[Inspect: Enable the user to inspect the status of others] [Rare]
So this skill, according to this description and from what I've tested, only works on creatures, not insentient objects.
For example, when I try to inspect the three dead wolves on the ground, it doesn't show anything because they're just piles of meat now. But when I try to inspect a random bug nearby, it does show a status screen.
It doesn't work on trees and rocks and things like that, which is very unfortunate because I can't know the details of the environment around me.
But now that I've confirmed the functionality of this skill, it's time to plan my next moves.
First thing first, I want to level up. And to do that, I need to defeat a lot of animals.
The problem is, I can't even fight normally, I didn't learn any martial arts, my body is frail, and my only offensive skill is [Sharp claw], maybe you could count in [Domination] as well. The point is, I'm extremely weak.
So I'll have to rely on ambushes and traps to kill my opponents, at least until I get another proper offensive skill that would allow me to fight confrontationally or something. I still prefer traps and ambushes though.
''Hmm...'' I hum lightly, scanning the area around me.
I would like to move on immediately, but I'm not sure if there are many predators active at night or not. I need information first. Lots of information. So I can make sneak attacks. Do I go down or not...
I know that I'm a coward, but being a coward is miles better than being buried six feet underground.
Why am I even using freedom units here, I'm not even from the States-
huuuuu
Hm? What was that-
Turning around, a woman's face greets me. She has bleached white skin with long and slightly damp black hair, and an overall beautiful face, coupled with a pair of silver eyes with big dark circles under them, she looks like a sickly beauty in a drama of sorts.
'''' ... ''''
Her body whole body is slightly transparent, and she's clipping into the tree as well, don't tell me.... A ghost?!
Wait, I got seduced! What am I doing?!
I immediately activate my [Sharp claw] and slash right at her face, but my hand just goes through her head. The woman is completely unfazed.
This is bad, what do I do?!
...But she doesn't do anything to me though?
''Huuu...?'' She tilts her head.
'''' ... ''''
''Bah!'' She crumbles her face and raises her hands up.
Was that supposed to be scary...?
Anyway, [Inspect].
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Name: Ariel
Race: Banshee Title: Unsuccessful Banshee
Level: 4
HP: 13/13 MP: 10/10
STR: 1.7 INT: 3.4
AGI: 3.5 STA: 2.3
Skill: [Incorporeal state Lv.7], [Cuteness Lv.6].
State: Confused.
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An unsuccessful banshee... Does that mean that she's safe? Because she can't haunt people like normal banshees?
[Incorporeal state: Enable the user to go through solid objects] [Epic]
[Cuteness: Enable the user to appear cute and harmless] [Rare]
Yeah, she doesn't have any attacking skills either...
''A banshee?'' I ask.
''Hu.'' She... Nods?
So she does understand what I say.
''Sit here, sit here.'' I pat the spot opposite me.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
She thinks for a while and then sits down on that spot, just as I said.
''I've always wanted a ghostly friend just like you.'' I smile lightly. ''Can we be friends?''
''Huu...'' She looks down for a moment. ''Hu!'' And then nods determinedly.
I don't know why, but I'm feeling quite good about this girl.
''Nice to meet you, Ariel. I'm Aurora.'' I try to grab her hand, but as expected, I can't touch her.
''Huu...'' Ariel puts her hands on mine instead, on her face is a soft smile.
I still can't feel anything, but okay, I think I might just acquire the best scout-
[Ariel has sent you a party invitation. Accept?] [Yes] [No]
''...That would be my pleasure.'' I mutter, tapping the [Yes] button.
I didn't even know that this feature existed. Isn't there a guide to this system or anything? What sloppy work.
[Party formed. Leader: Ariel. (2/4)]
[Ariel has elected you to be the leader]
''Hm? You want me to lead you?''
''Hu.'' Ariel nods.
''Alright, let's level up together, Ariel. You'll be the scout of our party.''
''Hu, hu!''
''Okay, can you go and scan this area for me? I want to know if there's any monster nearby.''
''Hu!''
And there she goes.
I should probably make some spare spears in the meantime. They're not the best weapons by any means, as the wolf blocked my throw earlier, but it's the only range weapon I know how to make.
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''Huuu...''
''Oh, you're back?''
I put down the spear that I've been fiddling with since earlier and turn to my companion. I decided to only make two of them because I can't hold more than that with my tiny hands anyway.
