It had been a great decision to return to my friends and plan with them. Part of it was the additional input but the big deal was more information from Gregor. He had notified me how a group of Redrock’s closest allies would visit him which prompted Alex to give me the strategy. I was to slip into the mansion and hide somewhere close to the ward where I could slip in as soon as it broke down. I could then observe how they were let inside and hopefully copy their option.

When they came and Redrock simply disabled the barrier completely, I took my chance and slipped in. Once they left, I took the chance of him being distracted by groping his maid to get into position. [Shock Attack] showed its value when my first move completely froze them. Sadly, he had some kind of barrier protecting him. Which was powered by a vis crystal worked into the chandelier. And not just the chandelier but the chain that was holding it up. My attack managed to drain enough energy to break it and have the heavy golden object crush my target. A quick follow-up to kill the maid and then I only had to set the stage.

It was two days later when Gregor invited us for another dinner. This time only Alex wanted to come along. Hera looked like she intended to follow us but Circe grabbed her to play some cards. The game Jane had taught her needed four people which they just were, counting Cerberos.

On the way over I checked through my status menu.

Species: Sgiathan Dorcha Owl (adult)

Age: 2

Name: Fio Catori

Gender: female

Status: sapient, healthy, Beast Core (unique, enriched – medium)

Level: 102

Class: [Assassin lvl 99], [Apprentice Witch lvl 10], -

Strength: 39

Constitution: 36

Dexterity: 42

Perception: 42

Intelligence: 108

Wisdom: 108

AP: 0

Skills:

Racial:

Utility: [Owl Senses lvl 7], [Preening lvl 4], [Owl Stomach lvl 7], [Sgiathan Dorcha lvl 7]

Offensive: [Solid Grip lvl 4], [Intimidating Screech lvl 4], [Owl’s Shadow lvl 7], [Aerial Combat lvl 4]

General:

[Imaginatics lvl 7], [Hidden Identify lvl 7], [Telepathy lvl 4], [Eldritch Guidance lvl 5]

Assassin:

[Sneak lvl 7], [Shock Attack lvl 7], [Mingling lvl 7], [Eldritch Shift lvl 8], [Winged Death lvl 6]

Apprentice Witch:

[Brewing lvl 4], [Ritualism lvl 1], [Familiar Bond lvl 1]

I had gained seven [Assassin] levels from my two kills. Just one short of three digits. Maybe the first kill had given less experience because technically the maid had been a witness? Or the maid had given less because she was not my main target?

It was no use getting worked up about it, though. [Shock Attack] also reached its next Breakpoint. My Attributes had gone into the good old Intelligence and Wisdom. I had considered bringing up Perception and Dexterity to 50 but that would mean actively delaying my Class evolution and going for another five to ten race levels, depending on where my automatic points were allocated.

We reached the restaurant and were led to the same backroom as last time. Gregor waited for us in the same disguise we had met the first time. A small chest sat on top of the table in front of him.

We sat down and a waiter brought some drinks. Tea for myself, wine for the other two.

“Now, then. I hear Locust of Redrock was stabbed by his trusted maid who then ended her life right after.”

“Oh, is that so?”, I smirked.

“Yes. That is the official story. Here is your reward. The [Organizer] seems to be of no power as well. The closest contacts have given up now that their leader and source of money has passed away. Well done, Fio. You earned your share.”

He pushed over the box which I shoved into my storage.

“As for the other reward, I have not been able to convince his majesty to let you visit him. That is you, Fio. Not the others. Miss Alexandra here is welcome to meet as a “dwarven ambassador” though there will be no expectation for anything beyond a pleasant chat. You can, of course, bring along your servant and friends.”

“But not Fio”, she stated.

Gregor nodded.

“I did not expect such quick action. I have advised against letting you visit. Apologies.”

I scoffed.

“So, I can’t meet his majesty? Or I can’t go into the castle?”

“… the latter. Please.”

I nodded and let it slide. It would be nice to see but I could just have my supersensory matrix connected to Alex and use her vision. Or…

“Here’s an idea. What if I try to break in? To see how good your security is?”

Gregor cringed.

“That would be a high risk to your life.”

“Well, if you have automated lethal defences, I should be able to notice them. And you can tell your active guards not to use lethal force on me. I would like to think I’m distinct enough.”

Alex nodded.

