Second Story Online: Aiming To Become The World's Number 1. Ideal Witch Chapter 15 - My World At Night (1)

After I finished eating lunch in the real world, I logged back inside the game.

First, let's recall the original objectives from before, they were:

At this time, I have already successfully accomplished both objectives listed above. Of course, Neil as the familiar spirit, and even if I was only able to understand some parts of the conversation due the language skill being low, it's still counted as a success since I've obtained the skill.

Which reminds me, I also had two new skills added to my roster, of which were: [Moonlight] and [Upheaval]. Since I have already taken the language skill, I'll take the two this time.

《Skill [Moonlight] has been acquired. Basic skills are beyond 10; SP cost has increased.》

Oh my? [Upheaval] initially costs one SP, but after the prompt, it has increased to two. Apparently, when the number of basic skills exceeds 10, the SP cost for future skills also inflates. Even if I was faced with such an SP-grubbing system, I still acquired [Upheaval] regardless.

Now then, the time should be my peak hours—evening. Another thing, Neil should already be energetic now that it's night rather than in the daytime. Energetic.. Why are you still asleep? I look at the sleeping Neil comfortably positioned at the tip of my staff. Neil, It's evening already, please get up.

This should be a good opportunity to go hunting for the time being. The [Twilight Forest] is located on the opposite direction, specifically the eastern part of the Dilord town. Monsters near my level supposedly sp.a.w.ns in that zone.

Since I have already reached level 10, there's a death penalty this time. Additionally, from now it'll be quite difficult to raise the level since the required experience points increases as the level goes up; monsters are also more powerful than before, which means leveling would be more arduous and time-consuming. Beginners who started this game will probably have this point as their first wall; with the tutorial also only up until level 10.

I definitely have to be more careful. Thinking so, I started my trek towards the eastern area. As I traversed through unending gra.s.slands, and occasionally, the small hills in the distance greeting my sight, the night progresses in tranquil silence basked in the beauty of the night. Before long, I was able to see in the distance a poorly-made building as if it was hastily built to become a house—it looked like a goblin settlement.

Ah yes, humanoid monsters appear in this area. Quickly looking over the strategy bulletin boards, a subjugation quest for goblins can actually be taken from a nearby human village near here.

Since I still can't speak properly maybe i'll just pa.s.s off a quest for the meantime. But I think the skill level of the language won't rise unless I engage myself in more conversations.. It's a demanding skill but I still have to do it so that I can finally communicate properly.

Even if hunting goblins should yield me more experience points, I'll settle for hunting rats first. Amidst the dark, I could see the moving shadows scuttering about. Unfortunately, as I don't have night vision, it's impossible to see them clearly. But from what I've researched, these should be [Die Rats].

"Neil, please get up. We're about to go into battle."

I woke up the sleeping Neil who was still snuggled up even if it was already dark. At this rate, my staff would be unusable for battle. Neil who was suddenly risen from his stupor opened his beak to release a yawn.

"Okay first, stay on the branches on the tree over there for me."

Under my instructions, Neil flies to the tree nearby, albeit a bit irked, and stopped on the branch I pointed from before. This time, it also wasn't about to go to sleep. What a relief.

From the towering height of the tree, Neil has a wide view of the surroundings, which was an advantage for me who can utilize Neil's [Forest Sage] skill. This time, I could finally utilize the effect of the skill.

"I should go now."

The rats moving in the dark looked small. Since I can't see the figures properly in the dark, it will also be a ch.o.r.e to aim my magic. Therefore, I should first cease all the enemies'  movements; [Dark Binding] should be able to restrict the creatures within a small radius. It would be troubling if I can't specify an enemy to target, but with such a skill,  it should be easy afterwards as I don't have to aim.

A rat was restrained from the sudden chains created from the dark. As an effect under Neil's [Forest Sage] skill, I could see the HP bar of the enemy clearly. A surprise attack is actually effective too, huh. The rat is immobilized for awhile; with the effect from the chain, I could easily pinpoint its position.

"[Shadow Arrows]."

A burst of shadow arrows. .h.i.t the mouse without difficulty. Then, the rat's HP gauge quickly disappeared, its body slowly fading away to oblivion

“.. It's quite powerful, isn't it?”

I mutter unintentionally while watching the mouse disintegrate into air, while the log for the loot obtained from the battle appeared. The way the HP bar decreased rapidly was unusual. It's probably because my magic power is currently strengthened from various skill effects.

[Dark Magic] was reinforced since it's being used in the dark. Consequently, dark magic is also enhanced from Neil's [Dark Sense]. And lastly, with the [Moonlight] skill, magic power is also strengthened.

Since it was also an opponent with a higher level, the skill [Upheaval] should have been applied as well. It's also a full moon tonight; [Moonlight] would be even more effective. Since I have strengthened my dark magic that originally has high offensive power, its current firepower would be over the top for a level 10 player like me.

Well, these things are all made possible since I'm hunting at night—[Upheaval] was the only skill that could still work effectively even if it isn't evening.

"Neil is asleep in the morning too."

Neil sleeps at daytime, therefore skills like [Dark Sense] and [Forest Sage] are basically useless in that time. Neil who perched on the branch makes an expression as if it was going to sleep again. You should have slept well enough, why do you still want to sleep?

Anyway, I truly am fully specialized for night combat. However, it's quite an interesting setting. Besides, doesn't the night suit a witch more?