Baiting the Snow Witch
html, body { margin:0; padding:0; } Actor: Derek Walker 19
Watching Isabel make her AV debut was pure pleasure. But I couldn't let the fun distract me from what really mattered. I had important business: meeting the Snow Witch of the Snowy Mountains.
The Snow Witch of the Snowy Mountains
The whole reason I'd come to the Dove Kingdom was to get a Golden Apple from her.
The Golden Apple was a game item that massively boosted charm stats, letting you customize your character into whatever form you desired. It was the ultimate plastic surgery tool—and exactly what I needed right now.
I'd originally planned to trek up to the northern snowfields, but intel from the information guild said the Snow Witch was coming down to Kegen herself. For a deal with Marquis Rostan.
A golden opportunity. No need for that long haul. The only issue was how to make contact.
Thank god for original game knowledge.
In the game, the Snow Witch had a sweet tooth she couldn't resist. And I had Snow Sugar. Not prepared specifically for this, but perfect bait nonetheless.
"Good work."
"Hnggh...!"
Today's shoot wrapped in just five hours. Isabel's bulging belly was proof of how much I'd unloaded. She seemed more accustomed than yesterday—no fainting this time. As soon as it ended, she casually asked me for a smoke, all innocent-like.
"Could you give me one of those from yesterday?"
In the break room, we shared a smoke face-to-face. Wrapped in a thin blanket, puffing away, Isabel looked decadently alluring.
Who'd ever guess this woman was the noble daughter of the wise Benellia family?
Maybe she had a real talent for this stuff.
"I've got urgent business today, so I'll head out first."
I dressed and left for the trading post to sell Snow Sugar. Priced just right—not too high, not too low.
Too expensive, and it's hard to bait the hook. Too cheap, and it cheapens the brand. Finding that sweet spot was a merchant's instinct.
"Oho, this the sugar? Looks just like salt."
"Can I try a bite?"
"This must be that famous Snow Sugar from Miles Kingdom. Heard about it."
Snow Sugar was a hot commodity. Despite the luxury price, crowds swarmed like clouds.
But no sign of the Snow Witch. She might not have arrived in Kegen yet—or even if she had, she might not know about the Snow Sugar.
First things first, commission the information guild.
No one beat them at finding people. By the time I'd sold out today's stock, still no Snow Witch.
Three days passed. Isabel had fully adapted to AV shoots. She was shooting more than the planned four scenes, insisting I be her only co-star.
No progress on the Snow Witch. I'd commissioned the guild, but they couldn't guarantee results.
"Kegen's a massive city. Thousands of outsiders pass through daily—it's not easy."
More incompetent than expected. I wanted to meet her before her deal with Marquis Rostan, but things weren't going smoothly.
No Snow Witch at the trading post either. Just vulture-like hagglers trying to lowball me.
Root Skill
Business Lv 5 (A-rank)
↳ Grants exceptional instincts for business ventures.
Dealing with those sharks leveled up my skill. An unexpected bonus. As I pondered closing shop for the day, a figure in a gray robe hiding their face approached.
Merchants rarely covered their faces like that. Honest ones flaunted their mugs, boasting their prowess.
Only shady criminals or mercenaries who hated attention did that.
"I heard you're selling Snow Sugar."
A slightly hysterical woman's voice from under the robe. Unusual aura. Could this be the Snow Witch I was expecting?
Couldn't confirm without seeing her face.
"Yes. 50 silver each."
I pulled out a small glass case—enough for 4-5 sugar cubes.
The robed figure extended a hand. Pale and delicate, emerging from the sleeve. Ghostly.
"I'll take one."
She pointed to one with a finger. Should I ask her to remove the robe? Nah, too forced.
Any natural way to see her face? Or just straight-up ask if she's the Snow Witch?
I didn't overthink. Direct approach it was.
"Are you by chance the Snow Witch of the Snowy Mountains?"
I asked in a perfectly modulated tone as she reached for her coin pouch. Her hand froze.
"Are you with Marquis Rostan?"
"No. I'm seeking you for personal reasons. Nothing to do with the marquis."
"Hmmm... How did you know I was coming to Kegen?"
Her voice sharpened. She didn't like being investigated.
Who would?
Luckily, I had the perfect peace offering. Sugar was the natural enemy of anger.
"My apologies. Desperation led to my rudeness. Please accept this as atonement."
I produced an ornate glass box—5-6 times more Snow Sugar than the standard case. Prepared in a fancy one just for this.
She opened it with graceful fingers, dipped one in, and tasted it. Satisfied, she took the box.
"I can feel your sincerity. Forgiven once. Not twice."
"Thank you for your mercy."
I bowed lightly. No need to make enemies with the Snow Witch. At least not until I had the Golden Apple.
"So, what's your goal? Beauty? You could use it, judging by that face."
She eyed me. Guess even she thought my mug was wrecked.
"I want the Golden Apple."
"......The Golden Apple. You must've heard rumors somewhere. But I don't have it."
She denied it flatly.
"You don't have it?"
"No. A fantasy fruit that turns you into your ideal self? Not something you get easily."
No.
She definitely had it. She was lying to me right now.
"I don't have a Golden Apple. Right now."
Her follow-up made me probe again.
"Right now? Meaning..."
"Making a Golden Apple requires specific ingredients. That's why I'm in Kegen. Do you really want one?"
Was that even a question?
One look at my face should tell her.
"Yes. I need it desperately."
"Fine. Help me out, then. I want to make it quick too."
Golden Apple
It wasn't a real apple from a tree, but an alchemical elixir. No wonder the game icon showed golden liquid in a flask, not fruit.
It required rare ingredients. I agreed to help her gather them.
"I have the eternal snow from the snowy mountains—one of the key ones. The rest: splitting fly eyeballs, drake fangs, lava flower petals, and healthy blood."
Fittingly bizarre for a witch's brew.
"Most come from nearby dungeons. That's why I'm here."
"Got it, except... healthy blood?"
"Exactly that. Blood from someone raised well-fed and healthy. At least 15 years old. Older the better."
"Blood for alchemy ingredients, huh."
"Blood's super common in alchemy. It holds potent spiritual power, amplified by the source's condition. Virgin blood's essential for premium potions."
Good lord. Wasting that on potions.
"Anyway, I'll handle the lava flower petals. Hard to find without herbology knowledge. Just got the drake fangs."
"So I get the rest?"
"Just the splitting fly eyeballs. Blood's from Marquis Rostan—apparently top quality."
Ah, so that's why he bought Irina and Brown.
Commoner blood from back alleys was one thing; noble blood was rare. For the marquis, crushing Benellia while scoring beauty from the witch? Two birds, one stone.
Benellia drama could wait.
Priority: ingredients for the Snow Witch. Golden Apple over Irina or Brown's lives.
"Bring them to the 'Fairy's Drink' inn."
"Got it."
To get splitting fly eyeballs, dungeon time.
I called Kelly, who'd been lounging. Time to work.
"What's up?"
Kelly looked up, leaning on her staff as tall as herself. On her shoulder perched Crit, her armadillo-shaped spirit.
"Dungeon raid."
"About time I stretch my legs."
She'd been bored too. Wanted Luna along, but left her guarding Isabel just in case. Me and Kelly were plenty for local dungeons.
"Let's roll."
For splitting fly eyeballs, we headed to the vast plains outside Kegen. Poseidon, waiting at the stables, neighed energetically—thrilled for an outing.
"Portal in sight."