260 – Dungeon and Nymph: Nymph’s Journey #3
“Status window!”
I shouted.
Suddenly, strange letters floated in front of me.
「Name: Haildo
Street Fighter 3 Lv.
Squirrel Beast 1 Lv.
Druid 5 Lv
Total Level: 9 Lv
Strength: 7
Speed: 7
Intelligence: 7
Magic Power: 10
Skills: 《Transformation》, 《Intuition》, 《Demon Riding》, 《Battle Cry》」
Oh-.
It was an incredibly fascinating sight.
To see my information written out like a game character!
Soon, the shining-eyed witch, Ms. Dalletto, spoke.
“I, Dalletto, have a level of 3 as a Seer, so I can read other people’s karma. From what I see, you are remarkable. The total level cap is 11. Even the powerful existence like Demon King Barbatos is at 11 levels.”
So the level cap is 11, and my level is 9?
From Ms. Dalletto’s reaction, it seemed I was considered a fairly high-level player. Level 11 might be a rank only S-rankers can achieve.
Ms. Dalletto continued.
“By looking at your aptitudes, one can understand your life. Street Fighter is an aptitude that rises when one has survived many lawless battlefields. Druid is the aptitude that allows one to befriend spirits and animals.”
That was a perfect description of me.
I had survived various battlefields and befriended spirits and animals.
However, there was something I didn’t understand.
What does having Squirrel Beast at level 1 mean?
Does that mean my aptitude is Squirrel Beast?
Could it be the leftover influence from when I transformed into a giant squirrel not long ago?
“You have the ability 《Transformation》. It’s quite a rare skill. 《Demon Riding》 is also an excellent skill, and 《Battle Cry》 is suitable for the battlefield. Wonderful.”
I was surprised to see what skills I possessed, as I had no idea.
The Inoi, who was quietly observing us from the side, chimed in.
“I, Inoi, am curious whether I can acquire that mysterious spell…! Status window…!”
Pop-!
My wild instincts indicated that something faint was floating in front of Inoi.
However, I couldn’t see the details.
Squinting-.
As I focused my eyes, characters began to appear before me.
「Skill use successful. Using skill 《Intuition》.」
「Name: Oioi Inoi
Nymph 5 Lv.
Singer 1 Lv.
Leader 1 Lv
Total Level: 7 Lv
Strength: Strong like a deer
Speed: Fast like a squirrel
Intelligence: Smart like a raccoon
Magic Power: Abundant like the top Nymph
Skills: 《Nymph’s Secret》」
“How fascinating…! No other Nymphs would be able to use such magic…! Oioi has discovered a Nymph-friendly magic as a top Nymph…!”
With a raised hand, Oioi was thrilled.
Soon, Ms. Dalletto chuckled softly.
“Well, that’s a unique magic of this Midlands. It became usable after the Demon King took residence in that castle. It seems to be the rules of Demon King Barbatos. You probably can’t use it elsewhere.”
Rules of Demon King Barbatos, huh.
Does that mean it’s unique magic that can only be used in this rift?
“If one knows oneself and understands the opponent, they can win any battle. I hope you heroes do your best. This world is far too dull, and I wish things would turn out better.”
# # #
“Status window!”
Oioi shouted.
“Status window!”
Once again, Oioi shouted.
It seemed she was very fascinated by the magic she learned from Ms. Dalletto.
She had shouted “Status window!” dozens of times already without showing any signs of getting tired.
I headed to the pub of the town’s inn, named “Imp’s Tail,” to order a beer.
I was waiting for the Plague Doctor.
We agreed to meet here for lunch.
As noon approached, a woman wearing a plague doctor mask slowly walked into the inn.
Her appearance was unfamiliar and slender, attracting everyone’s gaze.
“Ms. Plague Doctor, have you found out anything?”
The Plague Doctor sat across from me, unfazed by the attention.
I briefly explained the events that had just occurred.
“Nymph’s Secret, babble away!”
“Chit-chat, chit-chat!”
That was a very simple explanation.
But soon, I realized, “Ah!” This Nymph’s Secret babble away was something only those with a high Nymph friendship like Core could understand.
“You learned from the witch and discovered that Owl and Jihou are trapped in the Demon King’s castle. How remarkable.”
“…Can you understand 「Nymph’s Secret, babble away」?”
I was quite surprised.
Soon, Oioi, who had been shouting “Status window!” spoke.
“I think this Oioi sensed a familiar aura behind that mask…! It feels very familiar…!”
Seeing Oioi questioning her, the Plague Doctor coughed awkwardly behind her mask.
“I have a Nymph among my cousins.”
What!?
So she has a Nymph as a cousin?!
That’s quite a fascinating person indeed.
“More importantly, what exactly is this ‘status window’ that Oioi keeps talking about?”
It seemed the Plague Doctor was quite curious about Oioi’s repeated shouting of “Status window.”
I told her.
“Try to draw up magic power in your mind and say, ‘Status window.’”
“Status window-.”
Ding-.
I felt letters begin to appear before the Plague Doctor.
At the same time, letters also appeared before my face.
「Skill use successful. Using skill 《Intuition》.」
「Name: Yu Ara
Doctor 2 Lv.
