The next few minutes fly by while I purge the room of 「Caterpines」. I stay by the hallway entrance, following the 'four shot, one [Concentrated Strike]' pattern that snagged my first victory. By sheer luck I discover the 「Caterpine」weakness: Its soft, pale underbelly. [Critical Hits] accompany every second or third attack.

Now and then, I peek at Antoine. His resting face doesn't suggest anything about my performance. Well, neither did Valeria's perpetual smile, but at least smiling's less intimidating than Antoine's vaguely unimpressed stare.

I'm starting to like him less and less.

With the 「Caterpines」eliminated, I slip away from the safety of the corridor and behind an long, overturned table. Seems like the dungeon's gone for a 'dilapidated castle' aesthetic. It's hard to tell with all the props coated in 「Jelly」secretions and 「Caterpine」fuzz.

Antoine saunters past me, right into the 「Jellies'」 aggro range. I half-expect him to demonstrate a 'proper' kill with some flashy move, but his arms stay folded, his stance relaxed. I peek over the table's cover. An exclamation bubble appears over several nearby 「Jellies'」heads and I drop back into hiding.

"If you're wondering, I'm ignored by monsters here." I grip my pistol tighter at the hint of amusement in Antoine's voice. "Using me to gauge the trial mobs' aggro radius is inadvisable."

"I know that," I mumble, throwing him a sour look. Trust me to have some common sense! This adolescent character model doesn't do me any favors here, I'm sure.

With the 「Jellies'」 constant wandering and their impressive line of sight, making a beeline for the exit might not be so simple. I don't want to waste time reworking my strategy, but look. I've got 40 HP, one newbie pistol, and no defensive [Skills].

Unless I want to respawn--which I don't--I'm good as stuck behind this table.

Come on, Quinn, gotta move. Valeria didn't waste 15 whole minutes with you for nothing, right?

Imagining her disappointment triples my resolve. Aside from those whose backstories specify 'blood families', we NPCs don't have siblings, parents, children and such. I'm not keen on playing someone's 'kid brother', but the sisterly vibe to Valeria's playful guidance makes me loath to break my promise. I'm probably the only one taking it seriously, though...

Haha, now I'm just embarrassed.

I think back to the tutorial and review her advice. Throughout the battle with the 「Dummy King Slime」, she stressed the importance of experimentation. I understand why: The rules governing us are malleable, now. There are more solutions to any given problem today than ever before.

Even Generika's wisest NPCs discover new ways to manipulate our world every day.

【Open Inventory】

A modest 6x2 grid springs into existence before me. I picked up some things while navigating the little maze that brought me here... perhaps I'll find some use for them.

Wooden Plank x2

Crystallized Sour Jelly Fluid x4

I call up the [Details] window for each item.

Wooden Plank

(Common) (Mundane)

MEMO:

A broken plank of wood.

Crystallized Sour Jelly Fluid

(Common) (Ingredient)

MEMO:

The crystallized remains of a 「Sour Jelly」. Toxic to monsters and men alike, with the exception of its originator.

"Everything alright, Quinn? It's been a few minutes."

"I know, I know. Thanks. Just a second."

I wish Antoine wouldn't bother me while I'm trying to be clever. I can do this. At least, I hope so. I don't dare check the countdown, but time is passing.

Aargh...

The only ideas springing to mind are stupid. Maybe I should've just stayed by the doorway? 「Jellies」 swarm, though, and I doubt my lure-and-shoot strategy would help.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath. Sorry, Valeria. This 'experiment' might be too outlandish, even for you.

Throwing pride to the wind, I remove the [Wooden Plank] from my [Inventory]. It materializes in midair, shimmering like it's actually worth something, and falls into my waiting hand.

Hmm...

I test the item's weight. Calling this narrow chunk of wood a 'plank' is generous, but it'll work for my purposes.

Okay.

Ready to make an even bigger fool of myself than I have so far, I concentrate on the object.

【Equip [Wooden Plank] in Weapon Slot 2】

...

... ...

... ... ...

Ding!

Could not equip [Wooden Plank]!

To be honest, I'm not sure what I expected. Maybe it has to be in my first slot? I'm pretty sure my base [Dexterity] has me ambidextrous by default.

【Equip [Wooden Plank] in Weapon Slot 1】

...

... ...

... ... ...

Ding!

Could not equip [Wooden Plank]!

Aww. Come on, just for me?

I repeat the command several times, earning nothing but a cloud of identical notifications.

"Clock's ticking, Quinn." Antoine doesn't even look at me. "If something's wrong, it's not too late to restart--the last person collapsed after one of these slimy little blighters got up their skirt."

"What? No!" Is it just me, or did he imply I was gonna faint? I wonder if he's this condescending to everyone. "Hold on. I've got this."

As the first batch of notifications disappear, I realize what I just said. New beads of sweat gather on my forehead. I, uh, do not 'got this' at all.

I ruffle my hair in irritation. I swear, bashing this button actually reduced some of my [Stamina]. Well, let's give it one last go. What do I have to lose but another sliver of already laughable respect?

【Equip [Wooden Plank] in Weapon Slot 2】

...

... ...

... ... ...

Ding!

[Wooden Plank] successfully equipped!

A new [Skill] has been created through a [Special Action].

"...Eh?!"