Day 2
{Str +1}
{End +1}
{Int +1}
‘Whoa, what a way to wake up.’ I rubbed my eyes and looked around.
“Oh, good morning little one.” Selena was standing by the open window in the first light of predawn.
“Morning Selena. Um, I just had some things go up. Ow, son of a....” My tail got bent as I sat up, and let me tell you that hurts.
“You alright? Okay, so your stats went up huh?”
“Yeah, but why now?” I asked while trying to rub away the pain.
“Ah, skills like your unarmed go up with just a small break, but stat increases can only take effect after a good rest. Here, now that you’re up let’s go get some breakfast and I’ll explain it more.”
Thankfully the chairs in the common room accommodated my tail. What we got this time was a wonderful honey oatmeal with berries. So far I couldn’t find any faults with the food in this world. While we ate Selena explained the various stats.
∗Strength was the raw power of your muscles. If trained against monsters you could get stronger without bulking up.
∗Toughness was how effectively your mana could protect your vitals. Could only be improved by getting hurt.
∗Endurance affected how long you could exercise and prevented wear and tear. Could be improved by exercising for long periods of time.
∗Dexterity was how precisely you could move, and determined muscle speed. Could be trained by crafting things, scoring precise hits on enemies, or repeatedly sprinting.
∗Intelligence determined how quickly you could improve skills and how well you could react in battle. Is increased only by learning new things.
*Levels were simply an average of your stats plus 1% of your maximum mana. They are simply a good indication of your overall strength. Fighting monsters with a difference in level also affects how quickly your stats and skills can improve.
“That’s why I thought you were a scholar’s kid at first. It takes many years of studying to get as much int as you have.”
Well I couldn’t exactly tell her I went through twelve years of compulsory schooling could I?
“I need to go out hunting soon, but if you want me to show you around first I can.”
‘Hmm, what should I do?’ I had no money so magic lessons were out of the question. So to get said money… “Selena, could I come hunting with you?”
“I don’t think so little one. I know you took care of a goblin yesterday but the plateau is no place to go unprepared.”
“Unprepared? What else would I need?”
“Well for starters a pack for water and loot. Then some shoes and at least a minimum of armor.”
“What if I just followed behind and watched? I wouldn’t need armor then and I really have no problem being barefoot.” Mostly I just didn’t want to spend Selena’s money, but my feet really were just fine in the desert.
“Hmm, if I had tried what you are now, my mothers would have locked me in, but I’m not your mother. I suppose it might be safe enough if we stick close to town. Alright. I’ll get you a small pack to hold your own water in.”
“Yes! Thank you Selena.”
Even as I thanked her she sighed. “Now, how about telling me why you’re so eager?”
“What I really want is to learn magic, but I want to earn the money myself. Since I don’t know much about how things work, I’m pretty stuck at hunting monsters.”
“Well… okay little one. How about we take today as though it’s training for you?”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I was younger than you when I first started, though I’m sure I was bigger. Even so, you’ll need a weapon. You okay using that knife you got yesterday? It’s poor quality but at least it’s something.”
Yay! Finally I could do something exciting. I still wasn’t accustomed to my new body or the world yet, but if I was truly stuck here then by god I was going to enjoy it.
“Now, hand over your dress. I want to make a couple adjustment.”
“Huh?”
“You’re not going to hold your knife the whole time are you? So I need to reinforce your dress to hold the weight.” When I hesitated she sighed. “Alright I’ll give you my spare shirt to wear. So embarrassed about nothing.”
‘Hey, even if they’re flat they’re still breasts.’ Even so, I wasn’t exactly a washboard. I changed quickly and handed her my dress.
“So how do you want to draw it? Over your shoulder or at your waist?”
If I was going to follow through with my ‘class selection’ I would eventually be dual wielding so, “Shoulder please. And if possible enough to hold two.”
“No way. If I let you wield two at once you’ll just hurt yourself. I can always alter it again once you have enough skill.”
“Well I suppose that’s alright.” I didn’t need to rush into things. I watched as Selena pulled out a sewing kit and got to work. Using some spare cloth and goblin leather she hadn’t sold yet, she lined the inside of the dress with cris-crossing reinforcements. On the back she added buckles to connect to a holder for the knife.
