God’s Guide for Teasing Heroes

Shino POV 

  

  

  

  

"Status" 

  

  

Name: Uesaka Shino 

Level : 1 

Health : 100.00% 

Mana : 100.00% 

  

Job: Thief 

  

Stats 

SRT: 5 VIT: 3 

AGI: 23 LUC: 15 

DEX: 18 INT: 3 

  

  

I held a rectangular object in my hand. 

It displayed these characters after I said the word “status”. 

This rectangular object is what people in this world call a “status card”. 

The card displays details about oneself. 

Although the status card displays these letters and numbers it does not display everything about my status at all. 

  

  

Back in the castle, there was a stone that we used to look at this status and it displayed something different from what the status card just presented. 

The stone displayed details about my Title and skills. 

Me and my classmates written that information on a piece of paper so we would not forget about it.  

I took out that piece of paper from my bag and looked at the things written on it. 

  

  

Name: Uesaka Shino 

Level : 1 

Title : None 

Job: Thief 

Stats 

SRT: 4 VIT: 3 

AGI: 22 LUC: 15 

DEX: 17 INT: 3 

Skills: 

        Skilless 

  

  

I compared details on the status card and the paper by holding them individually in each hand. 

My eyes moved right to left and left to right while comparing the two. 

  

  

"With all hard training in that 3 weeks my STR, AGI, DEX increased by just 1? I guess I have to level up to get stronger faster. Also..." <Shino> 

I glared at a specific detail written on the paper. 

"What the heck is this (Skilless) skill?" <Shino> 

  

  

Orga Les Versi, the Imperial Magician had once explained to us during our training about the nature of Skills. 

There are 3 kinds of skills that an individual could obtain. 

First are the "Common skills". 

With the right Job class, one can learn skills from training. 

Common skill's effect will also increase the more often you use them but it would take time before its level would increase. 

Some examples of these skills are (Fireball I), (Memory II), and (Sword Mastery I). 

Common skills can be identified easily since there are roman numerals in the skill names. 

The roman numeral beside the skill indicates the level of the skill, the higher the number the stronger the effect. 

The level of the skill ranges from I/1 up to X/10. 

  

  

Second, the "Unique Skills". 

These are skills without a roman numeral beside them. 

These skills as the name suggest are unique. 

Unique skills are the type of Skills that is unique to a job class. 

For example. 

The skill (Quality Check) and the skill (Haggling) are skills that can only be learned by certain specified jobs. 

There are times when a unique skill appears for a certain individual that is unique to just him/herself. 

Learning this skill is not possible unless one has the right job class or sometimes talent to learn these skills. 

The perfect example of that unique skill is my (Skilless) skill. 

The (Skilless) skill is an example of a skill that is unique for an individual. 

As I heard from Orga, my skill (Skilless) is a skill that no one in this world had in the past. 

Thus, there’s no information about this skill available. 

  

  

Common skills and Unique Skills can be learned with the use of a “Skill Scroll”. 

But there are restrictions such as Job classes or conflicting with other existing skills. 

There are other reasons for one not being able to learn skills from a Skill Scroll, nonetheless, these two reasons are the most common ones. 

  

  

The third kinds of skill are the "Ultimate skill". 

There is not much information about this kind of skill just yet. 

Even the Imperial Magician Orga Les Versi who is the strongest magician within the empire does not possess one. 

As we were told by the imperial magician there are very few people in this world who have this kind of skill. 

Ultimate skills are skills that have overwhelming effects that make the user of the skill invincible. 

  

  

I gave up thinking about my (Skilless) since there is no way for me to know what it was or what it does. 

  

  

I went back to the situation at hand. 

Yesterday, 3 of my classmates left the castle to live the way they wanted in this world. 

It seemed that the Empire does not wish to shackle us and serve them in their ranks. 

But that doesn’t mean that they did not want us to work with them. 

In fact, they wanted us to work for them. 

But it seems that the empire also values the freedom of choice for everyone. 

So they have let us decide what we would like to do. 

Today I have become an adventurer.  

  

  

The actions of those three created a wave of ideas and influenced me and my curious classmates to do the same. 

We are in a way, "bored" of the life inside this castle. 

Our usual pass time is gone, in turn, it left us nothing much to do other than eating, training, and sleeping. 

The cycle went on. 

It was just a matter of time until we got bored with it and look for something to do. 

  

  

Those three... Asano Reno, Chino Akemi, and Ueno Emika inspired me and my other classmates to leave the castle and explore this world. 

As a result, I had become an adventurer. 

I feel that it is just a matter of time until more of my classmates would follow their example. 

  

  

  

I am feeling nervous as well as excited about my future. 

I registered in the adventurer's guild within the Capital City and became an F-rank Adventurer.  

I was wearing clothes that emphasize the purpose of ease in moving. 

I wore enchanted shorts and a green-colored tank top. 

A simple pair of arm guards and a pair of sandals. 

Although I must admit, these clothes reveal more skin than the ones I am normally accustomed to wearing. 

  

  

Though being a female with a battle-related job was quite rare, jobs like Thief, Archer, and Mage are jobs that do not follow this rule. 

Normally this kind of clothes is something that I would not wear in normal circumstances unless I am at home. 

Although, as I stayed in the guild, I saw a lot of female adventurers who wore the same kind of clothes. 

I observed those females wearing the same kind of clothes as I had the same job as mine. 

Seeing those people gave me confidence in how I looked. 

