Chapter 23

Colette sells me a book that lists the characteristics of jobs, a list of skills, and information about the surrounding monsters and the dungeon.

"You don't seem like a rookie at all, Yu. Also, please be careful, as not all the skills and dungeon information are listed in that book."

As I browse through the book, Colette speaks to me with admiration.

"Is that so? Rather, because I'm a rookie, I need to gather information or I might die easily."

"Not at all! Most rookies overestimate their own abilities and rush in without gathering even the most basic information. As a result, most of them end up in trouble."

While chatting, I sell the materials from the monsters I hunted on the way. Another receptionist is handling Nina's job change room.

"You have a lot of materials from Rank 2 monsters. May I borrow your guild card?"

When I hesitate to hand over my guild card, Colette reassures me that no one else can read the information from it, so I can rest assured. Since there's no point in arguing, I hand over my guild card.

"Points are also accumulated on your guild card when you sell monster materials, not just when you complete quests."

While she operates my guild card, I start to worry if it's really okay.

"Yu, here's your guild card back. You're now an F-rank adventurer!"

"Huh? Did I become an F-rank just from selling these materials?"

"Based on the rank of the monsters and the amount of materials, you definitely have the skills of an F-rank or higher!"

(Actually, you could easily be an E-rank...)

I earned three gold coins and eight half-silver coins from selling the monster materials.

"Colette, thank you for treating me with respect even though I'm just a kid."

Yu sincerely expressed his gratitude. Reflecting on it, Colette was the first person to treat him properly since he came to this world.

"Not at all! It's only natural for guild staff to treat adventurers with respect. If you have any problems in the future, feel free to come to me anytime."

After receiving the money, I can now return the item pouch to Rena. As I think about buying an item pouch, equipment, and deciding on an inn, someone calls out to me.

"Hey!"

"Isn't that the kind old man from earlier..."

"Hey! I'm only 28 years old! Besides, isn't your way of speaking different?"

"This is my true self. I don't need to pretend anymore."

There are adventurers in the guild who can use 'Analysis,' so not only the guild but also other adventurers probably know part of my status.

"I find it easier to talk to you this way. Anyway, I'm sorry about earlier."

"You were just testing if the monsters around here match the level of rookies, right? There's no need to worry."

Larit advises me to be careful, as there have been many incidents of adventurers hunting other adventurers, especially rookies, recently. When I ask about his rank, he says he's in the upper ranks of D-rank and will soon be a C-rank. Are C-rank and above all monsters? Larit seems to be a genuinely kind person, but I feel bad about owing him a favor, so I'll repay him eventually.

"Are you the rookie Yu?"

While talking to Larit, I hear a voice from behind and turn around. A man over two meters tall, reeking of alcohol, stands there. He's not only tall but also incredibly muscular, making me wonder if he's half a giant. More importantly, I freeze when I see his status. While Larit's status was high, this man's is on a different level.

Name: Joseph Yorm

Race: Human

Job: Warrior, Knight, Paladin, Dark Knight

Level: 61

HP: 4132

MP: 876

Strength: 931

Agility: 756

Stamina: 1021

Intelligence: 98

Magic: 102

Luck: 100

Passive Skills:

Battle Sense

Sword Mastery Level 8

Spear Mastery Level 11

Bow Mastery Level 6

Powerful Arms Level 4

HP Regeneration Speed Level 3

Blessing of Darkness

Blessing of Light

Dual Wield Level 5

Active Skills:

Sword Techniques Level 7

Spear Techniques Level 11

Bow Techniques Level 5

Combat Techniques Level 4

Holy Magic Level 3

Dark Magic Level 1

Holy Sword Techniques Level 3

Dark Sword Level 1

Unique Skills:

Bad Luck

Warrior's Talent Level 5

Equipment:

Weapon: Great Sword of Rock Dragon (Level 3): Enhanced Attack Power, Reduced Damage

Armor: Mithril Armor (Level 4): Enhanced Magic Resistance

Gloves: Mithril Gauntlets (Level 4): Enhanced Magic Resistance, Reduced Equipment Weight

Boots: Fire Dragon Boots (Level 3): Enhanced Fire Resistance

Accessories: Avales' Necklace (Level 3): Enhanced Magic Resistance, Enhanced Instant Death Resistance, Enhanced Petrification Resistance

Mirage Ring (Level 3): Displays False Information When Analyzed

"Mr... Sir!"

