“Twelve skills acquired today, huh. Bit of a hit to the finances, but I’ll recover that later.”

About four of them overlapped and leveled up.

There’s a fact not widely known in this world—skills actually have levels. Even with the same ability, the higher the skill level, the more powerful it becomes.

Some are born with high skill levels, but it's also possible to raise them yourself. If you use the skill over and over for years—or even decades—it can go up by one level.

But I can raise skill levels easily. When I buy duplicate skills, they merge and the skill level increases. The higher the level, the faster it climbs, but even at low levels, collecting enough of them can level it up fairly easily.

Level 1 skills are weak, and you barely feel any effect from owning them. That’s why people are willing to part with them for a bit of cash, even if they're technically useful.

Well, the reason I can even detect skill levels is because I bought tons of weak ‘Appraisal’ skills and raised it all the way to level 30.

“Today’s catch of ‘Swordsmanship’ level 1 and ‘Clairvoyance’ level 1 was a treat. Farmers and merchants don’t need those anyway.”

I’d love to hit a tavern and review my haul with a smug grin, but the real deal starts now. I have a major negotiation coming up.

I pull out a map from my coat and head into the backstreets of the city.

As I walk alone down a deserted alley, I sense three presences hiding in the shadows. Man, ‘Presence Detection’ is really handy. I’ve survived up till now thanks to it.

“To the three hiding there—if you’ve got business with me, show yourselves.”

I can feel the stirrings of their surprise. ‘Presence Detection’ is common even at low levels, so I’ve had plenty of chances to buy it. Now it’s well over level 30. In a world where anything above level 10 is considered top-tier, 30 is basically master-class.

“Oh? You noticed us?”

From the shadows emerge some rough-looking thugs wearing thick, stitched-together clothing. Washed-up adventurers, or maybe just a gang of criminals.

With how openly I’ve been buying up skills and handing out cold hard cash without hesitation, it’s no surprise I drew attention.

“It’s so obvious. Let me guess—you want me to hand over the money if I don’t want to die, right? Classic setup.”

“Heh, you’re quick on the uptake. Just leave that pack behind and we’re good.”

It’s dark and there's some distance, so ‘Psychology’ isn’t very effective. Not that I need a skill to know exactly what they’re after.

“Oh please. You’re going to kill me anyway, right? You’re not even hiding your faces, which means you don’t plan on letting me live.”

I expected at least one of them to deny it, but instead, they all drew their swords.

They couldn’t be more obvious.

“Tch. We could’ve killed you quickly if you hadn’t resisted.”

“Wow, thanks for the cliché villain line. I’ll just quickly take you down then—unlike you, I’m busy.”

Provoked by such a simple taunt, the thugs charge at me.

Alright, time to go with ‘Martial Arts’, ‘Swift Step’, ‘Super Strength’, ‘Fortune’, and ‘Presence Detection’—all at level 20.

Right now, for various reasons, I can only equip five skills at a time, but honestly, against these guys, it’s overkill.

Before they can reach me, I slip into their midst in an instant. A straight punch to the solar plexus.

Ignoring the one who goes flying, I deliver a high kick to the temple of the one beside him.

The last one hasn’t even swung his sword yet. I touch his neck with one hand and sweep his thigh with the other. As he spins midair, I confirm the rotation and slam him into the ground.

“Alright, that’s that. Now then, let’s do an ‘Appraisal’. Hmhm, some tasty skills in here.”

I set down my pack and pull out paper and a pen.

I write the Purchase price for each of their skills on three sheets of paper and slip them into the pockets of their clothes as they lay immobilized on the ground.

“If you’re strapped for cash, come sell those skills. You’ve got some real gems just gathering dust.”

With that, I leave the scene.

Took a little more time than expected, but I arrive at the destination right on schedule.

It looks like an ordinary house, but ordinary houses don’t usually have two guards with spears standing watch.

“Good evening. I’m here regarding the request.”

“Ah, you’re the skill collector. The boss is waiting inside.”

The two burly men in front of the door step aside and even open the door for me.

Inside is a hall that looks more spacious than the exterior suggests, with a half-naked man lounging on a luxurious sofa straight ahead, raising a hand in greeting.

“Oh—! You came. Over here, have a seat.”

A man with hair like a lion’s mane slapped the seat next to him on the sofa with enthusiasm, so I quietly obeyed.

His body, as always, was mesmerizing. One could call it a suit of muscle armor. Arms that looked like they could kill someone with a light jab. His entire body was covered in scars, big and small.

Anyone who dared pick a fight after seeing this body was either a fool or insane.

As I took a seat, a woman in the room brought out alcohol and dishes, arranging them neatly on the table in front of us.

High-end liquor and luxurious food. Seems like I’m being welcomed properly.

“Drink and eat as much as you want. So, how did it go?”

“Yes, it went well. I bought the ‘Monster Magnet’.”

“Good, good! Well done! So, how much will you sell it for?”

Despite his upbeat mood and beaming smile, his expression turned deadly serious as soon as we entered negotiation mode.

This was where I could show my skill—how high I could raise the price.

