"So, I got that dangerous thing locked up good, took a German Suplex on old man Armveil, and that's the end of the story." - Garami

"That guy's definitely worth his name as one of the leaders of an evil organization~." - Gust

It's been a little more than a week since we defeated Avido, and we've leisurely been preparing for our attack on that undead castle. Reaaally leisurely.

Especially since we also had to look after Gust every few days. It's my turn today, so we're kicking back in the cafe-part of Marc's restaurant. 

"Therefore, we'll leave for the island tomorrow." - Garami

"Mira's finally graduated from being a Squire?" - Gust

"*V*." - Garami

Combat classes are easier to train in combat. That's what I've learned these last few days, due to Mira kidnapping me to act as her training partner. She knows we also have to watch over this guy too... ah.

Completely forgot to merge [Guard] and the rest. They got completed alongside Mira's Squire class, but that beatdown I had to endure yesterday... the pain...

Anyway, let's take this skill already.

Hmm?

"What's wrong? You're making a funny face." - Gust

"No, I just remembered that I forgot to merge some skills yesterday, but some weird announcement popped up." - Garami

"You went through hell last time after all~. Let me have a look." - Gust

I made the System Message visible for Gust while making sure no one else's looking over our shoulders. Not that there's anyone else inside the store. The sun's shining brightly, meaning the other customers have taken seats by the tables outside.

"Oh, it's one of those. Those skills have specialized versions of themselves that are unlocked by clearing more requirements than just the basic ones. This time around, the requirements are, let's see..., having the Royal Monster trait, reaching Lv.Max with both [Footwork] and [Lightwalk],  but it doesn't merge then though, having used [Swordsmanship] to perfectly parry and/or block a certain amount of attacks..." - Gust

"...Isn't this a skill most people, or rather, monsters will never be able to get normally?" - Garami

"Royal Monster is difficult enough, but [Lightwalk]'s a Gravity attribute skill. Those are famous for being one of the most difficult attributes to collect... ignoring those that are impossible." - Gust

You have to pick Rogue as your main class to get that one, but if you do, then the odds of that person focusing on [Guard] and [Parry]'s pretty much zilch. If they knew about this modified skill, then maybe, but then there are probably other modified skills out there that they'll take instead.

Well, since I've already cleared all the conditions...

"PHHTT!?" - Garami

"Don't spit on people so suddenly! What's wrong now?" - Gust

"H-h-h-h-highw-w-way rob-b-bbery..." - Garami

"...15 Points? Are they joking? Is this a normal price that royalties pay for their skills?" - Gust

Like if I would know!! Is it worth the cost? ...however, if it combines skills, then it's worth it...?

......Boop.

And, that's that. Hope I won't regret this...

"Despite everything, you still bought it," said Gust while looking at my Status Page.

Tch, he's gotten damn good with those [Identification]-related skills these last days. Can't hide anything from him. Especially when he uses [Probing], which sees through fake Status Pages. I got it despite myself when I heard how well it worked for him, and because it only required 1 Skill Point. 

"However, Poison, is it? I heard about that Black-Light title you're aiming for, but I was expecting something like Heretic." - Gust

"Heretic lacks means of inflicting damage... and the few methods that do exist leads to reduced EXP." - Garami

Those attacks damage the soul after all. And poison will work well with undeads... unfortunately, it's not limited to the undeads I make alone. These skills won't see much use during the castle raid-*Bang!*-...geez.

"Garami! There you are!" - Mira (high-tension)

"Calm down. You're bothering... no one." - Garami

I forgot everyone was sitting outside, "enjoying" the death UV-rays. Crazy folks...

"How can I calm down!? It's a knight class, a knight class for damn sake!" - Mira

One of the few rules in our little group is to consult with a class-revealing magitech, like the one in the Union, before taking a class, unless in desperate situations. Just so we don't overlook an incredible joker we somehow had unlocked. The item was on maintenance yesterday, so she must have run over the moment it was ready for usage today.

"Therefore, Status Page, please~!" - Mira

I knew it. Don't use your leader as some handy scouter. I'm curious about her improvement as well, so let's take a look anyway.

This is...