No, these clothes are actually normal. 

  

  

As my first quest, I took an F-rank quest to kill some slime in the forest located north of the Imperial Capital. 

The northern Artesia Forest.  

It is a home of abundant and diverse species of monsters. 

Since adventurers often venture toward this forest and the area around the Imperial Capital. 

The possibility to encounter a strong monster in the shallow area of the forest is close to impossible. 

This means that if you ventured into the forest the chances of witnessing a powerful monster would increase as you travel away from the city. 

This is true for almost all cities in this world as cities are populated by adventurers. 

I ventured toward the forest that was a 15-minute walk away from the Capital's northern gates. 

A place where only weak monsters lived. 

It is also the area where only newbie adventurers would roam and do their quests. 

  

  

Before I even got inside the forest, I found one of my targets.  

"Oh~ there! that must be it!" <Shino> 

I saw a blob of a blue spherical object that looks like a balloon of some sort of liquid. 

It was transparent and looked very squishy. 

  

  

I took out a dagger that was sheathed horizontally on my lower back. 

I attacked the monster with my dagger. 

With just one strike the slime was defeated and melted into the floor. 

It was the first monster that I have ever killed and defeated. 

A sense of excitement surged unto my body. 

I jumped in place in celebration of this special moment. 

  

  

"Wait a minute, this is not the time for me to be getting excited. I just killed the weakest monster in the world." <Shino> 

I tried to escape from this feeling by downplaying and stating some facts but this did not change the fact that this moment was special. 

[I feel that I really have become a true adventurer.] <Shino> 

"Hehe." <Shino> 

I laughed it off and walked forward to find more of these monsters in the forest. 

  

  

Back in the castle, I was able to train how to move silently and strike the enemies without getting noticed. 

As a Thief, my combat prowess in heads-on battle is not good. 

I moved as quietly as I could by moving from shadow to shadow and eliminating my presence as much as I could. 

Aside from the Heroes party, I could confidently say that I was the best at moving like this compared to my other classmates. 

I hid behind a tree and saw a white rabbit with a single horn on its head. 

"Ah, there another one of my targets... that thing is cute..." <Shino> 

I made a satisfying smile as I looked at the rabbit-like creature. 

  

  

I walked slowly while hiding to approach the cute rabbit which is minding its business eating the plantation in front of it. 

When I was about 10 meters away, I accidentally stepped on a dried leaf and made a small rustling sound. 

The rabbit’s ears perked up into the air and became weary of its surrounding. 

Before I could even react, it ran away. 

I tried to chase after it but it went inside a rabbit hole and I was not able to follow it. 

  

  

"Aa~ I almost had it... That rabbit’s sense of hearing is impressive, I guess its ears are not just for display?" <Shino> 

I regret letting the rabbit go but now I know. 

"Next time I see one of those again I'll definitely catch one!" <Shino> 

I pumped myself up by cheering myself up from this failure. 

  

  

I walked around in the forest while making sure that I would not get too deep. 

looking around, I found another one of those rabbits. 

While the first one was a pure white rabbit, the one she saw right now is a mix of light brown and white. 

It still had a horn on its head so it's probably the same monster. 

"All alrighty~ It's time for revenge! This time for sure!" <Shino> 

  

  

I stalked my prey and redied my dagger. 

I made sure that I approach the horned rabbit as quietly as I could. 

This time I was careful and I was watching my feet and my surrounding to avoid making any sounds. 

  

  

[Alright! stay right there.]<Shino> 

I wordlessly said inside my head as I was looking at the rabbit 

As I approached it, I pulled out my dagger and prepared to stab it as soon as I get into attacking range. 

When I was just 5 meters away from the rabbit. 

Its ears perked up just like the first one did. 

"Eh? it noticed me! HOW?!" <Shino> 

As soon as I realized this I move as quickly as possible to attack it with my dagger. 

The rabbit was too fast for me to chase and it was able to run away once again into its rabbit hole. 

  

  

"No way! It got away again?!" <Shino> 

I dropped down to my knees in the grass. 

I was feeling down now. 

"Aaa~ maybe it's still impossible for me to kill those rabbits?" <Shino> 

I stood up once again and continue my exploration. 

  

  

It has been 3 hours since then. 

I was able to complete the slime subjugation quest. 

Oddly enough I only saw 3 herbs around that I still need 7 of them. 

Another one of my quests has not progressed at all. 

And that quest was the Horned Rabbit Hunting. 

  

  

I still needed to catch 10 of them and I have not caught one at all. 

I have seen several of those rabbit monsters but before I could even get into attacking range the rabbit would detect me and run away. 

Observing the reason for this was that this rabbit must have a very keen sense of hearing. 

I have tried to run toward it but running makes too much noise that before you could even get close it would have started running. 

I have failed time and time again. 

  

  

"Ah, there's another one..." <Shino> 

I thought to not go for it since I feel that it was impossible for me to hunt those rabbits. 

"Okay, I’ll try it for the last time. If I still could not catch it this time then… I'll just give up catching those things." <Shino> 

I encourage myself to try for the last time. 

  

  

I decided to use the method I feel that I have the best chance of success 

That method is to approach it as closely as possible. 

But as expected the rabbit notice me before I was in my attacking range. 

As soon as I saw its ears perking up. 

I immediately dive forward o the rabbit in the hope to be able to land a strike on it. 

"AH! this thing is really fast." <Shino> 

I screamed in annoyance as I failed to attack it. 

