Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: I've Been Waiting for Someone Like You
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I've been waiting for someone like you.
Even before coming to Cradle.
I'd had a few doubts about my abilities.
Gift: Rogue Mastery (S).
This power seemed far too self-willed.
For example, the sudden dash I'd used on Hanul.
Or the way to silence sounds.
It uncovered those things so naturally.
Even when finding ominous nails.
'I want to test just how far this goes.'
So, even amid the hardship, I'd practiced a few.
Like silencing footsteps, erasing my presence, or using parkour to climb trees.
'But once I tried it...'
It felt like it was becoming ingrained.
And in the process, a few things had changed.
-Huh?
-What's up?
-You seem even fainter today than yesterday?
-What're you talking about.
-Your presence, your footsteps. Your body's right there, but with no aura, it's kinda creepy.
From Ermé's unique way of mixing formal and casual speech, I could confirm a few things.
'Once it's ingrained, does it stick semi-permanently?'
Beyond that, there was knowledge on far-sight and other helpful bits.
Ways to make poison, too.
'This...'
Plunder (S), which could steal an opponent's magic, was impressive in its own right.
But Rogue Mastery made me capable of just about anything.
'It's basically cheating.'
The more I used it, the clearer it became.
I could do pretty much everything a rogue occupation could.
Deflecting enemy attacks, leaping in an instant, fooling an opponent's eyes for a sudden charge, and so on.
The past three days had been about mastering those.
-Impressive. Training like that on the march must be why you're getting stronger.
She had some weird suspicions, but they were minor.
'There are other useful things, too.'
From pickpocketing to handling subordinates, exuding charisma, training assassins, forging replicas, navigating black markets, and more.
'Too many to count. I should organize them sometime.'
And then we arrived at Cradle.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Forming a party with Ermé wasn't without its perks.
She was bold on the bad side, but bold on the good side, too.
"From now on, leave the money to me."
Ermé said it like some boastful thug.
"Nothing too pricey, but if it's reasonable, I'll buy it all for you."
She glanced at me slyly.
Did she think I wanted something expensive?
'Well, we don't know much yet anyway.'
And the first thing we did in Cradle was nothing special.
We booked an inn.
"Even if we're heading into the Labyrinth, we'll build up fatigue... You might not, but women need some cleanliness."
No, I could've used the rest, honestly.
The inn was satisfying.
Not the fanciest, but prioritizing cleanliness. Bathing wasn't bad either.
We arrived in Cradle that evening, settled in, and spent the night at the inn.
It felt great to sleep in late for once.
"You like the inn, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Good thing. You look refined, so I figured you wouldn't skimp."
"......"
What nonsense was this first thing in the morning?
Morning grogginess, maybe.
"It's clean. I like that."
"Right? Cleanliness is essential for long-term adventuring."
I ignored Ermé's chatter and grabbed a sandwich.
"Food's plentiful and good value here. Meat and veggies are musts. I'd love fruit, but that's pushing it. Bear with me for a year."
Wonder if I can eat fruit freely after a year.
We had a light breakfast at the inn, then Ermé dragged me to the blacksmith.
"I might not need one, but you do, Yuseong."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you had two swords last time, right?"
Right.
One cheap dagger for odd jobs.
One Blood-Soaked Dagger (B).
"Both are iffy. One's too junky, the other's too good."
I agreed.
Honestly, I hadn't expected to one-shot Hanul. I'd thrown it thinking it'd hit if it connected.
'But it one-shot him.'
And it looked too good, visually speaking.
Equipment sheen, I guess.
"We'll get a spare sword. I'll cover it."
"Isn't that too much?"
"Nah. The better the backline, the better. Plus, I owe you."
"Owe me?"
"...Hanul was probably aiming for me."
"Ah."
"Can't pretend it didn't happen, so I want to make it up here. At least help you settle in properly."
"Fine by me then."
Really fortunate.
Ermé seemed the type to keep her word, at minimum.
"And the most important thing."
"Important?"
"Loot distribution."
Ermé glanced at me and said.
Wasn't loot talk done?
'I'd hate it even if you forced it on me.'
I didn't want to discuss it.
But I had to be clear.
"Take it all."
"I'd love to, but I want to stick with you longer, Yuseong."
Ugh.
I really hated that.
I grimaced, and Ermé looked hurt.
"What, that bad? I'm so pretty!"
"That's true, but looks aside, your personality..."
