Chapter 12

By the time Kayo had sorted out his thoughts, it was already time for lunch. The Wynett family members' presence for the lunch meal was optional as they can decide whether to eat in the diner room or they could have their food served to their room.

Naturally, Kayo was going to have his meal in his room. When he was about to leave his room, a knock from his door stopped him from opening it.

" ...Who is it? " Kayo lazily asked.

" Pardon me, young master. Master Gerfast has asked for your presence in his lunch. " A woman's voice answered behind the door.

" And wh- "

Before Kayo could refuse, the voice outside had cut him off.

" My apologies, Young Master Kayo but Master Gerfast had ordered us that if Young Master were to refuse then Master himself will drag you there. "

With the messenger telling Kayo this, it only made him wonder more about the reason for his summon. After a while, Kayo couldn't arrive at any conclusions and decide to face whatever Gerfast had to say.

' The only reasons I could think of is that he wants to know me more, assert his authority, or this practiced handwriting that I had mistakenly made.

Maybe he is suspicious of me? After all, I can count on Leila reporting the events in the library to him. Damn this immature mind, how can I make a mistake like that?! '

Kayo sighed as he went outside to find a beautiful maid. Though she was wearing a simple and plain maid clothes, this did not hide her beauty and well refined body features that did not escape Kayo's eyes.

Kayo mildly observed the maid in front of him before making an arrogant expression as he ordered her to lead him to Gerfast's office.

" Take me to him. "

The beautiful maid on the other hand, remained unresponsive for a second or two before smiling and said, " Very well, Young Master. Please follow me. "

With that, the beautiful maid walked with Kayo behind her. As they walked through the spacious hallways, Kayo stared at the back of the maid. His eyes scanned her movements and posture and with a few observations, he was sure that this maid wasn't simple.

' Seems to be about as old as 20 or above. Her muscles are well maintained underneath that maid uniform. However, it's specifically developed for swift movements.

Muscles similar to acrobats, and most importantly, an air that blood follows. Who is this woman? '

While Kayo was observing the maid, The maid was also making observations of Kayo.

' Those eyes earlier... although he did hide it almost immediately, I still felt it. The gaze that have seen through everything, almost as if my clothes were non-existent.

For a second, in front of this child, It felt like I was naked with nothing to hide.

...Just who is this child, '

The pair walked quietly on the way towards Gerfast's office while both were guessing each other's identities.

When they arrived, the stood beside the door and said, " Young Master must enter by himself from this point on. "

She then bowed remaining quiet, indicating that her job was done. Kayo glanced at her once more before opening the door without knocking. Once he was inside, he found that it was a room that was as small as the library he had been earlier.

Despite being quite a small room, it was still spacious as there was only a dark spruce wood office table in the middle which was filled with papers and letters. Both walls from left and right had a large cabinet that was filled with books.

In front of the office table was a table that was placed in the middle of the room. It had four finely carved chairs that was neatly placed underneath the table. After taking a quick scan of the room, Kayo walked forward and pulled one of the chairs before seating on it.

He crossed his arms and legs as he looked at the old man seating behind the office table. The old man in turn, silently stared at him before releasing an oppressing aura.

" Did I say you can sit? "

Kayo remained unfazed and even made an irritated expression. In his mind however, he had a calm expression as he analyzed Gerfast.

' So it was asserting his authority? Does he plan on raising me with a leash? '

In face of Kayo's irritated expression, Gerfast remained unmoving and cold. He looked directly into Kayo's eyes, seemingly trying to intimidate the latter. After a minute or so, Kayo's face only got more irritated as he finally spoke to break the silence.

" So, what do you want? "

Gerfast on the other hand, remained silent as he continued staring at Kayo.

' Is he really trying to assert his authority? Then why is he like this? '

The more Gerfast remained silent, the more Kayo pondered about what Gerfast's intentions were. Kayo's instincts however, were alarming as Gerfast remained staring at him silently, like a predator stalking his prey.

Despite that, Kayo still remained unchanged with his arrogant demeanor. After five minutes of nothing but silence, Kayo decided to speak once more. This time, with the intention of annoying the latter.

He made a disgusted expression as he said, " You sick old man, I knew you were after me all alo- "

" Stop it. " Gerfast coldly cut him.

Pleased with this response, Kayo planned to speak more but then Gerfast spoke first.

" By stopping it, I meant with that acting. "

" Ha? What do you me- "

Slam!

A loud sound immediately stopped Kayo from speaking as Gerfast slammed his palm on the table.

" If you still won't stop that then just know, you forced my hand. " His eyes then narrowed as he solely focused on Kayo's next actions.

This level of intimidation however, was nothing in front Kayo " The Faceless ". After all, he had multiple times wherein his life depended on his words and attitude. Thus, Kayo's overbearing and arrogant persona didn't crumble much less feel any effect from that level of intimidation.

However, he still had to take the count his identity as a child. Though most adults much less children would be scared witless in front of this level of intimidation, especially from a prominent man like Gerfast.

He had to emphasize his persona as someone capable and confident from the slums. Kayo portrayed himself as someone who is well acquainted with the survival of the fittest rule and someone who had skills in becoming a survivor,

This is also why he created the flaw if his character as someone who had never truly met someone strong and so, he made this unique personality of someone who had a prideful and unruly character.

The moment Gerfast caught Kayo without the intentions of killing or harming him, Kayo immediately decided upon this persona. He himself was confident in perfectly playing the part.

