One Man Guild

Chapter 15

Dashing away from his original position, Wuji saw a faint glimmer in the corner of his eye, barely making out the silhouette of a shadowy face.

"So, Immortal, would you mind handing me some money? Just five gold? Or perhaps all of your belongings?" the unknown man asked, sneering.

"Who are you?" Wuji warily glared at the phantom figure.

"I am the renowned thief of these parts, known to all as the mighty Illusion Thief!" boasted the thief, his c.h.e.s.t puffed up in pride.

Wuji stared at the information that showed above the thief's head:

[ Illusion Thief: Lvl ??? ]

He looked incredibly menacing, his full figure a wispy phantom, dark black like the night. If one did not look closely, it would seem as if he was never even there. Even Wuji's spirit sense hardly registered him as an actual entity.

Sweat rolled down Wuji's back and made his spine tingle.

"How about it immortal? After all, I know that you're not as strong as they think you are." The thief smiled viciously, making Wuji's heart pound.

Thoughts raced within Wuji's mind.

Sh*t, somehow the thief knew his true level. Although Wuji didn't know exactly how the thief knew, he'd have to consider that before making any next moves.

Wuji cursed silently. He was only level 1 and the first enemy he would have to battle in Transcendence would likely be over a hundred levels above him!

Calming himself down, Wuji glanced at the guards and Edmund continuing to talk. None of them had noticed the precarious situation he was in. After all, it was beginning to turn dark, and he was rather far away.

He had to get their attraction somehow. Wuji's eyes drifted onto the large, black object in the middle of the guards.

. . .

"Anyway, Edmund you should have some of this great soup that Heralda cooked! It's her new signature dish, Roasted Cloud Lamb Chops!" Garion's hand gestured towards the black pot, the aroma making Edmund's stomach growl.

Edmund stepped backward, shaking his head firmly. "No, I came here because of the immortal-"

"Ahh! The pot it's moving!" yelled one of the guards.

The guards' eyes widened as they stared, eyes transfixed at the large pot that began to float eerily towards the donkey-butt hill.

"Chase after it!" roared Garion.

Edmund was rather shocked but followed along with the guards. What none of them noticed was the fine spiritual thread that encircled the pot.

. . .

"Come on, just a little closer." Wuji grit his teeth as he continued to use [Spirit Grab]. This was the first time he was using the skill.

Apparently, if he wanted to grab something beyond the max limit, it would result in a long channel time, as well as a consistent reduction of SPP.

-30.1 SP

-30.1 SP

-30.1 SP

His spirit power began to decrease quickly, his head feeling like it was about to explode. Why the hell was this pot so f*cking heavy?!

The thief looked at Wuji and his nerve-stricken appearance. Smiling in glee, the thief was overjoyed that it was actually going to rob an immortal today! It's my lucky day, I'll be rich!

While Wuji struggled to move the heavy-ass pot, he still paid heed towards the thief's behavior.

He was surprised that the thief hadn't noticed his actions yet but he didn't relax.

Wuji muttered, "How much do you want me to pay?"

The thief's eyes gleamed with greed, carefully scrutinizing Wuji's body.

"Hmm, first hand me that little bag on your side there."

Wuji touched the small bag filled with Lesser Magic Powder. He gritted his teeth. He didn't want to part with it, but- wait! The guards were approaching, so the thief would definitely hear them and realize something was up. Unless... Wuji smiled as he firmly grabbed the bag.

"If you want it so badly..." Wuji bounced the bag in his hand.

"Then you can have it! [Spirit Throw]!"

The thief grinned, this immortal sure followed instructions well! Just what precious material would something belonging to an immortal be like? Finally, he would-

The bag hit the thief right in the face, the spirit power combusting the fabric as the powder burned his eyes, making him scream out in pain.

"AHH!" The thief cried out, his body outlined a shimmering purple by the powder.

"AHH! Ahh! Ahh!" The thief's screams continued to loudly sound out. It was like the scream of a dying cat, one that would send shivers down anyone's spine.

Rubbing his eyes, he glared at Wuji hatefully.

