‘Compression of applicable skill successful.’
‘Compressed SSR skill Swordsmanship LvMAX into SUR skill Sword Master Lv1. The applicable skill won’t appear in its former rank going forward.’
“Ooh, cool!”
“Sword Master. It really is the superior skill of Swordsmanship.”
“Yes, it’s been found before.”
“It was, but it only comes out of treasure chests very rarely.”
“Hoheh. Speaking of treasure chests…”
I say, and Aira puts the skill orbs back in her bag. Then she lines up five treasure chests in front of me.
Two silver treasure chests.
Two golden treasure chests.
One emerald treasure chest.
Let’s start with the silver. I open both at the same time, and both contain two skill orbs.
“Valor and Mind Haste?”
When I took down a king of the same species I got Arithmetic, and yet another skill to make someone smarter came out.
“Both are famous skills. Valor makes the owner braver in battle, and offers a correction to the Physical Strength value. It is for people who have the growth values to go on the front line but are afraid to do so.”
“So basically, if I take it, it will be an embarrassment?”
“It was seen that way at some point, but once the correction to Physical Strength became known, more people who wanted to go on the front line became interested.”
Name: Valor
Grade: Rare
Classification: Passive skill
Description: A skill that holds back fear and offers the strength to step forward in battle. Boosts Physical Strength a little.
“I don’t know the values, but if it’s passive, it doesn’t spend anything. It should be useful.”
“Hn, I’m against it. Fear is really important in battle. If it gets held back in spite of yourself, you’re gonna start misjudging what’s dangerous.”
“Aki is right. You’re brave enough, Shouta, and you can rouse yourself up against a strong enemy just fine. If you add recklessness, you’re just going to be unable to make correct decisions, and get hurt.”
“It can’t be turned on and off, and invites danger…”
“Hm, if you say so, I won’t take it.”
“It doesn’t look like it will be useful for this team, so we’ll sell it in the next auction.”
Next, Mind Haste.
Name: Mind Haste
Grade: Unique
Classification: Passive skill
Description: Accelerates thinking
“That’s a pretty plain and simple explanation…”
“No, this is a big find.”
“Its strength comes from its simplicity.”
“It’s said there are many ways to improve your mind, but they are gradual and it is hard to feel progress. With this skill however, you can feel it the moment you learn it.”
“But it’s not all good. Increasing the speed of your thoughts also demands more from the user. A few years ago, a regular person used this skill after it was unearthed, and couldn’t handle the strain.”
“Uhe…”
“But I don’t think it would be a problem for us. Apparently the speed fluctuates depending on your original speed and your limits, but with five hundred Intelligence, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Then should someone learn it?”
“You should be first, master. You move around while thinking about all sorts of things during battle. And the other one…”
Aira starts thinking about it, but the one who thinks the most out of the four of them is…
“You should take it, Aira.”
“Are you sure?”
“You’re the busiest one. Don’t you all think so?”
Asks Aki.
“Yes, it should be Aira.”
“Of course.”
“I agree!”
Everyone agrees, so Aira and I learn Mental Haste.
My thoughts feel clear. I have learned a lot of skills, and usually I start groaning while deciding what to test first, but this time it’s obvious.
“This is useful.”
“Yes. Also, you can turn it off by focusing on it. Having your thoughts be accelerated all the time would be taxing.”
“I see.”
“Still, we not only got skill orbs from treasure chests, but two of each. I heard ’bout Commander Goblins dropping silver treasure chests, but it’s rare for them to have skill orbs.”
“Fufu, that’s right, but this is Shouta we are talking about.”
“There’s something calming about hitting the jackpot even when the odds are super low.”
“That’s our darling!”
I pat Ayane’s head, and move to the next treasure chests, the golden ones.
I open the first, and find a red potion.
“Level six red potion…”
“Uwa, rare.”
“Is it?”
Getting a potion out of a golden treasure chest kind of feels like a letdown.
“Level one and two like you found before are not that rare, but higher level ones don’t appear often. Not to mention level six.”
“Eh… But do I need it with Ayane and Maki here?”
“Ayane has high stats and meets the conditions, but I am not…”
“Ah, really? But it won’t take long if you’re with me.”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s sell this at the auction. Next one please.”
“Yes.”
I open the next one, and it’s dark.
“Oh, is it another one of those?”
“It’s exciting!”
“I wonder what is coming.”
I put my hand in the chest, and something metallic comes to my hand. I grip it tightly, pull it out, and two shining gauntlets appear.
Name: Emperor pain
Grade: Epic
Weapon level: 38
Description: User can spend thirty Magic Energy to activate the combat arts skill Breaking Fist. User receives a bonus to Physical Strength and Dexterity.
“Speak of the devil… Both have things that look like blades at the tip.”
“They are like katar. And their name is emperor, so it might be a companion to master’s kaiser weapon.”
“The emperor dropped the kaiser, and this time it was the reverse. It seems like they’re related, but this one comes with a combat skill, so it should be superior. Aki.”
I hand them to Aki, and she looks at them reluctantly.
“H-hum, are you sure I can have these?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks! I’ll take good care of them!”
“And Maki.”
I turn to Maki, who looks jealous.
“Y-yes?”
“Is that black spear you always carry important to you?”
“Eh? No, it’s just an old one I used in my adventurer days…”
“You should get a new weapon too. You’re not using your Spear Techniques, so sorry it’s a spare weapon of mine, but Aira, give me the raging stream trident.”
“Yes.”
I then give it to Maki.
“T-thank you! I will take good care of it!”
I’m glad she likes it. I’ve been thinking about giving this to Maki for a while, but I never found the right time. I wanted Aki to have something too.
And that leaves the emerald treasure chest.
I open it, and an emerald green light bursts out.
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Thanks for the treat.