Riot Grasper

1st Volume, 7th Chapter The Beastkin Parent and Child

In just one week, he has become considerably strong.

Can our protagonist pass the promotion exam? (Authors note)

One week has passed since I first baited the caterpillars.

Fifth month, second week, the day of the Earth. Overcast weather.

In the familiar room # 205 of Feeder Pops, I rolled out of the bed after having gotten my eardrums shaken by the sound of 6 bells. (TN: Big Fat Daddys changed to Feeder Pops)

Now thenToday is the exam day, huh?

Before the exam, I checked my status to have a look at the result of the training (stealing) this past one week.

Name: SeijiAgatsuma

Race: Human

Age: 18

Job: Adventurer (Rank E+)

Unique: Scholars Knowledge

Skill(s)

Thiefs Godly Skill (Riot Grasper) Lv2 (5/50)

Physical Abilities Enhancement Lv3 (5/150) (TN: Physical Enhancement has been changed to Physical Abilities Enhancement)

Sword Arts Lv2 (25/50)

Abnormal Status Resistance Lv2 (1/50)

I think I worked hard.

Four days ago, RioThiefs Godly Skill reached Lv2 which increased the efficiency.

The reason being, the base success rate jumped up to 20%.

However, I expected that the daily usage limit would go upbut it was not the case.

I just wanted to say it.

It was totally against my expectation.

In other words, it decreased.

When I was trying to engage in a battle for the sake of confirmation, a Smagob (same ol?) appeared in front of my eyes, asking questions. (Smabog cant speak; it was an image) (TN: Image was used by the author. Imagination would be more appropriate)

I shut myself in the inn and healed myself with Dario-sans cooking. I passed the entire day living leisurely life.

The daily usage limit of Thiefs Godly Skill depends on the skill Lv. Shouldnt it increase then?

But no~.

Depends on the skill Lv means decrease.

*sigh*

Its not funny!

Currently, the total success rate is 28% (vs. Smagob).

The daily usage limit decreased but

At Lv1(0.1710=1.70)

At Lv2(0.288=2.24)

At Lv3(0.396=2.34)

At Lv4(0.504=2.00)

At Lv5(0.612=1.22)

Im not sure if the daily usage limit decreases by 2 every time. The number of successful steals didnt change much on the first day. If Im unlucky, it wont succeed even once. I need tens to hundreds of tries before coming to a conclusion.

Its the lowest in case of Lv5. I wonder whether reaching Lv5 is a privilege or not. Seriously.

Now then, if the number of successful steals doesnt increase even after leveling up, wasnt it justified for me to cry?

Yeah, I did have such a time.

There is a big difference between stealing success rate, which also includes failed attempts, and the number of successful steals.

The base success rate did increase, however.

Furthermore, the total success rate will further increase with the increase in the Lv of other skills.

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What it implies isI will only play with small fries. I have decided.

With the low success rate, its better to go for opponents that are commonly available. The reason being, there is condition that bars stealing the same skill from the same opponent after having failed once.

When the success rate increases, stealing skills from powerful opponents that are rare will be relatively more efficient.

Besides, if I fail at stealing a rare skill from a one-of-a-kind existence, it will disappear.

In a sense, its logical.

After the daily usage limited decreased, I was made to recognize it more conspicuously.

Unless the success rate is high, it is better to use Riot Grasper on Smagob rather than wasting precious Sword Arts Lv3 (100/150) of a Dragonlord Warrior.

By the way, its just a hypothetical existence. I dont know if such a creature as Dragonlord Warrior exists.

Why did I have to choose dragon, though?

Even I feel embarrassed.

Oh well, its a natural thought pattern of a battle junky.

Pursuing strength is not happinessHow many times have I heard it in movies?

I want to be the ultimate, the supreme, the strongest existence in the world!

Just kidding.

However, I want to rank up in the Adventurers guild to establish my status in the society.

And to do that, I need strength.

