episode_0005

Ever since before coming to the Cradle.

I had a few doubts about my ability.

Gift: The Pinnacle of Thievery (S).

This ability seemed far too self-indulgent.

For example, the sudden lunge I used against Hanul.

Or the way to muffle sound.

I discovered those techniques far too naturally.

Or even when I found something ominous, like the nails.

‘I wonder just how far this goes—I want to test it.’

So even amid exhaustion, I practiced a few things.

Like muffling footsteps, concealing my presence, or climbing trees using parkour.

‘In fact, after trying it once…’

It felt like it had become ingrained in me.

Along the way, a few things had changed.

– Huh? – What’s going on? – It feels like your presence is even fainter today than yesterday? – What are you talking about? – I mean your aura, your footsteps. It’s like you’re physically here, but there’s no presence at all. It’s kinda creepy.

From Erme’s unique speech pattern—mixing polite and casual speech—I could confirm a few things.

‘Once it’s ingrained, does it become semi-permanent?’

Aside from that, there were many other useful skills, like long-range vision.

There was even a method for crafting poison.

‘This…’

Stealing an opponent’s magic—that was one thing, but the Pinnacle of Thievery made nearly anything possible.

‘It’s practically cheating.’

The more I used it, the clearer it became.

It allowed me to do almost everything a thief could.

Deflecting enemy attacks, leaping in an instant, deceiving an opponent’s eyes to lunge in a split second—things like that.

The past three days had been about mastering those techniques.

– “So marching while training like this really can make someone stronger.”

I did have that strange suspicion, but it was minor.

‘There are other useful things, too.’

From pickpocketing to handling subordinates, exuding charisma, raising assassins, forging or counterfeiting, and navigating the black market.

‘There’s too much to list. I should probably organize it at some point.’

And then, we arrived at the Cradle.

—

Forming a party with Erme wasn’t without its perks.

She had a bold personality in both good and bad ways.

“From now on, leave the money to me.”

Erme spoke like an older brother who enjoyed putting on airs.

“Nothing too expensive, but if it’s reasonable, I’ll buy it for you.”

She glanced at me subtly as she said it.

Did she think I wanted something extravagant?

‘Well, it’s not like we know each other well yet.’

And so.

The first thing we did in the Cradle was nothing special.

We secured an inn first.

“Even if we’re heading into the labyrinth, we’ve been traveling for a while, and exhaustion builds up… You might not need it, but women need a bit of cleanliness.”

No, I’d really love to rest.

The inn was truly satisfying.

Not the highest class, but cleanliness was prioritized. Taking a bath wasn’t bad, either.

We arrived at the Cradle in the evening, settled in, and spent the night at the inn.

It felt good to sleep in late for the first time in a while.

“You seem to like the inn?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s a relief. It looks fancy, but seeing how you don’t mind, I guess it’s not too strict.”

“……”

What nonsense is she spouting first thing in the morning?

Is it because it’s morning?

“I like that it’s clean.”

“Right? If you’re going to be an adventurer long-term, cleanliness is a must.”

I ignored Erme’s chatter and picked up a sandwich.

“The food here is plentiful and cost-effective. Meat and vegetables are a must, but I’d love some fruit too. Still, that’s a bit much, so let’s hold off for a year.”

Would I really be able to eat fruit freely in a year?

After a light breakfast at the inn, Erme dragged me to the blacksmith.

“You might not need it, but Yuseong-ssi does.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, yeah. Weren’t you carrying two swords last time?”

That’s right.

One was a cheap dagger bought for general use.

The other was a bloodstained dagger.

“Both are kinda iffy. One’s too shoddy, and the other’s too good.”

I agreed.

Honestly, I didn’t expect Hanul to die in one hit. I threw it thinking just landing a hit would be a miracle.

‘But it killed him in one shot.’

Not to mention, it looked way too flashy.

Like the kind of equipment that screams “look at me.”

“Keep it as a spare and get a proper sword. I’ll pay for it.”

“Isn’t that too much?”

“It’s not that bad. Having a strong rear guard is always good. Plus, I owe you one.”

“Owe me?”

“…Hanul was probably aiming for me, not you.”

“Ah.”

“It’d be weird to just brush it off, so I’ll help you get settled at least.”

“Then I don’t mind.”

It was a relief.

Erme seemed like the type to keep her word, at least minimally.

“And now, the most important thing.”

“Important thing?”

“The distribution of the nails.”

Erme glanced at me as she spoke.

I thought we were done with the nail discussion.

‘I only gave them to her because I didn’t want them anyway.’

I didn’t really want to talk about it, but I had to be clear.

“You can have them all.”

“I’d love to, but I want to stick with you long-term, Yuseong-ssi.”

Ugh.

I really don’t want that.

When I scowled, Erme made a hurt expression.

“What, do you hate me that much? I’m pretty, you know!”

“That’s true, but looks aside, your personality is a bit…”

“Geez, Yuseong-ssi. Complimenting me like this in public is embarrassing.”

“……”

I’m gonna lose it, seriously.

‘To be fair, Erme isn’t bad.’

A reliable damage-soaking tank is always a good thing.

If a tank is mediocre, they’re neither here nor there, but in other words, they can cover both roles.

As we chatted, we arrived at the blacksmith.

“Do you have a preferred main weapon?”

“I’m not picky. Ah, but I could use a few throwing daggers.”

“Well, you are good with daggers.”

I could use other weapons, but since I have the bloodstained dagger, I’ll stick with daggers for now.

