The Common core awarded for clearing the dungeon materialized in front of me. Almost shimmery and transparent in places like milky quartz, it was glossy and fit into my palm. It was similar to the core I’d taken from the Error Wolf.

I’d have to tell Helas about that, but for now I gave it to her to store. She took it without question, as if it was the obvious thing for me to do. I pointed to the bag, pulling my black shirt from my body as the heat made me start to sweat.

“There’s a bouquet of moonflowers in there for you, too, Grandma,” I said.

Her scowl was instantaneous and satisfying. “Don’t call me that, boy.”

Still, she turned me around to check for any injuries. When she was satisfied that I was unharmed, what I’d said seemed to process. She dug into the satchel for the flowers, and her face lit up. Did she look younger?

Dean Sarsyss chuckled. “With that, I’ll leave the two of you.” She bowed her head in respect, then settled her gaze on Khoulgan. “Drahk, follow me. I believe we need to have a very long discussion.”

“Yes, of course.” Khoulgan paled, and his swallow was all too audible with my perception. When she turned on her heel and headed back into the academy, he glanced at me as he passed.

For a moment, for no reason at all, I thought maybe he’d give me a proper thanks.

But, no, he just gave me a smirk.

“Huh.” Helas swatted me in the arm after he turned back forward. “What did you mean by everything? How close did you two get?”

I used my sleeve to wipe off the sheen of perspiration gathering at my hairline. Even she’d shown up dressed in something more comfortable for the weather here. Loose, airy robes in pale purple. I’d wear it in a heartbeat.

“Exactly what you’re thinking. Can I get a change of clothes before we get into it? I’m dying.”

“So dramatic.” She gestured to me to follow her as she crossed the grass toward a path that seemed like it’d take us to the city below. “Getting you a new wardrobe is on the top of the list though. You’ll draw less attention wearing what everyone else is wearing here.”

“Sounds great,” I said, a little relieved though I didn’t know why.

We walked in comfortable silence for a while as we descended a steep set of stairs down the hillside to the city. By the size of the palaces and the grandeur of the shops, the closest district to the Royal Palace and the academy was probably the art district. The nobles tended to live near the theaters and symphony houses in every kingdom I’d ever visited.

The view was beautiful, though, I could see why they’d want to live up here. A view of the entire city—sun-bleached stone and terracotta tiled roofs in rows that twisted along the contours of the cove. The view of the ocean—crystalline blue sparkling in the sunlight stretching into the horizon where it met with the sky, stray clouds chasing each other slowly.

“So out with it,” Helas said, pulling me from the view. “What happened?”

I sighed with my entire body. “By everything, I mean I slipped and told him my name.”

Thankfully, she didn’t call me an idiot like I deserved.

“How’d you even meet him?” she asked. “Did you stick to the Common areas? What level are you now?”

I scoffed. “Of course, I didn’t. Though you’re right that he belonged there. But, no, he thought he’d take on the dungeon boss with magic alone because he has an S-Rank soul. And I know that because I partied with him so I could upgrade the emergency quest the system gave me to save him.”

“Upgrade to what? Better have been worth it to let him have access to your status.”

“Transcendental.” I couldn’t help my grin. “I’m level 108 now. I have so many free points to distribute. And I’m getting closer to 100 skill evolution points.”

She considered the numbers then gave a small nod. “Decent gains.”

“By decent do you mean ridiculously good? Impressive as fuck?”

Without a thought about the steep stairs that we were descending and the fatal fall I’d take if I lost balance, she shoved me. “By decent I mean decent. So did he check your status? Does he know everything?”

“I said everything,” I pointed out, keeping my balance with ease. “I don’t lie about what I mean, like using the word decent when what you really mean to say is extraordinary.”

She released a long scoff. “So how’re you thinking of distributing your points?”

“Evenly. I went up against two Transcendent beasts, and with the stats I have now, it could’ve ended a lot worse than two long, drawn out fights. One of them had a demon core.” I tipped my head to her bag, using both my free hands to fan myself with my shirt. “It’s in there. System’s encounter message called it an Error Wolf, too.”

Her eyes widened. “That’s—all very concerning.”

