Rank F (Newcomer) ← Kelvin-san!
Rank E (Novice)
Rank D (Intermediate)
Rank C (Veteran)
Rank B (Master)
Rank A (Monster)
Rank S (Inhuman)
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My rank was specially indicated with cutesy handwriting. Yep, thanks, that does make it really easy to understand.
“As you’ve only just registered, you will be starting from Rank F. The guild accepts various quests from a large range of sources, which we then assign ranks to and release for adventurers to accept.”
“In other words, as a Rank F, I can only take on Rank F quests?”
“You can accept quests one rank above your own. However, there will be a breach of contract penalty if you end up failing the quest, so please be mindful of that.”
Hmm...makes sense. That’s how they prevent people from carelessly punching above their weight.
“After completing ten quests in a row, you will move up to the next rank. Quests of a rank higher than your own will not provide any special bonuses. Please note that rank-ups from Rank C and above will require an exam.”
“Gotcha.”
“As for the quests themselves, there are four general classifications: subjugation, bodyguard, harvesting, and unique. For subjugation quests, a part of the target’s body will be necessary to serve as proof of success, so please don’t forget to bring it back with you.”
They need proof? What if I end up not being able to carry it? Like if I end up hunting too many targets?
“Are there any good quests for a beginner to start out with?”
“Of course. Would any of these interest you?”
Subjugate: 3x blue slimes
Harvest: 5x medicinal grasses
Unique: Find my cat
So...basically, the most fundamental ones. And it seems that unique quests are those that simply don’t fit any other classification.
::Honey, how about using the blue slime quest as an opportunity to try establishing a Contract? Blue slimes would be perfect for a first attempt.::
Guess we thought of the same thing. I also want to try out Summoning as soon as possible. In a place beyond prying eyes, that is.
“I would like the blue slime quest, please.”
“The blue slime quest. Very well.”
I officially accepted the quest and left the guild. I didn’t learn this until later, but the receptionist’s name was Ange. Guess I’ll be in her care quite often going forward. Well then, let’s move on to getting myself properly equipped. I don’t have much money, though, so it’s only going to be a basic weapon and some recovery items, I guess.
::A Wooden Rod would be good. It provides almost no buffs to physical damage, but a faint amount of magic is contained within. It should at least make it easier to cast spells.::
And with that decision, I used up almost all of the cash that I’d arrived with.
For the sake of tonight’s lodging fees, onward!
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Without further ado, I left the city and made my way to a nearby plain. As far as the eye could see, it was plains, plains, and more plains, with only the occasional tree. It was so quiet and tranquil that I couldn’t get the thought it’s so peaceful out of my mind. I had no idea if it was sheer luck or not, but even while walking along a forest road on the way to Parth, I hadn’t encountered a single monster. Couldn’t have asked for a better place to explore my abilities.
“They said this is the general area where blue slimes appear.”
I looked around to see if there were any nearby. Eventually, I spotted a blue, jelly-like thing a short distance away.
::That is indeed a blue slime. How about trying to view its stats first?::
Following Melfina’s suggestion, I activated Analyze Eye. Although I hadn’t known how to use it beforehand, the skill immediately went into effect the moment that I thought about it. It felt as natural as breathing. Seems like I won’t have a problem using any skill that I possess.
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Blue Slime (0 y/o, Genderless, Blue Slime)
Level: 1
Title: None
HP: 5/5
MP: 0/0
Strength: 1
Endurance: 1
Agility: 2
Magic: 1
Luck: 2
Skills: Blunt Damage Resistance
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So this is Analyze Eye. Apparently, it can tell me anything about my target.
::Analyze Eye can be used not only on living creatures but on items as well. Your skill is currently at Rank S. For living creatures, you can Analyze targets up to a hundred levels above you. You can also Analyze inanimate objects up to your current rank.::
Doesn’t that mean it’s effective against basically everything? Hold on a moment...when I tried to read your stats, all of the fields came back as “Unknown.” Does that mean that your level is above 100?
::Well, I am a goddess, after all.::
How much MP am I going to need to Summon you?! But I’ve gotten derailed. For now, I’ve got to focus on the blue slime in front of me.
I slowly inched towards the creature. I wanted to establish a Contract with it, but for that, I needed its consent. Do I talk to it to convince it?
::For monsters that don’t understand words, you’ll have to weaken it enough for it to be willing to submit to you. If you activate a Contract at that time, then the monster should consent. It’s like the ‘so-and-so looks like it wants to be your friend’ thing.::
Clearly, Melfina-san was quite familiar with modern Japanese game franchises.
But back to the matter at hand...it seems like the slime might die from a single magic spell, so let’s try to attack it with the Wooden Rod itself.
“Take that!”
I unleashed a blow at the blue slime, with only a small amount of power behind the swing. It was sent flying several meters, bouncing a few times on the ground. I activated Analyze Eye again.
“Remaining HP...3. Let’s try Contracting with it now.”
I held my hands out over the creature, which looked like it was currently trying to recover, and mentally willed it to Contract with me.
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