"Idiot, you idiot! I thought I was going to die!"
The return trip took only one hour, half the time it had taken by horse-drawn carriage.
Shaka and the black cat both bent forward with their hands on their knees, panting heavily. One was completely exhausted; the other was utterly terrified.
"What was that?! A person can run faster than a horse-drawn carriage?!"
"Of course!" Shaka replied matter-of-factly. "This is a game. Besides, carriages aren't meant for high-speed transport."
"You're absolutely right never do that again!" The black cat glared fiercely at Shaka
The atmosphere had actually been pretty nice, but this idiot ruined everything…
The black cat grumbled inwardly, thoroughly dissatisfied.
Shaka, however, didn't think so at all. He grinned and said, "So? Are you still scared? You were sitting on my back without saying a word. I was worried something might happen to you. There are still a lot of projects to test if you run away, where am I supposed to find a more suitable tester?"
The black cat froze.
Is this guy trying to change the subject?
Idiot! It wasn't a psychological problem back then!
The black cat put one hand on its hip and the other over its chest, wearing an expression of utter contempt.
"Hmph! Those mere weak monsters aren't even qualified to shake my demonic aura!"
So who was the one too scared to move just now…?
Shaka scoffed inwardly, but outwardly bowed in agreement. "Even the black dragon that ravages the world would grovel at the feet of the Night Demon Queen."
(Wow… after interacting with so many chuunibyou types, have I been infected too?)
"Hm." The black cat nodded in satisfaction and took the lead through the city gate.
--------------------------
The two arrived at the guild, casually accepted the loot handed over by the black cat, submitted the goblin's magic stone as part of the quest, reported their encounter with the Minotaur, and sold the Minotaur's drops.
Shaka received 40,000 valis from the guild staff.
The bull horn alone sold for 35,000 valis!
As expected, enhanced-species drops are on a whole different level…
Throughout the process, the black cat kept staring at Shaka's hand, her gaze deep and contemplative.
After leaving the guild, the black cat finally spoke. "Your hand must hurt a lot. Wouldn't it be better to get it treated?"
Shaka paused, lowering his gaze to his arm.
It was already red, swollen, and bruised purple. Normally, this level of injury would heal in a couple of days an adventurer's physique couldn't be judged by ordinary standards.
But…
"This can be considered part of the test," the black cat said, turning its head away and avoiding Shaka's eyes. "We'll inevitably have to use that combat mode often in the future, so it's better to get used to it."
"That makes sense."
Shaka didn't refuse. The two took a detour and headed to the pharmacy behind the guild.
----------------------
Shaka followed the pharmacist into a small room to have his arm wrapped in gauze, while the black cat looked around curiously.
The pharmacy was small, with several bottles of differently colored medicines displayed on the counter most of them traditional herbal remedies.
An old man slowly emerged from the back. He was the shop's manager.
Seeing the black cat, he asked kindly, "Little girl, what are you looking for?"
The black cat tilted its head and asked politely, "I'm just curious, why don't you use magic healing here?"
"You're from Orario, aren't you?" the old man chuckled. "There aren't many patients here, so it's not worth spending money to hire healers who are in high demand among the major familias in Orario."
Orario… the center of that world a map that hadn't even been released yet?
Shaka hadn't expected to hear that name so soon.
The black cat nodded thoughtfully and looked back at the potions.
The old man continued, "Those are high-grade elixirs purchased from Orario. Occasionally, we get seriously injured patients, so it's good to have some in stock. But they aren't cheap."
Shaka returned after finishing the bandaging and explained, "High-grade elixirs are special items made by adventurers who've reached Level 2 and unlocked the Harmony development ability."
"Compared to ordinary elixirs, they can regenerate flesh and blood and rapidly heal wounds. Of course, because they're difficult to make, their prices range from 5,000 to 200,000 valis, depending on quality."
"Above that is the Panacea. As the name suggests, it removes all negative effects and instantly heals injuries. High-quality ones can sell for up to 500,000 valis."
"In game terms, high-grade elixirs are like blue-quality consumables, while panaceas are purple."
Shaka turned to the old man. "Since we're here, do you sell any spiritual medicines?"
The old man smiled and turned around. "The Hermes Familia recently brought in some new goods that weren't available before."