  

  

The rabbit was faster, and my attack could not reach it. 

I saw the rabbit hole and the rabbit was about to run into it. 

In desperation, I threw my dagger in the direction of the rabbit which ran toward the rabbit hole. 

  

  

"Eeeekkkk" <Shino> 

A squeak of agony came out of the rabbit as my dagger plunged into its back. 

It moved around randomly and was quickly losing its life and after a few moments, it stopped moving. 

  

  

"Eh! did I manage to do it?!" <Shino> 

I went close to the rabbit at it made no response. 

Blood was flowing out of its body from where my dagger had sunk when I pull it off. 

I confirmed that the rabbit was dead and so I jumped up in celebration. 

  

  

This celebration did not last long. 

I suddenly felt something from within my body. 

Something about me changed. 

I almost panic and held my chest to suppress it. 

I had no idea what was happening. 

Confused, I held the part of my body that felt very different. 

  

  

"Argg...W-What? What is happening?" <Shino> 

I placed my hands over my ears in an attempt of covering them. 

Gaining my cool once again, I tried to contemplate what was happening. 

I removed my hands away from my ears to test out something. 

  

  

"W-what?" <Shino> 

I was sure that I said those words as softly as I can, but the volume that I heard was so much louder than I expected. 

My sense of hearing became so keen that I started hearing things from far away. 

Hearing these sounds all of a sudden made me feel overwhelmed. 

  

  

Finding it weird I decided to go back to the city and end my exploration for the day. 

I decided to leave the Rabbit’s corpse in the forest since my head started to hurt from the increase in the volume of the sounds all around me. 

The city was so much louder than usual. 

I feel that all sounds had been enhanced significantly compared to before. 

I covered my ear with my hands to muffle the sound.  

I reached the town square. 

I went to an inn near that area and rented a room so I could rest. 

  

  

************************** 

  

Next day 

  

  

I somehow became accustomed to my enhanced sense of hearing but I still could not manage to listen to loud noises. 

Unlike yesterday the loud noises gave me headaches. 

Now, I can manage it and somehow tolerate the sound. 

  

  

I went to the guild and submit my completed mission which was the slime subjugation. 

"Sorry I was not able to finish the other two but I managed to finish the slime subjugation." <Shino> 

"Huh? Isn’t it normal for you not to finish those in a day?" <Receptionist> 

The beautiful receptionist replied to my word with a puzzled look painted on her face. 

  

  

"Eh? were you not supposed to finish those in a day?" <Shino> 

I asked. 

"Eh? even a high-level adventurer does not complete slime subjugation and herb collection in a day." <Receptionist> 

"huh?" <Shino> 

"Ah, I thought you knew. The lesser the slimes in the forest the more herbs you will find since fewer monsters are eating it." <Receptionist> 

The receptionist explained in detail. 

I was enlightened and realized the purpose of slime subjugation 

The reason adventurers kill slimes is to reduce the population of slimes who eats the Herbs. 

Since these herbs grow in a span of a night, if no slime would eat them you can find a lot of them in the forest. 

  

  

"Ohh... I see." <Shino> 

I did kill more slime than I should have yesterday. 

[I think that works in my favor then?] <Shino> 

"Well since you are a new adventurer, I suppose this is something that you would learn as you progress." <Receptionist> 

  

  

A sudden question appeared on my mind. 

"oh, miss Daniella." <Shino> 

"Yes?" <Receptionist/Daniella> 

The Guild receptionist Daniella replied as I called out for her attention. 

  

  

"Don't you think that this Horned rabbit hunting quest is a little bit too hard for just F-rank Adventurers?" <Shino> 

"What do you mean?" <Daniella> 

"I tried to hunt some yesterday but they were so fast and were able to detect me from far away with their hearing. I only manage to kill one yesterday." <Shino>  

Miss Daniella looked surprised and also amused after hearing my explanation. 

"??, oh... Ahahahahaha" <Daniella> 

"Eh? Eh? did I say something funny?" <Shino> 

"No, no... I just thought that it was funny for you to say that you had a hard time hunting those monsters. Sure It's almost impossible for F-ranks adventurers to hunt them...Normally that is. If you are an archer then this monster is not a problem."  <Receptionist> 

"Oh... I see so this quest is for archers then?" <Shino> 

"Wrong again... -sigh- Honestly, It can't be helped. Since you are still a new adventurer you should ask for advice before taking up a quest like this."  <Daniella> 

"Sorry. I will ask for advice next time." <Shino> 

"You really should. This is a normal thing to happen with new adventurers."  <Daniella> 

"So? what did you mean that this job is not for archer classes?" <Shino> 

"Yes, it is true that this quest is best suited for the adventurer with the mean of doing long-range attacks. But when adventurers such as yourself, a thief, they would often set up traps to hunt this monster."  <Daniella> 

"Ah..." <Shino> 

  

  

I realized that rather than chasing that very fast monster. It was better to just set up traps to hunt them. 

I feel really stupid running around chasing them.  

  

  

I talked with the receptionist about basic things to know as an adventurer. 

I have learned a lot from her that I would not know if it were just me. 

"OK, thanks a lot miss Daniella you helped me a lot. I have learned a lot today." <Shino> 

"No problem miss Shino you can ask me any time. I'll do my best to help you" <Daniella> 

  

  

I ventured once again into the forest but this time I focused on gathering herbs. 

It was true that I found a lot of herbs today and managed to get the required amount in just an hour of walking through the woods. 

