n

n

nLife in Another World with His Stealth Skills

nLet us turn back the clock a bit to when the carriage carrying Lavia had just finished its first break and was starting to move again.

nLavia was seated inside the rocking carriage, staring at her own hands on her lap. Hands that were handcuffed. The boy named Hikaru had not returned since then. He said he would save her today because he couldn’t destroy the magic cell. Yet he hadn’t gotten in touch at all and she started to think he only gave her vain hope. That the boy was just sweet-talking her.

nThere were only three escorts. It would be easy to break through them with numbers. But she didn’t think she was that valuable. Even if there were people who wanted her for her powers, they wouldn’t risk going against the King.

nLavia let out a deep sigh.

n「Where I’m from, we have a saying that sighing will make good fortune run away from you.」

n「But there are times when you just⁠—」

nLavia gave a start. What was that?

n「Don’t raise your voice now or I’ll get busted.」

nSitting there inside the carriage was a boy with black hair and equally black eyes.

n「Ah, uh, what?」

n「You want to know how I got in here? While I’d love to explain, I still don’t trust you.」

n「Trust…?」

n「I’ll tell you everything once you’re completely free and I can trust you. How’s that sound?」

nHe didn’t have to ask as she had no say in the matter. She was still staring at Hikaru – at the boy who appeared out of nowhere – in disbelief.

nThis person is my savior.

nIf there was one thing she believed in, it was that Hikaru would surely rescue her from here.

nHikaru had assumed every possible escort pattern before he executed his plan. What he was really worried about was the key. How many locks were there? How many does he have to unlock before Lavia would be free?

nThe worst possible scenario he imagined was that the Alchemists Guild’s guildmaster would accompany the convoy. The guildmaster would create a magic cell and go with the convoy to the capital. He would then unlock it there. If that happened, Hikaru would have no other choice but to kill the guildmaster en route to let Lavia escape. Fortunately, he was busy. Hikaru sneaked into the Alchemists Guild to check the guildmaster’s schedule and found out that he would be having dinner with someone today at a restaurant in Pond.

nThe next worse scenario was if there were multiple keys. For example, they could have two identical keys, one in Pond and one in the capital. In other words, no one had the key during transport. In that case…

n· Once Lavia got in the carriage, it would be locked.

n· A knight or someone from the mansion would put the key in a safe.

n· Hikaru would then steal the key from the safe.

n· Run after the convoy.

n· Return the key to the safe after Lavia is rescued.

nThose were the steps that Hikaru would’ve taken. Fortunately the coachman had the key. It was the best case he could imagine.

nOne more troublesome possibility would be if Lavia were restrained to the carriage itself, perhaps to a beam or the roof. In this case, Hikaru would need a different key to free her. It would’ve been bad if it were similar to the magic cell, but fortunately the Alchemists Guild guildmaster put on handcuffs that would come off after a certain time. It was a smart method – no need for a key, but still enough to restrain her. Fortune was smiling at Hikaru. All he had to do was get her out and in time the handcuffs could be removed.

nHikaru assumed other scenarios as well. He went over what he had to do for each situation and checked the location of the safe for the key yesterday as well. But in reality things were easier. Only one key was needed and the coachman had it. The driver was always on his seat so it was up to him and his Stealth to do the job.

nHikaru made his way to the dungeon today to see the Alchemists Guild guildmaster put the handcuffs on Lavia. As soon as he knew that the coachman had the key, he immediately headed to the gate. He waited there and as the carriage was being checked by the guard, got on top of the roof and lay down. The solidly-built vehicle didn’t budge at all. For a moment his blood froze as the horse turned around, feeling the sudden added weight.

nThen he simply lay sprawled on top until the first rest break was over. The carriage itself was big so even without using his Stealth, the adventurers couldn’t see him. After the first break and the convoy started moving again, he crept up to the coachman, took the keys, and unlocked the carriage. Hikaru already anticipated that with his Stealth and his job class set to Stealth God: Darkness Wanderer, the adventurers wouldn’t see him, but just to be safe, he did all this as a caravan passed by.

nAnd that was how he appeared before Lavia.

n「Get a sheet right away to make it look like you’re sleeping. If it’s not enough then stuff in some clothes as well. Wear this too.」

nWith this trick, even if they peered inside, they would think that everything was fine. The breakout wouldn’t be discovered right away. From Hikaru’s backpack he produced a plain brown cloak to hide the handcuffs.

nAll right. The problem starts from here.

nThere was a concerning matter to tackle first before making the escape. Lavia didn’t have the skill Stealth. That was merely his assumption, however.

