The veil of night descended upon the land once more. I found myself treading the well-trodden path, scaling the familiar wall, and alighting upon the customary forested glade.

Another cloak adorned my shoulders, for my previous one met a rather unfortunate demise. I instructed Marie to fetch me a sturdier one this time, one that could withstand the, err, rigors of my activities.

I traversed through the woodland.

My stilettos clutched in hand as I frolicked barefoot upon the verdant grass. Giggling like a fae from the depths of folklore. Ahh, how I had longed to experience such a sensation!

Fear not for my well-being! For my trusty skill [Adaptation] kept a vigilant watch, ensuring this corporeal vessel of mine remained in optimal condition.

And thus, I ran. The wind caressing my visage. The earth beneath my nimble feet. My ears serenaded by the symphony of nature's denizens.

But alas, all good things must come to an end. Duty beckoned me to pursue those shady individuals. To know more about them.

At the tender age of ten, my schedule was already brimming with activity. Oh, how I pondered what my life would have been like had I remained blissfully unaware of the novel. Yet, dwelling on such matters served no purpose.

With a resigned sigh, I slipped my stilettos back onto my feet as the distant glow of county blinked at me.

Alicia's abode nestled in the western fringes of the church district, teetering on the edge of the slums but not quite plunging into their depths. Certainly not the safest locale for a ten-year-old lass like myself.

Dashing through the streets with the agility of a cat on the prowl, [Fleet Footed Sprint] kicked into high gear, propelling me forward at breakneck speed. Meanwhile, [Twilight Veil] and the [Umbral Concealment] worked in tandem to cloak my presence, rendering me as elusive as a shadow in the night.

I was growing adept at juggling multiple skills simultaneously. Sure, I could manage it before, but now the process flowed like a well-oiled machine. It was as if my body were instinctively adapting to the use of these skills. Though there was no visible skill leveling system, I could sense their growth. It was peculiar, further confirming my suspicion that there were many facets of this world beyond what appeared on the surface of system screen.

As I neared my destination, a flicker of movement caught my keen eye. With a burst of strength, I ascended a nearby rooftop using fleeting bursts of strength, opting to observe from my vantage point high above the bustling streets below.

[Visionary Mastery]

A man, disguised in tattered rags in a feeble attempt to pass as a beggar, crossed my path. However, his well-toned physique and the unmistakable glint of a sword hilt at his hip betrayed his true nature. He sauntered in the direction of... Alicia's abode.

Well, well, well. It seemed I was about to uncover their plans for the day.

As I prepared to descend from the rooftop, another shadow caught my attention. This one, smaller in stature, cloaked in a manner similar to mine. They trailed behind the first figure, skulking in the shadows and darting from wall to wall with caution.

Once again, I concealed myself on the rooftop, though it was unnecessary. With [Umbral Concealment] and [Twilight Veil] shrouding me in darkness, I blended seamlessly with the night. Theoretically, I could have stood behind them, pilfered their pockets, and they would have been none the wiser.

However, my past experiences with stealth being compromised reminded me that my invisibility wasn't foolproof. So, I chose a more cautious approach, opting to observe from a safe distance.

Paranoia could be quite the handy companion, serving as a counterbalance to my lack of fear. I relished in indulging in its embrace, especially in moments like these.

As I continued to observe, it became apparent that the second robed figure was indeed tailing the ragged man… while yet another ragged individual stealthily trailed behind the robed figure.

What in ‘a tangled web we weave’ shit was going on?

My keen eyes, sharpened by the darkness, didn't miss a single detail. I had a sinking suspicion about the identity of the robed figure, but I silently prayed to the goddess that I was mistaken. I had already asked her to leave these people alone.

This area of the county was densely packed, the buildings worn and weathered, their narrow alleyways twisting and turning like a labyrinth. Perched atop the tallest building in the vicinity, I had a bird's-eye view of the events below.

How Marie, if indeed it was her, managed to maintain her pursuit in such darkness was a puzzle even to me. After all, she was but a mere skill-less human. The man trailing behind her drew closer with each passing moment, and I clenched my teeth in frustration. Was there anything I could do to intervene without revealing my presence? I racked my brain for a solution. Think, Eli, think!