I still saw a few slimes around and killed them without having second thought since killing more slime would result in more herbs the next day. 

  

  

I saw a new monster in the corner of my eye. 

It was a monster walking on four legs and looked like a wolf  

"I think this monster is called the Small Blue-eyed Wolf. Wait... Isn’t that monster looking like a typical dog?" <Shino> 

I shook my head and prepared to hunt down this monster. 

The small blue-eyed wolf is one of the weakest E-rank monsters. 

As long as you find one alone most of the F-rank adventurers can manage to defeat it. 

I also took this quest as I listen to Daniella's suggestions 

This monster was also my main target for today. 

  

  

I still had a question that I have in mind. 

It was about the thing that happen to me yesterday. 

I am not sure how I was able to have this ability to hear better. 

I wondered about this question as I used this enhanced sense of hearing to the fullest. 

  

  

This wolf was traveling alone. 

I was able to confirm this as I was stalking the wolf by silently moving around. 

While doing that, I was using my hearing to help me survey my surrounding. 

With that, I was able to confirm that the wolf was all alone. 

  

  

But then... the Wolf started sniffing the air 

I had a bad feeling about the wolf doing that. 

My bad feeling became a reality and the wolf became vigilant of its surrounding. 

Its tail stopped moving with its center of gravity lowered than it was from a moment ago. 

It was surveying the area looking for something. 

And I knew... that something that the wolf was looking for is me. 

  

  

I clicked my tongue and then took my dagger sheathed out of my back. 

When the wolf looked in my general direction and stared there as it slowly approaches me 

I launched toward the wolf at full speed as it was still looking in my general direction. 

  

  

Seeing me, the wolf also moved forward charging at me. 

I lifted my left hand in front of my face and offered it to the wolf. 

It was able to bite my handguard. 

With the handguard being enhanced by magic to become more sturdy, I was confident that the wolf's fangs would not be able to pierce it.  

I felt a dull pain coming from there, but as expected the wolf's fangs were unable to pierce the handguard. 

I could feel the pressure of its mouth biting at my hand-guard as it tried to bury its fangs into it. 

When the wolf bit at my handguard it tried to pull my hand by shaking its head in full force. 

I took that opportunity to stab the wolf with the dagger in my right hand. 

The dagger sank into its neck but the wolf did not immediately release my hands from its mouth, rather it bit harder. 

Blood gushed out in every stab. 

I pulled my dagger out and stabbed it a few more times until the wolf lost its life. 

  

  

A few moments later I felt the same feeling I felt yesterday when I killed the Horned Rabbit. 

I waited for the change from within my body to subside. 

I immediately noticed that something about me had changed. 

This time it was not my hearing but rather, it was my sense of smell. 

I noticed it right away after I smelled the scent of the blood on my body mixed with some other scent all around me. 

  

  

"I had a hunch from what happened yesterday, it seems that my hunch is correct." <Shino> 

I said to myself mumbling in the air. 

  

  

Although it was still early, I went back to the city while still covered in blood. 

since I was able to finish the herb collection quest and slime subjugation quest. 

I went toward the Adventurer's Guild building to ask Daniella for something. 

"Miss Daniella!" <Shino> 

"Oh, you returned fast-... Eh? what happened to you, Miss Shino?!" <Daniella> 

  

  

"huh?" <Shino> 

Daniella gave me a reaction that made her feel disgusted. 

I looked at my body, I was reminded that I was covered in Wolf's blood. 

"Ah, this? I defeated a Blue eyed wolf, it seemed that its blood was smeared into my clothes." <Shino> 

"Eh? are you hurt?" <Daniella> 

"No no, this is all the wolf blood... But more importantly!" <Shino> 

I went closer to Daniella. 

She moved away from me with a disgusted look on her face. 

  

  

"Where can I see my skills?" <Shino> 

"Huh? skills?" <Daniella> 

"Yep, I have used some sort of stone before and was able to look at my skills together with my status. Perhaps the guild also has one of those stones?" <Shino> 

"ah... you mean the Status Stone. Well, those things are used by the Church to check the status upon baptism. But if you only need to see your skill then you can use your status card." <Daniella> 

"What? I can do that?" <Shino> 

"Yeah, what? You did not know?!" <Daniella> 

"No! I thought it was only for status. I mean It's called a status card after all." <Shino> 

"Fufufu, just how much common sense do you lack?" <Daniella> 

Daniella scoffed at me. 

  

  

"... Leaving that aside! how can I look at my skill using my Status card." <Shino> 

I went closer to the guild receptionist. 

She stepped back to avoid me. 

It seems that she was avoiding coming into contact with me. 

I could not blame her since there is blood all over me. 

  

  

"OK, I understand! I understand! so please step away from me! I don’t like blood to get into my clothes.” <Daniella> 

"Sorry, Sorry, so? how can I look at my Skills with this?" <Shino> 

Daniella let out a sigh. 

"Just hold your card as usual and say the word "Skill List"  <Daniella> 

"that's it?" <Shino> 

"Yes... that's it." <Daniella> 

  

  

I turned around hiding my face and my status card from anyone. 

"Skill list" <Shino> 

Just like how the status would appear on my status card. 

A list of skills appeared on the small card. 

  

  

Skill List: 

        Skilless 

        Skilless: Horned Rabbit- Hearing (II) 

        Skilless: Blue-eyed Wolf (Small) - Smell (I) 

  

My eyes widen as I saw the skills on the list. 

