"Level Up and Ability Acquisition"
Judging by his expression, Revis's demise was quite unsettling, but Drake remained unconcerned about his opponent's regrets.
What had just transpired could be summarized as "Revis's furious self-sacrifice, and Drake's tearful loot collection."
As for Drake's tears, they were entirely due to being moved by Revis's selfless contribution.
Aside from the scattered magic stones, there were numerous material drops from the strengthened monsters.
Strengthened monsters tend to drop higher-quality materials, far more valuable and rare than ordinary drops.
The most valuable spoils weren't these materials, but the whip Revis carried and the bone earring he wore.
Drake examined them; both were magical devices.
Magical devices are not common in the Danmachi world, and even fewer people can create them.
Compared to magic swords, which symbolize pure destructive power, magical devices, while lacking in sheer power, possess a wider range of uses and, unlike magic swords, don't break after only one or two uses.
Drake knew only two creators of magical devices: the "Sage" Fels, currently hidden within the Dungeon, and the Hermes Familia's "All-Maker" Asfi Al Andromeda.
In the original story, the flight boots and the invisibility Hades helmet were Asfi's creations. Fels gained the title "Sage" after accidentally creating the Philosopher's Stone.
Therefore, Drake surmised that the rare "Mystery" ability is a prerequisite for crafting magical devices.
Considering this, the origin of Revis's magical devices became clear.
Drake had previously wondered how the Dark Faction developed the enslavement collars; it seemed this was the work of that individual.
Barca, a descendant of the Daedalus clan. Bound by an ancestral curse, he continuously built the artificial labyrinth Knossos, remaining largely unknown to the outside world.
However, his blood brother is quite famous: Ikelos Familia's "Hazer", Dix Perdix.
Only someone so deeply entangled with the Dark Faction would supply them with such tools.
Drake didn't know the names of the two items, but he sensed the whip enhanced the intimidation factor against monsters.
The earring imbued the wearer with a monstrous aura, reducing monster resistance during the taming process.
Combined with the enslavement collars, Revis's ability to control so many monsters simultaneously made perfect sense.
Having collected his spoils, Drake began his return journey.
This time, there were no further incidents; Drake successfully reached the surface as the sun was just rising.
Drake had set out at midday the previous day, spending a day and a half in the Dungeon, including two full nights.
However, most of the time was spent traveling; the actual battles took relatively little time.
Upon returning to the Familia mansion, Drake found Hephaestus seated in the hall.
Hephaestus smiled, "Based on the time, you should be back now. I just woke up and was waiting for you."
Drake nodded. "Thank you for your concern. Please update my abilities!"
Drake returned to his room, set down his bag, and removed his shirt, revealing the Divine Blessing on his back.
Hephaestus pricked her finger with a long needle, dropping a drop of divine blood onto Drake's back.
Glowing sacred words appeared on Drake's back, confirming that the level indicator was now changeable.
Hephaestus exclaimed, "Your method actually worked! You truly achieved enough for a level-up.
You no longer need to accumulate ability points; shall we level up now?"
Drake nodded. "Please, let's do it now!"
Hephaestus moved her fingers, and the sacred words on Drake's back began to shift.
"Let me see your available abilities... wait!"
Adventurers gain an ability with each level-up. The options depend on their training and experiences at the previous level.
Generally, adventurers have at most six or seven ability options when leveling up; Drake, however, had a multitude.
"[Punch], [Smash], [Magic], [Abnormal Resistance], [Hunter], [Forging], [Magic Defense], [Chain Attack]… Aside from [Healing], a skill specific to certain classes, you've essentially acquired every basic ability!
And [Dragon Force], [Martial Arts], [Travel]—I've never seen these before."
Drake sighed. "No [Mystery]?"
Hephaestus chuckled. "You're being rather greedy! Unfortunately, there is no [Mystery] option. So, which will you choose?"
Drake replied, "As previously decided, please select [Forging]."
"Since you've already decided, then so be it!"
Hephaestus manipulated the sacred words, forming new symbols on Drake's back.
Taking a sheet of paper, Hephaestus made a copy of the updated stats and handed it to Drake after he'd redressed.
"Drake Dragneel"
LV2
Strength: I(0),
Endurance: I(0),
Dexterity: I(0),
Agility: I(0),
Magic: I(0),
Magic:
[Fire Dragon Slayer Magic]
• Cast without incantation.
• Immunity and absorption of fire-attribute damage.
[A#×*nj]
• XN&&>%`K,H4#LW_
Skills:
[Dragon Slayer]
• All abilities increase when fighting dragon-type enemies.
• Increased damage against dragon-type enemies.
[Innate Spirit Equipment]
• Creates indestructible equipment using magic.
• Strengthens all attack techniques.
Ability: [Forging I]"
After leveling up, all attributes reset to zero; Drake's stats were finally less astonishing.
Drake felt little difference after the level-up. It's understandable; the effects of the Divine Blessing's level-up and the world's magical enhancement are difficult to compare directly.
However, Drake was satisfied with obtaining the [Forging] ability.
Next, he needed to upgrade his Forging skill from level I.
Unlike feats, ability upgrades can't be achieved through shortcuts; only consistent repetition of related actions yields experience.
Hephaestus had previously told Drake that only blacksmiths with high-level forging skills can craft magic swords, although Drake's collaboration with Fal might lower that requirement.
Drake was eager to get started.
Hephaestus, observing Drake's elation, said, "There's one more thing. Adventurers who level up to high-level adventurer status must report to the Guild.
You registered with the Guild less than ten days ago! Leveling up so quickly could cause problems; should you consider concealing your level for a while?"
Drake understood this issue; the Guild requires all Familias to report adventurer level-ups; this is a measure for effective management.
Many guilds conceal their members' levels. The most egregious example is Asfi Al Andromeda of the Hermes Familia, who is still officially listed as Level 2.
While his stats have reset due to leveling up, leveling up within ten days could still cause trouble.
It typically takes years for ordinary adventurers to progress from Level 1 to Level 2.
The current fastest record for this advancement is held by Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess of the Loki Familia—one year.
If Drake reduced this to ten days, the ensuing suspicion and apprehension—the trouble Hephaestus mentioned—would be considerable.
Fortunately, Hephaestus's Familia isn't focused on exploration, meaning Drake doesn't need frequent Dungeon dives. He can delay reporting while focusing on improving his forging skills.
Drake wasn't overly concerned; while his status shows Level 2, his actual strength is already at Level 7 or higher.
Ultimately, strength is everything in Orario! Look at Ottar, the only Level 7 and Orario's strongest; who dares to provoke him?
However, considering the potential trouble, Drake said, "I'll heed My Lady's advice and delay reporting until necessary!"
Hephaestus admired Drake not for his strength, but for his clear-headedness and unwavering focus on his goals.
While he might not gain widespread fame this time, Hephaestus believed Drake would eventually shine.
Thousands of years have passed since the beginning of the age of Divine Blessings; Hephaestus has witnessed countless such instances.
It's as if fate itself pushes these individuals onto the stage, and these individuals are often called "heroes."
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