We went down to the basement, where I'd never been. Immediately past the stairs was a corridor with closed doors on both sides, and another door at the end. Dex opened the left door and invited me inside. It looked like a study, with a soft armchair behind a desk for the owner, and shelves on both sides filled with books and scrolls. The room was lit by magical lamps mounted on the walls. There was a chair in front of the desk – apparently he did have guests here sometimes.
"Now, dear, we're going to sign a system contract – something like a magical oath. You won't be able to break it even with divine intervention. A simple non-disclosure agreement for everything you hear in this room."
"That's acceptable – just clarify that I can't disclose anything without your permission on specified topics."
You are being offered a contract of non-disclosure regarding information transmitted to you within the current room, for a duration of one hour from the start of the contract. The contract covers only information explicitly marked as secret during the conversation. Accept? Yes/No.
"Accept."
"Well then – let's start with the ki cultivation method. Everything related to the methods I want to share with you cannot be disclosed."
"You said methods – so you have more than one?"
"I think I need to explain a bit. You see, I once lived in the imperial capital, made my living through alchemy, had a family. But the heir of an influential clan – now its head and simultaneously the father of your acquaintance, the magister – once set his sights on my wife and abducted her. When she refused to submit and tried to kill herself, he took her children hostage. I was on an expedition for rare ingredients at the time. In the end, he grew bored with his new toy and ordered her and the children killed. However, I was friends not only with influential aristocrats but also with the city's underworld. So upon my return, I learned everything. I asked many powerful people for help, but this clan is among the Seven Pillars of the Empire, ranked third – no one could help me. Of course, I looked for ways to take revenge, but getting to that bastard was impossible. I searched for ways to strengthen myself, so I have several interesting methods to do so. Eventually, I realized I couldn't destroy them alone and decided to act more slowly but more effectively. And these methods have been gathering dust all this time."
"So I take it you're part of some kind of clan, and you've managed to get your revenge?"
"For example, I said they were third among the great clans – now they're seventh. That means nothing to you, but believe me – that's thousands of victims on their side."
"And what methods are you going to show me?"
"I have three methods – you must choose one." He laid three books on the table.
Art of the Wind Blade
Art of Blood
Art of Shadow
"Keep in mind – all three arts are forbidden by imperial edict. At early stages, the difference won't be noticeable, but later you'll have to hide your skills. I'll also give you a basic ki training book – you'll only learn the skills from that one for cover. Choose wisely."
"Art of Shadow – I choose this one."
"Hmm, I thought so – it fits perfectly for a Blade of Night."
"Is there anyone among my acquaintances who doesn't know my class?"
"Actually, you outed yourself when you stabbed Turiy in the eye. A normal scout couldn't even scratch him. In fact, he still thinks it wasn't you but someone who came after you."
"Alright – I think I'll leave the village tomorrow evening."
"I suggest you lay low in the woods for a few months – not in that cabin the Bull pointed out, but there are plenty of places. Lie low until you've grown your skills a bit. Try to stay away from small villages – a large city is better; it's easier to blend in."
"I understand. Thank you for everything, Dex."
"Not at all – every Osm bastard you kill will repay everything I've done for you."
"Then I'll head upstairs."
I went up and started training my fencing skills. In four hours, I finished reading the book.
Short Sword Combat +6
Not bad – now I just needed to find a short sword. The next day after lunch, Lera came to visit again. This time our threesome lasted only three hours.
You received 1150 EXP
You reached Level 9
Free Attribute Points: 45
Arousability +6
Dominance +2
Masochism +1
Attractiveness +3
Fertility +20
Vaginal Sex +1
Oral Sex +1
Anal Sex +3
Anal Elasticity +1
You have reached 25 in the Fertility stat. Choose a perk:
Quick Conception – you become pregnant with high probability from any vaginal sex.
Quick Birth – fetal maturation during pregnancy takes 4 months with no harm to the fetus.
Just as I thought – the system was pushing me to breed. No choice here – I took the second option. The fact that Fertility was rising so fast was almost direct interference.
After a shower, I decided not to upset sweet Lera by leaving without saying goodbye. The alchemist gave me a new bag and clothes – better quality than what I had – along with a short sword and a couple potions for healing and mana restoration, plus some supplies for the road.
I left through the backyard in the evening, slinking through the shadows toward the gates. The fat pig who'd annoyed me was on duty. When he saw me, his eyes nearly popped out. Without a word, he turned and ran toward the guardhouse – no doubt well paid to tip them off when I left.
I passed through the gates and hurried toward the treeline. Once in the forest, I dissolved into the night. I didn't even know if anyone was following me. I activated anti-tracking and ran, trying not to leave tracks. My goal was to go 20 kilometers and build a raft. Thank the gods Dex had bought me a small hatchet – at least I paid for that.
By dawn, I got to work, felling several thin trees and lashing them together with rope. I pushed it into the middle of the river and climbed on. I didn't float long – after about 10 kilometers, I abandoned the raft and swam to the opposite bank. Once ashore, I went deeper into the forest away from the village. After about five kilometers, I turned upstream, back toward the village. I wanted to reach the mountains – the least obvious route, in my opinion. Everyone would be looking for me downriver.
By dawn, I'd found a shelter in a windfall and slept for four hours. After waking, I resumed my march. It took three days to reach rocky terrain. Climbing higher into the mountains, I found a small cave – unoccupied. I cut bushes from the area, hauled stones, and camouflaged the entrance. Sitting inside, I began mentally reconstructing the runes for Mage Meditation. I had enough water and provisions for a week.
In five days, I managed to reconstruct all the runes mentally. Then, entering Mage Meditation, I slipped into Deep Meditation.