About an hour had passed since Rei witnessed the battle of women between Lenora and Kenny inside the guild. Now, he and Set stood outside the City of Gilm.
They were in a clearing surrounded by a dense screen of trees, positioned as if to shield the open space from prying eyes.
This was the very spot Rei had used several times before to perform Magic Stone Absorption. It was located at a distance that took some time to reach even at Set's speed, making it remote enough to ensure privacy. Furthermore, being in the frontier meant monsters were frequent visitors to the vicinity, providing no shortage of targets to test newly acquired skills. For these reasons, Rei preferred to handle his stone absorption here.
"It’s been quite a while since we were last here. As expected of the frontier, though—it doesn't look like anyone else has been around."
"Guruuu," Set crooned in agreement.
Rei muttered to himself while surveying the surroundings. The landscape had hardly changed since their last visit several months ago, and Set narrowed its throat to vocalize its agreement.
Of course, a few minor details differed. Toppled trees, likely the work of some monster, lay rotting on the ground, and what appeared to be scattered monster bones were visible in the grass.
Initially, Rei had harbored a faint hope that a stray magic stone might have been left behind, but luck wasn't that convenient; only bone remained. The complete lack of hide or viscera suggested the creatures had been killed quite some time ago.
"Leaving these bones here is just an eyesore. They’ve been out here so long they won’t even work as materials anymore."
He crushed a fragment under his Sleipnir's Shoes. Despite his light tread, it snapped with ease.
The remains were too scattered for Rei to identify the monster, but they were a nuisance nonetheless.
"Guruuu?"
Seeing Rei crush the bone, Set seemed to think it was a game. The gryphon looked at him with round, pleading eyes, asking for a turn.
Rei hesitated for a moment. However, the bones were annoying, and he figured he might as well let Set play while clearing the area.
"Fair enough. Set, can you dump these bones somewhere out of sight? You can snap or smash them all you like... though I'd recommend against eating them."
Set's body was that of a lion, but its friendly nature often brought to mind a loyal dog. Joyfully narrowing its throat at Rei’s words, Set immediately snatched up a bone that looked like a femur in its beak and soared over the surrounding trees.
This was the frontier, so danger was a constant, but Rei couldn't imagine anything threatening a gryphon like Set. Even a high-rank monster would likely think twice before showing its face. Confident in its partner's safety, Rei watched the gryphon go before withdrawing a Wyvern magic stone and the Death Scythe from his Misty Ring.
The stone was only about five centimeters in diameter—impossibly small for a dragon-class creature—but it was a Wyvern's stone nonetheless. Certain that he would gain a skill, Rei gripped the Death Scythe and tossed the magic stone into the air.
"Let me learn something good!"
As the stone arched back down, he swung the Death Scythe.
The blade sliced through the stone, which dissolved into a mist-like vapor. Immediately after, an announcement echoed in Rei's mind.
【The Death Scythe has acquired the skill 『Power Slash Lv. 2』】
Hearing the voice, Rei frowned slightly.
Naturally, he was pleased to gain a new skill—or rather, a level-up for an existing one. Increasing the potency of a frequently used ability was always a net positive. However...
"Why is the skill from a Wyvern magic stone Power Slash?"
That was the nagging question. Rei replayed his fight with the Wyvern in his mind. The most distinct attack had been its fire breath—or more accurately, its ability to spit fireballs. He had expected a fire-based skill, perhaps one that launched flaming waves like Flying Slash or wreathed the scythe in fire. Instead, he got a level-up for Power Slash.
"I suppose it did use those talons on its feet to strike... right?"
He rationalized the outcome as he re-examined the combat in his head. At least he hadn't come away empty-handed.
"Guruuuu!"
Set had clearly heard the announcement as well. Rei smiled as he watched the gryphon flap its wings and glide back toward him.
"Guruuu!" Set cried out as if asking why Rei had used the stone while it was away.
Rei smiled and stroked its head. "Now, don't be mad. This one is yours."
He produced the second stone and held it out.
"Guru." Set glanced at the stone on his palm before pointedly looking away. No matter how one looked at it, it was clearly sulking.
Rei gave a wry smile and pulled a Fang Boar skewer from the Misty Ring to win back its favor.
"I'm sorry, okay? Here, have this and cheer up."
"Guru? ...Guru!" Set glanced at the meat, then looked away again, as if refusing to be bribed.
However, the gryphon was clearly tempted. Its lion's tail was twitching.
Normally, that tail packed enough power to easily swat aside a knight in full plate armor. The sight of it swaying would usually inspire dread, but Rei simply reached out and began to pet Set near the base of its back to soothe it.
"Come on, it was my fault. I'll make it up to you. When we get back to Gilm, I'll take you to the Full Belly Diner."
