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After my first experience with goblin mage, we continued our exploration. The next enemy we encountered, much to our surprise, was a group of three goblins with one goblin mage in it. We easily dealt with it at the expense of a slight tear of my clothes.
Takamiya-san also took some damage, but I amended her clothes.
"It seems we can handle the 4th floor."
"I feel that too. It's really rare to encounter a goblin mage in a group, and they often act alone here. It's more normal to encounter them in groups starting on the 5th floor. Though, considering the earlier group barely was a hindrance, even 5th floor might be a cinch."
"If you're confident, then let's start on 5th floor tomorrow."
I was astonished how fast we'd jumped up, considering I was struggling on the 3rd floor until a couple days ago. I was still level 5, so it wasn't surprising, but I didn't think going from solo to a two member party would make it so easy.
It was really such a lucky coincidence that our skills were so well-suited for each other. With our progress, I should be able to improvise levelling speed too.
"Alright, let's keep it up. At our pace, who knows maybe we will be able to get another change in our skills soon. Honestly, I am really glad to be in the party with you, Takamiya-san."
"Hehe, that's my line, Senpai. There's no way I could've found someone as agreeable as you who don't mind clothes turning rags. And even if I'd try to find someone, the fact that I can't learn any other skill at least till level 10 due to my demerit skill would've deterred other from joining as well."
"...............The what?"
What did you mean by that, Takamiya-san?!
"What's wrong, senpai?"
"What did you mean by that, Takamiya-san?!"
"It's the same thing I said... ah, maybe I said something that pique your interest?”
She was keen to guess that.
"Er, do you mean when I said there's no replacement for you who don't mind clothes turning rags?"
"After that."
"That no one will even think of partying up with someone who has demerit skill?"
"Are you being intentionally obtuse?"
"Wait, then it must be 'I can't learn any other skill at least till level 10', right?"
"Yeah!"
Why was it that I never heard about it?!
"Huh, you didn't know about it, Senpai? It's common knowledge that unique skill and demerit skill holder—those who'd acquired their skill outside of dungeon—atleast have to be at level 10 to increase the skill slot for some reason."
Y-you must be kidding me...!
"Furthermore, level 10 is the earliest anyone of that category has acquired another skill slot, but there was also precedent of someone acquiring it at level 100."
"Tell me it's a joke?!"
"I am serious, Senpai. Well, the latter also had a truly strong unique skill, so it wasn't like they're stuck like us."
"W-what about us, the demerit holders, then? Do you know when we can increase the skill slot?"
"Who knows."
"Who knows?!"
"It's really not a surprise if you think about it. The demerit holders are rare among rare exceptions, so there's not much information on them. Also, unless they're revealing themselves, there's no way to record the information."
...She did have a point. How many demerit holders were even there when there was only one for every ten thousand normal population. And even among them, just how many were desperate enough to throw hands in a dungeon like us?
"Demerit skill doesn't always hinder normal life, so many don't even care after all. Take yourself for reference, if someone doesn't care much about gacha, than there's no way they're going to put themselves in danger in the dungeon if they'd your demerit skill. The lack of volunteers was why there is very little information on skill slot requirements."
"No way......"
"Unfortunately, this is how it is."
The shock was so great I fell to my knees.
"How am I even supposed to fight with my skill then......?"
If I was lucky, I might get another skill slot by level 10, but what if I was unlucky enough and needed to hit level 100? It was a literal hell for me.
«Goblin Dungeon» was merely a F-rank dungeon. There was no way I could grind my level to 100 here. The best this dungeon could propel me to was level 30, but beyond that, I would have to defeat at least 100, if not 1000s of goblins just for one level up.
That's why other adventurers often move to higher-ranking dungeons. However I had not a single skill that could make me useful there. My life is over......
"It's alright, Senpai. You can follow behind me, and let me take care of all the troubles!"
"Is this what I am reduced to?! And I would be completely leeching off you then!"
"You hate it?"
"What do you think of a boy who just hides behind a young girl and lets her do the hard work?"
"A scumbag?"
"I knew it!"
I almost teared up imagining that future.
"But I know you're not someone who tries to leech off others, Senpai. I know that, and that's enough."
"T-Takamiya-san—wait a minute. How is it effective in stopping the stink eye others would give me?! There's no way I can deal with that!"
"Come now, Senpai. You're overthinking. Besides, even if a new skill is faraway, you still have a chance to acquire derivative skills. Who know maybe one of them will help you in combat, no?"
"Y-you're right. I am overthinking."
"That's right. Just look at me, I wouldn't have been able to fight properly if I only had «Dress Damage». It's only when I acquired «Heavy Equipment» did it become easier to fight. That's why it is too soon to give up, Senpai."
"I still have a chance. Just like gacha, where giving up halfway isn't an option, I am not going to give up either. Thank you for opening my eyes, Takamiya-san!"
"Now that's the senpai I know!"
But, didn't that mean I would've to hide in Takamiya-san's shadow when fighting strong monsters until then......?
An ominous premonition surfaced in the corner of mind, but I buried that thought. Instead, I resolved inwardly to give my best in levelling.