I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

The Situation Escalates

***

On the snowy mountain.

Kraush, who was staring down at the piece of paper, furrowed his brow in solitude.

Ebelasque Benapoch.

The only necromancer and former leader of the Night Ravens.

After reading the letter she had sent, Kraush’s mind became cluttered.

The rat that had delivered the message and was now inside Kraush’s pocket had completely stopped moving.

It clearly meant she didn’t want to be found.

‘Something must have happened that caused a change in Ebelasque’s mindset.’

What could have caused such a sudden shift in Ebelasque?

[“There were some comrades I used to hang out with. They’re all dead now, but I still wish I could laugh with them just one more time.”]

A memory flashed through Kraush’s mind of a drunken Ebelasque mumbling her heart out.

She had always missed her former comrades, having been used as a tool by Arthur and the Skyborne Generation.

‘Ebelasque’s dream was to bring back her old comrades.’

That’s why she had stubbornly delved deep into various books and studies, even to the point of becoming a necromancer.

At least until she realized that such a thing was utterly impossible with her own power.

[“I’m sick of it! I’m not your dog! I used to be a person too, and I had people I loved! I wish I had died with them, rather than live like this!”]

Kraush vividly remembered the words Ebelasque had screamed in despair as she cursed her fate.

In that moment, a certain individual came to Kraush’s mind.

“Damn it…”

There was only one person who could fulfill her dream.

The paper in Kraush’s hand crumpled as his grip tightened.

The reason Ebelasque had cursed so desperately was because Arthur had killed that person.

A Grim Reaper who possessed the power to resurrect the dead.

And one of the harbingers of destruction that Kraush must eliminate.

‘The Black Witch.’

Kraush covered his distorted face with his hands.

He was certain that the Black Witch had approached Ebelasque.

‘After all, in the previous timeline, she approached Ebelasque once before.’

The Black Witch had only one reason to approach Ebelasque.

To recruit her into the World Erosion group.

‘Ixion.’

That was their group.

***

Ixion.

Their goal was singular.

To create a god of creation who could remake the world.

And what were they using to achieve that goal?

None other than World Erosion.

‘Psychopaths trying to create a god using the power of World Erosion.’

That was how Kraush viewed Ixion.

‘Now the puzzle pieces are finally coming together.’

As his thoughts reached that point, Kraush caught a whiff of something.

‘The one who inflicted severe wounds on the Poison King is someone from Ixion.’

The Poison King would have been following the Empire’s orders to pursue Ebelasque.

But in the process, he must have encountered someone from Ixion instead of Ebelasque.

‘Ixion, who wants Ebelasque, wouldn’t have let the Poison King continue his pursuit.’

As a result, a battle broke out between the Poison King and a member of Ixion, and the Poison King was forced to retreat with severe injuries.

‘The Empire covered it up.’

The Poison King was one of the Ten Strongest Under the Heavens and a member of the Empire.

If word got out that he had been bested by a World Erosion Species that suddenly appeared, it would damage the Empire’s prestige.

On the other hand, Ebelasque was the infamous leader of the Night Ravens, a World Erosion Species who had even attempted to assassinate a princess.

Given her notorious name, they could spin it as her taking on a solo mission and getting severely injured, thus minimizing the damage to the Empire’s reputation.

Additionally, it would present an opportunity to capture Ebelasque with their own hands.

‘The Empire must have already been aware of Ixion’s movements.’

They likely planned to investigate the Ixion matter thoroughly and then gradually rally the world’s forces to eradicate them.

Sizelry was right.

The Empire would never go after just one rabbit; they would aim for both.

‘Ebelasque has effectively ceased all activity. I thought Ixion wouldn’t approach her for now.’

But that was too soft a judgment.

Ixion were the culprits behind bringing about the worst.

Their organization must not be allowed to grow.

Kraush’s eyes gleamed coldly.

‘This could be an opportunity.’

Kraush couldn’t deal with the World Erosion Species on his own yet.

But in Hardenhartz, his brother, the Sword King, was present.

If he played his cards right, he could take down one of Ixion’s members.

‘If I’m going to use everyone, I’ll use them all.’

Kraush’s eyes flashed with determination, willing to sacrifice even his own family to prevent destruction.

‘If I can capture one of Ixion’s members, it could shake their foundation.’

By exposing Ixion’s existence to the world and rallying the strong, they could hunt down Ixion.

Just that alone would weaken Ixion’s influence.

‘If I can’t do it myself, I’ll use any other card I have.’

Even if they couldn’t wipe them out completely, reducing Ixion’s power would still be a significant achievement.

Having reached that conclusion, Kraush gazed out the window.

The snowy mountain reflected in his eyes.

“Crimson Garden.”

Kraush knew of a former Ixion member who was nearby.

She had made a deal to erase her immortality.

Someone who once roamed around, unleashing the power of World Erosion.

Crimson Garden August.

She was the former member of Ixion.

“It looks like Ixion has made contact with Ebelasque.”

[Tsk, I was just thinking the same thing.]

Crimson Garden seemed to agree, although her reaction was less than pleased.

It was only natural.

From the moment she had made a deal with Kraush, she had no reason to ally with Ixion anymore.

So, she had promptly cut ties with them.

Therefore, Crimson Garden wouldn’t have known about Ixion’s recent activities.

If she had tried to spy on them using her abilities, it would have immediately sparked a war between World Erosion Species.

“We need to find Ebelasque right away.”

Kraush quietly burned the paper in his hand using Ignis.

It seemed that he would have to act alone.

