I had been certain that I’d obtain [Attribute Enchantment] again, but once I gave it some calm thought, I remembered that the [Crystal of Brilliance] granted a single random skill.
Therefore, it wasn't strange at all for it to differ from the skill I had acquired in a different timeline.
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You have acquired the skill [Appraisal].
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Staring at the newly acquired skill, I wasn't sure if I should be happy or not.
If memory served, [Appraisal] was also on the [Skill List] of the [Crystal of Wisdom]. Since its rank was only D, it was technically considered a dud skill.
Still, it seemed far more useful than [Attribute Enchantment], which I’d had absolutely zero use for in the past, so I suppose it was a win.
Realizing there was no use dwelling on it, I decided to give it a whirl. I focused and used [Appraisal] on the [Black Blade] I held in my hand.
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Appraisal failed. User level insufficient.
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“...Are you serious?”
『Master, what are you grumbling about?』
“I tried to use [Appraisal] on you, but it failed. It’s a little frustrating.”
『Oh my! [Appraising] the great me? Master, you’re so lewd.』
“‘Lewd’ is a line only a beautiful girl is allowed to say.”
『No, no. When the great me becomes human, I’ll take the form of an incredibly beautiful girl, you know.』
Hah. Puppeteer turning into a beautiful girl? Not a chance. A cheeky brat of a boy would be more like it.
『Master, you just scoffed at me!』
“N-No I didn't...”
『You say that, but you’re smirking! Fine then! When I finally become a beautiful girl, I’ll make you eat those words!』
“Well, I’ll look forward to it.”
In truth, I really was interested to see what kind of form Puppeteer would take once it became human.
While we chatted, I checked my [Skill Points Held].
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Skill Points Held: 1320
[Provocation Lv1] Remaining Skill Points Required for Level Up: 10
[Swordsmanship Lv3] Remaining Skill Points Required for Level Up: 3000
[Master of Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer Lv2] Remaining Skill Points Required for Level Up: 700
[Appraisal Lv1] Remaining Skill Points Required for Level Up: 10
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Looking over my points, I had quite a bit of leeway.
Even after setting aside the 700 points needed to raise [Master of Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer Lv2] to level 3, I still had plenty to spare.
I might as well dump some points into [Provocation] and [Appraisal].
I allocated 110 points each to [Provocation] and [Appraisal], boosting them both from level 1 to level 3 in an instant.
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Skill points have been consumed.
Level-up conditions met.
The skill [Appraisal] has leveled up. Appraisal Lv1 ▶ Appraisal Lv3
The skill [Provocation] has leveled up. Provocation Lv1 ▶ Provocation Lv3
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Alright. With the level increase, I should be able to [Appraise] it now.
I turned my focus back to the [Black Blade] and activated [Appraisal] once more.
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[Black Blade]
One of the forms of Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer. Possesses exceptional sharpness.
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“It’s good that I could [Appraise] it, but it only tells me things I already knew.”
I felt a wave of disappointment. If this was all I got, I probably shouldn't have gone out of my way to spend skill points on it.
Regardless, I had finished everything I needed to do in the [Hidden Room], so I stepped back out and headed toward the [Boss Room].
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『Master, are you nervous?』
“Well, a little...”
Just as I was about to open the door, Puppeteer spoke up. The [Dungeon Boss] was apparently so powerful that even the Vampire Eudite couldn't defeat it; it would be a lie to say I wasn't feeling the pressure.
『Shall the great me help you relax?』
“You can do that?”
『Hehe. Yours truly is surprisingly thoughtful.』
“I see. Then, please.”
『Go! Go! Master! Fight on, fight on, Master!』
Puppeteer shouted the cheer at the top of its lungs.
“...Is that it?” I muttered, feeling a bit underwhelmed.
『Hey! That was actually pretty embarrassing for me! You should praise me more!』
“Sigh.”
『You just made fun of me, didn't you, Master!』
“No, I wasn't mocking you.”
And I meant it. I really didn't intend to make fun of it.
“Thank you, Puppeteer,” I said, offering a proper word of thanks.
『What’s this? Getting all formal on me now?』
“No, I’m truly grateful.”
If Puppeteer hadn't cooperated with me, I never would have made it this far. I was undoubtedly grateful from the bottom of my heart.
『Save the gratitude for later. The main event starts now, after all.』
“Well, you’ve got a point.”
Puppeteer was right. It was premature to give thanks when I didn't even know if I could win yet.
So, instead of a thank you, I said this:
“I’m counting on you, Puppeteer.”
『Yeah. Leave it to me.』
Hearing its response, I pushed the door open.
It was time for my first encounter with the [Dungeon Boss].