I stared at my house, which glowed like a palace of light, as if it were a scene from a dream.
"I can't believe it actually turned into a base...!"
When I worked part-time for a carpenter, the boss had told me about it.
If a building had a wall and gate, and the combined levels exceeded 50, it would become a "base."
The boss had also said this:
"That said, only really big and impressive buildings like fortresses become bases!
A regular house won't have nearly enough levels, so it won't turn into a base!
Well, if it's a house built by a legendary craftsman, maybe it could happen!"
At the time, I had listened to the boss's words like they were a fairy tale.
I thought it had nothing to do with me...
Filled with disbelief, I opened my status window.
There it was, clearly displayed below my personal stats.
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**Base**
**LV:** 1
**Size:** Dilapidated single-family house
**Population:** 1
**Base Skills**
**Activity Support**
Provides stat bonuses for activities performed within the base.
--------------------------------------------------
"So this is the base status...!? Something only chosen people in the world are granted..."
Base skills were meant for the leader of the base—in other words, the king.
People appointed as base administrators by the king could also use part of that power.
In any case, it was a privilege allowed only to royalty, the highest authorities in this world.
As I stood there in shock, my body was enveloped in the same light as the base.
--------------------------------------------------
**Leopin**
**Occupation:** Carpenter
**LV:** 8 → 9
**HP:** 1810
**MP:** 1810
**Status**
**Vitality:** 181
**Endurance:** 181
**Toughness:** 181
**Spirit:** 181
**Resistance:** 181
**Agility:** 181
**Focus:** 181
**Strength:** 181
**Magic Power:** 181
**Divine Power:** 181
**Intelligence:** 181
**Education:** 181
**Five Senses:** 181
**Sixth Sense:** 181
**Charm:** 1
**Luck:** 2
**Dexterity:** 180 → 280
**Available Jobs**
**Production**
Woodcutter
Appraiser
Carpenter
Stonecrafter
Leatherworker
**Exploration**
Ranger
Treasure Hunter
**Combat**
Axe Battler
Ninja
Martial Artist
**NEW!** Trapper
--------------------------------------------------
"So becoming the owner of a base caused me to level up...
Compared to before, this feels like a proper level-up.
And the new job that appeared is exactly what I need right now."
I switched jobs right away.
--------------------------------------------------
**Leopin**
**Occupation:** Carpenter → Trapper
**Job Skills**
**Pit Trap**
Allows setting pitfall traps.
**Wire Trap**
Allows setting traps using wire.
--------------------------------------------------
"All right, let's strengthen the defenses around the house. But first..."
I temporarily switched to Stonecrafter and carved a nearby rock into a new tool.
--------------------------------------------------
**Forest Stone Shovel**
**Quantity:** 1
**Quality Level:** 12 (Material Level 1 + Dexterity Bonus 2 + Job Bonus 9)
A shovel shaped from forest stone.
Thanks to various bonuses, it can dig through soil or stone up to twice the item's level in hardness.
--------------------------------------------------
With the freshly made shovel in hand, I passed through the gate and began working in the yard.
I dug a hole and planted sharpened Gisu wood spears at the bottom.
Then I covered the top with branches and leaves...
--------------------------------------------------
**Gisu Wood Spear Pitfall**
**Quantity:** 1
**Quality Level:** 23 (Material Level 12 + Dexterity Bonus 2 + Job Bonus 9)
A pitfall with Gisu wood spears planted inside.
Thanks to various bonuses, it is difficult to spot, and once fallen into, it is hard to climb out.
--------------------------------------------------
One down.
Next, I set another trap in the grassy area beside a tree in the yard.
--------------------------------------------------
**Daija Vine Wire Trap**
**Quantity:** 1
**Quality Level:** 28 (Material Level 17 + Dexterity Bonus 2 + Job Bonus 9)
A trap made by combining Daija Vine thread with stone knives.
Getting caught in the wire suspends the victim in the air.
Thanks to various bonuses, it is difficult to spot, and once suspended, escape is difficult.
--------------------------------------------------
"Primitive traps reaching over level 20... I might have made something pretty insane."
I considered setting traps outside the wall too, but decided against it.
If Monaka came over and got caught, that would be terrible.
Monaka was well-mannered, so she probably would not climb over the wall.
Still, just to be safe, I put up a sign in the yard.
**"Danger! Traps inside!"**
Monsters below a very high level apparently could not understand human language.
The monsters that appeared in this forest should not be able to read this warning.
When I stepped outside the house, the forest was dyed in orange hues from the setting sun.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
At that time, the principal's office was in an uproar.
The principal and vice principal had been discussing how to restore their honor after being demoted in rank.
A message suddenly appeared with a "ping" on the large crystal panel covering one wall.
**"Base reaction detected! A student of our academy has established a base!"**
The two could not believe their eyes.
"A base!? That cannot be!"
"Exactly, zansu! There is no way anyone could create a base after only two days since the start of classes!
Principal, you said it was planned for two years from now, right?"
"Precisely! The fastest record for establishing a base at a pioneer academy was 793 days after the start of classes!
I had prepared a special education curriculum to break that record!"
"That means the magic device must be malfunctioning, zansu!
The magic device at the location of that light point is broken!
I will order the janitor to fix it immediately!"
As the vice principal said this, he touched the crystal panel.
The display switched to a map of the area around the Royal Pioneer Academy.
A blinking light point on the map indicated the location where the base had appeared.
"See? It really is a mistake, zansu! It is pointing to a spot deep in the forest, far outside the residential area!
That is the garbage dump, and no one..."
The two suddenly looked at each other.
"No... It can't be!? That is impossible...!"
The vice principal muttered a prayer-like whisper as he operated the crystal panel.
He touched the light point and selected "Monitor" from the menu that appeared.
The map switched to show the current view at the location of the light point.
There stood Leopin, stretching comfortably while casting a long shadow.
Behind him was a proper house with walls and a gate...
It was glowing with the light of a base, shining brighter than the setting sun...!
"Ki... Kyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?!?"