Well, he could do other things that weren't as dangerous, but it would take more time. Not to mention how Ackster wanted the challenge. How else was he supposed to grow? So, after sleeping a few hours, enough to make him feel refreshed and clear-headed, Ackster left his room.
It was nice to sleep on a bed after several weeks in the wild, but it was too relaxed of an environment, even if he pretended it was training for claustrophobia. The fact that he could sense other presences, some significantly stronger than him, move around outside did help. But he could tell that he was safe.
It wasn't good enough.
Ackster either wanted luxury and complete rest that would let him recover from his training – after all, rest is an integral part of growth – or no safety and comfort at all. Half-measures wouldn't do him any good.
It was early morning when Ackster left his room. The sun hadn't even begun to show the top of its forehead yet. And it would probably take an hour or two until it did.
However, Acskter wasn't the only adventurer up and about, ready to start hunting monsters.
'Adventurers… Advent… Ant… Seems fitting.'
The sight of adventures milling about both now and yesterday made it seem like adventurers were constantly working, like worker ants in an ant colony. Of course, the adventurers now were different from those last night, but it was whatever
At least there weren't as many now as yesterday. And Ackster quickly found an available desk where he could hopefully get some information on possible candidates for his training and growth. He would have almost liked it if Wilma was working since she seemed capable enough to get him the information he wanted and be quick about it.
Before he went over, he hoped that the guy at the open desk would be the same, that Wilma was the standard for the place. Unfortunately, that wasn't so.
It took a little work, but the guy still eventually gave Ackster a list of known monsters and beasts in the nearby area that should be around the danger level he had requested. There was general information about types of monsters who thrived in certain areas and information about specific individual monsters that were causing trouble for the folk.
Ackster quickly found a target that was suitable for him at the moment.
Before he went to sleep, Ackster had analyzed his weakness and possible shortcomings as best as he could. He wasn't sure how he did overall, but he had identified a few problems.
Ackster's experience with fighting was pretty uniform and one-sided.
He had tried to push himself while he trekked toward Lill and after leaving Degrest. He had almost died several times, which was why he already had almost all of his skills at E. However, his victories mostly relied on cheap tricks.
He ambushed, targeted weak points, or found and used poison. He also used weapons to overwhelm and suppress his targets without giving them a fighting chance and then relied on his Strong Body to handle any consequences.
Since it helped him gain a defensive skill and slightly improve his Strong Body skill, it was a viable method. It was also a decent fighting strategy, considering he didn't know how to fight.
But cheap tricks didn't work on strong opponents, especially ones who surpassed him greatly in any one area. He didn't know how to deal with enemies that didn't have weaknesses.
Considering Ackster's grand plan contained a lot of enemies and encounters like that, it wasn't a good combat method. He would have to find a way to fight people that worked no matter what opponent it was.
It would almost come naturally with the Sea God's Manual since mana training manuals at that level almost always came with ways to use that mana in the most optimal and suitable way.
The Hero's Blessed World manual showed The Hero how to use his mana both for swordplay and magic. Regardless of what the Sea God Manual was better suited for weapons or magic, Ackster was sure that it would contain something similar.
However, he would be a fool if he placed all his eggs in one basket.
There were a thousand things that could go wrong with the Sea God Manual plan before he even got there. Even if he arrived there successfully and got his hands on the manual, there was no guarantee that it would suit him or that he would be talented enough at mana to use it.
It was still his best bet, especially when compared to the Ocean Unison Manual and the mermaids, so Ackster was still going for it after securing Karandiel. But he had to have preparations and backup plans in case things went awry.
And for that, he had to learn how to fight in such a way that no matter the opponent and their weakness, he would still triumph.
To that end, Ackster had chosen a walking tank as his target for training and to break through the first wall of growth. The fact that it had a juicy bounty that would let him buy clothes, information, and a soft bed was also a plus.
After getting the information he needed from the guild receptionist, Ackster left the Guild's branch office and headed out of town.
This early, most of the others on the streets were adventurers either coming back from or going on an adventure.
Still, Ackster expected some trouble at the gates.
"Uh, you're Dean, right?"
"Yeah?"
"Jim and the captain told us about you. You're good to go."
But, contrary to his expectations, the guards waved him through. Being friendly with Jim had apparently helped quite a bit. Ackster made a mental note not to be overly antagonistic should he encounter similar situations in the future.
The ease with which he passed through the gate wasn't something he could miss out on. And if he were going to stay in Ilto a little while to get stronger and look for Karandiel, going through the gate so quickly the guards didn't even notice the color of his eyes was something he would appreciate.