Kael’s sudden appearance sent a jolt of tension through the tiny shack. The boy, Pip, snatched up a heavy wooden stick, brandishing it like a club. The bandaged man sized Kael up, his eyes filled with a hunted fear.

  After a long, silent moment, seeing Kael make no aggressive move, the bandaged man finally spoke, his voice raspy. “Who are you? And why go to such lengths to find me?”

  Kael offered a disarming smile. “Just simple curiosity. It’s not every day you see a boy that young move with such incredible speed. I figured he must have a good teacher.”

  “Pip’s naturally quick on his feet. There’s no teacher,” the bandaged man said flatly.

  Kael shook his head. “You might be able to fool others with that line, but you can’t fool me.” He turned his gaze to the boy. “Your name is Pip, right? Who taught you to move like that?”

  Pip remained silent, his knuckles white on the wooden stick.

  Kael walked to the crate, picked up the bag of pies, and turned as if to leave. “Well, if you won’t tell me, I’ll just take these back. There were a couple of stray dogs outside. I’m sure they’d appreciate them.”

  Seeing the pies about to disappear, panic flashed in Pip’s eyes. In the space of a blink, he vanished from his spot. Kael’s hand was suddenly empty, and before he could even register the loss, Pip was back in his original position, the bag of pies clutched in his hands.

  Clap. Clap. Clap.

  Kael applauded slowly. “Incredible skill. A perfect [Shadow Step]. I haven’t seen one that clean in a long time.” He looked directly at the injured man. “Now, sir, I have to ask. What is the title of a man who can teach such techniques? And why do I find him in a state like this?”

  The bandaged man saw the look on Kael’s face and knew the charade was over. He let out a long, weary sigh. “I am Corin, Guildmaster of the Argent Coil. Or, I was. I was betrayed by my own apprentice, and he left me in this condition.”

  Kael gave a respectful nod. “Corin of the Argent Coil… your guild’s reputation is legendary. It’s an honor.”

  Corin shook his head, a bitter look in his eyes. “A reputation is a useless thing when you’re left like this, in a state worse than death.”

  “Let me take you to a healer, Guildmaster,” Kael offered. “From what I can see, your injuries might not be beyond repair.”

  “No,” Corin said, shaking his head. “That ‘good apprentice’ of mine has put a kill-order out for all loyal Coil members. The apothecaries and healers are the first places his spies would watch. I can’t go.”

  Kael’s brow furrowed. “Then I’ll bring a few healers here. They can get you the medicine you need.”

  Again, Corin shook his head. “Useless. My wounds were inflicted by a unique method known only to our guild. A common healer can only dull the pain. They can’t cure the source.”

  “If it’s a method from your own guild,” Kael pressed, “then surely you know the cure?”

  “I do,” Corin admitted. “But the ingredients for the antidote are… difficult to acquire.”

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  “Don’t worry about that,” Kael said. “Just tell me what you need. I’ll get it for you.”

  “Most of it is manageable,” Corin said, “but one component, the [Ghost Orchid], is exceedingly rare. An ingredient like that could easily cost 100 gold coins, if it can be found at all.”

  As he spoke, the system notification Kael had been waiting for finally chimed.

  [System]: Quest Triggered! Help Corin find a [Ghost Orchid], OR provide him with 100 gold to procure it himself.

  Without a second thought, Kael produced a pouch heavy with coins, walked to Corin’s bedside, and placed it in his hand. “I don’t know the first thing about rare herbs, and I wouldn't want to buy the wrong thing and delay your treatment. Here’s 100 gold. Please, buy it yourself.”

  Corin looked down at the gold, and the guarded, suspicious look in his eyes finally began to soften. He stared at the coins for a long time, lost in thought. At last, he let out a heavy sigh.

  “Fine. I cannot repay such a kindness, but… if you are willing, I can pass on some of the tricks of my trade. Would you be interested?”

  [System]: You may learn one skill from Corin. Choose from the following: 1. Thievery 2. Lockpicking 3. Trap Disarming 4. Appraisal

  Kael wanted to select them all, but he knew that wasn’t an option at this stage. He said. “Thank you, Guildmaster. I would be honored to learn [Lockpicking].”

  Corin nodded and then turned to the boy. “Pip, bring me my toolbox.”

  Pip immediately dropped the wooden stick and pulled out a small wooden box from under the cot. It was no larger than a pencil case. But as he set it on the floor and flipped it open, a complex series of gears and levers whirred to life. The box unfolded once, then again, panels sliding and extending until the compact case had become a workstation that filled half the room.

  Kael marveled. As expected of the Argent Coil. Their craftsmanship is almost supernatural.

  Following Corin’s instructions, Pip laid out a few specific items. The first was a Newton’s Cradle, five steel balls suspended in a perfect line from a wooden frame.

  “An expert locksmith,” Corin began, his voice taking on a teacher’s cadence, “must have an impeccable sense of hearing. Count the collisions.”

  Pip drew one of the end balls back and let it go. The spheres began to clack against each other in a complex, hypnotic rhythm. Kael closed his eyes, focusing entirely on the sound, mentally tallying each distinct click.

  Just over a minute later, the cradle fell silent. Kael opened his eyes. “193.”

  Corin made no comment, simply stating, “Steadiness of hand is just as critical. Hold out your hands, palms up, fingers spread.”

  Kael did as he was told. Pip then produced ten fine, steel needles, and with painstaking care, stood one upright on the tip of each of Kael’s ten fingers. The boy held his breath, fearing even the slightest breeze would topple them.

  Kael held his hands perfectly still, the ten needles standing like a tiny silver forest on his fingertips. Five minutes passed.

  “Not bad,” Corin said, his voice flat.

  Kael didn't move a muscle, keeping his focus absolute. A flicker of satisfaction crossed Corin’s face. His comment had been a distraction; if Kael had reacted, it would have lowered his score. Corin gave Pip a subtle nod.

  Pip took another needle from the kit. Then, in a sudden, vicious movement, he lunged and thrust the needle directly at Kael’s eyeball.

  Kael remained completely motionless. He didn’t flinch, didn’t blink. His posture was as still as stone. Not a single one of the ten needles on his fingertips wavered.

  “Excellent!” Corin exclaimed, “You truly are a genius, the trial is over.”

  Only then did Kael relax, lowering his arms and rubbing his sore muscles. “Guildmaster, was my performance acceptable?”

  “Acceptable?” Corin said, a genuine smile finally gracing his lips. “Ullr, with an aptitude like yours, achieving the rank of Grandmaster in [Lockpicking] is an absolute certainty.”

  Joy surged through Kael. Corin had given him the highest possible evaluation. All his research from his past life had paid off. In that timeline, he’d never had the chance to do this quest. Corin was a wandering NPC who would only teach two players before moving to a new, random location, and Kael had never been lucky enough to find him.

  A cascade of system notifications filled his vision.

  [System]: You have passed Corin's trials and learned the [Lockpicking] skill. Your proficiency has been set to [Grandmaster]!

  [System]: You have triggered a Lucky Bonus! Your [Lockpicking] skill has been upgraded to the Legendary Tier: [Omni-Key]!

  Kael’s delight turned to utter shock. A legendary tier? There’s a tier called [Omni-Key]?!