Chương 198: Chapter 195 - Silent Stalker and Frontier Sentinel

Barry's POV I walked silently behind my target, using my new class skill, [Veiled Presence (A)], an improved version of my [Silent Step] skill. It allowed me not only to eliminate the sound of my footsteps but also to hide my scent and mana, making me harder to detect as long as my target was not a mana-sensing freak like Edward. Moreover, when used with my trademark skill, [Face in the Crowd (UC)], it became very difficult for people to recognize my face.

Sometimes, I regretted not having this skill when I was free. With it, I would have become a rich slumlord—a phantom who could steal from all sorts of rich assholes. Pushing those thoughts away, I concentrated on my target. Once my target stopped moving and I got within striking range, I took out my practice throwing knife and used [Concealed Execution (A)], aiming for the target's jugular. For a second, I stopped breathing, completely focused on the knife's path.

Just as it was about to hit, silver liquid appeared in front of the knife, stopping it in its tracks. As soon as I saw the silver liquid, I made my exit using [Street Phantom (UC)], but I was unsuccessful. Within five steps, a silver hand grabbed my throat and started dragging me back. A few seconds later, I was suspended above the campfire. In front of me stood a silver-haired, pale-looking bastard with a smug smile on his face.

"You see, newbies, this is why you should never overestimate yourself," Caeso said to the militia members sitting in front of him.

"This is Private Barry's tenth failed attempt to strike me. Getting new skills and new stats usually makes you feel invincible, but never forget that gaps between tiers are hard to overcome, especially when your target is a Tier-4." He kept me suspended like some kind of object used to teach new recruits. Then he narrowed his eyes at me.

"Have I not told you that attacking me without informing me in advance can get you killed?" I just shrugged.

"You were the one who told me to use you as a target. And if I informed you every time, how would I know whether you had really sensed me or had only reacted because of my warning?" I asked.

"How did you know it was me? I intentionally followed you while other soldiers were nearby and moving in almost the same direction."

"Son, you are fifty years too young to sneak up on me." Then Caeso narrowed his eyes at me.

"Were you able to get the good ale from the tavern I told you about?"

"Yeah, I got it," I replied. Grinning from ear to ear, he dropped me to the side like a bag of grain. While I wanted to be angry at him, I could not. He was the reason I had gained my class skill, [Veiled Presence (A)]. It had been twenty days since this bastard had first started showing up, and after the first day, he had come almost every night. He would drink ale and talk with us like some common soldier. He even answered the militia's questions, which removed far more fear than Edward's speech had.

One day, to test him, I jumped in and asked him a question about how to develop my skill. Surprisingly, he helped. Not only that, but he would also pass along words of wisdom to everyone, as long as doing so did not affect the atmosphere around the campfire. Caeso had a unique talent for making people feel at ease with him while still respecting him. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

I stood up from the ground, found a place beside Caeso, and, for the hundredth time, opened my status. A skill like [Veiled Presence (A)] was something I had been waiting a long time for. As soon as I got it, I advanced my class and cultivation to Tier-3.

Class: [Silent Stalker] Level: 51 / 100 Mana Cultivation: Tier 3 – 0% Elemental Affinity: 12% Wind Physical Attributes Constitution: 90 Strength: 80 Agility: 125 Spiritual Attributes Intelligence: 60 Wisdom: 60 Willpower: 50 HP: 900 HP Regen: 295 per day MP: 2500 MP Regen: 170 per hour Class Skill [Veiled Presence (A)] – Level 1 [Concealed Execution (A)] – Level 10 [Street Phantom (UC)] – Level 40 [City Sense (UC)] – Level 35 [Face in the Crowd (UC)] – Level 40 Kael's POV"Right foot slightly back, left foot forward, knees bent.

Keep your weight low and both feet firmly planted. Don't lock your knees." Then I pushed against the recruit's shield.

"Hmm. This way, you will not be thrown back easily when you are hit by a powerful force." I took a step back and looked at the row of recruits in front of me.