“It’s a good idea. Having someone else double-check your work in a practical test leads to much better results, usually.”

“I won’t even use my Church contacts”, I said.

“I… will talk about it to his majesty. I do not trust you fully. You are simply too dangerous.”

“Say, do you know a Martha?”, I asked.

The [Spymaster] paled. He quickly hid his panic by taking a long sip from his wine.

“I do know a few people by that name. Care to elaborate?”

“She was interested in the documents our [Organizer] had secured in a warded chest. I traded some information to read them since she got her hands on them first.”

“I see. Short girl, maybe early to mid-teens? Brown hair and freckles?”

“Yes. That’s her.”

“Do be careful around her. That woman is… dangerous.”

“You just called her a girl”, Alex remarked.

“Yes. She’s like me, a master of disguises. I don’t know her true face.”

“Who does she work for?”, she asked.

“… the Church. I believe. I could never confirm it.”

“How come?”

“The guards can’t [Identify] her because she never enters the city through the gates. Even the [King] says to not antagonize the woman. It’s honestly infuriating.”

Alex glared at me.

“What?”, I asked, “I think she’s nice. If only because she’s interested in me as an asset.”

Gregor drew in a sharp breath.

“Hey, Gregor. Want me to set up a meeting?”

“How would you do that?”

“Trade secret.”

“I… do not want to be alone with that woman. She’s much too dangerous.”

“I don’t think you have it right”, I said, “But your choice.”

“Wait, did you use your [Identify] on her?”

“No? That would be rude.”

“And… ah, never mind. I see. I’ll see that you’re allowed on the castle tour. But I will not allow you to meet the [King].”

He raised his glass to take a deep gulp.

“… unless you bring along a bloody Cleric…”, he mumbled to himself.

I shared a glance with Alex. We could probably convince the local Cleric to come with us but Gregor was already worried enough. I decided to let him be.

“What about that security test?”, I asked.

“Maybe just take a look and see if you can find any obvious weak points. Seriously, it’s designed to be purely lethal to intruders. Don’t play around with it.”

I nodded.

“Well, that’s that, I guess?”

“I suppose it is”, Gregor said, “Will you stay for dinner?”

We decided to take him up on the offer. The others had forbidden us from playing the card game. Alex could tell what the faces were with her [Essence Sense] and I could pick up on them almost as easily thanks to [Owl Senses]. We scheduled the castle tour for the next day. The morning would be for seeing the garden and some of the spaces for public use like the banquet hall and the ballroom. After lunch, his majesty would receive Alex along with Circe and Hera. Maybe Jane and Cerberos as well depending on their interest. I was tempted to try and sneak in as well. I would decide when it was time.

Later that night, I was out and about away from the city. I was this close to reaching level 100 in [Assassin] and had no target inside. So I looked for something suitable instead. Any somewhat large animal to hunt might push me over the edge. Or a criminal doing evil deeds in the darkness.

It took almost three hours before I decided to simply go for vermin. A few rats and mice, a hamster, two lizards and even a couple of songbirds died to my talons. And I got nothing. I had made sure to be perfect with every kill. I made sure to designate them as targets. And yet, it was not enough. I spent half the night hunting everything I could find. At some point, I stopped putting my kills away in my storage. It was getting full.

There just seemed to be no effect from killing tiny animals for my Class. But there was nothing better out and about. The only ones that might be big enough were sheep and cattle from the farmers but I did not want to steal from them. Dejected, I returned to our inn. It was not yet time for my Class to evolve. Unless I managed a Breakthrough on one of my capped Skills, I would need another proper target.

When I entered the bedroom, Circe was awake. She looked a little worried but happily gave me a hug. I let her for a moment before slipping out.

“What were you doing?”, she whispered.

“Trying to get my next level. I’m one away from 100.”

“In [Assassin]?”

“Yup.”

“You should just off a criminal somewhere.”

“I’m not gonna be judge, jury and executioner.”

“Ask the guards? Or Gregor. He might just have something for you.”

“No. I want to do this with a wilderness kill. The way I started. It… feels right.”

She smiled.

“Alright. Good night.”

“Good night”, I said.

She snuggled into her blanket as my talons twitched. It really felt wrong to go out of my way looking for a kill. I could not explain it. But I knew I would get my evolution soon. There had to be something I could easily take out. No, not easily. Something that was a challenge to take out. But first, a castle tour.