S-Rank Adventurers are an exceptionally prestigious title in this world.
After all, only one party per continent is permitted to bear this title, effectively marking them as the most skilled and renowned adventurers.
The group that was at the center of the parade I saw when I first arrived in this world must have been the S-Rank adventurers of that time.
That party had ventured into the Central Continent and returned.
The fact that the items they obtained are now being auctioned means they must be spoils from their battles in the Central Continent.
"Mmm..."
"I’ve been wondering—why are you so fixated on this? The auction isn’t until tomorrow."
Six days had already passed since our shopping trip with Nell.
The whole time, I couldn’t stop thinking about the rumors.
To distract myself, I hunted Marsh Dragons more diligently than usual and focused intensely on skill training.
Thanks to that, my skills have grown significantly.
[Liberta – Css 1 / Level 50]Base Stats:
Stamina: 60
Magic: 40
BP: 0
EXBP: 0Skills (4/5 Skill Slots):
Spear Mastery: Css 10 / Level 100
Magic Edge: Css 10 / Level 100
Scythe Mastery: Css 10 / Level 100
Stealth: Css 6 / Level 77
At this rate, I could even start considering the next css upgrade.
There weren’t any particurly appealing skills in the Skill Shop, so one of my skill slots remains empty, but with Magic Edge as an active skill, I’m more than capable in combat.
"I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s all I can think about, even at night.""You say that like it’s weird, but isn’t that normal?"
Despite my steady progress, the auction has been the only thing on my mind.
[Amina – Css 1 / Level 50]Base Stats:
Stamina: 40
Magic: 60
BP: 0
EXBP: 0Skills (5/5 Skill Slots):
Staff Mastery: Css 10 / Level 100
Alchemy: Css 6 / Level 22
Singing: Css 10 / Level 100
Song of Accim: Css 10 / Level 100
Tailwind Song: Css 10 / Level 100
While I paced around the room restlessly, Amina—sipping tea that Ingrid had prepared—was the most advanced in skill development among our party.
She had already been recognized as an idol at the royal capital’s construction sites.
When she mentioned that she wouldn’t be visiting the sites for a while since her skill training was complete, the site supervisor panicked and seriously tried to recruit her, insisting that work was unimaginable without her.
Her alchemy setup had also evolved from a beginner’s starter kit to an intermediate one, allowing her to handle higher-tier materials, and her experience gains had been smooth since then.
Once she can process Marsh Dragon materials, she’ll reach the cap for Alchemy in no time.
Among our party members, she’s unquestionably ready for the next css upgrade.
"The Central Continent’s monsters are on a completely different level compared to the other continents. And these are materials from there! If we can get our hands on them, we’ll make a huge leap forward!""But how are we going to afford them? Since it’s a high-profile auction, nobles will be bidding fiercely. Do we even have the funds?""...We could sell more Marsh Dragon materials to the Duke.""That’s not a good idea. The price stays stable because we supply them periodically. If we flood the market, our connections might strengthen, but the price will drop.""......"
When I expined why I was so fixated, Nell confronted me with the harsh reality that obtaining those items would be nearly impossible.
She was right.
Marsh Dragon materials already fetch prices unimaginable in the game era.
Naturally, rarer materials would be even more expensive.
Nell, sipping tea beside Amina, had also been intrigued by the auction at first, but after hearing the potential prices, she immediately backed off.
[Nell – Css 1 / Level 50]Base Stats:
Stamina: 80
Magic: 20
BP: 0
EXBP: 0Skills (3/5 Skill Slots):
Spear Mastery: Css 10 / Level 100
Axe Mastery: Css 10 / Level 100
Cleaving Battle Axe: Css 10 / Level 100
Our party’s main attacker, barely eligible for the next css upgrade with two empty skill slots due to the ck of useful skills in the shop.
However, she recently acquired Cleaving Battle Axe, a rare axe skill that inflicts debuffs, drastically increasing her damage output and enabling us to hunt two Marsh Dragons a day.
Cleaving Battle Axe inflicts a Lacerate status on enemies.
It tears open wounds that cause continuous bleeding damage and reduce defense.
Repeated use on the same spot amplifies the effect, further lowering defense and increasing bleed damage—an essential skill for axe users.
Marsh Dragons can heal themselves, but since I keep them occupied, the wounds on their faces remain vulnerable.
Against a sandbag-like target, the damage escates quickly.
"I know, I know. I’m fully aware we don’t have the money to compete with nobles. But listen—these are drops or gathered items from an area where monsters range from Css 4 all the way up to the pinnacle, Css 10!"
Thanks to our steady Marsh Dragon hunts, we’ve been able to secretly amass wealth by supplying materials to the Duke.
We’re doing well financially—but even so, we stand no chance at this auction.
"The habitable zones in the Central Continent are just the forward bases managed by each continent. Given the danger, that’s where the most valuable materials are found! Ugh, if only we knew what’s being auctioned!""No point worrying about it. Ingrid said even the auction house won’t disclose that.""I know, but I can’t help it!"
From those bases, adventurers unch expeditions deeper into the Central Continent.
