***
[Level 1]
Mind Clarity (Rare Rank) (Passive)
Weakness Physiology (Rare Rank) (Passive)
Leech Experience (Epic Rank) (Active)
Shop: ??? (Lvl.60)
[Profession]
Assassin (Current: Dormant) (Locked: Adept)
• Quick Succession
[Blessings]
Moonlight Arts (Unique Rank) (Passive)
***
Morning at the Golden Peacock Inn, Room 205
As the first light of dawn graced the enchanted realm, golden sunbeams streamed through the window, bathing the room in a warm, inviting glow.
A man, his hair still damp from a recent bath, hunched over his desk, his attention wholly absorbed by the map before him.
Sucura studied the map intently, noting its significance as a means to track the whereabouts of his targets using his epic [Leech Skill].
Just the night before, he had acquired a larger, more detailed map from a local shop. As he narrowed his eyes and concentrated on his skill, five resplendent orbs flickered into view on the map. Each orb revealed a name, but no additional information was provided.
Lost in thought, Sucura mused, 'Only their locations and names.' He then spoke aloud, "Luke and Ulrich have already ventured to the Daichetus Kingdom, while Shalanta, Vyn, and Shaine remain here."
Sucura's gaze drifted towards the ceiling, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the desk as he contemplated the situation.'The Weakness Physiology skill could prove to be a formidable pairing with the Arankar, assuming my adversary is indeed less powerful than I. However, the drawbacks of employing such a weapon are far from desirable, and my intuition suggests there's more to it than meets the eye, given its cursed nature and the conflicting emotions it evokes.'
'When I first laid eyes on that gun, it was as if a peculiar sensation stirred within my mind, compelling me to possess it. It was akin to stumbling upon an item in a store that, while not essential, inexplicably captivates you and demands your immediate acquisition, defying all rational explanation,'
As thoughts of Mathilda crossed his mind, he mused, 'That stunning witch possesses knowledge that eludes me, and it's rather vexing. She appears to possess an uncanny aptitude for delving into one's thoughts, though there must be some limitations.
Well, there's scant I can do to counteract it. Perhaps I should seek her guidance on a common spell that could prove beneficial during my impending journey to the Accursed Forest. Moreover, any pertinent information she might share would be invaluable.'
'Hmmm… Master Kalinski on the other hand, I noticed a peculiar reaction when I mentioned Vyn. Despite my limited expertise in deciphering body language, I could discern the subtle shift in his facial expression, betraying a flicker of anger.'
'Ultimately, I discovered that my learning accelerated during the night while practicing with a dagger, yet the confined space of this room impeded my movements. My proficiency with the dagger seemed to stem from muscle memory, as if a faint, ethereal light guided my hand, showing me precisely where to thrust and slash. To further hone my skills, I require a more expansive training area, sparring partner and the gentle illumination of the twilight moon, bathing me in its celestial glow.'
Sucura rose from his chair and strode towards the mirror, admiring his newly acquired adventurer's attire.
He was clad in a form-fitting, black leather tunic with intricate silver embroidery along the edges. The high collar and long sleeves were adorned with magical symbols, adding an air of mystique to his ensemble.
He wore slim, dark gray trousers that complemented his knee-high, black leather boots, which were accented with silver buckles and a subtle heel.
"These attire may have cost me 70 gold dai coins, but they're worth every bit," Sucura mused to himself. He then proceeded to don a half-mask and obscure his head with a towel.
With a sense of purpose, Sucura picked up the map that Kalinski had given him and made his way out of the room, leaving the Golden Peacock Inn behind as he embarked on to Kalinski's residence.
***
Luke Pearce [Hero Route]
Morning in Framingbiens Hill, Daichetus Kingdom
As the entourage gracefully traversed the quaint village, Luke found himself utterly consumed by the perplexing events that had transpired the previous evening at the Inn.
He struggled to dispel the nagging sensation that something was awry, particularly as he contemplated the enigmatic message imparted by Sucura.
Contrary to the assurance of soothing dreams, no such reprieve had materialized, especially while he kept a vigilant watch over Ronan.
Stealing a surreptitious glance at Dannah, he couldn't help but perceive an ominous undercurrent lurking beneath the surface of the prior night's occurrences.
Yesterday night in Enchanted Hearth Inn, Daichetus Kingdom
In the privacy of the bathroom, Luke delicately cleansed his face with a mild, fragrant soap, washing away the accumulated filth of the day. The warm water cascaded over his skin, soothing his tired features.
As he studied his reflection in the mirror, he meticulously examined every inch of his visage, taking note of the pleasing absence of blemishes or imperfections.
Content with his appearance, he tenderly patted his face dry with a plush towel, using gentle, deliberate strokes.
After several minutes, Luke emerged from the bathroom, stepping into the dimly lit hallway.
The room was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by the faint glow of twilight seeping through the cracks in the curtains. The inn lay eerily silent, the only sound being the soft creaking of the floorboards beneath his feet.
A chilling night breeze whispered through the air, its icy fingers caressing his skin as he sauntered towards his room, an inexplicable sense of unease settling in his chest.
As he walked, Luke's ears pricked up at the faintest of sounds. He glanced left and right, but saw nothing amiss.
However, as he slowly raised his gaze upwards, his pupils dilated slightly.
There, clinging to the ceiling like a grotesque spider, was Dannah. Her head tilted at an unnatural angle, her eyes locked onto Luke's with a chillingly neutral expression
Regaining his composure, Luke addressed her with a tone of incredulity, "What are you doing, Dannah?"
Dannah studied him for a brief moment, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly, before she gracefully descended from the ceiling to the floor, landing without so much as a whisper of sound.
She straightened up and met Luke's gaze, her expression inscrutable. "I've acquired a new skill, you see, and I simply wished to put it to the test," she explained, her smile enigmatic and disquieting.
Luke arched an eyebrow, regarding her with a mixture of disbelief and slim apprehension.
He couldn't help but notice how much she had changed since the harrowing events that had transpired in the Village of Meroeda. Her present self was a far cry from the person she used to be.
Shaking off his thoughts, he admonished her, noting the absence of any murderous intent and feeling fatigued from the day's events, "Don't ever do that again. Others will feel threatheaned with such unnerving antics." With that, he turned and retreated to his room.
"Understood," Dannah replied, her eyes tracking Luke's movements until he disappeared from sight.