Chapter 28

Chapter 28

28. Lucian Belmore (5)

Actually there is not no method to enhance the Crisis Sense privilege.

Even without obtaining a new privilege.

There was a simple solution.

<​Demian's Crisis Sense (D)> ─The senses honed in real combat by a skilled mercenary are no different from those of a wild animal. [Sense: Crisis Sense (D)]

<​Edgar's Secret Hand (B)> ─The legendary pickpocket of the Dark City Northford was secretive even in death. [Technique: Steal (B)]

<​Marcel's Appraisal Eye (D)> ─The beginner peddler Marcel’s eye for goods had a high reputation even among merchants. [Sense: Value Judgment (D)]

One can use existing privileges as materials.

Even so the reason he did not put it into action until now was because of the hesitation of whether it is right to consume two privileges.

If he did not know the value maybe, but Benrik already experienced how usefully the two privileges can be used.

The first was when pickpocketed in Louiswell, The second was when meeting Baan here in Bromwood.

But with the conversation with Paulo at the workshop a little while ago he realized.

Unlike the determination when first coming down the mountain range that he would not even glance at mercenary, Benrik suited this life quite well.

It is not enjoying the thrill of life hanging by a thread.

The sense of achievement that comes after solving the request, the joy when overcoming a hopeless situation, and the reward fitting that.

Among them what most moved Benrik’s heart was the sincerity the fairies showed in the Great Forest.

Recalling the extreme treatment and delicacies received then, the corners of the mouth naturally twitched.

‘···Anyway.’

If deciding to continue mercenary work the thing to prioritize was only one.

Demian’s Crisis Sense.

Unlike ‘Secret Hand’, ‘Appraisal Eye’ Crisis Sense is a privilege directly connected to life.

So first he was thinking of raising the grade of Crisis Sense by using one of the two as a sacrifice.

‘Hmm, first the privilege that becomes the material should be the Appraisal Eye right?’

It did not seem easy to obtain a B-grade privilege again. As soon as such a thought came to mind as if reading the mind characters floated in the air.

<​Demian's Crisis Sense (D)> + <​Marcel's Appraisal Eye (D) = <​???(D)>

It acts like this.

But the phrase that floated following was not the direction Benrik wanted.

[Will you combine?]

‘···Combination? Not enhancement?’

At the thought that suddenly brushed past he excluded the Appraisal Eye and filled that place with the Secret Hand instead.

<​Demian's Crisis Sense (D)> + <​Edgar's Secret Hand (B)>

= NEW!<​Demian's Crisis Sense (B)>

[Will you enhance?]

Hmm. I see.

Enhancement can only proceed to a higher grade, and combination seems to be able to proceed only between privileges of the same grade.

‘Then conversely is enhancing steal with value judgment not possible?’

Because the grade of steal is higher than value judgment?

[※Enhancement is impossible with the relevant combination.]

As expected.

It means there was no choice from the start.

‘It means one has to use steal as the material.’

When actually about to offer as a sacrifice, hesitation slightly arises.

The privilege of Edgar obtained by chance while waiting only for the day of being driven out after hearing the story that the youngest is scheduled to be born thoroughly did its value.

The fact that Benrik could come down the mountain range while skimming a considerable amount of magical beast byproducts was entirely thanks to Edgar’s privilege.

‘Edgar···.’

The dementia elder whose face outline is even faint now.

─In Northford there is no criminal who does not know my name to the extent. In the Blue Rose Inn tavern there was even liquor named after me to the extent···. The black mage, that, that guy, until that guy pulled out my eyes···! ─Have to find, have to find···. Two hundred, two hundred seven···.

The shock when knowing that the things thought to be nonsense the dementia elder says are real was really.

─Who would want to do thievery. If I was also born in an ordinary house, I wouldn’t have done pickpocketing.

Because he picked up his prosthetic eye in the bear magical beast’s stomach, and absorbed the privilege and inherited some memories he could know.

Edgar’s life was a life that cannot be called smooth even as empty words.

