Volume 3 Chapter 4 Leveling
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Our life together has only just begun, so Liese needs time to adjust. Since I’ve never lived with anyone else before, I’m still trying to figure out our rhythm.
In my previous life, patting a girl’s head as praise would have been considered s*xual harassment, but I wonder how it is here? She looks like she’d appreciate dried meat more than a headpat, but I can’t give her that every time. It would ruin her nutritional balance.
Because she’s a slave, Liese doesn’t think twice about stripping down and changing right in front of me, which is… awkward. She’s a cute girl, so it’s not like I don’t want to look, but looking just because she’s a slave feels wrong. Then again, there seem to be fewer women in this world who care about nudity as much as they did in my old life.
* * *
To work as a porter, you either need an Item Box skill or a backpack frame. Item Box is a rare skill, and the skill points Liese would need to get it are way too high. Even after acquiring it, the skill level is notoriously hard to raise, so I’ve decided against it for her.
Also, I can’t craft a Magic Bag yet because I lack the necessary skills. Even if I could, it would stand out too much. Given how expensive they are, it’s safer for Liese if she doesn’t carry one. It requires Space-Time Magic, after all…
Even for someone like me with no weak points, acquiring Space-Time Magic requires a massive amount of skill points. On top of that, you have to master every other elemental magic first. It’s not a skill you can just pick up. Very few people have the necessary Blessings, so getting it would just make me a target again. But teleportation is a fantasy staple—I really want it. I’ll think about it once I have more breathing room.
* * *
Working solo makes me stand out, so I officially bought a slave to act as my porter. However, since people know I’m a “Transferee,” they might suspect I don’t actually need a porter. A porter can be a liability in combat, so instead of hiding my strength, this might actually have the opposite effect. …Actually, I’ll stop worrying about it. I just need to train Liese up.
Treating Liese as just a porter goes against her own wishes, and considering her potential, it would be a waste. I can’t be with her twenty-four-seven, so I need her to be strong enough to defend herself.
So, while Liese will play the porter for a week to get used to things, after that, I’ll have her level up on the eleventh floor and beyond with my support. It’s power-leveling. It’s usually something to avoid since your actual combat skill won’t match your level, but for now, raising her level first will be more efficient. Her skill levels might lag behind, but she’ll manage. I’ll run her through combat training at the same time.
My plan is to take her to the eleventh floor for about a week as a porter to get her acclimated to the dungeon’s atmosphere and the monsters on those floors. Honestly, part of the reason I bought a slave was that I hated being alone in the dungeon and wanted someone to talk to.
Once she’s used to it, we’ll train on floors suited to her level in the morning, and spend the afternoon on the eleventh floor and beyond to earn money and power-level her. Since two people don’t really make for a “party,” I’ll eventually have to ask the Gale Party or that female Transferee group to give her some pointers.
That was my plan, but I wonder what Liese thinks? I shouldn’t just force my ideas on her; I need to ask what she wants.
* * *
Day two in the dungeon. I decide to ask Liese about her preferences.
”I’d like you to follow me as a porter for about a week to get used to the dungeon. After that, I was thinking of doing your training and leveling at the same time. How does that sound? Do you have any preferences, like wanting to start sooner or taking it slow?”
”I am fine, Master. If possible, I would be grateful if we could begin my training immediately.”
She’s surprisingly eager. Was she really that frustrated by yesterday? Since she’s motivated, I might as well move up the schedule.
”Understood. Let’s start today, then.”
”Thank you very much.”
Liese, ever the serious one, bows with a solemn expression. I’ll have to keep a close eye on her so she doesn’t spin her wheels.
* * *
The dungeon floors and monsters are as follows:
* 1st Floor: Goblins
* 2nd Floor: Kobolds
* 3rd Floor: Skeletons
* 4th Floor: Wolves
* 5th Floor: Ants
* 6th Floor: Mantises
* 7th Floor: Spiders
* 8th Floor: Toads
* 9th Floor: Snakes
* 10th Floor: Boars
* 11th Floor: Orcs, Lizards
* 12th Floor: Mummies, Bears
* 13th Floor: Tortoises, Treants
* 14th Floor: Jack Frosts, Ghouls
* 15th Floor: Golems, Elementals
* 16th Floor: Minotaurs, Tigers
Considering Liese’s safety, the thirteenth floor is probably her limit for a while. The fifteenth floor is better for money, but I’m worried about accidents with the heavy magic from Elementals. One hit from an area-of-effect spell would kill Liese instantly. The thirteenth floor has Tortoises and Treants, and since they don’t use AoE magic, it’s much easier to keep her safe.
The sixteenth floor is also good for money, but the Tigers’ speed makes accidents likely, and I might stand out too much solo. I’ll see how it goes. Also, the fourteenth floor is out of the question due to the poor returns.
* * *
Since Liese is level 7, the first floor with the Goblins is the right level for her. She’ll struggle if three or more show up at once, but she can take on two by herself. I’ll try to let her handle things on her own as much as possible.
I’m also having her practice scouting. While she’s not as good as a dog-type beastman, her nose is sharper than a human’s.
”Liese, can you tell if monsters are approaching?”
”Yes. In the right-hand passage.”
Because there isn’t much air movement in the dungeon, you can detect monsters by smell to some degree. It’s useless against scentless enemies like Golems or Elementals, so I’ll have to find another way by the time we reach those.
This time there were three of them, so we headed straight into combat.
”Liese, keep your back to the wall so you don’t get flanked!”
”Yes!”
I’d like to give her some spear training, but since my own skill level is only 4—not much higher than hers—I’m sticking to teaching her positioning for now.
As expected, because she’s under-leveled, she struggles against three opponents even with good positioning. Hmm. Maybe I should drop the number to two until she gains another level. Or maybe the struggle itself is a good experience?
