CHAPTER 27: CUNNING

Richard didn’t have to wait long. Olivia returned through the same window she had left from, carrying a glass case within which rested a skull.

For a brief moment, Richard thought it was a massive diamond, carved into the shape of a head.

"Here it is..."

Olivia placed the glass case before him.

Richard wasted no time. He lifted the case, opened it, and pulled out the skull. Despite its solid appearance, it was featherlight in his hand—like holding hardened cotton.

The instant he touched it, Richard felt an overwhelming urge to absorb it.

Without hesitation, he did. The skull melted into shimmering light, dissolving into his own head.

DING!

(Your Skull Bone has been replaced with an Aether Skull Bone. You gain an additional 1000 Aether Accumulation derived from the Aether Skull Bone!)

[Aether Accumulation: 2000 Tier 3]

The notification echoed in his mind.

Replacing each section of his skeleton with Aether Bones granted a flat increase of 1000 Aether Accumulation, matching the tier of absorbed Aether. Skull, arms, legs, torso—four sections in total, for a possible 4000 Aether.

At the peak before advancing to the next Realm, an Aether Will Magus could accumulate up to 15,000 Aether—and more through other methods.

For Richard, who had only 1000 before, this single gain doubled his strength. He hadn’t drawn in any Aether since advancing, making the increase all the more significant.

But it wasn’t just the numbers. From the Aether Skull Bone came something far greater: a Sixth Sense.

A new faculty awakened within him—an ability to see, hear, and speak without relying on eyes, ears, or mouth.

Like telepathy, but sharper, more versatile. With it, he could project his voice directly into the minds of others.

This was why the skull was the most valuable of all.

"Congratulations on becoming stronger," Olivia said warmly.

"It’s nothing," Richard replied flatly.

"You must be craving a real challenge. Apple Town is far too small for you. The Valley Night City would suit you far better. That’s where geniuses gather. But of course, to meet worthy opponents, you’d have to face older children." Olivia’s voice carried a teasing edge.

But Richard shook his head.

"I’m not interested."

"Ohh..." Olivia’s eyes gleamed, her curiosity piqued, as though she had guessed Richard harbored a deeper reason.

"Can I leave now?" Richard stood.

"Yes, of course. This isn’t my house, after all, so there’s nothing here tying you to me."

Richard, "..."

He walked toward the door, only to come face-to-face with William and his maid, Elsa.

Both froze in shock. Then William’s face contorted into fury.

"You brat, how dare you break into my aunt’s house!" he shouted.

Richard fell silent.

He glanced back, only to realize Olivia had already vanished. A curse rose in his mind.

’I’ll pay her back for this soon enough,’ he thought bitterly.

At the same time, he wore an expression of helplessness toward William.

Then, with a sudden push of his small hand, he shoved him.

It looked weak, insignificant—yet William crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.

"Young Master!" Elsa rushed to his side, horrified.

Richard darted into a side alley, vanishing from sight.

By now, he understood—living among crowds meant running into trouble after trouble.

Only in the Purple Rose Village did he remain unbothered, for none there dared to cross him.

Through winding alleys, Richard easily made his way back to Mr. Joe’s home.

The old man was asleep on the sofa. Richard tapped his shoulder, jolting him upright.

"Boss?" Mr. Joe exclaimed in surprise.

"Let’s go. We’re heading home," Richard said.

"Now?" The old man blinked, bewildered. But Richard offered no further words and strode toward the door.

If Joe didn’t follow, Richard would leave without him.

Athena wasn’t asleep, idly munching on grass outside. Richard mounted her back at once, forcing Joe to hurry after.

"Wait, Boss!" he called, clambering up behind.

Only then did Athena set into motion. But Richard kept her pace steady—rushing inside the city would only invite more problems.

As for William? Richard barely gave him another thought. Who knew if he’d even be able to track him down?

Besides, the matter wouldn’t escalate. Nothing had been stolen from that house—there was no crime to report.

On their way out of town, Richard cast his gaze at the passersby.

Whoosh!

He spread his Sixth Sense outward, extending twenty meters in all directions.

Invisible, undetectable—yet to him, it revealed everything. Every detail, every sound, even with eyes closed.

Best of all, he could speak mind-to-mind.

Richard planned to spread a rumor: that he had taken the Slave Seal from the Dark Forest’s grave, forced by Olivia, and had already handed it over to her.

But he would wait. A larger crowd was needed.

"Old man, do you know anything about a cat’s grave in the Dark Forest?" Richard asked.

"Mm, yes... I’ve heard of it," Joe replied with a nod.

"They say it belonged to Lady Rebecca. A Primordial Beast, intelligent as a man. Lady Rebecca bought it at great cost, enslaved it, and often sent it on errands.

"A week ago, she dispatched it here, to Apple Town, to bring in more beasts for the Dark Forest. Under its command, the wild creatures grew tame. But the cat suddenly died here in town. Some say it was poisoned.

"Perhaps Lady Rebecca was occupied, for she didn’t send anyone to retrieve it. She merely ordered the city lord to have it buried."

’Then perhaps Olivia was the one who poisoned it,’ Richard thought darkly.

He hadn’t expected this to connect back to his mother. But no matter its owner, one thing was clear—Olivia had used him.

Rebecca might have left the Slave Seal in the grave deliberately, as bait. Whoever dared take it would expose themselves as the culprit.

After all, there was nothing else on that orange cat worth stealing.

No one would kill it without that single goal.

Olivia must have thought—no matter how talented—a seven-year-old boy wouldn’t think so deeply. So she used him.

’A cunning fox indeed. I should’ve known, given how she makes her money,’ Richard thought grimly.

Before long, Athena carried them to the city’s great gate, standing wide open.

It was midday. People of all ages streamed in and out.

Richard decided—it was the perfect place to spread the news.

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