266 New skill, skill book creation

Status open!

Status Guy Lv.1 Goblin scholar

Mp 10+80+0

Strength 5+80+0

Constitution 5+80+0

Speed 5+80+0

Magic ability 0+80+0

Skills:

universal humanoid language, universal monster language, dungeon map

throwing lv. 7; soul vision lv.6; enhanced stamina lv. 5; breathing technique lv. 7; stealth lv.4; enhanced stomach capacity lv.3; chase lv.1

instructing lv.4; instructor's assessment lv.3; combat medic assessment Lv.3; skill book creation lv.1

dagger use lv. 7; backstab lv.4; energy dagger lv.2;

trap making lv. 5; woodworking lv.3; camp construction lv.2; make-shift crafting lv.2;

dismantling lv. 6; field surgery lv.6; cleaning lv. 1;

Earth magic lv.6;

Mental resistance lv.2; physical damage resistance lv.1

Where did all my bonus stats go?!!!

<Where the hell did you get that skill from?!!! How?!!! Why?!!! And who cares about your pathetic bonus stats!>

Hey, I worked hard to get those!

<Worked hard? You? You just exchanged a few day of work for a skill that takes decades to get!>

So, how many deaths will this get me?

<Sadly, none. Darwin's recent behavior shows that we all have far too little control over our emotions. In addition, this is good for us so I shouldn't punish you too much for getting a useful skill.>

Not too much?

<Your punishment will be to make a hundred skill books for the instructing skill.>

That doesn't sound bad…

<Making skill books is an odious job as you write every word in it by hand at a normal writing speed.>

How thick are skill books?

<Depends on the skill. Instructing probably contains a couple hundred pages.>

And you want me to make a hundred of those?

<Not immediately but whenever you don't have anything to do you will be doing that. Now, would you like to sleep here or in your own bed?>

Is that even a question?

Navi gives the bed beside me a pointed look before she disappears from my eyes. Or more accurately, I disappear from hers since I am suddenly back in my bedroom with Melody watching me over the edge of a book she was probably reading before I suddenly appeared.

"I was wondering when you'd be back."

"I told you that I'd be out late and you should try to sleep first."

"And I chose not to listen. What were you even doing at work so late? Were you having an affair?"

From the playful smile on Melody's face I can tell that she is joking. Should I tease her a bit?

"Well, I was in my private room with two females and we did use the bed sooo…"

"Oh really? Tell me, did Navi and Valeria want to thank you some more for agreeing to letting Valeria join our trip to the amusement park? You could have told me, I wouldn't mind sharing so long as I get to watch."

"I think you are taking this joke too far."

"And you are way too much of a loyal husband to ever make me believe you'd start something with another woman. If you want to tease me you've got to try something else."

I admit defeat. This woman knows me too well. Deciding not to waste anymore time standing around, I join her on the bed.

"So, what were you doing alone in a room with two females? Or is that a company secret?"

Navi?

<Any information pertaining only to yourself can be revealed. Melody has clearance for anything not concerning our plans and the dungeon masters.>

"So?"

"I evolved from goblin instructor to goblin scholar. Since there were some incidents with the evolution of others, Navi wanted me to be at work while I did it. Besides Navi, Ptorimea was there to guide my evolution choice. Have you met Ptorimea yet?"

"Ptorimea? Oh, the monolith shaman! Yes, I started cleaning her library some time back. She acts like a sweet old lady but apparently her ability to see dust is nonexistent."

"Well, she is a floating, glowing stone tablet. It would be weird if she saw things like normal people did."

"True. Still, for her to be able to guide evolutions, that sounds really useful. Were there any other choices besides the goblin scholar?"

"Tons of choices actually. But why do you ask? Would you have preferred something else?"

"Preferred? No. But you suddenly have this knowledgeable air around you. It's a bit hard to get used to since I've known you without it for years."

"Are you saying I looked like an idiot in the past?"

"Not an idiot. Just a man of simple things."

"I assure you, I am still who I was before, perhaps a bit smarter, perhaps a bit stronger, much more skilled, but still the Guy you chose to marry."

"Your guy jokes are getting old. There were funnier when we had just met."

"My jokes have grown old? Perhaps I should change my name to old Guy then."

"Don't you dare!"

Having finally succeeded in teasing my dearest wife, I don't push my luck and we go to bed after some sweaty action.

We had to solve the last crossword puzzle in Melody's book. Turns out, that my scholar evolution does not make crosswords easier to solve. Or maybe I was just a little tired.

The night doesn't pass in the peaceful rest I am used to. I stir awake multiple times and whenever I do fall asleep I dream of that damned crossword puzzle.

Is this due to my evolution? It feels like my brain is super-charged and whenever I try to sleep it goes into overdrive.

Navi?

<Trouble sleeping?>

You can tell?

<Your mind is unusually active at this time of night. Not too many things you could be doing.>

Any advice?

<If you want to, I could make you fall asleep right away. However, my services don't come cheap…>

Can I afford it?

<If you agree to instruct Jake tomorrow.>

I already agreed to that.

<Very well.>

I hear Navi clear her throat and then her voice changes as she begins to sing what sounds like a lullaby. Three seconds in, everything fades away and I enter slumberland.