Arthur was confused, "I.. I..."
"It's on me." Casca took a card out of her pocket; she had a silver-colored card.
"Aww... So cute, helping your poor boyfriend," Rae mocked with her friendly smile.
"Stop talking too much. Hurry up, I want to pay!" Casca said firmly.
Rae opened a drawer and took out a rectangular metal stone. Casca held her silver card, pressing her thumb on the square-patterned section and tapping it against the stone.
[ DING ]
[ Amount ] :.....
A holographic screen appeared again.
"50 gold," Casca said.
[ DING ]
[ Transaction successful ]
Arthur was amazed by the scene. He felt like this world was a mix of medieval and modern times. Even though he had read about transactions like this in the novel, seeing it happen in real life still fascinated him.
After the transaction was completed, Rae smiled.
"To rank up, you need to take the Rank Advancement Exam, which is held every two months," she said kindly.
As a silent reader of this novel, Arthur already knew that, but he chose to stay quiet and listen carefully. Especially since Rae looked stunning with her cat ears.
Rae's explanation wasn't too long, just about how the exam participants had to complete a few challenges.
"You're done?" Casca asked, looking bored with Rae's explanation.
"Yeah," Rae replied with a smile.
"Alright..." Casca glanced at Arthur. "Let's go to my place first..."
Wiiiwww.....
Blooopp.... :°
Bounciechomie mimicked the sound.
A whistling sound could be heard. Arthur turned around and saw people whispering while smiling at him and Casca.
"He's not my boyfriend!" Casca said firmly, clenching her fists.
She pulled Arthur to walk faster and head out. While walking, Arthur noticed an adventurer accepting a mission by placing his card on a board filled with pinned papers.
They walked out of the adventurers' guild, with Casca leading the way. "Follow me!" she said.
Arthur just nodded and followed behind her. After about fifteen minutes of walking, they arrived at an area that looked calmer and far from all the noise and commotion.
They finally stopped in front of an old house that looked like it came straight out of a horror movie—what it looked like and how big it was, you can imagine that yourself.
Casca opened the door. "The rent is one gold per day," she said.
"Hmm... that's too expensive," Arthur replied.
'The average inn price in this world is only fifty silver. This woman is trying to rip me off,' Arthur muttered inwardly, shooting a cynical glance at Casca standing by the door.
"Well... if you don't want to rent it, at least come inside first," Casca said.
Arthur didn't suspect a thing. With his bounciechomie still in hand, he stepped into the house.
BRUGGGH....
Casca slammed the door shut.
Blooop... :O
Arthur and Bounciechomie flinched and turned around. Casca grinned wide, rubbing her hands together just like that guy in the meme you've probably seen a dozen times.
"Hehe... boy..." Casca smiled. "If you don't want to rent a room in this house, I'll spread a rumor that you violated..."
She hugged herself, her expression shifting from cunning to innocent puppy eyes begging for help.
"...a poor adventurer girl who fights every day just to survive."
Huh...
Arthur and Bounciechomie made the exact same face as that confused cat meme you always use when you see something weird on social media.
Arthur was annoyed. 'No wonder the author gave B. Itch as her last name!' Arthur thought.
Arthur fell silent for a few seconds.
He stared at Casca, who was still hugging herself with a face full of sorrow—like she was auditioning for the lead role in a live-action female lead novel.
"...You're insane," Arthur finally said.
Casca tilted her head, her expression instantly shifting into an annoyingly smug smile. "You're not the first to say that. But thanks for the compliment."
Arthur let out a long sigh, already regretting his life—not just today, but every single decision that led him to this creepy old house with a woman who had just threatened him with a fake accusation.
Bounciechomie, still on his arms, trembled slightly and let out a soft "blooop…" as if whispering, "We're in danger, gang."
"Alright," Arthur muttered in defeat.