Acting I
*shing*
*plop*
I stabbed the goblin that lunged at me on time. As I pulled out my danger from the gored head, the goblin slowly disintegrate into nothingness. Meanwhile, the other goblins that surrounded me became agitated.
*Kra*
One of the goblins screamed and then charge at me, to meet its charge in exchange, I lunge myself forward with the dagger in one hand, and a revolver in the other. I began shooting the other goblins as I approached the charging one.
*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*
My shots landed perfectly at the other goblins. They drop dead like flies. Soon, after a brief confusion, they all started charging. 15 goblins left, three dead. Before coming here, I purposely let the goblins surround me, using divination, I was able to predict that I could escape from them easily. But I didn't come here to run away, I was here to test myself.
The leading goblin strike with his club, I dodge it by moving to my sides as I charge its head with my dagger. My dagger landed on its cranium with ease. I begin moving for the next one. Clumsily dodging the rocks thrown by little buggers while at it.
The fight would last for ten minutes more, I finished it off by kicking down the last goblin and stabbing it five times as it howls in pain. Surprisingly, killing the little critters is easy. The problem was the sickening feeling of stabbing fleshy living meat and the following painful screams for their lives. That will take time to get used to.
I grabbed my coat and adventurer bag off the rock wall where I threw it before the fight, luckily I did that, otherwise, my drenched shirt of monster blood would be visible to anyone.
The fight was all in all, messy. My skills are subpar, but I make up for it with Thief's natural abilities and the dangerous intuition of a Seer. For someone like me, it was okay... Or so I thought.
"Haha! Did you see that Aiz? What a shitty fight! That's so funny, he got no skill at all, for someone who makes a lot of noise, he sure is pathetic, He's lucky he has that weapon." Said the silver-haired male
Isn't he a werewolf? Also, did he just call the blonde girl beside him Aiz!? Now that I look at her, she does look like Aiz Wallenstein. So that's what the Sword Princess looks like in real life? What a beauty. Then the loud-mouthed werewolf should be Bete Loga! To think I get to encounter them this early...
I expected to be ignored as they walk past by. But Bete Loga stopped in front of me.
"Oi...You, why don't you let me see that weapon of yours? Haaah~" Bete Loga said as he stares me down.
I looked at him calmly and said one word.
"No."
"Hah!? You bastard-." Bete almost lashed out and was stopped by Aiz with a simple call.
"Bete." Said Aiz
It seemed our exchange caught her attention. Bete clicked his tongue and walked away. What an obedient dog, I thought.
I thought that was the end of it as Bete Loga walks away with his tail wagging happily. But to my surprise, Aiz walked towards me and said
"You're too stiff, work on your movements." As soon as she finished saying that, she left without letting me say anything to her and went deeper into the Dungeon.
Looking back at them, I smiled bitterly and went towards the surface with her advice lingering in my mind.
When I reached the surface, I looked at the Item that dropped from one of the goblins I killed
'Why the hell am I attracted to goblin liver?'
'System what is this item?'
[This Item is a potion ingredient for your pathway. Host.]
[Generating new mission... Please wait.]
[New Mission Generated]
[Find Swindler Potion Ingredients
Goblin Liver x3
War Shadows Hair
Needle Rabbit Fangs 2x
90ml. of Orcs blood]
Now I have a goal in mind.
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All capable beyonders need to do acting if they want to properly digest the potion within them. Right now I can feel the potion within me in its full form, If I don't digest it properly I will not be able to advance. Normally, beyonders of such cases loses control of their beyonder powers and turn into a monster. But as a system holder, I am free of such worries and only have to do acting.
Acting in simpler terms is to perform your designated role. Just like the actors behind the movies, beyonders need to do their chosen roles. Right now, my role is a Thief. To act as a thief I of course need to steal from others.
That's why I found myself pickpocketing adventurers under a disguise I brought. I am currently wearing a messy wig and fake beard I bought to disguise myself as I wore my beloved brown robe. It was relatively easy to pickpocket the passerby, but I choose my target carefully every moment, I have stolen a total of 7000 valis. A hefty sum for little trouble.
