Chapter 7: Chase

"Hmmm... Noble Peasant. I feel like the crystal is making fun of me. At least I ranked up to G," Paul said, satisfied, as he showed his new title to the old lady. “Show title to the old lady.” She was surprised by the window that appeared in front of her, but her face remained composed. She continued to smile with satisfaction at the title. Paul, still a bit disappointed by not receiving a more impressive title, left the building with his shoulders slumped.

He then used his bracelet to contact Nori and found out that she was waiting for him at the inn. Paul made his way to the inn, feeling unusually relaxed for the first time in a long while. He had no major worries at the moment.

As soon as he entered the inn, he saw Nori sitting at a table, drinking some ale. Paul approached and sat next to her.

“Well, look who it is... The snail finally arrived,” Nori teased.

“Snail? What do you mean?” Paul asked, puzzled.

“You’re late—two hours late!”

“I apologize. I was... enjoying the peace.”

“Are you saying I’m noisy?!”

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“What?! NO! I meant that I finally ranked up and wanted to see my stats, title, and skills.”

Nori calmed down and smiled. “You swear?”

“Yes, I swear.”

“Now that I have you here, join me for a drink while we talk.”

“Sure.”

They talked for a while about recent events, laughed about the captain, and then the conversation fell into silence. Nori spoke up first.

“So, how can I help you? I know you didn’t come here just to chat.”

“I figured that. Do you have any tips on improving my nonexistent fighting skills?”

“Haha, that’s true. Well, I know of a way to improve yourself. First, you need to learn how to avoid and defend against attacks. I only know how to avoid, so that’s what I’m going to teach you. Secondly, you need to learn how to attack. The rest comes with experience from fighting different types of enemies.”

“I see. When can we begin?”

“Right now, if you want, but you can’t use any skills...”

“In here?”

Nori gave a mischievous smile. “Yes. Then let’s begin.”

“Sure.”

She stood up, climbed onto the table, and, with a voice louder and clearer than the captain’s, yelled, “Attention, attention! I have an announcement for all of you.”

Everyone went silent and turned to watch Nori, who was spreading her arms and speaking with a voice that resonated deeply. She continued, “Anyone who catches this man, Paul Silver, before tomorrow’s last ray of light will receive a special reward from me.” She said the last part especially loudly and then winked at Paul. “If not, the reward goes to him,” she pointed at Paul.

The entire inn erupted in chaos. The patrons cheered and screamed at the top of their lungs. Suddenly, they all fell silent, staring at Paul with intense focus. The air was thick with killing intent. In the next moment, everyone jumped up and tried to catch Paul. Thanks to his high luck, Paul managed to evade the initial rush and made his way to the door. As he ran out, he shouted, “Damn you, Nori!!!!” Hearing her name only fueled the villagers' motivation, shifting their goal to stopping Paul from getting the reward.

Outside, people were shocked to see a man running from the inn with 70 villagers hot on his heels. Paul sprinted as fast as he could, not daring to look back. After a few hours of exhaustion and close calls, he managed to lose them momentarily, resting and drinking some water from a barrel he found. He noticed that the number of pursuers had doubled. He now realized how popular Nori was among the villagers.

After resting for a few more minutes, he was spotted by a kid. In an instant, he was surrounded again. The villagers launched at Paul, who struggled to avoid their grasp. Just as he evaded one hand, another appeared. After half an hour of intense struggle, he finally broke free and escaped.

Every time he managed to escape and rest, he would soon be spotted and surrounded again. The villagers grew smarter, working together to set traps and move faster. Just as Paul began to get used to their tactics, their numbers increased again, making the pursuit even more challenging.

About 15 hours had passed, and the villagers were more determined than ever. They were driven by their desire for the reward and to stop Paul. During the night, soldiers began joining the chase, adding to the difficulty. Each soldier was as tough as ten villagers. Fortunately, the lieutenants and captain did not join, though some soldiers had to continue their duties.

By the end, Paul was chased by the entire village—children, men, women, the elderly, and soldiers. Exhausted and beyond his limits, he collapsed on the ground just as the last ray of light disappeared. Seeing this, everyone’s first instinct was to grab him, but they were halted by Nori’s appearance. She chuckled as she looked at Paul, who had already passed out. Under the villagers' angry stares, she knelt beside him and whispered in his ear, “That’s what you get for keeping me waiting. But I guess you succeeded and deserve a reward.”

She glanced at the villagers, who watched her every move, and slightly blushed before giving Paul a kiss on the forehead. Everyone froze in shock. Nori blushed even more and then slapped Paul, waking him up with a jolt. The villagers’ faces shifted from anger to their original expressions. One person’s small laugh triggered a wave of laughter from the crowd. It was the most fun they’d had in a long time.

Confused, Paul stood up and looked at the scene before him. People, as far as the eye could see, were laughing so hard that some had trouble breathing. While some stood, most were on the ground, laughing. Seeing this, Paul felt a warm sense of contentment and started smiling. He didn’t care about what had happened earlier. After everyone laughed their hearts out, they began to leave. Paul, with Nori’s help, went back to the shack, as his legs were sore. When they arrived, Paul fell onto the bed. Nori then said, “Tomorrow we’ll start learning how to attack. Don’t worry; it will be easier than this. Now go to sleep.”