Overall it was a decent job and nothing affected how the dress looked on the outside.
Afterwards we went to a shop Selena knew and sold the loot she had gotten the day before. With that money and a bit extra she bought me a smaller pack with a built-in water skin. Then with a short trip to the well in the square, we were off.
At the gate Selena only had to say “She’s with me today” for the guards to let me go. It made me wonder just how well known she was in Krale.
As we headed towards the plateau, Selena started giving me some rules. They were simple things like “If you have to run stay within eyesight” and “If I say something is dangerous, stay back or it may target you.” I was still brand new to this stuff so of course I was going to listen.
About an hour walk into the plateau we found a pair goblins turning this way and that.
“Two lessers. Their eyes are bad so we’re safe this far out, but much closer and they’ll charge. If I take one can you handle the other?”
“Sounds good. What about the pack?”
“Drop it when they spot you. I may have you train with it on at some point, but not yet. Whatever you do though, protect your chest and head. The rest can be healed later.”
Did that mean healing magic? I didn’t get time to ask though since I had to follow Selena as she headed forwards. The ugly goblins soon noticed us and came at us, yelling nonsense along the way.
Following Selena’s lead we seperated by a few meters and sure enough the goblins split up. Selena, shield at the ready, charged right at her foe while I drew my knife and waited for mine.
Seeing as how he ran with his knife over his head just like my last one, the moment he sliced down I jumped to the side. Complete miss. Then with a cut of my own I hacked into his arm.
*Aagh* *Clang* Another dropped knife. This time though, the goblin was still standing and still angry. He lunged at me with his remaining good arm but another chop ate into his hand, rendering that arm useless as well.
As stupid as a goblin is, they at least know what being outmatched means. As the goblin turned to run away I stabbed out with my knife, impaling his side. After a few seconds the goblin finally started disintegrating.
{Skill Unlocked - One Hand Blade}
“Not bad little one.” Selena had already put away her sword and shield and was walking towards me. “A bit stiff, but you went after its weapon first. That’s good.”
“Really? I actually felt clumsy doing that. Wait, what happened to yours?”
“Oh, just a quick shield bash and thrust to the throat. I already have his leather.” Indeed she was holding a small batch of dirty leather. “Looks like you got a knife again. Are you okay to go on?”
“Yes. I just unlocked the One Hand Blade skill, so I want to practice it.” It wasn’t as fun as kicking a goblin was, but if I wanted to dual wield I needed to get good enough first.
The next few hours we spent wandering and occasionally fighting a lone Lesser Goblin or two. I was slowly getting the hang of swinging my knife and I even got a few kicks in. It didn’t take long for both my unarmed and blade skills to level up once.
Sometimes I just watched Selena. She moved like a pro, wasting no effort. The one Greater Goblin we encountered was handled just like the others. Its higher level of 14 didn’t save it from decapitation. Unfortunately it only dropped the same leather all the rest did.
We continued the whole day, with only water breaks. It was mid afternoon and we were on our way back to town when Selena crouched and waved me to get down. I snuck toward her and found what she noticed.
A pack of goblins, fifteen of them. Above them, were a pair of what looked like their giant cousins. Four meters tall, they both carried huge wooden clubs and had oddly curved horns on their heads.
“Packs like this shouldn’t be this close to town. As much as I’d love the coin, this is way too much for two people.”
‘Is it worth that much? Would it be enough to repay Selena?’
“I could handle an ogre, but not all this. We’ll go around them. Stay low.”
I went to nod but I couldn’t move. At that moment a feeling of complete confidence overwhelmed me as I stood up and drew my knife.
“Taishi! Sit down! What are you doing?” Poor Selena tried pulling my arm but I kept walking, surprising both of us with my strength. “You’re going to get us both killed!" By this time an ogre had spotted me and yelled triumphantly, pointing at me with his over-sized club. Of course the rest of them all followed suit and soon they all ran at us.
“Shit. Taishi if we survive this I’m gonna hit you.”
I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. ‘Hey hey, this is not what I signed up for! What is happening? Why am I moving?’
