159 Cozodori > Thief
The road extending from the village. Moving stealthily along its side.
No, walking openly down the road would certainly draw attention.
Avoid unnecessary trouble before it arises.
This is adult conduct.
So, you're saying I shouldn't sneak?
That’s a separate matter entirely.
This road appears to loop around the mountains and lead inland.
Following it should bring the next town into view.
If it’s a town of reasonable size, perhaps scouting it first and then acting freely would be acceptable.
Of course, only if the situation feels right—only if I feel I can act freely here.
No travelers are currently on the road.
Given that ahead lies that remote rural area surrounded by mountains and sea, even merchants rarely venture there.
Perhaps it's actually a dedicated path used by villagers to deliver crops or make purchases in town.
No one would go to a village like that on purpose.
I'm actually surprised the road isn't overgrown with weeds.
Passing through the mountainous region, emerging into the plains.
Plains, but still plenty of trees—more like half-forest.
Good for moving while remaining concealed.
Continue forward.
Several times, intersecting other paths. The road grows larger with each step.
Started as a mere animal trail—unpaved, narrow—but now it's properly widened, compacted ground.
Closer inspection reveals wheel tracks.
Likely from a carriage or similar vehicle.
Not necessarily pulled by horses.
A carriage, then.
Must be.
Science hasn't advanced that far.
Expected knights to appear, given the setting.
Village life was quite primitive as well.
A typical medieval European-style fantasy world, perhaps?
This area seems tailored to D’s tastes.
Still, the world likely lacks advanced science and technology.
After all, the entire world was rebuilt—expected, given the circumstances.
Ah—carriage detected ahead.
Hmm?
Hnn?
Seems to be in the middle of a confrontation?
That’s right.
Bandits.
Being attacked.
A figure resembling a Guard is engaging with bandits.
Four Guards versus six bandits.
Hmm.
Judging by the assessment, both sides are comparable in strength. The bandits, with greater numbers, hold the advantage.
In fact, all six bandits possess the Theft skill.
Seriously? This is the ultimate skill for bandits.
Ah—One Guard down.
What to do?
Intervening would be troublesome.
But there’s no reason to ignore them either.
Leaving a prime opportunity—like these bandits—unattended is wasteful.
Then again, that would mean I’m the one who intervened when I rescued that carriage.
Troublesome.
Why should I be the one doing such a heroic act?
And even if I do help, I’m a monster myself.
The risk of being attacked by the very people I saved is real.
Well, in that case, I won’t hesitate to retaliate—but still, being saved and then betrayed? That’s not right.
Maybe I should just wait until all the people in that carriage are dead before killing the bandits.
Brilliant idea, right?
No survivors left. No witness testimony from me.
Clean. I’m happy. They’re not.
Total victory. Perfect.
Nope.
Hah.
No choice.
I don’t want to, but I’ll help.
Quickly move.
Engaged in combat with the guards, the thieves remain unaware of my presence.
Convenient.
The somewhat large man in the center is likely the thief leader.
Highest status. Probably so.
Circling behind him, I drive the empty blade into his back.
The sickle pierces through without resistance, impaling the heart.
Of course, the poison is already active—death is certain at this point.
With a slow pull, I extract the sickle. The thief collapses, supportless.
The two thieves on either side stare, unable to process the scene. I swing the sickle horizontally.
Split in two.
Half eliminated.
Of the remaining three, one is shot through the head with earth magic.
I seem to have high affinity for earth magic.
Better range than the wind magic I acquired almost simultaneously.
Two left.
The man attempting to flee.
Unfortunately—
Your body is already bound by threads.
Activate the Eye of Corruption on the two thieves immobilized.
Drain all HP, MP, and SP. The thieves die.
Yes, cleanup complete.
If I were some prince or knight, I’d say to the girl in the rescued carriage, “Are you unharmed?” and “I happened upon the scene just as bandits attacked,” building the proper narrative flags.
Ah, no, no.
That’s why men who attract attention are such a pain.
Ah.
I’ll stop escaping reality here.
Thieves defeated.
Carriage saved.
Guard draws sword.
Here and now.
Well.
I knew this.
I knew it.
In fact, it’s a miracle they didn’t attack immediately.
Not because they feared me.
Certainly suspicious, yet some sense of conscience must have intervened—perhaps thinking it unwise to attack immediately.
I said it once, and I'll say it again: they aren't hesitating out of fear of me.
No. Not at all.
Huh?
Upon closer inspection, the Guard who was struck first—isn't he still alive?
Ah. If we've come this far, might as well see it through.
Approach the fallen figure.
A slight movement causes the other Guards to recoil dramatically.
...Focusing on it means losing.
Activate healing magic.
Yes.
They won't die now.
Not just the Guards—Lady watching cautiously from inside the carriage is also startled.
A monster that saved them from bandits, then cast healing magic—naturally, they're shocked.
Phew.
No further need, I suppose.
Even so, collecting the bandits’ corpses in this state is unsettling. The spider will depart coolly.
The Lady hastily stepped down from the carriage.
Guards were saying something, trying to hold her back.
But that did not matter.
My eyes were fixed on what the Lady held in her arms.
『Race: Human Bloodline: Vampire Level: 1 Name: Sophia Keren (Amano Shoko)
Status
HP: 11/11 (Green) (Details)
MP: 35/35 (Blue) (Details)
SP: 12/12 (Yellow) (Details)
EP: 12/12 (Red) (Details)
Average Attack: 9 (Details)
Average Defense: 8 (Details)
Average Magic: 32 (Details)
Average Resistance: 33 (Details)
Average Speed: 8 (Details)
Skills
"Vampire LV1" "Undead Body LV1" "HP Auto-Regeneration LV1" "Magic Perception LV3" "Magic Manipulation LV3" "Dark Vision LV1" "Sensory Enhancement LV1" "n% I = W"
Skill Points: 75,000
Title
"Vampire" "Primordial"
A baby embraced by the Lady.
Too many inconsistencies to address.