"Now, these large shields are a little different from short shields. Do not hold them completely straight. The upper edge should protect your throat and face, while the lower edge should be braced against the base of the parapet. You see, these are made to fit perfectly against the edge of the wall, leaving no gap between the wall and the shield. This will protect you from enemy archers, allow you to transfer force into the wall, and let you attack enemies climbing the wall."

I was teaching them the basics of my skill, [Shield Anchor (UC)]. While my skill was advanced, its basic principle was simple. It distributed force throughout the body and, when shields were locked together, allowed the force of an attack to spread across the entire shield wall, depending on the strength of the people holding it.

"Now we will follow this sequence. First, brace. I will attack. Then, perform a spear thrust, retract, adjust your shield, and brace again." We performed the drill for the next hour before taking a water break. Finding a place to sit, I checked the new changes in my status after last night's breakthrough.

Class: [Frontier Sentinel] Level: 51 / 100 Mana Cultivation: Tier 3 – 0% Elemental Affinity: 20% Fire Physical Attributes Constitution: 116 Strength: 120 Agility: 37 Spiritual Attributes Intelligence: 30 Wisdom: 25 Willpower: 53 HP: 1160 HP Regen: 273 per day MP: 2250 MP Regen: 108 per hour Class Skill [Resolute Reprisal (A)] – Level 1 [Shield Anchor (UC)] – Level 35 [Watch Vigil (UC)] – Level 40 [Furnace Breath (UC)] – Level 35 [Spearwall Rhythm (UC)] – Level 40 The past twenty days of teaching had helped me gain some much-needed levels.

I was once again in a town, and this time, I was not just defending it. I was preparing a new batch of defenders using the skills I had learned from my own watch commander. That had given me the last few levels I needed for my Tier-3 breakthrough. [Resolute Reprisal (A)] was the first Advanced skill I had created by combining [Guard's Resolve (UC)] and [Guard's Retaliation (UC)], and it now acts as the core skill of my class. Sparring with Garran and Varric had also been important in developing this skill.

The skill gave me a boost when I was protecting people. It also helped me identify weaknesses in the enemy's defense and retaliate at the perfect moment.

"Sir," one of the younger militia members said, approaching me. I nodded, allowing him to continue.

"Does any of this training matter? With the size of the army gathering outside and rumors of many Tier-4s and even a Tier-5 among the invaders, do we even have a chance?" Once again, the militia had started feeling scared. This time, the reason for their fear was more substantial. It affected most of us, even some of the veterans from House Petrae. It had been almost forty days since the first attack, and we were not the only ones preparing. The enemy was making preparations of their own.

In the last seven days, a mix of mercenaries and a Frosthallow contingent had started gathering outside. In the last two days, that force had grown into a huge army. This was why Edward had asked the recruits to approach the instructors freely with their worries. He kept his own tent open most of the time, even at night, so recruits could come to him. He had also instructed us on what to say and what not to say. I took a deep breath and nodded.

"Yes. If they really had so many Tier-4s, they would not even need such a large army. And after living this long, we all understand that if a Tier-4 wants us dead, there is very little we can do." I looked toward the walls.

"But know this: this training will save us from the large number of enemies you see outside the walls. With walls like ours, even two thousand men can put up a strong fight against an army of fifty or sixty thousand." I stood up and patted his shoulder.

"Leave the Tier-4s to people like Lieutenant Caeso. We will do our job and fight the enemies we can." The recruit left while I stood there and sighed. Edward had told us to avoid directly addressing the fact that a Tier-5 was present. According to him, we should not lie about it. He believed people already knew at some unconscious level, but openly confirming it would create more panic. However, if someone asked us directly about the Tier-5, we were not supposed to deny it.

We were to acknowledge the Tier-5's presence while reminding them that House Petrae's guardian beast was also present and that the combined might of Captain Petrae and his beast could handle any threat.

"Hey, watchman." Barry appeared almost too close to me, making me thrust my spear at him. His fucking new skill had made him even more annoying. He dodged my spear by stepping sideways and said, "Come. I got the good ale that silver-haired boy asked for."