n「Lavia, I have a question, but just continue with what you’re doing.」

n「Hmm?」

n「I can do anything if it means you can escape, correct?」

n「…Yes.」

nShe simply nodded, not even asking what he meant by “anything”. Hikaru too nodded in return. Now he could use her points without worry.

n【Soul Board】Lavia

nAge: 14 Rank: 6

n0

n【Magical Power】

n..【Mana】11

n….【Magic Principle】2

n..【Spiritual Affinity】

n….【Fire】5

nOhh…

nHe almost let out a sound. It’s so unbalanced. Hikaru was not one to talk, though. All the points were allocated towards Magical Power. He had not seen huge numbers like 11 and 5 in even the seasoned adventurers. Only Unken.

nI can see why the King would want her power…

nHigh magical power and proficient in fire magic. On top of that, she had an unknown Skill called Magic Principle. Hikaru felt annoyed that he couldn’t read the description on other people’s Soul Boards.

nShe has no points left so no Stealth for her… This was well within expectations, though.

nThe name field bothered him. Normally it would read Lavia D. Morgstad, but only Lavia was there. That only meant that deep inside her, she had completely cast aside her family name.

nI have no other choice, then.

nHikaru opened his own Soul Board.

n【Soul Board】Hikaru

nAge: 15 Soul Rank: 16

n10

n【Vitality】

n【Magical Power】

n【Physical Strength】

n..【Strength】1

n【Agility】

n..【Power Burst】1

n..【Stealth】

n….【Life Obfuscation】1

n….【Mana Obfuscation】1

n….【Imperceptibility】5 (MAX)

n……【Assassination】3 (MAX)

n【Intuition】

n..【Detection】

n….【Life Detection】1

n….【Mana Detection】1

nHe had ten points available. Hikaru put one point on both Life Obfuscation and Mana Obfuscation.

nThere’s Group Obfuscation. I knew it.

n【Group Obfuscation】Grants Life Obfuscation, Mana Obfuscation, and Imperceptibility to anyone in direct contact with the user’s body. Max: 5. The effect is limited to each respective Skills’ max points.

nSo basically maxing out Group Cutoff is pointless unless the other three Skills are maxed out as well.

nHe had two points in Life Obfuscation and Mana Obfuscation at the moment. Even he put three points in Group Obfuscation, the effects would be limited to only two points.

nThat’s within expectations as well.

nHe now had eight points left. He added one more point to both Life Obfuscation and Mana Obfuscation and three points on Group Obfuscation.

nWith this he would be able to grant Lavia with a three-point Stealth Skill. Lavia didn’t have the blessings from a job class, however, as she didn’t have a guild card. He was worried, but he had to believe that it was enough to hide her from sight.

nNogusa’s Life Detection only had one point. Even the national hero Unken only had two points in Obfuscation and a point on Group Obfuscation. Hikaru thought his three points was a safe enough margin. He had taken some measures as well to aid them.

nI could use up my remaining three points, but I’d rather save it. All that’s left is…

nHe checked his guild card. He expected to see a new job class called “Group Obfuscation God” or something, but there was none. Perhaps because he didn’t max it out. But instead there was a new one called “Dull Town Night Burglar God: Town Thief”.

nMust be because of all the sneaking I’ve been doing… Well that’s one more reason not to show the job class field to anyone.

nIn the meantime, Lavia was done with her preparations.

n「It’s almost time. Make sure you’re mentally prepared.」

n「Can you tell me what’s going to happen next? I think it’ll be much easier to move if I knew the plan.」

n「I suppose you’re right. I made it look like the carriage is locked, but it really isn’t so all I have to do is remove the lock and open the door. We’ll go outside together. I’ll put the lock back, then we jump off. After that we hide behind a tree or some bushes by the side of the road.」

n「…Will it work?」

n「I almost forgot something.」

nHikaru was reluctant to speak, but he had to tell her so he tried to endure the embarrassment.

n「While we move, hold my hand and never let go.」he said as he held out his left hand.

nWhy? Lavia thought. Seeing Hikaru’s cheeks turn a bit red, she blushed as well.

n「…Okay.」

nShe grasped his hand. Her hand was slender and oh so fragile.

n「Hey, Nogusa! Up ahead!」

n「What’s this? Someone collapsed?」

n「E-Excuse me, Sir. Can you spare some water? I got lost in the forest and just now got out.」

nSomething unusual occurred outside. It was the last measure Hikaru had taken for good insurance. He had asked Kelbeck of the Thieves Guild to distract the adventurers for a moment. The price was 20,000 gilans. Hikaru wanted to complain about it being a rip-off, but he reluctantly agreed.