“Raged out on me, too. Thought I’d die but then I remembered.” I shook my wrist, making the [Infinite Chain] rattle. “Mother’s slayer item. And the other beast, I had Khoulgan’s help. Not like I couldn’t have done it myself, though I might've died at least once doing it. I admit it was a lot easier with someone to back me up. He also set me on fire though…”

“No matter on that, you look as smooth-faced and handsome as always.” She rolled her eyes. “So there isn’t one or two stats that you think could’ve put you ahead?”

I considered her words, not finding that I had an immediate answer. If I’d been stronger, fighting the Error Wolf in Rage might’ve been easier. But the same could’ve been true had I been faster. My speed had kept up with my perception well enough, but there was room to grow there.

“You’re thinking too hard again,” Helas said, waving a dismissive hand. “You’re the Hidden Slayer for a reason. What types of stats would best support the skills you already have?”

The real consideration here was what fighting style would keep me intact. My skills weren’t best served by explosive strength. How much would I have to dump into that stat alone to compete with a Rashira like Ezrenad?

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

No, my skills and items relied on stealth. Hiding. Obscuring. Lurking from the shadows. Death by a million tiny cuts rather than a single knock-out blow.

“I should stick to perception, agility, and stamina,” I answered finally.

Helas nodded, brushing away a low-hanging tree branch from our path. “Good. How many free points do you have? How much do you want to put into each?”

“Great questions…”

I pulled up my status and nearly tripped down the rest of the stairs.

【STATUS】

Name: Geram Vulros

Patron God: ┃ Class: Hidden Slayer [Transcendental]

Soul: E-Rank (Stage 3) ┃ Cores: 1 ⌃

Level: 108 ┃ Exp: 24,680/107,000

STR: 3,295┃ AGI: 5,385┃ STA: 5,415┃ PER: 7,510

FP: 31,496 ┃ EP: 24

Skills: 6/9 ⌃

“Looks like the Error Wolf isn’t the only one with an error,” I said. “What the fuck does it mean that Ket’ha name’s been replaced by an error in my status? Is he dead or something?”

“He’s immortal,” she said dryly. “Must be why Sak’hed told you to call on a different patron god. Perhaps another one has taken a claim over you for some reason. Adna’s?”

“Yeah, I was thinking maybe I’d try Yebrail next.”

She nodded. “We’ll get started making another potion as soon as we get home. Something a lot more potent, so it'll take some quality ingredients and time...”

Of course, time was something I didn't feel like we had a lot of right now.

The path opened to the bustling main street of the art district, lined with palm trees and multistoried shop fronts with intricate geometric designs carved into the trim of the arched windows and doorways. Well-dressed, likely wealthy Ridahrians strolled across the mosaic tiled road, browsing the displays of what the best artisans of Ridahr could offer.

“We’re not shopping here, are we?” I asked. I didn’t have the money for it exactly.

“Of course, we are,” she said and cracked a grin that could only be described as evil. With her younger appearance—which seemed to be growing younger as we talked—her expressions were clearer. “I have many friends who owe me favors.”

Those poor so-called friends.

“So your free points?”

I gave her the number, and her eyebrows raised a fraction. So she was impressed, even if just a little. After I explained how I wanted to distribute my points after talking it over with her, she dawned a soft smile. Was that pride?

She put an arm around my waist—a side hug. “I’ve got you. Go for it.”

I chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Thanks, Grandma.”

“Call me that one more time and I swear…”

【NOTICE】

Would you like to distribute 7,000 free points into Stamina?

STA: 5,415 → STA: 12,415

Yes.

This time, I didn’t just get a hop in my step. Suddenly, I felt weightless, unfettered by my human form. I could run all the way back to Bolstaor if I wanted. I could swim around the entire world, from the Amanziros Ocean to the Mirzalimat Ocean.

The thought made my stomach growl.

【NOTICE】

Would you like to distribute 7,000 free points into Agility?

AGI: 5,385 → AGI: 12,385

Yes.

I stumbled a bit as a jarring disorientation came over me. My subsequent flinch rocketed my awareness of the agonizingly slow beat of my own heart, the series of coordinated movements involved in being a living, breathing person. As if my consciousness had burrowed into my bones, seeped into my muscles, stretched over my skin.

I’d increased my agility last time by a hundred times at least, but there was a much wider gulf between that and this. Doubled now, I felt the difference across my entire body. Somehow, I knew my body more intimately, knew even that my mind was processing information at a much higher rate.

