32-032-The identity of Phantom Thief Ruffin!

As purple smoke spread across the hall, the guards clattered to the spot.

''Oh, my.........''

After resisting for a while, Linus couldn't hold out for long, and he passed out, clutching the sword he had thrust to the floor.

Amidst the smoke, the blonde woman takes up the treasure sword Lightning Dagger that was lying on the floor and laughs suspiciously.

''Huh........ It's really anticlimactic that it works so well.''

This woman's true identity is the thief Ruffin herself, the one who has been making the rounds in the town.

And the purple smoke that surrounds her is her number one skill, the Paralyzing Poisonous Mist (Stunning Mist).

This skill, which is mainly used by sheifs who prefer state-dysfunctional skills, instantly numbs the entire body when inhaled, causing it to lose consciousness.

Although it loses its power over time so there is no risk of collateral damage to innocent people, unlike the ones made from poisonous plants, it leaves no evidence of its use in crimes, and in some countries it is even banned in some areas.

By the way, Kaneta, who was a member of the hero's party, did not learn this skill because the hero Kanemitsu said, "That's not like a battle for the hero's party, is it?

''The treasure house here has too hard a magic barrier, so my unlocks can't break it, right? But if that's the case, just open it yourself, Linus-dono, and everything will be fine... I'm really a genius~

Ruffin hummingly pulled the Lightning Dagger out of its sheath and slashed the door of the treasure room while putting his magic power into it.

Span!

The heavy door was cut out like a piece of clay, leaving a large hole.

''Hu~, this is amazing. It's a shame to keep the strongest weapon in a place like this for so long. From now on, I'll put it to good use.

I will not allow that to happen!

What?

Ruffin, who was suddenly spoken to, hurriedly jumped back from the spot while releasing a throwing knife in the direction of the voice.

But.........

"Ice Wall!

All of the throwing knives were popped by the huge icicle that suddenly appeared.

''You're not so bad. Don't hide in a place like that, show yourself!

Ruffin held up his Lightning Dagger and pointed his slice at the figure on the other side of the ice.

Then a woman dressed in white robes.......Elena appeared from behind the icicle.

''I'm really surprised that you're able to avoid my paralyzing poisonous fog (Stunning Mist).

In response to the impressed Ruffin, Elena shook her head with a sad face while narrowing her eyes.

''........I'm not evading it. With your skill level, you just can't cause a status abnormality against me.''

'What?　That means that you have extraordinary magical resistance... you're not human, are you?

Even without knowing that Elena is a water spirit, Ruffin seems to have guessed it from the light blue hair color that is slightly visible through her white robes and the fact that her own skills are not working.

Above all, it was clear that Elena was not an ordinary person when the Paralyzing Poison Mist (Stunning Mist), which is so powerful that it could knock His Highness Linus of the renowned Platena Country into a coma, did not work.

''In that case, there's only a direct attack. Let's let me try out the slash of the treasure sword!

Looking at Ruffin's figure holding the lightning dagger he had just obtained, Elena looked down at him sadly.

Then she clutched the pendant on her chest with her right hand and asked Ruffin with a face like she was admonishing a young child.

''Will you stop now, Anais-san?''

At Elena's words, Ruffin cringed.

While Anais's figure was in braided black hair and a maid's outfit, the monster ruffin had short, trimmed blonde hair and an easy to act shorts style, and they didn't look alike.

And they are different in height, build and even voice color.

No matter how you think about it, there shouldn't be any similarities between the two.

''.......How did you spot them?''

Ruffin's disguise is not just a mere make-up, but a unique technique that combines complete mimicry with magical coating and voice color change, and he takes pride in the fact that he can never be detected by ordinary humans.

That's why he has succeeded in all kinds of stealing and has never been caught.

Against such Ruffin's boastful disguise skills, Elena said crisply.

My eyes don't allow such tricks to work.

'....Hahaha!　What you did with me really caught me off guard. I should have been wary of you from the beginning!

At her words, Elena turns to Ruffin........no, Anais with a sad face.

'Why did you try to steal the Lightning Dagger?　So, is there someone you'd like to protect?　Can you save someone else by having it?

When asked by Elena about the reason for the existence of Ruffin the Phantom Thief, Anais tilted her head with a quizzical look on her face.

I'm not sure what you're talking about.　The only thing I do for a living is to steal rare items from high and mighty officials as a thief. What would be useful for you, if you asked me what would make it easier for you to steal in the future?

No.

Elena stumbled back, aghast at Anais's answer, which was too selfish, and her hands gently received her thin shoulders.

'You, what do you say to my pure and innocent daughter? You're going to make a bad impression on Sifu.

Huh!

While the smoke of the paralyzing poison mist (Stunning Mist) was still rising, the bandit (Thief) Kanata glared at her sullenly, and Anais stared at her with a puzzled expression.

''Why is the Thief's Anta recovering from paralysis so easily?　How could you...!

Unlike Elena, Kanata is, for all intents and purposes, a mere human.

Moreover, she's in the same sifu profession as herself (Anais) and her magic resistance must be extremely low!

However, Anais had a major oversight.

The factors that affect the duration of the effect of the Paralyzing Poison Mist (Stunning Mist) are another important thing besides the magic resistance power.

That is.........

Simplified status display

Level: 37.

Name: Anais.

Occupation: shifu

Content: people

Gender : Female

Attributes: none

Age: 31

Simplified status display

Level: 99

Name: Kanata

Occupation: shifu

Content: people

Gender : Male

Attributes: none

Age: 20

With her eyes narrowed, Elena told Anais her answer.

''The reason why Anais-san's skills aren't working.......is the overwhelming level difference.''