All was well until there were noticeable mistakes which he himself was not prepared for. The immaturity of his brain was something that he had not accounted for. So, although he did have the mentality of a 3rd-rate assassin, the overwhelming impulses and emotions of a young mind was something he could not prepare himself against.

The only remedy he could think of is properly controlling himself as well as always keeping his impulses and emotions in check. Apart from this mistake, Kayo was sure that his acting was flawless.

That's why when he was confronted by Gerfast, he was genuinely puzzled.

' My small mistake earlier isn't enough for him to confirm my acting. Not only that, but it only happened earlier today. So, it's highly unlikely for him to realize this mask I'm wearing.

But this still doesn't fix the fact that he was suspicious of my personality. Although it went without saying that he was suspicious of me as someone with no clear origin and with skills like mine to be found in the slums, my acting should be perfect.

That's a fact that's been proven countless times in my previous world and I'm not ashamed to take pride in it. However, you're telling me that this old man in front of me with an intimidation level that's not even half of my master's to be able to suspect that I had a fake personality?

That's rubbish. '

" Well aren't you a senile old man? What the heck do you mean acting? Ha! If I had such skills then I wouldn't have been caught alone by the likes of you in the first place! "

It's true though, with the smallest ability of acting and with an attitude like Kayo's, he would most certainly be able to join any capable group or faction in the slum. With this thought, Gerfast agreed and seemed to be convinced,

However, his eyes turned sharper and the tone in his voice grew colder.

" Are you really not going to stop? "

Faced with this new level of confrontation, Kayo's heart and mind remained unchanged. Another moment of silence deafened the room and after a minute or so, a knock from the door came.

" Master, your meal has arrived. "

" ....Enter. "

While the both of then remained silently staring at each other, the maid that brought Kayo to this office was also the one who entered the room. In hand she had a tray full of food.

She quietly walked in the middle of the room, not minding the two's unusual staring contest. She then laid down the food and drinks before bowing to leave.

As she left the room, the scene inside the room remained unchanged. Thinking that the time was right, Kayo decided to spice up his acting. Kayo's arrogant gaze began to waver as his eyes started to wander, acting as if he could no longer bear the cold stare of Gerfast.

" ...W-what do you... want from me... " Kayo asked as his voice contained hesitation and warriness. His stiff expression slowly melting. Seeing this, anybody would've felt bad as this child seemed to be near to crying but was desperately holding back his tears.

Seeing this change, Gerfast suddenly smiled as he said," Amazing... you really are amazing. "

" ...what..? " Kayo was confused as he saw Gerfast show a positive response.

Seeing Kayo's confused face, Gerfast couldn't control himself anymore and began laughing out loud.

" HAHAHAHAHahahaha- Y-you... hahahahaha! "

Seeing this, Kayo thought to himself, ' Has he gone senile? ' and as if Gerfast had heard him, he suddenly said, " No I haven't you cheeky brat! ".

Kayo's eyebrows slightly twitched as his inner thoughts was figured out. For " Faceless ", having his real thoughts guessed or known by the opposite party was similar to walking to his death.

Not missing Kayo's reaction, Gerfast laughed a little more before calming himself. His eyes were refreshed as he brightly looked at Kayo who was still maintaining his close to crying act.

" Boy, you really are special, aren't you? In exchange for your efforts, I'll tell you a secret. " Gerfast then leaned forward as he took out his necklace.

It was a ruby that was covered with silver framing. The ruby reflected a black luster whoch eas unusual for it's properties. Seeing Kayo's attention to the necklace, Gerfast smilef as he explained.

" This necklace right here, is called " The Truth Seeker. " it is one of the rarest treasures that was possessed by my rival from the enemy kingdom.

He gave it to me after dying by my hands. " He then closed his eyes as if to reminisce the scene from the past. Kayo on the other hand, pondered more about the necklace as he began to feel discomfort just by hearing it's name.

'The Truth Seeker? then does that mean- '

Seeing Kayo's pondering face, Gerfast smiled as he could guedd what Kayo was thinking about.

" That's right, I knew from the beginning. Though it's called The Truth Seeker, it is an item that allows it's wearer to feel the heartbeat of it's targets.

When humans lie, their heart beats differently from normal. So unless you can manipulate your own heartbeat, then you can't lie in front of this item. "

Hearing this, Kayo's troubled face became more and more apparent while his crocodile tear fell down his cheeks.

' ...M-manipulating my heartbeat...?

I can barely use the first and easiest assassination technique in my previous life in this weak body, much less an advance technique such as heart control! '

When Gerfast saw Kayo's mask starting to crumble, he continued to speak.

" You have no idea how amazed I was when I first met you. At first I thought you were a spy from an enemy organization or kingdom but after observing you, even to the point of stealing from my house, I concluded that you really aren't a spy.

However, that doesn't mean it explains that you aren't a threat. Your techniques in blending within the crowd as well as misleading your chasers, I can hardly doubt that you learned it all by yourself. "

Kayo's arrogant mask returned with an even wider smirk as he said, " So what? are you saying just because you can't do it, also means that I can't?

What sort of weak thinking is that? Here I thought you were a strong person with the general title and whatnot, but it turns out you're just like everybody else. "

Gerfast chuckled slightly before his expression turned serious once more.

" Look, kid. I don't care about whom you learned those skills from nor your intentions for keeping up your act.

All I want to know is what is your ambition. What is your goal? "

Gerfast asked with full sincerity as he stared at Kayo.

Kayo thought about it a little before smirking as he asked in return, " Why do you want to know? "