‘Let us proceed then . I am certain that you know not of it, so let me instruct you on class changes . ’
Veno begins to thoroughly explain everything .
‘All humans are born with the powers of a profession . It is said one’s gifts are determined by this class or job . Religion also has power and it is stored in the form of religious symbols . These symbols distribute their stored power and even unlocks latent strength residing in people . This is but a chapter in the story of the beginnings of professions . Humans pray and muster strength, sometimes that even turns to might . ’
This kinda differs to the religion I know of .
Well… the religions back home are nothing but a bunch of feel-good words, providing a pillar of strength for those who believe in destiny and fate . Sometimes, religion is the part of the local custom and gives a sense of peace for those who are headed to the afterlife .
Compared to that, the religion of this world seems to be more substantial .
‘At least this is what religion means to adventurers . Miracles and all other unreasonable ideas are best left to heroes . ’
It might be completely realistic for the people of this world, but the powers of a class or job really is quite the blessing .
Who knows? Maybe I’ll belong to a religion here now .
I’m familiar with all of this job change stuff since I’ve seen them in games, but everything seems to be rooted in some kind of history or lore .
‘Even the religion of your world is quite interesting . It has quenched my thirst for knowledge . ’
Veno replies in a merry tone, but weren’t you real ticked off just a moment ago?
You in a better mood now?
‘Well, let us leave it at that . What is important is that this symbol is not connected with the outside world… We should try interacting with it . ’
By Veno’s instruction, I touch the broken stone statue .
A pale green light ripples out from where I touched .
Still… it’s my second day in this parallel universe and I’m already level 14 . Aren’t things going a little too quick?
‘I wonder why that is as well . I know at least that your growth is definitely a blessing . ’
It sure is .
I levelled up real easy too .
Well, I mean, the fight with the wolves actually hurt quite a bit .
‘Aye… it was all simpler than expected . And your protector did not slack off either…’
Veno follows up his muttering by pinging an icon in my field of vision .
Class change prerequisites fulfilled!
Do you wish to change your class?
Poison Earth → Nightshade
I get the choice of yes and no .
Hey, weren’t there a bunch of different jobs that were shown?
The hell’s a Nightshade? Is that the promoted version of Poison Earth?
‘Hmm? That is quite interesting . After the novice Earth-classes would be a basic class . I have heard that you could choose professions like Warrior, Mage,
Priest, or Ranger . Was that but a bunch of falsehoods?’
Is this another guessing game?
If this were a game, our location would make a difference .
I mean, it would make sense since we’re at a crumbling altar in the middle of a poisonous swamp .
‘I have heard of nothing like such . Is it not because of my influence that you are a Poison Earth?’
That’s definitely plausible .
When I was trying out my powers yesterday, I’ve always felt like it was something special .
It is more than likely that it really is the advanced form of Poison Earth .
What can a Nightshade do anyway? And can I go back after I make my selection?
‘I have heard you can become any class you wish as long as you have fulfilled the requirements . That is fundamentally different than how monsters evolve . ’
So, you’re saying a warrior can sidegrade to a Mage?
‘Aye . And furthermore, to advance in a profession, one would need extensive experience in other classes as well . ’
I see . If you want to be a Swordmage, you’ll need levels in both Warrior and Mage .
Well, it doesn’t seem like there’s any harm in becoming a Nightshade .
‘Even I cannot promise you that . However, your strength and powers should increase from what you have by staying as a Poison Earth . ’
Staying as I am now would be strangling myself, kinda like saving all your potions but ending up not using them . Advancing is always better than stagnating . And that would increase our chances of survival too .
‘Sidegrading classes would also grant bonuses, so that not all progress would be erased . ’
Oh, so, if a level 40 Warrior were to sidegrade to a level 1 Mage, the experience from being a Warrior would buff the Mage’s stats to something like level 20?
‘Aye . ’
Is that right… Seems like there’s only one choice then . I’ll upgrade to a Nightshade and start getting stronger .
