"SERIOUSLY DIEEEEE!!" - Revi

"STOP HER, ANYONEEEEE!!" - Gust

The Dragonoid and Raven Goblin are happily playing tag... but [Rot Attack]'s no good. The staff Revi's holding is crackling with scary-looking black sparks. Eh, no problem.

"GOTCHA... my staff!" - Revi

"S-saved..." - Gust

The newly bought magician's staff had already been reduced to dust, almost as if a few hundred years had taken its toll on the thing. Scary stuff, [Rot Attack].

"Revi, don't use that unless things get desperate. Especially when you're not fit for the front line." - Garami

"Okay!" - Revi

"...Rather, what went wrong with you there?" - Garami

"With what?" - Revi

"With the whole 'DIEEEE'-part." - Garami

"Eh? I didn't say anything like that?" - Revi

...Seriously?

"...I think the culprit's a Deadly Sin." - Iron

"What a coincidence. I thought so too." - Garami

"Hmm? Sin?" - Revi

"*Wheeze, wheeze*, w-what are you talking a-about?" - Gust

"You see, Revi here's got [Envy]-" - Garami

"Wait, don't say anymore. I get the situation." - Gust

Wow, instant comprehension. 

Aside from that, did the many hundred years all alone with that skill give Revi a split personality?

...Revi needs [Heretic Resistance], since seven hundred years ago.

"This may be out of the blue, but why is Revi so attached to Garami?" - Iron

Oh yeah. It was only when I told her too that she snapped out of her murderer spree.

"Why? Well, Garami helped me turn 'human', she listened to my story, forgave me for trying to steal her precious book, she's a beauty, and just incredible!" - Revi

Aw, shucks...

"And she's also funny, like how she fled with her tail between her legs in the video that mustached old man showed me. The one that showed the defensive fight with those undeads attacking the Safe Area you were in. Kya~! Garami was so cute~! Eh, I said that as a compliment. So, Garami, can you please stop coming closer to me like that? No? Then can you please stop grabbing my head with one arm? P-please weaken your grip! My, my head's making some sounds it's not supposed to do! Please, stop, please, please, PLEASE-*Crack*-Gueh!" - Revi

---

One [Heretic Resistance] training session later.

Phew, that's gotta do for today. 

After giving Revi some much-needed punishment, we once again started with the confirmation of the new skills.

"Iron's [Iron Chain] is easy to understand." - Garami

"Creating chains of iron to lock people in place is an unexpected, but it's a great ability for someone working as a tank." - Gust

And it uses MP, which Iron doesn't normally need, so it's a wonderful fit for him. Even if the name hadn't matched.

"Still, is it alright not to check the rest of Revi's skills?" - Gust

"Can do that another day. She needs time to get used to [Parallel Thinking] and [Concentration]." - Garami

Those two will lead to [Parallel Processing] and [Thought Acceleration] after they evolve, which will be useful for a magician like her. It may also help with that split-personality problem, according to Gust, but I'm still in doubt...

"Good thing you had [Enfeeblement Magic]. Spells that deal no damage but can still be used for gaining proficiency with Resistance Skills are rare normally." - Gust

True that. I'm not the kind to spend MP on spells over skills, but for training purposes, there's nothing better.

"And what about that dragon skill?" - Garami

"You mean Power?" - Gust

"No, not that." - Garami

"Scales?" - Iron

"I already know it's a defensive- and anti-magic skill." - Garami

"Then, Breath?" - Gust

"Are you two joking with me?" - Garami

"A little." - Gust and Iron

Damn, faulty minds think alike.

"As for [Dragon's Dignity], I would say it is extremely similar to your own [Golden Ratio]. The difference is that Revi's skill increases her charisma, while yours work on charm." - Gust

That's a subtle, yet understandable difference.

"And [Life Aura] is a recovery variant of my own [Aura of Darkness]... what about [Nature Magic]?" - Garami

It's one of the skills Revi got from her class, and to be honest, it sounds like one of the most awesome Magic Skills I've heard about.

"That one. It's a collection of magic spells where one manipulates the nature around you. But it's impossible to affect anything already affected by some other powers. And you can at most control a normal tree with the highest-leveled spell. Due to this, and Fairy-type creatures normally being born with it, some people refer to it as the mischief of fairies." - Gust

That's all? Where are the earthquakes and tsunamis?

"Tch. Then, what about Iron's stuff? There's that [Energy Drain]-thing? Can you use it?" - Garami

Iron looked at his hands for a moment, which shined in a pale-grey light for a moment, before silently nodding.

"[Energy Drain] is a skill that lets you sap the health, mana, or even stamina from the target. The problem is that it can only drain one of those three at a time, and only one target at a time that you have to be in physical contact for it to work." - Gust

"What? That's lame... not you, Iron! You're awesome, so cheer up!" - Garami

Damn, when this guy finally started to cheer up...