Nori left, thinking Paul would go to sleep. She was wrong. Paul decided he needed to review the past 24 hours to improve himself further. He activated his Memo skill and relived the last 24 hours, realizing how much wasted movement he had used while avoiding the villagers. Though he relived the experience, only 30 minutes had passed in reality. Paul used the skill two more times to gain further insight.

He then remembered his bracelet and decided to check for updates.

**"Show updates."**

**Stats Update**

Due to your actions since the last time you checked, you have increased the following stats:

+2 Health

+10 Agility

+5 Endurance

+20 Stamina

+50 Fame

+54 Fighting Spirit

**Skills Update**

Because of your actions since the last time you checked, you have acquired the following skill:

- Insight

“So, I did get something out of this... torture. Show skills.”

**Skills**

- Humble Mask

- Aura Shift: Intermediary LVL.2 (12%)

- Memos

- Identification: Beginner LVL.9 (87%)

- Mana Sight: Beginner LVL.6 (0%)

- Creature Tamer: Beginner LVL.7 (0%)

- Perception: Intermediary LVL.3 (60%)

- Parkour: Intermediary LVL.2 (50%)

- Naturas: Beginner LVL.2 (21%)

- Detective: Beginner LVL.5 (23%)

- Deception: Beginner LVL.3 (23%)

- Stealth: Intermediary LVL.1 (10%)

- Listening: Intermediary LVL.3 (0%)

- Iron Will: Intermediary LVL.8 (60%)

- Insight: Beginner LVL.3 (66%)

**“Show description for all skills.”**

**Humble Mask**

This skill allows you to decrease any of your stats to any value you want. After activation, you can lower any stats to 0. Lowering stats is equivalent to sealing your extra stats. You will not receive new stats while this skill is active. It activates and deactivates at will, just like your other skills.

Special: ????????????

Warning: This skill will not change no matter how much you use it. Should you mention this skill to anyone, you would suffer a severe punishment.

**Aura Shift - Intermediary LVL.2 (12%)**

This skill allows you to emit an aura that controls how others perceive you through their instincts rather than their eyes. The higher the level, the more influence you have over people.

Special: ????????????

**Memos**

This skill allows you to memorize everything you experience. You can relive any experience from the last 24 hours and learn any language faster.

Languages known: Human (100%)

Warning: This skill will not change no matter how much you use it.

**Identification - Beginner LVL.9 (87%)**

You can identify items more easily and discover if an item has special characteristics. You can instantly identify any item of uncommon grade. Identifying higher grade items depends on luck.

**

Mana Sight (active) - Beginner LVL.6 (0%)**

You can see the flow of mana in your own body and control it to a certain extent.

**Creature Tamer - Beginner LVL.7 (0%)**

You can approach creatures that do not perceive you as an enemy under certain conditions. You can understand some basic words from certain creatures and enter into a contract with creatures that consider you a friend.

Number of pets: 0

**Perception - Intermediary LVL.3 (60%)**

Within a range of 20 meters, all your senses increase by 20%. You can see in the dark 50% better.

**Parkour - Intermediary LVL.2 (50%)**

You can run, climb over obstacles more easily, and reach your destination faster and more efficiently.

**Naturas - Beginner LVL.2 (21%)**

While in unpopulated areas, you receive a boost of:

10% in speed

15% in sight

20% in hearing

5% in healing

5% in mana regeneration

**Detective - Beginner LVL.5 (23%)**

You can find what you’re searching for more easily. Clues that your subconscious notices will faintly glow white to your eyes.

**Deception - Beginner LVL.3 (23%)**

You can deceive people more effectively; they are more likely to believe your lies.

**Stealth - Intermediary LVL.1 (10%)**

You are less visible in shadows and make less noise. While stationary, you are 50% less visible.

**Listening - Intermediary LVL.3 (0%)**

You have enhanced hearing and can hear a whisper up to 10 meters away.

**Iron Will - Intermediary LVL.8 (60%)**

The strength of your mind is 100% stronger than the average human. You can focus on a task for extended periods and experience 10% less pain. This skill absorbed the following skill: Focus.

**Insight - Beginner LVL.3 (66%)**

By observing the muscles of your target, you can foresee their movements.

The next day, Nori woke Paul and took him to the guild testing facility. Noting their destination, Paul mentioned he had already visited the facility.

“Don’t worry. That’s not why we’re going there today. Many might not know, but the guild testing facility has a... method that can also teach you how to fight, though not many are aware of it,” Nori explained.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you taught me? Or someone you know who is strong?” Paul asked.

“No. My style doesn’t suit you, and learning from a teacher might do more harm than good. This method I’m talking about is more... flexible. You’ll develop your own moves and gain experience fighting,” Nori replied.

“I hope it isn’t another situation like yesterday.”