n「Let’s go.」

nHikaru removed the lock and opened the door, dragging Lavia with him. As he made her stand on the steps, her eyes widened. Adventurers on their horses were riding on both sides. Staying vigilant of the man in the middle of the road, they kept watch of the surroundings as well.

nIt was a common ambush tactic. The first thing to do was stop the carriage, then attack from both sides. They had not imagined that the subject they were escorting was going to escape. Hikaru immediately climbed up the roof, crept up to the driver, returned the keys, and went back to Lavia. This was the most crucial part. If Lavia was seen, it would all be over. He felt huge relief as he held her hands once more. With the Group Obfuscation, they could escape without being seen.

n「Don’t let go.」

n「Okay.」

nAs soon as he reattached the lock, Hikaru kicked the foothold and they jumped off, flying in the air. The carriage became distant. Nogusa approached the man that collapsed on the road.

n「Over here.」

nHikaru surveyed the surroundings before heading to the bushes on the side of the road – opposite from where the collapsed man came. It was only a five-meter distance, but Lavia was tense, feeling like her heart would burst out of her chest.

nWhy don’t they notice us?

nWho is that man?

nWhy is Hikaru so full of confidence?

nToo many questions ran through her mind. They were able to make it to the bushes without being noticed. She had managed to escape.

n「…Stay sharp. We’re not out of the woods yet.」

n「!」

nShe braced herself. They were still by the highway. The adventurers would turn back immediately as soon as they found out she was gone.

n「There’s a settlement about two kilometres back from here. Caravans usually stop there to rest. We’re going to secretly hitch a ride.」

n「…It’s quite far.」

n「If only a caravan passed by now.」

nThey wove through the bushes, distancing themselves from Nogusa, before coming back out to the road.

n「What’s next? Where will we go with the caravan?」

n「You’re going to hide in Pond.」

n「…What?」

n「Your face is asking why hide in a place that’ll most likely get searched.」

n「W-Well, I… But why Pond?」

n「Who do you think will get suspected of helping or kidnapping you?」

nLavia pondered the question for a moment.

n「…A powerful noble, or perhaps someone from outside the kingdom? But I doubt anyone from outside knows about my abilities.」

n「Exactly. So nobles will most certainly be suspected. And Pond is under the direct control of the king so a lot of nobles build their houses there.」

n「So Pond will get searched.」

n「Since it’s under direct control of the king, he could order the town to be ruthlessly searched. Every noble knows that Pond is not an ideal hiding place and they would assume that the culprit escaped to his own domain. Of course, the town would be roughly searched, but once that’s over, you can hide there safely.」

n「………」

n「Your face is asking how will you get past the gate without being seen. 」

n「Am I really that easy to read?」

n「I have a way to get you inside unseen, but that’s a secret. I’ll tell you once I trust—」

nHikaru abruptly shut his mouth. Pulling on Lavia’s hand, he dragged her off the road.

n「What?」

n「Ssh.」

nThey hid behind a small tree.Life in Another World with His Stealth Skills (Part Two)

nHikaru held his breath and waited. A tiny pinprick from the distance was running towards them, getting closer. It got bigger and bigger until he could make out what it was. Someone riding a horse.

nJust an ordinary rider? No, wait…

nHikaru couldn’t believe his eyes. He didn’t expect this. It was a knight on the horse. His serious expression looked even more stern. East. His horse was galloping towards their direction.

nWhy? It must have something to do with Lavia… He couldn’t have found out about my plan. East didn’t seem to trust those adventurers. Is that why he’s here? To join the convoy?

nHikaru wanted to click his tongue. If the knight caught up to the carriage, he might check inside. Once they noticed Lavia was gone, they would immediately start searching for her before the two of them could even get back to town.

nOf course with his Stealth, they could hide themselves. But that was all they could do. What would they for food? Jill might even mention how Hikaru was asking questions about the Count’s murder.

nHis plan was to go about his usual routine once he got back. She might ask Hikaru about Lavia’s escape, but she wouldn’t think that someone who came to the guild every day taking requests was behind it.

nBut if they couldn’t return to town, it would mean a life of wandering from place to place. If they suspected Hikaru, they could also trace him with the guild card. The pair would have no other choice but to flee to a different country.

nThat in itself wouldn’t be a problem. But Hikaru and Lavia had not travelled great distances before so they didn’t have the know-how either. Lavia, especially, spent her life like a bird in a cage. Her stamina could pose some issues.

nHikaru made up his mind.

nI should stop East.

n「Stay here and don’t move.」

n「Who’s that?」

n「A pursuer?」

nHikaru took out his Sun God mask and put it on. He then summoned his Soul Board.

nI’m glad I saved three points.