But, just as the first man veered left onto a narrow four-way path, Marie opted to dart in the opposite direction, slipping into a blind spot beyond my view.

Without a moment's hesitation, I leaped from the building, activating [Featherweight Descent] and [Fleet Footed Sprint] in rapid succession. I traversed the rooftops with the grace of a cat, employing bursts of [Lethal Precision] to empower my legs as I bounded across the urban landscape. Soon, I found myself perched atop a building overlooking the lane where Marie had disappeared.

I caught sight of her cloak fluttering in the breeze as she sprinted down the alleyway. A quick glance back revealed the telltale bob of her short hair—it was unmistakably Marie.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

But before I could ponder her sudden change in direction, my question was swiftly answered as the man who had been tailing her earlier broke into a full sprint, hot on her heels.

Oh, shit!

Marie was in trouble!

What had I told her?

Oh, right, it was my own doing.

I had instructed her to investigate Alicia’s father in the first place. There had always been the risk that her insatiable curiosity would lead her down this perilous path. And knowing Marie, the relentless gossipmonger that she was, she would undoubtedly take her chances.

I metaphorically gave myself a resounding slap.

In truth, the darkness provided ample cover for a swift leap over the man, should I choose to take such a bold move.

My fingers traced the outline of the sharp misericorde concealed beneath my dress, and a chill coursed through my veins.

A hidden strike. A potential most deadly.

A blade poised to pierce the unsuspecting flesh. A warm revelation of what lay hidden beneath.

The allure of such a calculated maneuver. It was oh so undeniable.

The promise of the swift and the decisive. The sheer temptation to succumb to its seductive call.

But I quickly banished the notion from my mind.

I stood at the precipice, of a slippery slope. A path most treacherous, one that I was not yet ready to tread.

Despite the undeniable allure, I knew that I was not prepared to embrace the real Eli that lurked within me. One that would take human lives without remorse.

Every skill at my disposal was honed for efficient hunting. A fact that would have both exhilarated and frightened me in equal measure, if my emotional spectrum allowed for such.

And so, I pushed it aside and focused on the task at hand. I sprinted across the rooftops, my skills seamlessly working in tandem as I chased after Marie. I was faster than the man, thus, I maintained my lead, ready to intervene if the need arose.

But as Marie continued to navigate the labyrinthine pathways, it became evident that she might just be able to outmanoeuvre her pursuer. However, what I hadn't anticipated was her sudden shift in strategy.

With a swift turn in an alley, Marie bent down and seized a baseball-sized piece of wood and took cover behind a nearby wall, assuming a defensive stance.

My eyebrows shot upwards in surprise.

The man, moving too swiftly to react, likely didn't anticipate the heavy piece of wood materializing before him. With a resounding smack, it connected squarely with his face. He staggered and fell backwards, clutching at his injured visage.

But Marie was far from finished. She clutched the wood and swung it in a two-handed grip, delivering a crushing blow to the man's... well, let's just say his family jewels were likely reduced to a fine paste. I winced in sympathetic agony from my perch atop the nearby rooftop.

As the man crumpled to the ground, incapacitated by the pain, Marie wasted no time in concealing her weapon beneath a pile of nearby trash. It was a practiced motion. Something told me that this wasn't her first time employing such tactics.

Marie soon collapsed nearby. Ahh, a regrettable turn of events, though considering her laboured breathing, it seemed a necessary respite. I kept my eyes keenly peeled, wary of any further surprises that may befall her. Thankfully, none were forthcoming.

Upon regaining her footing, Marie began to stomp and curse with fervor, her frustrations boiling over as she delivered a swift kick to the unconscious man's torso. It was the first time I had ever heard her utter such colorful language.

"I was this close! This close to uncovering their hideout, only for this blasted piece of Enquana shit, this bloody scoundrel to catch my scent," she lamented, kicking the man once again.

After a resigned sigh and a deep breath, Marie clutched her cloak tightly and retraced her steps, now heading towards the Church district.

