The physical change in Shiv’s appearance wasn’t just an issue of cosmetics. He could tell as he looked at himself that there was a subtle, yet definite, shift in the very nature of his eyes.

  ...Is it an effect of my title?

  That was the only thing Shiv could think of to explain the sudden change. Then, something strange started to happen.

  As Shiv looked more closely at his reflection, he gradually felt like his consciousness was leaving his body. In a trance, his mind entered deep into his own reflection, where he saw everything that made him...him. Or a blurry reflection of it all, anyway.

  “Shiv? You alright, boy?”

  The old man’s words broke Shiv out of his stupor, his consciousness sucking itself back into his head with such disorienting force that he stumbled back and nearly fell on his rear.

  [You have gained a greater understanding of the abyss]

  [Your PER stat has increased]

  “W-what’s wrong?”

  This is...

  Paying the old man’s words no mind, Shiv turned towards him, trying to look into him like he did his own reflection. Sure enough, as he concentrated on the man’s figure, he felt that same instinctive pull.

  “W-w-what are you doing!? Stop that!” The old man yelled as he tried to hide away from Shiv’s gaze, brushing his hands over his skin as though trying to swipe away some invisible bugs.

  “S-sorry, sorry!” Shiv said as he turned away, realizing just how erratic the old man was becoming from his thoughtless action.

  After giving the old man a few minutes to calm down, and assuring him he wouldn’t do it again, they each took a seat at the table, the old man being closest to the door and clearly still on edge, sweat running down his brow.

  Honestly, Shiv was a little hurt by the man’s behaviour, considering he was the closest thing to family he had.

  I guess I should just be thankful he isn’t straight up running away. Shiv told himself as consolation.

  “I think it’s the effect of my title.”

  “Title? You have a title already?”

  “Yea, it’s...”

  Shiv told the old man about his title, as well as what he had received from the gacha. The conversation was a little strained at first, at least on the old man’s part, but gradually went back to normal as they talked.

  “First off, never use that talisman you got unless it’s a life or death emergency, maybe not even then.”

  “Is it really that bad?”

  “It’s not about being bad or good, it’s just outright dangerous. Interacting with an unknown entity like that can invite God know’s what. As for the summon...sorry, but I don’t really know how I can help you with that one. A rarity of SSR is so unheard of nowadays that even if it is hiding some secrets, I wouldn’t know any way to figure them out. The best I can say is try to make the best use of his passives and hope for the best. Find a reliable way to get gold from the system and capitalize on it to make use of that summon goblin skill or whatever you said it was.”

  “I see...” Shiv did his best to hide his disappointment. He had honestly expected more from the old man, but he wasn’t saying anything Shiv couldn’t already figure out himself.

  “Have you checked what missions you can do?”

  “Huh? Missions?”

  “You don’t know? I explained all of this to you before...” The old man clicked his tongue in annoyance as he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.

  “Look for it in the system. And tell me your stats while you’re at it.”

  “Huh? I have stats?” Shiv said, before remembering how the system had announced that his perception stat had increased.

  Has this kid even been properly listening to what I tell him? After all the nagging he gave me to share what I know... Is what the old man’s face displayed at the moment.

  Ignoring the old man’s gaze, Shiv went to bring up the menu and find out, but then...

  Squee~ Clang!

  A loud noise reverberated from the dark hallway.

  The old man, who had finally gotten back to normal, suddenly flew out of his chair and hid in a corner of the room, sweat dripping down his face.

  “W-what was that!? Were you followed? You lead a player here, didn’t you? I knew being around you after you became a player was a bad idea, damn me and my sentimentality...” The old man mumbled one curse after another under his breath as he looked back and forth between Shiv and the closed door as he tried his best to become nothing more than a shadow on the wall.

  Shiv observed the closed door thoughtfully for a moment before walking over and opening it, the empty hallway stretching out before him. With quiet steps, he made his way to the ladder he had climbed down from and cautiously looked up. It was quiet as death, and too dark to see further than a few feet past his reach.

  Did they open the hatch and then decide it was too risky to come down? Shiv reasoned.

  Staying wary of the hallway, Shiv made his way back to the old man.

  “They’re still up top, I’m sure. I’ll do my best to take care of them, after that-”

  “A-after that, nothing! I’m not getting involved anymore, period!”

  I was just about to say I wouldn’t involve you anymore... Shiv thought to himself with a frown.

  ”...Thanks for the help, old man, I’ll figure things out from here on my own.”

  “T-that’s right, I...” The old man began before trailing off, a subtle look of guilt settling on his face.

  Shiv turned around and headed for the door as a light sigh escaped his lips.

  “W-wait!”

  “Huh?”

  The old man hesitated for a moment, deliberating on his words before simply saying:

  ”G-good luck...and be careful.”

  ”...I will, thanks.” Shiv said with a light smile, before turning around and heading for the ladder once more.

  Without knowing where the other person was, it was too dangerous to just go climbing up the ladder. Fortunately, however, Shiv had the radar skill, and could sense if anyone was there. He could just sense that someone was above him, but he didn’t sense them being on the ladder.

