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The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills - Chapter 17

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Chapter 17 : Promotion Exam – Part 3

Eight hours had passed since then.

The sun had already set, and the only thing lighting up my surroundings was the flickering campfire in front of me.

I sat cross-legged in front of the fire, checking the monster materials I’d collected.

“Let’s see… three ‘Unicorn Rabbit Horns’ and one ‘Thunder Squirrel Tail,’ huh.”

That adds up to about six large silver coins. To reach my goal of one gold coin, I still needed materials worth four more large silver coins.

There were roughly fourteen hours left. Not bad, pace-wise.

If I’d been lucky like Milfa and run into a Silver Wolf, I would’ve cleared the trial already. I’m pretty sure I could handle one solo at this point.

I pulled out some dried meat from the magic pouch on my waist and took a bite.

This, plus a couple hardtack biscuits, should be enough for a meal. I still had plenty of stamina and base mana left.

After a short rest, I’ll head for the waterfall area.

My eyes moved to the map I had placed nearby.

It was a bit of a distance, but that area should be less crowded. No competition for monsters from other adventurers.

While I rested, I might as well restock my paper supply.

Focusing my mind, I visualized a new magical formula in my head.

I added characters for Light and Wind attributes, and incorporated a mechanism that would trigger an explosion under specific conditions.

Seconds later, a small, golden-glowing slip of paper materialized before me. I pinched it between my fingers and slipped it into my magic pocket.

This paper used a complex magic array, so it took time to manifest—and one piece wouldn’t be enough. I’d need to stock up whenever I had time like this.

I lowered my head and looked at the more than ten pockets sewn into my outfit. Each was filled with different kinds of paper, suited for different situations.

Depending on how I used them, I could definitely catch opponents off guard. After all, I’m the only one who can fight using paper.

Just then, a rustle came from behind me.

I turned around quickly—and there stood Dazzle.

“So this is where you were, Yakumo.”

Dazzle approached me without making a sound.

“...You caught a Thunder Squirrel? That thing’s not tough, but it's quick—hard to kill.”

“I got lucky. It was stuck in a hollow tree with no way out.”

“Huh, still got that good luck going, I see.”

“Did you need something?”

“Yeah. Mind lending me some cash?”

“...Cash?”

“Yeah. You beat that Crystal Dragon and raked in a fat reward, right?”

Dazzle curled one side of his lips into a smirk.

“You can spare a large gold coin for me, can’t you?”

“That’s not possible. I don’t have that kind of money on hand.”

“You don’t? Then what did you spend it on?”

“I donated two large gold coins, and used the rest to buy gear for adventuring.”

“Hah? Don’t lie to me. Like hell you’d donate that much money.”

Dazzle’s voice grew louder.

“I donated it to the orphanage I grew up in,” I said calmly.

“Still, two whole large gold coins? You out of your damn mind?”

“Is that really so strange?”

I tilted my head.

“Everyone at the orphanage is like family to me. I just wanted to see them smile.”

“...Tch. So, how much do you actually have?”

“About three gold coins’ worth. But I want to use that for living expenses and buying magic books.”

“Magic books?”

“Yeah. I want to study more magic. I think I can enhance my Skill—【Paper User】.”

“No point upgrading a trash Skill like that.”

Dazzle twisted his mouth in annoyance.

“So in short, you’re not lending me anything?”

“Right. Sorry.”

A few seconds of silence passed.

Then—

“...Got it.”

Dazzle shrugged and gave me another smirk.

“Well then, let’s both give it our best in the promotion exam.”

With that, Dazzle kicked the ‘Thunder Squirrel Tail’ with his foot. The item flew into the campfire and burst into flames.

“Oops—my bad. Slipped. Heheh.”

He let out an unsettling giggle.

“Man, that’s rough. Now all you’ve got left is worth what, one large silver and five silver coins?”

“Dazzle...”

“Hey now, don’t get mad. Just an unlucky accident, right?”

He stuck out his tongue mockingly.

“You’ve still got fourteen hours or so. I’m sure you’ll manage. Later.”

With that, Dazzle disappeared into the bushes.

“Typical Dazzle… what a petty move.”

I sighed, staring at the Thunder Squirrel’s tail as it burned in the flames.

Now I’d need to collect materials worth eight large silver coins and five silver coins to pass.

“Guess I’ll go big or go home.”

After cleaning up the campfire, I took off running—toward the waterfall in the west.

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