''What'd you find?''
She uses her finger to write on the branch that we're on.
''G... o... b... l... Goblins?''
''Hu!'' She nods happily.
''How many?'' I ask.
She raises both of her hands and shows me her fingers.
''Nine?''
''Hu!''
''I see, is there any other animals nearby?''
''Hu.'' She shakes her head.
''Alright, let's go check them out.''
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After following Ariel for a while, I can finally see some light in the distance. It's flickering, so most likely a fire. I can hear some faint mumblings from here as well.
Anyway, I need to see their levels first.
''Ariel, you stay here for a bit.'' I whisper.
She can't help me fight anyway.
''Hu.''
Walking closer and closer to the light source, I activate [Stealth] and hide behind a relatively big tree. Peeking out, I see a scene of nine little green creatures sitting in a circle around a fire. They're happily eating away some kind of meat with their blood-soaked mouths, which is pretty disturbing.
Okay, so one of them has a bow, and another one has an old sword of sorts. I'll go for them first.
[Inspect].
[Zircon Goblin Lv.6]
[Zircon Goblin Lv.3]
[Zircon Goblin Lv.5]
Hm? I can't inspect more than three at once? And there are no stats or skills as well. Maybe I need to focus on one for the whole board to appear.
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Name: --
Race: Zircon Goblin Title: --
Level: 6
HP: 7/7 MP: 4/4
STR: 1.3 INT: 1.1
AGI: 3.6 STA: 1.9
Skill: [Archery Lv.1].
State: Normal.
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Hmm... These are all very weak opponents compared to my stats and skills, should be easy kills.
I refresh my [Stealth] and begin to move. The first targets are the two goblins with weapons. I move very carefully behind the trees until I'm right behind the goblin with the bow. I raise my right hand with one of the two spears, and then-
SWISH
Headshot. The lifeless body of the creature falls with a thud, startling the others.
[You have defeated a Lv.6 Zircon Goblin]
''Kekek!'' One of them shouts.
While they're panicking, I toss the remaining spear on my left hand to my right hand, and then once more-
SWISH
Goblin with the sword, down.
[You have defeated a Lv.5 Zircon Goblin]
I immediately jump out of the bushes and activate [Sharp claw], the now familiar power surging up my hands. Coming up behind an unsuspecting goblin, I form my hands into swords and slash through its neck.
My hand slides nicely through the tiny neck, much like a sword slicing through a fruit, leaving a faint golden trail behind. This cosmetic effect was added after the skill reached level 3. I'm not sure why either.
[You have defeated a Lv.5 Zircon Goblin]
thud
The severed head falls to the ground as the goblins watch in horror.
Let's add more fun. [Domination].
The remaining six goblins immediately freeze.
Sorry, little fellows. I need to get stronger.
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[You have defeated a Lv.3 Zircon Goblin]
[You have defeated a Lv.4 Zircon Goblin]
[You have defeated a Lv.4 Zircon Goblin]
''Hah...''
[Proficiency achieved a certain level]
[Being: Aurora Lv.5 has become Lv.6]
[1 skill point acquired]
Alright, let's take my loot first. Ugh, the sword is almost broken, it's super rusty. But I'll take it anyway. The bow is in pretty good condition though, I'm sure they stole it from someone else because there's a quiver here as well.
There are five arrows in total, and the quiver even has a strap, nice.
''...''
I could probably take their underwear and use them to cover myself... But I refuse. I'd rather be naked than wear them. I can't stand their smell.
I think that's all.
''Huu!'' Ariel suddenly flies out of the bushes toward me, pointing aggressively in one direction.
''What's wrong?'' I immediately assume a fighting stance.
WHOOSH
''!!''
In the blink of an eye, something really big flies past me. No, it flew straight at me, I just barely avoided it.
gulp
GRRRR
Turning around, I can see the back of a somewhat slender, brown, and furry creature. It slowly turns toward me, its slightly open mouth revealing two rows of sharp teeth.
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Name: --
Race: Sonic Bear Title: --
Level: 9
HP: 34/34 MP: 12/12
STR: 3.5 INT: 3.5
AGI: 4.6 STA: 4.1
Skill: [Dash Lv.4], [Acceleration Lv3],
[Sharp claw Lv.2].
State: Hungry.
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I really don't like this.