-Fain's POV-
It was now morning, and I was on my way back to the base after breakfast with my family... I must say that having a family is very nice, though I can't really love my new mother as much as my previous one... I still deeply respect her for the concern she displayed... despite the fact that I am aware that it was not for me, but for the original owner of this body. I don't feel a speck of guilt because whether I took his body or not, he'll still be dead in the end.
I will exact my vengeance on him for the cost of using his body... That was really the only thing I could do at this point. Plus, I've already planned to deal with the perpetrator when I'm stronger in some way...
It had already been a week since that encounter, and I must admit that I was taken aback when I learned that she is not only from a noble family but also from a prestigious one. Sofia provided me with a way to contact her... because they decided to give me access to their library for one week as a thank you for saving them... This library contains a large number of techniques for recording advanced Degu applications. It also contains a large number of books that are not available to the general public. This was not your typical library.
...
-Ranger's Eye Base-
I was in the office with Kidd, and we were listening to our captain's daily blabbering about the progress of the investigation... Apparently, the perpetrator of my incident is a tough nut to crack; he was an expert at covering his tracks.
"Fein..." Captain called out to me as he smoked his usual cigar...
I asked him a question, trying not to sound bored in my tone of voice. "Captain, what now?"
"Are you not listening to what I'm saying?" His brows crumpled, indicating his annoyance.
I pretended to think something while staring at the ceiling. "Captain... I believe I forgot."
*Tch*
Kidd, who was on my side, was trying hard not to laugh. "Man, you got me right there..." While holding my shoulders for support.
I can confidently say that after knowing them for about a year and a half, our relationship was steadily improving. During this time, they have been a very genuine and good company to me. Captain Gregory always has a serious expression on his face, but on the inside, he always expresses his concern and guides us when we make a mistake. He reminded me of an older brother... Kidd, on the other hand, was the goofy one, despite his appearance... He was a narcissist who liked to show off, and he had a habit of looking in the mirror while shirtless and doing some poses to show off his muscles...
Crystal is in charge of logistics, and she was gentle, dependable, and like a good old sister on the team. Finally, there's the rising star in the Ranger's Eye... Michael, he was only three years older than me, but he was a true genius... Having a C rank strength at the age of 25 is very impressive when compared to Captain Gregory, who was already 43 years old and still C Rank. Not to mention that his talent is widely regarded as extremely versatile.
He can already blend into the shadows of non-sentients in Class F... At E rank, he can blend into the shadows of living beings, and at D rank, he can travel to the shadow world to perform teleportation-like feats... Now he had a new ability application in C rank that was extremely lethal. He can cut the shadows of targets of the same rank as him and below, causing the target to lose that part of their body regardless of defense. If the shadow's head is severed, the target will perish instantly. Despite the fact that he can only use it once because it drains his degu reserves instantly, it was a terrifying ability.
Consider when he reaches A rank... At that point, he has the ability to kill anyone in the same realm as him multiple times. That's why, no matter how talented I become, I've resolved never to underestimate anyone... After all, there are a plethora of strange and unpredictable abilities out there... We only have one life, and whether or not I have the potential, in the end, it was only potential, which does not equate to strength. It only limits how far you can travel. The only thing that is certain is one's own strength. because countless geniuses die before reaching their full potential
"So... are you ready to put your skills to the test?" Captain Gregory asked, his usual expression on his face.
His question abruptly interrupted my useless philosophical thoughts.
I just walked up to the door, looked at the two of them solemnly, and answered. "Yes" and then left quickly...
They are taken aback by my dramatic yet anticlimactic response...
Kidd, still speechless, looked at my back and quietly said to the captain, "What a strange quirk..."
"Well, we just need to follow him..." Gregory said helplessly.
...
-Weapon's Basement-
-General's POV-
Various types of weapons were either lying on a table or hanging above the wall in a dark basement.
Fain was now quietly listening to his Captain as he explained the various characteristics of weapons, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
Gregory himself was a veteran fighter, that's why he knows a thing or two about weapons, not really skilled but enough to know the way around them.
Fain was now wondering if he could really master all of the weapons here in such a short period of time...
After all, there were knives, daggers, swords, bayonets, clubs, axes, spears, slings, bows, crossbows, and other strange weapons he had never seen before.
To boost his confidence, he looked at his Interface.
Name: Fein Bonifacio
Race: Human
Talent: Lvl 5 [B] (88/8100EXP)
Ratio: 1 in 100,000 Genius
Degu Amount: Lvl 4 [C] (0/2700 EXP)
Total EXP: 0
Str: 3 (D) (14/900)
Agi: 4 (C) (13/2700)
End: 3 (D) (23/900)
Yes, I am now a C-Rank Degu User without their knowledge, and I can already compete with the Captain... There was also a noticeable increase in talent... I once decided to look at a clown juggling in the street; I just looked at it and with my LVL 5 talent, I instantly learned it... Now, I can also do some juggling, which isn't a particularly difficult skill. Nonetheless, one in a hundred thousand genius... I was now terrified of my own talent.