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Chapter 19: The Clarity of the Night
Beika Town didn't seem as dangerous as Ryusei Kiryu had imagined.
Pushing the door open to enter his home, Ryusei casually put his backpack into his inventory and went to the bathroom to shower. Killing fish was fine in every other aspect, but the lingering smell was far too strong. Once finished, he felt refreshed and headed to the kitchen to cook some rice. He opted not to stir-fry anything to avoid getting greasy again, instead pulling a few pieces of fried fish from his inventory to make do.
After dinner, Ryusei returned to his bedroom and sat at his desk to start his homework. These first-year high school problems were not difficult for him, and he finished them quickly. With the miscellaneous tasks done, it was time for the main business.
Ryusei opened his inventory and checked his wallet: 0 gold coins, 1 silver coin, 6 copper coins. The money he had painstakingly earned over the past few days was suddenly more than half gone.
"It's not enough," Ryusei thought. "I'll have to keep working hard. I don't have to buy everything I like, but I can't afford to not have the money if I need it."
His mind drifted to Sayuri. Not Sawamura Sayuri, but the landlady downstairs. He hadn't "checked in" with her today, but he lacked a good reason to visit. They were merely landlord and tenant; approaching her too frequently might cause her to dislike him, making it harder to get close later. For the long term, it was better to slow down.
This was the downside of the "check-in" method; it required a foundation of favorability to be sustainable. In comparison, the "kill" method—while a one-time violent act—was simple and direct. No social niceties required.
Ryusei shifted his gaze to a specific slot in his inventory.
[Bright Eye Health Exercises] Quality: Excellent Type: Consumable Effect: Learn the "Bright Eye Health Exercises" upon use.
With a thought, a thin booklet appeared in his hand, then transformed into a streak of blue light that merged into his palm.
"You have learned [Bright Eye Health Exercises]."
New knowledge flooded his mind, and his fingers felt more flexible. He opened the Talent Skill Panel and confirmed the new skill had appeared. Leaning back in his chair, Ryusei closed his eyes and began the movements.
After only a dozen seconds, he felt the wonder of the technique. His eyes felt incredibly comfortable; the strain from the day vanished, replaced by a warm, relaxing sensation. Ten minutes later, he had completed a full set. He felt lazy and tired from the day's labor, but he forced himself to stay awake.
A new notification sounded in his mind—like clear ripples spreading across a lake.
[Ding—]
Ryusei slowly opened his eyes and gasped. The world had become impossibly clear. He could see the fine texture of the wardrobe, the dust in the corners, and even the tiny antennae of a moth fluttering against the window glass.
Checking his Attribute Panel, he saw a new entry:
[Bright Eyes]: Buff status. Vision is significantly enhanced. (Remaining duration: 9 minutes 41 seconds)
He realized this exercise served a dual purpose: it corrected nearsightedness for those who had it and enhanced vision for those who didn't. He walked to the window. Despite the darkness of night, he could clearly see the faces of every passerby and even the labels on their clothing.
Suddenly, he spotted a familiar silver-haired figure. "Is that Yukino Mifuyu? She should be heading to work at this hour."
Ryusei took the opportunity to observe his mysterious neighbor from a distance. But unexpectedly, Mifuyu seemed to sense his gaze. She turned her head sharply, her eyes cold and stern as they locked onto his position.
His heart tightened. He nonchalantly shifted his gaze and closed the window as if he were just finishing up for the night, retreating back into the safety of his room.
Yukino Mifuyu stared at the closed window, frowning slightly.
"What's wrong?" a woman's voice drifted from her bag.
"Nothing," Mifuyu replied, turning to continue her walk.
Back at his desk, the chill in Ryusei's heart dissipated. Yukino Mifuyu was definitely not ordinary. Out of a dozen passersby, only she had sensed him instantly. It was a beast-like intuition born from a dangerous environment. For now, he decided to keep his distance, offering nothing more than a polite nod when they crossed paths.
As the [Bright Eyes] buff expired, the world seemed to turn "blurry"—an illusion caused by the sudden loss of the enhancement. He closed his eyes to let his senses adjust.
In a nearby house, Sawamura Eriri, wearing an oversized T-shirt and black-framed glasses, was hunched over her computer, diligently drawing with a digital tablet.
"Eriri, come out and eat," her mother called.
"Okay!" Eriri stretched and walked into the dining room. "Dad's working overtime again?"
"Yes," Sawamura Sayuri replied, setting the table. "Look, I made you the fried fish you wanted."
Eriri sat down, a satisfied expression on her face as she took a bite. "Delicious."