Chapter 32

"This is proof that I can rank up, isn't it?"

When a skill meets its conditions, it becomes possible to rank up. The proof of this is a pattern that appears somewhere on the body.

The book-shaped pattern that appeared on the back of my right hand is definitely it.

"Oh, that's great!"

"Congratulations, Noel."

When the two of them applauded, I felt a bit complicated. Defeating a goblin to rank up just didn't feel right.

Well, at least it's good that the pattern didn't appear on my butt.

"Since Noel can now rank up, Kōga is the only one left out."

At Alma's malicious words, Kōga's eyes widened.

"Hey, can Alma rank up too?"

"Yeah, no problem."

"Then show me the proof."

"Huh? Pervert. Die, why don't you?"

"Why!?"

I held my head as the pointless argument started again.

"Alma, stop bullying the newbies. You're the oldest here. How about showing a bit of maturity?"

"..."

"Kōga, since you didn't know, the location where the rank-up pattern appears varies from person to person. Sometimes it appears in delicate areas, so don't ask to see it lightly."

"Oh, right, that's true... Alma, I'm sorry."

Kōga bowed his head earnestly, and Alma looked conflicted.

"You don't have to apologize..."

Alma looked embarrassed. Her expression was so amusing that I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Well, Kōga should be able to rank up soon. There's no need to worry about being left out."

"Is ranking up that easy?"

"It's not easy. However, for B-rank, it's said that if you meet the conditions, you have a high probability of ranking up."

Of course, it's not guaranteed. Many explorers have met the conditions but failed to rank up. But with Kōga's talent, it should be certain.

"For example, the rank-up condition for a Talker is to accumulate 10,000 points of combat experience using support skills."

"How do you know when you have 10,000 points?"

"Statistically, a battle with an equal opponent gives you one point per fight. This value increases exponentially based on the strength and number of enemies. In other words, if you only engage in safe battles, it will take a long time to rank up, but if you engage in dangerous battles, you can shorten the time."

"I see. Then I should be able to rank up soon. I'll keep challenging risky battles from now on, right?"

"That's right. Besides, Kōga has experience from the underground arena, so considering that, it shouldn't take long to rank up."

Considering that I, who was called a rookie who devoured big catches, fought almost without rest for a year before the pattern appeared, it's clear that ranking up is a thorny path. However, if you can meet the conditions, it's a hurdle that anyone who doesn't fear battle can overcome.

When it comes to A-rank, it's a different story...

"By the way, I almost forgot. From now on, we'll be exploring the Abyss. If you feel any physical or mental changes, let me know immediately."

"Is there a problem?"

Alma tilted her head, and I nodded.

"The Abyss is essentially the demon world. If you stay too long, your soul will be pulled to the other side."

"Does that mean you die?"

"You won't die, but your soul will change, causing mental abnormalities. Explorers who experience this are called Abyss-possessed."

"What's the solution?"

"It's simple. Just keep talking to each other. To put it bluntly, human bonds are the best defense for the soul. So, unless you're a solo explorer, you rarely become Abyss-possessed, but I wanted to let you know just in case."

"Is there no way to reverse it?"

Kōga asked. I thought for a moment and shook my head.

"No."

"I see."

When Kōga looked serious, the sound of a carriage approaching could be heard from a distance.

"The recovery team seems to have arrived. We're leaving this smelly place. Alma, when we return to the capital, I'll rank up. What about you?"

"Sorry, I need to wait a bit longer."

"Alright. Let me know when you've made up your mind."

Ranking up a skill is irreversible. Once you decide on a rank-up path, you can't change it later. Therefore, many explorers, not just Alma, hesitate, and I have no complaints about that.

I can make a quick decision simply because I have no other options.

†

†

Just as a skill requires an appraiser to manifest, ranking up a skill also requires the help of an appraiser.

Appraisers are quite unique among all skills. Their ability is innate and does not require appraisal, and they do not have a rank-up system.

Those born as appraisers are gathered from various autonomous regions to the capital and receive specialized education at the Appraiser Association.

Once they become full-fledged appraisers, their main job is to help people in the capital and autonomous regions manifest their skills. When there is no work, they research the skills they have appraised. The numerical values of each skill are calculated based on the data stored by the appraisers.

The existence of appraisers is indispensable to people's lives. Without them, the world would change drastically, and not for the better.

However, to be honest, I hated appraisers.

"Thank you for coming today, Mr. Noel Stollen."

After entering the white, grand temple-like building of the Appraiser Association and enduring a long wait, I was led to a room where my assigned appraiser was waiting. The appraiser was a young female gnome.

"You wish to rank up, I hear. That's wonderful. As an appraiser, I'm truly delighted to be part of your new beginning."

The appraiser spoke with a smile, but her eyes didn't smile at all.

These people, having received special education since childhood, have no interest in people and focus all their curiosity on skill research. They look at you as if you were a lab animal, which is why I can't stand them.

"Then, I will inform you of the skills you can rank up to as a Talker. First, Bard. Second, Tactician. Lastly, Beastmaster."

