status]
Name: Shirou Nishiki
Level 25 (displayed as Level 8)
HP: 480/480
MP: 210/240
Occupation: None
Title: None (displayed)
Money held: 10 gold coins, 7 silver coins, 5 copper coins, 1 iron coin
Equipment:
Right hand: Poison Dagger (Paralysis Poison/Medium)
Left hand: Kris knife (minor bleeding)
Head: Griffin feather ornament
Skills (Hidden):
Appraisal Lv.10 → Divine Eye Lv.1
Swordsmanship Lv.7
Dagger Technique Lv.7
Agility Lv.2
Stealth Lv.4
Presence Concealment Lv.3
Wind magic Lv.4
Magical Manipulation Lv.3
Mental resistance Lv.3
Enchanting Breath Lv.5
Magic Absorption Lv.4
Skill Organization Lv.2
```
*After indifferently looking down at Lilith's ashes scattered on the floor, Shirou's thoughts quickly shifted to the next thing. The succubus's death was nothing more than a bug he'd trampled on along the way. What mattered to him was the power he'd taken from her and his own strengthening.*
Shirou: "Oh, I wonder if the Kris Knife can be upgraded?"
*Suddenly, that thought crossed my mind. Now that I had acquired the Poison Darts, the "minor bleeding" effect of the Kris Knife was starting to feel a little underwhelming. It was too good to throw away, but it wasn't powerful enough to be my main weapon. If I could enhance it, that would be ideal.*
*Shirou lowered his gaze to the Chris knife clutched in his left hand and concentrated his attention.*
Shirou: "('Divine Eye')"
*His eyes glow faintly, and information about the Kris Knife flows directly into his brain. Fundamental information about the item, which cannot be obtained through normal appraisal, is analyzed.*
```
[Item Information]
Name: Kris Knife
Grade: Normal
Effect: Bleeding (Minor) - Inflicts continuous damage to the target slashed.
History: A typical dagger crafted by a dwarf blacksmith. It is sturdily made, but there is nothing particularly noteworthy about it.
[Additional information from divine insight]
Potential for enhancement: Yes
Enhancement materials:
1. Monster blood (the more powerful the bleeding effect of the monster, the more effective it is)
2. A magic stone that acts as a medium for the target's blood and magical power.
3. Metal materials to stabilize the shape of the weapon
Note: By gathering the necessary materials and performing proper magic manipulation, it is possible to enhance the effects imbued in your weapon. At your current skill level, it is recommended to seek assistance from a specialist, such as a dwarf blacksmith.
```
Shirou: "(I see... so enhancement is possible. If I use the blood of a monster... for example, the blood of a powerful monster like a wyvern or a griffon, I might be able to significantly increase the bleeding effect.)"
A hunter's smile, the smile of someone who had come up with a new plan, appeared on his lips. It wasn't just about defeating enemies; he would use their materials to further strengthen himself. He felt a quiet excitement as he unraveled the mysteries of this world, one by one.
*The plan to enhance the Kris Knife is on hold for now. To do that, he first needs to hunt powerful monsters to use as materials. And to hunt powerful monsters, Shirou himself needs to raise his level even further. In the end, all paths converge on one point: "becoming stronger."*
Shirou: "Let's put that aside for now and focus on leveling up first. I think I'll go on another monster hunting quest tomorrow."
*He muttered to himself and walked towards the window. Many adventurers were passing by on the street in front of the inn, some returning from ogre hunts, others heading out for drinks. For them, it was just an ordinary night scene. But for Shirou, it was a perfect "feeding ground."*
Shirou: "('Divine Eye')"
*From outside the window, he sets his "Divine Eye" on the adventurers passing by the inn one after another. His targets are skills that directly enhance physical abilities: the [Strength Enhancement] possessed by swordsmen, the [Leg Strength Enhancement] possessed by scouts, and the [Endurance Increase] possessed by warriors.*
*[By using divine vision, the skill [Strength Enhancement Lv.3] has been duplicated from target [Adventurer A].]*
*[By divine vision, the skill [Leg Strength Enhancement Lv.2] has been duplicated from target [Adventurer B].]*
*[By divine vision, the skill [Endurance Increase Lv.2] has been duplicated from target [Adventurer C].]*
*As long as his MP lasts, he will indiscriminately, yet efficiently, duplicate his skills. When his MP starts to run low, he will use the [Mana Absorption] he stole from Lilith earlier to absorb the weak magic energy filling the air to replenish it. Then he will resume duplication. It was a cold, ruthless process, much like a spider relentlessly hunting its prey.*
*Eventually, his MP ran completely out, and with a slight feeling of exhaustion, he finished the replication. Shirou sighed with satisfaction and collapsed onto the bed.*
[You have acquired the following skills: Strength Enhancement Lv.3, Leg Strength Enhancement Lv.2, and Endurance Increase Lv.2.]