"Guruuu?" Set turned its gaze back to Rei as if asking if he was serious.
When Rei nodded with a serious expression, Set finally mollified. It delicately plucked the skewer from his hand with its beak, deciding to accept the snack for now.
Though it was a standard human portion, Set finished it in an instant. It then tilted its head, round eyes pleading for the promised magic stone.
Despite being over two meters long, Set's gestures—combined with those wide eyes—made it look like nothing more than a friendly cat acting spoiled. Though, considering its size, calling it a kitten was a bit of a stretch.
"Alright, alright. It’s not exactly a dessert, but here you go."
Set snatched the Wyvern magic stone with its beak and swallowed it without further complaint. Rei watched, briefly reminded of a snake swallowing an egg whole, but he kept the thought to himself. Then...
【Set has acquired the skill 『Fire Breath Lv. 3』】
"Now that's a more logical result," Rei muttered.
Since the Wyvern's primary weapon had been fire, it made perfect sense for Set's Fire Breath to level up. It certainly made more sense than Power Slash.
"Guruuu." Set purred contentedly, happy to have its most versatile skill improved. It likely sensed Rei's satisfaction as well.
After sharing the moment of triumph for a few minutes, they decided to put the new skills to the test.
"Set, you go first. Aim for the sky so we don't catch the trees on fire."
"Guru!" Set let out a sharp cry and aimed its beak straight up.
"Guruuuuu!"
With a roar, a blast of fire erupted. The gout of flame was visibly thicker than before, and the density of the heat had increased exponentially. Fire Breath Lv. 2 had been powerful, but Lv. 3 was undoubtedly a finishing move.
"...Which means I really can't use it in front of people now."
With great power came greater restrictions. Rei accepted this, but he still felt a pang of regret that Set couldn't often cut loose.
(If I'm with Scorching Wind, or Elena and Ara, I might be able to use it. Moving to the Labyrinth City with Elena will provide the perfect opportunity... Elena, huh.)
Thinking of her name brought back the memory of their kiss.
"Guru?" Set crooned, noticing Rei had frozen in place.
"Ah, sorry. It's nothing. Anyway, your Fire Breath is incredible now. It’s a perfect trump card for when things get dire."
"Guruuuu." Set purred proudly. Rei then gripped the shaft of the Death Scythe.
"My turn. Power Slash Lv. 1 increased the weight of the blow at the cost of sharpness. It basically turned the scythe into a club, but now..."
He approached a tree with a trunk about as thick as a man's waist. He moved slowly, settling his stance with each step before raising his weapon.
"Power Slash!"
The blade struck the bark. It didn't cut. Instead, it delivered a massive shockwave directly into the core of the wood.
"I see."
There was no visible laceration, but the internal structure of the tree had been pulverized. Seconds later, a loud crack echoed as the tree snapped like a dry twig and collapsed. Rei stood back, an uncontrollable grin spreading across his face.
"The power increase from a single level is impressive."
He knew from experience how much stronger this was. Previously, he had used Power Slash mostly to batter away weapons. Now, it was a strike that could deal lethal damage through armor or a shield.
"It’ll be devastating against monsters with shells or carapaces... Ow!"
A sharp, dull pain throbbed in his hands. Looking down, he saw his wrists had turned a bruised, bluish-purple. They didn't hurt if he held them still, but the mere thought of swinging the scythe again sent a jolt of pain through him.
"Guru?" Set asked worriedly. Rei gave a small nod and produced a potion, pouring it over his wrists.
It was a mild sprain. Within seconds, the discoloration faded and the pain vanished.
"I'm fine, Set. Don't worry."
He stroked the gryphon's back, enjoying the smooth feel of its fur, but his brow remained furrowed.
(The power is there, no doubt. But the recoil is massive. I can't use this casually. It’s a finishing move or nothing—if I use it mid-fight and mess up my wrists, I'm done for. ...Did this skill actually get harder to use?)
Though the unexpected drawback was a shock, he resolved to train until he could handle the impact perfectly.
【Set】 『Water Ball Lv. 2』『Fire Breath Lv. 3』(new) 『Wind Arrow Lv. 1』『King's Intimidation Lv. 1』『Poison Claw Lv. 2』『Size Change Lv. 1』『Tornado Lv. 1』
【Death Scythe】 『Corrosion Lv. 1』『Flying Slash Lv. 2』『Magic Shield Lv. 1』『Power Slash Lv. 2』(new) 『Wind Hand Lv. 2』『Terrain Manipulation Lv. 1』
Fire Breath: Breathes out high-temperature flames. It is a breath attack rather than the fireballs released by wyverns. The intensity can be adjusted at Set's will.
Power Slash: Greatly increases the power of a single strike. At Lv. 2, the force is enough to damage an enemy even through armor, but the recoil is severe.