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You have obtained the skill <Martial Arts>.
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The moment I selected <Martial Arts>, a notification message flickered into view.
To confirm I actually had it, I opened my Status Screen just in case.
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<Kiska>
Skill 1: Save & Reset Skill 2: Martial Arts Lv1 Skill 3: None Skill 4: None Skill 5: None
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Yeah, it was properly registered. I decided to check the skill description while I was at it.
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Skill: Martial Arts Lv1
Effect activates when unarmed or when equipped with short-reach weapons. Grants aptitude for martial arts. Partial enhancement of physical ability.
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It was exactly the kind of effect I had imagined.
I liked the fact that it enhanced my physical ability. With this, my attack power should be significantly higher.
"GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!"
The roar of a Bugbear echoed through the chamber.
Well then, let’s get started.
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The result: I was dead in three seconds.
"Dammit!"
I spat the words out as soon as I experienced my Return by Death.
Well, I suppose I knew this would happen. Dodging a Bugbear's attacks was difficult, and that fact remained unchanged even with <Martial Arts> Lv1. Even if the skill made my movements a bit faster and my strikes harder, it was a mere drop in the bucket against an A-Rank monster.
"I just have to keep trying."
I knew perfectly well that I wouldn't succeed on the first attempt. If I challenged them over and over, memorized their movements, and searched for the optimal path, the light would eventually break through.
"Alright," I said, psyching myself up.
First, I had to master dodging the initial strike of the lead Bugbear.
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Trial count: approximately 315.
This was my fifth attempt facing the ten Bugbears with <Martial Arts> selected.
"This is impossible..." I muttered.
Perhaps because I had fought them so many times, I could read the Bugbears' attack patterns to a certain extent now. I could say with total confidence that I could dodge anything they threw at me—for the first fifteen seconds, at least. I had even found several openings to strike back.
"Die!"
I unleashed a full-powered punch. A heavy thud echoed through the room. I could feel firsthand that my attack power had increased compared to when I had used <Acceleration>.
However, the Bugbear just stood there as if nothing had happened.
"Gauh!"
It swung its massive arm. Then, I was dead.
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"Alright, let's try a different skill."
I had already learned my lesson about obsessing over <Acceleration> for too long. I had only fought five times since choosing <Martial Arts>, but I decided it was time to pivot. My gut told me that I could probably do better if I mastered <Martial Arts> further, but there was no harm in testing something else. I could always come back to it if the next skill didn't feel right.
"But first, I have to get past you."
I glared at the first Bugbear. Because I had seen this same monster so many times now, I was starting to feel a strange sense of familiarity with it.
Step one: escape the first one.
"Now then, I’ve made it back here, but what should I choose next?"
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Please select ‘one’ skill you wish to obtain from the following.
S-Rank <Item Box> <Enhanced Recovery> <Enhanced Mana Recovery> <Chant Shortening> <Acceleration> <Stealth>
A-Rank <Healing Magic> <Barrier Magic> <Fire Magic> <Water Magic> <Wind Magic> <Earth Magic> <Alchemy> <Taming Magic> <Enhanced Memory>
B-Rank <Swordsmanship> <Archery> <Axemanship> <Spearmanship> <Shieldmanship> <Martial Arts> <Status Camouflage>
C-Rank <Physical Enhancement> <Presence Detection> <Mana Generation> <Fire Resistance> <Water Resistance> <Wind Resistance> <Earth Resistance> <Poison Resistance> <Paralysis Resistance> <Curse Resistance>
D-Rank <Appraisal> <Provocation> <Strength Enhancement> <Endurance Enhancement> <Agility Enhancement> <Vitality Enhancement> <Vision Enhancement> <Hearing Enhancement>
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"Logically, the next step should be the C-Rank <Physical Enhancement>."
I made my selection and pulled up the description.
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Skill: Physical Enhancement Lv1
Overall enhancement of physical ability.
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The text was exactly as expected. <Martial Arts> also boosted my physical ability, but I wouldn't know the practical difference between the two without testing it.
"GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!"
The Bugbears had already surrounded me.
For now, I would just do everything I could. That was the only way to see if <Physical Enhancement> was the key I needed.
Five seconds after making that resolution, I was beaten to death.