”Good work. We’re pretty close to a Safe Zone, so let’s head back and rest.”
”Understood.”
While putting her in needless danger is out of the question, being overprotective could stunt her growth. There’s no perfect answer, so I have to judge carefully.
After our break, I demonstrate the movements for her. My opponents are three Goblins, just like before. I use “Taunt” on them so they won’t target Liese. By the way, I was using Stealth earlier, so they didn’t even see me until I stepped in.
”Unless you have a skill to sense attacks from behind, you’re much safer with your back to the wall. If you’re outnumbered, never expose your back, even if your opponents are weaker than you.”
”Yes.”
That only applies if they’re “somewhat” weaker. With the massive gap between me and these Goblins, I wouldn’t take damage even if they hit my back. Plus, I have a skill to detect attacks, so I can just counter them all day.
But doing something that absurd wouldn’t help Liese, so I fight seriously. I move slowly so she can follow. Standing a little way off, Liese watches with an intense gaze. Good girl.
”Goblins just swing with brute force, so don’t try to block them head-on. Just parry and deflect. If you block while outnumbered, you won’t be able to react to the other attacks, and you’ll leave a huge opening if you’re overpowered.”
”Yes.”
”By parrying, you can force the Goblin to miss. Check where the others are; if you have an opening, strike. If not, reposition and reset.”
I spend a few moments deflecting the Goblins’ attacks, making small adjustments to my stance.
”If you can, try to attack or kick them away while you parry, but the most important thing is simply not getting hit.”
”Yes.”
I talk while I work, taking one’s head off as I parry, then kicking the next one away. I point my sword at the third to keep it at bay.
”If you can learn to use your tail, Liese, you’ll have even more options. I don’t have a tail, so I can’t show you how to do it, though.”
”Yes.”
Actually, could I do it with “Transformation”? No, that would be way too suspicious, so I’m not going there.
That should be enough for a demo. I finish off the remaining Goblins.
”Now you try the parrying, Liese. Don’t worry if you can’t get it right away.”
”Yes.”
She grips her spear with determination, but it might still be too much for her.
Liese’s next attempt didn’t go well. Once her level and skill level go up, she’ll be able to do what I do—and I was a total amateur to start with. It’ll be easy for her.
”Good work. You’re just lacking the levels and skills right now. Don’t let it get you down.”
”…Yes.”
Man, a moping Liese is cute too, but I know she wants to get strong fast.
* * *
To change the pace and earn some pocket change, we headed to the eleventh floor where the Orcs and Lizards are. Hunting Orcs is also a way to get a reward (meat) for Liese.
”I’ll do the same thing as before. Watch closely.”
”Yes.”
Facing three Orcs, I parry their attacks just like I did with the Goblins.
The speed and power are on a different level, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Orcs are basically all brawn and no brains; they just swing their clubs around. I weave through the strikes and deflect them.
After a few minutes, I counter-attack—kicking, slashing, and thrusting. It’s the same routine as the Goblins.
”Well? Did that help?”
”Yes! You are amazing, Master!”
Liese, who clearly admires power, looks at me with wide, sparkling eyes. It’s flattering, but a bit embarrassing.
To a normal person with a single-digit level, an Orc is a nightmare. Liese felt the same way until yesterday. Since we spent all of yesterday slaughtering them, I think her fear is starting to fade.
I’m not ready to let her fight one yet, but after seeing what’s down here, the Goblins on the first floor should feel like a piece of cake.
”Alright, let’s get you some levels. I’ll disable the Orcs and Lizards, and you stab them with your spear. Even a tiny bit of damage is enough.”
”Yes.”
I find two Orcs and quickly lop off their limbs. If they look like they’re about to use Earth Magic, I’ll finish them instantly.
”Give it a try, Liese.”
”Yes. …Ngh!”
Liese’s thrust couldn’t pierce the Orc’s hide. It left a scratch, so it should count.
”Try attacking the open flesh where I cut off the limbs.”
”Yes.”
This time, the spear sinks deep into the meat. That should do it.
I finish off the Orc. When I check Liese with Appraisal, she’s definitely gaining experience.
”Great, this is working. Lizards have even tougher hides, so attack the cut surfaces the same way.”
”Understood.”
We kept hunting like that, and by the end of the day, Liese had reached level 9. She’ll hit level 10 tomorrow, and by the day after, we can move to the second floor. We’ll just have to make up for her low skills with raw levels.
—
Summary:
The protagonist begins training Liese in the dungeon, deciding to use ‘power leveling’ to quickly boost her stats despite the gap in her actual combat skills. They clear lower floors for technique and move to the 11th floor to farm high-level experience from incapacitated Orcs. Liese shows great dedication and manages to reach Level 9 by the end of the day.
—
Trivia:
- Item Box is rare and expensive to learn via skill points.
- Space-Time Magic requires mastering all other elemental magic types.
- Floor 14 is specifically noted for having bad loot/efficiency.
- The protagonist used ‘Taunt’ to draw aggro during the demonstration.
- Beastmen like Liese have a superior sense of smell used for monster detection
—
Character Insight:
Liese is highly motivated by her past frustrations and current status, seeking strength as a means of utility or self-protection. The protagonist struggles with the ethical implications of the master-slave dynamic, especially regarding Liese’s lack of modesty.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The chapter highlights typical ‘Isekai’ game mechanics common in web novels, such as ‘Power Leveling’ and the ‘Taunt’ skill.
Notes:
• Liese – 16‑year‑old Dragonewt slave, grey‑blue hair, thick horns, grey scales on neck/limbs, 170 cm, thin chest, tail, spear user, Level 7‑11, ‘Two Conflicting Dragons’ title sealing fire/water magic, loyal and serious, purchased by Daisuke, currently studying reading.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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