Chapter 28 - An Eager Test Run
"Let's get this third day started!"
The day after my string of encounters with a blacksmith, a mystery boss, and a Magic Crafter. I must have been pretty tired, because I ended up sleeping in until noon, so I logged in after finishing lunch.
Now, what to start with today? The thing I'm most curious about is, of course, the quest weapon, but it's still too early to go see the master.
In that case, I guess I'll just continue on with my progression… ah, no, maybe I should get my affairs in order first. Yesterday, I really just charged ahead on pure tension and momentum, so I haven't properly checked the details of the skills I acquired or evolved.
…Wait a minute, my stat points. I haven't touched them since I allocated them after the scorpion fight. Okay, I know what I need to do.
Guess I'll head out to one of the fields I've already been to and get my body moving… a plains, a labyrinth, and a cliff. Looks like I've only got one real choice, huh?
◇◆◇◆◇
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◇Status◇
Name: Haru | Lv: 33 (100)
STR (Strength): 30
AGI (Agility): 130
DEX (Dexterity): 100
VIT (Vitality): 5
MID (Mind): 5
LUC (Luck): 10
◇Skills◇
・All-Weapon Proficiency
《Quick Change》
《Weapon Darts》
・Embodied Protection (New!)
・Heavy Attack Manipulator (New!)
・Accel Tempo
・Boar's Heart
・Acrobatics
・Jumble Step (Up!)
・Carry Running
――――――――――――――――――
"???"
In the [Plains of the Horizon], which already felt nostalgic after the dense adventures I'd had in between, I opened my status screen and tilted my head at some of the numbers.
The number of status points I'd gained didn't match my level increase. Last time, I was level 28 and had used all my points, so after leveling up five times, I should have 50 points to spend, but…?
"A quest completion reward…? No, that can't be it. Five levels' worth for completing one quest is way too much."
I have no idea. For now, I'll just assume there are other ways to get points besides leveling up. I'll look it up later.
Now for the new skills… `Jumble Step` is the evolution of Jump Maneuver. It used to assist with jumping actions and stabilize my avatar's movements, but now it seems to have gained the effect of increasing my acceleration during jumps as well.
"Godly."
Next, `Heavy Attack Manipulator`—wait, seriously? It increases attack power when using weapons that I don't meet the strength requirement for… this skill is practically made for me.
"Godly."
Last is `Embodied Protection`. This skill is—
"…………? …, ………………???"
`Embodied Protection`—Provides a correction for difficult-to-achieve phenomena.
"What a mystery."
I have no clue what that means. What kind of correction does it apply? Is it some kind of protagonist plot armor? I'll have to put this one on the back burner and look it up later, too.
Anyway, skills aside, it's time to allocate my stat points…
"Well, at this point, I have no hesitation."
Yesterday's battle confirmed it. I don't need STR right now. What I need is mobility to land my heavy-hitting switch attacks—AGI is the only choice.
What about durability (VIT)? Pumping AGI directly translates to evasion, which is basically a form of durability, right?
"If I hit a wall, I'll cry about it then."
Having made up my mind, I started pouring in the points. I was about to go all-in on agility as my desires dictated—but I stopped my finger just short.
I'd completely forgotten. I'm currently compensating for my AGI with my `Acrobatics` skill to control my high-speed movements, but I still haven't figured out to what extent that assistance is effective.
――――――――――――――――――
◇Status◇
Name: Haru | Lv: 33 (20)
STR (Strength): 30
AGI (Agility): 130 ⇒ 210
DEX (Dexterity): 100
VIT (Vitality): 5
MID (Mind): 5
LUC (Luck): 10
◇Skills◇
・All-Weapon Proficiency
《Quick Change》
《Weapon Darts》
・Embodied Protection
・Heavy Attack Manipulator
・Accel Tempo
・Boar's Heart
・Acrobatics
・Jumble Step
・Carry Running
――――――――――――――――――
Well, I went a little over, but that's roughly double the previous value. Before getting `Acrobatics`, I needed an equal amount of DEX to control my AGI, but…
"Alright, let's see… whoa!?!"
The moment I pushed off the ground to test it, my body shot forward with more acceleration than I could have imagined, and I let out a yelp.
I felt like I was going around 70 km/h—and that was from a single step. Of course I'd be freaked out. This was completely unexpected…!
What was meant to be a run had turned into a leap. I instantly tried to brake, landing and tearing up a huge chunk of dirt.
…Come to think of it, in terms of numbers, my speed just increased by fifty percent. And since I messed up the push-off and it became a jump, the acceleration bonus from `Jumble Step` must have kicked in. Of course this would happen.
"I'm nicely starting to shed my humanity…"
I love it. This is getting way more fun.
I did a few shuttle runs, kicking away some [Fool Boars] that came to pick a fight while I got a feel for my body's maneuverability.
My conclusion was that at the current values, my AGI was probably a bit excessive, pushing past the correction from `Acrobatics`.
That would mean the correction from `Acrobatics` is either a multiplier of DEX x2 or a fixed bonus of 100… A multiplier would be too strong, so it's most likely a fixed value.
In that case, I'll have to start putting points into DEX again… but I have some other ideas, so I'll hold off for a bit.
"In the end, it's just an aid for movement accuracy, so… yah!"
Since it's flat ground, I can't do any wall kicks, but that's no problem. I used weapon-stepping to bounce around freely, thinking as I tried to rein in my agility, which was just starting its rebellious phase.
Yeah, it's not impossible to control. I sometimes mess up my body control and almost crash into the ground, but if I force it, I can manage somehow.
"Alright, I'll stick with this for a while."
I'll get used to it gradually, holding onto a few points for now. Once I feel I've completely mastered the current AGI-to-DEX ratio, I'll add more to AGI—just as I felt a familiar vibration under my feet.
"Uh oh, did I make too much noise—whoa!"
You're too slow, you damn pig. This is me, Ver. 1.1, with the sky as my new stage! A surprise attack from below is no longer a threat!
"Bring it on! I'll use you as a punching bag for my test run!!"
After encountering it for the third time, its imposing figure was a familiar sight. I kicked off a great axe I deployed mid-air and mercilessly slammed a flying kick into the snout with its massive, twisted tusks.
—Incidentally, exactly ten seconds later, I misjudged my movements, slipped, and was promptly trampled to death where I fell.
The next part will be around noon. Please forgive any potential delays.