CHAPTER 36: 036 "LIGHT GEAR

Whether one could learn developmental abilities upon leveling up was not a matter of luck, but depended on the accumulated experience points of the individual up to that point.

Like basic abilities, if you wanted to enhance a particular one, you needed to take corresponding actions, specifically engaging in behaviors that utilized that ability, in order to accumulate the experience points as nourishment, and then transform them into substantive growth when updating your ability values.

While potential and talent were also factors, generally speaking, what developmental abilities one learns upon leveling up depended on the actions the person had taken.

As long as actions had been taken and sufficient experience points had been accumulated to trigger a certain developmental ability, that ability would appear as a blessing upon leveling up, available for learning.

Conversely, if one had not garnered noteworthy experience points and satisfied the conditions for learning a developmental ability, they wouldn’t be able to learn any new developmental abilities upon leveling up.

Given this situation, if suitable experience points were gained, multiple developmental abilities could present themselves as options to choose from.

Now, Reiger was in such a situation.

"Four developmental abilities have been triggered by you, but you can only choose one to learn. If you wish to level up immediately, you must make your choice now,"

Loki told Reiger, sharing the four developmental abilities he had triggered.

"The first developmental ability is—’Hunter’."

This was a developmental ability specifically for fighting monsters; its triggering condition required defeating a large number of monsters within a short period.

Once this ability was learned, an adventurer who had this developmental ability would have their ability values enhanced when facing the same kind of monsters they had previously fought and gained experience points from.

This developmental ability could only be learned upon reaching Level 2, making it quite rare and valuable. Since most adventurers worked by exploring the underground city and often confronted monsters, this ability was highly sought after by adventurers and even gods. It was something most adventurers wished to acquire.

Though Reiger had only been blessed for about a week, his daily ventures into the underground city and constant engagement in battle had resulted in defeating a multitude of monsters, thereby successfully triggering the learning conditions for ’Hunter’.

"The second developmental ability is—’Abnormal Resistance’."

This was the previously mentioned developmental ability capable of warding off abnormal statuses like poisoning, triggered by sustaining damage from such conditions.

In the upper layers of the underground city, a type of purple moth that could scatter toxic scale powder frequently appeared, easily endangering adventurers with its poison. Consequently, most adventurers had been afflicted by abnormal statuses early on, making this developmental ability relatively accessible.

Thanks to this, most adventurers gained ’Abnormal Resistance’ upon advancing to Level 2, which acted as a basic benefit to ensure that the majority didn’t level up without acquiring any developmental abilities.

Reiger, too, had been harassed by the purple moths, making the triggering of this developmental ability all but certain.

The above two developmental abilities, being quite pragmatic, were commonly triggered by adventurers who frequently delved into the underground city and dealt with monsters daily.

Even the first-level adventurers of Loki’s familia mostly possessed these two abilities, as did other adventurers.

Out of the four developmental abilities Reiger triggered, two were likewise these same abilities.

However, the next two developmental abilities were different.

"Your third developmental ability is—’Swordsman’."

Loki smiled with a tilt of her head.

"This is a rather rare ability, one that only a top-tier swordsman could possibly trigger. In our familia, only Ais Wallenstein has this ability, and she learned it upon reaching Level 4. For you to satisfy the learning conditions at just Level 2—if Ais Wallenstein knew about this, she might feel quite disheartened, don’t you think?"

The effects of this developmental ability were simple: it enhanced the ability values of the wielder when equipped with a sword.

The higher the level of the ability, the greater the enhancement, even the initial phase, Phase I, had a notably significant increase.

Unless otherwise, Reiger was inclined to choose ’Swordsman’ anyway.

’Hunter’ might be an ability that could only be acquired upon reaching Level 2, making it somewhat precious—a case of "miss this village, miss this shop." However, it was only effective against monsters and even then, only those he had previously defeated. To someone like Reiger, who wouldn’t stay in this world permanently but wander between different worlds, the utility would be considerably reduced.

There was absolutely no need to select ’Abnormal Resistance,’ since Reiger’s skill effects already provided ’Abnormal Resistance’ at the highest level. Why waste a precious learning opportunity on a Phase I ’Abnormal Resistance’?

In this way, Reiger naturally tended to choose the ’Swordsman’ ability.

However, the appearance of the fourth developmental ability caused Reiger to hesitate.

"Your fourth developmental ability is—’Light Armor’."

These words from Loki caused Reiger to pause for a moment.