As Selena readied herself, I found myself starting to walk faster and faster. Soon I was at a dead sprint heading for the closest ogre. As he lifted his club to swing at me I dodged under him and slashed at his leg, running past and towards the second ogre. He didn’t even react before I jumped higher than I’d thought possible and sliced open his throat, then vaulted over his shoulder towards the entirely unsuspecting goblins. One after another I cut them down with a speed I couldn’t even keep up with.
‘Stop! What the hell is happening?’
I could vaguely understand that each movement was the shortest step to kill the next target, but how the hell was I moving that fast? Step kill, step kill, step kill. Every swing or thrust of my knife hit somewhere vital. I’m sure even the dumbest goblins understood by the end they were outmatched, but by the time they started running there were only three left. Two. One.
None.
Gasping for air, I finally regained control. I looked back at the first ogre that I left hamstringed, and there Selena was with her sword in the crumbling ogre’s throat, staring wide-eyed at me. ‘Shit. She’s scared of me now isn’t she? Hell, I’m scared of me.’ But as I stood there I started to cool down, my heart rate slowed back to normal.
{One Hand Blade +1}
{Unique Skill Unlocked - Selfless Blade}
{Title Unlocked - Blood Soaked Loli}
Eventually Selena regained her senses. After picking up the ogre horns left behind, she walked up to me. She stumbled her words a bit before blurting out, “What the hell was that?!”
I could only hang my head and apologize, “I’m sorry, I don’t know.”
“How the hell do I believe that? That was faster than even I could move.” I was starting to panic that Selena wouldn’t believe me, but then she brushed back my hair. “Alright, let me wash that off first.”
‘What? Oh...’ My dress. My hair. My arms. Even my face was coated in drying blood. I half expected to throw up, but strangely I felt nothing. I couldn’t even smell it.
Only my face got clean before she went to refill her canteen. “Oh, that’s it for my water skin. We’ll need to use yours to clean up.” Unfortunately, mine was dry too. At some point a goblin must have cut my pack while I fought.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Sorry Selena.”
“Don’t be. That’s my mistake. We shouldn’t have used only one pack’s water. But, are you going to be alright walking like this? Soaked in goblin blood?”
I nodded. ‘Soaked… Wait.’ That reminded me of what I nearly dismissed earlier. “Selena, I think I might have some idea about what happened.”
“Really? That would be great, but help me loot these things while you talk.”
“Sure. Um, just after the fight I got a skill and a title.” Poor Selena just froze when I said that.
“Show me please.” I made everything public for her. “Blood Soaked Loli? Well it fits at the moment, but not really something a girl would want. Wait, a unique…“ She just froze there with a shocked look.
“Uh, Selena? You ok?” She just stared back at me. ‘Oh no, I broke her!’
Suddenly she snapped out of it and asked, “How did you get that?”
“I have no idea. I got them at the same time.”
“Forget that, what does it say. I can’t read your skill descriptions.”
‘Descriptions?’ I focused on the unique skill in my status, and sure enough the skill expanded. “Temporarily become a weapon for the sake of others, gaining enormous stat increases. Uses remaining: 1”
““...””
“Oh…”
‘So this is a cheat.’ I’d read plenty of stories of people being sent to other worlds. Sometimes they were given a special skill, but to think I could only use mine once more. Well, it’s not like I enjoyed going berserk like that anyway.
“Um, Selena. I’m sorry for going out there like that.”
“Taishi.”
“Yes? Ow!" She hit me!
“Now, we need to head back. We’re out of water so help me get this loot, alright?”
“Yes ma'am.”
We barely talked the whole way back to Krale, though I could tell Selena had a lot on her mind. When we got back to Krale, the guards started giving us scared and worried looks. Jils was on duty again and I heard a gasp when she spotted us.
“Are you okay?! What happened out there?” Jils was looking worriedly at me.
‘Oh, the blood.’ It was dry by then, but I must have looked like a mess. “Oh… Jils, don’t worry. None of it’s mine.”
Unexpectedly, that just made her eyes bulge even more. “What were you two doing out there? Bathing in it?”
“I just got a little carried away. No one got hurt. Well, not us.”
At that, Jils and the guards nearby gave Selena a nasty look. Sorry Selena.
“No I didn’t make her fight like that. She didn’t let me stop her. Over half this loot is her doing. But beyond that, could we hurry a bit? We need some water to wash her off with.”