Even if one does not know up to how he came to decorate the end of life in Logon Village.

‘Next time be born in a rich house, Edgar.’

Benrik mourned the elder who lived more desperately than anyone then immediately proceeded with the enhancement.

<​Demian's Crisis Sense (D)> + <​Edgar's Secret Hand (B)>

= NEW!<​Demian's Crisis Sense (B)>

[Will you enhance?]

Even a cow’s horn is said to be pulled while hot. The longer the hesitation the greater the regret would be.

Enhance.

“······Hmm. End, is it?”

There was no effect like light shining as when first obtaining the privilege, but

[Enhanced.] [Crisis Sense (D)-> Crisis Sense (B)]

Such two lines of sentences floated.

Confirming the sentences of only two lines, the distrust that had been rising uncontrollably after meeting Giles seemed to thin a bit.

‘How much, would it have changed.’

The heart wanting to confirm is like a chimney, but the opportunity to test would be better the more delayed.

***

Benrik who finished the enhancement went down to the first floor.

“My baby what did wrong!@#!#~!”

In that short time Bram who became almost unconscious muttered something.

‘Come to think of it they fought.’

Those two people who seemed like they would die without living also fight.

Even though he has never seen Lisa’s face because he has heard the story so much intimacy is even felt.

‘By the way Lucian···.’

He thought he went to the 3rd floor lodging avoiding Bram, but there was not particularly a sign of people on the 3rd floor either.

Surely did he go outside?

“Damn.”

Benrik who softly muttered curses left the office.

He does not particularly think he would have fled, but the fact that until just a while ago he was a noble who had never worn a single piece of clothing with his own hands caught the mind.

Moreover here is Bromwood. It means mines are thickly laid limited to Lucian.

The time Benrik discovered the reddish-brown haired boy was in the outskirts area about 10 minutes away from the mercenary office.

Precisely the boundary area where the distinction between the downtown and the outskirts is ambiguous.

“T-these bug-like things don’t know grace···.”

Absurdly he was being beaten surrounded by kids who look four or five years younger than himself.

Watching briefly it seemed he knew the situation going around.

Whatever he tried to do the guy who flowed in this far seems to have handed coins to the beggars.

The guys whose eyes turned charged.

So, he was being beaten by things that are all skinny and have no strength.

Still perhaps because he was beaten countless times by Benrik until now even with the face swollen the spirit did not die.

“I am Lucian Belmore from Belmore, dare to touch a noble’s body, you guys all─”

Oh my.

“Why don’t you spread the rumor to kill me.” “···!”

Leaving the guy who shows a pleased expression behind whatever is good he looked at the kids glaring with eyes full of poison.

“Go.”

At the thing that occurred immediately after Lucian was surprised.

Not raising the voice like himself, not threatening, and not even cursing.

At just one word of Benrik the kids who were charging like starving field rats step back while hesitating?

“How···?”

That of course Benrik also does not know.

Having lived on the street his whole life the sense of distinguishing dangerous and not might have developed.

Like Benrik started sensitively sensing magical energy to live.

‘Yes?’

Benrik’s gaze suddenly turned to one corner of the alley.

From the corner where the shadow was thick one girl stood up limping.

Would she be about ten now, a girl whose cheek to the eyelid on one side of the face was mottled as if infected with mold.

“Ehehe- thank, thank you.”

Slurred way of speaking, a smiling smile.

It was a girl who seems to have not a single combat power.

But··· clearly it would be so but the fine hairs on the nape of the neck were about to stand or not.

It was a clear Crisis Sense signal.

There was one more strange thing.

Around the girl’s body something like gray smoke flickered. At first he thought he was seeing an illusion but it was not.

It is a similar appearance to the grayish-white mana seen from Giles but a bit different.

Regardless of the person’s character negative emotions were not felt from his mana like this.

‘It is a feeling like smoke not light.’

If one has to find something similar it would be the magical energy side rather than mana.

‘Closer to hostility than killing intent.’

Whichever side it was not a very pleasant sensation.

“······.”

