Chapter 15

I headed to the location I was told about at the adventurer's shop and visited a dilapidated small building in the pleasure district.

Inside, an old woman was holding a smoking pipe, and the air was filled with smoke.

I waved my hand to avoid the smoke.

I wondered if the <Skill Book> was really here and looked around.

Roughly arranged on the counter were swords, necklaces, and magic stones.

And there, on the side, was a dusty bookshelf where it was.

A thick old book adorned with jewels.

It was there...! That's the <Skill Book>.

There were even five of them.

"You're wearing weak armor, aren't you? This place, the <Torn Magic Book Hall>, isn't for newcomers like you."

The shop owner said that.

She seemed to have gauged my level from my armor.

"I have the money. Can I see the <Skill Book>?"

"You can look freely. Even if a kid's fingerprints get on it, the value won't change."

...With that attitude, it makes sense that they're just carelessly placed in this dusty shop.

I picked up one of the <Skill Books>.

――――――――――――――――――――

<Skill Book> <Basic Archery>

[Market Value: 2 million gold]

Grants the <Basic Archery> skill tree.

From increased attack power when equipped with a bow to basic archery skills.

――――――――――――――――――――

Two million gold...

The market value I can see is based on transaction history within the country in the game.

This price is probably also calculated from domestic transactions.

Perhaps the <Skill Books> have become a privilege due to the nobility's monopoly, causing the overall price to rise.

"Let me tell you, that one costs 3 million gold here."

"Three, three million!?"

"Of course. I'm taking a risk here too. The officials turn a blind eye, but if it gets to the higher-ups, I could be beheaded."

This is the state of a basic skill tree...

I currently have about 900,000 gold.

Even if I sell the <Mad Ghost Shield> well, I would probably have around 3 million gold in total.

There's no way I can afford rare <Skill Books>.

The second one was <Magic Power Increase>, the third was <Surprise Box>, and the fourth was <Elemental Guard>.

<Magic Power Increase> is a standard stat increase skill tree.

Unless you're aiming for a very specific, magic-dependent build, it's not necessary to obtain.

In this world, where death is permanent, some adventurers might get it to stabilize their low-level activities.

<Surprise Box> is a skill tree that relies on luck and tactical flexibility.

Unless you're playing a meme character, there's no need to specifically level up <Surprise Box>.

In the game world, you might use it to take a shot at a higher-level opponent, but considering the death penalty, it's not worth it.

It might be fun, but in this world, where death is permanent, you can't build a character based on luck.

<Elemental Guard> is a skill tree focused on resistance to the four major elements: fire, water, earth, and wind.

It's not perfect, as there are other elemental skills, but many techniques fall into these four categories.

If it works, it can be a powerful countermeasure, and it's a skill tree you'd want to have in your party.

However, many people don't want to make their character a specialized countermeasure, so in that sense, it's an underappreciated skill tree.

If you focus on this skill tree, you might lack offensive skills and have insufficient firepower.

It might be worth adopting if you're a defense-focused class that can be easily broken by magic attacks.

I can imagine being pummeled by holy or dark element magic that doesn't fall into the four major elements.

...I won't buy it, but it's quite a rare collection of items.

I didn't find the skill tree I was looking for, but I didn't really expect to.

Just understanding the position of <Skill Books> in this world is a significant gain.

It might be worth visiting similar shops or asking the shop owner to let me know if they find it.

I didn't think I could afford it with my current funds.

I reached for the last one.

――――――――――――――――――――

<Skill Book> <Smoldering Frenzied Fang>

[Market Value: 30 million gold]

Grants the <Smoldering Frenzied Fang> skill tree.

Stay away from the bearer of this skill tree.

Dragging a shattered body and waving a torn tail, the madman's rampage knows no end, not even the Grim Reaper would dare approach.

――――――――――――――――――――

There it is...!

Among the countless <Skill Books>, with most being monopolized by the nobility and only a few circulating, I didn't expect to find <Smoldering Frenzied Fang> right away.

The essential skill tree for a heavy knight... obtaining it is the tutorial for a heavy knight, <Smoldering Frenzied Fang>!

If I can get this, it's mine.

"What a happy face. Wanting something like that, you're a strange one."

"Um... Shop owner, this..."

The shop owner nodded deeply.

"Yeah, 50 million gold here."

The price was merciless.

I slumped my shoulders.

Well... I kind of expected it.

<Basic Archery>... 3 million gold

<Magic Power Increase>... 6 million gold

<Surprise Box>... 15 million gold

<Elemental Guard>... 30 million gold

These were the prices at the <Torn Magic Book Hall>.

They're really taking advantage of me.

"...How can you keep such high-value items without a bodyguard?"

I didn't actually plan to attack, but the question slipped out.

"If you think I'm weak, why don't you try it? I kicked out five people last time."

The shop owner smiled and looked up at me.

She didn't seem to be threatening me, but rather seemed to be enjoying it.

"I, I was just curious... Can you keep this <Skill Book> and not sell it? I promise to come back with 50 million gold. I won't keep you waiting long."

"What's in it for me?"

"That's..."

From the shop owner's perspective, I'm just another customer.

Naturally, there's no reason to favor me.

Besides, adventurers can die unexpectedly.

"Hmph, I don't dislike kids like you. Sure, I'll keep it for you."

"Really...!"

The shop owner put the smoking pipe to her mouth and slowly exhaled.

"For an additional 5 million gold."

I sighed deeply.

She's really a shrewd businesswoman...

I'll have to come up with a plan to get the money.

Entering the <Dream Hole> will increase my earnings.

I'll have to try hard to get high-value item drops.