Chapter 155

– Ding!

‘…Is it morning already?’

Realizing the dawn approached from the chirping of sparrows.

“Haa.”

Naturally raised my body and immediately checked my status window.

▶Sleep Deprivation: 26◀

▶Fatigue: 30◀

“This doesn’t seem to go down anymore.”

Although I didn’t expect to fall into a deep sleep, I had merely closed my eyes. Yet, my status condition numbers weren’t budging.

“Could it be because of that?”

I had a hunch about how much rest I got. It must have been yesterday. Even though I fell asleep by chance on Harnier’s lap, I slept deeply for 4 hours, enough to dream.

It seems Carsein’s body solved the fatigue and lack of sleep at that time.

“Who knew that accidentally falling asleep would come back to bite me like this.”

-Sleep properly. Don’t get too immersed in work. Got it?

Suddenly, Harnier’s nagging echoes in my mind, making me scratch the back of my head awkwardly.

“I can’t be blamed for not being able to sleep even if I tried. Harnier.”

Anyway, these levels don’t impose physical constraints for activity. I naturally rose from my bedroom and went to wash up in the bathroom.

After washing up, as usual, I started my daily routine: waking up, a light shower, jogging, and exercise. It had become essential to follow a basic routine to start the day.

But, not today.

I pulled up my hood and peeked around the hotel before sneaking out through the corridor.

“That way is off-limits, Young Master.”

“Camila?”

Even though it was morning, my wake-up time matched modern clocks, so it was still very early. For them, it was still the middle of the night.

Yet, Camila was grabbing my hand and saying this during the early hours when everyone should be tired and sleeping.

“Are you planning to go outside?”

This is a question I shouldn’t answer.

But.

[Camila Deol]

[Friendship: 65%]

At this friendship level, it doesn’t matter.

Even if it weren’t for this, there’s no need to lie to Camila, who has become an ally to me.

“Yes, I need to step out for a bit.”

“Outside means… something personal?”

“Exactly. I want to go somewhere personal without informing the entire Duke’s house.”

“The entire Duke’s house…”

After some hesitation, Camila seemed to catch onto my meaning and started guiding me.

“In that case, you should change direction. The maids and attendants frequently pass that way.”

As expected, she’s sharp. Checking the surroundings, she guided me to the least visible path, avoiding the maids’ and attendants’ gazes, as well as outsiders and the hotel owner.

“If you slip out this way and exit through the back door, you won’t be seen. But… will you let me know when you return via the main gate?”

“Why?”

“If you return alone after wandering around, you’ll raise suspicion from Young Lady Arina. Ever since the incident yesterday, the eldest young lady ordered me to follow you if you go out.”

“Hmm. Really?”

She wanted a report if something happens again. Since I wasn’t likely to speak up, she probably wanted to hear it from me.

That’s typical of Arina.

I nodded to Camila and left the hotel.

Then, I checked my status window, which hadn’t been looked at in a while.

■Carsein Bargrand■ – 18 years old

Lv. 47

▶Your SP will automatically be used for the ?? stat!◀

▶Strength 5.77

▶Agility 7.02

▶Endurance 7.28

▶Health 5.35

▶Immunity 1.50

▶?? 47%

“It’s increased quite a bit.”

Indeed, if I accept this more realistically, the system allows for such progression. Despite a slight decline in stat growth at higher levels, due to consistent routines, it steadily increases.

With this, it might be worth a try.

-Ding!

▶This area is ── Zone.◀

▶Do you still wish to enter?◀

A status window pops up when approaching a boundary line set in a designated location. In fact, this was a place I couldn’t enter. Or rather, shouldn’t enter.

Not all fields marked as dangerous are the same.

Some fields have time limits, others present choices, and certain sub-episodes require specific triggers to progress, or you can’t leave.

However, all these are indirect threats, not direct ones. Plainly speaking, this area directly threatens.

But.

I stepped into that area regardless.

Whizz!

Just a few seconds after entering the field.

An axe came flying straight towards me.

If hit, Carsein might have died.

The trajectory of the axe aimed viciously at my legs.

But.

-Klang!

I’m not so weak that I can’t swat away such a slow object. With stats buffed, I could see clearly, even without system aid.