I placed the card right in front of my face confirming the words printed on it. 

  

  

My lips twisted into a smile. 

It looks like my skill "Skilless" is a skill that allows me to gain the skills of the monsters that I kill. 

I could not help but smile. 

  

  

"Uh... Miss Shino... Is everything okay?" <Daniella> 

"..." <Shino> 

"MISS SHINO" <Daniella> 

"Oh! yes, yes!" <Shino> 

I came to my senses after Daniella had called out my name. 

I was too focused on thinking about the things I could do with my skill. 

  

  

"But first... You should go wash up yourself for now." <Daniella> 

"Yes, sorry, I'll do that." <Shino> 

  

  

I got out of the guild with a smile on my face. 

I went back to the inn I rented yesterday to wash. 

As I did just that I contemplated on the nature of my "Skilless" ability 

I was not 100% sure about the nature of my ability. 

But the fact that I have obtained skills from killing monsters. 

I was thinking about how to capitalize using my skill after learning about this fact. 

  

  

"Hmnn~ does my ability allow me to obtain skills from the monster I kill? Wait a minute what are the monsters I killed so far anyway? The Horned Rabbit, The small blue-eyed wolf and ... slimes... slimes?" <Shino> 

I have realized that I have also killed slimes during that time. 

At the moment I have killed one blue-eyed wolf and a one-horned rabbit so why did I not able to gain skills from the slimes? 

"does it only work the first time you kill a monster?" <Shino> 

I tried to ask myself. 

  

  

The image of a blob of liquid materialized in my mind and think about things that it can do. 

"None... I think because the slime does not have any skill at all... Maybe???" <Shino> 

I tried to explain why I was not able to gain skills from killing slimes. 

But I was not sure of the reason as well. 

At best I was just guessing. 

I need to know about the skill of the monster I killed to be able to fully grasp the nature of my skill (Skilless). 

After I washed myself up and felt refreshed, I got back to the Guild to ask about monster skills. 

  

  

I got back to the guild right away. 

My hair was still a bit wet after I washed it in the Inn. 

"Miss Shino, welcome again" <Daniella> 

"Sorry about earlier miss Daniella" <Shino> 

"don't worry, it's fine... So, what do you need this time?" <Daniella> 

With a bright smile on her face, Daniella asked if I have something in my mind. 

I was a bit impressed by the fact that she knew I have something to ask. 

"I was wondering if there is a way for me to know about the skills of monsters." <Daniella> 

  

  

Daniella listened to my question. 

I feel that Daniella was a very reliable receptionist. 

She had been taking care of me ever since I became an adventurer. 

She had been informing me of a lot of stuff I needed to know. 

I made an internal promise that I will return this favor to miss Daniella someday. 

  

  

She made a thinking pose. 

"As for the answer to your question. I suppose there are 2 ways for one to know about the skills of a monster." <Daniella> 

"Really?! how am I supposed to do that?" <Shino> 

"One is to analyze them using the Monster Appraisal skill or other unique skill that has a similar effect to that of the Skill Appraisal." <Daniella> 

"Ugg... but I don’t have such skill." <Shino> 

I became dejected after realizing that this method was impossible for me. 

  

  

"Hahaha... I figured... Well, the other way is to buy a monster encyclopedia. But that would cost you a lot." <Daniella> 

As if anticipating my reaction Daniella immediately came back with some words that would give me hope. 

"You can read information about monsters from the book "Monster encyclopedia"." <Daniella> 

"OH!!! monster encyclopedia.!!!" <Shino> 

  

  

"Yes! A monster encyclopedia. Unfortunately, the guild only has a simple one that does not state their skills. If you want to find a book that gives information about a monster skill you will need to buy them." <Daniella> 

"Yes yes~ That! Where can I find those books?" <Shino> 

"Huh? oh... I suppose the Scale Atelier has those... but mind you those things are pricey~" <Daniella> 

"Hmmm... How much do you think it would cost me?" <Shino> 

  

  

Again, Daniella made a thinking pose. 

This time her eyes frowned. 

"Hmnn, I suppose it ranges around 30 up to 100 gold coins maybe even higher?" <Daniella>  

"hmnn that much..." <Shino> 

I thought about the money I have. 

At the time I left the castle Orga had given me 100 gold coins. 

Depending on how much the book is worth. 

I have to manage my money better. 

Right now. I have 90 gold coins stored at the guild and about 

"800,000’ish" Dal at hand, so that is about 98 gold coins or 9,800,000'ish Dal 

  

  

"Scale Atelier is the building next door, right?" <Shino> 

"Correct. I suppose they have one over there." <Daniella> 

I confirmed with Daniella the location of the scale Atelier just in case I was wrong. 

  

  

As I heard beforehand. 

Scale Atelier was a general store for adventurers where they sell all kinds of things. 

They are the largest merchant firm on the whole continent. 

I heard that the Scale Atelier is owned by a genius merchant 

They hired the most skilled artisan, craftsmen, and merchants to work there. 

The Scale Atelier is famous for its Armors and Weapon works. 

They sell all kinds of things from equipment, tools, magical items, and alike while still boasting of having the highest quality of goods. 

  

  

"Alright! Thanks again, Miss Daniella!" <Shino> 

"No problem this is a part of my job after all. Just ask me if you have more questions, and I will try my best to answer them." <Daniella> 

"Thank you very much!" <Shino> 

"No problem" <Daniella> 

I left the guild after that.  

