READ NOVEL ONLINE chapter 30
Chapter 30
Magic Penetration Pressure Palm.
From what I observed, it’s likely a technique that doesn’t require physical strength.
What’s necessary is magical power.
Imitating Ico, I gently place one hand on the tree trunk while using my newly acquired Magic Control skill to infuse magic into the wood.
For a moment, I feel resistance, but I push through with the sheer force of my magic parameters… like this!
BOOM!
A loud explosion echoes through the area.
But no leaves fall from above.
Huh?
That’s strange. There was a sound, but…
Tapping the tree trunk lightly, I circle around to find a fist-sized hole on the other side.
I guess that was the source of the explosion…?
“That was too forceful. I’m afraid I can’t give you a passing grade for that,” Ico remarks.
▶ Magic Penetration Pressure Palm (Just for Show LOL) has been added to [Yamamoto Style] [Monkey See, Monkey Do].
The system is totally mocking me!
I can’t help but laugh at its sass!
Well, looking at the effect, it really is just for show!
By the way, what kind of skill is [Monkey See, Monkey Do] anyway?
====================
[Yamamoto Style]
A free-form attack style that doesn’t belong to any existing system. This style can only be mastered by those without attack assist skills.
*You are the founder. You can register techniques that skill holders can learn at will.
Lv1 [Hit-and-Run Attack]
Lv2 [I Will Become the Mining King]
Lv3 [Great★Crucial★Slash]
Lv4 [Monkey See, Monkey Do]
Lv5 Not registered
====================
The skill name [Monkey See, Monkey Do] is also uncool, so maybe I should change it to something else…
Hmm.
Alright, how about this!
====================
[Copycat Animal]
Recreate techniques based on rough observation.
However, due to a lack of fundamental understanding, learned techniques can only exert about half their original power.
① [Magic Penetration Pressure Palm (Just for Show LOL)]
② Not registered
③ Not registered
④ Not registered
⑤ Not registered
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There’s that note at the bottom…
[Yamamoto Style] might actually be an overpowered skill, don’t you think?
And the crucial [Copycat Animal] (I renamed it) turns out to be a learning skill.
Although the skill effect is only half as powerful as the original, being able to learn an opponent’s special skills just by seeing them is pretty strong, right?
Yeah, I’ve never heard of someone with an absorption-type skill being weak!
This might be quite a hit!
As I’m quietly rejoicing in my heart, Ico approaches with a somewhat disappointed expression.
I guess Iko wanted to pass down the secret technique to me?
If so, I feel bad.
“The Magic Penetration Pressure Palm is a one-hit kill technique. By flowing magic into the opponent’s magic circuit the moment you touch them, you can locate their core and then release compressed magic directed at it. Most monsters die when their core is shattered—that’s the kind of technique it is.”
She was trying to teach me such an incredible technique!?
That’s not just an armor-piercing attack or anything like that! It’s clearly an instant death attack!
While I’m turning pale, Ico continues with a disappointed tone.
“Your Magic Penetration Pressure Palm forced its way through without probing the magic circuit, so the magic just went straight through, piercing the tree trunk and bursting out the other side…”
“So, did Iko shatter the tree’s core?”
“If I did that, the tree would die, and that would be sad. So I just flooded the magic circuit with strong magic. I didn’t expect all the leaves to fall off, though.”
Iko, I’m sorry you’re feeling a bit down.
I think I probably can’t acquire normal attack skills because I have [Yamamoto Style].
At least I was able to learn [Magic Penetration Pressure Palm (Just for Show LOL)] through my learning skill, so I’m really grateful to you for that, Iko.
“Even if it’s incomplete, being able to use the Magic Penetration Pressure Palm is a big deal. Thank you, Iko.”
“Hearing you say that makes it worthwhile. Well then, shall I teach Misaki next?”
Iko has turned into a teaching demon.
Could she be drunk, perhaps?
I decide to fetch some water before chasing after Iko.
■□■
The next morning—
Man, we drank a lot last night!
It was quite a hellish scene with the watchmen afflicted by the [Intoxication] status effect sprawled all over the place, and Gobzou laughing loudly, but thankfully the aftermath was manageable enough to be cleaned up by the end of the day.
I entered the [Intoxication] state about three times, but when that happens, you’re forced to slur your words and get so dizzy you can barely stand. It’s a pretty dangerous status effect if you don’t know about it.
But after experiencing [Intoxication] three times, I gained the [Intoxication Resistance] skill, so I couldn’t get drunk anymore. As usual, the skill level started at 5 right off the bat.
Well, it was a bit unexpected, but it turned out to be quite an interesting camp meal (?) experience, so I’m satisfied!
And that night brought about some interesting changes.
“Hey, Queen, what’s up!”
“Queen, I’m gonna find some delicious drop meat next time, so please teach me the best way to grill it!”
“No problem.”
Some players have awakened to the deliciousness of the food, and they’ve started revering Misaki, who’s oddly particular about how to grill meat, as the Meat Queen.
And it seems that hasn’t changed even after a night has passed.
