Seeker 146

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Chapter 146. Cave (Part 2)

After the battle with 3 Vampire Bats.

We continued along the uphill path in the cave with steady footsteps.

"It's no surprise that Daichi-san and the others are strong... Even seasoned adventurer parties would struggle against a swarm of Vampire Bats. And yet, it was so easy..."

Aria-san, leading the way with a lantern in hand, expressed her admiration.

I responded while showing her the new spear I had acquired.

"Thanks to Aria-san's upfront payment, we could properly enhance our equipment."

The spear I was equipped with had upgraded from the previous Corseque (Attack Power 21) to the Arshepiece (Attack Power 28) I purchased at the town's weapon shop. 

This was a top-tier spear among ordinary store-bought items, and I could consider it the best weapon I could get for now.

Not only that, Kazane-san's also upgraded her 2nd dagger from Kris (Attack Power 13, Magic Power +1) to Rune Kris (Attack Power 25, Magic Power +2), and Yuzuki's hat had been enhanced from Mage Hat (Defense Power 3, Magic Power +1) to Wizard Hat (Defense Power 9, Magic Power +2), achieving equipment upgrades for all party members.

All of this was thanks to the substantial reward of 500 gold coins—equivalent to 5 million yen—that Aria-san had provided upfront.

In this world, equipment degradation is less significant due to the lower frequency of battles, allowing us to acquire new equipment without worrying about durability. 

Fortunately, I can cover the decrease in the durability of all party members' equipment with my [Item Repair] skill.

However, Aria-san shook her head in response to my words.

"But even so, Daichi-san and the others might be on par with the strength of 2 seasoned adventurers each..."

"Well, that might be an exaggeration, don't you think?"

"In that case, Daichi-san. If I became two people, do you think you could handle us?"

"That's... Well, I guess I wouldn't know until I tried."

Aria-san is skilled, but her impression is mainly that of a healer, and her combat abilities aren't that remarkable.

"Despite appearances, I consider myself one of the top-level level 25 experienced adventurers. But being around you all, my confidence keeps getting chipped away. Sniff..."

"Um... s-sorry about that."

"...Also, you guys are always so lovey-dovey... Put yourself in my shoes for once."

"Uhh... s-sorry...?"

Aria-san seemed a little sulky. Her pouting was kind of cute.

"But Aria-san, if you set your mind to it, you could easily find someone, right?"

"W-Well, that's true. If Aria-san wanted to, she probably could."

Yuzuki and Kazane-san tried to come to the rescue in a hurry, but—

"I can't find a good person! ...By the way, Hotaru-san and Kazane-san, if I asked you to give up Daiichi, would you?"

"That's a no-go."

"See? That's how it is."

Aria-san still pouted, with teary eyes, despite the 2's blunt retort.

Even though she's talented, and from a respected family, for some reason, sadness suits her... 

Also, why she has a strangely high evaluation of me? 

It's one of the Seven Wonders of the Other World. The remaining 6 are up for debate.

Anyway, we continued exploring the cave smoothly.

Along the way, we encountered another group of Vampire Bats 3 more times, but we defeated them all without much trouble.

Our MP was gradually depleting, but it wasn't a significant concern.

Additionally, we came across a treasure chest and obtained an MP Potion.

During this time, Yuzuki learned the skill [Bow Attack Power Up] and tested the damage dealt by her attacks using the Fenrir Bow.

After 4 battles, I approached Yuzuki, who was walking beside me with a troubled expression.

"Do you know what the effects of [Bow Attack Power Up] are like?"

"Umm... I can't say for certain, but there does seem to be a noticeable effect, at least visually. I wasn't entirely sure with just [Bow Attack Power Up (+2)], so I went up to [Bow Attack Power Up (+4)], and that felt like a damage boost of around +10."

"For two skill slots, a +10 damage boost? Isn't that quite substantial?"

"It's significant. At the very least, it doesn't seem like a pure 'miss,' that's for sure."

In the end, Yuzuki invested all her remaining skill points, including the one gained from the recent level up, to master [[Bow Attack Power Up (+6)]. With this, she should enhance her combat prowess for the upcoming Aerial Dragon battle.

Kazane-san and I also used the skill points we acquired from leveling up to strengthen our combat abilities.

Eventually, we reached the exit of the cave. 

From here, it was just one step away to our destination, the depths of the Wind Dragon Valley.

Accustomed to the faint darkness, we stepped out of the cave into the dazzling sunlight.

Musou Daichi

Level: 30 (+1)

Experience: 142444 / 158925

HP: 186 / 186

MP: 100 / 162 (+6)

Strength: 27 (+1)

Endurance: 31

Agility: 24 (+1)

Magic: 27 (+1)

-Skills-

[Earth Heal]

[Mapping]

[HP Up (Endurance × 6)]

[MP Up (Magic × 6)]

[Spear Attack Power Up (+24)]

[Rock Bullet]

[Protection]

[Gaia Heal]

[Treasure Chest Drop Rate x2]

[Three Strikes]

[Item Repair]

[Accuracy Enhancement]

[Ground Heal]

[Stealth]

[Rock Bazooka] (new!)

[Evasion Enhancement] (new!)

Remaining Skill Points: 0

Kodachi Kazane

Level: 31 (+2)

Experience: 163056 / 181490

HP: 168 / 168 (+36)

MP: 102 / 120 (+5)

Strength: 24 (+1)

Endurance: 24 (+2)

Agility: 40 (+2)

Magic: 24 (+1)

-Skills -

[Dagger Attack Power Up (+22)] (Rank up! × 2)

[Mapping]

[Dual Wield]

[Presence Detection]

[Trap Detection]

[Trap Release]

[Wind Slash]

[Item Box]

[HP Up (Endurance × 7)] (Rank up!)

[Treasure Chest Drop Rate x2]

[Quickness]

[Wind Storm]

[MP Up (Magic × 5)]

[Dual Wield Enhancement]

[Evasion Enhancement]

[Stealth]

[Trap Detection II]

Remaining Skill Points: 0

Yuzuki Hotaru

Level: 30 (+1)

Experience: 140141 / 158925

HP: 138 / 138 (+6)

MP: 214 / 306 (+6)

Strength: 19

Endurance: 23 (+1)

Agility: 28 (+1)

Magic: 51 (+1)

-Skills -

[Fire Bolt]

[MP Up (Magic × 6)]

[HP Up (Endurance × 6)]

[Magic Up (+12)]

[Burn Blaze]

[Monster Appraisal]

[Fire Weapon]

[Treasure Chest Drop Rate x2]

[Item Box]

[Flame Lance]

[Item Appraisal]

[Explosion]

[Bow Attack Power Up (+6)] (new!)

Remaining Skill Points: 0