Chapter 6

"Cost...? If I add [Growth Acceleration], will I not be able to expand?"

There was no cost number written on the abilities, so there was no way to confirm.

Monsters release life energy upon death. When this life energy is absorbed by the body, humans become stronger. Changes worthy of a level-up manifest.

[Growth Acceleration] is an ability that allows the absorption of more life energy than from a single monster (it's unclear whether it's equivalent to two monsters or 1.5 monsters, but it's more than one). In other words, it's an ability that allows for faster level-ups compared to others.

It seems like an ability that would have a high cost.

Sora removed [Growth Acceleration] and tried replacing it with other skills.

STR: 5 → 6 VIT: 6

AGI: 11 → 13 MAG: 0 SEN: 7 → 8

Abilities: [Growth Acceleration] + → [STR Boost][AGI Boost][SEN Boost] +

"Wow, you can equip multiple abilities!"

This meant that ability selection could be adjusted according to the situation, significantly broadening the range of actions possible.

(That's why I can't stop experimenting!)

With a deeper understanding of the status board, Sora became excited.

Equipping enhancement abilities revealed that they increased the current status by 20%. The effect was quite weak at the current stage, but it was an ability with great potential in the future.

[Natural Recovery] seemed to increase the speed of natural recovery. Even while resting, he could feel the fatigue from battle rapidly healing in his body.

"Does it work on wounds too? ...But, since I can get healed after leaving the dungeon, I might not use this for now."

After checking all the abilities, Sora equipped [Growth Acceleration] again.

"Will more abilities be added in the future?"

It was hard to imagine that only these abilities could be equipped. This was because it was unnatural for a system like this to lack mastery-type abilities (such as sword skills or shield skills).

"Maybe more will be added when my stats or level increases."

He decided to investigate this gradually. Putting the status allocation on hold, Sora checked his inventory.

"By the way, how do I use the inventory?"

He tried saying "inventory" out loud, but nothing happened. He imagined reaching into a pocket dimension and extended his hand, but nothing happened either.

"Hmm? Maybe I haven't obtained it yet?"

Sora stared at the status board intently.

"Will information appear if I touch a skill?"

He tried touching a skill, but no information appeared. Instead,

"Oh?"

When he swiped his finger horizontally, the status screen changed.

"Oh, I see..."

Seeing the empty square slots on the screen, Sora understood how to use the inventory. It seemed that the inventory he had obtained could be used through the status board.

He tried bringing a goblin's magic stone he had obtained close to the inventory screen. The magic stone he was holding disappeared, and an icon of the magic stone appeared in the top-left corner of the screen.

Tapping it showed "Goblin's Magic Stone (Small) × 1".

"Wow, it can stack!"

He noticed the text "Drop Collection: Automatic" in the top-right corner of the screen. Setting this to automatic meant that the inventory would automatically collect drops from the dungeon.

"This is amazing..."

Not having to pick up drops would save a lot of time. Especially for F-rank and lower monsters, whose magic stones were quite small, finding drops during consecutive battles was quite challenging.

This feature would drastically reduce that hassle. It was an incredible function.

Sora had a rough understanding of the inventory system. He swiped his finger on the screen to display the status screen.

"Next, it's time to allocate the stats!"

His level had increased, and he had gained 5 points. He carefully considered how to allocate these 5 points.

"I'd like to increase my magic power, but my job is a porter."

Increasing magic power didn't guarantee the ability to use magic.

"If I allocate them evenly, it would be 1 point per level... But maybe it's better to focus on my strengths first."

For a greatsword-wielding swordsman, increasing STR would be best, and for a mage, increasing MAG would be best. The standard approach was to increase the stats that would boost combat power according to the job while also increasing defense.

Sora was a speed-type adventurer. Increasing AGI would be best. The problem was combat power.

"What should I increase as a porter?"

If he carried items by hand, increasing VIT would be better. But that wouldn't increase combat power.

"Hmm... If I want to be able to fight alone... Strength, right?"

Sora had just reached E-rank, but the rank on his adventurer card was still F.

The rank on the adventurer card was based on the results of an appraisal. If he got an appraisal now, his card would be updated to E-rank.

However, an appraisal cost 200,000 yen, and Sora wasn't wealthy enough to pay that much.

"Well, I'll focus on leveling up for a while and get an appraisal when my rank has increased significantly."

It would be difficult to join a party while still at F-rank, but Sora had [Limit Break] and the status board.

It would be best to focus on solo leveling for a while.

To be able to fight alone, Sora allocated his SP.