nHe chose the Physical Strength window, spent a point to unlock Weapon Mastery, and put two points on Throwing.

n【Physical Strength】

n..【Strength】1

n..【Weapon Mastery】

n….【Throwing】2

nA point on Strength should give him quite some power and two points on Weapon Mastery would put him on the same level as an advanced user. Even if Hikaru didn’t have much experience in combat, his Skills would grant him the ability to fight.

nHe had already considered getting Throwing or Bow mastery beforehand. After Assassination there was Sniper. There were a few reasons why he didn’t go for Bow: it would be hard to fight with it in a confined space, he couldn’t attack if he ran out of arrows, and the weapon itself was bulky. With Throwing, he could basically throw anything. For example the rocks sprawled about by his foot. Hikaru picked up a few and stuffed them into his pockets.

nI just hope I don’t get a new job class like Robbery God or something…

nIrked, he turned his gaze towards the rider coming in fast.

nEast spurred the horse onward. The behavior of the adventurers weighed heavy on his mind. There were already plenty of things about the whole case that bothered him and now he had to worry about those guys too.

nThis is all because we couldn’t prevent the Count from getting murdered!

nHis blunder – the fact that he failed to prevent the murder – was what drove him. He wanted to at least find out the truth.

nI know was being unreasonable, but I can undergo investigation in the capital anyway.

nHe entrusted everything to his fellow knights – the meeting with the investigator and the inquiry – while he rode towards the capital. He knew his actions would be questioned. But he had decided that once the escort job was over, he would go straight to their leader and tell him everything about the case. East’s sense of justice urged him to do what he was doing.

nAt this speed I should catch up to the carriage soo—

n「!?」

nThe horse’s right eye got blown off. Neighing, the horse reared. East tried to keep the creature under control, but he got thrown off to the back. Due to the speed he was going, his body slammed to the ground hard. The horse staggered before falling to its side.

n「Wh-What just happened?」

nHe touched his body all around. No bones were broken, but his ribs were fractured. The moment East realized he was attacked, he had already drawn his sword.

n「Ugh…」

nSharp pain stabbed his right hand. A rock hit it at an incredible speed that could break even the bones. He dropped his sword, unable to hold it any longer.

n「Hands and knees on the ground. If you do as I say, I’ll let you live.」

n「Fool! I’m a knight! Do you know what’ll happen to you if you attack a knight?!」

n「I just need— I don’t give a damn. I just want your money.」

n「You sound like a kid. Show yourself!」

n「You better keep your head cool. I’m the one giving the orders.」

n「Tch.」

nEast turned his left palm towards the direction of the voice.

n「O’ Spirit, heed my call. With the primordial flame, burn my foe to ashes.」

nThe ring on his left hand was imbued with fire magic. It was an item lent to knights who couldn’t use magic.

nA fireball shot out the size of his hand. Moisture quickly evaporated from the lush bushes before they burst into flames.

n「…Did it work?」

n「Nuh-uh.」

n「!?」

nImpossible, he thought. The voice came from the other side of the road this time. Teleportation was the only thing he could think of. After all, he didn’t see anyone cross the road.

n「Unfortunately, I need you to rest here for a while.」

n「You bastard!」

nHis unharmed left hand was struck by a rock. Next was his feet. Specifically the tips of his riding boots was hit three times. East was shocked. The tip of the boots was the toughest part and yet the boy managed to rip through it and break his toes by striking them three times at the same spot.

nI… can’t run like this. There’s no way I could catch up to the carriage now.

nHe gritted his teeth in frustration. He couldn’t do a thing now. He couldn’t run after the convoy. The enemy wouldn’t come out of the bushes either.

n「I won’t take your life.」

n「…Because I’m a noble?」

n「Whether you’re a noble or not doesn’t matter to me. I just have a policy to not kill anyone. Now hand over your money.」

n「…Unfortunately, I can’t move my hands.」East said sarcastically.「The money’s in my leather bag on my waist.」

n「Right. I forgot I smashed your hands.」

nThe boy returned the sarcasm with a sneer. East had never before suffered such humiliation. His boiling rage made his vision turn red. But he couldn’t do anything.

n「Lie down on your face and look away.」

n「………」

n「What, knights are better off dead than suffer disgrace? Is that part of the Royal Order of Knights’ doctrine or something?」

n「Tsk…」

nEast lay down on his stomach and faced in the opposite direction the voice was coming from. He heard the sound of bushes rustling and footsteps moving toward him.

nHe felt a lot more power than he had expected. It wasn’t just the two points on Throwing, but the one point on Strength as well. Hikaru was confident he could hit his mark a hundred percent of the time from a distance of ten meters.