Jils, still trying to collect herself replied, “Sure. Yeah, just touch the symbol.” We both did so as Jils recorded it. “Well, that’s enough for me. Get inside and clean up little one. God knows you need it.”
With that we entered Krale to the horrified stares of onlookers.
CHI - INTERMISSION
Hi everyone. I’m Chi! ♥
So, who am I? I’m a cleric. Well, junior cleric anyway. At 15 years old I just graduated from being a student.
Now, what’s a cleric? Well, we are the clergy, teachers and healers in a community. Most of us specialize in one or the other, but we are trained for all of it.
Me? I much prefer healing. Nothing compares to the pleasure of healing.
So imagine my shock and excitement when I saw this young girl with super long hair covered from head to toe in dried blood. Oh, the poor girl! She must need some major healing with all that on her!
I ran through the square towards her and yelled “Are you alright young lady? Do you need any healing?”
I reached her just as she got to the town well, and she just stopped and looked at me.
‘Whoa. She’s a neko!.’
“No, miss. But thank you. I just need to rinse off quick." And as she said so poured the bucket of water all over herself.
I’m telling the world right here and now. I have never seen such a seductive act as this. The water easily washed away the blood from her hair and dress. Oh, was she pretty! Long blue hair and a beautifully matching tail. And barely a chest on her.
She was smaller than me!
She was soon clean of blood, but being soaked in water just made her look so sexy and cute. I even heard a few remarks from onlookers.
“Wow, if that hadn’t been blood…” “That must be hard on her fur.” “Ugh, did she enjoy that?”
Huh? These people didn’t get it! For such a cute little thing to be so nonchalant was amazing!
But as she put the bucket back and turned back to me, my heart skipped a beat or two. ‘What a beautiful face… And those eyes…’
‘I think I’m in love…’
“See miss? Perfectly fine. I didn’t expect my dress to clean so nicely though." Then she dealt me a final blow, pulling her dress out as if to air it out. But…
I could see it!
“♥Gah!♥” I couldn’t stop myself anymore. Too much stimulation!
‘I hope I can heal her some day!’
END - INTERMISSION
I knew walking through town would be problematic, what with all that blood, but I didn’t expect a girl to faint from a nosebleed. Since Selena said she might be a cleric, she picked the girl up and carried her to the nearby church.
We had just gotten back from our long hunt and all I wanted was some grub and a bed, but I couldn’t let a girl just faint and not help. Especially not a cute one like this.
I couldn’t be sure since she wore such a heavy brown robe, but the girl was almost my size, just a bit taller and fuller than I was. With short blond hair she was pretty, in a tomboyish way.
When we got to the small church an older lady came out to greet us.
“Oh dear. Chi fainted again didn’t she? Tsk tsk,” she said while shaking her head.
“Ma’am, she had a nosebleed in the square. She’s one of your junior clerics, right?" Selena asked.
“Oh don’t worry about that one. Come on inside you two. Teaching has finished for the day so there’s plenty of room.”
With that we entered the church. Inside was one large room almost devoid of furniture. Just basic wooden chairs lined up along the walls. In the back were double doors propped open and I could see beds lined up like a sick room.
“If you could, just bring her back to a bed. She’ll be just fine after a bit of rest and some food. In fact, why don’t you stay for dinner?”
“That’s awfully nice of you Ma’am”
“Oh, not at all. I just know chi’s tastes if you know what I mean,” the woman said pointedly at Selena.
‘What? Am I missing something here?’
Selena on the other hand just smiled knowingly and replied, “We’ll be glad to stay.”
We dropped our stuff off just inside the sick room and followed the woman into a side room where other clerics were eating in a group. It was like a cafeteria for about 20 people. We grabbed our food of oatmeal and jerky and sat together, but apart from the rest.
The woman introduced herself as Julie, and we returned the curtesy. I may have been a bit antisocial in my past life, but I did know the basics. Then our calm dinner was interrupted.
“Oh, Granny! You wouldn’t believe what I saw in town just now!" Of course the little cleric had woken up and came stumbling into the dining room.
“I’m sure I can guess Chi. Go grab some food and sit down." With that, the girl practically skipped over to get the food. On her way to us she stopped and stared. At me.
