Chapter 73: Project: Making a Pet
Chapter 73: Project: Making a Pet
After entering through the North Gate, the same one we had used when leaving Mule, the kids’ faces brightened noticeably. Though no one said a word, they looked at me with such longing that if I’d suggested we start training, they would have sat down on the spot. I chuckled, pulled a small pouch from my coat, and tossed it to Ahn Hyun. Carrying another User on his back, Ahn Hyun looked flustered, but thankfully, Yoojung intervened and managed to snatch the pouch out of the air.
“Nice catch.”
“Don’t just praise me, give me a reward.”
“Here.”
I readily slid the User off my back and handed him over to Yoojung. She grumbled but accepted the User gently. Seeing her grunt with the effort of carrying the extra weight, I spoke immediately.
“You know where The Demure Lady is, right? There’s enough money in the pouch, so rent two rooms for a week. Eat dinner first, and order whatever you want. Once you’re finished, go upstairs and rest.”
“What about you, Oppa?”
“I have some business to take care of with Vivian. And I need to file my expedition report.”
“We can go with you…”
“It’s easier for me to go alone. It’s fine, you guys go on ahead and rest.”
Yoojung’s expression clouded over for a moment, but she soon nodded. It seemed her desire for rest and her hunger were winning out, making her eager to get to the inn. It was honestly a bit of a hassle, but it was something that had to be done.
After sending the kids off, I was finally alone with Vivian. She looked at me, pouted, and let out a loud sigh.
“I really don’t get it.”
“Get what?”
“You and those kids.”
As Vivian glared at me with narrowed eyes, I silently mouthed the word, “Why?” She started pointing her finger at me, her voice growing louder.
“Those kids aren’t a bunch of baby birds, you know. The way they just stare at you and chirp is a total eyesore. And you’re just as bad. You have such a soft spot for them, it’s ridiculous. I couldn’t believe it, the way you were doting on them. What’s next? You gonna pat their butts for them, too?”
“I’ve always been like that.”
“Really? Then can I start whining and acting all clingy, too?”
Instead of answering, I raised my hand. Vivian rolled her eyes and sighed again. Just as she opened her mouth to launch into another complaint, I moved my hand and placed it on her head.
“How’s your body?”
“Wh-what?”
“I asked if your body is feeling any better.”
Vivian was flustered by my surprise attack. She stammered, her eyes darting around. After a moment, she looked up at me slightly and spoke cautiously.
“It’s… okay for now. It’s bearable. But this hand… Hmph.”
After stroking her hair once, I turned away. I sensed her hesitate for a moment before she fell into step right behind me. Since we had agreed to work together, I needed to give and receive trust. To get the most out of her, I had to be gentle from time to time.
The streets of Mule were certainly more boisterous than they had been in the morning when we left. Most Users seemed to be heading to the temple to file their expedition reports, just like me, but I could still see a couple of groups heading out on expeditions. Seeing them leave at this hour, I offered a simple prayer for their souls.
The first place I stopped was the User Warehouse. It would have been a pain if the temple and the warehouse were on opposite sides of the city. Thankfully, they were more or less in the same direction, even if it was a slight detour. The closer we got to the temple, the more crowded it became, though not quite as bustling as Barbara.
And as the crowds grew, so did the number of eyes fixed on Vivian. She seemed embarrassed, lowering her head and pressing her body closer to mine. I enjoyed the soft, squishy feeling against my back, but it also drew a flood of jealous glares.
We could only walk like this because we were in the Northern Continent, where discipline and public order were strict. If she had walked the streets of the Western Continent dressed like this, it would have been no different from advertising, “I dressed this way because I want you all to fuck me. So please, hurry up and fuck me.” Not that I was particularly worried. Once her power was restored, Vivian was a truly useful asset. Most Users wouldn’t even stand a chance; they’d be annihilated without a trace.
Upon arriving at the User-exclusive warehouse, I immediately took out a bottle of Elixir and all my gold coins. I now possessed over 1,200 gold. If I sold my other gems and miscellaneous items, it would be an enormous sum—far too much for a User just starting out. The more money I had, the easier my future plans would be. I already had a use for it in mind, so I tucked the heavy money pouch into my coat.
“What’s that?”
Vivian’s curiosity was piqued as I twirled a bottle filled with bright yellow liquid. As she leaned her face close, I answered simply.
“An Elixir.”
The impact of that single word was beyond imagination. Vivian, who had been wearing an expression I’d never seen before, suddenly scoffed, “Hah,” and beckoned me with her finger. The nerve of this girl.
“Hmph.”
“So you know what an Elixir is?”
“Don’t be a fool. Alchemists make potions, too. And the Elixir is known as the pinnacle of them all. Fine, I’ll play along. Bring it here.”
“Why don’t you come and see for yourself?”
At my words, Vivian grumbled before craning her neck to get a look. As she meticulously examined the Elixir, her expression grew stranger and stranger. Just as she reached out a hand, I quickly pulled the bottle back. As expected of an alchemist with some skill, her face was now serious, a stark contrast to just a moment ago.
“Th-this is strange. Wait. Don’t pull it away, let me see it closer…”
“What’s the point? You can just drink a little, can’t you?”
I had made up my mind. Now that the decision was made, hesitation wasn’t in my nature. I decisively unsealed the Elixir, poured a small amount into the cap, and handed it to Vivian. She quickly took the cap, sniffed it for a moment, and then gulped it down.
