Chapter 9 – Old Castle of Evil Spirits

After receiving the request, Kelvin left the guild and went towards the store in order to get new weapons and armor.

As he had saved up a few funds from doing Rank E requests as is, it ended up this way. He wanted to keep his promise to Angie-san.

He sold the wood rod and instead got a new green wand. The same happened to his old armor, he replaced his travelers equipment with a magic robe.

His new wand had a good affinity with green magic, so he anticipated to receive a magic boost from it.

“For the time being I am paying attention to the three guys with [Presence Perception]. But it’s strange that they didn’t start it inside the town.” (Kelvin)

『Because there are too many risks involved, you know. I think they will try to attack us in the dungeon.』 (Merufina)

[Presence Perception] is a skill that lets me vaguely feel the presence of living things in my direct surroundings.

However, if you have once identified and remembered someone’s signature, it became also possible to track their whereabouts and be aware of their situation, if you paid attention to it.

Acquiring this skill is a good countermeasure against [Spy]. It was an unexpected gain.

I had been aware of the fact that his comrades were in the adventurer’s bar beforehand.

After all I had checked the statuses of every adventurer in there using my [Eyes of Identification] in advance.

In the case it was a dangerous person I remembered their status and face in order to work out a plan for countermeasures if necessary.

Among those there were some especially dangerous individuals. Those guys were Gimul and Raji, who drank sake everyday in the bar.

Both, their levels and statuses, were far superior to the other adventurers.

And, the deciding factor was that both had the same kind of title as in Cashel’s case.

Gimul’s was Villain and Raji’s was Multicide.1

Because those two were everyday sitting together gulping down sake, I was looking out for them even if it was something unpleasant to do.

『Incidentally, when Cashel came calling out to us, those two were the quickest to notice it.』 (Merufina)

“Ah, especially Gimul, because he has Grade C [Eyes of Identification]. It’s a good thing that I raised [Hide] early on.” (Kelvin)

At the time I finished the request on the first day, I was quite intent on obtaining that skill.

If I had been just a bit slower, it might have lead to a serious disadvantage now.

However, I didn’t expect another guy who had [Eyes of Identification] besides me to join in either.

It was a riddle why he had stayed idle without saying anything.

Even if he had such a title, wouldn’t it have been in vain to try having him arrested unless he was caught red-handed?

“Looking at the extent of their statuses, it feels like Raji is a combat professional while Gimul’s duty is to supports with reconnaissance.”(Kelvin)

Gimul – 19 years old – Human – Thief

Level: 27

Title: Villain

HP: 92/92

MP: 36/36

STR: 84

STA: 81

AGI: 132

MATK: 30

LUK: 29

Skills:

Throwing (Grade E)

Eyes of Identification (Grade C)

Hide Detection (Grade C)

Skill points: 6

Raji – 33 years old – Human – Berserker

Level: 36

Title: Multicide

HP: 370/370

MP: 0/0

STR: 230 <+40>

STA: 169 <+40>

AGI: 37

MATK: 37

LUK: 51

Skills:

Martial Arts (Grade C)

Herculean Strength (Grade D)

Iron Wall (Grade D)

Natural Recovery (Grade F)

Skill points: 2

I see … at any rate, let’s head towards the Old Castle of Evil Spirits.

It seems those three won’t take any action until I start to make my move.

It’s not a situation where waiting for a long time will resolve it with a victory.

Traveling north across the forest where I woke up for the first time in this world, the Old Castle of Evil Spirits was a short walk ahead following an animal trail.

Just a little while ago this Rank D dungeon was an activity point for adventurers who had the necessary skills. Since the Black Soulknight appeared its popularity disappeared over night.

For that reason, I am the only person at this dungeon right now.

It seems Cashel’s party was still traveling within the forest.

“Be that as it may, not a single monster with the undead attribute came out …” (Kelvin)

I complain while using [Wind] to fly up.

『Isn’t that an attribute you are weak against, Master?』 (Merufina)

“I don’t like to look at those things.” (Kelvin)

In this dungeon there were many monsters such as zombies and spirits. Their typical appearance wasn’t very good to look at.

Mainly it was a matter of emotions though.

It’s not as bad that I am trembling, but disgusting things remain disgusting.

Maa, as I advance I will get used to this feeling, too, and it will fade away.

Because I am also able to destroy them by myself, Clotho’s turn hasn’t come up yet.

Currently it was on standby within me.

Incidentally, after defeating several tens of zombies, I arrived before a huge door.

“… I don’t want to enter.” (Kelvin)

I felt a powerful presence behind that huge door in front of me.

“Cashel’s party … did they enter this dungeon just now? If they follow the path where I just cleared all monsters, they will arrive here in about 5 minutes.” (Kelvin)

『Their strategy is to attack Master in a pincer attack while Master is fighting the Black Soulknight?』 (Merufina)

Surveying the vicinity a bit, Kelvin pondered.

In front of the huge door there was a medium-sized room. Behind him there was nothing but the passageway he used to arrive here.

“Alright, let’s begin the preliminary arrangements.” (Kelvin)