VII

The night was particularly quiet. It didn't help Kiyoshi who finally realized he would not return home. While he didn't have friends, his family... actually... how was his family like? So engrossed was he in other peoples lives that he had completely forgotten his own.

What did his mother look like? How was his sister? Did he actually have one? It was a terrifying experience....

Anyway, tomorrow would be a big day. After all, while he mimicked being a Hero, he didn't receive the cheats associated with it so he would have to find himself one of those appraisal skills.

Straight after eating breakfast he went to Silvia to inquire about how he could get information. There got be an Information Guild in this world.

There apparently was, but at quite a distance from the city of San Petro. That was when Kiyoshi remembered that he didn't have much money, but the corpses of the ,,One-Eyed Dragon" were probably still there.

A quick search only let him find a couple golden rings, their treasury probably being nonexistent or buried. This wasn't enough... nut those bandits had infamy, right? Surely there had been a request he could claim for their extermination. Returning to the Guild, now at noon, he found out that there was one. One commissioned by Count Petro himself... well, there were other ways to earn.... eh, he didn't have anything to lose.

Kiyoshi didn't remember the way to the Count's mansion, but with a few quick interrogations of strangers, he arrived at the front gates.

"What do you want kid?- The guard stationed at the gates seemed bored out of his life, as if he was waiting for his whole existence as a gatekeeper to end...

'Do you not remember me? I had been here yesterday... anyway, I need to speak with the Red Knight, Mercato'

"Got an appointment?"

'No, I'm here to report the completion of a request'

"What request?"

'Could you just call him?'

"Sure.."-That easy? His title sure was convenient

...

"Yes, who... oh, it's you..."

'Hello sir!'

"What are you doing here, I thought..."

'I heard that there was a request for subjugating the ,,One-Eyed Dragon" and considering that the Count probably assured you about it's completion, I am here to receive the Reward'

"But you were compensated..."

'No, that was compensation for saving her nobleness, this is about the subjugation request'

"Boy, that is something for the Count to decide and besides, the young lady will return soon from the monastery...

'There is no problem, sir, my discussion with the Count won't take long'

"Look.... wait here, I'll give you the five hundred gold coins for the subjugation, just..."

'Alright, I will wait here'-('You would think that this was an extorsion. What would I do to the Count's daughter anyway, was I not the the one who saved her in the first place.... I OWN HER LIFE... wait, what?')

Ten minutes later, and he was filled with gold pouches from all sides. Running to the Thieves Guild wouldn't be much of an issue, considering his apparent level 90 self, but how would he introduce himself? Even though there are teenager Adventurers, there would surely be suspicion if he went there as he was.

So before entering, in a dim place nearby, he changed himself into the archetype of a thief. Middle aged with an ordinary build, clothes that covered all his body, nothing about his appearance seemed conspicuous.

No one said anything when he entered, well, that wasn't much of a surprise considering that there didn't appear to be any soul in the main Hall. But it didn't take long for someone to salute him from behind.

"May I help you with something.... sir....?- Behind him stood a thin, old man that had a rabbit mask on his face. While his body didn't look threatening, his aura sure did the part.

'Jack, you may refer to me as Sir Jack'

"Yes, of course"

'I want some information'

"Follow me then"

The old man took the lead and escorted 'Jack' to an all black room. Lighting itself from their presence, the room made way for the emptiness that it represented. The only thing in the room was a counter, that didn't reveal who was behind it.

"I shall wait for you here, ,,sir""- On a first look, the action taken by the elder would seem to intent that he wanted to let 'Jack' some privacy, but considering the ,,greyness" of the whole place, his reasonings were probably something else."

"So what kind of information do you want? People? Objects? A certain individual?"- The voice was altered, neither seeming feminine nor masculine.

'Neither. I want information about a skill'- Following, there was an uncomfortable pause, so Kiyoshi understood that he needed to pay upfront. He put one of the many pouches on the counter.

'Status appraisal. How hard is it to find?'

"Jack Carlson... are you a noble? No, that can't be, you are a thief after all"

'W-what?'

"Oh, I was just making a demonstration of the skill you requested. Here, something like this?"- Then a status screen suddenly appeared before 'Jack'.

Name: Jack Carlson

Level: 89

Title: The liar

Class: Thief(Agility=Sleight of hand↑)

Race: Human(+stats)

Skills: Dagger skills lv.17

Lie: lv.22

-

Agility:182

Endurance:80

Intelligence:10

Strenght:95

Wisdom:35

"Only nobles have a second name. Are you an illegitimate son? No, that can't be... Are you sure you actually not want some Status bar obscurity skill?"

'Look!-Slamming another pouch on the counter- I want to see status screens. I am more than able to pay you so spill out all you know'

"If you say so... Mister Jack, a skill like this isn't something you earn, like many other skills, it's something inherent in bloodline and such. There are some items able to use ,,Status Appraisal", but the money you brought with you wouldn't be able to pay for even one percent of such an item. I am talking in values of millions of gold coins."

'Alright...(Fuck....fuck.. fuck...then what am I gonna do....

... wait a second...

...hey, I actually have another question. If such skills are rooted in bloodline, than how do you possess something like the Count did... I'm actually quite close with him, should I ask Cavali about you?'

"h-h-h-huh... mm-me being related to the Count... preposterous..."

'Well, my facade has already fallen so let's see what brother has to say'

"Y-y-your brother... it can't be.. your status changed... you possess such a skill...

...forget that, you are the Count's b-b-brother?"

'Let's keep that between us... miss!'

"How did you... no way, such skills..."

'Actually, it was your voice altering spell, your concentration dissipated didn't it?'- abruptly realizing her mistake, a colossal chill ran down the mysterious woman's back. What was someone like the man before her going to do... she had to call for...; before she realizes, the man already was going towards the exit.

'Let's leave it at that, miss'- before trying to open the door, the elder from before enters quickly, as if in a such.

"I-is there some problem?"

'Not at all... actually, there would be one."

"What?"- without much thought. both of them coordinate their question.

'Miss, you have a beautiful voice, there is no need to hide it away...'-Without another word, Kiyoshi, frustrated as he was, leaves the two baffled individuals and exits the Thieves Guild unaccompanied. He felt furious that he couldn't get something even those losers from his class had...

'Since when was I such a talker? Fuck it, I don't even care any more....'

Kiyoshi spent the rest of the day sulking in bed at the Guild. He also consumed the next day doing the same. It took him an enormous quantity of will to raise from his bed and do something. HE had to do something! Anything! Even... picking up herbs as a solicitation from the chef.... maybe he should have just stayed in bed....