Chapter 17

 "Ah yes. You see, I've been traveling and I'm lost. Is there a city here nearby?" Vivian said with a friendly smile on her face.

 

Cram was about to answer but Flein beat him to it.

 

"Yes, about 2 miles away from here Northwest."

 

"What's the name of the city?"

 

"Luxen."

 

"The 2 of you are adventurers?"

 

Hearing the question, Cram and Flein were both puzzled. In their head, it should be obvious with the pendants around their neck, not to mention Vivian also had one as well.

 

Seeing that Vivian didn't say anything and was waiting for an answer, one of them answered.

 

"Yes, we are Copper II," Cram said proudly.

 

Flein, on the other hand, only glanced at him before returning his gaze to Vivian.

 

"Wow, amazing!" Vivian said and clapped her hands. "So you're doing a quest here?"

 

"Yes."

 

"From the adventurer's guild?"

 

When Vivian asked the question, Cram noticeably became guarded. As for Flein, he was already from the beginning. But now, he was more guarded.

 

"Why are you asking that?" Flein asked.

 

"Are you an Auditor?" Cram asked his own question as well.

 

"No, I'm just a traveler asking for directions and information," said Vivian. "By the way, is there an entrance, toll fee or some kind of paperwork, like a passport, when entering the city?"

 

Cram and Flein looked at each other before returning their gaze to Vivian.

 

"There is a toll fee," said Cram.

 

"Oh, how much?"

 

"It's 1 silver coin. But adventurers like us don't have to pay."

 

"I see," said Vivian. "Do you know how much is 1 silver coin when exchanged with copper coins?"

 

"Huh? Lady, why are you asking that?" Cram asked with a confused expression.

 

Flein wanted to curse on Cram. But when he was about to step in and take over, Vivian replied.

 

"Oh, that's because I did some business with people during my travels and some of them have different exchange rates and currencies. So I'm afraid I might buy something in the city and then only to find out later that I don't have enough money to pay after all. As much as I'm ashamed to admit it, I'm poor."

 

Hearing her answer and looking at her pitiful appearance, Cram felt sorry for Vivian because he and his team were also dealing with the same problem -- being poor. Not to mention she was also a woman.

 

"I understand. A single silver coin is 10 copper coins."

 

"Thank you, gentlemen. Take care. I hope to see you around in the city," Vivian said and waved before turning around and walking away.

 

"Yeah, you too," said Cram and waved back.

 

As for Flein, he didn't say anything and just watched Vivian.

 

Although Vivian's back was facing them, his gut was telling him that she was ready to attack at any moment in case they did anything suspicious.

 

His eyes glanced over Cram who was also looking at her.

 

When Vivian was finally far away, he opened his mouth.

 

"Cram, what do you think the identity of that woman was?"

 

"I don't know. But she was asking some strange questions."

 

Flein didn't say anything but he agreed.

 

"Do you think she was an Auditor?" asked Cram.

 

"I don't know. And even if she was, the pendant around her neck says that she's only Copper I and her appearance was. But then again, I've never met any Auditors so --"

 

"Hey, we haven't done anything illegal, right? I mean, what if one of the things we bought was stolen goods? We wouldn't be punished for that, right?"

 

"Not that we know off."

 

"But what if we did?" Cram said and then face-palmed. "I don't want to lose my license after working this hard!"

 

Hearing his companion, Flein suddenly felt so tired.

 

***

 

Vivian was walking in the forest.

 

Although she seemed to be walking in a calm and cool manner, she had her senses at full alert and was ready to pounce at any moment.

 

Are they following me…?

 

When she got to a distance that she deemed safe enough, she stopped, turned around and swept her gaze around her surroundings.

 

I don't see anything suspicious…

 

I also can't hear anything suspicious…

 

Nevertheless, she continued waiting.

 

A few minutes later…

 

"I guess it's safe…" she said and let out a deep sigh of relief.

 

Pop.

 

Pop.

 

"Damn, I feel so tired…" she said as she massaged her shoulders and neck. "I really wanted to ask more questions but I couldn't push more…"

 

Shen then placed a hand on her chin and rubbed it.

 

I'm surprised that I was able to understand and communicate with them...

 

Back when she bumped into Ronaldo and his group, her mind was preoccupied with so many things that she didn't notice it. Only now that she encountered people on an equal playing field did she notice the other details.

 

So I guess what the letter said was true...?

 

"Anyhow, since they were just kids, I was expecting I could just fool them and extract information…"

 

"But the other kid was too suspicious…"

 

"It's not like I can torture them or something…"

 

"Also, I'm still not sure if my gamble that I'm a traveling adventurer was true or not…"

 

"I mean, I don't have any idea if this body was a traveling adventurer or a local from here…"

 

"I really couldn't tell if they recognized me or not…"

 

A dangerous thought suddenly appeared inside her head.

 

"Should I go back…?"

 

She stared at her hands.

 

For some reason, my gut is telling me that I can defeat those two…

 

No, not just defeat them...

 

I can definitely crush them...

 

An image of Cram and Flein covered in bruises and lifeless flashed inside her head.

 

She shook her head.

 

"I already observed them first before approaching them…"

 

"But no, I can't…"

 

Those are humans, not monsters or animals…

 

Another idea popped inside her head.

