D, C, and A. Not bad, though he’d been hoping for an S-rank. Oh well.
They popped open, revealing the skills.
[Quickdraw] - Rank: D
[Ricochet Mastery] - Rank: C
[Cat’s Grace] - Rank: A
He clicked on the first one to review it.
[Quickdraw] - Lv. MAX
Allows you to near instantly draw your weapon, reducing the time to enter combat and potentially letting you catch opponents off-guard. Especially useful if you use a ranged weapon.
Draw Speed: +400%
Damn, that was a big number. The issue was that it was too niche—Ezra could already near-instantly get his weapon in hand anyway, and the higher he went up in Dexterity, the better he would get. Not only that, but he would still need to use [Polymorphism] to increase his weapon’s size, anyway.
[Ricochet Mastery] - Lv. MAX
Thrown projectiles can be hit off walls to strike targets with unerring accuracy and speed. Can be used to hit around corners or surprise enemies with ‘missed’ shots!
Ricochet Accuracy +200%
Ricochet Speed +200%
Again, big numbers, but again, it seemed to be built more for ranged fighters… which Ezra kind of was, with the ranged capabilities of his needle, but he had [Telekinesis], so…
He clicked on the last one.
[Cat’s Grace] - Lv. MAX
Your movements embody the perfect blend of agility, balance, and finesse, like a predator stalking the night. Your reflexes are lightning-fast, and you move with unparalleled fluidity.
Enhanced Agility:
Increases movement speed by 50%, allowing you to traverse any terrain with ease and precision.
Silent Movement:
Automatically silences your footsteps and reduces your presence, making detection by enemies much harder.
Feline Reflexes:
Gain the ability to react near-instantly to threats.
Nimble Acrobatic Mastery:
Can seamlessly execute flips, rolls, and complex maneuvers without penalty, even in combat or while in mid-air.
Landing Mastery:
Fall damage is negated up to 50 feet, and you land on your feet no matter the height.
This ability seemed amazing at first glance. So many benefits—and given how often he fell from great heights it would probably be of great aid there, as well.
He sighed. There was no choice, really. Given how much time he spent in the air, the Acrobatic Mastery and Landing Mastery would be of immense aid. It did feel a little uncomfortable because he knew full well that he’d be able to get similar abilities by continuing to level up his Dexterity… but it would’ve taken a long time. This was quick shortcut, and it would be useful going forward.
He clicked it.
His sense of balance shifted abruptly. He felt firmer and more confident. He stood up and took a step forward. Not a sound. Even though he was on a creaky floorboard and he was going around in his wet boots, he didn’t hear a thing. Okay, that’s pretty neat, especially since he didn’t even need to think about it. It just… happened. He took a few more experimental steps. Eventually, he had to slam down his foot intentionally to make a noise.
He opened the door, then crept down and outside. Nothing could be heard but faint murmurs in the distance. Ezra looked up the alley, toward the roof. He’d cleared buildings before, but it was an awkward experience and he had to expend a lot of energy. Not to mention, getting down was a pain. But what about now?
He raced toward the wall and jumped. Instinctively, his legs shot forward and pushed off the wall, sending him to the other wall of the alley. His fingers shot out and grabbed a poked-out brick. With a pull of his hand, he propelled himself upward into a midair roll, then landed on the roof with his arms outstretched like a gymnast.
And all of this was done with almost no sound.
He brushed off his jacket. Well, that would be useful.
He popped open his menu. He still had 20 points… but he’d already invested in his dexterity. Better to save them for an emergency.
“You do have an emergency,” Filamenta’s voice whispered in his mind. “Your low Constitution is going to bite you soon.”
Ezra ignored her. He popped open his ability menu and went through his list of powers. One stuck out to him—it was one he should’ve grabbed a while ago, under the tree constellation.
[Stitch Wounds] - Lv. 1
Using magical thread conjured from mana, the caster can seamlessly stitch together minor cuts and injuries. This power allows the user to heal shallow wounds by weaving enchanted threads into the skin, restoring tissue while reducing pain and scarring. Threads dissolve after the wound is sealed, leaving only a faint mark. Healing speed and durability increase with skill level.
Restores 10 HP for minor injuries.
Speed and efficiency of healing improve with higher Wisdom or Dexterity stats.
Can be used in battle, but thread becomes fragile under heavy stress.
Cooldown: 30 seconds
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
[Requirements: 10 WIS]
[Cost: 5 Ability Points]
[Buy]
He clicked it and obtained the skill. He raised Filamenta up, then ripped his arm into a bloody mess.
