Chapter 20

【<Angel's Toy Box>: Recommended Level: 50】

As soon as I stepped inside, a message echoed in my head.

The floor and walls were as colorful as if large sheets of colored paper were pasted on them, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

A passage about four meters wide continued, with paths branching off here and there.

"Leave it to me, Elma! I can't guarantee I'll meet your expectations, but I'll do my best to repay your kindness! I'll protect you with this <Iron Stone Passage>!"

Luze swung the <Iron Stone Passage> wildly.

"No, it's my job to protect you...?"

...I hope she doesn't overdo it.

But it's good that she's showing enthusiasm.

I opened my <Status> and fiddled with the skill tree.

Should I acquire that skill?

To be prepared for unexpected situations, I try not to allocate skill points up to the point where they are necessary.

If I keep skill points in reserve, I can acquire skills as needed or max out <Defense Increase> to forcibly boost my stats.

There might be situations where this could save my life.

I need to adjust the skill tree allocation based on my future movements and the status of my companions.

The ideal character build is to become as strong as possible, so I should keep <Basic Swordsmanship> at a minimum and not allocate any points to <Defense Increase>, which I plan to remove eventually. However, there are times when I can't afford to do that.

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[Skill Tree]

[Remaining Skill Points: 7]

<Heavy Armor Oath> [15/100]

<Defense Increase> [0/50]

<Basic Swordsmanship> [5/50]

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Thanks to the Madhead, I've leveled up by seven and received the same number of skill points.

As an E-rank adventurer, my skill point allocation limit has been relaxed.

This allows me to acquire the incredibly useful skill, <Shadow Step>, which has a requirement of [20] in <Heavy Armor Oath>. I'll allocate [5] points for now and leave [2] points in reserve.

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[Skill Tree]

[Remaining Skill Points: 2]

<Heavy Armor Oath> [20/100] [+5]

<Defense Increase> [0/50]

<Basic Swordsmanship> [5/50]

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[You have acquired the normal skill <Shadow Step> because <Heavy Armor Oath> is now [20/100].]

<Shadow Step> is a skill often used by defense-focused classes to attract enemy attacks.

It also plays a crucial role in this money-making strategy.

If I couldn't get this skill, I wouldn't have chosen <Angel's Toy Box> as a hunting ground.

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<Shadow Step> [Normal Skill]

Step on the target's shadow to immobilize them.

However, it will be canceled if the target's feet are even slightly off the ground.

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First, I'll use this to quickly level up Luze.

Defense-focused classes are well-suited for power-leveling.

After advancing a bit, a teddy bear with visible seams appeared from ahead.

It was about one and a half meters tall, with button-like eyes.

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Monster: Patchwork Bear

Level: 20

HP: 41/41

MP: 17/17

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"...It looks cute, but its level isn't."

Luze squinted and muttered.

"It has [Attack Power: 22]... The maximum damage Luze can take is [18], so even if she gets hit, she'll still have HP left."

The enemy's movements are large and it doesn't have significant skills, so I won't make the mistake of letting it attack her.

If it lands a critical hit, Luze's HP could drop to zero, but I can prevent the critical hit by nudging it when it starts its attack motion.

"Why do you know all that... Elma? Do you like Patchwork Bears?"

I don't particularly like Patchwork Bears, but...

I know most of the numbers and formulas in <Magic World>.

"I'll handle the bear's attacks. Luze, attack from a blind spot and finish it off. Be careful of its claws and bites."

"Y-Yes!"

I stood in front of the Patchwork Bear and stepped on its shadow.

"<Shadow Step>!"

Now the Patchwork Bear can't move away from me.

"Is this the right time to attack?"

Luze circled around to the bear's blind spot and slashed it with the <Iron Stone Passage>. Cotton from the bear flew out.

The Patchwork Bear has high defense, but thanks to the <Iron Stone Passage>, it takes solid damage.

With enough hits, it should be defeated.

"Be careful, the shadow can stretch quite a bit."

Ideally, <Shadow Step> would completely immobilize the enemy, but this shadow can stretch about two meters.

When fully extended, it acts like a rubber band, making it harder for the enemy to move.

In tight spaces like <Dream Hole>, even if you think you've immobilized the enemy with <Shadow Step>, they might still hit your backline.

"By the way, you said to be careful of claws and bites, but the Patchwork Bear doesn't seem to have any..."

The moment Luze said that, the bear's arm split open, revealing long claws.

I deflected the claw attack with my sword using the <Parry> skill.

The Patchwork Bear quickly regained its stance and lunged at me.

The seams on its abdomen came apart, revealing a large mouth with sharp teeth.

I smashed the bear's head with my shield, crushing its attack.

"The shield was useful. With just <Parry>, it would be a bit tricky to block attacks without moving. Okay, Luze, keep attacking!"

"It's not just the level, but it's not cute at all..."

Luze muttered, seeing the bear's large mouth.

While I was defending against the Patchwork Bear's attacks, Luze slashed it from a blind spot about ten times with the <Iron Stone Passage>, and finally, the bear's body exploded.

"Phew, phew... It took quite a few hits... But we defeated it!"

The bear's fabric tore, and cotton flew out, dissolving into the air.

A brown magic stone rolled out.

[You have gained 36 experience points.]

Since it's three levels below me, the experience points are significantly reduced.

But it should be enough for Luze.

"Luze, how much did your level increase...?"

Luze ran to the bear's remains, her face pale, and hugged the tattered fabric and cotton.

"Patchwork Bear, please drop some items! If I can't show my usefulness after all this, I'll lose my place again!"

"No, it's just for leveling up, so I don't want you to rely on luck. Save it for later."

Incidentally, Luze's level had jumped from [Lv: 13] to [Lv: 16].

Good, it's going well.

If we hunt a couple more monsters, we should reach our target level.

To make money, I need to level up Luze first.

I need to extend her skill tree, <Fool's Acrobatics>, and have her acquire a certain skill.

Once that's done, all the preparations will be complete.

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