Shaman 2 Lv.
Martial Artist 5 Lv.
Jester 2 Lv.
Total Level: 11 Lv MAX
Strength: Strong
Speed: Very Fast
Intelligence: Very Cunning
Magic Power: Abundant
Skills: ??」
Surprising.
I hadn’t intended to see this, but I realized something amazing!
That the identity of the Plague Doctor was actually my junior, Yu Ara!
Same name…!?
No, that can’t be true!
I felt a wave of dizziness, my legs turned to jelly, my heart raced, and cold sweat ran down my back!
My eyes must be deceiving me!
Otherwise, this was an absurd conclusion!
The innocent and kind Ari was the Black Ops Plague Doctor!
Not to mention, she was level 11 MAX!
That’s 2 levels higher than mine!
That must mean she’s at least an S-ranker!
Overwhelmed by the shock, my vision went dark.
I trusted Ari!
I felt embarrassed recalling how I had boasted to my friends, thinking she was a B-ranker who retired, saying “The air feels different once you hit A-rank!”
How much did Ari laugh at me while being an unofficial S-ranker and a secret agent?
If there was a hole nearby, I would want to hide in it, along with a tinge of betrayal.
“Status window, huh… It’s a fascinating ability, but it doesn’t seem to help me much. I know myself better than anyone.”
I guess that makes sense.
Ari’s 《Super Sensitivity》 can see through anything.
For her, something like the status window is nothing more than a way of visualizing what she already knows.
As I slowly opened my eyes, Ari, the Plague Doctor, adjusted her mask and asked.
“Is there a problem?”
“……”
How should I respond now?
Should I pretend I don’t know that Ari is Ari?
Thinking it over, there must be some reason why Ari had hidden her identity from me.
Should I keep pretending until she reveals it?
Just a slight probe?
“Ari….”
“Ari!?”
The Plague Doctor reacted strongly.
I blurted out awkwardly.
“I have a junior named Ari. She’s also a doctor. Seeing you reminds me of that reliable junior. Is it because we’re both doctors? I really trust and care for Ari…”
“A partner you trust and care for… must be a remarkable person. Sounds like she will be a wise and virtuous wife. A number one candidate for a bride. But I’m not that kind of person. For example—”
Whoosh-!
I realized something brushed past my face.
Turning my head, I saw a fly landing on the table, missing its wings.
“Gotcha.”
The Plague Doctor’s right index finger shot out like a bullet and precisely struck both wings of the fly that was fluttering in the air.
It was a technique so precise, fast, and powerful that I couldn’t even follow it.
“Could gentle and innocent Yu Ara accomplish something like this?”
“……”
Just then, the village bells rang loudly.
Even as an outsider in this world, I could tell this was some form of ‘warning.’
Hastily rushing outside, I found a gargoyle with wings landing in the vast park.
And standing atop it was a silver-haired girl who shouted.
“Muhehu, it’s time to offer this month’s tribute…! As always, five boxes of honey candy…! If you don’t offer it, this gargoyle will take one villager to the Demon King’s castle…!”
Swaying-.
From behind, a long, thin tail with the sharp tip flickering like a star was seen. I recognized such a being.
“Imp!?”
“Who said Imp…! That’s correct…! I am the top aide of Demon King Barbatos and the greatest of all Imp comrades…!”
Another Imp aside from Barbar, who I lived with!
Barbar had always mentioned other Imps, so I had half-expected that other Imps existed somewhere in the world!
“More importantly, you! Why aren’t you kneeling before Lord Buruburu…! You want to see something hot…! 「Imp’s Secret, Fire Breath」…!”
Fwoosh-!
As the Imp Buruburu opened its mouth, a long stream of scorching flames shot forth.
Soon, Oioi, who had followed beside me, shouted.
“To take five boxes of honey candy is absolutely unacceptable…! 「Nymph’s Secret, Water Spray」…!”
Swoosh-.
Fire and water clashed.
As intense steam rose up, the vision became clouded. Oioi’s firepower… no, waterpower was stronger, and the Imp Buruburu ended up drenched in cold water.
“Hyieek…! This is cold…! I don’t know who you are, but just wait…!”
Flapping-!
The gargoyle statue took flight along with Imp Buruburu to the distant Demon King’s castle.
I had many things to say, but as people who had been flat on the ground stood up one by one, shouting “You chased away the Imp!” and “You are the heroes of our village!” to us, I couldn’t speak a word.
# # #
Flap-.
The Imp Buruburu dried its drenched body by the bonfire of the castle.
It was an exceptionally revolutionary and Nymph-friendly bonfire.
Once Buruburu dried off completely, it dashed to the front of the throne and bowed low.
“Master…! It seems that heroes have come again…! There’s even one who sprays water! It could be dangerous…! We must be cautious…!”
“Let them come. My blue flames are hungry.”
It was a sultry voice.
The voice belonged to a woman sitting on the throne with long legs, sporting horns sticking high from her head, her red eyes slit like a serpent. She swayed her arrow-shaped tail that peeked out from behind her red dress; it wouldn’t be strange to call her a succubus.
“If I utilize the heroes from beyond, I too can escape this dreary castle.”
