Chapter 5

The Aranda Ape opened its mouth wide. I immediately understood that it intended to lunge at me.

I stopped my feet outside of its reach, maintaining the distance while moving to the left.

Its extended jaw couldn't reach me.

The Aranda Ape is much faster than I am.

However, I know its patterns of movement and reach.

It won't hit me so easily. I just need to avoid getting into its range.

Besides, it's an unintelligent monster.

The Aranda Ape exposed an opening, but I didn't step in.

Even if I landed a hit, I would be killed in one strike by the counterattack of its <Flame Claw>.

The Aranda Ape extended its forelegs to strike, but I dodged by stepping back.

"EEEEEEEEEE!"

The Aranda Ape roared, and a magic circle appeared, sending a faint green light toward me.

It's the <Poison> magic skill, which poisons the target.

It must have found me annoying, moving around outside of its reach, so it used a long-range attack.

This is exactly what I planned.

I charged straight at the Aranda Ape.

The magic cast at this distance by a higher-level enemy is almost impossible to avoid.

So, I decided to charge in, prepared to take the hit.

Since it's a status effect magic, it won't instantly kill me.

The <Poison> light hit me, and I suddenly felt terrible.

I swung my blade while suppressing the nausea.

"<Disarm>!"

The blade emitted a purple light and cut the Aranda Ape's neck.

However, the sword didn't deal much damage.

It seemed to have little effect, but I'm sure the [Attack Power Reduction] debuff was applied.

"EEEEEEEEEE!"

The Aranda Ape lifted its forelegs, trying to light its claws with flames.

It's the <Flame Claw> skill.

"That won't work. <Poison> consumes [7] MP... <Flame Claw> consumes [5] MP."

And this Aranda Ape's maximum MP is [11].

It can no longer use <Flame Claw>.

That's why I kept my distance and made it use <Poison>.

<Flame Claw> is a skill that hosts fire attribute mana and uses that mana to temporarily boost muscle strength.

Therefore, even though it's not a magic skill, it consumes a relatively high amount of MP.

I took advantage of the Aranda Ape's opening and swung my sword again.

"<Disarm>!"

The <Disarm> debuff can stack up to three times, with the maximum effect lasting one minute.

However, if I keep applying it, the initial effect will wear off during that time.

Now, the Aranda Ape has been hit by <Disarm> twice, reducing its attack power by [40%].

I took a step back from the Aranda Ape, as if to escape.

The Aranda Ape, seemingly frustrated by my constant movement, immediately charged at me.

I turned to face the Aranda Ape and stood ready, chest out.

The conditions are now set.

The Aranda Ape, out of MP and unable to use its skills, has had its attack power reduced by two levels due to <Disarm>.

And thanks to my title <The Immovable>, my defense in a stationary state is increased by [10%].

I had simulated this in my mind before the battle, and under these conditions, I can perfectly block the Aranda Ape's attack and activate <Wall Return>.

"EEEEEEEEEE!"

The Aranda Ape sank its fangs into my chest armor.

Immediately, the armor glowed and repelled the Aranda Ape.

"<Wall Return>!"

The Aranda Ape's massive body was easily blown away, landing on its back.

"Gi, gi, gi..."

The Aranda Ape glared at me with its eight eyes.

"Admirable, but it's over now!"

I charged and plunged my blade into the Aranda Ape's abdomen.

The Aranda Ape, already heavily damaged by <Wall Return>, finally died from this blow.

[You have gained 28 experience points.]

[Your level has increased from 8 to 12.]

[You have gained 4 skill points.]

The Aranda Ape's body dissolved, leaving behind a brown, dull-glowing magic stone.

It's an earth attribute magic stone.

Hmm, it's quite large.

"Unexpected trouble, but reaching [Lv: 12] on the first day is a blessing."

I immediately opened my <Status> and allocated the points.

――――――――――――――――――――

[Skill Tree]

[Remaining Skill Points: 1]

<Heavy Armor Oath [15/100]> [＋3]

<Defense Boost [0/50]>

<Basic Swordsmanship [0/50]>

――――――――――――――――――――

Hmm...?

I wanted to allocate all [4] points, but only [15] points could be allocated.

[You cannot further develop <Heavy Armor Oath> at this time.]

I recognized this message.

I sighed inwardly, thinking that the system from <Magic World> is still in effect.

It's a bit frustrating, but it's not a big problem.

It can be resolved quickly.

[You have gained the normal skill <Parry> because <Heavy Armor Oath> has reached [15/100].]

This benefit is much more significant.

Now, my basic skills are more complete.

――――――――――――――――――――

<Parry> [Normal Skill]

Deflect an opponent's attack with a sword or shield, creating an opening.

――――――――――――――――――――

<Parry> is a powerful skill.

It was once considered difficult to use due to its heavy reliance on the user's knowledge and skill, but in battles between skilled opponents, it can become an incredible illegal move.

"Y-You... Who are you really...?"

Ares stared at the magic stone in my hand, dumbfounded.

"Indeed, at this rate, you can go anywhere on your own... It seems my worries were unnecessary. I shouldn't have been concerned about you."

Ares said this with a slightly sad tone.

"I feel bad about it."

I replied, closed my <Status>, and put the magic stone into my <Magic Bag>.

The <Magic Bag> is a convenient item that can hold more than it appears, and its utility makes it quite expensive.

I brought the one I used at the Edvane family estate.

In a poisoned state, moving vigorously will spread the poison, causing continuous damage, and it reduces speed by [10%].

However, if I return to town, I can buy an antidote or receive white magic from the church.

I decided to return to town carefully, with Ares accompanying me as a guard.

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