I choose yes .
As soon as I do that, the pale green light fills my surroundings .
You have become a Nightshade!
Yukihisa Kogure
Nightshade
Level 1
Acquired skills: Spirit Link, Poison Absorption, Poison Release, Synthesize Poison, Detect Poison, Poison Enchantment, Hunting Sense
Whoa… a lot of stuff appeared .
Detect Poison has caught my eye, but it seems like Poison Condensation has changed to Synthesize Poison .
Poison Enchantment’s kinda interesting as well .
‘I too have those skills . Detect Poison is exactly as it says on the tin . It is a skill in which you use your sensitivity to poison to determine whether or not something is poisonous . Poison Condensation advances into Synthesize Poison . Poison Enchantment is a skill you use on a weapon to enchant it with a temporary poison effect . ’
And Hunting Sense… that’s just talent with hunting?
‘It is the same as how magic is, but Sense skills are ones that lead to personal growth . If you earn enough experience, Sense develops into Mastery . With that, you get new magic and attacks . Simply levelling up does not earn you new
new skills, you know . ’
Ah, as I thought then, they’re untapped talents .
Then, say if I wanted to do something that I don’t have a knack for, it’d be impossible without the Sense?
‘That is not the case . It might take a lot of time, but if one works hard enough, it is possible to gain Mastery in something . But, if so, it might be a better idea to switch classes into something more appropriate to your wants . And furthermore, there are differences in talent between people . There are some things at which one is simply good or bad . ’
Ah, so personal growth is just something that comes with time, while talent that you’re born with is a separate matter .
That kinda blows .
It’s not like how in game where everybody has something they’re uniquely good at .
‘That unique trait matter you speak of is very interesting, but alas, that is but wishful thinking . ’
Too bad, hey?
‘Worry not . The thing about development in one’s attributes is that it is hard to cast magic without the appropriate Sense . ’
Is magic an exception?
Well, I guess when you think of magic, you think of talent as well .
‘Then what if someone who knows naught but how to work themselves physically? What do you think will happen if they try their utmost? If I were to say that, take for example, if a user of fire magic works very hard, even without a Sense, they too will eventually be able to learn water magic… does that help at all?’
It’s not really clicking . But I guess I kinda get it .
What you’re saying is it would be a step in the wrong direction to practice sleight of hand in order to learn supernatural powers .
Well, never mind that for a moment . What kind of skill is Hunting Sense anyway?
‘As it says, it is a talent for hunting… talent necessary for hunting . For me, it eliminates my footsteps . Everything from my form to my surprise attacks are relevant to the skill . It is a commonplace yet convenient skills for monsters . ’
Veno can only explain from a monster’s point of view .
From my experience in games, part of hunting involves bows and arrows . So, I guess weapon use would fall under it too .
‘I see . Certainly, bows and arrows are tools of this trade . Well, at least bows are more prevalent than swords . ’
And silent footsteps… I guess it’s easier to understand if I think of it like how the robe gave me camouflage and made me stealthier .
If you think about it, there’s lots of different things that this skill could help with .
‘Aye… This is but my personal understanding, but it seems like a Nightshade is a class like Ranger but with more hidden potential . ’
That might be true . There’s a lot of importance on hunting for both jobs .
I check my status… I feel like my stats are kinda high .
I’m still at a low level though, so I’m not too sure
too sure .
But I still don’t quite get the whole Sense and Mastery thing, considering my Poison Condensation and Poison Release .
I don’t get what comes easily and what needs hard work .
‘Take a snake for example . No matter how hard a snake works, a venomous bite is not something that could be learned . ’
Ah, I see, I see . That’s something rooted at the very property of a creature .
… I don’t like that one bit . What does that mean about me? I was able to use poison from the get-go . That’s not human at all .
‘Being worked up over it still would not change your abilities . Train and work hard for the sake of survival . ’
Alright, alright .
I’m not the type to give up on living either .
