“I-idiot, I thought I was going to die!”
The return trip took only an hour, half the time it would have taken by carriage.
Xia Jia and Kuroneko stood with their hands on their knees, panting heavily—one from exhaustion, the other from fright.
“What was that?
A human running faster than a carriage!”
“Isn’t that obvious?
This is a game!
Besides, a carriage couldn’t possibly ‘street race’ to deliver people!”
“Your logic makes sense, but don’t do that again!” Kuroneko glared fiercely at Xia Jia…
The atmosphere had been quite nice for once, only for it to be completely ruined by this idiot.
Kuroneko grumbled inwardly, unsatisfied.
Xia Jia, however, didn’t think so, and replied with a wide grin:
“How about it, still scared?
You didn’t say a word while on my back, and I was worried you might get sick.
There are still many projects left to test; if you run away, where would I find a more suitable tester…”
Kuroneko froze at his words.
Is this guy trying to distract me like that?
Idiot, it wasn’t even a psychological issue to begin with!
Kuroneko stood akimbo, holding her chest with one hand, and shot him a disdainful look:
“Kuku…
those pathetic monsters don’t have the qualifications to shake my demonic aura!”
And who was the one scared speechless just a moment ago…
Xia Jia grumbled to himself, but played along by bowing: “Even the Black Dragon that ravages the world would prostrate itself beneath the skirt of the Queen of the Night!”
(Wow, have I been contaminated by interacting with a chuunibyou too much?)
“Umu.” Kuroneko nodded in satisfaction, leading the way into the city gates.
The two arrived at the Guild.
Xia Jia handed over the loot Kuroneko had passed to him, submitted the Goblin magic stones for the quest, and reported the encounter with the Minotaur, taking the opportunity to sell the Minotaur’s drops as well.
He accepted 40,000 Valis from the Guild staff.
The horn sold for 35,000…
Wow, drops from a ‘strengthened species’ really are valuable.
During the process, Kuroneko kept watching Xia Jia’s hand, her gaze profound.
After leaving the Guild, Kuroneko took the initiative to suggest: “Your hand, it must hurt.
Wouldn’t it be better to go get it treated?”
Xia Jia was stunned for a moment, then looked down at his hand.
His arm was swollen and bruised, but given the constitution of an adventurer, this level of injury would likely vanish on its own in two or three days if left alone.
But…
“This is also part of the testing, right?
That combat style is something we’ll inevitably have to visit frequently in the future, so I suppose we should at least learn the way,” Kuroneko said, turning her head away to avoid Xia Jia’s eyes.
“That’s true.”
Not refusing Kuroneko’s suggestion, the two took a detour to a pharmacy behind the Guild.
Xia Jia followed the pharmacist into a room to have gauze wrapped around his arm, while Kuroneko wandered around to look at the shop.
The pharmacy was small, with several bottles of different-colored potions on the counter, though mostly it was stocked with Chinese herbal medicines.
An elderly man slowly emerged from the back; he was the owner of the shop.
Seeing Kuroneko, he asked, “Young lady, what are you looking for?”
Kuroneko turned and asked politely, “I was just curious—why don’t you use magic or something to treat illnesses here?”
“You must be from Orario, right?” The old man chuckled.
“There aren’t many patients here, so we don’t need to spend money to hire those healers who are fought over by the major Familias in Orario.”
Orario…
the center of that world, a map that hasn’t opened yet?
I didn’t expect to have news of it already.
Kuroneko nodded, deep in thought, before turning her gaze to the various potions.
The old man continued, “Those are high-grade healing potions bought from Orario.
Occasionally, there are patients with severe injuries, so it’s best to be prepared.
But they don’t come cheap.”
After getting his arm bandaged, Xia Jia came out and explained:
“High-grade healing potions are usually special items created by adventurers who have acquired the [Mixing] Development Ability after reaching Level 2.”
“Compared to ordinary potions, they possess magic-like effects such as regenerating flesh and sealing wounds.
Of course, because they are difficult to produce, the price is high.
Depending on the quality, they generally range from 5,000 to 200,000 Valis.”
“Above that, there are Elixirs.
As the name implies, they remove all negative status effects and instantly recover injuries.
High-quality ones can even sell for 500,000 Valis.”
“In game terms, high-grade healing potions are like blue-quality consumables, and Elixirs are purple.”
Xia Jia looked at the old man: “Since we’re here, let’s buy something.
Do you have any mental recovery potions?”
