The Standing of Spellcasters

"I should look for an adventuring party over the next few days and see if any are hunting Kobolds."

Kobolds were the next targets Rain had chosen.

For one thing, they were roughly as strong as Goblins, so the risks were manageable.

For another, Rain had read that Kobolds had an exceptionally keen sense of smell.

That meant if he killed one and gained the Kobold Bloodline, he might inherit that bloodline talent—some ability that enhanced his sense of smell.

An enhanced sense of smell was nothing to dismiss.

Rain was sure it would help him avoid danger while adventuring and track enemies before a fight, provided he used it well.

Unfortunately, over the next two weeks,

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Rain found no suitable Kobold-hunting commission. At Robin's invitation—Robin had been sparring with him—he briefly joined a temporary adventuring party and helped wipe out small groups of Goblins on two missions.

Both went smoothly, but neither brought any unexpected gains, such as an encounter with a Mutant Goblin.

The groups were small, so there were no Goblin Warriors, either.

That all but confirmed Rain's suspicion that the cold-empowered Goblin he had encountered last time had been a rare occurrence.

He might run into another Mutant Goblin if he kept taking Goblin-clearing jobs, but he knew the odds were slim.

Perhaps his chances would be better among a large horde of Goblins.

But even a medium-sized Goblin group was far more dangerous, with a Challenge Rating above one as a matter of course.

As their numbers grew, Goblins developed more specialized roles, including ranged fighters such as archers. That made them much more dangerous to adventurers.

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Still, Rain had not come away empty-handed.

At the very least, he now understood his special ability better.

Rain had previously believed that dealing the final blow to a monster was enough to obtain its bloodline icon.

His tests had shown otherwise.

To be precise, he needed not only to deal the final blow but also to play the leading role in killing the monster.

So if someone powerful brought a dragon to the brink of death, Rain could not simply step in and claim the reward.

If he wanted a monster's bloodline, he would most likely have to fight for it himself.

Rain had no problem with that. In his eyes, an ability that rewarded him with a monster's powers for defeating it through his own efforts was already extraordinary.

He therefore planned to stick to his original course: complete a Kobold-hunting bounty and gain the Kobold Warrior Bloodline.

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Yes, the Kobold Warrior Bloodline.

He would kill four ordinary Kobolds and fuse their bloodlines into a stronger Kobold Bloodline.

According to the Beginner Monster Compendium, that stronger form was called a Kobold Warrior.

Rain did not yet know what special traits the Kobold Warrior Bloodline possessed.

But with its power, the Goblin Warrior Bloodline, and all the practice he had put into Shield Block and Spear Thrust lately, he was confident of one thing.

He would rank among the stronger adventurers on this floor.

Then he would have a much firmer footing, whether he joined an adventuring party or formed one himself.

Early one morning, Rain made his usual round of the hall.

"Boarfolk? You don't see those often."

"No wonder the reward's so generous."

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"Yeah, but a monster with a Challenge Rating of one isn't easy to deal with."

A number of adventurers stood around the newly posted commission on the first-floor notice board, murmuring among themselves.

Hm?

Rain paused when he heard them.

He had not intended to challenge a Boarfolk, but if there was a chance to kill one, he would gladly join a party and try to obtain its bloodline.

Besides, this was the first time he had seen a Boarfolk bounty posted in the association hall.

Curious, Rain edged into the crowd. He soon spotted the new notice on the board:

[Mission number]: Mill Town 0213

[Type]: Bounty

[Reward]: 30 silver coins

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[Mission description]: In the past two days, villagers have sighted two Boarfolk wandering southwest of Mill Town, south of the road to Azure Mine Cave and east of Berry Village. Find and kill them.

[Proof of completion]: Submit the remains of both Boarfolk or other evidence.

[Time limit]: 3 days.

(Note: Recommended for adventuring parties of White Porcelain Level Three or above, or individuals of equivalent strength.)

"They really are Boarfolk!"

"Two of them?"

The small print on the last line immediately caught Rain's eye.

White Porcelain Level Three?

After nearly a month, Rain had learned the basics of adventurer ranks.

White Porcelain Level Three was the highest rank within White Porcelain. Black Iron came next.

Members of a White Porcelain Level Three party were generally close to becoming Professionals, if they had not already reached that threshold.

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The recommendation was reasonable, too.

With intelligence, equipment, and a party of more than four members, a White Porcelain Level Three team could, in theory, handle monsters with a Challenge Rating below two.

One of these Boarfolk had a Challenge Rating of one; together, the two posed a challenge of roughly one and a half.

In other words, a properly equipped White Porcelain Level Three party with enough members could kill them.

But that applied to parties just below Black Iron. The difficulty was still enough to deter most adventuring parties on the first floor.

Adventurers were not out to get themselves killed.

Most wanted to build their skills. They would not casually accept a mission that pushed their party beyond its limits.

Rain shook his head slightly. Tempting as the Boarfolk were, he could not take the job now—unless a White Porcelain Level Three party happened to be short a member and he could join them.

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That seemed unlikely.

So Rain turned to leave.

But as he reached a corner of the hall, about to head into the courtyard, a conversation nearby caught his interest.

"Illys went to Dorn City. By the time she gets back, some other party will probably have finished the Boarfolk job."

"Then let's find someone to fill in."

"But finding an archer good enough for our party won't be easy."

Hm?

They're short a member?

Could my luck really be that good?

But it sounds like they need an archer...

Rain immediately turned to look.