‘Going back to the matter at hand, let me offer my congratulations on your profession change . ’
As soon as Veno uttered those words, a crossbow and quiver appeared before my eyes .
What’s with this crossbow? It looks like you can load three shots at the same time .
And it’s super light too .
Rapid Feather Crossbow +4
Quality: Superior
Required level: 15
Bonus effects: Rapid Fire, Semi-Auto Reload
Ease of use and rate of fire are the focus of this crossbow . It is made so that even complete novices can effectively wield it .
However, the trade off is relatively reduced damage and range .
Flyiron Bolt
Bonus effects: Increased Range
Crossbow-exclusive ammunition . A bolt made of an alloy of outstanding metals . Made with emphasis on projectile speed and distance .
‘It should be very easy to use, so do be careful about how many bolts you have remaining . Try to not run out of them . ’
Well… I know I should master the weapon as soon as possible .
I’ll do some target shooting so I can get a good feel of it .
But… I’m not high enough level for it . Is that okay?
‘The required level is simply a rough recommendation . What is important is your status . With which location do you have an affinity bonus?’
According to what I found out yesterday, my Poison Absorption works really well in the swamp of poison . I can even regenerate my health there .
Plus, it seems like my stats are pretty good even with the crossbow equipped .
So that means even though it’s a little out of my level range, I can still do pretty okay with it .
For whatever reason .
In any case, I grip the crossbow with both hands and have it at the ready .
… it feels nice in my hands, like an airsoft gun does .
But since it’s pretty big, I gotta wield with both hands . But even then, it feels rather strange .
Maybe because it’s oddly light .
Veno, why the hell do you have so many weapons on hand?
‘As I said, they are no more than a few pieces of rare and interesting items I confiscated from the ones I the ones I have defeated . It’s just a coincidence that it proved to be beneficial to our situation . ’
It worries me to think of what kind of guys would get their equipment seized by Veno .
What kind of people were they?
‘They were nobles . They got cocky since they had easy to wield equipment and challenged me . ’
Ah, guys who want all of the fun but none of the work . They thought they could defeat a dragon good gear, so they made of bunch of lightweight weapons and armor and picked a fight with Veno .
‘That is it . They rashly challenged me, thus I had to dispel them . I even went easy on them too . Then, I wiped their memories, plucked their gear, and left them in a safe place . ’
As if stealing is right .
‘They were intriguing goods, so I put them in my collection . What is wrong with that?’
Oh, that’s right . Dragons have got a tendency to hoard .
So, you collect everything thinking that they might come in handy someday, and you’re letting me use your stuff . Is that right?
‘To save our skin . If you perish, then so will I . After things are through and through, I shall have all the time to fulfill my hoarding tendencies . ’
That’s certainly true… I get what you’re saying . I guess Veno can satisfy his needs .
I mean, with me and my anime figures and nerdy collector goods, till death do us part .
‘These things are not bigger than life . They might be worth more as decoration . Against our class of monsters, equipping these can only be summarized with the word “reckless . ”’
That right…?
‘There’s an interesting gimmick to it . Go give it a shake up and down . ’
Just as he told me to, I swing the crossbow up and down . ’
As I do that, the limbs pull back to full-draw with a kchak! .
It seems like it’s gotta have some bolts in the magazine… but it loads itself all on its own .
Just to test it out, I point the crossbow at a farther away wall and then squeeze the trigger .
The bolt zoomed away and stuck the wall about a meter away from where I was aiming at .
On one hand, it’s super light . On the other, mastering it seems like a difficult task .
‘Anything and everything takes practice . Not only is it already easier to wield than a bow, it shall not be a problem for you at all after learning the appropriate skill . ’
Maybe it’s because I suddenly have an easy to use weapon and my skills have been raised, but I feel slightly anxious . Well, maybe it’s better than poorly wielding a sword and going into battle .
It’s easy to imagine me losing a fight to someone who actually knows how to swing a sword .
But because of that, it might be better to have a crossbow, since I can fire it while running away .
Chapter end
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