chapter 80 letter

Kaelith's Secret – The Letter from Malthor

Kaelith slipped away from the chaotic mob, his movements smooth and unnoticeable.

The players were still fighting to sign Pink Solutions' contract, their eyes filled with greed and desperation. None of them noticed one shadow vanishing into the alleys.

A few turns.

A dark corner.

Kaelith leaned against the stone wall of a deserted building, scanning his surroundings. No eyes on him. No threats.

Only then did he slowly unfold the slip of paper Malthor had pressed into his palm.

The parchment was rough, aged, and slightly crumpled—a merchant's receipt at first glance. But as Kaelith's eyes moved across the ink, his smirk returned.

Malthor's Message

The handwriting was elegant, practiced—but rushed.

> "Well played, shadow-walker. You fed the dogs their own poison."

Kaelith chuckled. Malthor had noticed his trickery.

> "The fools drown themselves in chains, but you… you have no leash. Good. That means we can do business."

Kaelith's fingers tapped against the paper. Business? That meant Malthor wasn't just some scammer merchant—he had a bigger game to play.

> "Meet me at the Rusted Tankard at midnight. Alone. Your reward will be worth it."

Kaelith's eyes narrowed.

The Rusted Tankard.

A shady tavern deep in the slums of Greenhaven. A place where mercenaries, thieves, and outcasts gathered to sell information, trade stolen goods, or make bloody deals.

Dangerous. But promising.

At the bottom of the note, a final line was scribbled hastily—almost as if Malthor had added it at the last second.

> "One more thing… Trust no one. The real hunt begins soon."

Kaelith exhaled slowly.

A warning.

Not just casual advice—Malthor was serious.

Something bigger was happening in Greenhaven.

Kaelith folded the paper carefully, tucking it into his sleeve.

His next move was clear.

At midnight, he would meet Malthor.

And find out just what game he had stepped into.

Kaelith's Task – The Phantom Flower's Delivery

The noble chambers of Moonveil Estate were dimly lit by golden chandeliers, their soft glow reflecting off polished marble floors. The heavy scent of lavender and wine filled the air, a contrast to the filth Kaelith had crawled through to complete his task.

At the center of the room, lounging on an ornate velvet chair, was Lara Valienne.

She exuded power and elegance, draped in a flowing silk gown, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. In one hand, she twirled a delicate wine glass, watching Kaelith with amused indifference.

Her gaze flicked to him the moment he entered.

Kaelith moved with quiet confidence, his boots barely making a sound against the expensive flooring.

Then, without hesitation, he dropped to one knee, his movements controlled and deliberate.

With his right hand, he reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, glass container. Inside lay a single Phantom Flower—a delicate black petal, its edges glowing faintly with an eerie, silver light.

The rarest of its kind.

The moment the flower left his grasp, the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Lara's Amusement

Lara's lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.

"Well, well… peasant, you continue to amuse me."

She leaned forward, resting her elbow on the armrest, her chin lightly resting on the back of her hand.

Kaelith remained still, expression unreadable, though he was well aware of the mockery in her voice.

She took the container delicately, tilting it slightly, watching the phantom-like shimmer dance along the petals.

"A perfect specimen," she murmured, almost to herself. "Untouched. Preserved. You certainly exceeded my expectations."

She tapped her fingers against the glass, her nails making a faint clicking sound.

Then, slowly, her gaze returned to Kaelith.

"And tell me, peasant—was it difficult?"

Kaelith smirked, but his voice remained dry.

"I've had worse."

Lara chuckled softly, reclining back into her chair.

"You always say that."

Kaelith didn't respond.

Lara's amusement lingered for a moment longer before she set the container aside.

She picked up her wine glass again, swirling its contents thoughtfully.

"Most would have perished in those bandit ruins," she mused. "Yet here you are. Alive. Unscathed."

She took a sip, then smiled.

"A shame you're just a peasant."

Kaelith's smirk didn't waver, but internally, he knew—Lara never gave compliments.

This was something else.

A test.

And the real game was only just beginning.

Lara Valienne's smirk didn't fade as she leaned back, tapping a delicate finger against her wine glass.

"Well, since you impressed me, I suppose it's only fair that I… reward you."

Kaelith remained still. He knew nobles never gave anything for free.

She reached into a small golden box beside her chair and pulled out a silver-plated emblem. It gleamed under the soft candlelight, the intricate engraving of Greenhaven's sigil carved onto its surface.

She held it between two fingers, watching Kaelith's face carefully.

"From this moment forward, you are no longer just some nameless peasant," she declared, her voice dripping with mock generosity.

"You are now a Second-Rate Citizen of Greenhaven."

She flicked the emblem toward him, and Kaelith caught it midair.

The moment his fingers wrapped around it, a system notification appeared in his vision.

---

[System Alert]

You have gained 'Second-Rate Citizenship' of Greenhaven.

You can now enter the noble district freely.

You can access higher-tier merchant shops.

You can take on noble commissions.

Some NPCs will look at you with mild respect.

---

Kaelith clenched the emblem slightly.

It was better than being a peasant, but still nowhere near the status of true nobility. A leash, not a reward.

He kept his face neutral, knowing Lara was studying his reaction.

A Rare Gift – The Frozen Arrow Skill Book

Before he could speak, Lara pulled out something else—a skill book.

The blue-leathered tome shimmered faintly with an icy aura. The title, Frozen Arrow, was elegantly engraved in silver.

She tapped the book against her palm, watching him.

"Take it," she said lazily. "A rare skill. You should feel honored."

Kaelith reached out and grasped the book. The moment he touched it, another system notification appeared.

---

[System Alert]

You have obtained 'Frozen Arrow' (Rare Skill).

A powerful ice-based arrow skill.

Inflicts heavy frost damage.

Effective against fire-elemental enemies.

---

Kaelith's eyes narrowed slightly as he processed the significance of this skill.

In his previous life, this very skill book had caused a massive war.

At first, it was just a rare skill used by elite archers, but after the Second Evolution of Monsters, many creatures developed elemental resistances—especially against fire.

When that happened, skills like Frozen Arrow became priceless.

It had once been sold for 1,000 gold.

And Lara had just handed it to him as if it were nothing.

Kaelith forced a small smirk.

"I didn't know nobles were so generous."

Lara chuckled, tilting her head.

"Generous?" she repeated. "No, no, peasant. I simply enjoy watching how people behave when they think they've been given power."

Her gaze darkened slightly.

"You'll prove whether this was a waste—or an investment."

Kaelith said nothing.

He simply pocketed the book.

He already knew—this so-called 'reward' was bait.

And he would play along… for now.