Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
One person and one Orc passed through the crowd. Kuruna deliberately avoided attention, and the two attracted no notice. After meandering, they finally arrived at a stall. At this time, quite a few masked individuals had already gathered around the stall.
(Player Name) (M) estimated their body size and surmised that these slender, masked figures should be humans. Using the system’s Appraisal technique, he discovered they were actually a group of Mages from the South Continent. Currently, these Mages were carefully examining crystal-clear fruits, occasionally bringing them to their noses to sniff, as if discerning their authenticity.
[Parasitic Tree Fruit (Fake)]
It really was fake. (Player Name) (M) felt a bit speechless. He wondered if he should expose the stall owner on the spot but then remembered he needed to obtain medicinal ingredients from this very stall owner, so he suppressed the thought. Kuruna did not step forward to speak, and (Player Name) (M) silently waited. He saw that the group of Mages seemed to have finally confirmed the authenticity of the fruits. They took out a leather pouch, handed it to the stall owner, then stored the fruits in their Space Rings and turned to leave. As the leading Mage left, he saw (Player Name) (M) and, recognizing him as a fellow human, nodded at him.
Even through the mask, (Player Name) (M) could sense the Mage’s joyful mood. But the fruit he bought was fake! He really wanted to remind him! His mouth was itching! (Player Name) (M) slapped himself. Finally, he suppressed his own impulsive, foolish behavior.
Kuruna and the stall owner of the medicinal ingredients stall looked at (Player Name) (M) strangely, not understanding why this human suddenly hit himself. But immediately after, a hint of realization flashed in Kuruna’s eyes. *A human noble’s offspring, huh? It’s normal.* Even those who slept with Fox Orcs exist, so one who likes self-harm doesn’t seem entirely incomprehensible. It no longer paid attention to the dazed (Player Name) (M), merely turned around and began gesturing to the stall owner. At the same time, its foxy eyes rapidly blinked, conveying unknown signals to the stall owner.
The stall owner was indeed a good friend of Kuruna. After some animated exchange, it completely understood Kuruna’s intentions. The gaze from beneath its mask towards (Player Name) (M) changed from calm to greedy. Although this greed was well hidden, (Player Name) (M) noticed it immediately. This was because the stall owner’s HP Bar had also changed from yellow to red.
(Player Name) (M): “…”
The stall owner picked up a spare piece of wood from the ground, then used a sharp stalactite dipped in ink from an Ink Squid to write “kaka kaka” on the wooden board. After finishing, it read it aloud once more, then displayed it for (Player Name) (M) to see. (Player Name) (M) initially thought the wooden board would have incomprehensible primitive Orcish script, like hieroglyphs. To his surprise, it was written in a crookedly written Common continental language.
[According to Kuruna’s description, your friend seems to have Wind-Heat illness. I have an ointment specifically for treating this illness. Many people living nearby buy it from me. However, this ointment is too low-grade, so I didn’t put it out for sale. If you need it, I can take you and Kuruna to get it. It will only cost 20 Silver Coins.]
This one was also a master of rhetoric. First, establishing a connection with Kuruna, amplifying Kuruna’s words in a closed loop. Then, accurately stating the illness to gain attention. Next, demonstrating his value by saying many people were his regular customers, thereby lowering (Player Name)’s guard. Finally, stating a price that (Player Name) (M) couldn’t refuse. Who wouldn’t be tempted?
(Player Name) (M) was indeed tempted. However, what tempted him were the medicinal ointments and ingredients on the stall owner’s table. Although there were quite a few deceptive fake and shoddy products, aside from these, the rest were top-notch goods. For instance, there was a膏药 called [Wind Jade Thunderous Paste]. Applying this paste to the abdomen could greatly enhance abdominal combat strength and duration, and it also increased abdominal ammunition reserves, making it an excellent household remedy.
Besides this, there was also [Jet Warrior Potion]. This was a laxative. After consuming it, one could transform into a Jet Warrior. Moreover, the medicinal effect was potent. According to the system’s description, it could even turn one’s intestines inside out if taken excessively. It was simply a must-have medicine for killing and arson. Of course, not all potions had such strange effects. There were also many legitimate medicinal preparations for healing, purifying, removing negative status effects, and temporarily boosting strength and magic power. This stall owner claiming he didn’t put medicinal preparations for treating illnesses out for sale was complete nonsense, trying to bully him because he didn’t understand the goods on the stall or the Orcish language on the wooden board. However, with the system’s Appraisal technique and translator, he knew everything clearly.
“Alright, I’ll go with you,” (Player Name) (M) nodded. He knew these two old scoundrels intended to take him to a secluded place to make a move on him. But it didn’t matter; he would make his move. Kuruna and the stall owner exchanged glances, and both saw elation in each other’s eyes. They hadn’t expected this fish to be so easily hooked, showing no caution at all.
They led (Player Name) (M) away from the market, passing through caves and tunnels, and finally arrived in a dark alley. There was no one around, only the whistling sound of the cold wind blowing through the cavern.
“You store your medicinal preparations in a place like this?” (Player Name) (M)’s face showed surprise and panic. With his arms crossed, he stepped back, his voice becoming shrill. Facing (Player Name) (M)’s question, Kuruna chuckled sinisterly. “Keke!” It took out two daggers from its crotch, looking down contemptuously at the “trembling” young noble, and threatened, “There are no medicinal preparations here. This is your death! Hand over all your belongings. And where does your woman live? Tell me the address. How many guards do you have? If you confess honestly, you can avoid some torture before you die. If you refuse to cooperate, I will let you know what it means to wish you were dead!”
The stall owner next to it also removed its mask and took off its cloak, revealing a body covered in dark scales and a ferocious crocodile head. Its pair of eerie green eyes glared menacingly at (Player Name) (M). It also took out a large cleaver from its crotch and, following Kuruna, advanced towards (Player Name) (M) with a sinister laugh.
“This, you mean you plan to rob me?” (Player Name) (M) took two more steps back, his face pale, and looked utterly terrified. “You guessed right, but there’s no reward, kekeke…” Kuruna loved seeing its prey’s terrified expression the most; it brought it pleasure. The reason for luring the human noble here before robbing him was that it feared it couldn’t defeat him alone. Also, it didn’t want to attract the attention of those around. Whirlwind Dunes outwardly still prohibited such acts of killing and robbery. After all, the Orcs and the Andor Empire humans were currently cooperating. The warlords had always demanded that the Orcs restrain their bloodthirsty and brutal nature and show a friendly side to their “friends,” the humans. But now, in this dark, deserted cavern, Kuruna no longer needed to hide.
