[Lucy's POV: ]
As I gazed upon the heartwarming scene before me, my voice barely audible, I murmured, "Well, we are rich now."
Raz was here and he was hugging my El. And this scene of a little white kitten hugging my baby girl was just too wholesome...
===Status===
ID: Lucifer
Race: Human (Commoner)
Strength: 64
Agility: 57
Stamina: 69
Intelligence: 70
Luck: 42
Charm: 45
Mana: 68
Level: 10
{Skills: Perseverance (Level-1), Mana breathing (Level-1), Crimson Sword (Level-1), Horizontal slash (Level-1), Quick stab (Level-1), Silent cut (Level-1), Light walk (Level-1), Shallow breathing (Level-1), Elemental magic (Level-1), Telekinesis (Level-1).}
{Innate Skill: Six Walls (Level-1), Aura (Level-1), Red crown (Level-0).}
[Title: Those who torture a Sinner.]
[Skill point: 289]
[Oz: 49,456]
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*
===Status===
ID: Auriel
Race: Human (Commoner)
Strength: 45
Agility: 48
Stamina: 63
Intelligence: 87
Luck: 38
Charm: 48
Mana: 75
Level: 10
{Skills: Parallel Mind (Level-2), Mana breathing (Level-3), White eyes (Level-2), Elemental Magic (Level-1), Telekinesis (Level-1), Light of strength (Level-1), Drop of health (Level-1), Vertical slash (Level-1), Duel wielding (Level-1), Quick blink (Level-1).}
{Innate Skill: Prism Space (Level-2), Mind link (Level-1), Dismantle (Level-1), Blue crown (Level-0).}
[Title: Those who torture a Sinner.]
[Skill point: 60]
[Oz: 73,550]
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That was our actual status window and Raz could naturally only see the Oz we held and not the max number of normal skills and our crown skills.
We were in an inn in the city right now. After finishing our shopping in the morning, our plan was to rest until early morning and then head to the hunting ground.
Eva was with us right now and she was surprised to see a cat appear out of nowhere.
Raz was surprised to see this lady… well, no. He was surprised to see the amount of Oz we had after just a day.
'A merchant to the core... our little one.'
After his last visit yesterday, which was his first too, he was seeing us for the first time. And in that small time, we possessed seven times the money we had spent back then.
It was naturally absurd but the smart kiddo could guess the reason for that.
We succeeded in the small 'mission' we had and he was happy about that but, there was a little thing bothering him.
<Nya! What did you two do to attract so many bastards?! Nya?!>
"Yeah~! So-"
"No. Wait. Tell him that great tale after I'm finished with the business." Just from that sudden excitement, I can tell she was more than just ready to tell him that story once again like she did with Eva.
Eva loved that graphic thing against her pure nature and I knew Raz was someone who would kiss her to tell him such a fun tale.
These people around me were crazy and I knew very well I had no choice but to live with it.
'But they are all lovely. So it's not a bad thing...'
I knew she was going to tell him the story in a bit more detailed manner than before too so I had to finish the business first.
"Yeah, whatever…" She clicked her tongue and took out the things we had to sell from her storage space.
We got some really good stuff from that bastard's secret room and safe so we had to finish dealing with this first.
"This…!?" Eva gasped in surprise. She wasn't seeing these things for the first time after all.
There were some of the things she must have seen on that pig... so they were certainly traumatising.
<Hmm, nya. I see something good here.>
In the accursed pile of golden accessories and jewels, his eyes were fixed on a particular black one.
"That's his heart. Good preservation, right?" El smiled as she tickled his tail.
It was cute seeing the white kitten master of shadows stretch in surprise but his eyes were observing the gem.
<Nyaaa~. It's gooooood. How about 1500 Oz for this piece?>
"You kidding buddy? That's the perfectly cut heart of a demonic human, who had a contract with a (Knight) ranked demon.
Just the base demonic energy in the crystal is nearly 280 Units.
Start the negotiations with a plausible number. Or just give me 5000 Oz for everything here.
<Nya! I wouldn't do that even if you give me freshly cooked fish- >
"Yeah. About the fish…"
I looked at Eva and she nodded hesitantly. These things weren't a pleasant sight to her even though there were treasures and jewels here.
But she shook that feeling of the past off and opened the lid on the pot on the table before us and... a heaven-piercing aroma of exquisitely cooked fish, which would have already given this little pervert kitten an orgasm of the weektime, stopped his angry yelling.
"A fine fish of this planet made with common spices and herbs, but with my secret cooking techniques that only we know."
El smirked while saying that and her 'we' was the two of us. Even Eva didn't know just how we made this amazing-smelling fish curry.
<Mana-Aura integration…> but the smart little Raz guessed it instantly.
"Noooooo! You aren't supposed to guess that! Though… that's only half true~. Hehe."
El roughly rubbed his cheeks against hers and he resisted this unpleasant feeling. His heart, mind, and soul only wanted this unreal curry in this moment.
'Good. The little bait was enough.'
Mana-Aura integration was a high-level technique. And using it for cooking fish is definitely unconventional but it was definitely used in some lower worldlines.
Still, that wasn't all this delicious curry was made of. (Mana infusion), (Material tempering), (Structure modification) and many other physical techniques were used in the making of this simple looking curry. They were some of the most complicated common spells and methods that required a high mage's mental processing powers and experienced hands for a perfect execution.
'And the two of us had both of it.'
This was her original recipe but she didn't have Aura yet, or the deep experience that I had, so I also helped her a little.
