Bennett

Experience Points -599, Stealth Assassination Art Lv.4 (0/400).

He had 120 experience points left. After some thought, he had decided against putting all seven hundred-plus points into it. He could not reach level five anyway, so it was better to keep a few in reserve.

The instant he invested the experience points, a wealth of experience and techniques related to the Stealth Assassination Art appeared in his mind.

It felt as though he really had reached this point through steady, accumulated practice.

At level four, the Stealth Assassination Art not only allowed him to use assassination techniques proficiently, but also let him enter a state of Stealth Invisibility lasting ten minutes, which would automatically end when he attacked.

That was already a very respectable duration.

At the introductory first level, invisibility only lasted about ten seconds. Thinking back to his fight with Christie, Li Qiuzhi guessed that he, too, had only just learned the art and had not reached level two.

Otherwise, it would not have lasted so briefly.

Level two allowed one minute of invisibility, level three five minutes, and level four ten minutes. He did not know about level five yet, since he had not reached it.

Presumably, the increase would be substantial.

As it stood, ten minutes of Stealth Invisibility was already enough for him to accomplish plenty of things. At the very least, dealing with monsters would be easier.

Delighted with his new skill, Li Qiuzhi kept experimenting until two in the morning, when he finally became too exhausted to continue and went to bed.

Yesterday had passed, and morning had arrived.

Having gone to bed late, Li Qiuzhi also got up a little late. By the time he reached the Adventurers' Guild, it was almost noon.

"Ad astra abyssosque! Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild."

Wearing a dress, with her hands folded neatly in front of her, Katheryne greeted Li Qiuzhi with a poised smile.

"Good morning, Katheryne," Li Qiuzhi replied with a smile of his own.

"It's not exactly early anymore. Are you here to ask about the domain?" Katheryne said, shaking her head slightly.

After last night's light rain, brilliant sunshine fell across the reception counter. With the eaves providing a little shelter, Katheryne stood in the shade, out of the sun.

Li Qiuzhi nodded and said:

"I'm mainly here to pick up today's commissions, but if there's any news about the domain, I'd like to hear that too."

"Of course. I was just looking for a chance to tell you." A breeze brushed strands of black hair across Katheryne's eyes. She blinked and continued, "Yesterday, one of the guild's excellent investigators found the domain you described and made a brief exploration inside. They gathered quite a bit of useful information."

"Oh? Please tell me more." Curiosity shone in Li Qiuzhi's eyes as he sought more details.

Katheryne, a lifelike automaton, dipped her finely crafted chin. Without keeping him in suspense, she chose her words carefully:

"That domain is very dangerous, but also very valuable.

"According to the investigator's report, there are many Ruin Machines inside. Not just Ruin Guards, but Ruin Graders, Ruin Hunters, and others as well.

"To uncover the domain's treasures and secrets, Guild Master Cyrus has decided to organize an Adventuring Team for a preliminary exploration tomorrow.

"The rewards for you, Noelle, and Miss Ver will be issued once the exploration is complete."

From Katheryne's description, with so many ruin-type machines present, the domain was probably connected to Khaenri'ah.

But Li Qiuzhi was not the Traveler and had little interest in that history.

All he wondered was whether so many monsters meant he could earn another large haul of experience points. He still remembered that the five Ruin Guards at the Temple of the Thousand Winds had given him his biggest haul yet.

It was no surprise that the rewards would only be issued after the preliminary exploration, either. Every domain had a different value, after all. They needed at least some initial gains before deciding how to reward its discoverers.

Otherwise, an overly generous reward might send other adventurers the message that even worthless domains could earn them huge rewards.

That would not make sense.

The same reasoning applied to giving too little.

"I see." Li Qiuzhi nodded in understanding, then asked, "Katheryne, can I take part in tomorrow's domain exploration too? How do I sign up?"

"Since this domain exploration will be rather dangerous, you will need to join an Adventuring Team or find at least two additional teammates to reduce the risk of accidents."

Katheryne spoke with a smile, her hands still folded in front of her.

The Adventurers' Guild took its responsibility toward its members seriously. Adventure did not mean blindly heading into dangerous places alone. Only exceptionally skilled and renowned adventurers had earned that privilege.

The Adventuring Team system existed so everyone could support one another, rather than die alone in some distant land with no one even knowing where their bones lay.

Even though Li Qiuzhi was fairly strong now, he would not claim that he could explore this domain alone.

Better play it safe! I still need to find two teammates.

"Oh, and if you want to join tomorrow's domain exploration, you'll need to find your teammates and come sign up today."

Katheryne raised a finger to draw his attention as she added this reminder.

"Today? No problem!" Li Qiuzhi nodded twice.

After a little thought, he decided it should not be too difficult. He could ask Noelle again, and he believed she would not refuse.

She had always wanted to become a Knight of Favonius, and an adventure like this ought to help her grow.

According to Acting Grand Master Jean, it was not a lack of strength that kept Noelle from becoming a Knight of Favonius. She was stronger than many full-fledged knights.

Acting Grand Master Jean's exact words had been, "There are still vulnerable places in her heart. At this stage, perhaps she isn't ready to face the dangers of the outside world."

Yes, that was more or less it.

As for the other teammate... Li Qiuzhi stroked his chin, running through the few friends he had.

Ver was out. Anyone who could be bullied by a few Hydro Slimes was far too weak. Amber had her scouting duties for the Knights of Favonius, so asking her would not be appropriate.

Eula had probably already taken her Reconnaissance Company out on a mission today.

It seemed everyone had their own business to attend to, apart from Noelle, who might be free. No, even Noelle was not necessarily available.

He still remembered Noelle's character stories in the original game. She was so eager to help others that she neglected her own safety and had fallen into danger many times.

Left with little choice, Acting Grand Master Jean could only "invent" safe jobs for her to keep her away from danger.

So even if Li Qiuzhi went looking for Noelle, she might not happen to be free. And if Acting Grand Master Jean learned that he intended to take Noelle into such a dangerous domain, he wondered whether she might arrest him on the spot.

Thinking about that possibility made Li Qiuzhi lose his nerve a little. Even if he went looking for Noelle, he could not do it at the Knights of Favonius headquarters.

Acting Grand Master Jean's office was just to the left of the main hall. Her gentle disposition made her manageable, but the library on the right was presided over by the far more dangerous Rose Witch, Miss Lisa. That seemed like trouble.

Forget it. I'll wait until Noelle comes out.

Still, in case he failed to catch Noelle outside the headquarters, he also needed to find two backup candidates.

Just as Li Qiuzhi was struggling with the problem, a boy's cheerful voice came from behind him.

"Miss Katheryne, I'd like to sign up for tomorrow's domain exploration!"

Li Qiuzhi turned to look. Short, pale golden hair was held down by goggles, and beneath it were eyes full of resolve and tenacity, paired with a cheerful smile. It was Bennett.

Thanks to reader "Lord QB" for the tip of 100 coins.

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