After a long day of hunting boars in the outskirts of the city, Kaito and his party made their way to the Adventurers' Guild to submit their quest report. The atmosphere was bustling with activity as adventurers of all kinds filled the hall, sharing tales of their exploits and exchanging information.
Kaito approached the reception desk, where a familiar receptionist greeted him with a warm smile. "Welcome back, Kaito! I hope your hunt went well?"
"It went better than expected," Kaito replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "We managed to take down quite a few."
The receptionist nodded, typing details into the ledger before looking up again. "Let's see… for your successful hunt, you've earned a reward of two silver coins." She handed over the coins, and Kaito felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him.
"Thank you!" he said, pocketing the coins.
After saying goodbye to his party, Kaito decided it was time to rest. The sun was setting, casting long shadows through the streets as he made his way to the inn. The air had grown cooler, and an unsettling feeling settled over him as darkness began to creep in.
A Room for the Night
Upon entering the inn, Kaito approached the innkeeper, a burly man with a friendly demeanor. "I'd like to take one room for the night, please," Kaito said.
"Sure thing, lad. That'll be 12 copper coins," the innkeeper replied, his voice booming yet welcoming.
Kaito nodded and handed over the coins. After paying, the innkeeper led him to his room, a small but cozy space with a simple bed and a window that overlooked the dimly lit street below.
"Dinner will be served shortly," the innkeeper informed him before leaving. Kaito thanked him and settled into the room, taking a moment to relax after the day's exertions.
A Meal and a Notification
Not long after, the innkeeper returned with a steaming plate of food. "Here you go, a hearty meal to fill your belly," he said, placing the dish on the small table.
Kaito's stomach growled in response. He dug into the food, savoring the flavors of the stew and bread. It was simple but satisfying, and he felt his fatigue begin to melt away with each bite.
Once he finished eating, Kaito felt the weight of sleep begin to pull at him. He lay back on the bed, closing his eyes, ready to drift off into a peaceful slumber. However, just as he was about to succumb to sleep, a familiar sound echoed in his mind.
System Notification: You have acquired new skills in your Skill Library.
Kaito's eyes snapped open, and he sat up, curiosity piqued. The system continued: You have gained the following skills:
Footwork (Common)
Archery (Common)
Magic Circle (One Circle)
Martial Arts (Common)
Kaito's heart raced. With the MP he had accumulated, he could withdraw one skill from the Skill Library. He quickly assessed his options, weighing the potential of each skill. After a moment of consideration, he decided on Martial Arts. It felt like a versatile skill that would enhance his combat abilities significantly.
He then dismantled the other two skills—Archery and Footwork—gaining a total of 40 skill points in the process. With a newfound determination, he turned his attention to his Swordsmanship skill, which was on the verge of leveling up.
Upgrading Swordsmanship
Kaito focused on the skill, feeling the energy within him as he allocated the 40 skill points. "Upgrade Swordsmanship to Rare Level," he commanded mentally.
System Notification: Swordsmanship upgraded to Rare Level!
A rush of satisfaction flooded through him. Kaito could feel the difference already; his movements felt sharper, and his instincts heightened. He lay back down, a sense of accomplishment warming him as he drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him in the days to come.