262/300
“There are probably better ways to test this skill,” Filamenta said.
“Yes, but none as effective as this.” Ezra held the needle up. “You’ve been quiet.”
“I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Ezra nodded, focused on his wound.
“[Stitch Wounds].”
Thin, translucent threads appeared on his skin. They moved on their own and wrapped around the inside and outside of his wound. The cut closed up, and the line marking the wound vanished as if painted over. Once completed, the threads faded away, leaving him good as new.
Ezra went back to the abilities tree and clicked the next one in the power set.
[Weave Flesh] - Lv. 1
An advanced form of Stitch Wounds, this skill allows the caster to mend deeper injuries by weaving stronger, more resilient magical threads into damaged flesh. The threads reinforce the body’s natural healing process, knitting muscles, tendons, and even minor bone fractures. These threads are highly flexible and durable, making them more effective in combat and high-stress situations.
Restores 50 HP for moderate injuries.
Reduces pain and prevents infection.
Threads last longer and withstand more physical strain, making the healing more durable.
Healing speed further increases with Wisdom or Dexterity stats.
Cooldown: 45 seconds
Bonus Effect: Partial regeneration of damaged muscle tissue over time (improves at higher levels).
[Requirements: 20 WIS, Stitch Wounds Lv. 20 ]
[Cost: 5 Ability Points]
[Buy]
Ezra’s eyebrows raised. Was [Weave Flesh] an upgrade to [Stitch Wounds]? That’s what the system seemed to be implying. He sighed. He felt a bit disappointed that he wouldn’t get to use the more powerful ability, but [Stitch Wounds] would have to do for now. He hopped back down into the alley and jumped into bed.
It’d been a long day. He’d start grinding tomorrow. For now, he needed rest.
----------------------------------------
He woke up the next morning ready to start the day. He felt good after making concrete progress on his skills, and he was certain that [Cat’s Grace] would be of use to him going forward.
As usual, he headed to the Chulcalf stall.
The man turned toward him and nodded. “The usual?”
“Yup.”
The man threw a red patty onto a grill to his side. It sizzled and sparked.
“You heard much about the well?” the man said.
“Nope,” Ezra said. “What about it?
“A friend of mine says it’s haunted. Swore she heard her dead husband calling to her.”
He picked up the burger and tossed it onto bread. He slipped on the chees and lettuce, then handed it to Ezra.
Ezra rolled his eyes and grabbed the burger.
“Sure, and I’m a cactus.”
The man’s lips twitched.
“Mock if you like, kid. But strange things are afoot in this town. Not just the well. People disappearing, strange, unseen monsters appearing where they shouldn’t.” He paused. “And then there’s you. Where’d you come from, eh? You’re different than the rest of them. It’s almost like you’re from another world entirely.”
Ezra stiffened, then narrowed his eyes. It was the most he’d heard the stall man speak. Suddenly, that ‘???’ Hovering over the man’s head felt much more sinister.
“I’m just a mercenary. I do my job, and I do it well. That’s all,” Ezra said.
The stall man turned and flipped a burger.
“Right then. None of my business, carry on.”
Ezra left after he got his burger and shook his head. “This town is such a shithole. Can’t wait to be gone.”
“What about the burgers?” Filamenta said. “Wouldn’t you miss those?”
Well, he’d miss the burgers. Fair point.
When he arrived at the guild, his attempts to blend into the wallpaper failed horribly—most everyone had heard of Ezra, it seemed, and the few that hadn’t had at least heard of the investigation. Someone came up to him asking if he’d been responsible for exorcising an old well that supposedly made a bunch of creepy groaning noises. Wow, wild coincidence!
He’d informed the man that no, he had done nothing related to any wells.
“If you believed the guild members,” Filamenta said. “They’d say that you saved three princesses, two kingdoms, and killed the Demon Lord.”
Eventually, Ezra ended up grabbing a quest to obtain ‘the Artifact of Improbable Power’. Ezra left, feeling uncomfortable with the number of eyes bearing down on him.
As if by clockwork, Ezra was attacked in the forest by a rival group of mercenaries. Ezra didn’t think they were even working for Villscha—they’d just gotten fired up by the investigation and thought to take Ezra out. Of course, they were all killed. They were far worse than the mercs that Villscha had used. He didn’t even get a chance to use his new skills. He still felt a little bit of revulsion and shock when he slaughtered them. There was a part of him screaming, asking what he was doing.
Ezra ignored that part until it stopped. This was a different world with different rules. They’d been meaning to kill him, so he was justified.