[The skill "Skill Organization" has evolved to Lv.3. Your owned skills will now be automatically organized.]
*With new power now residing within him, he fell into a deep sleep, preparing for tomorrow's hunt.*
next morning
*Shirou awoke with the sunrise. His MP, depleted from last night's excessive skill farming, had completely recovered after a night's sleep. In fact, having acquired new skills, he felt lighter and more energetic than yesterday.*
*Shirou got out of bed, lightly moved his arms as if to check the changes in his body, and clenched his fists. He felt a strength welling up from within, clearly different from yesterday.*
Shirou: "Now, let's see what happened... Status open."
He muttered this to himself, mentally opening a status window. Last night's results were displayed there as clear numbers and text.
```
[status]
Name: Shirou Nishiki
Level 25 (displayed as Level 8)
HP: 530/530 (+50)
MP: 240/240
Occupation: None
Title: None (displayed)
Money held: 10 gold coins, 7 silver coins, 5 copper coins, 1 iron coin
Equipment:
Right hand: Poison Dagger (Paralysis Poison/Medium)
Left hand: Kris knife (minor bleeding)
Head: Griffin feather ornament
Skills (Hidden):
Appraisal Lv.10 → Divine Eye Lv.1
Swordsmanship Lv.7
Dagger Technique Lv.7
Agility Lv.2
Stealth Lv.4
Presence Concealment Lv.3
Wind magic Lv.4
Magical Manipulation Lv.3
Mental resistance Lv.3
Enchanting Breath Lv.5
Magic Absorption Lv.4
Strength Enhancement Lv.3
Leg strength strengthening Lv.2
Durability Increase Lv.2
Skill Organization Lv.3
```
*(My HP has increased by 50, and my MP has returned to its maximum. My strength, leg strength, and endurance... my direct combat abilities have improved. With this, I can gain an advantage even against slightly stronger opponents.)*
*The increase in HP is particularly significant. The [Increased Durability] skill must be directly contributing to this. Shirou nodded with satisfaction and closed the status window.*
*Lilith's ashes had vanished without a trace, as if they had never been there in the first place. He got ready and left the room in search of a new hunting ground. His goals for today were to level up and find "materials" to enhance his Kris Knife. He decided to head to the guild and look for a suitable hunting quest.*
*Shirou arrived at the bustling guild in the morning and headed straight for the reception counter. There, as always, sat Minya with her lovely smile. When she saw Shirou, her face lit up instantly.*
Minya: "Oh, Shirou-san! Good morning! Another job today?"
*Nodding slightly at her cheerful greeting, Shirou got down to business. He didn't want to stand out, but there was a limit to the types of requests he could accept if he remained at F rank forever. If he wanted stronger monsters and better materials, ranking up was an unavoidable path.*
Shirou: "Oh, that reminds me, can I take that promotion exam you mentioned before?"
*At those words, Minya exclaimed in surprise, "What?!" but then nodded with a smile as if she immediately understood.*
Minya: "Yes! Of course! Shirou, you have more than enough F-rank requests to complete, so you can take on the job anytime! Is this the promotion test to E-rank?"
*She began explaining while checking the documents in her hand.*
Minya: "The promotion test to E rank will involve defeating a monster designated by the guild. The target is the 'Giant Boar,' a large boar monster. It inhabits the western plains, and although there aren't many of them, I don't think it will be too difficult if you can find one. As proof of defeating it, you will need to bring back one of its tusks. Are you willing to take on the challenge?"
*Giant Boar. Level around 10. It has charging power, but its movements are monotonous. For Shirou at this point, it was an opponent that was as easy as twisting a baby's arm.*