“Ooh! You’re here! Oh my. Can I sit next to you? Please?”
“Um, sure…”
“Yay! I’m Chi!" Dear lord this girl had energy. Seriously, the definition of hyper.
“I’m Taishi.”
“Selena.” Again she had that knowing smile as she introduced herself.
“Taishi… Ooh, I’m so glad I got to see you again!" She said as she sat down, a little closer than normal.
‘Ah, that’s what they were getting at.’ This hyper little girl was either a lolicon or loved cats. ‘This could get dangerous.’
“Chi calm down. These two obviously just came back from a hunt and even carried you here. Let them rest a bit before talking their ears off.”
Suddenly sullen, Chi replied “Okay… Wait. Taishi, your dress is still wet.”
And it was. Well, It wasn’t dripping anymore but being indoors it wouldn’t dry that quick.
“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t notice at all. Let me dry that for you." Then Julie squinted, raised her hand, and I felt the water leaving my skin.
‘Magic! Maybe now…’
“Thank you Ma’am." I looked at Selena to see if she was thinking the same thing I was.
“Julie? We were going to come by eventually to talk about this, but I figure now’s the best time." Yes! Go Selena! “Taishi here was hoping to learn magic before long. We brought back some good loot today so I think we might afford it, so could you possibly have someone teach her?”
‘Wait, I meant for you Selena!’ I stared wide-eyed at Selena but Chi interrupted.
“Ooh! Ooh! Me me! Let me do it! Please Granny?!" Chi was literally bouncing in her seat and waving her arm.
‘Oh god she’s cute. Wait, she’s just a kid. Of course she’s cute.’
“Okay. But only if she’s fine with a junior teaching her.”
Still recovering I turned to Selena, “But, I thought…”
“Hey, I can wait. We should have enough to cover it with the ogre horns, and most of it is yours anyway.”
‘I love you Selena!’ “Well, I might as well take the offer while I can. Chi, I’ll be in your care." I said with a slight bow to her.
“Whoo! You won’t regret it!" Right as she cheered Chi hugged me.
“Hold on Chi. You can’t expect to have a guest over with your room the way it is.”
“Oh, then I’ll get my room ready tonight so you can come any time tomorrow!" She quickly let go and in mere seconds she finished her dinner. “Good night!” Barely pausing to dispense with her plate, she ran out through a back door.
“Oh my. Taishi, I think you’re gonna have a hard time with her tomorrow. Don’t let her push you too hard.”
“If it let’s me learn magic, I’ll do anything." At this, Julie and Selena shared a look. “What?”
“Just keep your clothes on. That’s all I ask little one.”
“Selena! What are you saying! There’s no way… I would…” At the direct stares of both of them I flushed hard. “Yes, Ma’am...”
On the way back to the inn, we sold the loot. Giving some thought to future plans, I asked Selena to keep enough leather to reinforce my dress to hold a second blade. She relented only when I told her it was just future-proofing.
In total, we got 68 copper. After getting back to the inn, I had Selena teach me the currency system while she sewed the second set of reinforcements onto my dress for me.
In this world, there are 6 tiers of currency. All the countries use the same weights, but each uses a different design. It starts at copper coins, then copper crowns, which are just large copper coins. Then it goes silver coins, silver crowns, gold coins, and gold crowns. Each step up is worth 10 of the previous, so this was a super easy currency to learn. One gold crown equals 100,000 copper coins. In addition, you could cut copper coins in quarters along indentations for change.
On top of this, a typical meal costs 1 copper, and a cheap room at an inn is about 5 per night. So Selena’s living expenses with me around were 10 copper per day with a light lunch and no bath.
I really needed to find an income source. I figured I could just keep hunting with Selena for a while, but she had been a little gloomy ever since that big fight. Maybe she would want to go back to hunting alone, so I can’t rely on her for everything. I hoped I could earn myself a living with magic in some way.
Well it was either that or find a way home. Hell, I still wasn’t sure if this was a game or not.
When Selena finished with my dress we went to bed. Again I was in her spare shirt which came to my knees, but she didn’t seem to mind at all.
I spent a good long while thinking about future plans before falling asleep. If I wanted to make the best of my time on this world, I needed to prepare. There was no way I was going to mooch off of Selena’s good will forever.