"’Light Armor’?"

Reiger furrowed his brows, confirming that he had never heard of this developmental ability.

And if even Reiger, who was familiar with the source material, didn’t know of the ability, its rarity was self-evident.

That’s what Loki said.

"I’ve never heard of such an ability, not even in the guild’s log of known registered developmental abilities,"

Loki looked at Reiger, the smile on her face growing more pronounced, more intense.

"This is a genuine rare ability, and perhaps you are the very first person to have discovered this developmental ability, right?"

In other words, it was unique.

"This is also one of the results from the fruiting of your unknown potential," Loki said excitedly and animatedly, "Choose this one, Reiger. I feel this ability must be powerful!"

As a god pursuing the unknown and seeking thrill and entertainment, Loki naturally wouldn’t want to miss out on such a unique and precious ability.

However, the person in question did not heed the overtly excited patron deity and calmly asked, "What are the effects of this developmental ability?"

"I’m not quite sure," Loki shook her head and said, "But from my understanding, it should be an ability that sacrifices defense in exchange for extraordinary speed."

The eyes and observational skills of the gods are nothing short of exceptional.

Even if it’s just a vague snippet of words, the gods can judge the general effects and types of an ability based on the experience points trend that triggered its development.

So, Loki told Reiger this.

"If my understanding is correct, then after learning this ability, the less equipment and carrying weight you have on you, the more agile your movements will become."

This is an ability designed to enhance "dexterity" and "agility."

Completely opposite to the "Swordsman" who needs a sword equipped to trigger the effect, the requirement to trigger the "Lightweight Armor" effect is to reduce the amount of equipment on the body.

That’s why Loki said this ability sacrifices defense for extraordinary speed.

Due to the requirements of the "Lightweight Armor" effect, once Reiger had learned this ability, he would probably have to completely abandon heavy equipment in the future.

Especially heavy-level equipment like armor, if worn, would render "Lightweight Armor" completely ineffective.

Even considering that the less equipment he has on, the greater the effect, Reiger might be better off not using even the leather protective gear he always wore.

This way, Reiger’s self-protection would be at its lowest.

However, in return, Reiger’s "dexterity" and "agility" would see a significant increase.

"It’s also evident from your ability scores that your strongest skills are ’dexterity’ and ’agility.’ With the addition of your constant use of lightweight leather protective gear, it probably triggered this developmental ability, right?"

"Of course, considering that this kind of developmental ability has never appeared before, there might be other conditions needed to trigger it."

"Anyway, the rarity of this ability is certainly extraordinary, and if you don’t choose it, you might never have the chance to get it again."

Loki, as if inducing something, gave Reiger a sly look.

"What do you think? What’s your choice?"

Hearing this, where did Reiger have room to choose?

"Hunter" and "Abnormal Resistance" are not chosen.

The "Swordsman" is precious indeed, but Ais could learn it at Lv.4, so Reiger would surely be able to learn it later on, and there is no need to rush.

With all that said, does Reiger even need to consider which ability to choose?

"Help me level up."

The answer Reiger gave made Loki perk up.

"All right! Here we go!"

Loki, somewhat excited, began to work on Reiger’s back.

Before long, the leveling up was complete.

...

Reiger Brillhaut

Lv.2

Strength: I0

Endurance: I0

Dexterity: I0

Agility: I0

Magic Power: I0

Lightweight Armor: I

...

Following the level up, the basic abilities and proficiency were all reset to initial values, starting anew from I0.

The accumulated ability values had not disappeared; they existed in a latent form, which is why it was said that the higher the growth stage before leveling up, the stronger one would be afterward.

Only magic, skills, and developmental abilities were not reset, and especially the developmental abilities were never reset no matter how high the level, which is why improving them was so difficult.

For instance, Ais obtained her "Hunter" when she leveled up to Lv.2 at the age of eight, and after all those years of training, it had only reached stage G, improving by just two stages.

The "Swordsman" ability was even more outrageous; Ais acquired it at Lv.4, which was several years ago, and yet after all these years, it was still at I, showing just how hard it is to improve developmental abilities.

There was reason why Loki called Reiger’s "No End in Sight" an abnormality.

After all, it provided Reiger with three top-level developmental abilities.

"Well, maybe you’ll bring about another astonishing growth that will amaze everyone?"

Loki patted Reiger’s shoulder and spoke with a laugh.

"Anyway, congratulations on leveling up."

Upon hearing this, Reiger smiled faintly and nodded.