Finally, he spoke. "That wasn't S-rank output."
Lucen's grin sharpened. "Observant. That's why they pay you the big money."
Varik's expression didn't change. "You're going to get noticed."
Lucen leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Noticed by who? The soldiers out there? They won't say a word. You saw their faces. They'll tell themselves it was all you."
Silence.
'And that silence, that's the part that digs.' Lucen tilted his head, watching him. 'Because he doesn't buy it. He knows exactly what he saw — and he's not the type to let it slide forever.'
The system flickered faintly at the edge of Lucen's vision:
[Hidden Stat]
[76%]
Lucen's smirk faltered a fraction.
'Great. Like I needed a stat line to tell me that.'
He sat forward, elbows on knees, eyes narrowing. "You're not gonna run to the Council or whatever about this, are you?"
Varik's gaze didn't waver. "If I did, you'd already be in chains."