Then I went toward the building next door. 

I was hoping to find the book I was looking for. 

  

  

Entering the building a female receptionist ask me what I was looking for. 

Then another receptionist guided me toward the store I must go from within the building. 

We went toward the second floor of the building and there I found myself at a store that sells a lot of scrolls and books. 

  

  

An old lady that reminds you of a witch by just looking at her attire. 

She was wearing black clothes and a witches’ hat. 

The impact of an old lady wearing such clothes will remind you of a witch. 

I could not help but feel that I was in another world.  

She was right behind a table covering the entrance of the stall space. 

Behind her was a library 

I feel amazed right away. 

The inside of the room does not correspond to the area covered in the building. 

The space behind the lady was larger than it should be. 

In a rough estimate, the room behind the old lady was even larger than the space of the whole building could accommodate. 

"hueeeee, how did that large library even fit inside there?!" <Shino> 

  

  

"Fufufu Missy, is this the first time you even saw a space distorted room?" <Old Lady> 

"Ohh so space in there is distorted! Amazing…" <Shino> 

"Fufufu, this room is connected to another location that is away from the capital." <Old Lady> 

"Wow!" <Shino> 

The old lady behind the stall table said to me as I was wondering how the space behind her betray the actual size of the room. 

I listened to the old lady while feeling amazed. 

  

  

"So? what can I help you with, missy?" <Old Lady> 

"Yes, I am looking for a book that has information about monsters’ skills" 

"Hmnn monster skills..." <Old Lady> 

The old lady pondered about what to do. 

She turned around and walked around the large library as I leaned forward and marvel at how large the room was. 

There were at least 3 floors filled with mountains of books, scrolls, and paper inside it. 

There were even several magical staff and crystals displayed there. 

  

  

After waiting for about 5 minutes. 

The old lady came back toward the stall table bringing 5 different books. 

"Here are books related to monster skills." <Old Lady> 

The book's titles were very self-explanatory on what the book might contain 

I read the book's title silently as the old lady lined them up on the table. 

  

  

The book's exterior was a boring leather book cover where the titles were engraved. 

Looking at them from left to right I read the titles as follows. 

Monster Encyclopedia: Skills of the Monsters in Artesia Empire 

Monster Encyclopedia: Skills of the Monsters in Artesia Empire 5th Edition. 

Known Monster Skill List and Effect 

Guide to Countering Monster Skills (F-D Class) 

And the last one. "Monster Description and Effects through MONSTER APPRAISAL X" 

  

  

"Can I take a look at its content?" <Shino> 

"Yes, but just the first several pages." <Old Lady> 

The old lady answered and informed me that I could read the first 10 pages of each book. 

  

  

As I expected the first several pages of the book are information and an introduction about the book. 

Only the 9th and 10th pages contain the actual content of the book. 

This was true even in the other books as well. 

  

  

The 1st and 2nd books contain information about the monsters in the Artesia Empire where a sketch of a monster is displayed on each page. 

Below each picture was a brief description of the monster, Its Class, where it lives, an explanation about what it looked like, the skill it possesses, and other small information about the monster. 

The difference between the 2 books was that the 2nd one contains better drawings and quality of the paper. 

The 2nd book also looked significantly thicker than the first one and also the pictures were colored. 

They were the same book but the latter was the improved and updated version of it. 

  

  

The first two monster in there was 2 different slimes. 

Those two differ in color as one of them was blue similar to what I killed and the other one was colored green. 

As I suspected the blue slime had no skill. 

  

  

The third book intrigued me as well since it shows information about the skill's effect. 

Although the books were a lot thinner only about 1/5 of the thickness of the 1st book. 

I feel that this book is going to be very useful. 

  

  

The fourth one was less interesting than the first three since it only explains and gives a guide to how to counter monsters. 

This book only shows monsters that are a bit tricky to defeat. 

There will be a lot of monsters that are not written there. 

It is not as if this book is useless or lacks information. 

It was just that the purpose of this book does not address my needs right now. 

This book is for tricks and guides for fighting monsters which I don’t need right now. 

But of course, if I can spare money to buy it I would do so. 

  

  

The last book which was the thickest out of all the books presented displays the most amount of information out of all the four It even displayed the average stats of the monster in full detail. 

It has all the information that the first, second, and third books had and even more. 

It seems that this book was written by a person with a Monster Appraisal skill at its maximum level. 

I finished looking at the 5 books and finds the last one to be the best choice out of the 5 options. 

[Now I will just have to know how much these books will cost me.] 

  

  

"I see, I like the first 3 and the last one. How much are these books?" <Shino> 

"The "Monster Encyclopedia: Skills of the Monsters in Artesia Empire" is 4,450,000 Dal." <Old Lady> 

I calculated the amount of the 4,450,000 Dal and that would be 44 gold coins and 5 silver coins. 

I nodded since this was within my budget. 

The old lady looked at my reaction before she continued to say the price of the other books. 

  

  

The old lady lifted the second book and pointed at the first one. 

"As for this "Monster Encyclopedia: Skills of the Monsters in Artesia Empire 5th Edition" which is the newest and improved version of the first book cost 8,000,000 Dal" <Old Lady> 

"Wow, that much! Hmmm, I can still purchase this but... How about this one." <Shino> 

  

  

I pointed at the third book. 

The old lady answered right away after I asked the price of the third book. 