Swatting away the axe revealed lurking foes.

“Wow, thought it was a black rabbit, turns out it’s a wolf.”

“So what? Even if it is, it’s still just a wolf.”

“Hey buddy. Not too late to surrender. Give us everything you’ve got and we’ll let your limbs stay intact.”

“But you’d have to go home without pants. Hahaha!”

▶Bandits from the East have appeared!◀

▶Combat forced.◀

A group of rough-looking bandits.

As the system window stated, they were the enemies that appear when entering this area.

This was also a game trigger, creating enemies based on entering specific fields or performing set actions.

What does this mean?

I knew that these men would attack me once I entered this area.

The threat level indicated their strength, and I knew that if I hadn’t entered this field, I would have ignored them. I memorized it well enough to use my Retrial Skill.

However, I deliberately triggered this trigger, and from this, I learned one thing.

▶Player stats mitigate the danger level of the field.◀

▶Danger level of this zone: Caution.◀

So, that’s how it is.

“Kid, why did he suddenly start laughing?”

“Lost his mind, huh buddy?”

“Better hope he doesn’t wet himself. That outfit needs to go to the laundry.”

One of the men approached me, chuckling as he placed his arm over my shoulder.

“Alright, alright. Stop shaking and give us what you’ve got. We won’t say anything…”

-Slice!

Thud, thud.

“Ugh, ughaaaah!!”

The man’s arm free-falling, followed by a delayed spray of blood.

And then, an even later scream.

“Why don’t you gang up on me all at once?”

The danger level in combat fields can be mitigated somewhat by stats.

That information is sufficient.

***

The Duke’s household was starting to wake up.

Servants and Isabella, Arina, Claire, and even Flora began stirring, half-asleep.

This meant it was time for Carsein to return.

‘Is Young Master still out?’

Fidgeting, Camila checked the clock and swallowed hard.

About an hour had passed since Carsein left.

‘When will Young Master return…?’

So far, I managed to stall.

First, by claiming I needed more sleep time, and second, by pretending to eat and stretching mealtime.

But, all excuses were used up.

Though the Duke’s household hadn’t noticed Carsein’s absence yet, it wouldn’t take much for someone to inquire.

Just then.

-Thud.

A hand landed on Camila’s shoulder.

Relieved, Camila turned her head.

“Young Master…!”

“Hmm, looks like I’m late.”

“Is that what you call it…?”

Caught off guard, Camila quickly composed herself and grabbed a basket.

“We should head back soon. If asked, we can say you wanted to drink some tea, but—”

“No need.”

“…Excuse me?”

“There’s a solid reason for going out.”

Carsein tapped his scabbard.

Come to think of it, now that I mention it, it smells like blood.

“Let’s go, Camila.”

“Yes, Sir.”

So, Young Master had everything prepared beforehand.

Camila discarded the flowers she intended to use as an excuse under a tree.

***

“Thieves planned to raid the Rusmaier Merchant Guild?”

Arina frowned deeply and asked, showing me several wanted posters.

“These are them. The eastern bandits we couldn’t catch, who caused us so much trouble. I heard about it just now.”

“…Did you really go out because of this?”

“Isn’t that enough reason? It’s my territory.”

After examining the posters for a while, Arina suddenly fell silent, then glanced at me from head to toe before asking.

“Just to make sure, did anyone accompany you?”

“Well…”

I was about to say I went alone but stopped myself.

Yes, here it’s better to mix in a little lie.

“I went with Radiel.”

“…Radiel. If she’s a knight commander, I can trust her abilities.”

Arina sighed deeply, as if relieved.

If I said I went alone, things would have gotten complicated.

Now was the time to throw in an excuse.

“Anyway, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Go ahead.”

“Look at this report. The profits and losses from Rusmaier territory will differ. Therefore, the money in my hands won’t match either. Also—”

Adding a little seasoning with Rusmaier, Arina didn’t say anything further.

Except for one thing.

“Next time, don’t do anything so dangerous, Carsein.”

As Arina’s red ponytail swayed with each step, a status window appeared above it.

[Arina Bargrand]

[Friendship: 45%]

…Why is my friendship level increasing?