Chapter 696 (2/2)
Summon Mask (Un): After selecting a basic mask or disguise, you may summon it to your position at any time. Cost increases with distance and size of the mask. Effect is always instant. Cost decreases with Skill Level. Warning, when the user is surprised, there is a high chance of activating automatically.
“Shit, it’s the Knight-Errant Ducis!” One of the masked men shouted. Then he immediately turned and dashed away, leaving his partner holding the backpack man and a knife.
The remaining man’s eyes widened until Naffur could clearly see the whites of his eyes, even through the Ghosthound mask. The man was clearly trembling. “Please… please…. Don’t come any closer… I’ll-”
Naffur stepped forward and punched him in the face.
Congratulations! Your Skill Cheap Shot has become Level 52!
The problem, Naffur thought ruefully as the backpacked man thanked him, was that recently, rumors of the presence of the Knight-Errant Ducis had spread through the streets of the Orchard. Most people were proud that such a hero was here. But criminals dreaded Naffur, even though he wanted nothing to do with them. For all Naffur cared, the common crime could continue unabated. He had been on the receiving end long enough to have little empathy for rich individuals who had a little skimmed off the top due to a poor decision to go down the wrong alley.
The six castes of an Order were Cadets, Knight-Errants, Gallants, Chevaliers, Paladins, Abbots, and finally Prelates. After the Lottery and Naffur’s appointment as a Cadet of the Order Ducis, Nevaeh had quickly announced that as the only current Cadet, he had been promoted to Knight-Errant due to “inherent qualifications”.
Knight-Errant didn’t mean much to Naffur at the time, but that was because he didn’t quite understand the difference. But after hearing some of the same youths who had previously bullied Naffur excitedly talking about how much they wished they could be a Knight-Errant in any Order, Naffur realized his understanding had been a bit shallow.
A cadet was an aspirant. A Knight-Errant was the basic full member of an Order, and it was on the Knight-Errant’s that an Order would be judged. It was them that the population would interact in most frequently. Or at least, that was the state currently with all the Orders in fledgling states, trying to market themselves.
Plus, with Naffur’s Skill basically forcing him into awkward situations…
It did have the positive benefit of giving him some chance to test out his new fighting Skills, so Naffur’s initial reaction to it was rather annoyed, but overall not too bothered.
Then Naffur had walked in on a woman being eaten out in an alleyway, and she had beaten the shit out of him. Of all times, the Summon Mask chose that moment not to appear to cover his face. It had been a firm reminder that although he was getting stronger, it was nothing compared to most people with Classes.
And it also served as a reminder that he was not lucky, he had the Devil’s Luck. For good or ill.
Naffur hurried away from the scene of the mugging, leaving the knocked out man on the ground. After he was out of eyesight, he removed the mask and tossed it in the trash with a forlorn expression. No matter what he did, it would be back. Naffur had even tired keeping himself deprived of Mana so it wouldn’t randomly appear, but that hadn’t stopped it.
The only real consequence was a killer headache from Mana deprivation.
His meal tonight was street tacos from a small truck in one of the slums of the Orchard. But for all that the company wasn’t the best, the chorizo was to die for. Still, Naffur ate with his eyes peeled. He had also found that even if he wasn’t moving, sometimes trouble would find him.
Still, to his delight, the meal was a peaceful one. Not willing to press his luck, Naffur hurried back on the roof to avoid people. Unfortunately, it only took five minutes for his plans to go awry.
“Stop!”
Naffur twisted around at the voice, only to see a figure leap over the edge of the room and crash into Naffur. Instantly, instincts kicked in and Naffur fell while grasping at his side. The figure seemed incredibly surprised to have hit someone and slowed to a stop to peer at Naffur.
The voice was gruff and male. “Kid, are you alright? I didn't mean-”
“Hmph, you have a lot of nerve if you dare pick my pocket and lingering around chatting,” A female voiced hissed. Instantly, the man’s face paled. Floating over the edge of the roof and landing on the roof was a lovely woman with dark hair to her shoulders. In her left hand was crackling electricity. In her right was a pure blue orb that made Naffur cold when he just looked at it.
Naffur gulped.