"Ahh... this book. "Known Monster Skill List and Effect" cost 950,000 Dal." <Old Lady> 

"I see... What about this thick book?" <Shino> 

  

  

After hearing the price of the third book I asked about the price of the fifth book which was the book I preferred to buy. 

"Monster Description and Effects through MONSTER APPRAISAL (X), is a rare book that only the strongest of the adventurers buy. This book cost 100,000,000 Dal" <Old Lady> 

My eyes became round as I heard how much the 5th book was. 

"Uwah~ that's so pricey~ I can't afford that one then..." <Shino> 

"Hahaha. Only rich people and high-ranking adventurers buy one of these after all. after all, this book contains all of the information about all known monsters all over the world." <Old Lady> 

"I see... I guess it can’t be helped then... I like that one. I would like to purchase this and... wait let me think for a bit." <Shino> 

I have decided to purchase the third book without much thought while I god hesitant about purchasing one over the first and the second book. 

  

  

I crossed my hands as I think over which book I must buy next 

I weigh if I would better buy the first book over the second book since the price was almost twice the first one. 

Buying the third book is a must and I was just thinking if I would buy the original or the 5th Edition. 

Weighing quality over price. 

  

  

The old lady saw me thinking hard so she started to sales talk me to buy the second book. 

Eventually, she succeeded to sell me the second book over the first one. 

"OK QUALITY IT IS! I'll take the 5th Edition please." <Shino> 

I closed my hands and decided to buy the second one. 

  

  

"Very good choice dear customer, you will not regret buying this over the other. So, 8,000,000 plus 950,000 that would be a total of 8,950,000 Dal" <Old Lady> 

"Uh my money is stored at the guild bank right now, is there a means for me to purchase it right away or should I withdraw the gold coins so I can purchase it in cash?" <Shino> 

"Ah, you can pay here with your status card." <Old Lady> 

"Oh... I see." <Shino> 

I took my status card in my pocket and handed it over to the old lady. 

I feel that I was purchasing something with a credit card. 

  

  

The old lady placed the status card over a piece of stone. 

The stone shined as the status card floated into the air. 

The light gradually faded and as the light faded so did my status card fall into the stone.  

"All done. Thanks for the purchase." <Old Lady> 

"Ah, same here thank you very much this would help me a lot." <Shino> 

  

  

I went out of the atelier carrying two books in my bag. 

I went toward the Inn once again to read about those books.  

It was just past noon when I started reading. 

The room became dark and before I realized it, the sun had gone down. 

  

  

"Whoa, it's already noon?" <Shino> 

I got immersed in reading about the monster encyclopedia and cross-referencing their skill in the monster skill list. 

I was able to learn a lot about monster skills. 

But the skill I wanted was with the stronger monsters in Artesia. 

Most of them require a party of D-rank and above. 

Most of them also live deep in the forest where a lot of dangerous monster lives.    

With the knowledge, I gained today I was more inspired to hunt monsters tomorrow. 

  

  

The next day. 

I did not go into the guild today to look for a quest. 

Instead, I immediately went toward the forest at the western gate of the capital. 

  

  

Today... I am looking to confirm the effect of my skill. 

This would test if the Skill "Skilless" really had the effect I expected it to have. 

Today I am looking for a monster called "Green Leaper" 

  

  

According to the books. 

Green leaper lives in the forest located near the west of the Empire capital. 

It was a monster that had a similar appearance to a grasshopper or a locust back in our world. 

It was as large as a wolf and an "E-rank monster like the small blue-eyed wolf." 

The forest was a 40-minute walk away from the gate. 

I searched in the forest for the green leaper. 

  

  

Unfortunately, most of the monsters on the edge of the forest are mostly weak. 

Since most of them are weak, most of them also had no Skill. 

I was just lucky to have encountered 2 of the monsters who had special skills 

The Small Blue-eyed wolf and the horned rabbit. 

These two monsters are two of the four monsters with a skill. 

They are the only monsters who are ranked- E or weaker who live in the shallow part of the forest. 

  

  

After 2 hours of searching inside the forest, I finally found one. 

It was devouring a mouse-like creature. 

The green leaper was holding the mouse with one of its limbs. 

The insect-type creature notices me right away and immediately prepared to attack me. 

With its powerful hind legs, it jumped in my direction 

I dodged and the green leaper bumped into the tree behind me. 

This was not an accident. 

According to Daniella the best way to fight this monster is to make the monster bump into something after it charges forward. 

This is because once the Green Leaper bursts forward it will not be able to change its direction right away. 

  

  

When it collided with the tree the Green leaper was staggered. 

It collided with the tree, face first. 

It was unable to move for a moment. 

  

  

I felt hesitant at first since it was a giant insect. 

It was so creepy that goosebumps appeared all over my body. 

I mustered my courage to just face it by myself so I could test the effect of my Skill. 

  

  

As it was gathering itself, I pounce at it and repeatedly stabbed the intersection of its abdomen and its head. 

"kyaa!!!!!!!!" <Shino> 

A high-pitched voice came out of my mouth. 

It was the same voice I made whenever I see a flying cockroach. 

With my scream, I stabbed the Green Leaper repeatedly with my eyes closed 

Thick Yellowish fluid came gushing out of its body with every strike I made with my dagger. 

“Krieekkrrs,Krsk,Kiiircsk!” <Green Leaper> 

It ever strike the green leaper shriek that almost sounded like a high-pitched radio static noise. 

It every strike the shrieks become weaker and weaker. 

