Chapter 20 Part2 (1/2)

Life in Another World with His Stealth Skills (Part Two)

Hikaru held his breath and waited. A tiny pinp.r.i.c.k from the distance was running towards them, getting closer. It got bigger and bigger until he could make out what it was. Someone riding a horse.

Just an ordinary rider? No, wait…

Hikaru couldn't believe his eyes. He didn't expect this. It was a knight on the horse. His serious expression looked even more stern. East. His horse was galloping towards their direction.

Why? It must have something to do with Lavia… He couldn't have found out about my plan. East didn't seem to trust those adventurers. Is that why he's here? To join the convoy?

Hikaru wanted to click his tongue. If the knight caught up to the carriage, he might check inside. Once they noticed Lavia was gone, they would immediately start searching for her before the two of them could even get back to town.

Of course with his Stealth, they could hide themselves. But that was all they could do. What would they for food? Jill might even mention how Hikaru was asking questions about the Count's murder.

His plan was to go about his usual routine once he got back. She might ask Hikaru about Lavia's escape, but she wouldn't think that someone who came to the guild every day taking requests was behind it.

But if they couldn't return to town, it would mean a life of wandering from place to place. If they suspected Hikaru, they could also trace him with the guild card. The pair would have no other choice but to flee to a different country.

That in itself wouldn't be a problem. But Hikaru and Lavia had not travelled great distances before so they didn't have the know-how either. Lavia, especially, spent her life like a bird in a cage. Her stamina could pose some issues.

Hikaru made up his mind.

I should stop East.

「Stay here and don't move.」

「Who's that?」

「A pursuer?」

Hikaru took out his Sun G.o.d mask and put it on. He then summoned his Soul Board.

I'm glad I saved three points.

He chose the Physical Strength window, spent a point to unlock Weapon Mastery, and put two points on Throwing.

【Physical Strength】

..【Strength】1

..【Weapon Mastery】

….【Throwing】2

A point on Strength should give him quite some power and two points on Weapon Mastery would put him on the same level as an advanced user. Even if Hikaru didn't have much experience in combat, his Skills would grant him the ability to fight.

He had already considered getting Throwing or Bow mastery beforehand. After a.s.sa.s.sination there was Sniper. There were a few reasons why he didn't go for Bow: it would be hard to fight with it in a confined s.p.a.ce, he couldn't attack if he ran out of arrows, and the weapon itself was bulky. With Throwing, he could basically throw anything. For example the rocks sprawled about by his foot. Hikaru picked up a few and stuffed them into his pockets.

I just hope I don't get a new job cla.s.s like Robbery G.o.d or something…

Irked, he turned his gaze towards the rider coming in fast.

East spurred the horse onward. The behavior of the adventurers weighed heavy on his mind. There were already plenty of things about the whole case that bothered him and now he had to worry about those guys too.

This is all because we couldn't prevent the Count from getting murdered!

His blunder - the fact that he failed to prevent the murder - was what drove him. He wanted to at least find out the truth.

I know was being unreasonable, but I can undergo investigation in the capital anyway.

He entrusted everything to his fellow knights - the meeting with the investigator and the inquiry - while he rode towards the capital. He knew his actions would be questioned. But he had decided that once the escort job was over, he would go straight to their leader and tell him everything about the case. East's sense of justice urged him to do what he was doing.

At this speed I should catch up to the carriage soo—

The horse's right eye got blown off. Neighing, the horse reared. East tried to keep the creature under control, but he got thrown off to the back. Due to the speed he was going, his body slammed to the ground hard. The horse staggered before falling to its side.

「Wh-What just happened?」

He touched his body all around. No bones were broken, but his ribs were fractured. The moment East realized he was attacked, he had already drawn his sword.

「Ugh…」

Sharp pain stabbed his right hand. A rock hit it at an incredible speed that could break even the bones. He dropped his sword, unable to hold it any longer.

「Hands and knees on the ground. If you do as I say, I'll let you live.」

「Fool! I'm a knight! Do you know what'll happen to you if you attack a knight?!」

「I just need— I don't give a d.a.m.n. I just want your money.」

「You sound like a kid. Show yourself!」

「You better keep your head cool. I'm the one giving the orders.」

「Tch.」

East turned his left palm towards the direction of the voice.

「O' Spirit, heed my call. With the primordial flame, burn my foe to ashes.」

The ring on his left hand was imbued with fire magic. It was an item lent to knights who couldn't use magic.

A fireball shot out the size of his hand. Moisture quickly evaporated from the lush bushes before they burst into flames.

「…Did it work?」

「Nuh-uh.」

Impossible, he thought. The voice came from the other side of the road this time. Teleportation was the only thing he could think of. After all, he didn't see anyone cross the road.

「Unfortunately, I need you to rest here for a while.」

「You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!」

His unharmed left hand was struck by a rock. Next was his feet. Specifically the tips of his riding boots was. .h.i.t three times. East was shocked. The tip of the boots was the toughest part and yet the boy managed to rip through it and break his toes by striking them three times at the same spot.

I… can't run like this. There's no way I could catch up to the carriage now.

He gritted his teeth in frustration. He couldn't do a thing now. He couldn't run after the convoy. The enemy wouldn't come out of the bushes either.

「I won't take your life.」

「…Because I'm a n.o.ble?」

「Whether you're a n.o.ble or not doesn't matter to me. I just have a policy to not kill anyone. Now hand over your money.」

「…Unfortunately, I can't move my hands.」East said sarcastically.「The money's in my leather bag on my waist.」

「Right. I forgot I smashed your hands.」

The boy returned the sarcasm with a sneer. East had never before suffered such humiliation. His boiling rage made his vision turn red. But he couldn't do anything.

「Lie down on your face and look away.」