I’m Just Leveling up Efficiently, but for Some Reason, the People Around Me Seem to Be Looking at Me With Disapproval - Chapter 14

The burials took until just before noon.

At the edge of the village.
In the old communal graveyard, the villagers who died last night were laid out in a row.
Wrapped in what cloth had survived the fire, their names were called, and one by one they were returned to the earth.

I watched the scene in silence.
To be honest, it did hurt in my chest.
I was born in this village and grew up here.
People I greeted like normal just yesterday weren’t moving anymore today.
Yeah, it felt pretty bad.

But something else took up even more space in my head.
The Dible Empire.
Advance team.
Main force.
White wolf tribe.
Red moon.
And — experience points.

Last night’s attack finished this village.
At least, it wouldn’t continue the same way as before.
Houses burned, people died, and over half the food stores were lost.
It would be tough for the remaining villagers to rebuild on their own.
That’s why no one strongly opposed us leaving.
Or maybe they just didn’t have the energy left to argue.

“Yushuu.”

While I stood with my hands together in front of the grave, Dad called out to me.
He had a travel bag on his back and a sword at his waist.
He no longer looked like the local guard from last night — he looked like a traveler.

“Preparations are done.”
“That was fast.”
“There wasn’t much we could take anyway.”

Dad said that and smiled a little, but the smile quickly faded.

“I already talked to the village chief. We’ll head to the eastern port town first.”
“Port town?”
“Yeah. In a small boat it should take about a day and a half. From there we can catch a transport ship to the southern tip of the Arcana Continent.”

Transport ship.
Continent.
New area.

Just those words made something inside me itch with excitement.
New land.
New monsters.
New experience tables.
New skill unlock conditions.
Ah.
No good.
Even in front of the graves, I could feel the corners of my mouth trying to lift.
My lack of tact meter was in the danger zone.

I cleared my throat and pulled my face straight again.

“What about Mom and Avi?”
“Erin will come after she finishes treating the injured. Avi…”

Dad started to speak when I heard small footsteps behind me.

“Here.”

I turned around and saw Avi standing there.
The bag on her back was small.
She had changed into travel clothes.
But in her usual sleepy-looking eyes there was a new core that wasn’t there yesterday.

“Yushuu-kun.”
“Hm?”
“I’ll make sure I don’t slow you down.”

Avi said that and clenched both hands in front of her chest.
“Yesterday I could only pray. But I received a blessing too. I want to learn how to use it properly.”
“That would really help.”

I answered right away.
Prayer-type skills.
Probably a support role.
From what I felt yesterday, it seemed to reduce fatigue, stabilize the mind, or give a slight ability boost.
Depending on range and duration, it could be pretty strong.
If it covers the whole party, our grinding efficiency would jump a lot.

“Let’s start testing it today.”
“…Yeah. Testing.”

Avi nodded seriously.
The testing I have in mind and the testing Avi has in mind are probably a bit different.
But that’s fine.
As long as we get results.

“Yushuu.”

This time it was Mom’s voice.
She looked tired.
That was natural after treating the injured almost nonstop since last night.
Even so, she carried her bag and looked straight at me.

“Let’s go.”
“Mom, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”

Mom smiled.
“Are you really okay after fighting that much last night?”
“I’m fine. The level up healed everything.”
“…Is that how it works?”
“That’s how it works.”

Mom gave a slightly troubled laugh.
Well, it probably doesn’t make sense with normal common sense.
For me, having full recovery on level up in this world was a huge lifesaver.
Without it, I would’ve died three times last night.
Actually, if I died I couldn’t level up.
Scary stuff.

We headed for the village exit.
Along the way, many villagers called out to us.
Thank you.
Be careful.
Come back alive.
Every time they said something like that, Dad and Mom bowed their heads deeply.
I felt a bit awkward.
I didn’t fight for their thanks.
I hunted because there were experience points.
As a result, the village was saved.
That’s the order of things.

But the villagers looked at me like I was some kind of hero.
…Well, it doesn’t feel bad.
If there’s a title system, I should be getting something soon.

We left the village and entered the forest path.
It was the same path Mom, Avi, and I escaped on yesterday.
Back then I was still just a normal thirteen-year-old kid.
Now it’s different.
Level fifty-nine.
Four skills.
One hundred six remaining status points.
Thirty-two skill points.
Pretty good start for the early game.

“Presence Detection.”

I spread out my senses.
I get the feeling of faint dots outside my field of view.
Dad, Mom, Avi.
Nearby small birds.
Distant small animals.
And —.

“Something ahead on the right.”
“Distance?”
“About fifty steps. Small. Probably not a monster… wait.”

I narrowed my eyes.
The presence was shaking strangely.
Too irregular for an animal.
Too low for a human.
It felt like something was being dragged.

“Should I try Appraisal?”

I quietly stepped forward.
Dad put his hand on his sword.
Mom moved back to protect Avi.
Nice coordination.
We’re starting to feel like a real party.

When I pushed through the bushes, a small monster was there.
Gray fur.
Pointed ears.
A rusty short sword in its hand.
Height around my waist.

” Goblin, huh.”

I stared at it.

“Appraisal”
――――――――――
Race: Goblin
Level：8
Stamina：9
Strength：7
Technique：6
Durability：5
――――――――――

It worked.
I can see it.
Level and some status values.
Target is a goblin.
Level eight.
Weak.
Way too weak.
But it’s my first encounter monster.
There might be a first-kill bonus.
Could also trigger some internal monster encyclopedia flag.
No reason not to kill it.

“Yushuu, don’t let your guard down.”
“I know.”

The goblin noticed us and raised its short sword.
Slow.
Way too slow.
I stepped in half a pace, knocked its wrist away, and slid my blade into its neck.
The goblin fell.
Ping.

“…Just one ping.”
Well, yeah.
The level gap is too big.
Not very tasty.
But I wasn’t disappointed.
Because from that one kill I learned something.

“Appraisal is way too convenient.”

I can know the enemy’s level in advance.
That means way better accuracy when picking hunting grounds.
I can avoid pointless fights.
Fewer accidents.
There’s no skill more valuable for an efficiency gamer.

“Yushuu-kun.”

Avi spoke up softly.
“You look happy again.”
“Of course I’m happy. It’s a new feature.”
“New feature…”

Avi thought for a moment, then let out a small laugh.
“That’s so like you, Yushuu-kun.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah.”

Right then.
Another dot caught the edge of my Presence Detection.
Not one.
Two.
Three.
And even more deeper in.

I lifted my head.

“Dad.”
“Yeah. I hear them too.”

From deeper in the forest, annoying screeching voices were getting closer.
A group of goblins.
Probably more than ten.

I couldn’t help smiling.
Goblins.
Lousy alone.
But what about a group?
Perfect for testing skills in consecutive fights.
Checking Avi’s support effects.
Measuring Dad’s combat ability.
Testing Mom’s recovery magic consumption.
A pretty good first battle for the journey.

“…Hey, Dad.”
“What?”
“Can I hold them off for a bit?”
“Make sure you keep an escape route open.”
“Got it.”

I drew my sword.
The shorter one I took from the ugly pig orcs last night.
It still doesn’t feel natural in my hand.
But it’s much better than the chipped knife.

Red eyes glowed from deep in the forest.

“Avi.”
“Yeah.”
“Use the same prayer as yesterday.”
“Got it.”

Avi clasped her hands in front of her chest.
A faint light wrapped around us.
My body feels lighter.
Breathing steadies.
Vision sharpens.
Yeah, it’s strong.
This is a jackpot skill.

“Alright.”

I stepped forward.
“Let’s start the first leveling of our journey.”