Out of my disgust with the creature, once I stabbed it, I was so freaked out that I unconsciously stabbed it multiple more times even though it has stopped moving. 

When I realized that the Green leaper is dead. 

I could not remember how many times I stabbed it. 

I saw that its head was almost detached from its body and its yellowish blood was all over my body as well. 

  

  

I opened my eyes and find that I was covered with some kind of thick yellowish liquid. 

"urp.." <Shino> 

I tried to stop my puke but I could not and released it out. 

  

  

I came rushing to a river I discovered a while ago as I was looking for the Green Leaper. 

I plunged my entire body into it. 

As I was cleaning my clothes I puked once again out of my disgust. 

I made sure that I thoroughly washed my body off the Green Leaper's blood. 

My gag reflex triggered from time to time as I was washing off this yellowish substance from my body. 

My body was covered with yellowish fluid that there were even traces of it on my hair. 

  

  

"I will never do this again. I will never hunt for an insect-type monster ever again." <Shino> 

I swear to myself. 

  

  

When I was sure that I was clean 

It was not the time for me to confirm if I was able to acquire the Green Leapers skill 

I held my status card in my hand from my pocket. 

"Skill List" <Shino> 

  

Skill List: 

        Skilless 

        Skilless: Horned Rabbit- Hearing (II) 

        Skilless: Blue-eyed Wolf (Small) - Smell (I) 

        Skilless: Green Leaper - Burst (I) 

  

  

"I suppose this confirms it?" 

I gained the skill of the Green Leaper. Burst (I) 

A skill that allows you to move in one direction at an incredible speed by leaping forward. 

  

  

******************************* 

  

A Week Later 

  

  

In the past week, I was not able to obtain new skills from monsters. 

Although I managed to defeat a forest bear and a Giant mantis, I was not able to gain new skills from them. 

This was not because my Skilless skill was not working but rather those monsters do not have a skill. 

While the Forest bear was extremely difficult to defeat. 

I managed to take down one, this monster does not have any skill. 

It does have a very high VIT and STR stat for a monster but that was it. 

It was the same as the Giant Mantis. 

I tried to kill them hoping that I would obtain skills from them either way. 

In the end, I did not manage to get a skill from these monsters. 

  

  

"It’s decided! for now, I will go to the city of Altus!" <Shino> 

I declared to myself inside the room I rented in an Inn in the Capital City of Artesia. 

  

  

I am trying to hunt a monster that lives in the forest near the City of Altus. 

It was the last E-rank monster that has skill. 

I wanted the skill this monster had since it was really "Thief" like in nature. 

  

  

The monster was the Rainbow Lizard. 

This was a lizard-type monster with a large claw and eyes. 

If I were to describe it as it was drawn in the book it looks like a chameleon with a very large claw. 

It has spikes on its back that it uses in battle. 

This monster possesses the (Stealth I) skill. 

A skill that allows the monster to hide its presence from others. 

  

  

I went toward Altus together with other adventurers. 

  

  

The caravan of the Scale Atelier has not yet returned. 

The report says that their Caravan was stocked in Altus and was asking for reinforcement from the Imperial Capital Adventurer's guild. 

There seemed to be a problem there that they are in need of more adventurers to solve the problem. 

  

  

I took the opportunity after hearing this from Daniella. 

I took the request together with other adventurers from the Imperial Capital 

This was an “E-rank” Mission. 

My main goal was to look for a Stealth Lizard and gain its skill. 

As for the request reward I looked at it as a bonus for my quest of obtaining powerful skills from defeating monsters. 

  

  

Numerous parties and Solo Adventurers joined the reinforcement troupe to the City of Altus. 

  

  

"Oh~ Isn't that..." <Shino> 

I looked around and found some of my classmates mixed within the reinforcement troupe. 

I waved at them when our gaze met. 

It has been 10 days since I last saw them. 

It seemed that they also decided to leave the castle and became adventurers just like me. 

  

  

"City of Altus, here I come! Rainbow Lizard! prepare yourselves." <Shino> 

  

  

3 days later we arrived in the city of Altus. 

The city was preparing for battle. 

  

  

************************* 

  

  

A black-haired demi-human wearing Victorian Lolita-like clothing was sitting over one of the building’s roofs as she looks over them assessing their abilities through her skill, “God’s Eyes” 

Beside her was a young girl wearing Japanese Shrine Maiden Clothes with her hair swaying with the wind as she stood on the roof. 

  

  

As the God of SoulCycle, she can see through and had control over Souls. 

She immediately noticed the souls of the people that are not from this world. 

“Ara~~ more people from another world are gathering here…” <Stella> 

Using her skills in "God's eyes", she looked at and assessed each soul that originally did not belong in this world. 

  

  

She saw several intriguing people that arrived. 

"Oh look, Luna More of the heroes had arrived in the city." <Stella> 

"fufufu, this is getting interesting. It seemed that this little scheme of ours will stir a lot of interesting things to happen." <Luna> 

  

  

Stella looked at Shino's Status through her God's Eyes 

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author Note: 

There we go!  

I will be making a character card for each chapter I make! 

I will try to insert some Character Card from time to time as well 

Most Probably I will be making Mizusawa Kazue, then The Heroes, then Kazue's underlings, then Merchant Girls, Then the Normie Girls, then the Otaku Boys. 

After I make the 28 Heroes Character Card I would probably make the other characters like Daniella, Orga, and alike.