Benrik looked at the girl for a while then turned his back and walked together with Lucian.

“But you said you have no money.” “······.”

This too if one looks quietly is a born guy.

Lying in a situation where one does not know when one will die is also like that, and being robbed by beggars while giving alms with the emergency funds secured staking life like that is also like that.

“Money.” “······.” “You said there isn’t.” “······There really wasn’t. It arose a little while ago. Clothes, by selling the decorations attached to the clothes.”

Then Benrik’s body sank downward.

“···?”

Something thud! flew and collided with Lucian’s forearm.

“Ugh!”

Tears welled a bit at the corners of Lucian’s eyes who grabbed the arm at the dull pain.

‘S-stone···?’

When Lucian was being absurd, Benrik who avoided the flying brick looked at the direction where the girl was.

Tadat, the girl holding a dagger covered with filth charged. Poison is fully raised in the eyes. The limping leg was fine as if when was that.

‘If not prepared one might not have been able to avoid.’

Benrik raised his leg and kicked the girl’s shoulder dance with all his strength.

"Ak!"

The kicked girl was stuck in the mud. Watching for a while, the gray heat haze disappeared as if evaporating.

The girl who was gasping and catching her breath suddenly stood up from the place. In the trembling hands she was holding the dirty dagger like a lifeline.

“······.”

The confrontation was not long. Because the child who was glaring at Benrik with sharp eyes ran deep into the alley.

A satisfied smile floated at the corners of Benrik’s mouth who saw that.

“······.” Lucian who was alternately looking at the alley where the girl disappeared and Benrik with his mouth half open rummaged through his pocket.

─Jingle···.

The held out silver coin. Benrik waved his hand.

“It’s fine. You do it.”

Confirming the performance of the enhanced Crisis Sense alone was enough.

One will have to go through confirmation a few more times, but it seems the enhanced privilege shows the crisis with the eyes.

“No what money do I need, originally I was going to give it to you.” “Is that so?”

He did not refuse twice.

***

The next day, Benrik who finished morning exercise together with Hodge washed cleanly then changed clothes and stood in front of the mirror.

“···Do nobles always live wearing things like this?”

Too cumbersome, and uncomfortable?

“No things like this are only worn by upstarts.”

This bastard, is he saying I look like an upstart now?

“Do I look a bit rich?” “Huh? Uh well···.” “Well, I thought it is good to equip this degree of formality.”

Isn’t it a private meeting with the count in name.

Benrik had not completely given up the thought about the count’s military enlistment.

If one makes a connection even if interest in mercenary life cools or one loses one arm or leg due to an unexpected accident couldn’t one get employed as an administrative soldier?

Didn’t Leliont also do so.

As much as sincerity what is shown is also important, there was nothing bad about leaving a good first impression.

It was the reason Benrik deliberately spent money and dressed up ahead of the luncheon with the count.

‘It feels like going to an interview.’

Somehow excited.

If in the past life he safely graduated university and jumped into the employment frontline, it was the excitement he would have felt countless times.

‘Interview···.’

The flow of consciousness naturally continued to the conversation with Jenkinson last evening.

─Personality evaluation.

When Benrik asked about Drenor’s intention, it was the words Jenkinson said.

Even though he brought up the topic about Drenor it was yesterday that he first revealed the emotion of being blatantly unpleasant not avoiding.

─If the sprouts are visible he intends to teach the sword. Because he is looking for a successor to succeed himself. Don’t mind and do as you want. If a problem arises the responsibility will be borne not by you but by that gentleman.

One does not know why he is looking for another successor while leaving a well-going son as is.

Because Jenkinson’s words are not particularly wrong he decided to do as he wants.

“I forgot to say.” “Yes?” “You also go today.” “Where?”

“The lord’s castle.” “Huh?”

Benrik said once more to Lucian who is experiencing cognitive dissonance.

“Go and explain the circumstances to the count, and beg until the hands become feet.”

© Burrito#1y0o9

Author’s note Thank you for the warm support n3384-nim! I will write hard!