NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40: Stealth Assassination Techniques
This guy really knows no tact, barely agreeing before eyeing their Fatui special agent assassination techniques.
Christie was speechless. He tugged at the brim of his black hood, trying to conceal his enviously youthful and handsome face revealed when his mask broke.
The assassination techniques learned by the debt agents could be considered secret outside, but there wasn't anything precious within the Fatui.
Since this asshole agreed to let him go, there's no harm in giving him the "Stealth Assassination Technique".
Let's see you keep caring once I escape and return! We'll never meet again!
Nolan didn't know his thoughts, and it didn't matter if he did. It was just giving him a reason to willingly hand over the skill.
Humans were just contradictory creatures like so.
If Nolan used coercive force to threaten Christie, if he felt he couldn't back down for dignity's sake, and his self-esteem was greatly damaged, he might just say he'd rather die.
Could Nolan still kill him then?
Encountering a debt collector he could currently beat wasn't easy. After all, the stronger ones could attach Pyro to their ritual blades, while he only had the alloy Hunting Ritual Blade.
Hunter's Sacrificial Blade was just 2-star. There was still the 3-star Agent's Sacrificial Blade and the 4-star Inspector's Sacrificial Blade above it.
If the quality was too low, attaching elements could easily lower the weapon's hardness, making it fragile. That would be too costly in combat.
Fighting with it when suddenly your weapon shatters, that scene could be imagined.
He wondered if Christie knew how to attach Pyro to blades, or if higher tier ritual blades were truly elemental weapons like Diluc's Elemental Burst Dawn that fused Pyro crystal ores.
"Since you want 'Stealth', I can write it down for you."
Christie just wanted to quickly fulfill this guy's demands for now, then leave swiftly.
"That works."
Currently lacking writing materials here, Nolan brought him to the still open Mondstadt General Goods store to buy paper and goose feather pen.
Nolan wasn't worried about him faking it. After all, there was no "succumbing to demonic flames" saying in Teyvat. As long as he could get started, it meant the skill info was correct.
Along the way, Nolan also inquired about debt agents being able to attack using Pyro attached to their blades.
Christie seemed somewhat surprised. He didn't expect Nolan to know of this. Though that was an elemental weapon only master agents who cultivated "Stealth" to perfection had a chance of obtaining it.
Hearing it was just a weapon effect, Nolan felt a little disappointed. Though he supposed mastery over Elemental powers wouldn't be so commonplace.
Otherwise, the Fatui wouldn't have needed to specially research the side-effect-ridden Delusions to mimic Visions.
After obtaining this manual on "Stealth", Nolan asked Christie for a method to contact him, and then allowed him to leave.
With the main objective accomplished, Nolan returned to Sanborn's tackle shop.
By now, Lucas had already left, with only the dispirited Sandborne sitting behind the counter.
"What's the matter, Mr. Sanborn?" Nolan asked with concern. Though from his expression, he could probably guess things didn't go as he had hoped.
"Lucas was indeed wrong, but I cannot help him."
Beneath the candlelight in the corner, Sanborn stroked his whitened hair and shook his head.
What pained him wasn't the money lost from Lucas's deception, but more the act of betrayal itself. He also lamented the possible imprisonment his old friend might face.
"Let it be. Young adventurer, your commission can be considered complete. This is your payment."
Sanborn did not continue speaking deeply about this with Nolan. Instead, he directly handed over a bag of Mora, perhaps needing some quiet time alone.
This matter was unrelated to Nolan now. Today's gains were decent too. He nodded twice and bid farewell.
On the way back to Val Berry Street, he passed by "Good Hunter" restaurant for a late-night snack. After all, he had been busy for a while and was tired and hungry.
Sanborn's payment was 50,000 Mora. Quite generous just for investigating some matters about Lucas.
On the obscure night, the pent-up drizzle finally began to fall. With no choice, Nolan had to run back home.
Returning home, Nolan impatiently began studying the debt agent's "Stealth Assassination Technique".
This was the first near "extraordinary" skill he had obtained. Perhaps archery or swordsmanship at higher levels would also exhibit "extraordinary" aspects.
But his Adventure EXP was still too low, unable to instantly maximize level and reach "extraordinary" standards.
He should go to Katheryne tomorrow to see if there were commissions for clearing monsters, and also didn't know how the investigation into the Thousand Winds Temple ruins by the Adventurers' Guild was going. The reward hadn't been given yet.
Nolan finally finished reading through "Stealth Assassination Technique". It was a martial skill researched specifically for the debt agents' peculiar ritual blade weapons.
The 2-star Hunter's Sacrificial Blade Christie used likely couldn't be used anymore after being chipped by his armor-piercing arrow. It was probably left on that rooftop during the fight.
But he could still practice without a ritual blade. A short sword or dagger worked too, just less suitable and weaker.
Also, the "Stealth" and "Assassination" parts of the "Stealth Assassination Technique" could actually be separated. Only "Assassination" had weapon requirements.
"Stealth" was more like an independent mystic technique. It could be learned on its own without special needs. Though the two complemented each other to exert their full potential.
Looking at the study's clock, it was nine at night, not yet time to sleep. Nolan began practicing the "Stealth Assassination Technique", involving both "Stealth" and "Assassination".
After all, he could directly upgrade by investing EXP after getting started, no need to worry at all.
He had just gained some Adventure EXP from defeating Christie too, perfect for testing how far he could take it.
Time slowly passed as Nolan treated practicing "Stealth Assassination" as kind of entertainment. With this self-suggestion, he practiced rather attentively.
Until one in the morning, he finally heard the delightful sound.
【Comprehended "Stealth Assassination Technique"】
Phew, Nolan stopped his body movements and opened his character panel with some anticipation:
Name: Nolan Walker
Level: Lv.10 (0/1000)
Race: Human
Title: None
Innate Talent: Entangling Affection
Skills: Hunter's Archery Lv.3 (0/300), Favonius Archery - Fundamentals Lv.2 (0/200), Martial Arts Lv.2 (0/200), Favonius Swordsmanship - Fundamentals Lv.1 (1/100), Favonius Swordsmanship - Royal Lv.1 (2/100), Stealth Assassination Technique Lv.1 (1/100)
Specialties: 【Descender】【Maiden Savior】
Adventure EXP: 719
As expected, it appeared in his skills. Just getting started so no effects are visible yet. Nolan invested all his Adventure EXP into it.
(End of Chapter)
To be continued...
P@treon Anyone?