  They’re probably waiting near the hatch to catch me when I’m in an awkward position.

  However, Shiv knew this place like the back of his hand, and there were plenty more ways to go up than this one. The only problem was, if they could follow him here, they almost certainly had some sort of tracking skill, likely one more specified for players.

  What if, after I move away, they decide to come down and then do something to the old man?

  Shiv didn’t care that the old man was a coward, he was still the closest thing to family he had. As unlikely as the odds were, he didn’t want to risk letting him get hurt.

  “Alright...time to try this out. Summon goon.”

  [2 gold has been spent]

  [Gibzi (C) has been summoned!]

  [Summon: Gibzi | Class: Rogue | Title: None | Stats: STR ~ E | DEX ~ D | PER ~ D | INT ~ E | WIS ~ E | CHR ~ E | LUK ~ D]

  Out of thin air, a vague silhouette took shape within a flurry of light particles, revealing a goblin about three quarter shiv’s height.

  Great, it worked!

  Shiv had been concerned that he would have to have Grigold summoned in order to use the skill, but it didn’t seem like that was an issue. So long as he had Grigold on his main roster, he could use his skills like his own.

  Just not his money. Shiv grumbled inwardly.

  “Ey, boss! Gibzi at yer’ service! Jus’ tell me whatta’ do an’ ah’ll earn meh pay proper, yep, yep!”

  “Great, I’m Shiv, I have high expectations of you.” Shiv said with a nod.

  “Yep, yep!” Gibzi replied happily.

  Should I summon one more?

  Thinking so, he decided to just to be safe, however...

  [Failed to Summon. CHR too low. Gold not consumed]

  Ahh...so that’s how it works. I can use the skills of my summon, but their effectiveness is based on my own stats...what are my stats anyway?

  “Show stats.”

  [Name: Shiv | Class: None | Title: Fool Who Stares into The Abyss | Stats: STR ~ E / CON ~ E / DEX ~ E / PER ~ E+ / INT ~ E / WIS ~ E / CHR ~ E / LUK ~ E]

  Everything is E with perception having a slight edge. It must be from when I looked at my reflection. Do all players start with E around the board, then gradually build them up from there, or am I just behind?

  He wanted to go back and ask the old man to be sure, but decided it was best to leave him be from now on.

  “Well, whatever. First order of business, I want you to climb up this ladder and open the hatch on top. I’ll follow behind you.”

  “Eh? Tha’s it?” Gibzi replied incredulously.

  “Yep, yep! That’s it.” Shiv said with a bright smile.

  Gibzi looked at Shiv, then at the ladder, then back at Shiv again.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Well, tha’s easy!” Gibzi said enthusiastically. “Ah’ll get ri~ght on it!”

  Gibzi hopped on the ladder, climbing it at a brisk pace and not a care in the world.

  Isn’t he...a bit too stupid? Shiv thought to himself, pulling a knife out of his bag as he cast a piteous look at the ascending goblin before grabbing the ladder and following behind him.

  As the two climbed the ladder, Gibzi hummed a little tune to himself.

  “Peaches and cherries~ along with some berries~ Tha’s how a pro~per goblass should carry~! Fix me some supper~ ‘long with a lover~ Then off’ to adventure I go~”

  Oh no...he’s so innocent that I’m actually feeling guilty...Still, isn’t he too loud for a rogue class?

  Just as Shiv was considering stopping Gibzi and trying to find another way that didn’t use him as bait, Gibzi reached the hatch and opened it up without a second thought.

  Ah.

  The moment Gibzi opened the hatch and popped his head out, a sword immediately went for the overly trusting goblin’s neck.

  He’s dead. Shiv thought to himself.

  But to his surprise, Gibzi instinctively twisted his body just enough to avoid getting his throat cut, the sword just slicing off the end of his right ear instead.

  “Eep!?” Gibzi squealed as he rolled away.

  “What the? What are yo-”

  Before the man could finish his sentence, Shiv took hold of the dagger that he had been holding in his mouth and threw his body upward with as much momentum as he could muster, sliding the blade into the man’s throat and pulling it back in one swift motion.

  “Agh...!?”

  The man stared wide-eyed at the sudden appearance of shiv as he pressed his hand against the hole in his neck, blood squirting out of it like a leaky pipe as he stumbled back and fell on his rear, his sword clattering on the ground as he tried to kick himself away, confused desperation filling the hole that his soul was soon to leave behind.

  “S-Siler! You...!” Shouted a man further back. Shiv had already noticed him halfway up the ladder thanks to his radar.

  Shiv eyed the man cautiously, but knew from a simple cursory glance that he wouldn’t have the guts to come up and risk attacking himself.

  That means this guy is...

  Shiv looked back at the man bleeding out, his face white like a sheet of paper as he breathed his last few ragged, gurgling breaths before going limp and disappearing into a whirl of sparks.

  [You have slain the summon Siler! (C)]

  [You have earned 6 gold!]

  It felt strange to kill a summon so simply, even if it was only at a C rarity. Even a C ranked summon would be at least twice as strong as a normal person, after all. Granted, it was only because he caught him by surprise. Shiv wouldn’t have stood a chance in a proper fight.