With the amount I’d be distributing into perception, which I was leaving last on purpose, I’d be unstoppable in the shadows.

【NOTICE】

Would you like to distribute 5,000 free points into Strength?

STR: 3,295 → STR: 8,295

Yes.

My knees gave out when I took my next step. Helas caught me, clicking her tongue, and muttered about the repercussions to saving so many free points to distribute at once.

I groaned in pain as my muscles stiffened, gaining density and weighing me down. Heart hammering in my chest, my body worked hard to adapt to the newest demands my distributed free points made of it. And once it did, I felt even more powerful than before. Like I could move boulders with my strength alone.

More than ever before, I couldn’t wait to punch Father in the face.

【NOTICE】

Would you like to distribute 12,000 free points into Perception?

PER: 7,510 → PER: 19,510

Yes, I would.

The worst one I’d saved for last. I still remembered the feeling of lightning that’d ignited through all my senses when I’d distributed my free points into perception before. All feeling across my body numbed for a second—and I was almost relieved.

This time was worse—a hundred times worse.

I gritted my teeth against the fire that ripped through me. My entire body was on fire again. No, burning alive hadn’t felt nearly as excruciating because it’d been my skin, not every nerve in my body.

A sharp pain stabbed my eyes as they flipped between different depths. A high-pitched ring echoed between my ears as sounds from probably two or more city districts clashed together, fought for the attention it’d need to differentiate what was what. My head ached trying to process the sounds of the hundreds of people within my new range.

I forced myself to focus on my nearby surroundings. Helas—her steady breath, her measured footsteps, the clinks of her jewelry and muffled footsteps she could mask if she wanted. The quiet chattering of the upper-class window shopping.

Better.

The fire dissipated, and the everyday sounds of probably a hundred blocks opened themselves to me. Someone’s cooks were making pie. My stomach growled again.

“I need to eat,” I said.

“Later. We’re here,” Helas said, giving me a squeeze.

I hugged her back to express my thanks.

“Yeah, you better be thankful.” The final part of her transformation was changing her eyes to match mine. What was she planning?

She released me and burst through the double wood doors into a clothing store tucked down a narrow alleyway.

A wood sign by the door read 'HOUSE VASHION’ and the nondescript entryway led into a small courtyard with red-and-white tiled floor. A fountain trickled at its center and potted plants decorated the corners. Different types of palms soaked up the sunlight—some had feathered and fanned fronds, others broad and flat leaves with rounded edges.

The other side of the courtyard featured a tall arch, big wooden doors with intricate carvings standing open on either side. The tile transitioned into a waiting room with warm hardwood floors. Two-seated sofas faced each other under a chandelier, a vase holding bright tropical flowers sat on a side table.

A tall, elder lizardfolk in ornate robes breezed into the room, and he paused. “Helas.”

“Karix,” she greeted with a devious grin. “Handsome as ever. And you finally added the V to Ashion.”

“Ah, yes...” He smoothed down his robes, seeming less than enthusiastic to humor her comments. Finally, someone who didn’t want to flirt with her. “What can I do for you?”

She threw up her hands. “Always business. Fine. I’d like to hire you to make me and my grandson some of the finest garments in Ridahr. Do we need to go elsewhere?”

“Your…grandson?” He glanced at me.

As if I had any answers.

So that was why she’d changed her appearance. To play as family.

“Yes,” Helas said, putting an arm around my shoulders and patting my chest heartily. “Don’t you see the resemblance? Let me introduce you, old friend, to Therzin.”

“Therzin?” The name of the first dragon of House Trazigar, famous for dominance on the battlefield and his long reign as co-regent of Wildhold with his husband from House Hoshkend. I laughed and offered a formal greeting. “Therzin Trazigar. Pleasure to meet you.”

The lizardfolk raised an eyebrow—or really, more his eyebrow bone. “Therzin…hm. I thought Helas had no children.”

“I never told you about my daughter Ynnas? A story for another time, maybe.”

“Right. Your daughter Ynnas.” He sighed softly, stepped to the side, and gestured to a door on the right. “It’d be my pleasure to work with you again. If you step into this private room, my assistant will come to take your measurements shortly, and then we can discuss exactly what you’d like to be made.”

“Thanks, Grandma,” I quipped before entering the room.