Chapter 9: A Thief in the Night
His exit was as flawless as his entry. He slipped back out the window, replaced the grate, and melted back into the night.
The guards continued their patrols, completely oblivious that their sanctum had been breached.
Back in his rented room, Rhys bolted the door and laid his spoils on the simple wooden table: the Shadow-Sting Dagger, the Spatial Pouch, and the Viper’s Kiss manual.
A slow, triumphant smile spread across his face beneath the mask. He had breached the Ashton family auction house and stolen their items, and the funny part was, they didn’t even know it.
He had taken the first small step in reclaiming his legacy.
Today’s actions had also made him realise his hidden kink: stealing. The town had many rich young masters who bullied the weak and exploited the poor.
It was time for justice to find them all, Rhys thought righteously again. This time, the System also mirrored his plans.
Rhys then went down the stairs, flaunting his wealth as he ordered a huge meal. He even sponsored a wine party for those present in the inn, all while marking his targets to steal—no, to bring to justice.
’A hundred silvers gone just like that,’ Rhys silently cursed, glancing at the chaotic crowd at his party.
Then a grin appeared as he imagined collecting the debt from them at higher rates.
The spoiled young masters in the inn considered Rhys a god, some even calling him ’Daddy’ or ’Father’.
Before the situation could turn overly physical, he silently sneaked back to his room.
He was tired; the mental strain of the party was more draining than the heist at the auction house.
He didn’t even bother to inspect his new treasures further.
He simply lay down on the bed, his work for the night complete. He drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face, dreaming of spirit stones and gold raining down.
Rhys awoke the next morning as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the window. He felt refreshed, the mental fatigue from the previous night completely gone.
He sat up, and his gaze immediately fell upon the three items resting on the table. It was time to upgrade his arsenal.
He picked up the Shadow-Sting Dagger first. It was a simple, functional weapon, but unremarkable.
’System, work your magic.’
[Evolve [Shadow-Sting Dagger]? Cost: 10 years of lifespan.]
’Confirm.’ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ No(ᴠ)ᴇlFire.nᴇt
A gentle warmth enveloped the dagger. The plain, dark metal began to shift and flow. It darkened further, becoming a matte black that seemed to absorb the light, leaving no reflection.
The hilt, once simple leather, reshaped itself into an ergonomic grip of hardened, dark material that felt like an extension of his own hand. The blade itself became slightly thinner, its edges wickedly sharp.
[Evolution Complete]
[Shadow-Sting Dagger]
Quality : Common Tier (High-Grade)
[A perfectly balanced assassination tool. The blade is now imbued with a trace of void energy, making it unnaturally sharp and difficult to detect with spiritual sense. Its silent enchantment has been amplified.]
Next, he picked up the Viper’s Kiss manual. He opened it, his eyes scanning the diagrams and text.
[Mortal-Grade (Mid) technique ’Viper’s Kiss’ detected. Comprehend to Perfection? Cost: 30 years of lifespan.]
’Yes.’
The knowledge slammed into his brain. He saw the technique not as a series of stabs, but as a philosophy of motion.
He understood the most efficient angles of attack, the precise points on a body to strike for maximum effect, and how to channel his Qi to mimic the effects of a fast-acting neurotoxin, paralysing his target even with a shallow cut.
Finally, he turned to the simple leather pouch. It was his key to becoming a true adventurer.
[Evolve [Spatial Pouch]? Cost: 20 years of lifespan.]
’Go for it.’
The evolution was more dramatic. The plain leather darkened to the same shade as his mask and dagger. The simple drawstring was replaced by a clasp made of a silvery, metallic substance.
The entire pouch now exuded an aura of quality and value, looking like something a family elder might carry, not a low-tier item from an auction.
[Evolution Complete]
[Spatial Pouch]
Quality : Common Tier (High-Grade)]
[The interior space has been stabilised and expanded to fifty cubic feet. The exterior has been reinforced and is now resistant to cuts and fire.]
With his new gear, Rhys felt a surge of confidence. The dagger, the pouch, and his mask now formed a matching set of high-quality equipment.
No one would ever connect them to the low-tier items stolen from the Golden Phoenix Auction.
His plan for the day was simple: practice justice and accumulate capital.
He spent the day moving through Greenleaf like a ghost. He targeted the arrogant young masters he had identified at the inn, the ones known for their cruelty and extravagance.
Using his perfected stealth, he slipped into their lavish residences, his presence completely unnoticed.
He didn’t take everything, just their pouches of gold and any loose spirit stones, leaving them confused and furious.
By sunset, he had amassed a small fortune without raising a single alarm.
His final target for the night was different. It wasn’t about money, but about security. He needed a way to walk the streets without his mask, to gather information and learn Life Skills without his intimidating persona.
He needed another disguise. For that, he targeted the Thorne family’s local business, the ’Crimson Shield Enchantments’ shop.
Using the same flawless infiltration methods, he slipped inside. He ignored the powerful offensive and defensive enchantments, heading straight for the utility section.
There, he found what he was looking for: a Common-Tier (Mid-Grade) talisman called a ’Veil of the Ordinary’.
It was a simple illusion enchantment that, when activated with Qi, would subtly alter one’s facial features—sharpening a jawline, changing eye colour, thinning the lips.
It wouldn’t fool a powerful expert up close, but it was perfect for blending into a crowd.
He stole the talisman and left, his day’s work complete. Back in his room, he examined the small, intricate runic plate.
He knew that if he wanted to stay in Greenleaf for the next month to learn some essential life skills, this talisman was the key.
Evolving it to Common Tier (High-Grade), he infused it with his own Qi, changing his face bit by bit until an ordinary, everyday face stared back at him from the mirror.
’Time to find a job...’