"Then what about those Monster Skills?" - Garami

"[Phantasm Body] lets Iron turn his metal body into that of a ghost. Combined with [Daywalker], it will allow him to escape any situation for a small amount of time, not that different from a vampire's mist transformation." - Gust

Oh?! Iron started to shine with self-confidence.

"As for [Spectral Weapon], it lets Iron's weapon turn into literal ghost-busters, meaning it becomes possible to harm ghosts and the like with them. It's a skill that surpasses Garami's [Soul Chase] when it comes to ghost-hunting." - Gust

"See, Iron? You're better than-wait!! Why's Iron better than me!?" - Garami

"Because that's what the skills do. And despite its name, [Soul Chase] is harming aether, so it works on more fields than just for ghost-hunting. Besides, your [Dark Drain] is in a reversed situation, as it can only drain MP, but it can be done against several targets. And since it's got an attribute, the Darkness attribute, all your other skills will increase the effect of the siphoning as well." - Gust

Hmm, if you say it like that, then I guess it's alright...?

"Rather, that skill of yours is even crazier!" - Gust

That? He can't be talking about [Darklight Eye]. It only lets you see stuff without caring about the light source, be it a lack of them or vice versa. And not [Demonic Alteration (Humanoid)]. It's just a fancier transformation skill... one I think I'll be enjoying using later. Gue-he-he-he~...

"Ah, you talk about [Misdirection]? That one's amazing alright-" - Garami

"Not that one! But... it is a perfect fit for you, I admit that..." - Gust

Right? A skill that forcefully reduces the accuracy of the opponent's something else.

"Not that! I was referring to [Assassin's Order]!" - Gust

Huh? He's got info about what that does? I mean, even the Identification result's unclear for once:

See? And when did the World System turn into a chuunibyou?

"Come on, ain't it obvious!?" - Gust

"Don't snap at me. And why do you get it then?" - Garami

"The old man back at the Library Tower had the magician-variant-*PUNCH!*-urgh-!?" - Gust

"How'm I supposed to know then!? Stop acting like some bigshot and start talking!" - Garami

"F-fine... old man Alberloft has something called [Wizard's Order]. Everyone he's leading, but only those with magician-line classes, will get a bonus to their status, and the skills related to those classes will get a cost-reduction based on the skill's level." - Gust

That's impressive. The Royalty-skills does something like that as well, but the cost-reduction is a new one.

"Also, there was something about the status increase becoming greater for each class of that line. But Sub Classes is only worth a fifth of what a Main Class gives." - Gust

As expected of Gust. He knows where to follow up.

"So, mine's an Assassin-limited version of that?" - Garami

"No, it is a Scout-line-limited one. There are three different Order-skills, with [Warrior's Order] to support warrior-line classes, and the two we just talked about. There's none for Artisan- and Special-classes." - Gust

I see. Then, for each scout-line class...

"Iron! Wake up Revi and let's go!" - Garami

"Yes, ma'am." - Iron

"Wait, where are we going?" - Gust

"We're going on a Vampire- and Angel Hunt!" - Garami

---

"To summarize, you want to gather all members of your group in the hope of convincing them to take a scout-line class, was it?" - Gust

"Exactly," I answered while walking through the area with the highest probability of Alf appearing: the harbor. Loads of fishermen were showing and selling the catch of the day, the smell of freshwater fish being covering the whole area.

"Garami~... The sun's too strooooong..." - Revi

Among us three sun-haters, it seems like Revi's the one not handling the sun too well. Probably just not used to it yet. As for me... it's still a damn ball of death rays to me. Must not be used to it yet.

Iron on the other hand's completely fine. His problem is that all the children nearby want to climb on him. Are knights popular with kids?

Still, this place's bigger than I expected... gotta go with that plan then.

I started creating a few Skeleton Wolves. The same kind the undead goblins had ridden while chasing me when I chased the doppelganger thief.

Oh? What timing! It was smart of me to make undeads all the while when we traveled back to the hideout through the tunnel. Even so, I need to get [Necromantic Rites] to Lv.50 before I can even think about evolving the class. Tch.

Anyway, go doggo, go! Find that cold-hearted bastard!

The Wolves ran through the stands and past the fishermen, giving them a small scare before disappearing. Let's get a drink in the shadow while we're waiting for the doggos coming back. I'm feeling like a-!?

"What's up?" - Gust

"...They've already found him." - Garami

What the heck, can't that guy even give us a break? I followed the signal the doggos were giving and arrived at a... large gathering of people. *Shiver*. Luckily, the doggos made them take quite the distance and opened a wide path for us. Great work, doggo! If it hadn't been cannibalism, I would have given you a big bone!

*Sniff, sniff*, or maybe I can ask for the guys who burned their barbeque to share some of the burned food? No, that would be Skeleton abuse.

At the end of the Moses-like path of people, we encountered...... what is this? A mummy? Dried squid?

"W-w-water..." - Alf

It's Alf!?