I mean, I’ve known people in real life who were obsessed with the best way to eat grilled meat, but I never expected Misaki to be that type of person.
And when you grill meat using Misaki’s methods, it turns out incredibly delicious!
I can understand why she’s gaining followers.
“Oh, good morning, God. Are you heading out already?”
“Our goal is to challenge the area boss, so we need to leave early. If there are people farming the area, we might have to wait, right?”
“That’s right. If incompetent guys are running it, you might have to wait quite a bit. Well, for God, it’ll probably be instant.”
Yes, somehow I had started being called God by the people who participated in that drinking party.
The reason for this is twofold. First, I’m the creator of the drink box that provided unlimited drinks.
Apparently, the drink box is a dream machine for drinkers, and it’s an item worthy of calling its creator a god.
The second reason is that I was the only one who directly learned the secret skill from Iko.
After that, the drunk and teaching-obsessed Ico went around teaching magic sensing and [Magic Armor] to all the adventurers who wanted to learn, but no one except me was able to acquire [Magic Armor] on the spot.
In that situation, no one else could be taught the [Magic Penetration Pressure Palm], and as a result,
“That person is amazing!”
“Isn’t that person a god?”
That’s how I ended up with the nickname God.
Well, I’m also to blame for letting the nickname stick, thinking everyone would forget about it after sleeping it off…
“Hey, Yama-chan, did something happen last night? The other party members are talking to us a lot more than usual.”
“Ah, well. Apparently in safety areas like that, each party needs to provide a few lookouts to prepare for unexpected situations. Misaki and I were keeping the lookouts company, so we got to know them a bit. Right, Misaki?”
“It was fun.”
“I see. Sorry for going to sleep early then. It was my first time on a request that involved camping, so I didn’t know about that rule. Next time, I’ll participate in the lookout duty too.”
“Yeah, I think that would be good.”
After all, camp meals are fun!
■□■
And so, we set out for the underground labyrinth early in the morning.
We placed Gobzou and Ico on the driver’s seat of the carriage we had used as bedding last night, and rattled through the massive stone entrance.
▶ Forsine Underground Labyrinth
The dungeon name displayed right in front of me as soon as we entered. Yeah, it really makes you feel focused, body and mind.
Well, I wasn’t too concerned since the entrance was wide enough for a carriage to pass through with room to spare, but it’s certainly spacious inside.
Shivering in the cool air, I look around, but it’s just a vast space covered in brown earth.
Occasionally, there are huge pillars of earth that seem to connect to the ceiling, but otherwise, the defining feature of this dungeon is its excellent visibility.
They say you can’t see an inch in front of you, but even for me, a magical creature (or fairy?) with supposedly good night vision, I can only see about ten meters ahead in this darkness.
The darkness stretches far into the distance, creating an eerie atmosphere where you can’t tell what might be lurking.
It’s quite different from the [Crystal Cave].
Structure-wise, it seems like a dungeon designed for beginners, where it’s easy to notice approaching monsters, but also easy for monsters to spot you.
There are some areas where the earth pillars are clustered together, so Tatsu and the others plan to use these pillars as cover, hiding from the monsters’ eyes while taking the shortest route to Forsine.
I’m just following along, walking at a moderate pace.
You’re wondering if I’m not going to do anything notable?
Well, being called God is already notable enough, don’t you think? I’d rather not stand out any more than that.
Besides, it seems like nothing good happens when I take action. So, I intend to stay put until absolutely necessary.
“For now, it looks like there are no monsters within visible range,” Bre reports.
“In that case, we’ll proceed according to the planned route. Bre, keep scouting frequently,” Tatsu instructs.
“I understand.”
And so, we trudge along.
Whether it’s due to Tatsu’s well-chosen route or Bre’s keen instincts at the front, we’re able to progress through the dungeon without encountering any monsters or engaging in combat.
In fact, apart from the rough ride in the carriage due to the poor road conditions, nothing much is happening.
I mean, that’s the intention behind choosing this route, so it’s correct, but when things go too smoothly, you can’t help but feel uneasy for no reason.
“This ain’t good, things are going too smoothly,” Tatsu mutters.
“Is that bad?” I ask.
It seems Tatsu is the same type as me. When things go this well, it feels like there must be a catch somewhere, you know?
“It’s not bad, but it feels like there’s going to be a backlash somewhere.”
“Really? Don’t good things just keep happening when times are good?”
“I can’t think that way.”
Bre’s way of thinking is closer to a Western mindset, I guess. I think I heard from some media that Westerners tend to believe that when times are good, good things will keep happening.
Apparently, it’s more common among Japanese people to become anxious that something bad might happen when too many good things occur.
And it seems Tatsu’s way of thinking was right this time.
“Stop. There are enemies ahead…” Bre warns.
We halt and secretly peek ahead while hiding in the shadow of an earth pillar.
“Two Rock Lizards. This is the worst…” Tatsu grumbles.
There are two Rock Lizards sprawled on the ground, seemingly blocking the path.
Hmm, what should we do…?