The old man turned with a smile: “Hermes Familia recently brought in some new stock, so we didn’t have any before, but we do now.”
With that, he pulled a stack of specialized glass test tubes from behind the counter.
Xia Jia picked out two mental recovery potions and five stamina potions, spending 15,000 Valis.
“Ah, these are potions that recover spirit and stamina, respectively…
you can think of them as special functional sports drinks…”
“So expensive,” Kuroneko muttered.
She didn’t know much about the game’s economy, but she felt the sting of losing a large chunk of the money they had worked all day to earn.
The elderly shop owner generously waived the fee for the bandaging, and the two walked out clutching their potions.
As noon approached, Xia Jia began to feel hungry, so he brought Kuroneko to a potato ball stand.
Naturally, there was no mascot goddess here; the stall owner was a man, and the two spent 600 Valis to buy ten potato ball-kuns in different flavors.
“The savior of the impoverished, the ultimate weapon against heroines—Potato Ball-kun!”
Both of them took a big, happy bite.
“Mmm!!!” Kuroneko’s eyes widened: “What is this!
It’s delicious!”
Kuroneko hadn’t expected that one could actually eat real food in this game!
It was too amazing.
“Pudding grape flavor—is this a new item?” Xia Jia licked the corner of his mouth.
What are you doing…
an, an indirect kiss!!
Kuroneko blushed, immediately putting on a look of disgust: “Who, who would want to eat something you’ve already touched!”
Alright then…
Xia Jia, oblivious, swallowed the rest in a few mouthfuls.
But for some reason, as Kuroneko watched Xia Jia licking his fingers, she felt a lingering sense of regret.
Ugh, it must be because of the Potato Ball-kun.
What does pudding grape taste like?
I want to know…
Kuroneko thought to herself, then quickly finished her own portion and began to eye Xia Jia’s remaining stock.
Her eyes swept toward the stall every now and then…
“Simple potato products, why are they so good!
I wonder if I can learn how to make them and cook them for my sisters.” Kuroneko asked with puffed-out cheeks.
“You could give it a try?” Xia Jia wasn’t sure if Potato Ball-kun had the magical power to span worlds.
“Never mind.
Even if I learned it, I couldn’t afford grapes; they’re too expensive.”
The geographical location of the Shizakura Province was an archipelago, and fruit was exorbitantly expensive there.
In any case, after lunch, Kuroneko found a huge benefit to this game: the food was delicious!
For her poor family, if she could keep playing the game, perhaps she could taste delicacies she could normally never afford, and she could indulge as she pleased.
“Suddenly, I have the motivation to keep playing.” Kuroneko curled the corners of her mouth.
The two strolled through the city.
Although the Sword-Crafting City was mostly weapon shops and blacksmiths, it still gave Kuroneko many unprecedented experiences.
For example…
Going shopping with a friend—even if it was inside a game.
On the way back, Kuroneko passed a weapon shop where a gorgeous black-and-white Gothic dress was displayed in the showcase.
It featured metal carvings on the shoulders and chest and was a very high-grade piece of combat gear.
“Hephaestus…” Kuroneko stopped in her tracks, her eyes falling on the price: “Ugh, 50 million Valis!”
How much money is that!
A simple conversion of the currency: this dress was worth at least 10 million RMB.
Kuroneko stood stunned before the window, unable to move for a long time.
Noticing Kuroneko’s hesitation…
“Do you want it?”
Xia Jia watched for a while, and although Kuroneko didn’t respond, her face was almost pressed against the glass.
He chuckled lightly and walked straight into the shop…
“Sorry, I’d like to buy something.”
“Hey, chotto!
What are you doing?” Kuroneko was stunned.
That wasn’t something they, as beginners, could afford.
Not long after, Xia Jia walked out of the shop holding a bag.
“You didn’t actually buy it, right?
Did you use administrative privileges?”
Kuroneko could only assume that; with only the 25,000 Valis they had just earned, a normal purchase was clearly impossible.
“Of course not.” Xia Jia shrugged.
He wished he had something that convenient.
Xia Jia reached out and showed Kuroneko the contents of the bag.
“This is…”
Inside the bag were some black and white fabrics, a pile of needles and thread, and, of course, a small amount of metal.
Xia Jia smiled: “I said it before, didn’t I?
As long as you’re willing, this world lets you do anything you want.”
