Chapter 15

They emerged from the sea and walked along the beach toward the north.

It seemed as if they had a purpose, and their steps were steady.

Could they be the subhumans who rule the northern land?

Curious, I followed them at a certain distance. Thanks to the Assassin and Stealth skills, the lizardmen didn't seem to notice me.

Is it because their abilities aren't that high?

Or perhaps it's due to my careful attention, staying just within the range of my Detection skill while following them.

Powerful subhumans usually see through Stealth skills, so I can't get any closer.

As I followed the lizardmen, recalling my battle with Ruger, they stopped in front of a forest.

"Open, transparent gate."

When the lizardman spoke, the forest rippled.

"…!"

I couldn't help but hold my breath.

In front of me was something like a town.

As the lizardmen entered, the place turned back into a forest.

"…An illusion spell, perhaps?"

It might be a way to disguise its appearance.

Indeed, with this, no matter how much we search, we won't find the subhumans' base.

Did the lizardmen create this?

Or do they have other companions who made it?

In any case, the town I saw earlier… was more magnificent than our village.

Their technological capabilities are likely superior to ours.

If we were to fight, we might suffer significant damage.

In any case, I need to return with this information and discuss it with everyone.

Thinking this, I turned around—

"Who are you?"

I was glared at by a man in a black robe.

His blue eyes were fixed on me.

Even in Assassin mode, this man seemed to clearly recognize me.

I wanted to praise myself for not letting out a surprised voice.

…Checking my Detection skill, there was no reaction from him.

Perhaps the man has some skill that allows him to evade Detection.

What should I do…?

The man facing me felt like a formidable opponent.

His presence was overwhelming, more so than anyone I've ever faced.

However, he doesn't seem to have completely locked onto me; he appears to be emitting a killing aura that pressures the entire area around me.

…He doesn't seem to have visually identified me.

Despite not being directly targeted, my body was trembling.

I bit my lip to suppress my ragged breathing.

I clearly felt that I couldn't win in my current state.

At the very least, this isn't the time to launch an attack.

I should run.

Without responding to the man in the robe, I turned my back.

With the Assassin and Stealth skills, I shouldn't have trouble escaping.

"There's no response, it seems."

At that moment, the man in the robe crouched. The moment I saw the blade at his waist, I reflexively jumped to the side.

The next instant, the surrounding trees were blown away.

With one slash, he had cleared everything around him.

If I had been any slower, my upper and lower body would have ended up like the surrounding trees.

"You dodged that, did you?"

With a murmuring voice, the man in the robe crouched again.

I poured all my strength into my legs and jumped as far as I could.

A moment later, the area where I had been was slashed by the blade.

Looking at the upturned ground, I bit my lip tightly.

…What power.

I observed it from a distance and started running.

The man in the robe observed the surroundings for a while but then sheathed his sword.

He doesn't seem to be chasing me.

I confirmed for a while using my Detection skill and visual check, but there was no sign of pursuit.

I could finally take a breath.

Still, who is that man…?

Just facing him, I could feel an overwhelming power.

Even if I challenged him with all my skills, could I win?

The scenes of battle with the man in the robe that flashed through my mind all ended with my defeat.

Without extraordinary luck, I can't win in my current state.

I swallowed hard.

Without the Assassin and Stealth skills, I wouldn't have been able to escape.

I let out a small sigh and looked around.

The hidden town is quite far from our village.

So, it won't be found immediately.

However, it's only a matter of time.

I don't know what the men in the robes are after, but they will eventually head south.

When that happens, the base will be found.

If only we could hide the entire town with magic or something like they did.

I observed the surroundings again and confirmed that I wasn't being followed.

Still, there's a chance.

The man might have a skill similar to mine.

To be safe, I didn't use the same path I came from and took a wide detour to head back to the village.

Looking around, it seems the man in the hood is gone.

Good, I'm not being followed.

Relieved, I entered the village.

Passing through the gate and walking through the village, Gorga, who was working, noticed me and stopped.

I'm sorry. I lost the data I was managing, so the update was delayed.

Now that I've found the data, I will update to the conclusion.

Thank you.