Chapter 5

"Alright, let's do it today too!"

Thanks to the healing magic, I had a deep sleep until morning. Stretching my body, I let out an energetic voice.

"First, I changed my job back to Warrior and allocated my skills to level 3. I wonder how it will turn out?"

Before losing consciousness last night, I had the idea to raise 'Increased Skill Points Gained' and 'Increased Stat Points Gained' to level 3, along with 'Bash.'

I considered raising them all the way to level 5 at once, but if they turned out to be useless skills, it would be a disaster. Given the limited points available, I decided to take it step by step.

"Hmm, should I go for goblins again today?"

If I go for goblins today, it will be three days in a row. Until now, I had been hunting them one or two days at a time, with breaks in between. But I was eager to test my new powers.

"Alright, decided. I'll go to a different place today."

Filled with determination, I headed to the Adventurer's Guild.

"Huh? Kobold extermination?"

The usual receptionist was wide-eyed. The quest I had taken was to 'exterminate five kobolds.'

"Is... is that okay?"

She looked worried. I thought she wasn't interested in the jobs I took, but what had changed her mind?

"Yes, I don't think there will be any problems."

"Um, Tim. Kobolds are different from goblins. They are the same size as humans and use metal weapons, not just clubs."

"...I know that much."

I tilted my head at her sudden explanation.

"Furthermore, they cover their vital points with armor and rarely act alone."

"Yes, I know that."

She gave me a look that said, 'You're hopeless.'

"Well, I don't want to waste time, so I'm going now."

Since she didn't say anything more, I started to leave.

"Wait... just a moment—"

She shouted dramatically, but I didn't want to draw attention. Ignoring her, I headed to the rocky area where the kobolds lived.

"Alright, arrived."

I arrived at a desolate place dotted with countless rocks. Kobolds are weaker than goblins but have many natural enemies like trolls and orcs.

They dig holes in the shadows of such rocky areas to hide.

I continued to explore the surroundings cautiously. Since they are cautious, I thought I would need to be even more careful than with goblins.

"Uuuuuu!"

A single kobold appeared right in front of me.

"Having just one is convenient."

Kobolds are supposed to act in groups, but maybe they thought I looked weak and decided to challenge me.

First, I decided to attack without using any skills.

"Haahaaaaa!"

I swung my short sword and attacked the kobold.

"Clang!"

The sound of metal clashing made me break out in a cold sweat. I thought they might be stalling for time, waiting for their companions to arrive.

"Take this! Take this!"

Every time I swung my sword, the kobold defended. It seemed I was stronger, and they couldn't take the offensive.

"I can win in a normal fight too!"

I shouldn't rely solely on skills. I tried it out, and it seemed the 'Status Manipulation' had indeed improved my base stats.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

I deflected the kobold's attacks one after another.

When I defended, I could tell that their attacks were light, and I could easily regain the upper hand.

"Clang?!"

After a few exchanges, I deflected the kobold's sword and—

"Bash!"

—swept its torso.

"Huh?"

A deep wound appeared on the kobold's body, and it fell over, apparently dead.

"Did it really take just one hit?"

It must be because I raised the level of Bash. Or maybe it was due to the increased strength from leveling up and the job bonus.

Probably, the accumulation of these factors led to this result.

"Right, did my level... go up?"

Today's test was to see if I could gain the effects of 'Increased Skill Points Gained' and 'Increased Stat Points Gained.' It seems that even with the level increase, one kobold wasn't enough.

"Then, I'll look for the next target."

I cut off the proof of the kill and started searching for the next kobold.

"Ah! My level just went up at the perfect time."

After that, I encountered two kobolds acting together twice. The first time, I was caught off guard and attacked, so it was a bit of a struggle. The second time, I took the initiative and used Bash, taking them down with one hit, winning easily.

So, I achieved both the quest and my goal, but—

Name: Tim

Age: 16

Job: Warrior Level 4

Strength: 53 + 8

Agility: 33

Vitality: 23 + 8

Magic: 6

Spirit: 28

Dexterity: 21

Luck: -19

Stat Points: 87

Skill Points: 43

Unique Skill: 'Status Manipulation'

Skills: 'Swordsmanship Level 1', 'Bash Level 3', 'Healing Level 3', 'Increased Skill Points Gained Level 3', 'Increased Stat Points Gained Level 3'

"Skill points increased by 5, and stat points by 8. So, does that mean 'Increased Skill Points Gained' increases by one for each level?"

I verified this while cutting off the proof of the kill.

"If that's the case, I won't get the points for the two levels I already gained as a Warrior. That's a bit of a waste..."

I had been using the unique skill 'Status Manipulation' blindly without any explanation. It was difficult to make the best choice without knowing anything.

"There's no point in regretting it. I just need to keep testing and exploring carefully from now on."

Thanks to 'Status Manipulation,' I can finally use skills. I should think positively.

Fighting a few kobolds alone is something any D-rank adventurer can do. My current skills are still at the level of a beginner adventurer.

"I need to be more focused from now on."

I am a year behind my peers, so I need to work even harder to catch up and surpass them.