After leaving the guild, I browsed a few stores with the intention of finding myself a new set of gear. I had saved up a fair bit of cash from completing Rank E quests, and aside from wanting to fulfill my promise to Ange-san, there was now a more immediate need for the upgrade. I sold my Wooden Rod and replaced it with a Verdant Staff. Verdant Staves had a great affinity with Green Magic, and could supposedly boost my MP quite a bit. As for my outfit, I upgraded from the standard traveler’s garb to a magic robe.
“Judging from the markers that I set on Cashel and his buddies as a precaution, it seems they have no intention of starting anything within the city walls.”
::The risk is probably too high. It would be so much easier to assault you in the depths of the dungeon.::
Presence Sensing was a skill that allowed me to perceive the presence of living creatures around me. If I memorized the feel of someone’s presence, I could figure out their location at any time simply by focusing my attention on that individual. I had originally acquired the skill as a basic countermeasure against Covert Action, so the added abilities turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
The fact that Cashel had accomplices mingling amongst the adventurers in the guild bar was something that I had realized almost immediately. Just to be safe, I had previously used Analyze Eye on every single adventurer in the guild. I had then made the effort to memorize the faces of anyone that I thought might pose a threat to me, and had taken the time to come up with plans to defend myself against each of them.
Among those were two men that I felt were especially dangerous. Their names were Gimul and Raji, and they spent almost every day drinking from morning to night. First of all, their levels and statuses greatly surpassed those of the adventurers they were mingling with. But what clinched it for me were their titles, just like with Cashel. Gimul’s title was Marauder, while Raji’s was Slaughterer.
With two people like that doing nothing but throwing back alcohol day after day in the exact same seats, it would be strange for me not to be wary of them.
::When Cashel called out to you, those two were also the first to turn around.::
“Especially that Gimul guy, he has Rank C Analyze Eye, right? Prioritizing a higher Concealment rank was the right choice after all.”
On my very first day, I had come to the guild to turn in my quest without having acquired that skill yet. Thankfully, the misstep had not blown up in my face.
Just a random thought, but aren’t there other people who possess Analyze Eye? Why is everyone just sitting on their asses without doing anything? Are titles not enough proof, and criminals need to be caught red-handed in this world?
“Judging from their stats, Raji looks specced for close combat, while Gimul is very likely a scout or support type.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Gimul (19 y/o, Male, Human, Bandit)
Level: 27
Title: Marauder
HP: 92/92
MP: 36/36
Strength: 84
Endurance: 81
Agility: 132
Magic: 30
Luck: 29
Skills: Throwing (Rank E), Analyze Eye (Rank C), Concealment Detection (Rank C)
Passive Effects: Concealment (Rank F)
✦ ✦ ✦
Raji (33 y/o, Male, Human, Berserker)
Level: 36
Title: Slaughterer
HP: 370/370
MP: 4/4
Strength: 203 (+40)
Endurance: 169 (+40)
Agility: 37
Magic: 37
Luck: 51
Skills: Pugilism (Rank C), Herculean Strength (Rank D), Iron Wall (Rank D), Auto Healing (Rank F)
Passive Effects: Concealment (Rank F)
✦ ✦ ✦
Well, in any case, there’s nothing for it but to head to the Ancient Castle of Evil Spirits. It seems like they have no intention of making the first move, but there’s no telling what they might do if I make them wait too long.
I trekked north, cutting through the forest where I had first arrived in this world. After following an animal trail for a while, I found my destination. True to its name, its ancient facade was crumbling in various places, and its walls were covered with masses of unkempt vines. What an overwhelming aura...this is the very image of a haunted castle.
Until recently, this location had been a hub for talented intermediate adventurers in search of a Rank D dungeon. After the Black Spirit Knight in question showed up, however, footfall had plunged like a rock. Consequently, with Cashel and his friends still making their way through the forest, I was completely alone as I ventured inside.
“I know where I am right now, but do all of the spawnable monsters have to be undead and only undead?” I grumbled, while casting Wind left and right to repel the creatures that had instantly begun to swarm me.
::Are you perhaps uncomfortable with the horror genre?::
“Well, I wouldn’t ever look it up of my own accord.”
The majority of the monsters that filled this place were of the zombie and ghost varieties, and each of them cut a pretty gruesome figure. It wasn’t quite enough to shake me...but hey, disgusting is disgusting, right? Fortunately, my initial revulsion gradually dissipated as I proceeded deeper into the dungeon and grew more accustomed to the sights. I was more than capable of handling mobs of this level on my own, so Clotho had yet to receive any stage time. My faithful partner was still on standby.
After defeating several dozen zombies, I finally arrived at a gigantic door, from beyond which I could sense an incredibly powerful presence radiating.
“Oh...it’s there all right. And as for Cashel and company, it seems they’ve just entered the dungeon. They’ll probably barrel straight down the path that I cleared, which means they’ll be here in about five minutes, I guess?”
::You think they decided to go with catching you in a pincer attack while you’re in the middle of your fight with the Black Spirit Knight?::
I looked around, my brain whirling. The area in front of the great door was a medium-sized room connected to the rest of the dungeon by way of a single corridor. Despite some general wear and tear, and the crumbled rows of pillars lining the path from the corridor to the door, the room itself looked to be of sturdy enough construction. Seems there won’t be any issues with fighting in here.
“Right then, let’s start making preparations.”