Chapter 153

<.. Hassan and the Nine-Headed Thief..>

153 – Hassan and the Nine-Headed Thief #4

The Sand Girl, perhaps a woman named Dorthea, shouts softly.

“You’re the last of the nine thieves!”

“What?”

“That thing, it’s the same scroll as mine. This isn’t the place to talk. Follow me…”

Then, with a whoosh, the Sand Girl Dorthea quickly disappears somewhere. Though I have no idea what’s going on, it seems like following her is a good idea.

We eventually make our way to the back exit, past the staff lounge, and step outside the building.

“The moon is bright.”

She glances up at the night sky before beginning to climb up the building, grabbing onto walls, pipes, and railings.

Srrp, thump, thump…

The woman soon ascends to the rooftop and looks down at me while speaking.

“What are you doing? You should come up here too. No one will know about it here.”

Climbing a two-story building like that by hand—it’s impressive strength or remarkable agility. There are some protrusions to hold onto, but climbing walls is not something anyone can do.

“Hurry! If my partner finds out, I’m in trouble…”

However, she kept urging me, so with a confused mind, I placed my hands here and there to follow her and climb up to the roof.

Thud, thump…

There are plenty of places to put your feet and hands, allowing me to easily reach the rooftop.

“You climb slowly, but it looks like you have strength.”

Saying this, the Sand Girl Dorthea comments as if evaluating me.

“What exactly is going on that you’re asking me to climb up here? Did you bring me here under the moonlight for some grand plan? Are you trying to pull something?”

My intoxication from earlier seemed to fade as I climbed. What is this strange endeavor under the moonlight? Is she up to no good?

Her slender waist, jingling accessories, and long, well-built limbs seem seductive, and without any warning, a stirring sensation arises.

Of course, I know that nothing like what I imagine will happen.

Still, my body always holds onto hope, hardening at every opportunity. Perhaps too much health is indeed a problem.

Anyway, to calm my rising excitement, I shift my gaze to the surrounding scenery. Viewing the western slums of Sodomora from this high rooftop feels quite strange.

Under the moonlight, you can see rooftops covered with tiles and plaster. Surprisingly, many houses don’t even have proper roofs, with ceilings wide open.

Nevertheless, the clear view makes my chest feel open, lifting my spirits. At that moment, Sand Girl Dorthea speaks.

” Seeing an unfamiliar face with the emblem of the officers means that you’ve passed the chief’s test, right?”

Emblem of the officers? The chief’s test? Strange terms kept flooding my ears. I strained my brain to infer the meaning of her words.

“Are you perhaps referring to the masked man in the underground market? He’s quite large.”

“Yeah, the Titanium Lockpicking Test.”

“Ah, so are you someone who works under the Thief Guild, a senior leader or something?”

“Yes. The eight scrolls are scattered throughout the city, so how did it end up with me? Truly bad luck. Teaching new recruits isn’t my style.”

New recruit teaching?

Before I could fully grasp the meaning of her words, Dorthea glanced around and continued.

“But anyway, judging from your ability to climb up here and open a lock, you seem like you have a knack for certain skills. Is there anything else you should know?”

“Are you asking me?”

“Yeah, if there’s something you don’t know, tell me, and I’ll explain it. To be honest, I’m not great at teaching. I’m not sure where to start.”

“I’m not even sure what I don’t know.”

“…That’s serious. Why did the chief approve someone like you? Is stealing even your thing?”

“I just applied to the Thief Guild. Is this some form of senior executive evaluation?”

At my question, she slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand.

“No, what? Didn’t that guy, Big Joe, explain it to you? That guy’s been slacking ever since the new chief took over.”

Complaining to herself, the veil-clad thief Dorthea grew annoyed.

“You’re now a senior executive of the Thief Guild as of today! Unlocking the cell was the test!”

“sh*t.”

“What?”

“No, I’m just super excited.”

Would there ever be a day in my life where I could occupy higher positions like executives?

The highest positions I’ve held were the group leader on team assignments and the Bronze Adventurer Party Captain. Can Hassan, who bounced between slavery and being an enslaved gladiator, count as having achieved success now that he’s a senior member?

But even as I’ve become an executive, I’ve been selected as a member of the soon-to-be-eliminated Thief Guild. What benefits come with this position, I wondered and decided to ask.

“Does being a senior member of the Thief Guild come with any privileges?”

“Yes, presenting that scroll allows you to freely use many information merchants in the underground market!”

“I see.”

“Why are you reacting like that? This is a huge deal!”

