Survivor 15

Fame.

It was a system that existed in the original game as well.

It's a stat unlocked by achieving a certain level of favor with a faction, and depending on how high the fame is, certain events could occur.

"I feel like I'm at a loss here."

This is a reward I've risked being exposed in front of others to obtain.

If it's just as effective as in the game, it might be a bit disappointing.

"You realize it too. Indeed, it's a shame about the tea leaves that went into this."

"Then, I'll train more."

Luciana quickly snatched up the remark that slipped out of my mouth, terrifyingly fast.

-Clack.

Soon after, the glass and saucer clashed, making a harsh sound.

"This makes me think that my way of brewing is much better."

"My apologies."

"Tea ceremony is the basic duty of an attendant. Strive to improve."

Fortunately, without any further questioning, she slowly sipped the tea she had criticized.

'Is this the influence of the affinity?'

The indicator of trust doesn't seem to lie. She's surprisingly forgiving even for my slip of the tongue.

The immediate crisis is over. Now it's time to check the details of the reward in the status window.

[Skill]

[A rank: Dual Fame]

[A thief must strictly distinguish between their everyday appearance and their thieving persona. A thief who fails to do so will end up with their head flying off – Legendary Thief, Moon Raven]

[Fame will be split into 'Hans Byron' and 'Frost Mane'. Each fame can be applied separately.]

"…Oh, this is better than I thought?"

"You don't really think the taste is okay, do you?"

"No, of course not. I need to try harder."

Ah, watch my words.

The skill boasts unique abilities, enough to inadvertently elicit an exclamation.

'Originally, fame was an unfair system where choosing one meant giving up the other.'

For instance, even if one achieved remarkable feats as a mercenary, that fame would be regarded as mere gossip outside of the North, which desperately needs soldiers.

On the other hand, gaining infamy as a criminal was different.

There would be penalties like activity restrictions in most regions, but in the criminal-filled underworld of the West, one could obtain useful information and decent tasks that are hard to come by elsewhere. Therefore, what occupation one held and the actions they displayed were crucial elements in this game.

'But this changes things.'

The benefits of gaining notoriety as Frost Mane, the thief, are endless.

One could access information about high nobles or usable thief guilds, and it would also help in retrieving hidden pieces later in the West and the capital.

And if the criminal notoriety doesn't get exposed, the penalty is virtually non-existent.

The skill is well-deserving of its A-rank label.

"Looks like this thief called Frost Mane is quite bold, targeting nobles in the North of all places."

She folded the newspaper and glanced at the sword display.

"If it were up to me, I would have executed him on the spot."

'What? What is she talking about?'

Putting aside Luciana's extreme stance, this contradicts both Hans Byron's common sense and the game settings I remember.

"Don't they usually transport criminals to the West?"

The Empire's treatment of criminals was consistent. Habitual thieves, fraudsters, serial killers – the difference was only in the sentence; most were sent to the magic stone mines.

There were only two exceptions to this.

Either minor crimes ending in fines, or crimes deserving of execution in this era.

"I think you need to study more about the North."

As if to say she couldn't believe I didn't know, Luciana smiled wryly and continued.

"In an area frequently at war with the demon race, the treatment of criminals is stricter than in other regions. Everything is at the discretion of the capturing noble."

…I definitely must not get caught.

Just as the skill description says, I really could end up losing my head.

"The next scheduled time is approaching. Let's get up."

"Is the break over already? What's next?"

"Hunting time."

"Good. It's practically an extension of the break. Lead the way."

Training and hunting.

What I've naturally come to understand while serving Luciana these past few days is that she quite enjoys these physical activities.

"I hope to catch something more impressive than a Direwolf this time. Maybe a Yeti."

Seeing her already brimming with anticipation and gulping down her expectations, how could I not understand?

Etiquette and history lessons always seemed to slightly furrow her brow, showcasing that what one is good at and what one enjoys can be distinctly different.

"Excuse me for interrupting, but we will only be targeting the wildlife near the Duke's territory."

What's all this talk about a Yeti? Even the Yeti, one of the top three monsters of the North, isn't just a neighborhood joke.

"With no guards today, we must be extra cautious. Absolutely no hunting of unplanned monsters."

To this, she casually retorted with disbelief.

"Are you the same man who convinced me to go to a Direwolf's den without any knights or guards?"

Well, that was entirely doable.

The Direwolf is scary for its pack mentality, and I knew exactly how to dismantle that.

"It doesn't matter. Hunting has its own form of enjoyment."

