The Esters were responsible for countless crimes, some of the worst ever recorded. A criminal organization feared for its terror and advanced equipment.

Among everything they possessed, one thing that had been made clear to every reader in the novel was how organized and intelligent this group truly was.

More specifically, the head.

As in, the head of the group, not the other thing you might have been thinking about.

Cassien’s eyes lit up with a spark of understanding.

Then, he began speaking.

"Oh, I see..." he said, pausing between his thoughts. "Good to know."

"I haven’t even explained who they are," her expression turned curious. "Yet the way you reacted seemed so calm..."

His gaze locked onto hers. "What could you possibly mean? What did you expect? I’m just a wandering traveler trying to find answers."

Victoria sighed for a moment. "Hmm... I guess that will do." She lifted her right arm, signaling the two guards on top of their brown horses. "Get moving. This man is free to go. I’ve already given you the location where you should take him. Safe travels."

"Hold on!" Cassien raised his voice just enough to stop the guards from moving forward. "Do I have the honor of asking the one and only Victoria for a request?"

She considered it calmly, then allowed it. "Sure, go on."

"Please do not tell anyone what happened or what I did. Especially not my little sister," he said, his tone sharpening.

Victoria nodded. "I can do that, no problem. But if you are talking about the same sister who cried over your body while you were unconscious, she already knows what happened. Everyone there saw you kill. However, we can limit the information so it does not spread."

Cassien bowed. "I am truly grateful. Have a wonderful night."

Victoria looked at him once more, then commanded her knights. "Carry on now."

Both guards struck the backs of their horses, and the carriage began to move slowly.

Just as they were about to pass Victoria, one of the Ten Vanguards, Cassien leaned forward toward her right ear.

She remained cautious but waited, knowing the carriage would pass her in seconds.

In that moment, she dropped her clipboard onto the ground.

Her cheeks flushed red, almost embarrassed.

Her heart began to beat faster.

"It was very nice to meet you... Victoria Platini."

Before she could respond or shout, the carriage had already passed.

The last thing she saw was Cassien’s smug grin.

’What is wrong with me? What am I feeling right now?’ She could not explain it. It was not something she was used to. ’Me, the prospect, the one and only Victoria Platini, shaken by a third-rate noble? Preposterous.’

She pushed the feeling aside and continued walking.

’Still, he is quite observant.’ Her cheeks flushed again. ’Very well. That simply means he caught me off guard. No matter. I will see him tomorrow anyway, at the banquet hall.’

Then her heart skipped again.

’Wait, why am I even thinking about this? I do not care whether I see him or not. Not at all.’

While Victoria Platini struggled with her thoughts, Cassien appeared to be in high spirits back in the lovely little vehicle.

Because he had finally been rewarded with what he should have received long ago.

"Finally. My characterization updated."

------------------------

[Sync Percentage: 67%]

└ Cassien has always been someone who commits serious crimes if it benefits the situation, while maintaining a sharp wit, clear boundaries, and always having the last laugh.

[100 Character Points Received!]

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Cassien smiled proudly as his system appeared before him.

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[Status]

Level: 1

[Attributes]

Strength: 6

Agility: 8

Endurance: 5

Intelligence: 10

Perception: 11

Luck: 4

[Weapon Mastery: Pistol]

Accuracy: D → D+

Reload Speed: E- → E

Handling: D → D+

Critical Aim: E → E+

[Skills]

Basic Firearm Handling Lv. 2 → 5

Quick Draw Lv. 2 → 10

Observation Lv. 5 → 20

Sniper Lv. 1 → 3

[Weapon Mastery: Metal Knife]

Accuracy: E- → E

Cuts: E+ → D-

Handling: E- → E

Critical Aim: E+ → D-

[Skills]

Quick-Stab Lv. 1 → 5

[Mana Updated]

Current Mana: 12 → 100

Maximum Mana: 50 → 100

Mana Recovery: 1.2 per minute

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The more Cassien examined each interface, the clearer his thoughts became. He was ready to use his new character points.

...

After about thirty minutes, Cassien distributed all of his character points while remaining inside the carriage.

He chose to divide most of them evenly, placing fifteen points into each main attribute, and put the remaining ten into his Luck stat.

The ride felt long and uneventful, though he enjoyed the view of the mesmerizing forest and dark sky through the carriage window.

Until something ruined the moment.

SHKKKKK

The carriage came to a sudden halt. Cassien felt the weight shift as the guards quickly dismounted their horses.

"Prepare for combat!"

"Move!"

Cassien opened the curtain and stepped down, wondering what had happened.

Then a scream rang out, echoing into his ears as he quickly covered them.

It was not powerful enough to knock anyone down, but the guards were briefly stunned.

Cassien stepped forward slowly, analyzing the creature while the guards steadied themselves with their swords drawn.

The creature standing before them was an Alpha Beast, the equivalent of a human whose potential caps at rank D.

It resembled a caterpillar, similar to those on Earth, except far larger, nearly ten times the size of a human.

Cassien gripped the handle of his pistol, then tapped both guards on the shoulders.

"Let me handle this. I think I know exactly where to hit it."

They looked at him, then exchanged glances and laughed slightly.

"Our orders are to protect you, little princess. Sit back in the carriage and watch how your seniors handle this."

One of them spoke with clear arrogance.

Cassien smiled and gave the answer they expected.

"Okay."

He began walking back as the ground trembled from the creature’s advance.

Just as the guards moved in to strike the massive beast, Cassien turned around.

He drew his pistol and raised it.

’I did not come this far just to let background characters tell me what I can and cannot do.’

Time felt momentarily slowed down the longer he waited to shoot the vile thing.

But, if he was going to show them the difference between someone who comes from the main cast and a couple of loser-like extras, he might as well do it in style.

The more Cassien attached himself to this world, the more fond he became of the term, ’Popularity.’

Although he would still never put himself in a situation where the enemy would be able to conduct valid research just because he chose to look ’cool.’

...

The creature continued to charge.

The guards were already infusing mana into their tough metal swords as Cassien stood behind, readying to shoot.

...