The entire village was buzzing with one shocking piece of news.
The village chief was dead.
Jones Smith—the man who had ruled this place for over ten years, keeping everything in order, controlling all the permissions, taxes, and even who could leave or enter the village—was gone. Just like that.
The news spread like wildfire. The streets that were usually filled with merchants and playful children had gone quiet. People gathered in small groups, whispering, scared, eyes wide with fear and confusion. No one knew how he died. He was found in his office chair, eyes open, body cold.
Some said it was a heart attack.
Others said it was murder.
But no one had seen anything. No one had heard anything. And strangely, the guards who were supposed to protect the mansion said they hadn't noticed anything wrong until the morning.
As if the man had died... right under their noses.
Inside Aunt Lindy's house, we were having a quiet meal when Darcy suddenly burst into the room, her face pale and voice shaking.
"Aric! Did you hear? The village chief… he's dead!"
I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be shocked. "What? What are you talking about?"
"Yes!" she said, almost breathless. "They found him this morning! People are saying it happened during the night. Aric, I really think you shouldn't go out at night anymore. It's not safe."
Before I could reply, Sarah walked in from the kitchen, holding a wooden plate in her hands. She had clearly overheard the conversation.
"Is that true? The chief is really dead?" she asked, her brows furrowed, her tone unusually serious.
"Yeah, it's true," Aunt Lindy confirmed, walking in after her. "I heard it from the baker's wife. The whole mansion is locked down. No one's allowed near it. Guards are acting strange too… like they're hiding something."
Everyone fell silent.
For years, the village chief had been untouchable—strict, powerful, feared. But now… he was just a cold body in a quiet room. And his death had shaken the village like an earthquake.
No one was talking about the noble siblings' fight anymore. That story vanished overnight, buried under the much louder whispers of power, death, and fear.
And I, sitting there with them, pretended to be just another villager… when deep inside, I already knew the truth.
The balance of power was breaking.
Two days had passed since the village chief's death.
His son, Corwin Smith, had put up a bounty — 100 gold coins — for anyone who could give him information about his father's death. Obviously, it was a trap. The guy just wanted someone to blame.
But I had nothing to do with it.
At least, not in a way anyone could prove.
Right now, I stood in front of the Noble Residence — a luxurious villa where high-ranking guests stayed when they visited the village. I wasn't here for sightseeing. I was here for a target.
Erika Hankermen.
The woman I had used my Slave Will on. I needed to check how much it had worked, but more importantly — how useful she could be in the future.
I activated all my powers:
X-ray Vision, Invisibility, Physical Boost, Weak Points, and Inspect.
My body felt light. My senses sharpened.
I leapt over the wall like a shadow.
The estate was grand. Marble floors, multiple fountains, and flower beds that looked like they came straight from a royal garden. Guards were everywhere, standing straight with spears and swords, but none of them noticed me.
I slipped through the main door, which was oddly left open. Inside, at the reception desk, sat a man and a woman, both dressed in formal wear, probably staff.
Moving room by room, I checked using my X-ray until I found Erika's room. Just as I was about to enter, something caught my eye.
Room 307.
Inside were three noble men, sitting around a table. But what grabbed my attention were the crimson red crystals laid out in front of them.
> [Inspect] Result: Crimson Shard — Increases user's natural talent upon absorption. Extremely rare and valuable.]
My breath stopped.
These things were priceless. Way more useful than Erika. I changed my target immediately.
The door was closed. I waited.
Ten minutes later, one of them stepped out, probably to use the bathroom.
The moment the door opened, I slipped in silently.
The remaining two nobles were chatting and drinking alcohol.
One of them laughed, "Hey Corwin, with these fragments, we could earn a fortune!"
The other replied, "It took a hell of a job to steal them from the ceremony. Even being the son of the village chief didn't make it easy."
My eyes narrowed.
Corwin Smith.
The second son of the dead chief.
Sitting here, smiling like nothing had happened.
No sadness. No regret. Just greed.
I slowly picked up a heavy antique vase from the shelf behind me. Took a breath. Focused.
BAM.
The noble next to Corwin dropped instantly, unconscious.
"Wh-What?! Who's there?!" Corwin jumped, looking around, panicked.
But instead of screaming for help, his eyes darted straight to the crimson shards on the table.
He knew.
If anyone saw those, he'd be jailed—or worse.
Before he could move or scream—
THUMP.
I hit him too. He crumpled like a puppet with cut strings.
The room went silent.
I looked at the crimson shards. I wanted them. Needed them. But I couldn't just carry them outside in my arms—that would get me caught for sure.
I opened my System Shop and started searching.
After a moment, I found what I needed.
> New Skill: Invisible Inventory
Store any physical item in a hidden dimensional space. Max capacity: 300 cubic meters.
Cost: 200 U-Tokens. Mana Drain: 1 per day.
Perfect.
I had 500 U-Tokens left. I bought it immediately.
Suddenly, a new feeling washed over me — like a door had opened in my mind. I imagined storing the shards, and they vanished right into the inventory space, like magic. I grabbed a few antique vases and cups for extra loot and stored those too.
Mission accomplished.
I walked over to the balcony, opened the window, and jumped down into the shadows.
Erika could wait.