"I'm going to kill you-" The thief froze as he heard the guard's loud voices.

"Quick, the pot is going towards those screams!"

"Follow it! I'm starving!"

"For the soup or for the screams?"

"For the soup you idiot!"

"You- what, what did you do-" The thief gnashed his teeth at Wuji, who simply smirked in response.

"Spirit Throw!" Wuji yelled, the pot slamming into the thief's face.

"Ahh!" The thief yelled, the pot squishing him into a pancake. The thief's already ruined invisibility disappeared, his phantom figure becoming a skinny, gaunt man, lying on the floor covered with hot soup.

"Aughh..." g.r.o.a.n.e.d the thief.

Wuji was surprised that the thief could still even move.

Suddenly, the thief's eyes opened, sitting up as he looked around, his bloodshot eyes focusing on Wuji.

"You, I swear I'll-"

"Jacaal?! You joke of a thief! You dare to show yourself in the village again?" Garion, the first to reach the two, mocked the soup-covered thief.

Wuji's tense body began to relax. Finally, they were here.

"Garion, you! And Immortal you, you!"

"Immortal? Ah right, Edmund had been talking about you! Did this thief bother you? Don't worry, we won't stop you from killing him."

Wuji's previously relieved face contorted into horror.

"No, no. I wouldn't want to spill blood on your village, its fine."

"... You really are like Edmund and the others said you were," said Garion, a surprised look on his face as he nodded respectfully.

He had been absent when the other guards had met Wuji earlier on and had heard many rumors about his kindness. Many of the other guards gasped slightly, whispering as Garion hushed them.

Meanwhile, the thief's eyes were twitching. Immortal? Can't any of you see how weak he is-

"And you, Jacaal. You useless thief, why would you even try to rob an immortal? We've told you hundreds of times, even though you may have the best concealment technique in the entire village, it doesn't matter if you can't really force anyone to give you anything. After all-"

"NO! Don't say it. Please, I beg of you-"

"You can't deal damage," Garion said flatly, drowning the thief in despair.

Jacaal's head dropped down despondently as crimson filled his face. Yes, he was known as the Illusion Thief for a reason- he couldn't damage a fly.

Wuji looked again at the thief, new information popping up:

[ Jacaal, Illusion Thief: Level 400

Cursed by a deity to be unable to deal damage ]

Wuji's mouth gaped as he realized that this level 400 thief was in fact, a rather useless one in combat. No wonder the thief hadn't just outright killed him! It was because he couldn't even if he had wanted to. Wuji felt rather embarrassed now.

"Wuji, I am so sorry Jacaal bothered you. As you've probably already found out, he's a self-proclaimed Illusion Thief, the greatest in the village… that is, the greatest shame…" Edmund said.

Jacaal began to silently curse at the guards, Edmund and his wretched life. He was this close- this close to finally robbing somebody! Tears began to drip down his pale face.

"It's fine. He didn't do any harm." smiled Wuji, although inside he was still feeling stifled. I had thought I was going to die there… Although this thief may seem to be useless in their eyes… he is very useful for me.

After all, a level 400 Thief with a powerful concealment ability will always be powerful regardless if he can't attack. Compared to the rest of the players, Jacaal would still be considered a god. He'd just have to find a way to "borrow" him.

As the guards took Jacaal away and cleaned up the mess, Wuji mused quietly to himself. Transcendence was a very dangerous world. His immersion in the game's beauty had made him forget that in it also lay great power and danger.

After all, he had been chased by enemy monsters when he had first arrived. And those monsters probably had the ability to deal damage- a lot of damage. He'd have to be far more careful and never let his guard down. Unlike in Freedom! he was weak, absolutely weak, useless in this world. For now.

Wuji curled up his fists. He hated this feeling of weakness, being controlled by others like a worm; it disgusted him. He swore to himself that he would get stronger- no matter what it took. Wuji motioned at Edmund and they continued to head to the Spirit-Sealing Valley.

They looked past the horizon, saying goodbye to the guards and the wall that surrounded the village behind them. Wuji looked forward at the setting sun, soon to be replaced by the moon.

SSS-ranked quest? Bring it on.