nThanks be to my Skill tree.

nHe was thoroughly impressed by the power of his Stealth as well. Before casting his spell, East had to chant something first which gave Hikaru the chance to move. He slipped out of the bushes and crossed the road, but the knight didn’t see him at all. Though if East already saw him from the start, he wouldn’t be able to use his Stealth, so he had to hide first.

nHe was now fully aware of the extent of his abilities. With his Stealth, he could overcome almost anything. Hikaru, who was a complete amateur, bested East who had trained for years in combat. It was incredible. It broke the rules.

n「I’m taking this.」

nOn the ground and his face turned away, East cast a sidelong glance at Hikaru, scowling. The boy stood against the light with a Sun God mask on his face. What did he look like to East in that moment?

nWith a dagger, Hikaru cut the strap of East’s leather bag. It contained quite a sum of money.

n「…I had duty I needed to fulfil. 」East said, forcing the words out of his mouth.「Did you see a carriage guarded by three men?」

n「…I did.」

n「What were they doing?」

n「They watched their surroundings carefully. I couldn’t make a move on them.」

n「I see…」

n「So they’re doing their job properly…」East muttered under his breath, somehow relieved.

nEast wasn’t a bad person. Hikaru knew that. So he lied hoping it would make him feel better.

n「…Now just lie down there for a while.」

n「Okay, smarty-pants. I can’t get up even if I want to anyway.」

n「I see you still have some life in you.」

nWith a scoff, Hikaru left. He returned to where Lavia was right away and grabbed her hand. Activating his Group Obfuscation Skill, they stepped out onto the road. They had no time to waste.

n「Hikaru.」

n「What?」

n「Thank you.」

n「…I told you we’re not out of the woods yet.」

n「Not that. Thank you for not killing that knight.」

n「I did promise to rescue you without killing anyone.」

n「You did.」

nHikaru felt her grip tighten.

nBy the time they arrived at the settlement, the caravan was just starting to move. They got on the back of a wagon and made their way towards Pond. Lavia was surprised the guards at the gate didn’t notice them. Not a word came from her about it as she simply let Hikaru lead her into town.

nThe handcuffs came off as soon as they got in. The magic seemed to have worn off faster than expected.

nHikaru paid for three more nights for his hotel room. They entered the room, and as soon as he closed the door, he let out a long, deep sigh of relief. He had been feeling on edge all this time.

n「We should be safe for now. You can let go of my hand.」

nFinally. The escape plan was a success.

n「………」

n「Lavia?」

n「…Can I make myself disappear by holding your hand?」

n「Something like that. But it should be fine now. Just don’t be too loud or people from the next room might hear you.」

n「I see. In that case… I’ll do my best to be quiet.」

n「No, I mean you can still whisper— hngh?!」

nLavia grabbed the back of his head and pulled on his hand, drawing their lips closer to a kiss. A tongue hotter than his own body slid into his mouth.

n「…Fwah!」

nWhat seemed like a long kiss that lasted for minutes probably ended in only seconds. Slight panic assailed Hikaru. Lavia was flushing, her eyes glazed.

n「I told you I’ll give you my everything if you saved me.」

n「Aren’t you scared of me?」

n「Scared?」

n「I appeared inside the carriage from out of nowhere like magic. As you said, I made both of us disappear. I led that knight around by the nose and seriously injured him. I’m that kind of person. I’m not normal.」

n「Not normal… Perhaps. So what?」

n「So I’m saying—」

n「I told you. I’ll give you my everything if you saved me. Don’t you remember?」

n「…I do.」

n「Even if you were a cold-blooded man, a rotten undead, or a monster disguised as a human, I wouldn’t go back on my word.」

nHikaru could feel his heart trembling. She must’ve really meant it when she said “everything”.

nIn retrospect, Hikaru might have feared the power of the Soul Board. He stayed away from others because of it. He was afraid he’d lose himself in the power and hurt those around him.

nBut Lavia was different. She would accept everything about him.

n「Are you sure you’ll give me your everything?」

nLavia looked at him with upturned eyes, face turned red all the way to her ears.

n「I-I heard it hurts the first time… but I’ll try my best to keep quiet. And if possible, I’d like us to hold hands the whole time.」

nSeeing her like that, Hikaru lost all reason within him. They were filthy from the long day on the road, but they didn’t mind that at all.

nThey made love far into the night and fell soundly asleep in each other’s arms.

nWhen Hikaru woke up, he made a decision.

nI have found one more goal in this world. I’ll use my Stealth and the Skills from my Soul Board to protect her, he thought, as he watched Lavia sleep peacefully in his arms.

n