He placed several specially made glass test tubes on the counter.
Shaka selected two energy potions and five stamina potions. The total came to 15,000 valis.
"These restore mental and physical strength," he explained. "You can think of them as special energy drinks."
"So expensive," the black cat muttered.
Even without knowing the exact pricing system, she still felt the sting of watching their hard-earned money vanish.
The shopkeeper generously waived the bandaging fee, and the two left with the medicine.
----------------------
As noon approached, Shaka felt hungry and led the black cat to a potato ball stall.
There were no mascot goddesses here the stall owner was a man. They spent 600 Fali on ten potato balls with different flavors.
"The savior of the poor, and the heroine's ultimate weapon, fried potato balls!"
They took a big bite.
"Mmm!!" The black cat's eyes sparkled. "What is this?! It's delicious!"
She had never expected that you could actually eat food like this in a game.
That was incredible.
"Pudding grape flavor?" Shaka licked his lips. "Looks new. Want to try it?"
Why does that sound like indirect kissing?!
The black cat's face reddened as she snapped back, "W-Who would eat something you already bit into?!"
"Alright."
Completely oblivious, Shaka finished it in a few bites.
For some reason, the black cat felt a strange sense of regret as she watched him lick his fingers.
…It must be because of the potato balls.
What does grape pudding even taste like?
Thinking fast, she tore off a piece from her own serving and began plundering Shaka's remaining stock, her eyes drifting back toward the stall.
"Why are such simple potato dishes so delicious? Can I learn to make them and let my sisters try?" she asked, cheeks puffed.
"You could try," Shaka said uncertainly.
"Forget it. Even if I learned, I couldn't afford grapes. They're too expensive."
Sakura Province was located in an archipelago, and fruit prices were absurdly high.
In short, after lunch, the black cat discovered the game's greatest advantage,
The food was amazing.
For someone from a poor family, simply playing the game meant enjoying delicacies she could never normally afford.
"…I suddenly feel motivated to keep playing," the black cat smirked.
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The two wandered through the city. Although most shops sold weapons and armor, the experience itself felt new.
For example
Going shopping with a friend, even if it was just inside a game.
On the way back, they passed a weapon shop. Displayed inside was a stunning black-and-white gothic dress with metal carvings on the shoulders and chest, a high-end combat outfit.
"Hephaestus…" the black cat muttered, staring at the price tag. "Fifty million valis?!"
How much money was that?!
By a rough conversion, it was at least ten million yen.
The black cat stood there in shock, practically glued to the window.
Noticing her fixation, Shaka asked lightly, "Do you want it?"
She didn't respond her face was almost pressed against the glass.
Shaka chuckled and walked straight into the shop.
"Excuse me, I'd like to buy something."
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" the black cat panicked. This was far beyond what beginners like them could afford.
Not long after, Shaka walked back out, carrying a bag.
"You didn't actually buy it, did you? Did you use administrator privileges?"
That was the only explanation she could think of after all he only had 25,000 valis.
"Of course not." Shaka shrugged. "I wish I had something that convenient."
He opened the bag.
Inside were black-and-white fabrics, needles and thread, and several pieces of metal.
Shaka laughed. "Didn't I say this world can do anything you want if you're willing?"
He glanced back at the display. "That outfit is expensive because it uses the wing membrane of a high-grade dragon species at least purple rarity. Plus, it's overpriced for nobles visiting a swordsmith city."
"We can't make the real thing yet, but we can start with replicas."
"Like cosplay?"
The black cat felt strangely moved. "But even then, the materials must be expensive!"
"Only about 20,000 valis. If it's just for the style, special materials aren't necessary."
Her eyes widened. "Then we're completely broke again!"
Shaka gave a thumbs-up. "It's just a game. Having fun is what matters."
"You already got a share of the earnings anyway consider it your reward."
He placed a stamina potion into her hand. "Take this."
"Huh?"
"So you can recover faster. Next time, walk by yourself, it's exhausting carrying you."
Is he calling me fat?!
The black cat's aura turned pitch-black. "Be swallowed by darkness! Hoo!"
She kicked Shaka in the shin.
PS. 2 chapters daily and bonus chapters for power stones 4/20.