I woke up to find my limbs tied to a chair.
'The perfect position to torture someone, classic. I probably shouldn't admire it too much though, considering I'm scared shitless over here.'
"Did you sleep well, little ant? To think you were knocked out by someone that weak, in one attack no less!" A cheerful voice rang from the dark corner in front of me, laughing at my misery. His voice was full of arrogance, making me quite irritated.
'Can I just punch this bastard once?' My fists tightened but it was of no use given my current abilities.
That thought was quickly cut off as I felt a burning sensation in my left cheek. Strangely enough, my face felt as if I was slapped, but my head hadn't moved an inch. An invisible force was preventing my head from turning away but I didn't pay attention to it at all.
Blood running from my mouth mixed with my tears and fell down my face. I couldn't even scream thanks to him sealing my mouth as well.
"Shhh, be a little more quiet will ya! Can't have you wake everyone up in the middle of the night, right?"
His tone was soft but his expression was completely different, his black eyes alone were enough to make me frozen in place. It was at that moment I realised who that was. I muttered the name without even noticing my mouth had been unsealed.
"Ruthless Knight, Zamor Vistillson."
A knight that directly receives orders from viscount Vistill, who was responsible for taking care of my village. Subjects with such status were bestowed the name Vistillson to symbolise their loyalty. Although his power was lacking - merely at the Mid Mortal realm, his ruthless methods earned him his title.
"Since you know who I am, I'll cut to the chase. 'The weakest' Atlem, the viscount has always wanted to get rid of a freeloader like yourself, to think you'd give him a reason so easily." He sounded quite amused as he continued. "Food has been scarce these days, the viscount can't afford to waste food for useless people you see."
A demonic smile spread on his face, his killing intent flowed out and I found it hard to breathe. Contrary to my expectations, the pressure soon dispersed.
"How unfortunate, according to the laws you still need to be officially approved as a criminal before your death penalty, since there are people who still doubt you were the one who did it."
Saying that, he left. The room finally became silent. The burning sensation had stopped and I tried to think of a way to escape. The ropes were tight and I couldn't possibly tear them. Even if I did, there's probably a guard on the other side of the door. The room had no windows, the only way in and out was the door.
'Should I just pray and hope the Heavens pity me once more?' I thought mockingly. All hope was lost the moment I was seen trying to escape. I didn't even bother opening my status, the miracle I wished for wasn't there…Or so I thought as my status lit up before my eyes.
'What the-? Did it just open on its own? Everything seemed the same except.
=====
[Name:Atlem]
[Title:Weakest of the weak]
[Title description: You're so incredibly weak that the Heavens took pity on you and decided to bestow you with a title befitting the ant you are!]
[Effect: Keeps your presence to the bare minimum, escaping even the most powerful tracking skills!] (Extend)
[Level:0.1]
[Strength - Earliest stage of Mortal realm]
[Skills: None]
======
'I can extend the [effect]?'
I was stunned. Such a thing had never happened before. I didn't need my hand to press the button, all I had to do was think about doing it, and so I did.
=====
[Name:Atlem]
[Title:Weakest of the weak]
[Title description: You're so incredibly weak that the Heavens took pity on you and decided to bestow you with a title befitting the ant you are!]
[Effect: Keeps your presence to the bare minimum, escaping even the most powerful tracking skills!]
[In case of a predicament where you are unable to escape, you can activate the second effect]
[Second effect: Upon activation, you will momentarily gain the skill: <Equivalent Exchange>]
[Duration of second effect: 5 minutes]
[Level:0.1]
[Strength - Earliest stage of Mortal realm]
[Skills: None]
======
'A skill! Looks like the Heavens pitied me quite a lot to give me a title like this…'
I truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this opportunity. But I have no choice. Although I haven't the slightest clue what the ability does, it should be pretty useful considering it is a last-ditch effort.
[You have activated the second effect of (Weakest of the weak), acquiring the skill <Equivalent Exchange> for 5 minutes. Cooldown starts now.]