V2 Chapter 145

… What?!

Cian’s eyes widened in shock. Then, he stared at the femur bone he was snacking at the moment, with a confused expression.

[Stealth]? He actually obtained an ability….? But how? Wait… Cian had eaten several dozens bones already but this was the first time he had acquired an ability. Then, he realized something… is it possible that some of these bones are still able to give him abilities?

Perhaps those bones from super experts who were rich in magical energy?

There’s a high chance of it being true.

Learning about this, Cian’s heart throbbed in excitement.

Indeed, [Plunder] ability is really good!

Knowing that he can still obtain skills and abilities by eating the bones, Cian’s misgivings about eating it and picking all the bones in the stone hall disappeared.

… …

[You have successfully plundered [Venom Blood]!]

[You have successfully plundered [Spear Art: Dragon Flurry]!]

While munching the Red Crown Dragon Serpent and the bones, Cian’s mood was at its highest—he was obtaining skills much faster than the two years combined. Suddenly, Cian’s [Night’s Eye] gleamed dimly and his expression couldn’t help but darken slightly.

Traps…

Using his [Night’s Eye], Cian saw through the cracks on the stone walls and the layout of the floor tiles, and he easily distinguished where the traps were.

"This level of traps simply does not pose any difficulty!" Cian snorted in contempt while moving forward. He then picked up a rock and threw it out five-six meters and *pa* it smashed onto a cyan brick.

Sou sou sou!

Dou dou dou!

Arrows were flying about at the passage in front of him like a storm. The tip of the arrows even flashed with a green light. What made matters worse was that all the arrows were smeared with poison. What a terrible thing to do. Cian can imagine what would’ve happened if an ignorant adventurer had continued moving forward with a smug expression of content, how miserable they would be if they were to accidentally activate the traps?

From top to bottom, their bodies would’ve been nailed with arrows. And even if they survived the arrows, they would still die due to poison. Just thinking about it, even Cian shivered. It certainly is a terrible thing to place a trap in a corridor. This is not a Dungeon, isn't it? This should have been a Mansion, Castle, or a house whatsoever. Why would there be a trap here? Jeez, the people living here have quite wicked characters.

Cian mused as he walked through the corridor without care. Although the traps were all hidden in the darkness, with his [Night’s Eye] they are as plain as day. With traps becoming nothing to him, Cian continued forward, moving towards the depth of the passage. Cian even found some incredible halls, dining rooms, and treasure rooms along the way. Inside, he even found some ancient gowns and costumes kept inside broken wardrobes, where, some surprisingly still intact despite the age. Perhaps, its because these clothes were made from the highest grade of materials. There were even clothes and costumes embroidered with expensive gems and jewels such as topaz, or dark amethyst.

Of course, Cian swept everything into his Storage Rings, leaving none behind. It would be a waster, nonetheless. It's a bad habit of being wasteful. In the treasure rooms, he found several chests, filled with gold and silver, jewels and gems, intact and treasure-like armors and weapons--the people living here can be said to be very wealthy. Just all the things he had found in this place, is already almost reaching half of the entire assets he had accumulated up until now.

This ought to make Cian felt sky-high from all his discoveries and spoils. Just that, he felt rather somber...even a bit gloomy.

While walking into the ruins, his mood somewhat soured. The scene before could not help but caused him to feel somewhat affected by a strange negative mood. Bones were everywhere around this corridor. What more, there were bones of adults as well as bones of children. They were densely stacked together. It seemed like they had a painful struggle before they died.

Just what had happened in this place…?

Cian’s interest continued to increase. Of course, to these bones, Cian was not the least bit interested to make a snack from. He just checked if there were some good items, collected them if they were and left them alone. Even if these people have amazing abilities when they were alive, but eating children and such… even if they were just corpses and bleached bones, Cian has yet fallen that low.

Then, suddenly he stopped.

Dozen Bone Men《Skeleton Soldiers》 who were clattering in the narrow passage were standing as if they were trying to block him. Cian furrowed his brows. He stared at the tattered weapons and armors they were using. They would have been quite an equipment in their own time. But right now, they have been withered by time. Still, why are there Undead here?

They gradually closed the distance between them, and then, one after another, they raised their arms while rushing at him to attack him. Claang! Baang!! But, before the Bone Men《Skeleton Soldiers》 could have had the chance to swing their arms, Cian had already swung his sword and passed them――

Slicing their bodies into two parts.

Although he can hijack their consciousness and make them his summon undead with his Dark Magic, Cian didn’t have any interest in these weak creatures. Having them around is just plain annoying with their clattering and rotten stench. Although he can make an Undead, after two years of studying Dark and Death Magic, he was more fond in creating Chimera rather than resurrecting stinking undead. The Magic consumed to create an Undead was incredibly big, and even the outcome is left to fate. If one is lucky, one can summon a High-level Undead, but if it's otherwise, then, one can only put up with a walking Skeleton. And besides, they are not only weak but also stinky and smelly. He would rather die than let these fellow follow him everywhere he goes like a Lich. Well, perhaps only a Lich would have some patience to cultivate them, after all, Liches have a strange sense of smell.

