[Congratulations to Host for clearing the bandit gang alone.]
→ [Reward: Skills – Stealth and Silent Strike.]
As Ren read the system notification, his eyebrows twitched.
'Oh, so the system rewards actions that stray from the original plot…'
A smirk formed on his lips before it quickly disappeared.
'What utter nonsense.'
He was expecting something grand—perhaps an ability that could help him rise above the ordinary. But instead, the system had given him skills that were best suited for thieves and assassins. Was this some kind of joke?
After a brief moment of thought, he came to a realization—maybe the system's rewards were directly tied to the nature of his achievements.
He had eliminated a group of criminals in a precise and calculated manner. He hadn't fought recklessly or openly like a hero; instead, he had used strategy, deception, and efficiency. Perhaps that was why the system had granted him abilities aligned with that approach.
'So… if I kill those irritating heroines in the future, will I gain their skills too?'
His thoughts wandered into dangerous territory.
Some of them were incredibly powerful, after all. Their abilities were nothing short of extraordinary. Though their personalities were grating, their combat prowess and unique talents were something he could certainly use.
But as soon as the idea surfaced, he shook his head.
'No, let's not go down that road. Not only would it cause major deviations in the story, but they're much stronger than me. Plus, they have ridiculous levels of luck. Even if I somehow managed to defeat one, the effort wouldn't be worth the risk. Too much trouble for too little gain.'
He exhaled sharply, shifting his focus back to the system rewards.
'Well, at least these will be useful. If nothing else, I can make good use of Stealth.'
His mind drifted to a rather ambitious thought.
'Maybe I can sneak into the Golden Viper's treasury and rob her blind? Now that would be satisfying.'
A chuckle escaped him.
'Just kidding. Even the most infamous thieves wouldn't dare go near her vault. Only the so-called Hero had the absurd luck to bypass her defenses. Fufu.'
Brushing aside those thoughts, Ren turned his attention back to the battlefield. The ground was littered with bodies, their lifeless hands still clutching weapons that would never be raised again.
The scent of blood hung heavy in the air, thick and suffocating.
Carefully stepping over the corpses, he began his search for valuables.
It didn't take long for him to find a glimmer of silver—a storage ring still worn by a bandit. With a firm tug, he pulled it off the stiffened finger.
Continuing his search, he found several more rings among the fallen, though only a handful of them carried anything of true value.
His hunt led him deeper into the bandits' hideout, where he uncovered a well-hidden stash of loot.
He took his time sorting through everything, examining the artifacts, skill manuals, and gold.
Among the scattered manuals, one caught his eye.
"Phantom Blade Technique."
A technique designed for swift, unpredictable swordplay, its movements were erratic and difficult to read. It was the perfect style for overwhelming opponents with speed and deception.
However, there was a problem.
Ren's swordsmanship level was still at the basic stage, meaning he couldn't learn it yet. He needed to reach intermediate mastery before he could even attempt to wield this technique properly. Until then, it was useless.
But his disappointment didn't last long.
Two other skill manuals were within his grasp—ones he could make use of immediately.
"Ghost Step" and "Falcon Sight."
These weren't high-tier abilities, but they were exactly what he needed.
Ghost Step was a footwork technique that specialized in speed, unpredictability, and silent movement. Unlike traditional movement skills, which focused on raw speed or flashy dodges, Ghost Step emphasized evasive maneuvers that were both subtle and effective.
At its core, it allowed the user to shift their weight effortlessly, making sudden movements without telegraphing their next step. When fully mastered, the skill made it seem as though the user vanished for a brief moment, only to reappear a few steps away.
But its true power lay in its application during combat.
With Ghost Step, Ren wouldn't just be faster—he would become harder to predict. He could weave between attacks fluidly, making it seem as though he were slipping through the cracks of his opponent's vision.
More importantly, the skill had an added effect.
It masked the sound of footsteps.
Even if he sprinted across a wooden floor or dry leaves, he wouldn't make a sound. That alone made it an invaluable ability, both for combat and stealth.
Then there was Falcon Sight—a vision-enhancement ability that allowed its user to perceive distant objects with unnatural clarity.
Unlike simple enhanced eyesight, Falcon Sight worked by sharpening the user's focus on specific targets. It wasn't just about seeing farther—it was about seeing sharper.
For archers and marksmen, this skill was an absolute game-changer. It allowed them to track moving targets with precision, anticipate trajectories, and even detect minute details that would normally go unnoticed.
However, the true benefit of Falcon Sight lay in its ability to pierce through distractions.
Normally, human eyes took in an overwhelming amount of visual data—shadows, light refractions, background movements. But Falcon Sight filtered out the unnecessary noise, allowing Ren to focus solely on his target.
In a battlefield filled with chaos, where enemies could strike from anywhere, this skill would give him the advantage of absolute awareness.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
'Not bad. These two will serve me well.'
With his loot secured, Ren decided it was time to erase any evidence of his involvement.
He struck a match and flicked it onto the pile of corpses.
The flames caught instantly, quickly engulfing the bodies in a raging inferno. The fire roared, consuming everything in its path, reducing the fallen to nothing more than ash.
As the blaze crackled behind him, Ren turned and walked away, his silhouette disappearing into the night.
He glanced at the items he had collected, deciding to sell most of them, keeping only a few essential potions and manuals.
'Not bad. Only a few hidden treasures are left on my list now.'
He checked the sky. He needed to return home before nightfall to put his next plan into action.
Quickening his pace, a stray thought entered his mind.
'Ah… only two days left until my birthday, huh?'
A quiet sigh escaped him.
But he didn't have time to dwell on that.
His next destination awaited—a place that only the bold dared to enter.
The Black Market.
Unlike the underground dealings found in every major city, this was the Black Market—an entirely separate realm where the most dangerous and forbidden trades took place.
A place where gold was worth less than information.
A place where secrets and blood were the primary currencies.
Ren knew the risks, but he also knew one thing—
There was an item hidden within its depths that he needed.
And he was going to get it.
No matter the cost.