The value of their spoils depends on how far they venture.
Items from the shallow areas near the forward base could theoretically be found on this continent with enough effort.
The mid-yer—where even experienced pyers often meet their demise—might yield items just barely within our reach.
And if they went even deeper? There’s no end to the treasures I’d kill to obtain.
If they somehow reached the entrance of the final dungeon, then truly extraordinary items could be up for grabs.
Nell’s exasperation was understandable—tely, the auction was all I could think about.
"Liberta-sama, please have some tea and calm down.""...Thanks.""Here, drink it while it’s still warm."
My mind was flooded with images of rare items and their potential uses—so much so that I wanted to tear my hair out.
Instead, I accepted the steaming cup from Ingrid and took a sip.
Thanks to Marsh Dragon materials, our dining table had grown more varied, allowing us to enjoy tea during breaks like this.
The sweetness of the milk tea-like drink helped soothe my nerves slightly.
"How does it taste?""As delicious as ever.""I’m gd to hear that."
I’d grown accustomed to reading Ingrid’s subtle emotions beneath her stoic demeanor.
[Ingrid Grüle – Css 1 / Level 50]Base Stats:
Stamina: 50
Magic: 50
BP: 0
EXBP: 0Skills (4/5 Skill Slots):
Staff Mastery: Css 10 / Level 100
Sword Mastery: Css 10 / Level 100
Cooking: Css 10 / Level 100
Butchering: Css 10 / Level 100
Her Cooking skill granted buffs to all her dishes.
Even this milk tea had a slight stamina recovery effect.
Good taste and buffs—that’s the power of Cooking.
Right now, it’s only a minor effect, but at higher levels, it could outperform dedicated buffers.
Eating Ingrid’s meals before battle stacks with Amina’s songs, allowing for double-yered buffs.
Oh, and I also modified her bamboo broom.
Now, it’s a concealed staff—with a sword hidden inside, solving her attack power issues.
Ganji yelled at me to just make a normal weapon, but what else was I supposed to do?
A sword that also benefits from staff modifiers was necessary to make use of both passives.
Plus, some sword skills interact with Cooking—specifically, Butchering, which overps with kitchen knives.
Using the concealed sword with Butchering deals decent damage.
In fact, we’ve defeated Marsh Dragons twice using just Butchering, resulting in absurd amounts of meat.
Lately, Marsh Dragon meat has been a staple at our table, granting us daily buffs.
Dragon meat boosts base stamina, making it incredibly valuable.
Since it’s Css 3 dragon meat, Cooking proficiency skyrocketed, and frequent use of Butchering in combat raised that skill’s level too.
Now, Ingrid is a full-fledged combatant.
"Ugh, I still can’t stop thinking about it. If I stay here, I’ll just keep obsessing.""Shall we go hunt monsters, then?""Hunt? Marsh Dragons? But we’ve already cleared all their spawns.""Yes, but surely Liberta-sama knows of other suitable monsters?"
Ingrid’s tea had helped calm me down, but once I finished it, my thoughts drifted back.
"Yeah, you’re right. Moving around is better than sitting here doing nothing."
If I focus on combat, maybe I can forget about it for a while.
"We might even find something to strengthen Nell. Maybe we should grind this afternoon and aim for Css 2."
Physical activity might help me think more clearly.
Fortunately, there’s a suitable target not far from the Marsh Dragon hunting grounds.
"Strengthen me? What are we hunting?""Orcs."
After Goblins, Orcs are the next common target for adventurers gaining strength.
They exist in FBO as well, known for their moderate difficulty.
However, in this world, Orcs aren’t mindless lust-driven monsters that attack women on sight.
They look like a cross between a boar and a goril—boar-like faces with thick, bristly hides and muscur goril-like bodies.
They’re ferocious and highly territorial.
"Orcs? Those Orcs?""Yeah, the long-armed muscle masses that switch between bipedal and quadrupedal stances."
Orcs are Css 2—perfect for leveling.
They’re one of the better options for farming EXBP.
If we’re also aiming to strengthen Nell, Orcs are the ideal choice.
"They sometimes carry natural weapons called Nature Weapons. Defeating those variants can drop Skill Scrolls.""That’s how I get stronger?""Yeah. The skill they drop, Power Swing, is really useful."
Power Swing is a simple area-clearing skill with a knockback effect that remains useful even in ter stages.
I wanted to buy it from the Skill Shop, but it was out of stock.
"Also, we’re leaving Angler behind this time. Fighting directly will be faster than controlling it mid-battle."
Southwest of the Marsh Dragon area lies Orc territory.
Most adventurers avoid the Marsh Dragon zone, so we shouldn’t run into others.
If we lure them out from the forest, we won’t have to worry about competition.
"Got it. Are we leaving now?""No, let’s have an early lunch first. We’ll eat Ingrid’s cooking for the buffs and go in fully prepared. I’ll expin Orc tactics while we eat—Amina, pay attention.""Okaaay~""Then, I’ll prepare the meal."
Today was supposed to be a day off, but I can’t rex anyway.
Might as well get some leveling done while we’re at it.