Clang.

The first thing I saw upon entering the smithy was a man. He had a scruffy beard and was short.

‘Wait, more than that…’

His proportions were different from ordinary people.

His head was slightly larger, and his muscles were densely packed.

“A dwarf?”

“First time seeing one? Ah, right. The Cradle recently started accepting labyrinth adventurers.”

“That dwarf is a master smith, one with the title of ‘Artisan.’”

“Artisan?”

“Oh ho? That girl’s got a sharp eye.”

“Of course, of course. I’m a woman with a sharp eye.”

“……”

Erme grinned at the dwarf’s praise.

I looked around.

‘Looks pretty good.’

Using the knowledge from The Pinnacle of Thievery, I examined the swords.

All of them had excellent balance and resilience.

No wonder he had the title of Artisan.

“…Huh, that guy’s got a decent eye too.”

“How can you tell?”

“You can tell by how he checks the qualities of a good sword.”

So you can recognize skilled people like that?

I picked a sword I quite liked.

“You know how to handle a sword, but this one’s a bit short.”

Too long to be a dagger.

Too short to be a longsword. I grabbed one of those and a few throwing daggers.

And then.

‘…He sells bows, too.’

I stared intently at a bow.

“You know how to use a bow?”

The dwarf asked me.

A bow…

If I can, I probably can.

The Pinnacle of Thievery was feeding me the knowledge.

‘I could throw daggers and track targets right away.’

I should be able to shoot a bow, too.

I touched the bow.

The balance was stable.

A beginner’s bow.

‘But more than this…’

That black bow over there looks way more tempting.

“That one’s a no.”

The dwarf shook his head.

“The draw weight doesn’t seem lacking.”

“That’s not the issue. The string’s too sharp.”

“A bowstring that’s sharp? Why would you make it…”

“It was a custom order. Some idiot wanted a string sharp enough to use as a weapon.”

“And the owner?”

“Can’t you tell? He got his neck caught in the string and died.”

“……”

What a pathetic reason.

But if the string was that sharp, it made sense.

“I kinda want to try shooting it.”

“Go ahead. There’s a practice range nearby.”

It was more of an empty lot than a proper range.

“But it looks like it doesn’t have an owner. Can I really test it?”

“What part of what I said did you—actually, never mind. I’ve realized adventurers don’t listen even with their ears.”

The dwarf looked at us with a resigned expression.

“I take no responsibility for any injuries caused by handling that bow. As long as you accept that, do whatever.”

“Then let’s go.”

I picked up the black bow and smiled.

—

Erme watched Yuseong with expectant eyes.

‘He can use a bow, too?’

His swordsmanship was already top-tier.

Of course, his ambush skills were even more impressive.

Over the past few days traveling to the Cradle, she had watched him train.

‘He was incredible.’

A natural-born assassin, perhaps?

Sometimes, seeing him sent chills down her spine.

She had seen it multiple times—his figure was visible, but his presence was absent, like watching a ghost.

‘And now he’s a rear guard, too?’

He’s a jack-of-all-trades.

Too much of one.

She had only seen glimpses, but he kept revealing new layers, like peeling an onion.

‘I’m getting greedy.’

He’s too sweet a fruit.

The kind that would attract other bees.

‘A bit annoying, but…’

A catch like him would be welcomed anywhere.

Meanwhile, Han Yuseong lifted the bow. The string was sharp—just a slight mishap would draw blood.

“Ah, right, here’s a glove and finger tab—”

The dwarf stopped mid-sentence.

Yuseong was gripping the string like it was nothing.

‘What the hell…’

The dwarf stared blankly. The string was sharp enough to slice flesh with just a touch. That’s why its previous owner lost his head mishandling it.

Yet Yuseong held it without issue.

The Pinnacle of Thievery.

A terrifying dexterity that defied logic was at work.

“Wow, your form is excellent.”

Yuseong focused.

Right now, he was learning the feel of shooting a bow.

‘Normally, this would be something you’d pay for and still fail at.’

Only possible because the dwarf was being generous.

He adjusted his stance. It was easy—The Pinnacle of Thievery was teaching him.

This is how you use a bow.

“Ooh…”

A quiet murmur of admiration escaped.

Unconsciously, people were impressed. Yuseong’s form was flawless.

Something was different.

That’s how it felt.

‘A proper rear guard…’

Erme was moved.

And his frontline combat was strong, too.

‘Finding the nails means he has talent for tracking as well.’

This man was becoming more and more tempting.

Good at tracking, melee, and archery?

Thieves are usually mediocre at best when spread thin, but if they excel like this—

‘I’ve got to nurture him properly.’

He surpassed all the thief candidates in her mind.

Always calm yet decisive in killing, excellent at tracking—a near-perfect hexagon of a man.

On top of that, even sharing a roof with a beauty like her, he harbored no ulterior motives.

Well, not really.

No one could dislike a woman with her looks.

It just meant his self-control was exceptional.

As Erme’s gaze grew hazy, fixed on Yuseong—

Yuseong released the bowstring.

Twang!

The arrow struck the center of the target can, embedding itself into the wood.

Erme immediately rushed over and grabbed Yuseong’s hands.

“……”

What now?

Staring into Yuseong’s indifferent eyes, Erme spoke.

“I’ve been waiting for someone like you. I’ll treat you really well.”

Her words sounded almost like a confession.

Yuseong could only think one thing.

What the hell is she talking about?

—

[Main Quest completed!]

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