, it remains as an object without much purpose.

It eventually disappears, but it takes a long time, often until the battle ends.

Earth attribute spells can obstruct visibility and create blind spots, especially in narrow areas, which can separate the front and back lines in party battles, making other attributes more valuable.

However, for solo players who don't need to worry about others, the earth attribute is a convenient magic attribute.

"Hmm. For a slow-moving mage, it's perfect for buying time with immobilization or delay attacks."

It's a trick for solo hunting where there's no tank. That's about the extent of my thoughts on magic. The only thing that concerns me is that even though my magic talent and magic power levels exceed 30, there are no growth or derived paths yet.

Even after searching the books, most of the content is about the level 30 range.

"These two talents are the only ones without revealed growth paths. No, the same goes for Eagle Eye. Hmm, maybe it's a combination with another Sense, or perhaps I haven't reached the predetermined level yet."

I frequently checked my Sense status while comparing it with the books. My Linguistics had steadily risen to level 10, but it showed no signs of further improvement.

I've learned most of what I wanted to know, so there's no point in reading this Sense encyclopedia further. It means I need to read books normally to improve my Linguistics.

"Hmm. Once I reach the minimum level to read books, I should start reading. It leveled up pretty quickly, but Claude was only at level 13, so maybe the rate of increase is slowing down?"

I returned the Sense encyclopedia to the bookshelf and looked at the library's guide. Now I know where different types of books are located. Since they are categorized by type, it should be easy to find what I need.

What I'm looking for is a section filled with books on alchemy and potion-making. I found the location quickly, but the books were thick, and the spines were hard to read.

I hesitantly picked one up, but the hiragana and simple kanji were barely readable, clearly showing my insufficient Linguistics level.

"This won't do. Are there any other books...?"

The useful books were a series on alchemy and potion-making, from volume 1 to volume 10. They started with simple potion recipes and included various basic potion-making methods with diagrams.

"These... use herbs as raw materials to make basic potions and potions, and even pills... so you can make potions through alchemy?"

Until now, I had been making basic potions and potions using the synthesis skill, but there's another method.

As I read on, it seems that beginners can't do this because the ingredient extraction machine in my newly purchased alchemy kit is required to concentrate the medicinal effects of herbs. However, making potions directly from herbs might hinder the growth of the synthesis skill.

Hmm, the ingredient extraction machine. It might be interesting to experiment with extracting components from various items. I continued reading.

Volumes 2 and 3 covered the making of antidotes and paralysis potions and explained bad statuses.

I hadn't experienced bad statuses before, but it seems there are stages for poison and paralysis. Bad statuses are denoted as [Poison 1], where poison reduces HP by 1% every 10 seconds. The number indicates the duration, with the lowest being 30 seconds and increasing by 30 seconds for each level. The highest level is 5.

Some bad statuses can stack. If you receive multiple paralysis 1 attacks, the paralysis level increases, and the duration extends.

This shows how terrifying bad statuses can be. However, as a ranged player, I've had little to do with them.

Antidotes and paralysis potions reduce bad statuses by two levels, and using the raw materials reduces them by one level.

Additionally, there are higher-level bad statuses for poison and paralysis, and the limit of alleviation can vary depending on the item's rank.

"This is deep. I might spend some time making potions and alchemy in the atelier."

I want to do it in the atelier, and staying in the library won't help. I have a little money left from the recent expansion of my shop, enough to borrow a book.

I took volume 4 and approached the librarian at the counter.

"Excuse me, I'd like to borrow a book."

"Yes. For first-time borrowers, it's 10,000G. The loan period is three days, and if it exceeds that, the book will automatically transfer from your inventory to the library."

"Ah, I see. Then, I'll take this one."

I handed over the money and the book.

The librarian wrote down the book's title and my name.

"Here's the book. And as a first-time borrower, we're giving you this fountain pen."

"Thanks."

It's just a regular fountain pen, but I felt like I got a good deal. The item display showed it as a simple toy or decorative item, but when I used it, the ink flowed properly.

"If the ink in the fountain pen runs out, you can take it to the stationery store in the West District for a refill."

"Wow, that's detailed. I'll come again."

"Thank you, have a nice day."

With the librarian's farewell, I left the library.

I returned to the atelier, but since it was lunchtime, I logged out and then resumed.