---

"I thought I was going to die there... waitress! One more bottle of water!" - Alf

After we dragged Alf away and into the restaurant nearby on a large table outside in the shadow, we filled him with enough water to turn him into a water balloon before he looked like a member of the living again. Kinda.

After turning into a vampire, Alf's complexion has turned for the worst. He looks unhealthy pale. His black hair's gotten a touch of dark grey, and his eyes have turned matte ice-blue. Wait, shouldn't that be blood-red in times like this!?

Overall, he's turned kinda handsome... not. It feels more like a geek that's cosplaying a vampire or something in that direction. It's uncool, and even more so thanks to the dull clothes he's using in his free time. He's not dressed for someone with two Blessings... wait, TWO!? When did he get those!? Rather, I think I never looked over there when I ever Identified him. Oops? Better late than never.

"...Alf. Do you know anyone, or anything, named Glauroks?" - Garami

"Sure I do. He is the patron god of our hometown and a god of fishing. I always prayed to him during my... difficult period. How did you know about his name." - Alf

"No reason." - Garami

So that's why. Apologizing for your superior, I get it...

L-let's ignore that and focus on something different. Like how Alf ended up like a dried-out piece of barbeque meat...

"[Daywalker] only helps against negative skill- and trait effects. If your species is naturally weak to the sun, then it can't help you with that. And Alf here went from a body that can handle the sun nicely to one that takes both damage and dehydration just with one ray of sunlight." - Gust

As expected of Gust. He knows what I wanna know before I even ask.

"So, Alf needs tons of layers with sunscreen now?" - Garami

"More like a ten-meter thick parasol." - Gust

"A coffin~." - Revi

"Stop making fun of me!" - Alf

"Just be glad you got [Daywalker] from us crushing that castle." - Garami

"What are you talking about? I obtained 3 Skill Points from that 'Liberation'-title." - Alf

Eh, really? That explains why he had so many Points... and Mira too. Did only those who required the skill at that time obtain it? Man, 3 times 2 which equals 6 Skill Points is too sweet! I'm getting jealous. 

"Anyway, why are all of you here?" - Alf

"That is..." - Iron

Iron started to explain the situation to Alf while the rest of us kept on making fun-, *cough*, seriously discussing poor Alf's sun intolerance.

"Then, you wanted to discuss whether or not to take Scout-line classes?" - Alf

"Pretty much." - Garami

"What's your thoughts?" - Alf

"A bad idea." - Garami

I mean, having Iron taking Scout classes is stupid enough to win a reward. Revi... has potential, but only thanks to [Envy], and that's not problem-free either. As for Mira... she'll probably try to sneak herself to the casino then get caught cheating in the games there. Too worrisome. And the fallen angel ain't got the personality to be stealthy either.

"Therefore, I wanted your opinion," I asked Alf, after explaining my reasons for not including those four in the "Assassin's order".

"It's a fair evaluation. Iron don't need any tricks with his sturdiness." - Alf

The moving armor nodded in affirmative to Alf's words.

"And how about a class like Harvester for Revi here?" - Alf

"'Harvester'?" - Revi

"A class specializing in gathering materials from trees and flora... ah! That's a Scout class!" - Gust

You gotta be-! 

"Hmm... but it sounds like a pain to collect it by hand~." - Revi

"Well, it's just a suggestion. As for Mira, despite her reputation, she is pretty much straight. A Scout class or two won't-" - Alf

"She's True Chaos like me. From before we met her even." - Garami

"...Suddenly, I lost all my confidence." - Alf

"Me too." - Gust

"Completely affirmative." - Iron

"Hearing she's the same as Garami nailed it." - Revi

Yes, yes, that she is the same as me-OIIII!

"About Noire..." - Alf

"Impossible." - All five

That's true... don't try to dodge the subject!

*Rumble, rumble, rumble*

"Iik!" - Revi

"Another earthquake?" - Gust

"There's been a lot of them lately." - Alf

*RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE!*

Geh, it's getting stronger!? People around started to panic, but luckily, none of the buildings started to collapse. 

While I tried to keep myself from falling around, I saw that large parts of the lake had started to boil. Then, the boiling water exploded into a waterspout, or maybe a geyser? Anyway, large amounts of water reached for the sky, and after it subsided, large areas of land had appeared where the waterspout had been.

The quake ended along with the spout, so I ran over to the shore to confirm what it was. A large patch of rock had almost been connected with the harbor, just a few 5 meters short from actually doing so. Is this...

"Garami! What's going on!?" - Gust

"...Gust. Are there some volcanos in this region?" - Garami

"I think Iron Isle was the home for one. How so... oh," said Gust, noticing that the "path" was made of volcanic rocks. I've never seen one for real, but I can recognize the ones I've seen in a book in my previous life.

"WHAT?!" 

It wasn't just me and Gust, but everyone nearby shouted that, if not everyone in the whole region.

War Quest? Can't I have even one day free from battles and killings?!