If I'd had a status window before running into that goblin, I could've gone full overpowered from the start.
Though I guess I shouldn't complain too much.
Still, this means I can expect some good skills too.
Before exploring any further, I should get some skills first. There might be monsters even stronger than goblins and it's not like they're guaranteed to stay inside the dungeon forever.
Yeah… I plan to investigate this dungeon more thoroughly. If I want to live here safely, I have no choice but to understand it. And for that, I need to strengthen myself first.
There's something called "Remaining Points" in the skill section, so I should be able to spend those to get new skills.
Let's see what skills I can choose from…
*Click*
A whole bunch of skill options pop up in a window.
"Whoa, that's a lot!"
Most of them are related to being a ninja—things like ninjutsu, movement-based techniques, and assassination skills.
Unfortunately, skills like [Item Box] or [Appraisal] aren't on the list. Maybe I haven't met the requirements, or maybe magic-based skills aren't available to me.
Could be that the skills available depend on your job or your actions. If I could choose them, I'd grab those first for sure.
But maybe ninjas just can't use magic.
I mean, a ninja who uses magic… is that even a thing? Magic swordsmen are kind of cool, but "magic ninja" just feels off.
Personally… yeah, not a big fan of it.
Anyway, let's take a closer look at the skills that caught my eye. Each skill comes with a short description. It's not much, but always better than nothing.
Let's start with the main one. The most ninja-like skill.
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[Ninjutsu]
The base skill for using ninjutsu.
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So [Ninjutsu] is a "basic" skill…
But what does that mean exactly?
Does it lead to more advanced skills later on?
If I'm going to be a ninja, I have no choice but to take it anyways!
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[Stealth]
A basic skill for hiding yourself.
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Another "basic" skill.
Stealth is always a strong skill in games and stories. Using this skill, I can live a life in the shadows. This one's an easy pick.
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[Throwing]
Improves your accuracy and skill with thrown weapons.
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A classic must-have for a ninja. I want to throw shuriken and kunai all day. I'll take this!
But it probably doesn't help with bows or guns, though. I'll have to test that out later.
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[Assassination]
Boosts your power when attacking by surprise.
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Throat slice! One-shot kill! Yeah, no doubt, I'm taking this one. Stealth kills are part of the ninja lifestyle. It's not being cowardly. It's just simply being efficient :)
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"I'll take all of these. The rest can wait."
Time to actually acquire the skills.
Of course, the first one to get is [Ninjutsu].
I have 10 remaining points, and learning this skill should reduce that by some value.
*Click*
I tap [Ninjutsu].
I check my status window. The skill list has been updated. My points have gone down, and [Ninjutsu] has been added in my skills category.
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Skill: [Ninjutsu] Lv.1
(Remaining Points: 9)
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"All right, it's there. But… how do I use it?"
I don't feel like I can use any ninjutsu yet.
How am I even supposed to activate it?
I hold out my hand dramatically and shout:
"Fire Style: Katon no Jutsu!"
...
...
Nothing happens....
Only my voice echoes through the empty cave.
What the hell am I doing?
At least no one saw that. That was so embarrassing.
Do I need some kind of incantation or hand signs like in anime?
I have no clue.
Wait, don't panic. Maybe I can just look it up online… Right, no phone signal. Even if I could search, there's probably no info on this unknown closet trespassing dungeon.
For now, I'll take another look at the skill window.
"Oh wait! There are more skills available now, listed under [Ninjutsu]."
So that's what a "basic skill" means.
By taking it, I've unlocked related techniques.
Looks like you can't get any of those without the base skill first.
It doesn't mean I can suddenly use all ninjutsu, [ Ninjutsu ] just acts as a requirement to unlock more specific ones.
Underneath [Ninjutsu], a new list of options appeared.
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[Ninjutsu]
• [Clone Technique] – Creates a clone for a limited time
• [Wall Running Technique] – Lets you run on walls
• [Concealment Technique] – Lowers your visibility for a limited time
• [Scent Masking Technique] – Reduces your body's smell for a limited time
• [Sound Suppression Technique] – Lowers the noise you make for a limited time
• [Poison Technique] – Grants knowledge of poison mixing and usage. Uses ingredients and magic stones to create poisons.
• [Medicine Technique] – Grants knowledge of medicine mixing and usage. Uses ingredients and magic stones to create medicine.
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"Now that looks like real ninja stuff."
Some skills like [Concealment Technique] and [Sound Suppression Technique] seem quite similar to what I'll get from [Stealth].
Ninjas are sometimes called "stealth types" too, so it makes sense they overlap.
For now, I'll skip the hiding skills and come back to them later.
[Poison Technique] and [Medicine Technique], huh…
Those do fit the image of shady ninja stuff.
Like… "Standing downwind was a mistake," kind of trickery.
And I bet those include aphrodisiacs, paralytics, stamina-boosting pills… All the suspicious stuff. Heh.
Poison ninja or lewd ninja, that has its own kind of appeal.
Not that I want to be a pervy ninja. I don't. Really. [A/N: That's not a hentai, don't worry!]
Still, it makes sense for a ninja to know poisons and medicines. But if I'm using poison, I should also know how to make antidotes.
For now, I'll go with [Clone Technique] and [Wall Running Technique]. One point each. That leaves me with 7 points.
Next, I get [Stealth]. It's also a base skill.
And just like before, it unlocks more options.
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[Stealth]
• [Shadow Art] – Makes you harder to detect.
• [Silence] – Lowers the sound you make.
• [Critical Strike] – Boosts surprise attacks.
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Exactly what I expected. I spend one point on each. Now I'm down to 3 points.
[Shadow Art] says it makes me "harder to detect," which is kind of vague.
How does that even work?
[Concealment Technique] from ninjutsu said it lowers visibility, which is more clear.
[Silence] reduces sound, so [Shadow Art] probably affects how easily others can see me.
I'll test that later.
Then I take [Assassination] and [Throwing].
Now I have 1 point left.
I'll save the last point for later and think it over.
With that, now I'm ready for spicy stuff!
Time for live combat!