Though, Cian admits that in large-scale battles, [Summon Undead] is an incredible and very convenient skill. That's why he still learned it seriously. Cian rummaged through the bodies of those Bone Men, looking for something useful. Only to see some ancient coins, spoiled potions, and tattered and broken magical items. Still, he picks them up and thrown them into his Storage Ring. Then, afterward, he continued exploring the ruins. Continuing, he encountered several Bone Men and monsters such as bugs and maggots along the way.

"A still intact Heavenly Bronze Armour, this Heavenly Bronze is a rare material!”

"Oh? Several bottles of elixirs, but as to what effect they have…need to be researched! It’s a pity that they are all spoiled! But I can still make use of them; perhaps I can find something useful if they are reversed engineered. I heard that some elixirs in the Ancient Times are much more incredible than the current elixirs. There were even those whose recipes have all been lost!"

“Soul Stones?! Aren’t these Soul Stones?! Oh my god, a dozen Soul Stones…even Elder Sister only has four to five of them. They are good at strengthening one’s soul and increased resistance to soul attacks. And this, a Frost Sapphire, and Heaven Locking Grass! “

The deeper Cian walked through the passage, the more valuable things he found, making him quite excited. Now, Cian understands why they are many Grave Robbers, not only in the previous world but also in this world. Perhaps these people possess not so simple status in this place. Almost all of them were wearing gold and silver accessories and trinkets, and there were even rare materials and items found in their possession. Truly incredible!

Cian has a very impressive harvest. From armors, clothes, and weapons alone he had collected a lot. There was even some rare equipment he had only read from books such as blood-sucking blade, a holy sword and etc… that was very well preserved, undamaged. Other than that, there were also magic crystals and many other valuable things.

However, his nonchalant stroll didn’t last long.

After walking for three minutes, Cian found himself in an open space. It would have been fine but when he saw what was in front of him, Cian’s expression couldn’t help but darkened.

Off in the distance, he could see three giant snakes. Though unlike the Red Crown Dragon Serpent, these snakes are just like normal giant snakes. Nothing praiseworthy about their appearance either. However, their strength is still not something one would normally try to fight against. Furthermore, there were actually three. Cian let out a sigh. Why does he always encounter this type of monster? Why snakes? Does he have some kind of fate towards them?

While walking towards the tree giant snakes, Cian played with a pitch-black dagger. His fingers were nimble as it twirled around his hand. Due to the limited space, Cian didn’t use a long blade like a sword or spear as it would restrict his movements by a bit. And he didn’t like being constrained.

In any case, a dagger is more his style. He’s more proficient in using it than a sword, he was only practicing a sword because of its reach which was far convenient than a small dagger in normal times. When Cian was much closer to the enemy without alerting them, suddenly he saw the end of the corridor.

The path actually ends there, due to the large boulders that had been piled up and closed the path. However, Cian didn’t think there was no breakthrough from this corridor. How could there be monsters here then?

There must be some kind of exit… Cian turned towards several rooms that could be seen. Though some of them were indeed destroyed and full of rubbles, there were also some that seemed being used often due to the traces on the floor and Cian was assured that there would be a way out from here.

Cian immediately formulated a plan. Then, as he walks towards the three snakes, he rapidly inspected for traps. His eyes swept through the entire corridor and he was extremely attentive in examining every area where traps could potentially be placed. He noticed a peculiarly placed tiles lying across the path ahead and instantly knew what it was upon examining it.

He summoned small bone and throw it towards the tiles before quickly taking a few steps back. In the middle of a battle, these traps would be even more annoying and might give him difficulties. Hence, it’s better to release them beforehand.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Several dozen poison arrows were set flying across his previous position. Put! Put! Put!! A short moment later, all of the arrows could be seen embedded in a wall. He had long since ducked out of their path, so these arrows were unable to harm him in any way.

The commotion obviously attracted the three giant snakes. Looking around, however, they couldn’t see anything. Their pair of giant snake eyes tilted in confusion, why did the trap set out?

They hissed and let out their long fork tongues, in and out, trying to sense the air but there was nothing they could find. However, indeed they found a peculiar unfamiliar scent in the air. It’s as if there was indeed someone or something there just a while ago… but the owner of this unfamiliar scent had disappeared in thin air.

Of course, with Cian’s control of his vector body, any kind of smell coming from him had been totally isolated. In fact, whether it was done subconsciously or was it an automatic ability granted by his [Vector Body], Cian had established a filter that covered his entire body, analyzing everything as harmful or not, and uses his reflect to push away anything that could harm him. With just a slight modification, Cian can change the filter like giving a program another feature.

