Raine darted left and right through the trees, using every trick he knew to break the man's line of sight.

After maintaining his sprint for some time, his stamina began to fail.

He reduced his pace and listened carefully.

Nothing followed him.

Raine slipped behind a thick tree and gulped for air.

"Hah... hah..."

*What rotten luck. Where did that meddling noble come from?*

A familiar voice sounded beside him.

"Young man, your speed is impressive."

Raine went rigid.

*He still won't let me go? He chased me this far?*

*Damn it.*

He made his decision in an instant.

Raine spent his final Skill Point on Basic Swordsmanship.

The skill rose from Lv. 3 to Lv. 4.

A ferocious air erupted from him.

Gripping the wooden club he had taken from Drunk Jack, Raine launched a full-powered Step Thrust at the man.

If escape was impossible, he would fight for his life.

The attack far exceeded Raine's previous limit, and surprise stirred in Hamilton.

His estimation of the boy rose again.

That temperament. That speed. That swordsmanship.

Rare talent indeed.

Yet against Raine's all-out strike, Hamilton merely extended his right hand.

And closed it.

The wooden club hurtling toward him stopped dead.

No matter how hard Raine strained, he couldn't move it at all.

His heart sank.

*It's over. The difference between us is too great.*

Only then did Hamilton continue in an unhurried voice.

"Don't be nervous, young man. I will deal with Drunk Jack. He won't trouble you again, and I will ensure he spends some time in a holding cell."

"A holding cell?"

Raine froze, then understood.

"You... You're the new sheriff?"

"Clever young man. I am Hamilton, the newly appointed sheriff of Goldflash Town."

A faint smile touched Hamilton's stern face at Raine's shock.

He hadn't intended to frighten the boy. Raine had simply reacted too quickly for Hamilton to finish speaking.

"My lord, please forgive me. I didn't know you were..."

Raine could finally hear the goodwill in Hamilton's voice.

"I can overlook what you did to Drunk Jack. He attacked first, and you acted in self-defense."

Hamilton paused.

"But just now, you raised a weapon against an imperial lord and the sheriff of Goldflash Town. How should I punish you for that?"

"You also took Drunk Jack's money, which violates the Empire's public security regulations."

A teasing note entered his voice.

Raine stared at him.

*How can this sheriff change his attitude so quickly?*

*And you're a noble. It isn't like you need a dozen Silver Coins.*

But the stronger person set the rules.

Raine had ten thousand objections and no power to voice any of them. With painful reluctance, he took the coins from his pocket and held them out.

"Eighteen Silver Coins..."

Counting them made his heart bleed.

Hamilton accepted the money with a smile, then inspected Raine again.

"Good. That leaves one matter. You attacked an imperial lord. Considering your age, I can forgive you once, but you must perform a task for me."

"What kind of task? I won't do anything illegal."

Raine regarded him with deep suspicion.

Hamilton was speechless.

*You won't do anything illegal? You're exactly the kind of brat who has no respect for the law.*

After some thought, Hamilton decided to reveal a little.

"I can't give you the details yet, but you must have heard about the recent disappearances of children. That case has been my focus lately."

Raine relaxed.

So that was the matter.

Even in his previous life, he had despised child traffickers.

Hamilton now held leverage over him. If the sheriff only wanted his help investigating the disappearances, Raine could accept that.

Still, were sheriffs in this world always so responsible?

The thought reduced his dislike of Hamilton.

Then another realization struck him.

He was still a child.

In strength, he was only somewhat above an ordinary militia fighter. What help could he possibly offer Hamilton?

Warning bells rang in Raine's mind.

Something was wrong.

Could he refuse outright?

No. Hamilton held too much over him.

Fine. He would agree for now and adapt later.

He needed strength. More strength.

"All right. But my ability is limited, and I'm still a child. I doubt I can be much help."

Raine spread his hands, presenting a face of shameless helplessness.

Hamilton laughed despite himself.

*Still a child? With that temperament, speed, and swordsmanship, most militia fighters would be no match for you.*

"Don't worry. The task won't exceed your ability."

Hamilton shook his head, still smiling.

"In that case, honored Sheriff, may I go home?"

"Of course."

The word had barely left Hamilton's mouth when Raine bolted like a startled rabbit without looking back.

Hamilton shook his head again.

What a sharp little brat.

*Still, this case may indeed require someone like Raine. He could produce an unexpected result.*

---

Raine ran all the way to the edge of his home before slowing, his chest heaving.

"Hah... hah..."

His emotions were a tangled mixture of excitement, fear, regret, and frustration.

The night had been entirely under control until he crossed paths with the newly appointed sheriff.

Hamilton was far too strong.

Raine compared him with the warriors he knew. Instructor Humbert was probably no match for the sheriff. Perhaps only Lord Perez, instructor to the young nobles, could fight him on equal terms.

Fortunately, Hamilton didn't appear especially harsh.

Otherwise, the encounter could have ended disastrously.

Even after increasing Agility and raising his Militia swordsmanship, Raine couldn't contend with Hamilton's true strength. He hadn't even forced the man to exert himself.

The gulf between them was enormous.

Raine could only blame his own weakness.

But the loss of those eighteen Silver Coins hurt most.

His body was developing rapidly. He had planned to buy meat to replenish its nutrition.

Raine sighed heavily.

The heavens had other plans.

At least his single exchange with Hamilton had granted some EXP.

[Basic Swordsmanship EXP +11]

[Militia EXP +8]

Still dejected, Raine stepped through the door.

"Brother! You're home!"

Mint rushed over and wrapped him in a fierce hug.

Before long, the family of four sat around their simple table and began dinner.

Warm lamplight filled the room.

The comfort of home swept away Raine's gloom.

Money?

He would find a way to earn more.

Soon.