The one who tied him stood up, shaking his head with a scoff before saying, "Kid, you've got guts… trying to steal alone? A mere mortal trying to steal from a Cultivator's store. We seriously thought you were working with bandits or some underground gang. But no—just you. This lady must've mistaken you for someone else entirely."
Leon's brows twitched in surprise. So, she really thought I was part of something bigger? A bandit operation? Everything was suddenly much more confusing than he'd expected. But no matter how disoriented he felt, one thing was clear—he couldn't let them take off his mask.
"Why did you do it?" a deep voice asked, echoing into the night, cold and calm like steel in water.
Leon's entire body tensed.
He knew that voice.
It was the mysterious man.
"I stole because I needed it," Leon responded bluntly, his tone as unrepentant as it was sharp. "It's not like she would've handed it over just because I asked nicely."
He hadn't planned to speak, but stalling for time—and probing for information—was his best shot. If he entered the dungeon without uncovering anything useful, he wouldn't be satisfied. This was the best course of action for now.
The pill was expensive, that much he knew. If it ever made it to an actual auction house, it could easily fetch 500,000 gold coins—maybe even more. That said, it still wasn't the kind of item that belonged in an auction house, where even the lowest-valued items often started at 5 million gold coins or higher.
Still, this 'low-level' pill was so far out of his financial reach it might as well be divine treasure. Even if he worked his entire life—hell, even a hundred lives—he wouldn't earn enough.
Bronze coins.
That's what he had.
The kind of currency used by the poor. Villagers. People like him. He only ever touched silver or gold back when his father was still alive.
The mysterious man asked again, "Why don't you just work for it? Eventually, you'd get the money you need."
Leon laughed. It was harsh, dry, hoarse—more like a cough of disbelief than a chuckle. He couldn't help himself.
"Ha! You must be the son of a noble. Either a Baron or a Viscount, maybe even higher. Only someone like that could ask that question so casually. You guys think everything is just 'wait and work'? You think money grows on trees just because you've got a monthly allowance from the Emperor?"
His voice sharpened with intensity.
"Try disguising yourself. Walk around like a commoner, look for jobs that pay in gold. Then come back and tell me how much you made. Let's see how long it takes you to reach half a million coins. Do you think I want to work for centuries, just to die and have it all stolen by some random bandit? That's if I even live long enough—because unlike you, I'm not a Cultivator. I'm not going to live 200 years!"
And it wasn't just about earning the money—protecting it was even harder. The richer you were, the more people came hunting you down.
It's not like he didn't know how nobility worked. His father used to be one. But he'd be damned if he let anyone here figure that out.
Still, he was onto something. The way that man spoke... it confirmed it. The connection was real. Leon's thoughts jumped to Odin—the one he beat up. No… this man wasn't Odin. He was taller. But there was no doubt. He was connected to Odin's family.
Leon's heart thudded in his chest. Finally. That's the intel I needed... but I want more...
The mysterious man frowned. He'd been caught off guard. This kid figured out I'm nobility? From one question? He could feel the eyes of the others on him, wide with disbelief.
'This boy… he's smarter than he looks,' he gritted his teeth silently.
Then, Miss Alex stepped forward.
"Are you really the son of the Baron of this village?" she asked, squinting. From the way he carried himself, from his voice, the resemblance was impossible to miss. He has to be Viscount Eric's son… Still, she wanted to hear it from his lips.
Seeing the looks in their eyes, Leon knew lying wouldn't help him anymore.
Sigh.
"Yes," he said calmly. "I'm the son of the Baron of this village."
Everyone around him froze for a moment—then slightly bowed.
"I never thought Lord Eric would take this matter seriously," one of them muttered. "You should have just told me instead of applying to be a guard for a single night."
Leon blinked.
'He really is the Baron's son...!'
And even more shocking—Miss Alex told the Baron about him.
She really went that far… I'm just a kid, Leon thought in disbelief.
The mysterious man turned toward him. His voice came out softer, almost regretful. "I would have helped you... but now I can't. Because from the way you answered, I can tell—stealing isn't just something you did. It's part of you now. I know you won't stop."
Leon smirked.
Why would he?
He had the Supreme System.
Only a lunatic would give up a system like this just to play 'honest man.'
The atmosphere began to shift. The conversation was winding down. The mask—it wouldn't stay on much longer. Leon could feel it. They'd reach for it soon.
The mysterious man stepped to the side, took out his phone, and made a call.
Leon couldn't hear the conversation, but he didn't need to. He could tell from the look on his face and the glances he threw at him—it was about him. The man was reporting back.
He'd probably say: "We caught the thief. He's not a Cultivator. Can't be Leon."
Miss Alex stared at Leon, thinking.
She didn't know what to do with this kid. But her next words made her intentions clear.
"I've wasted a lot of money just to catch you," she hissed, voice sharp. "So I'm selling you as a slave to get my money back. Understand?!"
Leon's expression didn't change. But inside, gears were turning.
'System, is there any time difference between the dungeon and this world?'
[Yes... One hour here is one day in the dungeon...]
Leon's heart thumped with excitement at this information. He'd heard rumors. Some dungeons operated on accelerated time… some on slower time, but experiencing it in this situation was greatly advantageous to him...
'Perfect.' he grinned...
Miss Alex walked toward him. She reached out to grab the edge of the mask.
And that was when Leon struck.
"Wait for me!" he shouted, his voice cracking the tension in the air like lightning. Everyone froze. Alex's hand stopped mid-air.
"In two hours, I'll be back. WAIT FOR ME. Meet me here, right here—in two hours!"
A wicked grin curled on Leon's lips beneath the mask.
And just like that, everything changed.