Chapters 680 (2/2)

Well… Lucretia turned to the cloaked figure. Who knew how hostile that gaze would be.

...these three did realize that her body was only that of a five-year-old girl, correct…? Monster or not, she wasn’t yet at the age she would be working.

“...violence has its uses.” The man said smoothly. “Which is why you have been brought here. I would like to offer you an opportunity. If you accept it, both of your parents will be cared for. They will not need to work a day for the rest of their lives.”

That got Lucretia’s attention. Although Massy hadn’t realized it yet, she was pregnant again. Due to the morning sickness, her performance as a message runner was taking a nosedive. This stressed her out, which caused her to catch an entirely different kind of sickness. Lucretia had considered many ways to assist the family’s finances but was stuck at somewhat of an impasse.

After all, there were no Skills in the world.

There were magic and real, vocational skills. But there were no Levels. No Classes. No stats. Everything was hidden, although Lucretia suspected that there was some sort of numerical System underlying it all. But for all her age and experience, she still felt lost without any Skills to rely on. She… didn’t know what to do.

“What sort of work will I be required to do?” Lucretia asked. Although she was truly five, her monster blood made her body mature somewhat faster than Spriggits. To adults unfamiliar with her, she could pass as a short and skinny ten-year-old. Besides, playing dumb had never been Lucretia’s game.

“Creta, that is your name, yes? You would be a shadow.”

Lucretia turned and looked at the cloaked figure with raised eyebrows. It was somewhat surprising to her that the hidden figure was female if just based on her voice.

“What is a shadow?” Lucretia asked slowly.

“Cold and calculating,” The hostile eyed woman said sourly.

The older Spriggit man smiled. “And capable.” Then he turned back to Lucretia. “A shadow is a being tied to another, that takes care of the darkness so that the other can bask in the light.”

Something clicked in Lucretia’s mind. She had seen them before, those few monsters that were allowed into the Ministry. They were never alone. In fact, they were generally following just behind a Minister, their eyes scanning around. An aide, a bodyguard, a shadow.

“Okay,” Lucretia said with a nod. “When can I start?”

An opportunity would put her closer to those in power. In addition, Lucretia had no doubt that she would be trained in preparation for this assignment. Both would be helpful as she figured out how to grab Randidly’s attention. She needed capability and influence. Although she had some protective feelings towards her family, it wasn’t overly emotional; not being able to see them in the future wouldn’t be a crippling blow.

“Today. Follow me.” The cloaked figure said. Then she stood and went out the servant’s door. Lucretia followed. She wouldn’t see daylight for two years.

Honestly, Lucretia would perhaps not have seen daylight for longer except for two facts: First, she realized that although she didn’t have access to her own Status she could see, her connection to Randidly gave her access to his Skills. Almost innately, she had muscle memory and hyper-powerful intuition that couldn’t be explained any other way. Her Fighting Proficiency was so much that Granyulla, her trainer, was forced to admit Creta was the most talented youth she ever taught.

Granyulla was the woman in that room the first day and was also a White Hunter. Although rarely seen outside their land, it made sense to employ them as a martial instructor. It was just that Lucretia was practically cheating. Especially when she realized that striking with the bones of her wings could be used in conjunction with Talon Strike, in addition to using her hands.

So for two long years in the dark, Lucretia familiarized herself with her body and paid lip service to learning to read, do math, conduct business, understand law, and assist another fully in their role as monarch of a company.

She was ready because of the first reason. But she left because of the second reason.

The second reason was that a girl named Alta Bounty was born, and the Bounty family had paid for their daughter to have a shadow.