’The bastard’ Denzel thought inwardly.

’The last time we encountered each other he threw an attack towards me for no explainable reason and we’ve never even encountered each other prior to that’

’I never let my debts go unpaid, magic or whatever it is that he has I’m going to get him back for making me drop in fear the last time and it’s going to be today, right now even’ Denzel thought all this as he began stepping closer

He pulled both of his arms together and cracked his knuckles now prepared to fight Patrick purely out of anger and spite from their last encounter

But then, right as he was about to step into the aisle, a system notification popped up right in front of him stopping him in his tracks.

It was a notification he has never come across before since he bonded with the system when he came into this world

[Ding]

The system sounded as a translucent notification instantly popped up right in front of Denzel’s face.

It immediately captured his attention, causing him to halt mid-step, his expression turning blank as he stared at the screen.

[Congratulations. Player has received Badge: Continuous Taboo Completion]

[Player has received a new skill]

’A skill? That’s rather unexpec–’

And just right then, he could feel a fierce pressure overwhelm him and almost instinctively he moved to find cover retreating back towards the side of the wall where he had intended to pass through and enter the alley

At this point, Denzel was breathing way faster than he usually did

’What the hell was that? This pressure I just felt?!’ Denzel thought as he gasped

And right then, Patrick turned his eyes over to the corner where Denzel was hiding

’Huh, I thought I sensed someone there. I felt a certain evil intent directed towards me but now it’s gone, completely disappeared. That is unusual’

But after a brief pause, his attention returned to the boy still lying on the ground, his gaze hardening.

"Get up."

The boy, however, remained slumped against the wall, not making a sound.

Meanwhile, Denzel’s gaze shifted back toward the system notification.

’That was close. That pressure I just felt was definitely from Patrick, it should be because there is no other possible explanation I can come up with at the moment’

’Judging from that, I would’ve jumped in there in anger and gotten myself killed. Despite my upgrade he is definitely not someone I can take on yet. Thank the heavens for the system notification, if not I’ll probably be fighting for my life now’

Denzel stayed at the corner for a few moments getting his breath controlled before he started to think on the new skill given to him by the system

’The system awarded me a new skill. That’s a first. When I completed my harem with mum, I didn’t even get a new skill. But this... they rewarded me for my consistency. I suppose that’s something.’

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

The timing of the notification was almost perfect.

’It came right on time, right when I was about to meet Patrick’

Denzel remained perfectly still, his thoughts racing as he watched from the shadows.

’But why was I able to sense Patrick’s pressure now and not the previous time....’ he thought for a while before his thoughts arrived at one answer

’...maybe it’s because I leveled up my sense skill. Thanks to that I was able to avoid death today and determine that I won’t be able to defeat Patrick. At least not now, but eventually the debts will be paid in full’

’So the smartest thing to do is stay hidden and keep to myself for now. Rather than rushing in blindly, I need to learn more about him... understand him.’

He paused, correcting himself.

’No. He doesn’t deserve to be called an enemy.’

His gaze sharpened.

’He’s just a bastard that needs to be put in his place.’

Having reached that conclusion, Denzel tilted his head slightly and continued watching.

Patrick had grabbed the boy by the collar and yanked him roughly to his feet.

"Get up."

The boy obeyed shakily, his entire body trembling as he struggled to remain upright.

Patrick stared down at him with cold, merciless eyes.

"I gave you thirty pounds worth of dops to sell."

His grip tightened, making the boy wince.

"I expected you to return the payment in the exact agreed amount."

His expression darkened.

"Yet somehow, you’re twenty gold coins short."

His voice dropped into a chilling growl.

"I’ll ask you one more time... and this time, you’d better not lie to me, you little twat."

Denzel’s eyes widened ever so slightly.

’The beating isn’t what surprises me... I don’t know much from this host’s memories, but I know what dop is.’

His brows furrowed.

’It’s a drug. Something that circulates all over the streets of this town.’

His expression hardened.

’Basically cocaine, just less potent.’

His eyes narrowed as realization settled in.

’So Patrick is a dealer.’

For a brief moment, an idea crossed his mind.

’I could report him to the guards. That alone would put him away for good.’

But just as quickly, he dismissed it.

’No.’

His eyes darkened.

’That wouldn’t be enough. That would only land him in a cell.’

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

’Maybe that’s what I’ll do after I’m done beating his ass myself.’

Then another thought surfaced.

’But how would Aisha see me if I did that?’

The thought lingered only briefly before his attention snapped back to the alley.

Patrick had now fully lifted the boy.

The boy trembled violently, instinctively raising both hands in a desperate attempt to shield himself.

Patrick scoffed at the sight.

"Oh, come on."

He sneered.

"I haven’t even done anything to you yet."

A cruel grin stretched across his face.

"Hell, I haven’t even used half my strength, and you’re already cowering."

Then suddenly Patrick froze, his expression shifting instantly.

Slowly, his head turned toward the alley’s corner.

’There it is....’

His eyes narrowed into slits.

’I sensed someone again.’

Without another second of hesitation, he released the boy and lunged forward.

His footsteps slammed sharply against the pavement as he rushed around the corner.

But when he looked, he saw nothing.

The alley was empty.

His eyes darted left to right as he scanned every inch of the darkness, but still, nothing.

By then, Denzel was already long gone.

Patrick, being disappointed, frowned.

’Huh? Was I imagining it?’

But right then

Step! Step! Step!

The frantic sound of rapid footsteps echoed behind him.

Patrick’s head snapped around.

His eyes widened as he spotted the boy sprinting away as fast as his battered body could carry him.

"Oi! You get back here!"

He roared, fury flashing across his face as he immediately gave chase.

***

Click.

The sound of Denzel shutting the door echoed softly through the room.

He stood still for a moment before letting out a slow sigh, resting his back against the wall as a faint smile crept across his face.

’Hmm, I barely made it out of there with my head intact.’ he thought inwardly.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he reflected on what had just happened.

’It seems this new sense skill will be useful. It allows me to detect how other people perceive their surroundings...That’s not bad at all, is it?’

He exhaled quietly.

’Hmm... with all that said and done, at least I’m finally home. And I managed to gather some useful information on that bastard, Patrick.’

His gaze shifted toward the system notification hovering silently at his side.

’Now for the main event, the thing that’s been on my mind this entire time.’

His expression sharpened with anticipation.

’Let’s finally find out what this new skill is, shall we?’

Denzel fixed his eyes on the glowing screen before him. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

’System... what is my new skill?’

For a brief moment, the room fell silent, until

[Ding.]

A sharp chime rang through the air as another notification flashed into existence before him.

[Player has received skill.]

[Skill info:...]