  Still, only 6 gold for killing a summon? talk about stingy. And that’s with Grigold’s money boost!

  Shiv figured that the low increase in gold was because Grigold’s passives were likely operating off of his own stats rather than his summon, deciding that he would have to try having Grigold summoned when he fought if he wanted to get the most out of them.

  Shiv looked at the man who was staring at where his summon had been just a few moments ago, a look of horrified disbelief splayed across his face, and decided to bring his own summon into the fray.

  “Summon Grigold.”

  A familiar door appeared out of thin air with two goblin butlers opening it to make way for the insufferable mass that was Grigold the Hoarder. Shiv noted that from what he had seen so far, Grigold was the only one that was summoned in such a way. The other summons all seemed to come and go in a flurry of sparks.

  Does it have to do with him being an SSR summon? Or is there more to it than that?

  The walls of the run down aquarium shook as Grigold stepped through his gaudy golden gate, the player turning pale at the sight of his massive body towering above him, a trickle of urine running down his pant leg as his knees buckled in fear.

  If only you knew what his stats actually were... Shiv thought to himself wryly, acknowledging how deceptively intimidating Grigold appeared under the current circumstances.

  Although, this guy’s clearly so weak that maybe his reaction is warranted, even with Grigold’s stats.

  Grigold took a cursory glance at the man as he slumped to the ground, grimacing at the sight of his shameful display before taking in his surroundings.

  “Well, I’ll be, how splendid!” Grigold began. “Did you find yourself a new home? Quite smoother to maneuver, and the lack of pungent fecal matter certainly makes for a more accommodating entrance. A pity, though, I felt your previous suite quite suited your...particular charms.”

  “How flattering.” Shiv said monotonously, returning the sarcasm as he walked up to the cowering player, making sure to not be too close or far. Cornered animals, no matter how small or weak, were most liable to bare their fangs when desperate.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Huh?” The man said dumbly.

  “Your name, I said.”

  “O-oh...it-it’s Joel...” He replied, his voice shaky and quiet. “Why...why do you ask...?”

  “No real reason. Just figured I would try to remember it after I kill you, if I can.” He doubted he actually would, though. “A name is proof you existed after all...”

  “Ah...n-no, please! P-please just let me go! I p-promise I’ll never bother you again, really! I’ll do whatev-!”

  As the man was talking, Shiv stared deeply into his eyes.

  “Ah...no...”

  Shiv felt his consciousness invade Joel, effortlessly pushing past any boundaries the man tried to put up.

  “W-what are you doing!? St-stop it! Stop it, please!”

  As the man writhed on the ground, Shiv fully took in all of his existence. Past, present, and future. There wasn’t much of the future left for him, however.

  [You have gained a greater understanding of the abyss!]

  [Your PER has increased!]

  [You have gained knowledge of the seeker (R) skill!]

  [Seeker and radar have combined to create the hunter (SR) skill!]

  [Skill: Hunter (SR) ~ Sense living creatures within a 100 meter radius. diminish ones own presence. You will feel a subtle pull towards other players]

  Shiv listened absent-mindedly as the system rang off with one message after another, but he didn’t care about that right now. Looking into other people the way he just did was a lot more than just seeing what skills they had. He saw into the very core of who they were. He saw, or felt, both the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, as well as vague images of the life they had lived and the things they had felt. Seeing how his perception increased when he used it, perhaps he would get a better picture when it was higher.

  He felt like he had known Joel his whole life now. The man was a coward, and a pitiful one at that. He knew that all the more now, after invading his soul, or so was the best he knew to put it. But Shiv didn’t hate cowards. They reminded him of the old man, who, despite all his faults, had treated Shiv with more kindness than anyone else he knew.

  He just couldn’t relate to them, that’s all.

  For a moment, Shiv thought about letting the man go, but he knew that such sentimentality would get him killed, if not now, then later. He could let the man retire, cursing him to bear an unknown stigma that would likely cripple him for life, a preferable fate to some, he supposed. But that would mean missing out on valuable rewards. And he needed everything he could get his hands on if he wanted to survive. No matter how he thought of it, letting him go was just too much of a risk.

  That’s just the way the royale is, after all.

  He considered letting either Gibzi or Grigold finish the job, but that would just be avoiding responsibility. And so, he took a step forward, Joel jumping slightly at the sudden movement, and buried his knife hilt deep into the side of the man’s head before he could react, killing him instantly.

  [Congratulations! You have slain the Player Joel!]

  [You have gained 25 gold!]

  [Your DEX has increased!]

  [Your LUK has increased!]

  [You have gained 1 Ember!]

  [The Player Joel has dropped the equipment thief’s cloak (C)!]

  [Equip: Thief's Cloak (C) ~ Slightly subdues the wearers presence]

  Shiv should have been happy, the rewards he received far outweighed his expectations, the effect of Grigold’s greed skill clearly amplified by magnitudes in his presence.

  But looking down at Joel’s limp body, his face forever tainted by fear, Shiv felt it all to be worthless.

  I think I’ll remember your name after all, Joel. He thought to himself.