Chapter 27 Magic Staff
As the words "Eight Fingers" were spoken—
The air froze for an instant.
"I warned you before—don't talk nonsense,"the black-robed man blocking the path behind Minori finally growled, his voice low and rough.
"Hey, I didn't say anything,"the thief sneered, holding his dagger in a reverse grip, cold killing intent radiating from him.
Hearing their brief exchange,Minori instantly understood:
Their true goal wasn't money—it was him.
The so-called "Eight Fingers"—an underground criminal organization with eight distinct divisions—had influence stretching across almost the entire Kingdom of Re-Estize.
Behind them stood even certain powerful nobles of the kingdom.
The lawlessness around the slave trade had bred countless dark networks—child abductions, brothels, drug trade, bribery...And all of it flourished under the kingdom's watchful yet complicit eyes.
Minori recalled:Within a year or two, the Golden Princess Renner would propose a "Decree Prohibiting the Slave Trade", a move that would deal Eight Fingers a crippling blow.
But that too was no act of kindness.
Renner, despite being trapped within the palace, with no subordinates or military strength, somehow manipulated events from behind the scenes, gathering popular support and even influencing the neighboring Bahamut Empire to counter the Bloody Emperor.
No wonder the people of the kingdom whispered her name with both awe and dread:Monster Princess.
On the street—
The dangerous situation made Minori tense.
He gripped his dagger in his left hand, while his right hand quietly reached into his item box, pulling out a first-tier Magic Arrow scroll he had purchased earlier.
"You two must be insane. This isn't far from the central square and the Adventurer's Guild. Aren't you afraid that if I shout, you'll have no escape?"Minori deliberately raised his voice, trying to draw attention.
"You can shout as much as you like,"the black-robed man behind him said with grim amusement.
"But it won't help you."
Minori's heart sank.
He turned sharply—and saw the man holding a small cane about ten centimeters long—a short staff.
At the same time, a notification flashed across Minori's field of vision:
[Skill detected: Silence]Requirement: Basic magic caster class, Level 8–14.
[Current requirements not met…]
Instantly, Minori understood:
A Short Staff.
A short staff—a magic item superior to a scroll.While a magic scroll contained a single-use spell usable by anyone, a short staff stored multiple uses—but was bound by the user's profession.Only specific classes could activate specific types of magic stored within.
In Yggdrasil, short staffs were precious items.In this world, even more so.
The conclusion was clear:The black-robed man was an arcane-type magic caster.
A thief and a magic caster—Minori judged swiftly which opponent had to be eliminated first.
"Be a good boy and give up!"the masked thief suddenly growled.
He pushed off the ground with startling speed, his body blurring as he shot forward.
"—Behead!"
His speed surged.Even his figure became indistinct.
Seeing that, Minori gritted his teeth—No time to hesitate.
Without a moment's delay, he hurled the Magic Arrow scroll at the charging thief.
A flash of magic!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!Three attribute-less magic arrows erupted from the scroll, streaking toward the enemy.
Almost simultaneously, another notification appeared:
[Skill detected: Magic Arrow]Requirement: Basic magic caster class, Level 1–7.
[The Genius class activates—bypassing class restrictions. Spend 1 Skill Point to learn?]
Without even looking at the outcome of the magic attack,Minori instantly agreed internally as he pivoted, rushing toward the magic caster instead.
Skill acquired: Magic Arrow (Lv.1)
MP Consumption: 5
Description: Fires three attribute-less arrows. Additional arrows can be summoned by expending more MP (up to 10).
"You made a mistake choosing me as your opponent, brat!"The black-robed magic caster sneered.
He began chanting:
"Strong Acid—"
But before he could finish—
"Magic Arrow!"
Minori struck first.
Three newly conjured magic arrows materialized and shot toward the caster with lethal speed.
The black-robed man's heart jolted in disbelief.
A faith caster should not be able to use arcane magic!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
In a panic, he abandoned his chant and switched spells:
"Shield Wall!"
Swish!
A translucent, shimmering wall of force appeared.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The three magic arrows slammed into it, dispersing on impact.
"You little runt… you'll regret—"
The black-robed man hadn't finished his threat.
Because Minori had already closed the distance.
Fifteen meters—gone in the blink of an eye!
Impossible!No normal magic caster could move so fast unless—
—Unless he wasn't only a caster!
The thought barely crossed his mind—
And then Minori's dagger flashed:
"Quick Slash!"
A gleam of steel—
The blade struck the caster's throat—
Bzzt!
Only to rebound off a sudden flash of white light—A defensive magic item had activated!
But Minori didn't flinch.
He pushed harder.
The white light flickered—and shattered.
Pshhk!
The dagger carved across the caster's exposed throat.
Blood gushed out in a hot, violent spray.
[Experience gained: 350]
"You fool,"Minori muttered.
Relying on a single-use magic defense, yet standing so close to an armed opponent.No caution.No experience.
No second chances.
Behind him, furious footsteps approached.
"You bastard! I'm gonna carve you into pieces!"
The thief had shaken off the magic arrow attack and was already upon him.
No sound—Silent as a wraith.
Thieves' techniques—or a skill?Minori's instincts screamed danger.
He spun around just in time.
The thief's dagger—now glowing with a dark violet light—was slashing toward him.
Another magic weapon!
Clang!!
Their blades collided violently.
A harsh, metallic shriek tore through the alley.
A crack split across Minori's dagger.
The thief's eyes widened slightly, surprised that Minori had blocked it at all.
Snap!
Minori glanced down at his cracked blade.
Then he smiled—a cold, dangerous smile.
The tension in his body melted away.
"I just realized something,"Minori said softly, raising his eyes to the stunned thief.
A glint of battle hunger flashed across his gaze.
"You're weaker than me."