Fugitive Poison User ~I Am Somehow Recovering in a World Full of Miasma~

‘Let us proceed then. I am certain that you know not of it, so let me instruct you on class changes.’

Veno begins to thoroughly explain everything.

‘All humans are born with the powers of a profession. It is said one’s gifts are determined by this class or job. Religion also has power and it is stored in the form of religious symbols. These symbols distribute their stored power and even unlocks latent strength residing in people. This is but a chapter in the story of the beginnings of professions. Humans pray and muster strength, sometimes that even turns to might.’

This kinda differs to the religion I know of.

Well... the religions back home are nothing but a bunch of feel-good words, providing a pillar of strength for those who believe in destiny and fate. Sometimes, religion is the part of the local custom and gives a sense of peace for those who are headed to the afterlife.

Compared to that, the religion of this world seems to be more substantial.

‘At least this is what religion means to adventurers. Miracles and all other unreasonable ideas are best left to heroes.’

It might be completely realistic for the people of this world, but the powers of a class or job really is quite the blessing.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll belong to a religion here now.

I’m familiar with all of this job change stuff since I’ve seen them in games, but everything seems to be rooted in some kind of history or lore.

‘Even the religion of your world is quite interesting. It has quenched my thirst for knowledge.’

Veno replies in a merry tone, but weren’t you real ticked off just a moment ago?

You in a better mood now?

‘Well, let us leave it at that. What is important is that this symbol is not connected with the outside world... We should try interacting with it.’

By Veno’s instruction, I touch the broken stone statue.

A pale green light ripples out from where I touched.

Still... it’s my second day in this parallel universe and I’m already level 14. Aren’t things going a little too quick?

‘I wonder why that is as well. I know at least that your growth is definitely a blessing.’

It sure is.

I levelled up real easy too.

Well, I mean, the fight with the wolves actually hurt quite a bit.

‘Aye... it was all simpler than expected. And your protector did not slack off either...’

Veno follows up his muttering by pinging an icon in my field of vision.

> Class change prerequisites fulfilled!

> Do you wish to change your class?

> Poison Earth → Poison-Wielder

I get the choice of yes and no.

Hey, weren’t there a bunch of different jobs that were shown?

The hell’s a Poison-Wielder? Is that the promoted version of Poison Earth?

‘Hmm? That is quite interesting. After the novice Earth-classes would be a basic class. I have heard that you could choose professions like Warrior, Mage, Priest, or Ranger. Was that but a bunch of falsehoods?’

Is this another guessing game?

If this were a game, our location would make a difference.

I mean, it would make sense since we’re at a crumbling altar in the middle of a poisonous swamp.

‘I have heard of nothing like such. Is it not because of my influence that you are a Poison Earth?’

That’s definitely plausible.

When I was trying out my powers yesterday, I’ve always felt like it was something special.

It is more than likely that it really is the advanced form of Poison Earth.

What can a Poison-Wielder do anyway? And can I go back after I make my selection?

‘I have heard you can become any class you wish as long as you have fulfilled the requirements. That is fundamentally different than how monsters evolve.’

So, you’re saying a warrior can sidegrade to a Mage?

‘Aye. And furthermore, to advance in a profession, one would need extensive experience in other classes as well.’

I see. If you want to be a Swordmage, you’ll need levels in both Warrior and Mage.

Well, it doesn’t seem like there’s any harm in becoming a Poison-Wielder.

‘Even I cannot promise you that. However, your strength and powers should increase from what you have by staying as a Poison Earth.’

Staying as I am now would be strangling myself, kinda like saving all your potions but ending up not using them. Advancing is always better than stagnating. And that would increase our chances of survival too.

‘Sidegrading classes would also grant bonuses, so that not all progress would be erased.’

Oh, so, if a level 40 Warrior were to sidegrade to a level 1 Mage, the experience from being a Warrior would buff the Mage’s stats to something like level 20?

‘Aye.’

Is that right... Seems like there’s only one choice then. I’ll upgrade to a Poison-Wielder and start getting stronger.

I choose yes.