"Hey, Larit, I'm borrowing that kid for a bit."

"Sir, is there something you need from me?"

"Who's calling me 'sir'? I'm only 34 years old."

"Wha—"

Larit and I speak in unison.

(He's still a sir...)

"Sir, this kid just became an adventurer today. Has he done something to you?"

Larit speaks carefully, mindful of the situation. From the looks of the other adventurers watching, this man seems quite famous.

"I heard there's a talented rookie around. I want to see how good he is. There's a training ground behind the guild, and conveniently, it's empty today."

(Interesting, he wants to test how strong I've become since taking on a job.)

I follow the man silently.

"Larit, you know I'll kill you if you follow, right?"

Joseph says this with a smile, but his eyes are cold. Larit is frozen in place.

"Why... Why is he taking a rookie... I hope nothing bad happens..."

Behind the guild in the city of Kama, there's a training ground that's usually full of adventurers, but today it's empty because Joseph kicked everyone out.

"Alright, I'll use a blunted sword, but don't get careless or you'll die."

I take the blunted sword from Joseph. The moment I do, I attack, but he blocks it with one hand.

"Wow... That's good, that's good. You're not fun if you're serious. Still, you have a strength of 300... no, almost 400, don't you?"

I'm pushing with both hands, but Joseph is using one. He even has a smile on his face, showing how relaxed he is.

I try to create some distance, but Joseph's attack comes at me.

"Don't die! Sword Technique: 'Rapid Thrust'"

Dozens of thrusts are delivered in an instant, but I block them all with the sword technique 'Double Thrust.' Joseph is surprised and stops moving.

(What the... Rapid Thrust is a Level 2 sword technique. He blocked it all with Level 1 Double Thrust, and he even used it without charging, in rapid succession.)

"Sir, it's my turn now, right?"

My combat technique activates. Since my stats are completely inferior, I try to find an opportunity by attacking with full force while he's off guard.

"Fluid movement! ... The activation of a sword technique without a magic word... and the fluid movement used by high-ranking adventurers... Who taught you?"

Joseph is talking about 'fluid movement,' which is a technique of wrapping the body with a combat technique rather than releasing it.

"Don't give it a weird name. I came up with this technique myself!"

While responding, I activate the sword technique 'Wind and Thunder.' Blows from all directions hit Joseph, but he blocks them with the sword technique 'Flash' and sends me flying.

(He uses sword techniques up to Level 3... This isn't the skill level of a rookie. Haha...)

Initially, Joseph was just playing around, but as he becomes more interested in Yu, the alcohol wears off.

Nina is shocked by the scene. When she returns from choosing her second job and can't find Yu, she asks Larit, who was the first to approach him. He tells her that Yu was taken to the training ground.

(Taken? By who... Could it be!)

When she enters the training ground, she sees a man over two meters tall sending Yu flying. Her mind goes blank.

"Critical Blow!!"

Using Stealth, Concealment, and Combat Techniques, Nina jumps into Joseph's guard and releases a short sword technique.

"Huh? Are you this kid's friend?"

Joseph dodges without using his sword, but the first hit is a decoy. The next instant, the real attack, the short sword technique 'Dead Stab,' is released from her left hand.

(This girl also uses techniques without magic words!)

He blocks the attack with the sword technique 'Willow,' sending the shock back to Nina, who collapses on the spot.

"...Nina!"

Rena wanted to join the fight but couldn't due to the level difference.

"Haha, don't worry, the girl is just unconscious."

"......What?"

"Kid, did you say something?"

At that moment, dozens of Fireballs float around Yu, much larger than before.

"I'll kill you."

With clouded eyes, Yu slowly moves toward Joseph.