Whatever, even if I ignore things such as the daily usage limit, my growth rate is still pretty crazy.

Take Jig-san for example. Hes a dwarf who has been smithing for all his life yet hes only Lv4. I, on the other hand, didnt even know how to swing a sword. In just one week, however, I have reached Lv2.

If someone else were to know, they wouldnt be able to help but shout fuck.

By the way, the skill effect improves drastically when its Lv increases.

When the skill points increase, the effect improves slightly. However, when Sword Arts Lv increased from 1 to 2, I could feel a great change.

Yes, change.

Thats not what I wanted to say.

It felt same as when I acquired Sword Arts for the first time.

In every way, its different from learning the skill by training ones body and polishing sword technique.

It felt like a strange elation permeating my body.

Transmitting from the ground to the legs; surging to the waist; rising along the median line, reaching the shouldersFinally, culminating in the arms.

It would perhaps not manifest to such a degree if I didnt possess physical abilities to a certain extent.

I was a little confused at the time of Lv up but there was no problem with the movement thanks to Physical Abilities Enhancement. I can now vouch that it complements martial arts.

If Sword Arts ever reached Lv5, wouldnt it be overspec? At that point, there would be nothing impossible with a sword but at the same time, it would be impossible for the skill to level up anymore.

I better level up Physical Abilities Enhancement simultaneously.

Although my body feels more toned than before, compared to muscular adventurersit pales.

Its dispiriting.

What if I fight an opponent who has same skill Lv as me? Victory and defeat will be decided by the difference in physical abilities, right?

In that caseI will be at disadvantage.

By the way, I heard about Lv up from Sheena-san. The adventurers seem to call this phenomenon breaking through the barrier.

The reason being, Lv isnt normally recognizable.

According to her, the battle strength of someone who has broken through the barrier is considerably higher than someone who hasnt.

Now then, this much monologue is enough.

Having become rank E+, I completed the number of quests required for the next rank up yesterday.

The rank up exam is conducted collectively. A date is fixed after coordinating with all the adventurers taking the exam. Im screwed.

Its today.

Today, Ill finally rank up to D-, huh?

If you looked at the people who would be taking the examinationtheir builds are not in any way inferior to Bal and Zac.

Theres a huge difference in their physique and mine but I have Physical Abilities Enhancement.

If you looked at them, you might think theyre rank C or B.

Moreover, I visited Jig-sans shop, as per the promise, and had him make a new equipment for me as I earned enough money this past one week.

As for the Baselard, I whetted it yesterday.

Soft Leather ArmorLeather armor forged from tanned leather. Defensive power varies greatly depending on the material used. Gigvorg leather

As to why I bought this, Im ashamed of saying it.

Its best left unsaid.

It seemed to be made of some sort of wolf skin.

Although it was the armor of the lowest rank at Jig-sans shop, it costed one gold coin10,000 Dalas, that is.

Still, its not something which a commer can afford to wear.

From just a look, you can see its an expert-class blacksmiths workHmm? Isnt tanning of leather unrelated to smithing?

Whatever. I dont care.

Now thenI should get going.

When I completed my preparation and went downstairs to the dining area, it was filled with an appetising aroma.

After I had Dario-sans cooking, which I have become addicted to, I left for the guild.

Unfortunately, Dario-san has yet to reach Lv4.

His skill points are still at (145/150).

Is that normal for it to be this difficult?

Isnt there an easy way?

Good morning.

Ah, Seiji-san. Good morning.

Sheena-sans smile was as brilliant as ever.

Lately, because I have been using Smagobs to level up my skill, Im now also known as Smagob Hunter.

Smagobs 24 hours a day!

Morning, Smagobs!

Afternoon, Smagobs!

Evening, too, Smagobs!

Smagobs! Smagobs! Smagobs!

I dont remember as to how many ears I have presented to Sheena-san by now.

It wouldnt be strange if she hated me.