As soon as I do that, the pale green light fills my surroundings.

> You have become a Poison-Wielder!

> Yukihisa Kogure

> Poison-Wielder

> Level 1

> Acquired skills: Spirit Link, Poison Absorption, Poison Release, Synthesize Poison, Detect Poison, Poison Enchantment, Hunting Sense

Whoa... a lot of stuff appeared.

Detect Poison has caught my eye, but it seems like Poison Condensation has changed to Synthesize Poison.

Poison Enchantment’s kinda interesting as well.

‘I too have those skills. Detect Poison is exactly as it says on the tin. It is a skill in which you use your sensitivity to poison to determine whether or not something is poisonous. Poison Condensation advances into Synthesize Poison. Poison Enchantment is a skill you use on a weapon to enchant it with a temporary poison effect.’

And Hunting Sense... that’s just talent with hunting?

‘It is the same as how magic is, but Sense skills are ones that lead to personal growth. If you earn enough experience, Sense develops into Mastery. With that, you get new magic and attacks. Simply levelling up does not earn you new skills, you know.’

Ah, as I thought then, they’re untapped talents.

Then, say if I wanted to do something that I don’t have a knack for, it’d be impossible without the Sense?

‘That is not the case. It might take a lot of time, but if one works hard enough, it is possible to gain Mastery in something. But, if so, it might be a better idea to switch classes into something more appropriate to your wants. And furthermore, there are differences in talent between people. There are some things at which one is simply good or bad.’

Ah, so personal growth is just something that comes with time, while talent that you’re born with is a separate matter.

That kinda blows.

It’s not like how in game where everybody has something they’re uniquely good at.

‘That unique trait matter you speak of is very interesting, but alas, that is but wishful thinking.’

Too bad, hey?

‘Worry not. The thing about development in one’s attributes is that it is hard to cast magic without the appropriate Sense.’

Is magic an exception?

Well, I guess when you think of magic, you think of talent as well.

‘Then what if someone who knows naught but how to work themselves physically? What do you think will happen if they try their utmost? If I were to say that, take for example, if a user of fire magic works very hard, even without a Sense, they too will eventually be able to learn water magic... does that help at all?’

It’s not really clicking. But I guess I kinda get it.

What you’re saying is it would be a step in the wrong direction to practice sleight of hand in order to learn supernatural powers.

Well, never mind that for a moment. What kind of skill is Hunting Sense anyway?

‘As it says, it is a talent for hunting... talent necessary for hunting. For me, it eliminates my footsteps. Everything from my form to my surprise attacks are relevant to the skill. It is a commonplace yet convenient skills for monsters.’

Veno can only explain from a monster’s point of view.

From my experience in games, part of hunting involves bows and arrows. So, I guess weapon use would fall under it too.

‘I see. Certainly, bows and arrows are tools of this trade. Well, at least bows are more prevalent than swords.’

And silent footsteps... I guess it’s easier to understand if I think of it like how the robe gave me camouflage and made me stealthier.

If you think about it, there’s lots of different things that this skill could help with. f𝑟𝑒ewe𝚋𝚗૦𝐯e𝘭.c𝗼𝓂

‘Aye... This is but my personal understanding, but it seems like a Poison-Wielder is a class like Ranger but with more hidden potential.’

That might be true. There’s a lot of importance on hunting for both jobs.

I check my status... I feel like my stats are kinda high.

I’m still at a low level though, so I’m not too sure.

But I still don’t quite get the whole Sense and Mastery thing, considering my Poison Condensation and Poison Release.

I don’t get what comes easily and what needs hard work.

‘Take a snake for example. No matter how hard a snake works, a venomous bite is not something that could be learned.’

Ah, I see, I see. That’s something rooted at the very property of a creature.

... I don’t like that one bit. What does that mean about me? I was able to use poison from the get-go. That’s not human at all. 𝐟𝙧ee𝔀e𝐛𝓃𝐨𝚟𝑒𝗹.c𝗼𝚖

‘Being worked up over it still would not change your abilities. Train and work hard for the sake of survival.’