Cian slowly walked towards the three snakes while trying to envelop the three monsters into an illusion using his [Night’s Eye]. However, this was proven extremely difficult. Up until now, there were five types of factors that Cian noticed he needed to be able to drag a person into his illusion world.

First, if the target has a very low level compared to him, and his will power was much inferior to Cian, he can easily overwhelm them with his illusion just by making eye contact. This was the easiest way. Second, if the target possesses a very low intelligence, such as monsters with only primitive primal instincts, he can easily overwhelm them and drag them into his illusion without a problem.

Third, if the opponent was caught off-guard and was not expecting of being an attack at all, hence, the target’s resistance was at its lowest. Though not completely assured, there’s a high chance of success to bring them down inside his illusion.

Fourth, if the target willingly accepted it, or didn’t put any guard towards him at all. They would be inside his illusion without any problem.

And lastly, the fifth, if the opponent was fatally injured, becoming extremely weak or dying, their resistances and immunity obviously become lowered. And even if they are very powerful, there is still a chance for them to be subjected to his illusions.

These were the five factors that influenced his Illusion Ability that Cian had learned after many trials and errors. However, now, he realized that these three seemingly simple beasts possess actually not so little intelligence. They almost have human-like intelligence. Though, not as high as human intelligence, it’s not for them to have some awareness and guard against possible mental attacks.

Because of this, Cian made a mistake. When he tried to cover the snake’s eyes with wool, the giant snakes sensed it and immediately trashed around with their tails. Cian leaps back with a darkened expression. The giant snakes let out a hiss; they immediately understood they are being attacked by an invisible enemy. However, because they couldn’t see anything, they trashed their tails around, even shaking the entire ruins.

"I hate this job,"

Dust and debris rained down from the ceiling, Cian even thought that the ruins might crumble at this moment. Although he wasn’t afraid of being buried with his absolute defense, it was still a problem for him if it really did happen. However, it didn’t happen much to Cian’s surprise. The Ruins were much stronger and sturdier than he had expected. Although the three giant snakes smashed their tails around, destroying walls and floors, the ceiling didn’t crash down—amazing.

"The one who made this place is invited to my wedding," A long scaled tail swept towards Cian. However, he had long since ducked out of its path, so the tail was unable to harm him in any way.

After a few minutes, the giant snakes realized that they were not hitting anything and let out a confused expression. Dust and dirt clouded the entire corridor, but there was not a single soul in sight. Besides the shadows, there was absolutely nothing there.

What is happening?

They did felt that some ill-intent a while ago, but there was actually no one here?

Did they just imagine it?

The monsters then stopped and surveyed the surroundings even more carefully. But no matter what they do, they would never expect that Cian was already behind them. His [Stealth] skill and [Vector Body] actually resonated and brought back a formidable effect. His concealment becomes even more amazing and effective. This is certainly outside of Cian’s expectations.

Cian realized that the [Stealth] skill actually, more or less runs the same theory as his way of concealment using his [Vector Body]. By reflecting light and blocking any scent from being released by controlling the moisture in the air, though normally this was done by covering one’s entire body with magic power, unlike Cian who repelled other gases aside from the air molecules, which is oxygen he needed to breathe.

But now, combining it with [Stealth], Cian found out that this kind of action became even much easier than before and was even more formidable than normal [Stealth]. Even still, once made an attack or being attacked, the concealment wore off. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that the magic energy was disturbed, it broke the concealment. But that wasn’t a problem for him.

When the three giant snakes could not find anything, their moods calmed down. Then, Cian saw that because they were looking for him, the three giant snakes had separated from each other by a distance, while the biggest snake remained in the rear. Perhaps, it was the leader among the three and thus, sent his subordinates to check the surrounding.

And this was the waited opportune moment when Cian strike!

What’s the duty of an assassin?

It’s sneak attacks, in the case of unknown enemies, and the use of strikes that violently kills the enemy. Unlike Knight or Warriors, his honor didn’t define head-on battles. His pride revolves around whether he can successfully ambush or take the enemy off-guard!

In this world, Cian’s way of fighting would be seen as immoral and be disgusted by shamelessness. Even to the point of calling it without honor and shame. However, to them, Cian would just sneer in contempt. Just like people possess different justice, he too possesses a different pride.

How can the pride of a warrior and pride of an assassin be similar?

Assassins are creatures of the night, meant to be stealthy and doing sneak attacks.

How can you call yourself an assassin if you don’t do shameless things?!

These are the bloodlines of a true Assassin!

Cunning and contemptible, without the righteousness of a knight; cowardly, without the courage of a warrior; lowly, without the pride and arrogance of a mage; sly, without the elegance of an archer; shameless, without the purity of a priest; lonely, unlike a summoner or beast tamers who had many companions—these are the true virtue of an Assassin!

If you call them shameless, it’s not a derogative term, instead—it’s praise!

There would be nothing as beautiful as being called shameless and rogue as a complement for an assassin!

That is the pride of a True Assassin!