Chapter 14

The training with Nina in the mountain cave has been going on for two months now, and it is progressing smoothly.

Name: Nina Leva

Race: Human

Job: Thief

Level: 15

HP: 87

MP: 40

Strength: 28

Agility: 70

Stamina: 30

Intelligence: 20

Magic: 18

Luck: 22

Passive Skills:

- Detection Level 1

- Trap Detection Level 1

- Dagger Mastery Level 2

- Stealth Level 2

- Dual Dagger Mastery Level 1

Active Skills:

- Steal Level 1

- Ambush Level 2

- Trap Disarm Level 1

- Concealment Level 2

- Combat Techniques Level 1

- Dagger Skills Level 1

Unique Skills:

- None

Nina has become adept at using combat techniques and can almost handle them proficiently. She has also learned the passive skill 'Dual Dagger Mastery' as she has been fighting with daggers in both hands. With this skill, Nina's offensive power has clearly increased. As expected, Nina's growth is rapid.

I continue to make potions as usual. When I tried using Heal on the clean water, it turned into holy water. Using this holy water to make potions resulted in potions with higher effects than usual. The traveling merchant sells these potions at the same price as other potions, but they are selling like hotcakes, which is a great help. I have saved a considerable amount of money, so it might be time to upgrade our equipment. However, the equipment available in the nearby village is limited, so I want to go to a larger city.

Nina has also started to find the second underground floor insufficient, so we have moved to the third underground floor. On the third floor, not only Goblin Knights and Soldiers appear, but also Kobold Shamans. The white magic of the Kobold Shamans is troublesome, so I have decided to join the battle on the third floor. Of course, if there is a chance to 'Plunder,' I will take the white magic.

"Shh"

"Gwa!"

Nina's steel dagger slashes the Kobold Shaman's neck. She then targets the Goblin Soldier and uses the dagger skill Critical Blow. Nina can now use dagger skills without chanting magic words.

"With our current strength, the third floor is no problem."

"Who said to be careful because there's a boss here?"

"Ugh... But now, I think we could even defeat the boss."

As we joke and move forward, we come across a particularly large room.

We sense multiple presences and a particularly large one.

As we get closer to the room, Nina also seems to notice and becomes more cautious. Peeking from the entrance, we see about a dozen Goblin Soldiers and Goblin Knights. In the center is a Goblin, standing about three meters tall.

I check its status.

Name: King of the Mountain Cave

Race: Ogre (Subspecies)

Rank: 3

Level: 5

HP: 783

MP: 13

Strength: 451

Agility: 79

Stamina: 413

Intelligence: 21

Magic: 51

Luck: 16

Passive Skills:

- Skin Hardening Level 2

- Enhanced Physical Abilities Level 2

- Staff Mastery Level 2

Active Skills:

- Combat Techniques Level 1

- Roar Level 1

Unique Skills:

- Subordinate Followers Level 1

"Ha!? Is this... the cave boss? The difference in strength is so great just because the rank is different? Or is it because Ogres are inherently strong?"

"Hey... Yu, can you see it? I heard that there are many Ogres here, but this one has red skin instead of the usual green, so it's a subspecies... Can we defeat it?"

Nina asks, trembling. Through our training, Nina has developed a sense of the strength of her opponents.

"Let's not. Even though its level is lower than ours, its rank 3 status is clearly superior."

"Rank 3!? No way! Rank 3 is the level of monsters that D-rank adventurers fight."

We decided to give up on defeating the boss that day. There's no need to rush; we can defeat it eventually as our levels and equipment improve.

On the way back, we gather mountain vegetables and fruits. Considering Stella's poor health, we thought it would be better to have something easier to eat than meat. As we approach our house, we see something lying on the ground... A bad feeling... It was... Stella.

"Stella!"

"Stella!"

Both Nina and I quickly carry Stella to the bed.

"Yu, Nina, I'm sorry to worry you. I felt a bit better and thought I'd go for a walk."

I continue to cast Heal without her noticing, but it has no effect. Unfortunately, we are out of potions.

Damn, I sold too many potions to the traveling merchant. I should have kept some in reserve. We are also out of herbs, so we can't make any potions.

"Nina, I'll go gather some herbs. Please take care of Stella."

"Yu, you don't need to be so flustered."

"That's not true! Yu is really worried about Stella."

"I'm so happy... to have someone like you and Nina worry about me."

"That's right. Please get better soon."

"Nina, this is a good opportunity to talk. When we took a bath together, did you see the scars on Yu's body?"

"Yes... I saw them. They are indeed..."

"Yu says he doesn't have parents, but I think he did. However, for Yu, that place might have been a hell."

I run through the mountains. I use all my combat techniques, and even if Goblins appear, I instantly kill them. I use 'Otherworldly Eye' to find the best herbs.

This won't do! I need to find better quality herbs.

"Nina, it's really great that you became Yu's friend. Now I can rest easy..."

"Stella, what are you saying! It's just a minor illness. You'll get better soon with the herbs Yu brings."

"No, not even the herbs or the potions Yu makes can cure me. It's not a disease or a status ailment, but the end of my life..."

"S... Stella, you knew!?"

Nina is surprised that Stella knew Yu has the 'Alchemy' skill.

"I know that Yu is pretending to be an adventurer. He hides weapons and armor behind the house, and I found them right away. He also tries to hide making potions, but I heard him muttering about how to make them more effective... He acts like an adult, but he's still a child in some ways."

Stella speaks fondly of her memories with Yu. It seems she also knew that Yu can use magic.

"Living with Yu has been fun, and I've tried my best, but it seems I've reached my limit."

The door opens violently, and there stands Yu, out of breath.

"What did you just say?"

"Yu, as I said, it's the end of my life. No magic or medicine can cure it."

Stella speaks to Yu in her usual calm manner.

"Lie! It's a lie that you're going to die!"

Yu shouts loudly, but seeing him like this, Stella looks genuinely happy.

"Hehe... You finally called me 'Granny.' I'm so happy... Yu..."

Yu doesn't hear Stella's words. His mind is filled with thoughts of how to cure her.

"Magic... Stronger magic to heal... Power... I need power! There's still time..."

Yu rushes out of the room.

"Yu! Wait!"

"Nina, wait... I have something important to say... We don't have much time..."

Nina tries to chase after Yu, but Stella stops her. Stella's face is turning ashen, and she looks like she's about to die.

Yu casts Fireball. Not just one, but three at once.

"Kyaah!"

The Goblin screams and dies.

"Guh...!"

Swish!

The longsword decapitates the Goblin.

More than fifty monsters have been killed and had their skills stolen.

Power... Magic... White magic... Where are the monsters with these skills!

"Move out of the way!!!"

Without slowing down, Yu enters the mountain cave. That day, the mountains around Ressell Village were filled with the cries of monsters, which never ceased.

Name: Yu Sato

Race: Human

Job: None

Level: 10

HP: 59

MP: 70

Strength: 21

Agility: 28

Stamina: 25

Intelligence: 33

Magic: 22

Luck: 1

Passive Skills:

- Sword Mastery Level 3

- Enhanced Strength Level 3

- Detection Level 3

- Dagger Mastery Level 2

Active Skills:

- Sword Skills Level 2

- Combat Techniques Level 2

- White Magic Level 2

- Black Magic Level 1

- Blacksmithing Level 2

- Alchemy Level 2

- Steal Level 1

- Concealment Level 1

- Appraisal Level 1

- Dagger Skills Level 2

Unique Skills:

- Otherworldly Eye Level 2

- Plunder Level 1

Power... Power... I need more power!!!