Chapter 183 - Acquired Independently
"Shhh!"
As I pulled open the double doors, a sooty-colored centipede lunged at me.
The nameplate read [Taupe Centipede], but I had no time for Appraisal.
I parried its bite with my Round Shield and brought my Ken-nata down on its neck (?).
"[Vitals Attack]!"
Clang!
"Huh?"
I was sure I had activated the Vitals Attack art, but the Ken-nata struck the hard part of the centipede's shell.
"Watch out!"
Blocking another bite with my Round Shield, the centipede raised its head (?), as if assessing me, and hissed a warning.
"Why isn't Vitals Attack working on this thing...?"
"Shou-kun, I heard that some insect monsters can evade Vitals Attack!"
"Seriously? That must be part of why Bell-buchou and the others are struggling..."
The centipede swayed its head, seemingly searching for an opening. It probably didn't want to bite the Round Shield repeatedly.
But this is a problem. Even if the Ken-nata hits the shell, it feels like it won't deal much damage, and if that's the case, Lupi's claws probably won't do much either.
"Shhh!"
"Gah! [Vitals Attack]!"
Clang!
I parried its bite with my Round Shield, then swung my Ken-nata down at its outstretched body, but it was no good.
When it notices my attack, it instantly twists its body to subtly shift the point of impact, doesn't it...?
"Baaark!"
Lupi's attack, aimed at the centipede's retreating head, was also deflected as it instantly twisted its body.
"Ki-shhh!"
"Whoa!"
The centipede spat a yellow liquid, which almost hit Lupi, so I frantically blocked it with my Round Shield!
"Shou-kun!"
White smoke rose from the Round Shield, and because I couldn't completely block it, and it hit my shoulder, my HP slowly dwindled.
I thought it was acid, but the pale blue light of the Spirit's Blessing enveloped it and made it disappear in an instant.
"Thanks!"
Since I have the Water Spirit's Blessing, it provides resistance or support against burns and similar effects, huh? I'll report this to Bell-buchou later.
And,
"Woof..."
"Don't get down, Lupi. Thanks to that, I figured something out."
Judging by the centipede's movements, I think it has some advanced form of Presence Detection.
Something that senses and responds to my attacks. Probably [Crisis Sense] or something similar.
If that's the case, then there's something I can do...
The unpleasant grinding sound of its limbs and carapace echoed as the centipede resumed its attack stance.
I had Lupi stay behind me, ready to pounce at any moment.
"Shou-kun?"
Mion seemed curious, but I didn't have time to explain. Besides, it was still up in the air whether it would even work...
"Shhh!"
This time, I firmly blocked and pushed back the centipede's head as it lunged to bite with enough force to shatter the Round Shield!
And then, without hesitation,
"[Earth Wall]!"
I erected an Earth Wall large enough to completely conceal my body between us.
"Baaark!"
Lupi circled the Earth Wall counter-clockwise from behind me, and I...
([Vitals Attack]!)
I brought my Ken-nata down on the centipede's neck joint (?), then quickly swung it through.
The head, severed from its body, thumped to the floor, and the body writhed repeatedly before finally ceasing its movements.
[Spirit Magic Skill Level Increased!]
[Stealth Skill Level Increased!]
[Stealth Skill Level Increased!]
[Dagger Skill Level Increased!]
[Acquired Stealth & Dagger Arts
[Taupe Centipede Defeated!]
[Safe Zone Added!]
"Phew..."
"Shou-kun. Even I couldn't see what you were doing just now..."
"Huh? Does the Stealth Skill have that much of an effect?"
This was a bit unexpected...
I simply thought that if it was evading with something like [Crisis Sense], I could overcome it with [Stealth]... but something beyond my expectations seems to have happened.
"So that was... the Stealth Skill!"
"Exactly. The Earth Wall was to block its line of sight, and I thought if Lupi drew its attention, a Vitals Attack from stealth might work... but something more than I expected happened."
"Is that... 'Backstab,' then?"
"That's Backstab, yeah. It's like a surprise attack."
In RPGs with classes, Rogues or Assassins would use it, but in IRO, it seems it was an art gained through skills, huh?
"'Acquired Independently' means..."
"I really didn't intend to do that."
Since it resulted in a Backstab, does that mean I acquired
"Your skill levels went up quite a bit, too."
"Yeah. Well, before that, I guess I should Appraise it."
[Taupe Centipede]
"A giant centipede monster nearly 3 meters long. Be careful, as it spits acidic liquid from its mouth.
Material Processing: Its shell can be used for various materials."
[Appraisal Skill Level Increased!]
"Congratulations!"
"Thanks. Speaking of which, if I Dismantle this..."
[Dismantling Skill Level Increased!]
"It went up again!"
"I thought so. As expected, Appraising and Dismantling new things probably gives more skill experience."
The Magic Stone was small. And I stored the shell in my inventory, thinking it might be useful for something.
As for the Earth Wall I used as a blind... I guess I'll just leave it for now. I'll collect it when I have time.
"Is the Safe Zone where we just came out?"
"Probably. I think it's the same as when we cleared out the Goblin settlement."
The cave where the defeated centipede made its den should now be a Safe Zone? I should check.
"Woof."
"Okay, let's go. Sweee, are you alright now?"
"~~~?"
She poked her head out of my hood, confirmed the centipede was gone, and looked relieved. But she still seemed ready to hide at any moment.
"I shot a Fireball, but will it be okay...?"
The area illuminated by the Light Spirit's light had a bit of space, and in the left corner, a single-person Safe Zone glowed faintly.
"Looks like it's fine."
"Good."
I checked the ceiling and walls, just in case.
There were some burn marks, but... wait?
Can't I check this with Civil Engineering Skill?
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, no, it's just..."
How do I... inspect it? Is it like Appraisal? I'll focus my consciousness like...
"Oh, I did it."
"Eh!?"
Is it the strength of the spot I looked at? A green mesh is displayed, so it's okay?
If my skill level goes up, will I be able to see more things...?
"It seems like I can see the strength with the Civil Engineering Skill... but I don't really understand it. I'll just put it aside for now."
"Okay."
And... there are some bones, but are they bird bones? What kind of bird...?
Wait, that centipede ate birds? Well, given its size and ability to spit acid, it probably could catch them.
"It seems to lead outside."
"Now, I wonder what kind of place it is..."
Ahem, location-wise, it's an exit facing northwest.
After walking for a while, I saw the outside bathed in sunlight... Stone Pavement?
"Woof!"
Slowly following Lupi, who had dashed ahead, the outside scenery flowed into view.
And the place we fully emerged into was like a stone-paved approach to a shrine...