Chapter 112 - Rank Up!?
A development ability is closely tied to a person's experiences.
Swordsman requires prolonged sword training and exceptional talent to manifest.
Hunter demands slaying numerous monsters.
Blacksmith typically emerges from relentless forging.
Roy awakening Blacksmith was astonishing.
Another explanation could be that development abilities reflect an adventurer's desires.
Roy's admitted longing for goddesses could explain Blacksmith without any smithing background.
Hephaestus had to concede Hestia's theory held weight, though it made her want to throttle her friend.
"Speaking of which, Roy should join my familia," Hephaestus teased.
"No way!" Hestia snapped, spinning around to push Hephaestus toward the basement.
"I'm helping Roy rank up. Outsiders, out!"
"Now I'm an outsider? Didn't you just say I wasn't?" Hephaestus laughed, letting Hestia shove her.
"When did you master face-switching, Hestia?"
"Hey, hey!" Hestia's eyes darted, her laugh guilty.
Hephaestus wasn't fazed; she'd only come to remind Hestia to be discreet.
Roy's development ability surprised her, but she trusted Hestia's judgment.
As Hephaestus retreated to the basement, Hestia sighed in relief.
She wasn't worried about Hephaestus seeing Roy's status.
But Hephaestus's half-serious poaching attempt was another matter.
"Thanks to Greed, you can pick two development abilities," Hestia said, resuming Roy's rank-up process.
Four options: Abnormal Resistance was out. Hunter likely only worked in the dungeon, though it might apply broadly. Roy saw no need to gamble on it.
"Hestia, I'll take Swordsman and Blacksmith," Roy said.
"Blacksmith? Why?" Hestia's eyes widened, a hint of jealousy creeping in.
"Isn't Hunter better for you?"
As a dungeon-diving adventurer, Hunter offered more immediate benefits than blacksmith.
"Weapons matter in the dungeon, especially for a swordsman like me," Roy explained. "With it, I can repair my gear if it breaks."
His real aim was to mimic Hephaestus's forging skills.
"Fair point," Hestia conceded, still thinking Hunter suited him more.
"Sigh! Hunter might show up next rank-up. You can pick it then."
Roy smiled. "Yup."
Hestia didn't argue further.
===
[
[Name]: Roy Flott
[Level]: 2
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
[Magic]:
[Skill]:
[Seven Deadly Sins]
Development Ability:
[Blacksmith]: I
[Swordsman]: I
]
===
After ranking up to Level 2, all basic abilities reset to I.
A new panel appeared.
Like basic abilities, development abilities had ten ranks—S to I.
Upgrading depended solely on experience through repeated use.
Blacksmith needed constant weapon crafting; Swordsman required ongoing swordplay.
"I feel a bit stronger," Roy said, swinging his arm to test his power and speed.
The change was slight, not transformative, compared to before.
"Of course," Hestia said, smiling.
"You'll feel it more over time."
Most adventurers didn't notice immediate changes post-rank-up.
Roy's keen body control let him detect the subtle shift.
"Hestia, I might stay in the dungeon a few days," Roy said.
"Staying in the dungeon?" Hestia didn't pry for reasons but asked, "Isn't that too grueling? There's no rush."
"It's experience I'll need eventually," Roy said, smiling.
"If our Hestia Familia grows, it'd be absurd if I, the captain, haven't camped in the dungeon."
"Plus, with you gone, home's a bit empty at night."
"I'll be back in a couple of days," Hestia said, smiling.
"If you stay in the dungeon, stock up on supplies."
"Don't worry," Roy said.
He asked for some of Hestia's blood to self-update his status on the thirty-seventh floor.
Planning to stay four or five days, the monster-heavy Colosseum might provide enough excelia to jump to Level 3.
He couldn't waste that potential.
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