While I fill my coffers with the wallet of the masses, I didn't ease my main objective, which is to stalk and gather information about the Rudra Familia. As I observed their base, I learned there were at least twenty level 1s, five-level 2s, one level 3, one level 4, and one level 5 on the lookout.
'Why the hell do they have so many adventurers? Didn't they get wiped out?'
I bet they're Evilus members, damned Evilus. I continue to stalk the surrounding area as I pickpocket people. Occasionally, I would approach the targets to give them money under the guise of donations for their losses. They happily accept it.
"I'm a fan! I heard the Rudra Familia was almost wiped out! To think such a thing happened, please accept my condolences."
"Hehehe, thank you, old man, Rudra-sama would be happy with your help." The thugs snicker as they pocket my hard-earned money.
Unbeknownst to them, I was using the [Black Emperor Tarot Card] to cast (Bribe) at them to weaken them. Little by little I was able to (Bribe) them all. It's great they're a bunch of easily fooled idiots. As expected of clichéd villainous henchmen.
The day was going great when I felt a killing intent being directed at me thanks to my Danger Intuitions. When I looked for the source, I saw Ryuu Lion. I had spotted her earlier surveilling the Rudra Familia. I didn't dare approach her earlier for fear that she will recognize me as an enemy. But to think my action would attract her ire.
'Relax... We're on the same side.' That is what would I like to say but.
I smiled at her, she was currently disguised, but I could easily see through her with my observation abilities, looks like she'll make her move tonight. I left the area after that short exchange, but before I exit, I noticed someone approaching me.
Looking at the approaching figure, it was short and childlike. 'A kid?' I thought. When the figure nears me, it grabbed my cloak and with sparkling eyes looked at me.
"Hey, Mister! Lily thinks you're good! Can you teach Lily!?"
Expectantly, the little girl looked at me with puppy-like eyes.
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"Hey mister! Please teach Lily how to pickpocket like you! Lily will even call you master!"
The little girl said as she tugs my robe while we walk. I sighed at this. Deciding I had enough, I went to a nearby ramen stall and ordered food.
"Get your food, girl."
This malnourished girl should be someone I know, These days have been hectic, I keep meeting the main cast of the show right one after another.
"Does that mean you will teach Lily!? Please take care of Lily master!"
Looking at the little brown-haired girl who excitedly ordered her food while looking at me expectantly, I begin to choose my words carefully.
"What's your name girl," I asked as I slurped my Ramen
"My name is Lily-" Before she could continue, I cut her off and said
"You lie, your name is Liliruca Arde."
I looked at her eyes directly, I can see her face pale. Her eyes started darting around in fear.
"Ah! A-are you a god, mister?" I can hear the quiver and fear in her voice.
I didn't answer, 'This could work.' I thought as I plan out my next moves.
"Are you going to introduce yourself?" I said again.
"Lily is sorry Kami-sama! Lily is indeed Liliruca Arde of the Soma Familia, and I'm ten years old. Please forgive Lily...Lilywouldliketoleavenowsobyebyekami-sama"
Thinking she could escape as soon as she gulped down her food as fast as she can, she make a run for it. But my quick hands had already grabbed the back of her hood before she took off. She found herself choking in her lapel.
"Relax, didn't you want to learn from me? I, the great Joker will teach you." I said as I chuckle and place her back down on her sit.
As soon as I finish my words, she looked at me in shock her eyes starts lighting up like before.
"Really Kami-sama? You will teach Lily!? Lily is so happy!" Joy returned to her again.
"Yes. Yes, the great Joker will teach you his way personally." I continue to chuckle as I interact with her. What a funny little kid.
"So? So? So? How do you do that with your hands!? And how can you get away without anyone noticing? Kami-sama surely must be the God of Thieves! Lily would also like to know how to..." She continues to barrage my questions.
"For now how about I teach you how to train your hands..." I begin explaining hand movements to her.
Since she's so eager to know, I will teach her everything I know, and I will groom her properly. And in turn, she will reward me greatly by becoming my ally. Looking at her struggling at moving her hands, I begin to think of the possibilities.
"What is important is choosing your target carefully...Also, it would help if you know divination..." Hook
"di-vi-na-tion???" Bait
I took a deep breath and look at her seriously.
"Do you want to become a Beyonder, little Arde?" and the sinker.
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Thanks for reading.