Chapter 83

I don’t know how the day passed.

After almost making up my mind and firmly resolving, I suddenly found myself lying in bed.

Suri, who finished the day, came up to me and gave me a cheek kiss.

It was just a light touch of beaks, but that warm feeling was fully conveyed.

With a heartwarming feeling, I slowly drift off to sleep.

[Intermediate Magic Level 1 Achieved! Choose your Intermediate Achievement Effect!]

[1. 50% Increase in Single System Growth Rate]

[2. 12% Increase in All Systems Growth Rate]

Out of nowhere, magic growth pops up.

Not only that, but all my skills have leveled up significantly.

From cooking to logging, mining, farming, and combat – everything has grown.

Why did this happen? As I trace back my memories, I suddenly remember the Shadow Relic.

The phrase about acquiring part of memory and experience.

This must be how it’s implemented – acquiring “part” of it.

I gained memories in the form of dreams, and experience in the form of level-ups.

Thanks to this, I’ve reached intermediate magic level, entering practical territory.

Since both options are obtainable eventually, I casually select 1, bringing up a list of systems to choose from.

[Alchemy, Necromancy, Puppetry, Summoning, Dimension, Space-Time, Elements…]

“What is there so many?”

I didn’t realize magic was this diverse.

In the past, I would have chosen necromancy for farming labor, but now I can’t do that with people half-living together at home.

Without much thought or deliberation, I choose Alchemy.

It’ll be useful for equipment crafting when my alchemy proficiency improves.

Since Ether Ingots are materials unlocked through alchemy…

After level 85, alchemy is essential for creating high-tier equipment.

Though I don’t need that tier of equipment right now, it’s good to prepare early.

Intermediate-level magic.

This is where you truly start being able to use magic effectively.

Shadow Relic.

It feels strange knowing it’s made from someone’s experience that I killed.

But since I’ve obtained it, I resolve to use it wisely.

Calculating, I thought I’d reach intermediate level around winter, but it happened in autumn.

Receiving unexpected rewards makes me feel good.

Thinking about constantly buying Ether Iron Ingots while spending 75,000 gold regularly, then realizing I don’t have to anymore feels great.

The fixed costs for Warp Device creation have drastically reduced.

This is the efficiency gained from personal growth.

Of course, it’s thanks to the Shadow Relic’s experience.

I check the system to see if anything has changed with reaching intermediate magic.

As usual.

[New! Optional Choice!]

[1. Continue living in Starwind Valley.]

[2. Go back by viewing the ending.]

Something new appeared.

I was figuring out how to solve the issue, but didn’t expect the system to present choices like this.

Still,

There’s hesitation in making that choice, so I put it on hold.

Though I might decide soon, not now.

Farming at Advanced Level 5.

All other skills at Advanced Level 3.

Confirming everyone’s gone up 2 levels, I slowly let my consciousness fade.

Following the lowering eyelids, awareness dims as well.

“Hmm.”

The pain coming from reaching intermediate level and various skill ups.

It arrives as a very mild heat sensation.

Compared to the extreme growing pains I felt before, they’re completely gone.

During summer, it feels like an extremely mild cold symptom briefly passes through me.

That’s all.

The painkillers I was holding in my bag just in case weren’t needed.

Is this the result of physical tolerance and endurance gained from growth?

A very satisfying outcome.

“Pip!”

“Yeah, Suri.”

Suri is gradually getting bigger too.

Its personality is really showing now.

The feathers on its eyebrows form sharp eyes, giving off a dignified impression.

It was always like a baby before, but seeing its growth over time brings a smile.

For some reason, the past week has been eventful.

I miss peacefully leveling up skills and focusing entirely on one task.

Today, there’s work to be done.

Checking magic.

Knowledge wells up.

Experience arises.

Upon reaching intermediate level, knowledge from various systems floods in.

If I had reached intermediate magic during spring or early summer, I probably would have been rolling on the ground in agony with a splitting headache.

That’s how much information rushes in.

Now, I can handle it smoothly, calmly accepting the knowledge and experience.

Summoning spirits, placing Suri on them,

Standing in front of the crafting table, I enjoy the autumn dawn for a moment.

The process of leaves changing color is splendid.

A season of vibrant colors.

After admiring the view for a bit, I look back at the crafting table.

Ether Ingot unlocking.

Various magic equipment, potions, materials unlock all at once.

Scrolling through the list of magic spells, I carefully consider what work to do.

Ultimately, I conclude mining is the most efficient.

There wasn’t anything related to farming, and while combat was quite useful, mining provides the best efficiency.

Probably because the creation efficiency from Ether-related ingots is good.

So, after a long time, I start working again with a pickaxe in hand, beginning at the mine.

Starting autumn’s first serious work with mining feels odd.

Thinking about digging ores in a damp, cool, hot, narrow place makes my head slightly hot.

After eating breakfast prepared by Evangelin, I immediately activate the Warp Device to move to floor 60.

The thick, dusty air of the mine.

It’s extremely unpleasant compared to autumn’s dry, clear atmosphere.

At least the mithril floors are cool.

Below that, ash flies around and the floor is so hot it could cause burns in volcanic areas.

“Huff.”

Taking a deep breath, I dive into work.

Lightly tapping the ore with the pickaxe…

Clang!