As expected, the same content I had researched beforehand.

A Talker has three possible rank-up paths:

Bard, a skill that can further enhance support through the power of song.

Tactician, a skill that can use a variety of support skills specialized for group battles.

Beastmaster, a skill that can communicate with and control mutants.

However, among these three, there is only one skill I can choose.

First, the Bard's ability to enhance support is attractive, but it's impossible to command while singing. Therefore, Bard is out.

Next, Beastmaster... it's not even an option.

Certainly, the ability to control mutants has a romantic appeal. However, controlling mutants means raising them. In the capital, where land is expensive, setting up a sufficiently large breeding area is unrealistic, especially for large mutants. The cost of feeding them would also be significant.

Moreover, I already have human companions, and I don't see the point in adding mutants. The way humans and mutants fight is completely different, and the effort required to achieve full coordination is daunting.

Therefore, Beastmaster is also out.

That leaves only one option.

"Which skill will you choose, Mr. Noel? By the way, I recommend the Beastmaster—"

"Tactician. I want to become a Tactician."

The appraiser tried to say something, but I interrupted and stated my decision.

"…Tactician, is it? I see, indeed, for an explorer, a more versatile Tactician would be preferable. However, this Beastmaster—"

"Tactician. I have no intention of becoming anything else."

"…Hmm. But, as I said, my recommendation is—"

"I don't care about your recommendation. Just make me a Tactician."

As I urged her impatiently, the appraiser lowered her eyebrows sadly.

"…You're sure?"

"I'm sure. No questions."

"…Tsk."

This damn appraiser clicked her tongue.

The reason she wants me to become a Beastmaster is simply because there is little data on Beastmasters. She wants a new research subject and is trying to mess with my life for that purpose.

Honestly, that's why I hate appraisers.

"Alright, I understand. Tactician, is it?"

"I've already said that multiple times. Hurry up. I'm busy."

"Then, since you seem determined, I will begin the ceremony."

The appraiser spread her hands and began to sing in a language different from the common tongue. It's apparently an ancient gnome language, but I'm not an expert, so I don't know the details.

Originally, the special skill of appraisers originated from gnomes. Therefore, about 80% of appraisers are gnomes, and even those of other races have gnome blood in their ancestry.

The meaning of the song is as follows:

"I will open your new door. I will open your new door. You, who desire great power, direct your eyes to the inner sea. The light of wisdom illuminates the dark surface. The light becomes a door, leading to the present world. I will open your new door. I will open your new door—"

Soon, a blue phosphorescence enveloped me, and a mysterious power welled up from deep within my body—

†

†

Talker B-rank skill, Tactician. Its characteristic is super-corrected thinking speed.

Originally, the intelligence correction of a Talker is among the highest of all jobs. Thanks to the new characteristic, this has been further enhanced, allowing me to create multiple pseudo-personalities by dividing my thoughts and think in parallel while maintaining processing speed.

Using this characteristic, I can analyze the battle situation in real-time from various perspectives, leading to combat predictions with near-future-forecasting precision. Although the prediction time is extremely short, it is a characteristic befitting a Tactician.

However, whether I can apply this characteristic in actual combat depends on me. Knowing the future with certainty is meaningless if I can't respond to it. In other words, the coordination with Alma and Kōga, who are my limbs, becomes even more important.

After completing the rank-up, I left the Appraiser Association and headed to the Explorer Association to complete the procedures for creating a clan.

On the way, I encountered a crowd with yellow cheers.

"Kyaa! So cool! Look this way!"

"Let's have dinner together! I'll treat you!"

"Excuse me! Can I have your signature on this sword scabbard!?"

The person at the center of the crowd seemed to be quite popular with women. From young women to older ones, and not just civilians, but also those who appeared to be explorers.

Explorers are the idols of the people. In the capital, there is an annual survey by all newspapers for the most desirable men and women to date, and explorers occupy all the top spots.

However, to be admired by peers is quite rare. Curious, I tried to see the person at the center of the crowd. Since the crowd was mostly women, I easily caught sight of the target.

A handsome young man with slightly wavy blond hair. In his mid-twenties, he was a head taller than me. He had a gentle face and always had his eyes slightly narrowed. The dark blue coat he wore matched his hair color well, and a longsword hung from his waist.

I knew this man. Indeed, it's no wonder the women are flocking around him. After all, he has been the top choice for the most desirable man to date in the capital for three consecutive years.

Of course, he's not just a pretty face. His skills and titles are also overwhelming.

He is the sub-master of the "Heraldic Dragon Team," the top team of the capital's strongest clan, the Seven Stars. His name, known to all explorers, is a genius swordsman.

"Zig von Stein"

The moment I said his name, Zig turned his gaze toward me.

"Hey, aren't you Noel Stollen?"

His voice, which carried well even amidst the cheers, clearly called my name. Zig pushed through the crowd of women and approached me.

"Sure enough, it's Noel. Wow, what a coincidence."

His calm but insincere tone was enough to tell me that he had been looking for me from the start.

And I had a pretty good idea why.