[Keen Perception]

I glanced towards the direction of Alicia's residence before shrugging and deciding to tail after Marie. Though she may be capable, I felt a sense of duty to ensure her safety.

"Perhaps tomorrow then, but how am I expected to find rest knowing there's a conspiracy brewing right under my very nose? A plot that involves a grade 6 fire mage," Marie whined under her breath. Thanks to my [Keen Perception], her words were crystal clear to my ears.

Typical Marie.

Once I had ensured Marie's safety and watched her disappear into the bustling crowds, I swiftly retraced my steps using [Fleet Footed Sprint], blending into the shadows with my stealth abilities as I returned to the area where Marie had parted ways with the man she had been tailing.

Marie had mentioned a potential hideout, and the eerie lack of human activity in this part of town only fueled my suspicions. With narrowed eyes, I began to snoop around, scouring the dilapidated residences for any sign of the clandestine.

Most of the buildings stood in a state of disrepair, with cracked walls and broken windows. Some were inhabited, while others lay empty and forlorn. Yet, despite my thorough investigation lasting nearly an hour, I discovered nothing of note—no trace of the man Marie had been trailing, nor any indication of a hidden hideout.

At the corner of the street stood a stable and an inn, both seemingly going about their usual business without any hint of intrigue. I furrowed my brow in frustration. Was I overlooking something crucial?

The hour grew late, and I couldn't shake the feeling of mounting unease at my prolonged absence. I sighed heavily. Oh, how my original task had been overshadowed by the unexpected encounter with Marie. Now, with nothing to show for my efforts, it was time to refocus my attention and complete the task I had set out to accomplish earlier.

I made my way back towards Alicia's house, navigating the winding pathways with ease until I reached my destination. Here, the atmosphere was lively, but not in the way one might expect. Beggars lined the streets, their presence conspicuous yet oddly inconspicuous. As I surveyed the scene, I noted six figures scattered about, their frames varying in appearance.

Only one bore the telltale signs of malnutrition, while the others merely wore the guise of poverty.

Marie's suspicions were indeed true. These beggars possessed a well-defined musculature more befitting of warriors than of destitute souls. Their vigilant eyes darted about in the darkness, ever watchful for potential threats.

Perched upon the roof, shrouded in the protective embrace of [Twilight Veil] and [Umbral Concealment], I momentarily observed their silent vigil. Before choosing to disregard them for the time being as I made my way towards Alicia's residence.

The house stood like many others in the area—simple stone architecture, worn and weathered by time. It was a modest two-story abode, and I found myself atop its roof, uncertain of Alicia's exact whereabouts within. Relying on the information provided by Marie, I knew I had to confirm my suspicions.

Discarding my stilettos with a silent clatter, I descended the side of the house with the grace of a stealthy spider. Finding a window on the first floor conveniently close to the roof, I suspended myself upside down, my feet anchored firmly as [Aerial Grace] aided in maintaining my balance.

A cautious glance inside.

With [Visionary Mastery] still in effect, I peered into the dimly lit room, my gaze penetrating the darkness with ease. To my relief, it appeared empty. No sign of anyone lurking within. Perfect.

Carefully, I climbed inside, using a fortunate crevice above the window (totally not the courtesy of a deft [Lethal Precision] jab!) to lower myself into the room. As my bare feet touched the cool stone floor, I looked around.

Nearby lay a humble hay mattress, positioned close to the window. A solitary wooden quill and a slate adorned with poorly written Verodian alphabets caught my eye, though there was no ink in sight.

A wooden chest stood nearby. I opened it.

Two sets of rough, homespun dresses, along with a single brown gown. Reminiscent of the one I had seen Alicia wear during her visit to the manor.

Among the garments were threads, patches for mending, scraps of fabric, and handmade hay dolls adorned with ragged dresses of their own.

The room was enveloped in silence, save for the soft breathing and faint murmurs emanating from beyond the wall—accompanied, it seemed, by the gentle sound of sobbing.

Frowning, I closed the chest and made my way towards the source of the sobs.