[Wait. Ixion is dangerous. Even though I was with them for a time, they’re a group of the most dangerous World Erosion Species. And from what I can see, they’ll definitely try to recruit you too.]

There was a hint of worry in Crimson Garden’s words.

That was how dangerous Ixion was.

“Don’t worry. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

As Kraush responded, the brooch he wore glowed briefly.

[Just to be sure, you’re not planning on doing something crazy again, are you?]

“When did I ever do something crazy?”

Kraush joked, and the brooch shone brightly in response.

[Answer me clearly. Is Ixion an obstacle for you?]

I must have spent too much time with her.

Kraush rubbed the back of his neck, feeling as though Crimson Garden could see right through him.

“They’re an obstacle I intend to kick to the ends of the earth.”

As he answered, a long sigh echoed from Crimson Garden.

[If you want to die, just say so. I’ll take care of it in one shot.]

“Sorry, but I’m not planning on dying until I receive your immortality.”

[You bastard, can’t you at least stop talking nonsense?]

She had become increasingly harsh with him as time went on.

[…I’ll look into it on my end as well. Whatever you’re planning, make sure you don’t do anything too dangerous. As you know, the Ixion members are lunatics.]

“Don’t worry. I’m just planning to check out Ebelasque’s hideout first.”

He wanted to visit her hideout before the search operation began, hoping to find even the smallest clue.

Once the operation started, there would be no more opportunities to move freely.

‘It’s crucial to find out exactly who within Ixion is active.’

If he discovered it too late, a disaster could occur due to his delayed response.

As the light from the brooch faded, it signaled that Crimson Garden had begun her own investigation.

Kraush opened the door and stepped out.

There was someone he had to meet before he could act independently.

So, Kraush quickly started down the hallway.

At that moment, he spotted someone ahead in the corridor.

“Kraush.”

It was none other than Haring.

Perfect timing.

There was something he needed to get from her.

“Haring, could you give me one Red Tiger Packet?”

Haring looked slightly taken aback.

After everything that had happened, it was shocking that he would ask for another one.

It was insane to think that he would try to use a Red Tiger Packet on top of the enhancement elixir he had already used.

“Where are you planning to go alone?”

Noticing Kraush’s movement, Haring grabbed his collar.

“Something just came to mind. I’m going to check it out. I want to have a Red Tiger Packet just in case.”

You always have to be prepared for the worst.

Haring stared at Kraush.

She knew from the last mission that he wasn’t someone who would hold back.

That’s why she hesitated to give him the Red Tiger Packet.

He seemed like the type who would use it immediately, regardless of the danger.

“…Kraush, there’s something more to this mission, isn’t there?”

At the same time, Haring sensed something odd about Kraush’s actions.

At first, she thought Kraush was acting to prevent a conflict between the Empire and Starlon.

But when she saw him frequently conversing with the 4th Princess, Sizelry, she became certain there was something more.

“Is it related to the World Erosion Species that severely injured my father?”

Haring asked with a slight tremor in her voice.

Her father, the Poison King, had been gravely wounded by a World Erosion Species.

And her brother had been killed in a World Erosion caused by the same species.

Unconsciously, Haring overlapped Kraush with her brother.

So, when Kraush seemed to be getting involved with World Erosion Species, she couldn’t help but feel tense.

“…”

Kraush remained silent for a moment.

He hesitated, unsure of how much he should tell Haring.

His lips moved as if he were about to speak, but then he closed them again, only to meet Haring’s eyes.

Haring had been brought along by him, despite being told by her family to stay out of it.

If he didn’t explain what was going on, even to her…

He would be no different from the Lagrain family.

Annoyingly, Arthur came to mind.

The one who never told anyone anything, always trying to solve everything on his own.

Because of that, despite being at the forefront, Arthur never gained the deep trust of others.

The fact that Kraush didn’t fully trust Arthur was proof of that.

Kraush had no intention of walking the same path as Arthur.

He wanted the Skyborne Generation to soar as high as their name implied.

He would stand at the forefront and forcibly pull them up if he had to.

So, trust was the most important word to Kraush as well.

And Haring was one of the most suitable members of the Skyborne Generation.

To earn her trust, he had to show his own.

“Yeah, but it’s a long story. I’ll explain after I get back.”

The situation was urgent, so he couldn’t explain everything right now.

If he wanted to gather some information about Ebelasque, he needed to move quickly.

When Kraush said that, Haring, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“Then I have one condition. Take me with you when you go.”

“That’s…”

“If you’re heading to a dangerous place, I’ll be more useful than the Red Tiger Packet.”

Kraush thought about Haring’s skill.

Haring’s skill, Invisible.

It was a skill that erased her presence and appearance.

Given how effective it was when facing Decarabia, Kraush knew its power well.

‘Indeed.’

Her skill would be useful in moving discreetly.

More importantly, there was no better skill for sneaking out undetected.

“Alright, let’s talk as we go.”

Kraush decided to take Haring with him.

After all, she was probably the one who most wanted to uncover the truth behind this incident.

Moreover, they had already worked together once before.

No matter what happened, she would do well.

Kraush led Haring down the hallway and stopped in front of a certain room.

As he stood in front of the door, he naturally began to feel tense.

Because in front of her, Kraush couldn’t help but feel a bit intimidated.

Kraush raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Soon, there was a soft rustling sound from inside, and the door opened.

“Hello, my dear brother.”

It seemed she had just been dozing off for a bit.

There stood Charlotte, her dark blue hair cascading down as she ran her fingers through it.

End of Chapter

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