[Did commander Laurence sent y...] (scout)

"Shh!!! For now be quiet!"

One of the men asked, but the volume was way too loud for this situation, so I shushed him and approached the cage in a rapid manner. It let me flabbergasted that there were no locks and there was just a simple door made of wooden bars keeping them inside.

"I guess they relied on superior strength and weapons to keep them in line and inside..."

Bad puns aside, I opened the door and had them get out. Since my clothes were black even without the overcoat, I was surprised to see that the three scouts were wearing white clothing. These morons were 100% in the wrong field dressed that way. It was good that because of the dirt, they became grayish, but it was still drawing too much attention.

I took from my item bag the two black yukata having the men wear them and covered the woman with the overcoat and the hoodie. She didn't move or say anything, just silently looked at me and followed my directions.

To be able to get out safely, I took some of the burning logs and threw them on the roofs of the shacks nearby, which were made of easy to burn stuff and poured water from my gourd which I borrowed from the inn today on the campfire, extinguishing it.

All four of us then ran to the right wall and again glued ourselves to it, advancing at a fast pace.

"Stop! Don't move!"

I warned them in a low voice and all three stopped immediately. The two Kobold soldiers ran back towards the cage, barking something when they couldn't see the other soldier or the prisoners. Then when the fire lit up the shacks, they ran to the village with haste.

"Now! Run as fast as you can behind me. Don't lose sight of me, since that WILL mean your death. Got it? Now RUN!"

Following the same trail I used to get to the Kobold village between the stalactites and stalagmites close to the right wall, we all four ran with all the speed our Agility and Dexterity could muster, probably going over what our Endurance could take. I had a bit of leeway, so I periodically looked over my shoulder to make sure all three were still following me.

"I wouldn't mind if the woman tripped and hurt her leg or something, which I could use as an excuse to carry her though..."

However, she didn't. She followed behind me with ease, while the other two barely mentained the pace. Soon we reached the corridor and I knew there was only a ten minutes run from the exit to our current position.

"We're almost there. Keep running!"

[AUUUUUUUOOOOO!!!]

A loud howl could be heard from behind us. I clicked my tongue and ran through the corridor hoping the Kobolds won't catch up, while also staying a bit behind the three just in case a fight will break out. We had at least a five minutes advantage and we would reach the safe room soon, so I could buy some time while they keep going. Given that they are exhausted and look malnourished, I doubt they could even fight properly.

We kept going and the sound of howls and loud footsteps could be heard from behind us, but stopped suddenly, while the three in front of me collapsed on the ground in the safe room. I haven't really confirmed is a safe room, however I hoped it would be...

"It doesn't sound like they'll follow us through the corridor. They probably won't leave their territory. Is everyone alright?"

Breathing heavily, they were sprawled on the floor, obviously spent. I took the gourd out again and gave it to them to drink and took out some of the fruits about which I forgot I had left from the Goblin Gatherers. They drank the water and ate the fruits like there was no tomorrow.

"They probably weren't very well fed or had anything good to drink for this entire month. Who the fuck knows what they had to do to survive so far... Those shitty dogs...how dare they do that to a lady!"

[Thank you very much! We owe you our life! My name is Vincent Gottu. These two are Ian Braght and Laura Espada. Who might you be? You don't seem to be from our city?] (Vincent)

"Hmm? Oh yeah, nice to meet you! The name is Michael and I am a traveler. Or rather, was a traveler and now I am an adventurer of this city. I accepted the request given by the commander Laurence and the general Charl...eh? Espada???"

[Yes. Laura is the daughter of the general. Even with her as a level 5 scout we were easily caught...because of that Chris and Alex were...] (Vincent)

All three of them looked down. There were no words needed...the two mentioned were probably eaten by the Kobolds, right in front of these guys. That's not a pleasant experience, since I can sympathize with watching someone being devoured with great gusto in front of your very eyes. It makes it so much worse that they knew each other. Poor girl...

"I see. Laura, was it? Your father will be very pleased to see you alive."

[Yes...] (Laura)

"Hmm? Kind of a weak response there... And why are those two looking away? Now that I think about it, the general didn't seem very bothered or grieving that his daughter died. I guess there might be complicated circumstances about it. I shouldn't pry to deep..."

While they rested I kept an eye on the corridor behind us, in case we'll be followed by Kobolds. I was sure I could easily take them on, but with a huge number of them...I didn't really stand a snowball's chance in hell.

"However, this girl is level 5?"

Name

Laura Espada

Name

Value

Name

Value

Job Name

Level

Progress

Race

Demi-human

STR

26

Magic

22

Scout

7

30%

Sex

Female

DEX

29

Charm

50

Age

21

AGI

36

Luck

43

World

Anhur

END

24

HP

643/643 (+3.9/sec)

INT

31

MP

341/341(+4.2/sec)

WIS

23

Skill List Name Level Proficiency Dual weapons mastery ??? ??? Precision ??? ??? Critical hit ??? ??? Stealth ??? ??? Ambush ??? ??? Blessings granted by the world: Blessing of experience Blessing of War Blessing of Wisdom Blessing of Anhur

"...!!!"