Let’s hit him with the full set: Articulation, Fluency, Psychology, and Negotiation.

With that lineup at full power, unless my opponent was a veteran merchant, the negotiation would go however I wanted. It was wrapped up quickly, and I got the exact amount I aimed for—

…A hundred times the purchase price.

“Alright then, install the ‘Monster Magnet’ in me.”

“Are you sure about this? This skill has quite a powerful effect—if you equip it, you’ll be constantly attacked by monsters outside the city.”

“That’s what I’m after. I’m not satisfied with my own strength. I want to polish my skills even more. I’ve gained wealth and fame with just these arms of mine, but I want to get even stronger. These days, nobody dares challenge me. Even monsters tremble at my presence.”

“Well, you’ve held the top spot at the capital’s arena for five years.”

The man in front of me was the undefeated champion of the capital’s arena. Even if I made a perfect skill allocation, I still doubted whether I could beat him. That’s how overwhelmingly strong he was.

“Still, it’s a convenient thing, right? You can buy skills, and even sell them to others.”

“Only a select few know about the selling part, though.”

My unique skill. Its true name isn’t Purchase. It’s Trade.

I can buy skills from others—and sell the ones I own. If this ability became widely known, many would covet it. It could easily lead to criminal exploitation, so I choose carefully whom I tell.

The lady who agreed to sell the skill earlier wasn’t a coincidence. I knew from the beginning she had Monster Magnet.

However, to check her skill level with Appraisal, I had to be up close and focused, so I didn’t know it was level 10 until that moment.

After the champion asked for the skill, I wandered through town and found the lady. I pitched the sale on the spot to catch her attention. That’s all there was to it.

Unlike purchasing, selling is a looser contract. If the other party understands the ability and pays, the deal is done.

“So now, monsters are going to swarm me, huh?”

“If you no longer want it later, just let me know. I’ll buy it back.”

“Yeah, I’m counting on you.”

I left the champion’s hideout, seeing him off in his good mood.

Since I earned far more than I spent, I think I’ll stay at the lady’s inn tonight. I made a profit thanks to her, so I should at least bring a small gift.

“Hey, you little shit! You got my clothes dirty!”

“P-please, forgive me…”

From the alley to my left came a man’s angry shout and a girl’s weak voice of apology.

Well, this is a back alley. Trouble’s always lurking.

Just in case, I activated Stealth and peeked around the corner.

A stereotypical thug, bald and mean-looking, was kicking a girl who had fallen to the ground.

“Don’t you slum rats dare stand in front of me!”

Ah, a drunk picking a fight and getting violent.

The girl being abused had tattered clothes, messy hair, and painfully thin arms like twigs. She didn’t look like she was living an easy life.

She had a basket, probably meant for flowers, but the flowers were scattered all over the ground.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Poor thing. And here I am standing around doing nothing.

I teleported behind the drunk using Ground Shrink, crouched down—

Then activated Physical Boost, placed my hands together with index fingers pointed out, and aimed for his rear.

Then, using Leap to add extra force, I jumped up.

“GuhhhAAAHHH!!”

With a dull thud, the man’s body floated into the air.

He collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth and clutching his rear.

“Are you alright?”

“Th-thank you very much.”

She had no makeup, a bare face, but if she cleaned up and put on some weight, she’d be quite beautiful.

She’s really got a lot of wasted potential.

I picked up the scattered flowers and returned them to her basket. She bowed repeatedly in thanks.

“Would it be alright if I bought all of them?”

“Ah, yes. Of course!”

She smiled happily, and that smile was surprisingly charming.

As I accepted the flowers, I activated Appraisal.

Let’s see… Ill-Fated Lv.5, Sickly Lv.2, Fragile Constitution Lv.2.

Whoa, I’ve never seen such a terrible combination of skills. Was she destined for misfortune from birth?

If she were wealthy, she might have gotten her skills appraised and done something about it. But born into poverty, she probably never had the chance.

I tried to hand her more money than the flowers were worth, but she adamantly refused, saying, “I can’t accept this much!”

Despite being poor, she still had her pride. She was a dignified girl.

“This is a thank-you for the beautiful flowers. It might be a little much, but I had a great windfall today. I just wanted to share a little luck. Is that a bother?”

“I-if that’s the case, then… I’ll gratefully accept.”

Deal done. She nervously reached out, so I supported her hand from underneath, placed the coins in her palm, and gently closed her hand around them.

“Thank you very much.”

Through Sensory Detection, I could feel her bowing over and over as I walked away.

Today, I made a hefty profit and got some beautiful flowers.

And—also took Ill-Fated, Sickly, and Fragile Constitution off her hands.

I did say it, didn’t I? “Would it be alright if I bought all of them?”

And I also said, “I just wanted to share a little luck. Is that a bother?” That made it a done deal.

“The payment for those three skills wasn’t much, so I sold her Good Fortune in return. I hope she likes it.”

Smiling at the thought of her future, I hugged the bouquet and made my way briskly to the inn.

I think I’ll give these flowers to the lady there as a gift.