“I see!”

Apparently, obtaining free information from merchants in the underground market is a significant advantage. I decided to genuinely celebrate this even though I don’t fully understand it yet!!

As I was conspicuously rejoicing, Dorthea glanced at me carefully. Her staring at my face and figure intrigued me.

Could it be that she noticed the gauntlet I’m wearing, which is a remarkable piece worth 4 gold each?

“You’re quite a large guy. It tends to be a disadvantage for tasks when you’re so big.”

“Is it?”

“Recently, high-level adventurers have been trying hard to capture us, even going as far as inviting high-level adventurers from other regions. Even so, we aren’t easily caught. But with your size, I feel you’d be easy to catch.”

If I were caught, it’s more like I’m on the side that should be catching them.

However, from her words, it seems that there’s a large-scale operation against the thief guild in Sodomora, though the details remain secret for now.

If she had known the full details, she would have been very wary of me, given my mandate to eliminate the guild.

It helps in situations like this that the world lacks advancements in internet and telecommunications.

I decided to try and capitalize on whatever advantages this situation could offer.

Then Dorthea continued with one more comment.

“It’s hard to imagine you sneaking around big items. Are you perhaps a Samaritan thief? Have you ever stolen anything?”

Have you ever stolen anything? Back in elementary school, I often swiped coins from my mom’s and dad’s wallets.

When I became a middle schooler, I got bolder and even stole ten thousand won notes. I got caught and received beatings, but nonetheless, I do have experience.

“I guess I have.”

“…Hmm, hard to believe, but I just can’t picture it. Okay, follow me. I need to see your skills.”

*

The Sand Girl Dorthea moved nimbly from roof to roof like a mischievous thief cat.

Because of her light build and flexibility, she moved with ease across irregular rooftops without slipping even once.

But for me, chasing her was pure torture. Slipping and falling between rooftops, I ended up breaking roof tiles everywhere.

I guess I’m causing noise, disturbing the sleep of those inside. Though I feel guilty about it, it’s essentially a covert investigation, so there’s nothing to be done.

After running for a while, Dorthea arrived near the guardhouse close to the western gate of Sodomora.

With the characteristics of guards on duty 24 hours a day, the guardhouse was still reasonably lit with lanterns glowing faintly despite the late hour.

Tap.

Gracefully descending from the roof, Sand Girl Dorthea. She hides in a dark alley with only her face peeking out, watching a corner outside and speaks.

“The guards at the west gate always carry ropes tied around their back pockets. I’ll steal those, so watch closely.”

Dorthea’s eyes seemed to be fixed on an armed guard yawning while pacing back and forth in front of the guardhouse. I also kept an eye on him.

Clomp, clomp.

The guard’s movements were predictable and regular.

Dorthea must have noticed this because, taking advantage of the guard turning his back, she crouched and approached him stealthily.

Despite wearing accessories that usually make a lot of noise, surprisingly, there wasn’t a single sound coming from her as she moved in a crouched position.

That’s truly amazing.

She certainly lives up to being a senior member of the Thief Guild.

Then again, d*mn, if Dorgo’s little sister is a senior thief… Dorgo, you’ve really overlooked your sibling’s education, haven’t you?

As I was lost in thought, the Thief Guild senior Dorthea stealthily grabbed the rope tied to the guard’s waist and stole it. She then slowly crept back to my side.

Dorthea dropped the long rope in front of me with a swish. The coiled rope looked like a curled snake.

“How about that? That’s the basic level you should be capable of. Do you think you can do the same?”

Can I? To be honest, I probably can’t.

As if reading my thoughts, Dorthea added a few more words.

“If you can’t do this, by my discretion, I’ll remove you from the senior executive position. I’ll confiscate that scroll, and then you won’t be able to attend tomorrow’s senior executive meeting.”

“Senior executive meeting?”

“Yeah. Even the old master, Heidero, will attend this time. We’ll pull off a big heist tomorrow and then lay low for a while after that.”

I’m not sure of the details, but it seems that the seniors of the guild are gathering at one location tomorrow.

If I can gather information on the location to pass along to Hippolyte, it’s not impossible to catch all their senior members in one fell swoop.

Total capture of the thieves.

Reward from the baron of Sodomora.

Health center.

Massive points and level ups, becoming a Gold Tier adventurer.

A happy married life with Luna, Hippolyte being proud of me, and Elpride fuming with envy towards such a successful me.

Vivid images flashed through my mind.