"Kinda weak?" - Garami

"Sure is." - Gust

"WHAAAT?! Can't you see the shining new Dark Knight class?! Here, here!" she kept on saying, pointing at the entry on the list representing her class.

"Well, you know, compared to Garami's skill growth..." - Gust

"Of course I can't catch up to that! Even I know that she's got a shitload of skills, but don't compare me to her when most of mine are already maxed out!" - Mira

Hmm... and she's never had a skill-giving class either before today... but even if I speak up, those two's started to quibble with each other again. They're not stoppable when they start. Are they on bad terms? Or good enough to fight with each other?

"Anything else you came running for?" I asked, hoping to stop the fight before things got too messy.

"Oh yeah. I saw Noire on the way here. And she was making a mountain of Sol! Ask her to share some with me, please!" - Mira

...A mountain of what?

---

Mira led us to the place called "the Bazaar", a place where fledgling crafters gather and try to sell off their creations in simple stands. And one of those stands is overpopulated.

What can I say, it's like watching a miniature version of the famous manga event back on Earth. The only difference between them, except the scale of the events, is that the buyers look armed for real battles, and the wares are rings and other trinkets. 

"Come and see, come and see. Witness the masterpieces of this Noire." - Noire

Yeah, had to be her. The fallen angel's making a killing by selling her high-quality items for a penny while still being in the black. Most of it is due to her using cheap materials for her items, like scrapwood and the like. The result is amazing though. Wonder how she's faring?

...She's gone completely "crafter". I heard that crafting skills are easier to train as long as you have the materials, but this is...

Then you gotta remember that this is only a week or two since she started with the class. What's up with this high amount of natural talent? Share some with me!!

"Hey, think I can buy one of those rings?" - Gust

"You got money for it?" - Garami

"Sure. My status inspections at the Union's cheaper than the Identification Crystals that are sold in the shops, so I've got a lot of customers." - Gust

That's a way to earn some pocket money. And with both food and bedding provided by the Union, he should have enough for a cheap ring.

With that in mind, we tried to get to the fallen angel's stand... but the crowd... I hate the crowd... 

While I was thinking that, everyone started to make a path for us. What's this, is Moses behind us? I'll take the opportunity and walked boldly through them. If I don't do it like that, I'll probably faint in the middle of it. Go, go, Garami!!

"...Garami, just what have you done so people avoid you like that?" - Noire

I wanna know...

"Let's see, she came to town with the corpse of a gigantic and unique C-rank monster, she was a key player in defeating yet another C-rank not long after that, she's good friends with the Union Master, and she recently came back from Sea Tree Island after a brawl with several C-ranks with a certain mafia-boss in ropes. That's more than enough to stay clear of her, especially with her reputation of hating large gatherings of people." - Gust

When you put it like that... having a rep's the best!

"Thank you very much for the explanation. Now, if it was nothing important, can you leave already? You are hindering my business." - Noire

So rude! Despite only being a fallen angel!

"I want a ring though..." - Gust

"Of course! Chose whatever you like." - Noire

...Where did the rudeness go? That's the attitude worthy of those working in customer service. I can't reproduce that even if my life depends on it.

Gust bought his ring and then we left her stall. But only after we told her that we were going to attack the castle tomorrow, so she needs to come to the meeting in the Union later so we could go over our plans there.

"Then, all that's left is to tell Alf? That's going to be difficult." - Mira

"Hm~, hm~hm~hm, hmm~. Why that?" asked Gust while enjoying his new bling.

"Alf's been hardcore-fishing these last few days." - Garami

"That's right. He's been using a fishing boat and traveled to the middle of the lake sea with several others to fish. We've not been getting any EXP out of it, since the other crew members always get the kills. And the excuses he gives when failing to do so~." - Mira

Not to defend Alf, but those other fishermen's damn impressive. 

"He'll come through. I told him yesterday about the meeting." - Garami

"Tell us that sooner!" - Mira & Gust

Yeah, yeah~.

---

Later that day, at the Union.

"Fine with me. Those dinosaurs that come along the Sahuagins are taking all the fish anyway." - Alf

And there we got Alf's consent, so off to the castle, we go~.

