Chapter 3

I stare at the semi-transparent board displayed in front of me.

From the center, where the symbol of Death magic is located, lines extend to other symbols.

I tap the symbol of the magic circle right next to it to try it out.

Then, just like with "Death," an explanation appears.

"Magic Consumption Halved: Reduces the magic power consumed when using instant death magic by half. Consumption Points: 3"

It seems I can enhance skills by consuming points.

My skills level up by defeating monsters, and I gain points as a result.

The points I gain can be used to acquire abilities on this list screen.

I focus my attention back on the symbol in front of me.

For me, with a level cap of 1 and low magic power, reducing consumption is almost a must-have ability.

I press the [Yes] button right below the explanation.

Suddenly, light overflows from my body, enveloping me in a warm sensation.

The symbol of the magic circle begins to glow, and the points in the upper right corner decrease from 20 to 17.

It seems I have successfully acquired the ability.

"Death"

I try casting the instant death magic into the air, and I no longer feel the fatigue I felt before.

With this, I can probably fire one more shot in succession.

I now have 17 points left.

Since points are limited, I can't allocate them without careful consideration.

I try touching a symbol far away, but it doesn't react.

It seems I can only acquire abilities adjacent to those I already have.

When I tap the symbol after "Magic Consumption Halved," it's the same ability again.

However, the required points are 5.

The cost of acquiring abilities seems to increase the further they are from the center.

I decide to investigate the other symbols branching from "Death" first.

Next, I touch the symbol that looks like multiple concentric circles to the right.

"Effective Range Up: Doubles the effective range of instant death magic. Consumption Points: 2"

"Oh, right."

I remember that the effective range of "Death" was abnormally narrow.

With my low stats, I need to fight monsters from a distance, so this ability is also important.

I acquire the "Effective Range Up" ability and then touch a different symbol.

This time, it's the same symbol as "Death."

"Success Rate Up: Increases the success rate of instant death magic. Consumption Points: 2"

The success rate is probably the most important aspect of instant death magic.

It seems to be divided into several levels, like magic consumption, so I acquire two levels.

"Success Rate Up: Significantly increases the success rate of instant death magic. Consumption Points: 5"

After acquiring the two abilities, the symbols glow again.

So far, I've used 12 points, leaving me with 8.

"Hmm...?"

The path after "Success Rate Up" splits into two, and one of the branches has a coffin symbol.

"Dead Man's Coffin: Allows you to store the bodies of targets killed by instant death magic in another space. Consumption Points: 3"

"Such an ability exists?"

I look at the Kiling Bear lying nearby.

The Kiling Bear's body is quite large.

It would take a lot of time to carry it back to the guild, and it would be noticeable.

I decide to acquire this ability and press [Yes].

The symbol glows.

When I wave my hand, the massive body of the Kiling Bear in front of me disappears instantly.

It's a very convenient ability.

The path after "Dead Man's Coffin" seems to lead to another system.

This time, it's a ghost-like symbol.

"Soul Recovery: Converts the abilities of targets killed by instant death magic into your own stats. Consumption Points: 5"

This ability is expensive in terms of points, but its performance is exceptional.

It's unclear if there's a limit to how much I can absorb, but it will allow me to increase my stats, even at level 1.

Without hesitation, I spend the points to acquire it.

This uses up all my points.

"All skill points have been consumed. Displaying results."

New messages and numbers appear.

======================================

【Basic Stats】

Name: Arc

Job: Mage

Level: 1

HP: 15

MP: 10

Attack: 2

Defense: 4

Vitality: 4

Speed: 3

Intelligence: 3

【Owned Skills】

- Instant Death Magic Lv20

【Owned Abilities】

- Magic Consumption Halved Lv1

- Effective Range Up Lv1

- Success Rate Up Lv2

- Dead Man's Coffin

- Soul Recovery

======================================

The abilities I have seem to be distributed fairly well.

However, I won't know how much the success rate of instant death magic has improved until I test it.

"...Come to think of it, I don't feel any pain."

I was so engrossed in looking at the board that I didn't notice, but the pain from being blown away by the Kiling Bear has completely disappeared.

Perhaps my HP fully recovers when my skill levels up.

I wave my hand to dismiss the list of abilities, and it disappears from my view.

Unlike before, my mind is very calm.

The fact that I was the weakest.

The fact that I was laughed at by many people.

The fact that my childhood friend abandoned me.

I no longer feel anything about those things.

Such a past is now meaningless to me.

As I was about to start walking, a slime appeared in my field of vision, still trembling.

"Sorry about earlier. I'll go in your place."

The only thing I, the weakest, aim for is one thing.

—I will become the strongest with this power.

And so, I return to town.