 

Should I be more sexy...?

 

Her eyes landed on her chest.

 

She was wearing leather armor but even she could tell that her chest size was decent. And by her estimate, it was a C-cup.

 

Yeah, I should dress more sexy... 

 

I'm a woman after all and I'm an adventurer... 

 

Anything that can give me an edge, I should use it...

 

She closed her eyes and thought hard for a moment.

 

"I think it's called Honey Trap?"

 

But is it safe…?

 

I mean, what if I attract a lecherous powerful opponent...?

 

A dark expression appeared on her face.

 

She shook her head and started walking.

 

I'll think about that issue later... 

 

For now, at least I got some information…

 

But damn, so there is really an entrance fee of 10 copper coins and 1 silver coin is 10 copper coins…

 

Although I don't have to pay an entrance fee because I'm an adventurer, just basing it there, I can assume that the price of a normal meal is probably around 2-5 copper coins... 

 

And as for lodging, I'm guessing at least 1 silver coin per day for a shitty one...

 

And I haven't yet even counted for things like shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, extra clothes...

 

I also have to repair this dagger or buy another one…

 

And I only have 3 silver coins and 7 copper coins with me…

 

"I have no doubt anymore that the original owner of this body was definitely a homeless person…"

 

"I just hope I don't have any incurable diseases…"

 

A smile appeared on Vivian's face.

 

"Wouldn't that be so sad to be isekaid, reincarnated or transmigrated to another body with cancer and die from it?"

 

Vivian stopped.

 

There was a sunflower monster up ahead.

 

It noticed her and immediately rushed towards her.

 

She rolled her eyes.

 

She dropped her stick, rushed forward and timed her evasion when the monster breathed its orange gas before grabbing it with two hands and then ripping it apart.

 

Riiip!

 

Ding!

 

'Unlocked [Body Art Mastery] (Savage Mastery) - Level 1!'

 

Status Panel...

 

***

Name: Vivian

Class: Thief

Race: Human

Age: 24

 

Affinity:

• Poison - x1.4

• Fire - x1.2

• Dagger - x1.2

 

Stats:

• Str - 11 (+11)

• Vit - 9 (+7)

• Agi - 12 (+13)

• Int - 8 (+5)

 

Mana: 26/26

 

Skills:

• [Dagger Mastery] - Level 1 (x6.2) (Max/16) - Dagger Stab (10 mana points)

• [Dagger Mastery] - Level 2 (x6.2) (Max/81) - +2 Str, +1 Vit, +2 Agi, +1 Int

• [Dagger Mastery] - Level 3 (x6.2) (??/161)

• [Body Art Mastery] (Dagger Mastery) - Level 1 (x5) (Max/10) - +2 Str, +2 Agi

• [Body Art Mastery] (Dagger Mastery) - Level 2 (x5) (??/50)

• [Poison Mastery] - Level 1 (x6.4) (Max/16) - Poison Strike (20 mana points)

• [Poison Mastery] - Level 2 (x6.4) (Max/78) - +2 Agi, +2 Int

• [Poison Mastery] - Level 3 (x6.4) (??/156)

• [Leg Mastery] - Level 1 (x5) (Max/20) - Power Leg (10 mana points)

• [Leg Mastery] - Level 2 (x5) (Max/100) - +2 Str, +2 Vit, +2 Agi

• [Leg Mastery] - Level 3 (x5) (??/200)

• [Body Art Mastery] (Leg Mastery) - Level 1 (x5) (Max/10) - +2 Str, +2 Agi

• [Body Art Mastery] (Leg Mastery) - Level 2 (x5) (Max/50) - +2 Vit

• [Body Art Mastery] (Leg Mastery) - Level 3 (x5) (Max/100) - +1 Vit, +1 Int

• [Body Art Mastery] (Leg Mastery) - Level 4 (x5) (??/500)

• [Savage Mastery] - Level 1 (x5) (Max/20) - +1 Str, +1 Vit, +1 Agi, +1 Int

• [Savage Mastery] - Level 2 (x5) (??/100)

• [Body Art Mastery] (Savage Mastery) - Level 1 (x5) (Max/10) - +2 Str, +2 Agi

• [Body Art Mastery] (Savage Mastery) - Level 2 (x5) (??/50)

• [Throw Mastery] - Level 1 (x5) (Max/20) - Power Throw (10mp)

• [Throw Mastery] - Level 2 (x5) (??/100)

 

Lore:

• Village Girl

• Adventurer

• Zhey/Zhem

• Otherworldly - Grants [Growth] - all affinity x5

• Nemesis of Beasts - Animals and beasts have a natural aversion to bearer

***

 

A smile appeared on Vivian's face.

 

"Oh, it finally came out!"

 

+2 STR and +2 AGI, not bad I guess...

 

I really wanted INT to be honest…

 

But like they say, beggars can't be choosers...

 

She closed the Status Panel, picked up her stick and then resumed her journey.

 

But just a few steps later, she suddenly stopped.

 

"Will I also get a [Body Art Mastery] (Throw Mastery) - Level 1?"

 

She looked around to see if there were any enemies.

 

Tch!

 

She clicked her tongue.

 

"Well, I can just hope that I'll encounter some monsters."

 

Chapter end