My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's

I'm terribly sorry for the huge delay!

I can only hope I haven't been forgotten.

While saying he should get to the point, Ringa sips the drink Mile brought earlier.

By the way, it's not citrus — some kind of fruit juice.

From the smell, maybe grape.

I haven't tried it, so I don't know how it tastes, but seeing Amelia drink it with such enjoyment, it must be good enough for royalty.

Noticing I hadn't touched my drink, Ringa narrowed his eyes a little.

"So, what brought you to this continent?"

With that sharp look, I drew the Night Blade God from its scabbard — still slung on my back — and set it on the table with a thud.

Prompting him silently, Ringa pulled the blade out about halfway.

I opened my eyes a little.

"I see. You're looking for a blacksmith."

Judging from the chip in the blade, Ringa sheathed it again and set it back down.

"It looks like quite a fine piece, but how did it end up like this?"

The better the blade, the tougher and sharper it is. The same goes for swords.

He was asking whether anyone would keep using such a remarkable sword until it got this worn.

"I absolutely have to raise my level to 100. So I dived into a labyrinth in Human territory and slaughtered demonic beasts until it came to this."

I answered honestly, and Ringa froze for a moment.

"...Did I hear you wrong? Did you say you faced a labyrinth in Human territory with this sword?"

"That's right."

"You're an idiot."

He said it bluntly.

So blunt it was almost refreshing.

Night on my shoulder nodded along.

I flicked a finger at him just to be cheeky.

"Don't tell me you went into a Human territory labyrinth not knowing it's a training ground for magic users? Or did you stumble into death and somehow survive?"

"I didn't know until Night told me. It wasn't just luck, though that helped a bit. Mostly it was my skill and this Amelia's help."

I said it casually as if it were nothing, and Ringa sighed.

"You're probably chasing that so-called special skill you supposedly get at level 100. Betting your life on such a fairy tale — you're quite the masochist."

I grinned.

Right.

There are rumors that those who reach level 100 receive a special skill — a perk above an extra skill.

Of course, I heard that from commander Saran, and I know the rumor is true.

And I promised commander Saran I'd definitely hit level 100.

A promise, first and last.

"Special skills do exist."

I insisted firmly, and Ringa stared at my face.

For a while the room fell silent.

"...You really believe that, don't you. No, are you certain? Why? There shouldn't be any heroes left with level 100 in this world."

"There used to be. I saw it myself. A person who reached level 100 was granted a special skill."

"Is that the truth?"

After leaving the Adventurer Guild, as we slipped through the crowd, Amelia asked.

Thanks to Night perched on my shoulder, Beastmen kept their distance, and since Amelia is a High Elf, word must have already spread through the town — nobody bothered us.

Perfect execution.

Though I want to duck into an alley soon.

Amelia's question lacked a subject, but I knew what she meant.

Night, balancing nimbly on my shoulder and clinging to my head, spoke too.

This posture tickles a little with chest hair brushing my ear.

"Master, I've never heard that you get a perk at level 100."

"Ah, that's expected for someone who used to be a demonic beast. Amelia, you've heard of it a few times, right?"

When I asked, Amelia nodded awkwardly.

"I've heard it in fairy tales. Like reaching MAX on a normal skill, only a few geniuses can get there. Ordinary people couldn't possibly. Even getting to 99 might be extremely hard."

Yes, it should all be a fairy tale.

But it wasn't.

"The first to notice the level-100 perk was the first generation hero. In the final battle with the then-demon king, his companions were all killed, and he was near death. After slaying the last demonic beast besides the demon king, the skill manifested. It bloomed during the fight with the demon king and he used that power to get the happy ending. It's the classic heroic limit-break."