“Hmm…”
“Well?”
“Just a second… Hmm? Huh… Huh?”
And then. After savoring the taste for a moment, Vivian’s eyes shot wide open as she gaped. She had realized what was happening inside her body. I immediately activated my Third Eye. This time, I planned to activate it with considerable force to thoroughly read her information.
〈 Resident Status 〉
* Converting Resident Status to Player Status.
1. Name: Vivian la Classidus
2. Class: Chimera Alchemist (Rare, Chimera Alchemist, Master)
3. Nation: Espinion (A city-state that has since fallen.)
4. Clan: -
5. True Name · Nationality: Ancient Alchemist · Black Hunting Spider · Hall Plain
6. Sex: Female (24 · 128[?])
7. Height · Weight: 165.5cm · 48.8kg
8. Alignment: Chaos · Neutral
〈 Stats 〉
[Strength 48] [Durability 50] [Agility 56] [Stamina 45] [Magic Power 92] [Luck 74]
〈 Achievements (3) 〉
〈 Special Ability (1/1) 〉
1. Ruler of the 66th Beast Legion (Rank: A Plus Plus Plus)
〈 Latent Abilities (4/4) 〉
1. Alchemical Magic (Rank: A Zero)
2. Orthodox Magic (Rank: C Plus)
3. Magical Fortification (Rank: A Plus Plus)
4. Potion Crafting (Rank: B Plus)
〈 Stats Comparison 〉
1. Kim Soohyun: 540
(12 Stat points remain.)
[Strength 94] [Durability 92] [Agility 98] [Stamina 72] [Magic Power 96] [Luck 88]
2. Vivian la Classidus: 365
(No Stat points remain.)
[Strength 48] [Durability 50] [Agility 56] [Stamina 45] [Magic Power 92] [Luck 74]
So this is Vivian’s full strength? I let out a small gasp and looked at her with fresh appreciation. As I had said repeatedly, Magic Power was the most important Stat for Mages and Priests. Even if every other Stat averaged only 30, any Clan would be desperate to recruit a User whose Magic Power exceeded 90. That was the value of Mages in the Hall Plain.
I was especially curious about the A+++ ability, 〈Ruler of the 66th Beast Legion〉. A Rare Class could not compare with a Secret Class, but its abilities were clearly on a different track from those of a Normal Class. A well-developed Normal Class could still become powerful, but Rare Classes maximized combat efficiency, while Secret Classes possessed mighty 〈Authorities〉. Those were the two Classes every User longed for.
I gathered my thoughts and turned my gaze forward. Vivian, who had been examining her body in a daze, suddenly looked at me with an urgent expression. No, it wasn’t just urgent. Her eyes had gone wild, as if she had lost her mind.
A momentary silence hung between us. But it lasted only for an instant. Gritting her teeth, Vivian launched herself at me.
“Give that to meeeeee!”
“Well, look at you.”
I immediately stuck out a hand and planted it on her face. She flailed her arms, trying to get closer, but it was no use. Nevertheless, she thrashed about even more wildly, struggling desperately to get the Elixir in my hand.
“Give it! Give it to me! Give it to meee!”
“I can’t just give it to you like that. What if you drink it and pretend nothing happened?”
“I won’t. I really won’t. So hand it over!”
I shoved her away forcefully, but Vivian immediately lunged at me again. I sighed and put my hand out once more. The only difference this time was that I aimed for her chest instead of her head. As Vivian rushed into my arms, I felt a soft mound of flesh fill my right hand. Oh. This feels nice.
“Kyaaaaaat!”
“Mmm. Nice.”
“Hyaat? Kyaat? Uwaaat?”
I repeatedly fondled the breast in my hand, nodding in satisfaction. It had been a long time since I had touched a woman’s breast, and a strange sense of pleasure washed over me. Startled, Vivian tried to pull away, but this time I held on tight. Her breast stretched as it was pulled by my hand before she finally gave up.
“What are you doing! Let go! You idiot!”
“You’re the idiot. Who told you to lunge at me?”
She used the hands that had been reaching for the Elixir to pry mine away. I let go willingly, though with some regret. I must have squeezed too hard, because Vivian’s eyes filled with tears as she gently rubbed the breast I had grabbed.
“Sob… What am I going to do… I’ve been defiled.”
“Stop being so dramatic over a single breast. Anyway, this confirms that I have the means to heal you, right?”
As I put on a smug, cocky act, Vivian nodded her head frantically. Her eyes seemed to be begging me to tell her what she had to do to get the Elixir. I chuckled and continued.
“I’ve already decided to give it to you, so just wait a little. I’ll give it to you if you make one definite promise.”
“If it’s what you mentioned in the dungeon, I remember.”
“You don’t even know what I’m going to have you do.”
My sharp retort left Vivian speechless. She had not yet recovered the lofty intellect of her alchemist days, and her desperation for the Elixir had made her impatient. This moment was the 〈opening〉 I had been waiting for. Bluntly put, if she consumed it and fled or became uncooperative, I would have thrown away a precious Elixir. I therefore needed at least a minimum safeguard.
“Th-then what do I have to do?”
“Hehe. Let’s make a contract.”
“A contract?”
As Vivian tilted her head and repeated my word, I answered with a bright smile.
“Yep. A contract. Let’s head to the temple first. We need to file the expedition report and draw up the contract.”