Alright, alright.

I’m not the type to give up on living either.

‘Going back to the matter at hand, let me offer my congratulations on your profession change.’

As soon as Veno uttered those words, a crossbow and quiver appeared before my eyes.

What’s with this crossbow? It looks like you can load three shots at the same time.

And it’s super light too.

> Rapid Feather Crossbow +4

> Quality: Superior

> Required level: 15

> Bonus effects: Rapid Fire, Semi-Auto Reload

> Ease of use and rate of fire are the focus of this crossbow. It is made so that even complete novices can effectively wield it.

> However, the trade off is relatively reduced damage and range.

> Flyiron Bolt

> Bonus effects: Increased Range

> Crossbow-exclusive ammunition. A bolt made of an alloy of outstanding metals. Made with emphasis on projectile speed and distance.

‘It should be very easy to use, so do be careful about how many bolts you have remaining. Try to not run out of them.’

Well... I know I should master the weapon as soon as possible.

I’ll do some target shooting so I can get a good feel of it.

But... I’m not high enough level for it. Is that okay?

‘The required level is simply a rough recommendation. What is important is your status. With which location do you have an affinity bonus?’

According to what I found out yesterday, my Poison Absorption works really well in the swamp of poison. I can even regenerate my health there.

Plus, it seems like my stats are pretty good even with the crossbow equipped.

So that means even though it’s a little out of my level range, I can still do pretty okay with it.

For whatever reason.

In any case, I grip the crossbow with both hands and have it at the ready.

... it feels nice in my hands, like an airsoft gun does.

But since it’s pretty big, I gotta wield with both hands. But even then, it feels rather strange.

Maybe because it’s oddly light.

Veno, why the hell do you have so many weapons on hand?

‘As I said, they are no more than a few pieces of rare and interesting items I confiscated from the ones I have defeated. It’s just a coincidence that it proved to be beneficial to our situation.’

It worries me to think of what kind of guys would get their equipment seized by Veno.

What kind of people were they?

‘They were nobles. They got cocky since they had easy to wield equipment and challenged me.’

Ah, guys who want all of the fun but none of the work. They thought they could defeat a dragon good gear, so they made of bunch of lightweight weapons and armor and picked a fight with Veno.

‘That is it. They rashly challenged me, thus I had to dispel them. I even went easy on them too. Then, I wiped their memories, plucked their gear, and left them in a safe place.’

As if stealing is right.

‘They were intriguing goods, so I put them in my collection. What is wrong with that?’

Oh, that’s right. Dragons have got a tendency to hoard.

So, you collect everything thinking that they might come in handy someday, and you’re letting me use your stuff. Is that right?

‘To save our skin. If you perish, then so will I. After things are through and through, I shall have all the time to fulfill my hoarding tendencies.’

That’s certainly true... I get what you’re saying. I guess Veno can satisfy his needs.

I mean, with me and my anime figures and nerdy collector goods, till death do us part.

‘These things are not bigger than life. They might be worth more as decoration. Against our class of monsters, equipping these can only be summarized with the word “reckless.”’

That right...?

‘There’s an interesting gimmick to it. Go give it a shake up and down.’

Just as he told me to, I swing the crossbow up and down.’

As I do that, the limbs pull back to full-draw with a ka-chak!.

It seems like it’s gotta have some bolts in the magazine... but it loads itself all on its own.

Just to test it out, I point the crossbow at a farther away wall and then squeeze the trigger.

The bolt zoomed away and stuck the wall about a meter away from where I was aiming at.

On one hand, it’s super light. On the other, mastering it seems like a difficult task.

‘Anything and everything takes practice. Not only is it already easier to wield than a bow, it shall not be a problem for you at all after learning the appropriate skill.’

Maybe it’s because I suddenly have an easy to use weapon and my skills have been raised, but I feel slightly anxious. Well, maybe it’s better than poorly wielding a sword and going into battle.

It’s easy to imagine me losing a fight to someone who actually knows how to swing a sword.

But because of that, it might be better to have a crossbow, since I can fire it while running away.