Starting as an illegal foreign resident and attaining a dream career, house, and wife that everyone envies in the Gaia Continent… it can certainly be called a Gaia Dream.

d*mn, missing this opportunity is out of the question.

“I can do it. Let’s try.”

“Confidence is good to see, but I’m not sure if your large figure can be stealthy. Anyway, take this rope and tie it back to the man’s waist without being noticed.”

To return something stolen just now without being caught is truly difficult. But I have a secret trump card.

Because I possess the strange grace of Nox, which adjusts the likelihood of detection during secretive actions!

“Here’s your five minutes. That’s how long it takes for the guards to respond.”

“Then I’ll return quickly. Wait for me.”

Srrt.

Holding the rope in my hand, I followed the same path Dorthea took earlier, lowering my posture.

Then, step by step, I slowly approached the guard. I had already observed his movement pattern beforehand, so there was no difficulty.

“Nox -.”

Calling upon the Proto-Gene who governs the force of the night, I drew in a large breath, and the familiar words arose.

“The Mantle of Silent Night activates.”

“The task value will be used to adjust the probability of detection for stealth actions.”

“Remaining Task Value: 97.”

96.

95.

94…

Okay, it’s working well.

The Task Value decreases by one every second, so I have around 90 seconds.

There’s no need to use the full five minutes; I should get the job done quickly before further wasting my precious Task Values.

Srrt, srrt.

I managed to get directly behind the guard.

“sh*t, time’s not passing. Where’s the shift change, goddamn it.”

I was so close that I could clearly hear the muttering man. Carefully, I placed the rope around his waist. But how do I tie it back without being noticed?

Trying to tie the rope around his waist made me hesitate.

Necessarily, my hands will touch his waist to tie the knot. He’ll likely feel the movement, and the grace might wear off. My enhanced hands from the Sun God’s grace, though careful and precise, may not be enough.

But, with gold-tier adventurer instincts and the hero Hassan’s spirit, I cannot hesitate.

While imagining my success, I reached out to the man’s waist.

Srrt, srrt.

Tying the tentacles is something I’ve done countless times, so it wasn’t that tricky.

Gaaaak.

Done! sh*t!

After securing the knot properly, I returned to the alley corner where Sand Girl Dorthea was waiting.

“Finally, is that it done?”

Letting out a sigh, I caught my breath as familiar words floated back.

“The Mantle of Silent Night deactivates.”

“Remaining Task Value: 60.”

When I first activated the grace, I had a value of 97, so it took around 40 seconds to complete the task.

Thinking back now, I could have done it faster, but I lost about 10 seconds to hesitation.

Wasting 10 Task Values is unfortunate, but oh well.

Anyway, I got the job done without being noticed. What kind of evaluation would this veteran senior of the Thief Guild give me? But she only blinked her brown eyes under the dark shadow without saying a word.

“Is there a problem?”

“… No, it’s faster than I did. What did you do? What magic is this? Did you somehow hide in the dark, making yourself unseen?”

Soon, Dorthea bombarded me with questions as if she’d witnessed something unbelievable. Apparently, what I just did was quite impressive even to seniors of the Thief Guild.

sh*t, who would have thought my experiences with my mother’s and father’s wallets would be useful in a situation like this.

“Perhaps you have a favor? A follower of the god of thieves and messengers? Did Mercury’s grace give you exceptional thievery skills?”

“No.”

“Then, what gods could assist with these thievery skills? Someone… who… Oh! The Goddess of the Night? Is it you? Granted, it’s absurd to receive the grace of the Goddess of the Night.”

“Well, kind of…-.”

Just as I was trying to ambiguously dodge the conversation, the previously stealthy Sand Girl Dorthea suddenly yelled.

“Wow, you’re quite a pureblooded expert! Receiving grace from the Night Goddess! You’re a naturally gifted thief! Vile and wretched thief! Filth of the world! True b*stard!”

sh*t, I don’t know if this is praise or an insult. But judging from her enlarged eyes behind the veil, and her loud voice and erratic dancing, it seems like she’s praising me.

So, strange praises do exist. Feeling a bit peculiar, I listened as Sand Girl Dorthea added something unbelievable.

“You might… You might surpass the cursed eight and become the new leader! No, it can only be you…!”

————————— = Afterword —————————=

Yayayeah, 8lackie, PotatoServer, Kadeom, Scopion, JoyChang, HuiFan, TosToast, and all sponsors… Thanks a ton!

You’ve given so many sponsorship coupons… I’ll spend the money on ice cream to celebrate.

And as always, thank you so much for your comments and recommendations!

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