“Huh?”

Even though I tried controlling my strength…

Was mining this easy?

It must be from the expertise and experience of reaching Advanced Level 3.

Combined with the physical performance that’s grown accordingly, it’s surprisingly effective.

Without putting much effort, every vein I hit with the pickaxe shatters.

This makes mining unexpectedly more fun.

Breaking everything in sight and watching materials pile up in my bag is a unique pleasure.

Working quickly, I reach floor 100 and clear the mine with a sense of accomplishment.

Opening the Skeleton Door and entering the desert.

Even if I went back, I wanted to try fishing at the oasis where I failed before.

Considering how much I’ve grown, maybe I could catch the one that got away after a fierce struggle.

Walking into the desert with that intention…

“Huh?”

Was it from reaching intermediate magic?

Or perhaps from the Mage trait?

Whatever.

Anything works.

Spreading magic power,

Everything looks different.

Feels different.

I can sense something hidden beneath the ground.

Senses.

Extremely sensitive, this delicate perception tells me that if I dig, I might find something.

It quietly whispers to dig the desert.

Treasures will come out if I dig.

Information will come out.

Guided by this sensation as if possessed, I take out the shovel I prepared and scoop out the sand.

Like carving a cake, the soft sand flows down golden.

Once, twice.

Continuously digging, something clangs and stops the shovel.

Already dug down to about half a person’s height.

I finally reap the results my senses told me about after digging so deep.

A teal metallic box pops out.

Judging by its shape, it’s very similar to the treasure boxes that appear when fishing.

Carefully sweeping away the sand, I open the box.

[Branch of Blue-Green]

“Hmm?”

An unexpected item appears, so I check the detailed information.

A rare branch from a blue-green forest.

It has a unique peaceful fragrance.

That’s all the description says.

“Is this like a mine version of a treasure box?”

I’ve never heard of such things existing,

But in a world where anything can happen, it’s a plausible hypothesis.

Curiosity gets the better of me, so I dig up the desert a few more times.

Digging and scooping sand,

I uncover three more boxes, but they contain similar miscellaneous items.

Feeling deflated, I stop digging and head to the oasis.

Taking out the silver fishing rod, I set up a chair in the shade and cast the line.

Relaxingly waiting, something slowly emerges from the shadows, rippling the surface.

It’s him.

Gently placing my hand on the fishing rod, I prepare to reel him in.

What kind of creature made me suffer so much?

It’s time to reveal his identity.

Pang!

The fishing rod violently jerks.

The force increases without warning, adding more weight.

Tendons bulge, muscles tense.

The rod creaks loudly.

Pushing it to the limit where it won’t break, I pull the creature in.

The balance of power is clearly tilted towards me.

My physically enhanced body is too much for the creature to handle.

Our eyes meet in that fleeting moment as he leaps out of the water.

Desperately thrashing around,

But unable to resist the firm grip of my hands, he slowly follows.

My arms are already fully stretched, my forearms bulging explosively.

Enjoying the tingling sensation, I pull the creature onto land outside the oasis.

A sleek silver body.

Seeing it struggling in the golden sand finally puts my mind at ease.

Exhaling deeply, I check the creature’s information.

[Moonlight Snapper]

“Snapper?”

It looks nothing like a snapper, in appearance or form.

Can snappers even survive in an oasis?

Fantasy, games.

Whatever setting is at play, I reluctantly accept it with unease.

Putting the Moonlight Snapper in my bag concludes the battle.

It was easier than expected.

Though the rod groaned dangerously at times,

Physically, I lacked nothing.

Completing my tasks, I head home.

Same old feelings.

No sweat, but covered in dust, I’m somewhat dirty.

Since this is normal for me, I don’t particularly care.

“Are you here?”

Familiar voice.

Yet strangely unfamiliar in tone.

Evangelin, looking away shyly as if embarrassed to speak,

Her fidgeting hands behind her back are sensed.

“I’m back.”

“Have dinner.”

“I’ll wash up first.”

“Yes.”

She mustered the courage to say her first informal sentence, which seems cute.

A small sigh.

Was she holding her breath?

When speaking formally, Evangelin regains her calmness.

She’s still more comfortable with formal speech.

Without pressing the issue, I enter the bathroom as usual to clean up.

A bit longer than usual.

The warm water feels so good that I leisurely enjoy it.

By the time I return, a golden-haired figure sits at the table.

Anne.

Sitting there sometime while I was gone, her cheeks puff up like a hamster stuffed with food.

Steam rising,

I roughly dry my hair and body then join the dining line.

“Woo.”

“Eat first, we’ll talk later.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Anne tries to say something, but it’s muffled by chewing.

Thus, we eat leisurely together.

After finishing our peaceful meal, Anne and Evangelin leave.

I’ve grown accustomed to their presence more than their absence.

Both of them.

Playing with the bronze brooch I didn’t put in my bag, I slowly make up my mind.

Almost decided.

Trying to calm my excited and tense heart, I pet Suri.

Feeling calmer, I slowly lie down on the bed and review the day.

Just another ordinary day flowing by.

If asked whether I was happy, I could answer yes.

Even though it was nothing special, I can clearly say that.

Looking at the window dyed navy blue by the setting sun, I slowly close my eyes.

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