"Stop right there. We need to confirm our strategy first," said Mira, holding me back by pulling my hood. C-can't breathe...

"Do we even know how to navigate in that place? It is unknown territory, not to mention a large castle-town." - Noire

"*Cough, cough*, I've got that part covered already." - Garami

"You have a map of the place?" - Alf

"...Something like that." - Garami

"Why the strange pause?" - Noire 

Don't mind, don't mind~.

"Then, we are all set then? How about supplies and provisions?" - Alf

"Ordered." - Garami

"Battle-plan?" - Alf

"Noire and Garami will throw magic at the undeads from the rear, I'll take the front since those guys are weak to Light... what are you supposed to do then?" - Mira

True. At this rate, Alf's gonna end up as a living shield and nothing else.

"...If it's Skeletons, then I think I can take care of them myself.  Or, they will be better training partners for me." - Alf

Why Skeletons only? Isn't he a spear, no, a halberd user? Can't see any undead being good practice for that, especially Skellies.

...Crusher? Because his halberd is a hybrid with a Warhammer? Not a bad idea. If it lives up to its name, then...

"Alf, you're on Skeleton-duty." - Garami

They're brittle to blunt attacks after all. Now, charge!

"Stop it already!" - Mira

*Urgh*! Not again...

"Isn't there anything else we need to watch out for?" - Mira

"Like what?" - Noire

"We're planning something similar to an expedition in the hope of leveling up, right? And unlike normal expeditions, we have our Skill Point doubling-device." - Mira

How rude!

"Therefore, shouldn't we prepare eventual Sub Classes we can take?" - Mira

"I'm just waiting to reach Lv.30. Don't want Waning again." - Garami

"Oh, okay." - Mira

"I can't take any more classes." - Alf

"True..." - Mira

"......Oi, Sub Class-less miss Mira..." - Garami

"W-w-w-what about Noire then?! She's also got room for improvement!" - Mira

"So rude! I have already chosen my next class. *Hmph*." - Noire

"What in the!?" - Mira

"I only need to train [Archery] some more, then I can take it." - Noire

And the spirit knight lost her hope in the world.

"Nothing else on the agenda? Then, I've got an appointment-" - Garami

"Stop there! I won't admit being the only one on a level equal or less to that faulty angel! Spit out your plans or else!" - Mira

"What did you call me!?" - Noire

Why do I have to!?

"That's right, Mira was not part of the group when Garami revealed her plans before." - Alf

...I got a really bad feeling just now. Hey, Alf, don't say-

"She's planning on taking the Alchemy class." - Alf

Listen to what I monologue... that came out wrong, or didn't come out at all.

And my bad hunch was right on its money. Mira's staring at me with desire in her eyes. Hey, stop clinging to me! My mind says go on, but this damn body lacks any form of lust, so it's just confusing when you do so! Unfortunately so!

"Garami~. When are you planning on making gold then~?" - Mira

I knew it...

"Alchemists can't make gold, They only merge several existing materials into a new creation, not transmute stuff as in the stories." - Garami

"Eh......?" - Mira

The spirit knight who lost her trust in the world, take 2. And she took it twice as hard as the first take. I must've looked the same when I got hit with the cruel truth... just less pitiful.

"You know, there has to be something with monetary value at the castle. Don't rely on Garami for everything and try to earn your money bin." - Alf

"You heard him. So cheer up already. Take some sweets. My treat." - Garami

"*Sniff*, no thanks. Sweets are my mortal enemy." - Mira

...Oh, right. She does have [Overeating] at Lv.2. That increases your weight unless you have a method to stay firm.

"Then, a good tip: Get a skill like [Golden Ratio]. It prevents you from gaining unnecessary body fat and other stuff." - Garami

"Wait, there's such a dream-like skill out there!?" - Mira

"Sure. It also helps you gain a more desired form..." - Garami

Alright, why's the bad hunch from before back? And at a hundred-folded strength?

Right as when I decided to flee the scene, something grabbed my shoulder.

"Hey, tell me more about that, punk." - Noire

......Why does fate deny me the pleasure of the dessert buffet so much!?