Chapter 12: Skill Level Ten

Original: Chapter 12: Skill Level 10

I spent about a week doing nothing but making potions.

I’d find Slimes and stomp on them, find Medicinal Herbs and pull them up. Then every 30 minutes, I’d use 〈Potion Create〉 to make a potion. Just repeating that over and over.

I’d already gotten used to this routine, and I’d started to feel like the waiting time for potion creation was a huge waste.

“Ugh!”

I let my guard down for a second, and a Slime jumped at my face. And it stuck there. The sensation was disgusting.

I frantically pulled the Slime off and peeled it away.

“They exist, you know. Once in a while… Slimes that counterattack…”

Well, their killing intent is weak. Even if they body-slam my face, it doesn’t really hurt, and they’re easy to peel off. So there’s no risk of suffocation or anything scary.

I stomped on the peeled-off Slime and collected the Mana Gemstone that came out.

“That makes six each of Medicinal Herbs and Mana Gemstones in stock.”

Maybe I’m done for today. I’ve even gotten materials for tomorrow.

If I have time, I should probably do Quests, but, well… I got seriously injured during that Fire Ant Subjugation Quest. I absolutely don’t want to do any Quests until my Level goes up a bit more. Even easy ones.

I wish I could make potions anytime as long as I have materials. It’s just that 〈Potion Create〉 takes a whole 30 minutes per use… With six sets, that’s 180 minutes.

“So tedious…”

Considering the time to sell them too, it’s way more than just 180 minutes.

“I wish I could at least use my smartphone.”

Dungeons don’t get signal, you see. So killing time with my smartphone is impossible.

“What should I do…”

Just staring blankly at the dungeon dirt, spending time waiting endlessly for potions to finish is way too boring.

“Maybe I should just bite the bullet and do a Quest…”

I think if I look for one that seems easy, there might be something even I can do.

Ah, a Message Window appeared. Looks like one potion finished.

“It should be about time for a Level Up, though.”

I focused on Status to display the window.

Then text appeared announcing the Level Up.

“That makes Level 17. The Skill Points I got will of course be used to level up 〈Potion Create〉—”

〈Potion Create〉’s Skill Level reached 10.

Will the Recovery Amount per potion increase again? Wait, huh, there was a different explanation.

‘Simultaneous Creation Count for Potions has become 2.’

I tilted my head. So the Acquisition Bonus for 〈Potion Create〉 Skill Level 10 isn’t Recovery Amount Up?

“Simultaneous Creation Count Up? Meaning, I can now make 2 potions simultaneously with 〈Potion Create〉? Is that even possible?”

Thump. My heart raced. Isn’t that something amazing?

I hurried back to the Plaza.

Around this time, Miss Rilril should be setting up her street stall. Ah, there she is. Suppressing my excitement, I headed toward Miss Rilril.

She seemed to have just finished dealing with a customer. Miss Rilril noticed me and gave me a bright, beaming smile.

“Miss Sayuki, hello!”

“Hello, Miss Rilril. Um…”

“Huh? Is something wrong? You seem quite excited—”

I might indeed be leaning forward. But I just really, really want to ask.

“My 〈Potion Create〉 reached Skill Level 10.”

“Wow, congratulations!”

“And then, it seems something called Simultaneous Creation Count increased. So that means from now on, I can make potions two at a time, right?”

Miss Rilril’s eyes sparkled.

“Ooh, you’ve finally reached that stage! As expected of Miss Sayuki! You are absolutely correct. From now on, you’ll be able to make two potions simultaneously. That means your potion production efficiency will increase dramatically.”

So it is true. I feel like my happiness is about to explode.

“Potions sell out of my inventory immediately, so I’m very happy about this too. However—”

“Is there something I should be careful about?”

“Yes. You will need one more Empty Bottle.”

“Ah, right. Without an Empty Bottle, you can’t put the potion in.”

“Exactly. Do you know how to obtain them?”

“No. Can you buy them?”

“You can purchase them, but I don’t recommend it. They are rarely put up for sale, and even if you’re lucky enough to find one, the price is exorbitant, like 10 million Pon or something.”

“T-ten million!”

“They’re precious. Empty Bottles are things the Dungeon God makes. Also, there are restrictions to prevent Earthlings from buying and selling them among themselves. They are truly rare and valuable items.”

I didn’t know they were that important. If they’re made by a god, I should handle them carefully.

“But if I can’t buy one, then how do I get an Empty Bottle…”

“That’s where Quests come in.”

Ugh. So it comes to that. I guess my displeased expression showed.

“It’s okay. At your current Level, Miss Sayuki, you can Clear it easily.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s a Quest other Earthlings Clear easily too.”

If I conquer the same Quest as everyone else, I can get one Empty Bottle. In that case—

“I guess I just have to do it.”

“Indeed. Go for it, Miss Sayuki. I’m rooting for you.”

And so, I decided to take on the Quest to get an Empty Bottle.

Just thinking that if I conquer it, my potion-making pace will double makes me unbearably happy already.

Status

■ Level 17

・ HP 55

・ Attack 18

Defense 19

・ Agility 25

・ Magic 17

・ Technique 40

■ Skills

〈Potion Create〉 Level 10