The bustling streets of Befardo stretched out before Liam as he strolled with Caiser, who seemed amused by the way Liam took in the sights. Despite the city's grandeur, Liam's mind was elsewhere, processing the events that had just unfolded.
"You seem deep in thought," Caiser remarked, raising an eyebrow.
Liam gave a nonchalant shrug. "Just thinking about how quickly things change. One moment, you're a prisoner, and the next, you're a tourist."
Caiser chuckled. "You have an uncanny way of landing on your feet, don't you?"
"Survival instinct," Liam said with a playful smirk. "But tell me, Caiser, how well do you know the people in power here?"
Caiser's expression turned serious. "Enough to know who to avoid. Why do you ask?"
Liam's gaze drifted to the crowd, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a man in noble attire, surrounded by guards. The noble's haughty demeanor and the way people bowed or stepped aside told Liam all he needed to know.
"Looks like someone important is heading our way," Liam muttered.
Caiser followed his gaze and sighed. "That's Marquis Gilleon, one of the wealthiest nobles in Befardo. Try not to draw his attention."
"Too late," Liam said, smirking as the Marquis made a beeline toward them.
The Marquis stopped a few paces away, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Liam. "You must be the infamous newcomer I've heard about. The one who bested the heroes."
Liam met his gaze with an icy smile. "Liam Hemsworth, at your service."
Marquis Gilleon's lip curled in a sneer. "A bold claim for a mere adventurer. Tell me, Hemsworth, why are you here in Befardo?"
Before Liam could respond, a strange sensation washed over him. It was as if something deep within him awakened, a surge of power that demanded the truth. He opened his mouth, almost involuntarily.
"I'm here to explore the city and uncover its secrets," Liam said, his voice carrying an edge that made even the Marquis take a step back.
Ray's voice rang in his mind. "Congratulations, Liam. You've just awakened a new skill: [Hubris]. It's forcing you to speak the truth, but it will work even better against others."
Liam's smirk widened. "Interesting," he whispered under his breath.
Marquis Gilleon's eyes widened slightly, as if sensing the shift in the air. "I see you have a way with words," he muttered, clearly uneasy.
"Why don't you tell me why you're really here?" Liam asked, his voice dripping with newfound authority. The Marquis opened his mouth, his expression contorting in shock as the words spilled out uncontrollably.
"I'm here to meet with a contact about a shipment of illegal artifacts," the Marquis blurted out, his face paling as he realized what he'd said.
Caiser's eyes widened. "Did you just—"
"I did," Liam interrupted, grinning. "It seems I have a talent for getting to the truth."
The Marquis, now visibly shaking, took a step back. "You… what did you do to me?!"
Liam's smile was cold and unyielding. "I asked a simple question. You gave a simple answer."
Ray's laughter echoed in Liam's mind. "You've just unleashed [Hubris] on a nobleman. This is going to be fun."
The Marquis, realizing he'd lost control of the situation, turned on his heel and fled, his guards scrambling to keep up. Caiser watched him go, then turned back to Liam with a mixture of shock and awe.
"What did you just do?" Caiser asked, his voice low.
"I found a new way to get people to be honest," Liam said casually. "It's a skill I didn't know I had."
Caiser shook his head in disbelief. "You're more dangerous than I thought."
Liam's smile softened. "You're not afraid of me, are you?"
"Not afraid," Caiser replied, meeting Liam's gaze. "Just… wary."
"Good," Liam said with a wink. "That's the smart choice."
As they continued their walk, Liam couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. This new power was different. It wasn't just strength or speed—it was influence. The ability to control the truth itself.
And he intended to use it well.