“Don’t lose your nerve,” Filamena said, out of nowhere. “You’re doing the right thing.”
Ezra continued, picked up the artifact (which turned out to be an ancient container for cheese. God, what was it with this town and cheese?), and headed back to the guild.
----------------------------------------
Prise was manning the stall, writing down various documents when Ezra came in. Her eyes darted back and forth between Villscha’s office and her work. She was surrounded by cups of herbal tea, so strong that it almost drowned out the scent of alcohol that Ezra had learned to associate with the guild.
He walked up to her. She didn’t do anything. He coughed into his hand, then knocked on her desk.
She jumped and looked up.
“Oh, Ezra!” Her voice increased in pitch. “You’re back! How did the quest go?”
“Fine. The artifact turned out to be a block of cheese.”
Prise furrowed her eyebrows and tilted her head. “Wait, a block of cheese?”
“Don’t ask, I don’t have any answers.”
“Um, right. I guess you can just pass it to me…”
Ezra pulled out the wooden receptacle from his belt and handed it to Prise. She opened it up and looked down at it. She frowned.
“This isn’t even edible anymore,” she said.
Ezra took a sniff, then covered his nose with his jacket.
“God, it’s like something died, cover it up!” he said.
Prise shut it, then tucked it into a drawer behind her desk. She looked back at him.
Ezra looked at the documents. She was crosschecking invoices and receipts for the guild. But why? Was she an accountant or something?
“What are you doing?” he said.
Prise leaned in and motioned for Ezra to come closer. Ezra did so.
“I think Villscha is up to something,” Prise said.
Ezra’s widened. How much did she know?
“What do you mean?” he said.
“I’ve always known that Villscha is corrupt. I think anyone who’s paying attention knows that, but…”
“But?”
Her eyes snapped toward his.
“But he’s doing something worse, I think,” she said. “He’s moving things around, he’s spending way more money than he used to… and that’s on top of everything else that’s been going on. I think something’s wrong.”
“This could be dangerous,” Ezra said.
“I know.”
Ezra looked off to the side. Prise had access to internal guild records. Stuff that Dumrivil and Ezra could only dream of. She was already investigating this stuff on her own. Maybe he should bring her in on the conspiracy?
“Prise,” he said. “You’re on the right track. We’ll need to talk about this in a bit. We’ll meet back at the inn, okay?”
Prise hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Right. Whatever you say, Ezra.”
She was perhaps a bit too trusting, but Ezra could work with that. Ezra stepped away and walked out of the guild. There was a glint—a light flashing in his eyes. He turned toward it to see someone on the roof. The figure waved Ezra over, then retreated away.
Ezra narrowed his eyes. Dumrivil. But what was he doing? Ezra wandered over to the alley, keeping an eye fixed on where he’d last seen the figure on the roof. Once Ezra was in a safe enough location, he dashed up the alley walls using the same trick that he used last night, leaping from wall to ledge like a cat. He landed on the roof perfectly and then looked around.
A cough echoed to his right. He turned to see Dumrivil staring at him.
Dumrivil furrowed his eyebrows.
“How were you so quiet?” Dumrivil said. “I wouldn’t have noticed you if I hadn’t been looking.”
“Talent. You should try getting it sometime.”
“Hardy-har.”
The two were quiet for a moment. Dumrivil passed him a piece of paper. “Our next meeting location. Make sure you aren’t followed.”
Ezra stuffed the paper into his jacket pocket. “Whatever you say.”
Dumrivil ran off, leaving Ezra standing on the roof. Soon after, Ezra went to the inn, where Prise was waiting. He explained that they would need to meet at the location Dumrivil had selected and pulled out the paper as evidence. Prise accepted the explanation and the two set off.
They arrived at the graveyard soon enough. Prise screwed up her face and Ezra grinned. A short cobblestone wall lined the area, more for decoration than for security. In the center was a single crypt. The rock was worn and hewn, while the writing had long since faded away. The door was cracked open. Ezra pulled it the rest of the way and headed in.
“Why would he pick this place?” Prise said.
Ezra shrugged. “Because it’s hidden and out of the way, I suppose.”
The two continued. A rat scurried over Prise’s foot, causing her to let out a screech.
“It was on my toe!” she said.
Ezra looked at her and glared. She shrunk into herself and looked down.
Footsteps echoed and Ezra turned to face the sound. A torchlight blinded Ezra and he pulled his hands up to shield his eyes.
“Pardon,” a voice said. “But what are you doing here?”