Because she has professional attitude, however, she remains composed.

By the way, Im being reserved with the caterpillars after Abnormal Status Resistance reached Lv2. There has been no opportunity yet to test its effect.

I can drink poison or take a paralysis pill but theres no reason for me to do that willingly.

Abnormal Status ResistanceIncreases resistance to all types of abnormal status.

Now that its Lv2, I shouldnt fall into abnormal state that easily. Thats a relief. At Lv5, will I be completely immune to abnormal state?

If I ever reached that level, I might muster some courage to pick a bottle of poison off the shelf and chug it down.

Today is the exam for promotion to rank D. Ill pray for your success.

Thank you very much. ErrWhere should I wait?

Thats right. Wait there until 7 bells sound.

She pointed to the tables and the stools in the rest space on the first floor. (TN: Space was used by the author. Area would be more appropriate)

Wawa, some of the tables were brand new.

There were three adventurers, seemingly men, already there.

They looked a little tense. They seemed to be waiting for the exam just like me.

Disapproved.

.Un. One of them had no skill; another one had Gardening Lv1; the last one had Fire Magic Lv1.

One of them seems to be well-endowed. The other two better look for another job.

Oh well, that they are rank E+ adventurers, I guess they are able to fight.

Fire Magic is good, no? But its only Lv1.

I searched the the guild like a peeping tom and found a few adventurers with magic skills.

Honestly, Im envious.

I want it.

If I used it in conjunction with Sword Arts, wouldnt I be able to use Flame Slash!?

Isnt there a retired mage somewhere with one foot in grave?

Or a monstercapable of using magic?

When I was entertaining my delusions, I noticed two people coming here.

Are these people examinees, too?

I occasionally saw their kind in the town and the guildBeastkin, that is.

Beast-like face, brimming with wild look; pin-ears atop head; a scar on the side; a stereotypical warriorA beastkin old-man.

Name: ArnoldFan

Race: Beastkin (Wolf)

Age: 38

Job: Adventurer (Rank E+)

Skill(s)

Body Arts Lv2 (40/50) (TN: Changed Body Techniques back to Body Arts for consistency)

Sword Arts Lv2 (20/50)

Howling Moon Lv2 (14/50)

Stick Arts Lv1 (5/10) (TN: Cane Arts has been changed to Stick Arts)

Oh, hes versatile.

What? His rank isnt different from other people.

Indeedthose who are strong try to be adventurers. Those who switch from different jobs to become adventurers, will start off as new adventurers and will take the exam for promotion to rank D. It must be the same casehuh?

The same case as me.

Howling moonExclusive to Beastkin (Wolf). Increases spirit and physical abilities under the moonlight.

My heart is bleeding. Is there really such a thing?

Although Im interestedI wont be able to use it even if I steal it.

Also, I cant plunder others on a whim.

Theres another personThe only female.

Name: LimFan

Race: Beastkin (Cat)

Age: 16

Job: Adventurer (Rank E+)

Skill(s)

Body Arts Lv2 (16/50)

Cooking Lv1 (7/10)

Magic Power Conversion Lv1 (5/10)

Berserkification Lv1 (3/10)

A cat beastkin?

Fluffy ears and tail look so good.

Dark brown, shoulder-length hair; golden eyes. A personification of cat, indeed.

Because beastkin in this world look close to humans, they seem easy to get along with.

Their surnameis Fan?

Are they by any chanceparent and child?

They dont look alike at all.

Magic power conversionConverts mana into physical attack power.

BerserkificationCan acquire the skill a posteriori. The invocation condition may vary depending on the circumstances of acquisition.

Un, quite a quirky skill.

Mana? Is it same as magic power?

I thought skills were innate but it doesnt seem to be the case. (TN: Innate or a priori, opposite of a posteriori)

I hope the exam finishes uneventfully.

If I acquired a skill called First-class Flag Raiser, I wouldnt be surprised.