He glanced at the high-grade combat suit in the display case:
“That dress is so expensive because it uses the wing membranes of a high-grade dragon species; it’s at least purple-quality gear.
Of course, in the Sword-Crafting City, there’s also the element of scamming the wealthy nobles who come in to stock up.
While we can’t make the original version yet, we can start with a replica.”
“Sort of like cosplay.”
Kuroneko was a little moved, feeling as if she were out with a friend and they were exchanging gifts: “But even so, the materials must be expensive!”
“Only 20,000 Valis.
If we’re just pursuing the style, we don’t need the special materials.”
Kuroneko’s eyes widened: “Then that means we’re completely broke again!”
Xia Jia gave a thumbs up: “It’s a game, after all!
Having fun is the most important thing!”
“Besides, the income from this trip had your share in it anyway.
Consider it a quest reward.”
As he spoke, Xia Jia placed the stamina potion into Kuroneko’s hand: “You take this.”
“Eh?”
Xia Jia stretched his back: “Mhm, it recovers stamina.
Next time, you can walk yourself; carrying you back was quite exhausting.”
It’s as if someone just called me fat!
Kuroneko radiated black mist: “Drown in the darkness!
Ahou!”
With that, she kicked Xia Jia’s lower leg.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught “Equilibrium”?
l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I’m a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 165)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh!
— Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter220)
“Is this chat group even serious?” (Chapter125)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal!
(This matter is completely finished.) This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Can Playing Games Save the World?
65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I’m Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 220
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 185
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 248
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 230
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 125
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 145
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 120
I Can Copy Unique Skills 115
Summoning an Evil God, but the 75
Supernatural Multiverse 110
My Harem Is Indescribable 100
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 105
“I’m just a Valkyrie passing through.” 67
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
Still playing traditional Honk 80
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 85
What Should I Do After Switchi – Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 78
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon?
55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 80
Checking In in Demon Slayer 85
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 100
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 85
My Best Friend Into a Slime?
80
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 90
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero?
75
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 85
Why did they assign me to Uma 75
MYGO Beauties 70
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 75
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 80
Honkai’s Otherworld?
Wait—Who Are You People?!
100
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 60
The Uma Musume Who Became 60
I’m Definitely Not the King of 80
After Maxing Out Every Class 80
Naruto: I’m Konoha’s Local Men 44
Honkai: World Modulation Mode 57
I, the Elden Sword Saint 50
Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 43
No One Knows Pokémon Better 50
I, Sakazuki, Won’t Go Down Tha 45
From Trilobites to Titans 45
Chainsaw Man: Contracted with 55
DanMachi:
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught “Equilibrium”?
l (Chapter 80) Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178) Zenless Zone Zero: I’m a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 165)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 ) TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110) Yu-Gi-Oh!
— Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter220) “Is this chat group even serious?” (Chapter125) I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal!
(This matter is completely finished.) Can Playing Games Save the World?
65 Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77 From Junkman to Wasteland 66 Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31 I’m Grinding Proficiency Like 46 From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 220 Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42 Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65 Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 185 From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20 The Way the Umamusume Look at 68 Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 248 Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65 Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76 Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66 My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65 Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 230 Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154 I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40 The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 125 Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67 Uma Musume: From Beginner 145 Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85 Uma Musume: I Want All 120 I Can Copy Unique Skills 115 Summoning an Evil God, but the 75 Supernatural Multiverse 110 My Harem Is Indescribable 100 Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 105 “I’m just a Valkyrie passing through.” 67 Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105 Still playing traditional Honk 80 The Most Filial Son Under Heav 85 What Should I Do After Switchi – Volume2/3 Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 78 Hell-Difficulty Dungeon?
55 Transmigrated as Sukuna 80 Checking In in Demon Slayer 85 The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 100 I Refuse to Become a Heroic 85 My Best Friend Into a Slime?
80 A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 90 What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero?
75 Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 85 Why did they assign me to Uma 75 MYGO Beauties 70 DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 75 The Gacha Merchant Who Started 80 Honkai’s Otherworld?
Wait—Who Are You People?!
100 Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 60 The Uma Musume Who Became 60 I’m Definitely Not the King of 80 After Maxing Out Every Class 80 Naruto: I’m Konoha’s Local Men 44 Honkai: World Modulation Mode 57 I, the Elden Sword Saint 50 Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 43 No One Knows Pokémon Better 50 I, Sakazuki, Won’t Go Down Tha 45 From Trilobites to Titans 45 Chainsaw Man: Contracted with 55 DanMachi: