Earth Dungeon 45.2

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Chapter 45.2. Efficiency

I feel the mana that slumbers in my soul. And let it flow through my body. I circulate my mana through each and every cell, converting it into non-magic power. My mana filled my surroundings to the point of being visible, as my body warmed up.

Shizuku silently smiles and watches Sakimori sit on the sofa with closed eyes. In the twilight, Sakimori's body shines, illuminating the room.

Shizuku shields her eyes and squints as the surroundings become dazzlingly bright, while the overflowing mana rapidly settles within Sakimori's body.

Opening his eyes smoothly, Sakimori murmurs calmly.

"I understand non-magic. I've reached skill level 3."

[Congratulations. I'm also delighted. Now, let's acquire new powers for me too. I believe we had a G-Rare Core, right?]

Shizuku claps both her hands together with excitement. She also wants to acquire new skills.

Wondering what she desires, Sakimori calls up the list of skills. They are all simple, low-level skills. Universal ones without fatal drawbacks.

[I'd like [Taijutsu], please. If I combine [Taijutsu] with combat arts, the effectiveness of my martial arts will increase. I'll improve my body movements and predict enemies' actions more accurately. I wasn't interested in taking [Taijutsu] skills because I required leveling up the skill. However, if I can efficiently raise the skill level, it's different. I'll acquire basic skills.]

The cheerful Shizuku danced in mid-air again. Taijutsu skill, huh? I think I'll take it too. It seems like it could be useful quietly. Softness controls hardness, they say. That's probably a lie, but I still want to acquire it if I can

He chuckles and decides to acquire the [Taijutsu] skill. Strangely, when Shizuku acquired the skill, black particles got absorbed into Sakimori's shadow.

[Alright... [Taijutsu] skill level 3.]

As his partner increases the skill level instantly, Sakimori is amazed but realizes he's not much different from her.

"[Non-Magic], huh? It seems handy. An attribute-less, anti-magic magic, right?"

I hold out my hand and put mana into it.

[Weapon Tiger]

A magic circle of shadows appears, and a shadow tiger materializes. Its form is jet black, adorned with black armor that absorbs light, and its claws get covered with metal-like claws.

"Hmm, it took 100 mana, you know?"

Is my recovered mana 100% depleted?

[What's this?]

"[Magic Weaponization]. It protects against enemy magic. It neutralizes the shadow familiar's weakness. It easily dissipates due to enemy magic. Magic weaponization materializes, making it less affected by enemy mana. It also gets embedded under my skin. So it repels weaker magic."

[Unusable to non-magic, and that cat girl said that...?]

"She's full of lies, right? She's trying to deceive me and hinder my growth. I'm sure of it."

My dark magic has strengthened? Non-magic is too compatible with other magic. With this, I could strengthen my magic.

[She didn't mean to deceive you... But there's something strange about how you use mana, Sakimori-san.]

"Isn't it efficient? It can multiply the duration of previous magic effects by dozens of times. Maximum efficiency conversion, isn't it amazing?"

I hold a whiskey glass, gulp, and cross my legs. It's a great skill, this maximum efficiency conversion.

Unusually, Shizuku's face showed surprise. Her beautiful face was extremely cute, making me smile wickedly.

[I see. You quickly grasped the skill's content. I didn't think it would be beyond my understanding. Don't diminish my value, okay?]

"In my book, Shizuku-san's value is at the highest. Didn't you know?"

Resting my cheek on my hand, I smirked. She always teased me, so sometimes I teased back.

[If you're trying to hit on me, that little girl over there is in the way. Her presence means we can't move forward.]

Shizuku points to the sleeping little girl with a grumble, but are her red ears just an act of embarrassment?

"While I have no intention of taking that relationship further, the current connection will progress. The new Shadow Tiger should last for about a month with its performance. I'd love to have [Eternal Magic Affixation] that never disappears."

[That skill hasn't appeared yet, right? I'm looking forward to it.]

"True. We'll have to make do with the cards we have for now. First, let's contact the other forces in the abandoned town. I need to expand the market and cultivate the fields. Population increase is necessary."

After looking at the meowing Shadow Tiger, I smile faintly. The market needs to expand.

"Let's take the next step. Shall we visit the boss who controls the northern territory?"

I want to expand the fields during the summer. It's a numbers game.

I'm looking forward to it, kitty.

Seeing the Shadow Tiger roll over and doze off, a glint of ambition flickers in my eyes.