Chapter 34

"Is this the third ingot today?"

Despite having only hunted 100 monsters, three ingots and two scrolls had already appeared.

It must be the effect of raising the 'Item Drop Rate Increase' skill to level 5 the other day. Compared to the drop rate before, the efficiency is overwhelmingly high.

Even last night, when I gave Salome the ingot, she was greatly surprised.

If I continue hunting at the same pace today, the drop rate will be several times higher, and I feel like I will soon be suspected.

"While I was doing this, my Scout level has just reached 25."

I was able to reach it faster than I thought. It's still early on the second day.

Is it because my overall stats have been boosted?

Until now, I have been using magic to create barriers, responding to the movements of the enemies while defeating the fourth-floor monsters.

However, after my agility exceeded 200, the world seemed to change completely.

The movements of the enemies are slow, and I can easily predict arrow attacks.

My body is light, so I can move quickly, and my weapon is light, so I can swing it easily.

I easily block the attacks of the Warrior Goblins and Warrior Kobolds and cut them down with a single sword strike.

Naturally, the front-line defense crumbles, leaving the rear guard helpless.

They try to run, but I am faster, so I quickly catch up and strike them in the back.

It was also a moment when I realized that coordination is meaningless in the face of overwhelming stats.

"With this, I might just make it in time for the Warrior class?"

According to the original plan, I intended to level up all the classes I could change to up to level 25.

The efficiency of hunting dropped a bit when the item box items appeared, but with the acquisition of the item box skill, dungeon exploration has become even easier than before.

Before that, I check the Scout skills.

It seems that with this level-up, I can acquire the skills 'Throwing Weapon Mastery,' 'Magic Trap Detection,' 'Trap Setting,' and 'Backstab.'

Looking at the skill points, only 43 are left. This is due to the points spent on 'Item Box' and 'Item Drop Rate Increase.'

"For now, it seems I don't need to take the Scout skills yet."

For the current floor, I can handle traps sufficiently, and attack skills are not necessary since they are for attacking in a group battle.

I change to the Warrior class.

"Ugh, I feel my body has become heavier."

The job correction for Scout is 'Agility,' 'Stamina,' and 'Dexterity,' while for Warrior, it is 'Strength' and 'Stamina.'

At level 25, the 'Agility' correction is 50, which is not much different from the speed boost. So, the same phenomenon as when the support is cut off occurred when I changed jobs.

"The hunting efficiency will drop, but there's no help for it."

I switch my mindset and continue hunting.

"Ah, welcome back, Tim."

When I return from the dungeon, Salome greets me with a smile.

Lately, she always says this, and hearing these words makes me feel like I've really come back, and I relax.

"So... today's collection...?"

Salome cautiously looks at me.

"Please take them to the warehouse again today."

"Ah, yes."

We head to the warehouse.

"These are today's results."

On the floor, a large pile of ingots and magic stones is stacked.

"Isn't this way more than usual?!"

Thanks to the skill level increase, the number of ingots has become excessive.

The effect of 'Item Drop Rate Increase' is incredible, and the drop rate is several times higher than the previous day.

Salome leans in close to me and whispers in my ear,

"Still, the Item Box is really amazing, isn't it?"

The Item Box is open in front of us.

Since I have to sell the items, I explained this skill only to her.

The area is partitioned off with curtains, so no one can peek from the outside, and she speaks in a low voice to keep this secret from everyone.

Salome said, "I won't tell the Guild Master until Tim decides to make the information public," and considering her caution, she seems serious about it.

"Is it really a unique skill that appeared for the first time?"

"I checked, but there is no information."

When I revealed the skill, I also asked her to check if anyone in the past could use this 'Item Box,' but there seems to be no solid information yet.

Therefore, if I make this information public, it will attract a lot of attention.

She reaches out to touch the Item Box, but her hand slips through.

"It seems I can't touch it..."

It appears that only the skill owner can put items in and out of the Item Box, and no one can open it to steal the contents.

Feeling relieved about this...

"Based on this purchase, Tim will be promoted to D-rank."

Salome says.

"Huh? I just became E-rank, didn't I?"

I was surprised to be told about a promotion so soon after that.

"Considering the profit Tim has been bringing to the Adventurer's Guild recently, it's only natural."

Salome explained that in addition to completing quests, there is a contribution factor for guild rank promotions.

I have been bringing in ingots that were in short supply and a large number of magic stones, so apparently, I have been contributing as much as a D-rank adventurer or more.

"By the way, from D-rank, the purchase evaluation amount increases by 5%. Normally, this wouldn't apply this time, but I will calculate it properly and include it in the purchase amount as soon as the contribution exceeds the threshold for rank-up."

"Is it okay to do that?"

From what I hear, it should be fine to just evaluate the purchase silently. As a guild employee, shouldn't she prioritize the guild's profit?

"It's okay. I've been told by the Guild Master to prioritize Tim. Besides..."

"Besides?"

When I ask, Salome smiles at me and says,

"Besides, I just wanted to show my sincerity to Tim, who trusted me enough to show me the Item Box."

She said it like that.