This was a small treat to our little kitty… as well as our today's bargaining chip.
<Nyaaa… you're cheaters. Big cheaters!>
He was salivating like a conditioned little puppy seeing his usual food bowl and that look was something I would have shown to others had I possessed the aertistic abilities like my El.
But I didn't have that. So this little deal was all I could contribute with.
"Deal?"
<3000, nya. These shiny things are useless.>
He was calling priceless jewels useless. Little bastard.
"4800."
<Nyaaa! 3100.>
"4700. We can do this all afternoon dear. How about we settle on 4500? The fish's getting cold."
And I really meant it. The fish, his fish, was on the line.
<4000, nya! Not a single Oz more!>
"Dude. Come on. A little bit higher. How about 4300? Look at that color of curry. How many have you seen with such golden color?"
<Nyaaa! No! 4000 it is!>
He was hardly holding back. The curry was certainly effective, hehe.
"Raz oh Raz~. 4250. That much is fine, right?"
<Nyaaaaaa! 4100! That's it! Not even half Oz more!>
"Well, alright. 4100 Oz it is."
I nodded and a system interface asking if I agreed to this trade opened before me.
And I accepted it greatfully as the little kitty stood up to hurriedly run towards the fish curry but she grabbed him, and caressed his back.
<Nyaaaaaa~!>
"Oh little Raz. We have some things to buy too. Open the shop. It would be good if we can get some disc-"
<Nooo! Nyaaa! I will go away if you ask for more! I'm taking a loss every time I'm with you!>
[ "Should I say that's practically inevitable? His face would be cute when he's flabbergasted." ] I really did want to tell him but, well, it was only our second meeting. I shouldn't traumatize the little fella.
[ "No dummy. He's cute just the way he is. His natural reaction is the best when it's unexpected~." ]
She chuckled internally and kissed his little head.
<Nyaaa~.>
The little kitten was surprised but accepted it like it was just natural. He was getting used to this relieving feeling.
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The shop window opened before us and I called out the things that we needed or will need for certain in the near or distant future.
"Five [Synthesizer] scrolls. Three kilograms of Ganghar herb, three kilograms of Raglovinial flowers, three bottles of Mehart Silverwater, and… hmmm, yeah. Point five milliliters of poison dragon's saliva."
<Nyaaa! What will you do with these things, nya? Create some potions? And why need a bad lizard's saliva? You surely aren't planning to go hunt some strong creature right?!
You know you're still weak! I won't forgive you if you're hurt!>
"Awww~. My dear Raz."
She warmly hugged him, and... I joined them too. Even if he didn't intend it, his words really meant a lot to us.
<Nyaaa! D-don't misunderstand! It's o-only because you're my contractors!
You must become strong! Stronger than anyone on this small planet, then the world, get out of this insignificant worldline and start the main thing you promised!>
"We know… don't worry." Our response was quick and without any hesitation as the hug continued.
He sighed at this and slipped away from this too much warm hug.
He was usually a ruler of the dark. A ruthless, brutal, bad person who had been the cause of many disasters in this world.
But here… he was Raz. The little kitten we wanted as a family.
"Anyway… Raz. This is Eva. She took care of us while we were staying in that-"
"Right~! My great story~!"
The purchase was done and we had just spent five thousand for each of those synthesizer scrolls, ten thousand on each of those herbs, ten thousand on each of those special liquids that will help Eva's recovery and our future plans, and lastly thirty thousand on that very small amount of dragon saliva from his secret shop.
And it was saliva, not even poison from a low ranking draconic creature itself, so the price was absurd!
The total amount of this small trade…
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Total:105,000 Oz
Complete purchase: Yes/No
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We were rich but just the next moment, we were back to not being rich. And it was a blessing the worldline didn't have taxes.
"It sucks. But~. It's finished right~? Can I tell him the story now? Let's eat too~. That thing really smells delicious!"
We were ONE so it was natural every 'important' thing we spent on would be both our responsibility.
The items we purchased from him were something we couldn't find on this planet, the ones from secret shop being even more precious that ones couldn't find even in the entire Worldline.
But these things were important for our hunting experience so it was natural to buy them beforehand.
Recovery and Mana potions were a must, and so were Silverwater, and that saliva vial.
'But the scrolls were actually unnecessary items. Why did we even purchase something we would use years later?'
Anyway, the purchase was difficult to accept but I pressed the (yes) with shaking fingers.
It was important and Raz was happy to make some profit from these fixed-price things.
Well, Raz was happier to finally taste that heavenly meal. And I bet he will love the food and the food time story she was about to tell him.
Eva was somewhat confused but there was enough time to tell her about the special system things and how there were merchants, artefacts, and rankings.
She will slowly learn the things but tomorrow morning… is the big day for all three of us.
'Finally, we will finally do some actual hunting!'
The primary goal is to reach level hundred by the time we turn sixteen and enter the academy.
It was a far shot but aside from that, we also had to get all three of the possible treasures from that great forest.
The first one of them would be easy to get as it was just a first clear reward for a hidden dungeon.
But it will surely take us months to actually reach that place…
'It's in a graveyard in the starting area of the forest. Still… that place is dangerous.'
The monsters that spawn there are slimes, some of the most dangerous creatures in this world… yeah, yeah. I know the cliche starting area, level-1 slime hunting thing. But no.
In this world… slimes were anything but easy opponents.
'Or weak, dumb, foolish creatures, if I say so myself.'