Chapter 9

### The Fourth Night

"This bed for the night is the best!"

I couldn't help but mutter.

It was a completely different dimension from sleeping in a tree.

After all, I could sleep on a nearly flat surface!

The rock slab by the river I found along the way.

While walking and looking around, I found a cave that the goblins couldn't climb up to.

Checking inside with nearby stones as a base, I confirmed that there was a space of about three tatami mats, and the unevenness of the ground wasn't too bad.

The entrance was wide open, so there was no need to shine a flashlight inside.

If the purpose of being in the forest was training or hunting, the environment with a gentle, shallow river in front and fruit-bearing trees behind would be perfect for making this place a base.

Using a fallen log as a pillow, the only word that came to mind was "awesome."

Adjusting my buttocks to the slight depression, I felt more comfortable than a thin futon.

If a futon were right in front of me, I would hug it and never let go.

The natural scenery, dyed in vivid colors by the sunset, was breathtaking.

Since I had been transferred, this was the first time I had been able to calm my mind so much while struggling to survive.

The air even tasted good.

If I could make a campfire and grill fish or meat, it would be perfect...

But thinking about "fire" makes my heart restless, so I'll stop thinking about it for now.

All I can do is hope that fish will be in the stone trap I set up like a small pond by morning.

### Well...

Such an opportunity doesn't come often.

I'll take a good look at the status screen I haven't been able to check calmly until now.

First, the ability values.

So far, every time my level increases, my magic power increases by +6, and the other ability values increase by +3 each.

I had noted the initial values in my notebook, so the numerical values are clear.

I don't know if there's a level cap in this world...

If the limit is 99 like in many games, at this rate, my base stats would be around 300 each.

If the stat increases change midway, it won't be limited to this, but for the time being, it should be fine to see if they increase by +3 each.

Knowing this won't necessarily benefit me, but such information and knowledge might become important later.

The blessings and titles are still blank, as expected.

And then, the problematic skills.

I experienced a sudden skill acquisition with the Horned Rabbits.

They increased even though I didn't use them.

Right after defeating an enemy.

So, it's natural to think that the Horned Rabbits had the 【Charge】 skill, and I gained it by defeating them.

Indeed, the Horned Rabbits had clearly used a 【Charge】 with their horns.

I think it was the fifth Horned Rabbit I encountered.

So, 20% per one.

If this assumption is correct, it wouldn't be strange if other skill experience values had increased.

Looking at the skill experience bars from the top of the skill list—

There it was.

【Earth Magic】 20%

This confirms it.

Monsters may not necessarily have skills, but if they do, defeating them grants 20% skill experience per one.

"This is... quite a good deal... right...?"

After all, the 【Martial Arts】 skill, for which I already knew I had gained experience, is still at 4%.

I had a wooden stick for weeding, but I ended up strangling, kicking, and attacking with a screwdriver, not using the wooden stick.

The screwdriver's handling is unclear, but I can say I've been fighting almost entirely with martial arts.

Still, it's only 4%.

On the other hand, a skill-holding monster grants 20% per one.

If I have the ability to defeat them steadily, actively targeting skill-holding monsters is the shortcut to becoming stronger.

If you want to become strong, don't practice swordsmanship at a dojo; kill monsters... It's a dangerous but straightforward world.

### Other Skills

【Staff Mastery】 20%

Is the screwdriver considered a staff? Or was it the one goblin I encountered that held a wooden stick?

【Shield Mastery】 2%

It must have increased because I used the aluminum case as a shield.

【Taunt】 4%

I think it was the moles... but I'm not sure.

【Trap Detection】 1%

Was it the moles? Or the mole's nest?

【Desperation】 4%

Was I fighting with all my might? I'm not sure.

【Fishing】 2%

I understand why it increased, but I'm surprised it increased without even lowering a fishing line.

【Swimming】 1%

I swam a bit. I get it.

【Gathering】 8%

I totally understand. Thank you, fruits.

【Steel Heart】 3%

I think it increased because I was hit and had stones thrown at me.

【Far Sight】 6%

I climbed a tree, but it seems to have increased more than the others.

【Exploration】 1%

Was it because I was always looking for trees and rivers?

【Loud Voice】 1%

Was it the roar when I was naked on the rock?

【Jumping】 2%

I was jumping around to climb trees.

【Awareness】 23%

It's unusually high. The moles might have had it.

【Stealth】 2%

I did it unconsciously, so I didn't realize it.

【Memorization】 2%

When I was memorizing the terrain? Or when I was trying to remember skills and theories?

### Yes... There are also various skills like 【Earth Resistance】, 【Physical Attack Resistance】, 【Arithmetic】, and 【Steel Heart】 that have increased slightly.

Taking actions related to skills gradually increases skill experience.

I think some skills can be increased not just by actions but also by thoughts.

This accumulation of small increments leads to skill acquisition, and for active skills, it enables skill use, while for passive skills, it improves base abilities.

### The (+1) element next to the ability values.

Currently, intelligence and agility have this (+1), and I have a rough idea why.

The skills I have are 【Fire Magic】 Lv1 and 【Charge】 Lv1.

The word "speed" is included in the skill details of Charge, and it makes sense that Fire Magic is linked to intelligence.

In other words, acquiring a skill adds a plus bonus to the corresponding ability value.

### There are so many types of skills.

I don't know how many skills the people in this world have acquired, but the color of each person is determined by the degree and tendency of skill acquisition in addition to their level.

Some specialize in close combat and martial arts skills, while others acquire a wide range of skills to enjoy daily life skillfully.

### I see.

That's great.

I really like it.

### In the past, the game I was obsessed with had high freedom and various play styles, and everyone enjoyed it in their own way.

Even though the basic premise was to defeat enemies, some people only fished, some danced in the square and flirted with female characters, some went to low-level hunting grounds to enjoy the scenery with friends, and some explored remote areas of the field that they wouldn't normally go to.

Of course, there were many people like me who pursued strength and efficiency.

To become stronger, information and time were crucial, and those who satisfied both became stronger and benefited more.

There was a mountain of things to learn and collect.

To achieve this, I collected information desperately, cut down on sleep, and eventually even dropped out of university...

It was painful, sleepless, and difficult.

Still, I was intoxicated by gradually becoming stronger and aimed for the heights.

The result was six lost years and the glory of being number one on all servers.

And the title "Waste" that the players on the bulletin board named me.

If I hadn't been forcibly kicked out of my home, I would have continued playing.

A significant handicap in life, a completely meaningless medal that I couldn't boast to anyone.

Still... I don't regret it.

That time, that time was the most fun.

### Ah...

Looking at this carefully...

I get excited and want to complete everything.

### No, no.

If I think about it, I'll probably have to sacrifice everything again.

I'm an adult now.

I should have been rehabilitated by society.

I need to be careful and restrain myself where necessary.

### Still... I feel like I'll have a good dream tonight...

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