She reached not for her usual broadsword or rapier, but for a dagger and, surprisingly, another weapon.

"You know how to use a bow?"

"I can handle it well enough to not embarrass myself."

It had been sitting prominently in the room, but until recently, I had suspected it was just for decoration.

After all, it was never used in the original work.

"Seems like you're not very interested. I know that archery is commonly used not only in the North but in other regions too. Is it different in the West?"

She was right.

Hunting, the pursuit of living animals for trophies and a sense of achievement, was a pastime regardless of region.

Naturally, the use of bows, a primary tool in hunting, was something any noble would be expected to know.

"Unfortunately, archery isn't my forte."

As if anyone could just shoot a bow.

With just a strength of 2, the bowstring was too much of a challenge for me to pull.

"Hmm. Unexpected."

Luciana quietly pulled the bowstring several times, simulating shooting an arrow.

"As my attendant, shouldn't you at least know how to shoot a bow? I could teach you if you want."

"It would be an honor."

It was simply a strategy to learn the leisure activities of the nobility and build up my culture.

Though there was a slight personal desire to learn archery from my favorite character.

-Creak.

"Freide, make sure to take him along later."

Leaving Freide, who was grumbling while searching for its owner, Luciana strapped the bow to her back.

"Prepare the horses. I'll go to the hunting ground and teach you meticulously."

* * *

He lacks talent.

An hour into the hunting ground.

Luciana had to forcefully suppress the sigh rising in her chest.

"Ugh… It's so tough!"

She didn't expect to be stuck just pulling the bowstring.

Aligning the sights with the prey, aiming for the legs rather than the body for efficiency – all the lessons she had planned had to be thrown in the trash.

Normally, she would trust his shamelessness and give him a piece of my mind, but seeing him struggle so hard made it hard to say anything.

"Sigh, it's not working. I guess it was too much. The equipment is just too poor."

Correction.

Watching him casually discard the Northern military bow with a shrug, she couldn't hold back anymore.

"I understand a good writer doesn't blame their pen."

"That's a complete lie. People are greatly influenced by their tools. A good pen fosters great thoughts for a writer. How much more for a bow?"

Now accustomed to Hans's skilled tongue and bold face, she couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

"Fine. You can't even properly pull the string, so what's the point in teaching? Just watch my stance carefully and try to mimic it later."

It's a rare hunting day. She can't waste it, especially with his attendant watching.

There was a perfect target in the sky.

"Do you see that flock of birds?"

"Birds? Well, I see five dots."

Even for Luciana, the flock was a bit far, but they were clearly soaring in the sky. She asked, puzzled.

"You, who spotted the fur of a Direwolf in the snow, can't see that?"

"Ah, haha. Seeing something far away and distinguishing similar colors are different matters."

Hans, being from the West, might not know.

She knows from experience that they are migratory birds only descending to the South during breeding season.

"Watch carefully. The leader is at the front."

She nocked an arrow on the bowstring.

Beyond the bowstring pulled up to her face, the target, unaware of being in her sights, was gliding effortlessly in the sky.

"The moment the leader, guiding the long-distance flight, falls, is when the prey descends into disarray."

She felt a void in her hand that had held the arrow. Simultaneously, one of the dots in the sky grew larger and soon, a considerably large bird fell right at her feet.

The remaining four dots, the leaderless birds, flew haphazardly in panic.

If she shot an arrow when they grew tired, she could easily hunt them.

"How about that? My shooting skills."

Suddenly, Luciana became curious about Hans's reaction.

How would he respond to her rather impressive shooting? Would he show the admiration and longing that others typically directed at her?

Or perhaps he might barely conceal the envy and jealousy common in frivolous individuals like Dmitry.

Or, would he offer the loyal praise typical of servants, as Yegor does?

"Wow. That's really impressive."

However, the applause and congratulations he offered held none of the emotions Luciana had anticipated.

"…Huh?"

"What?"

Luciana was momentarily thrown off by a look she had never experienced before.

Well, strictly speaking, she had seen it. From the same person, during the Direwolf hunt.

"Not so surprising, I guess."

"What do you mean? I just thought it was something the Lady could achieve."

That was akin to the trust one would place in steel, known for its enduring strength over many years.

'…Why is this happening?'

Luciana didn't have time to understand the tingling feeling gnawing at her heart.

"It's substantial. When will I be able to hunt something like this?"

Watching Hans pick up the hunted bird, she tried to calm the vague unease about her feelings.