"Oh, Yuseong. Saying that in public? It's embarrassing."
"......"
This was dizzying.
'Ermé's not bad, really.'
A solid dealer-tank was always right.
Dealer-tanks were meh if mediocre, but that also meant catching two rabbits.
As we chatted, we reached the blacksmith.
"Any preferred main weapon?"
"Not picky. Oh, but some throwing daggers would be nice."
"Yeah, you handled daggers well."
I could use other weapons if needed.
But with the Blood-Soaked Dagger, daggers first.
Clank.
Inside, a man: bushy beard, short stature.
'Not that, more like...'
His proportions were off from normal humans.
Bigger head, packed with muscle.
"Dwarf?"
"First dwarf? Oh, right, Cradle took in Labyrinth adventurers recently."
"He's a dwarf master craftsman."
"Master craftsman?"
"Ho? That girl's got an eye."
"Of course. I'm a girl with good taste."
"......"
Ermé smirked at the dwarf's praise.
I looked around.
'Looks solid.'
Rogue Mastery knowledge appraised the swords.
All balanced, springy steel.
No wonder the master title.
"...This guy's got an eye too?"
"How'd you know?"
"You can tell from checking good sword traits."
So it could spot experts too.
I picked a nice one.
"You handle swords, but it's short."
Too long for a dagger.
Too short for a longsword. Grabbed that, plus throwing daggers.
And...
'...Bows too.'
I stared at a bow.
"You handle bows?"
The dwarf asked.
Bows...
If I knew how, Rogue Mastery would tell me.
'Threw daggers and pickpocketed on first try.'
Probably bows too.
I touched it.
Balanced well.
Beginner bow.
'But that black one over there looks better.'
"No good."
The dwarf shook his head.
"Doesn't seem draw-weight issue."
"Not that. String's too sharp."
"Bowstring sharp? Why sharpen it..."
"Made to order. String as weapon."
"Owner?"
"Can't tell? Throat sliced on his own string."
"......"
Pathetic reason.
But a sharp string made sense.
"Gotta test it."
"Go ahead. Practice field's nearby."
More like an empty lot.
"Ownerless, so test shot okay?"
"What'd you take my word for... No, adventurers ignore me anyway."
The dwarf eyed us with resignation.
"Any injuries from handling it? Not my fault. Agree, and fine."
"Let's go then."
I grabbed the black bow and grinned.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ermé watched Yuseong with eager eyes.
'He handles bows too?'
Swordplay was pro-level.
Ambush skills even better.
Coming to Cradle, she'd watched him train for days.
'Pretty amazing.'
Born assassin?
Sometimes, he gave her chills.
Visible but aura-less, like a ghost.
'And backline too?'
All-rounder.
Too all-rounder.
Peeling layers like an onion.
'Tempting.'
Sweet fruit draws bugs.
'Bit annoying.'
But talent like that? Welcome anywhere.
Meanwhile, Han Yuseong nocked the bow. String razor-sharp; one slip, blood.
"Oh, gloves and thumb ring..."
The dwarf offered, then stopped.
Han Yuseong gripped casually.
'What the...'
Dwarf stared blankly. String sharp enough to slice skin on grip. Previous owner died mishandling it.
Yet Han Yuseong held it fine.
Rogue Mastery.
Law-defying dexterity shone.
"Ooh, great form."
Han Yuseong focused.
Now, ingrain bow sense.
'Normally, this'd cost money and flop.'
Dwarf's generosity made it possible.
Stance easy. Rogue Mastery taught it.
This is how bows work.
"Ooh..."
A quiet gasp.
His form impressive enough for instinctive awe.
Something different.
'True backliner...'
Ermé thrilled.
Frontliner strong too.
'Found loot, so scouting talent.'
Growing greedier.
Scouts, melee, bows?
Rogues meh if average, gods if elite.
'Gotta raise him properly.'
Outshines thief candidates in her head.
Cool-headed, ruthless killer, scouting ace. Near-perfect hexagon.
Shared roof with flower-like her, no lechery.
Probably not pure.
No man hates her looks.
Superior self-control.
As Ermé's gaze softened dreamily on him...
Han Yuseong released.
Tang!
Arrow nailed the can's center, embedding in wood.
Ermé rushed, grabbed his hands.
"......"
What now.
Staring into his impassive eyes, Ermé said,
"I've been waiting for someone like you. I'll treat you right."
Like a confession. Han Yuseong thought,
What the hell.
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