I almost let out a cry similar to a girl loosing her first time to a moron that doesn't know what to do(not that I actually know what that sounds like). Actually, that's how I felt as well...fucked! What are those stats? They are so far above my own and she's lower level than me, isn't she? And while her occupation is indeed 'Scout' the other two are 'Pathfinders'!? So, not real scouts? But what's with all those skills? And her HP and MP is way more than it should be. I won't complain about the Charm stat though...I could very well see why that is high...

But nevertheless, what the hell? How didn't she decimated that entire village, or at least escaped on her own when shit hit the fan and brought help? I mean really...look at those freaking skills!

Dual weapons (Level ?)

Provides an increase in mastery of dual wielding.

Damage is increased by 25% when both weapons are equiped for each level. Precision (Level ?)

Your aim increases greatly.

The mastery of bow wielding and knife throwing is further increased.

Precision grows with 10% per level! Critical hit

Provides an increases in chance that every hit that deals damage becomes a critical hit by 10% per level.

"Really now, was I a bother? Did I just ruin an undercover operation or something? Why else would such an overpowered cheat character remain in a cage, instead of snapping the necks of those pups like twigs!? This woman is scarry as fuck!"

And then, the cherry on top was when I saw the final entry in her status page...

Blessing of Anhur

Given only to those exceptional few that are true prodigies in the art of war.

The God Anhur smiles upon its hero and grants the blessing of double the amount of attribute points acquired per level up and a permanent medium boost of HP and MP.

"Whoa... Wait! Isn't this a representative of this world, like, THE hero!? What the fuck is this God doing letting such an important person almost become dog food!?"

Suddenly I felt very tired mentally and realized that I was staring at her. She noticed my gaze and was looking curiously at me as well. Well, she didn't have any Eye of Truth bullshit, otherwise I might've punched her myself...

Remembering that I killed those two Kobolds, I wondered about my own status window and saw the experience gain at 92%.

"Shit! I should've killed one more... That's a lot of experience though. The first Kobold was level 1 and was at 50%, meaning had a total of 5 experience points, so after the blessing and the ambush kill, it totaled up to 14. Then the soldier was at ...since he was level 5...so after the blessing and the ambush...well the stealth kill I guess...Fuck! Why is it that difficult to calculate? Why can't I just see the damned numbers!? ...anyway, 92%..."

Since I was grinning like a moron for a second and then got angry for no reason while looking into the distant wall of the room, only to become dejected after, the very scary hero Laura tilted her head cutely and looked at me in a strange way.

I realized that I should stop being creepy in order not to be swated as a fly on the wall by her and stood up. After politely checking the condition of the three, I asked them if they could move, since this place was not entirely safe for certain.

[We are ready anytime. I want to see my family and friends, I want some cooked food and most of all, I think I speak for all three of us when I say that we need to take a bath.] (Vincent)

While joking, he got up, took of the yukata I gave him previously and handed it back to me. Following his example, the other guy did the same and returned the clothes I lent him for camouflage purposes.

[It might smell bad, so would it be alright if I'd return it after I washed it?] (Laura)

Well...what can I say. She's a woman after all and even if the coat is imbued with mana and doesn't exactly catches smells, I can understand where she's coming from. Girls, they are mindful creatures when it comes to things like this and she probably won't back down from this topic...

"If you want to do that is alright. However I don't really mind..."

[No! I will return it after washing it!] (Laura)

"See...Well then. We should head out. However, with this, haven't I just saved three people? Won't I stand out big time??? Plus, doesn't it count as huge interference since I saved this world's representative when she should've died, in theory, back there? What the hell did I just do!?"

Somewhat rattled mentally, I wobbled towards the exit and soon enough reached outside of the dungeon in which I wanted to remain all of a sudden. The same two guards looked very surprised when they saw me and even more when they saw the others.

"Is nightfall already huh... Is hard to keep track of the time without a watch..." - I thought while running away from reality

[The commander and the general will need to see you and hear your report now! Fast...] (Guard)

"I don't think there's any hurry. This people faced death for almost a month, while lacking food, water or proper hygiene. I think the report can wait, while giving them some time with their families as well."

[But...] (Guard)

"I really hate repeating myself..."

A bit pissed about the whole cheat status and the fame I didn't want to get, I unconsciously raised my voice a bit, making him immediately back off. He seemed conflicted but he started running all of a sudden while saying that he'll take care of it. He probably went to tell the commander what just happened.

[Me and Ian here we'll go straight home to our wives. We can never thank you enough.] (Vincent)

"Don't worry about it. I am glad you are safe. I am sure you wives are grieving, so go and put them at ease."

After both of them leaving, I was left with Laura in an awkward silence...

"Well then, shouldn't you leave as well? Do you want me to escort you home to the general?"

[I...nt..me] (Laura)

"Hmm?"

[I can't go home!] (Laura)

Geez...easy there roar of the tiger! There's no need to shout like that! Do you know how expensive underwear is!? Anyway, the situation is that bad huh? That old man doesn't strike me as the shitty type of person though... However, what I'm I to do with this...

"Well... how...how about an inn then?"

Why the hell did I just stutter there? I should have Fear resistance to MAX... so why is this chick so scary?