## Chapter 313: It's Wrong to Underestimate a Directionally Challenged Person
"Ms. Tia, you are wrong!!"
I pushed my large hand forward and spoke righteously, feeling a serious aura emanating from my entire Body. Good, this is the Presence I need.
What? You say I'm lying? That's right, I am lying, but you can't just look at the surface of things; you have to think deeper.
The Rogue Encampment currently has four permanent Elders: Akara, Cain, Kashya, and Fara. Among the four, only Akara and Cain are somewhat proper. Look at Kashya and Fara, those two troublemakers who cause problems all day; it would take a miracle from God for them not to tarnish the Adventurer's Guild's reputation. Therefore, as the fifth Elder, if I were also considered a pervert who peeks at women, what would that mean? It would mean that people would think more than half of the Elders in the Camp are improper, leading to a loss of Confidence in the Alliance, causing the Alliance to collapse. Then the Hell Clan would intensify their efforts, and the entire Sanctuary would be destroyed.
That's right, precisely because of this, as a noble, pure, moral person who has risen above Low-level interests, I disdain lying. But for Justice, for the Save of the entire Sanctuary, and to uphold the Principle of Love and Peace, I can only forcefully twist my own will, willing to suffer Wronged feelings myself, shedding tears alone in the darkness, even if misunderstood and despised by everyone.
Little Ghost: "Actually, you're just stubbornly clinging to Face/Reputation, right?"
Me: "Less nonsense, go back to sleep."
These thoughts just flashed through my Brain. I coughed a few times and continued speaking, sacrificing my dignity for the Save of the Act and the maintenance of universal Peace.
"Actually, the reason I was staring at you just now was because I felt a powerful Magic Fluctuation from your Body. I was surprised for a moment, but I didn't expect to be misunderstood."
"So that's it. As expected of an Elder, you're amazing. I can't easily sense other people's Magic Fluctuation." Tia revealed a look of Realization, gently clasped her hands In Front of her chest, and her Gaze towards me became respectful.
"Haha, Elder Fan is indeed extraordinary. Tia is one of the few in our Tribe who has received Soul Inheritance."
My explanation was unexpectedly effective. See? Great Elder Sakhrul couldn't hide his smug smile, and the Gaze he directed at his Granddaughter was full of pride.
"So that's how it is. No wonder Ms. Tia is so powerful at such a young Age. Her future prospects are definitely boundless, oh hehe~~" I also laughed along with Sakhrul. The entire House suddenly echoed with the exaggerated laughter of an Old Man and a young person, and the strange Atmosphere filling the place sent shivers down one's spine.
It's too terrifying, I'm truly too terrifying. Hmph hmph, don't think my explanation just now was just baseless bragging. And then a blind cat stumbled upon a dead Mouse. Actually, it contained terrifying Wisdom. From Sakhrul's single sentence, "I know you often adventure in that Ancient Tomb," I deduced the conclusion that Tia's Strength/Power is very powerful. Then I instantly organized my words in my Brain. This kind of quick wit, thinking back on it now, even I feel awe.
Maybe when I grow up, I'll be a terrifying figure whose Wisdom is as deep as the sea, capable of annihilating millions of lives with a laugh.
Little Ghost: "You're not growing up anymore."
Me: "Will you die if you don't roast me for once?"
And so, Tia and I packed our bags and walked out of the Village together, heading towards the Horadric Ancient Tomb.
"Ms. Tia..."
"Just call me Tia, or Little Gaia is fine too." Tia, who was walking ahead, turned around, her hands behind her back, her pretty face leaning forward. While walking backward, she gave me a sweet smile, looking playful and cute.
"Okay, then... Tia."
Looking at such a lively and cheerful girl, my Expression paused slightly, and I spoke haltingly.
"That's better. We're Companions now. If you call me too formally, won't it be awkward? Alright, that's settled. I'll call you Fanfan from now on."
With a smile on her face, Tia lightly jogged a few steps, bumped her fragrant shoulder against mine, and walked alongside me.
"No, please, absolutely don't call me that."
"Che~~, what does it matter? We're Companions who share life and death now. Hurry up and go, Fanfan." Saying this, she simply dragged my arm and hummed a strange Melody as she strode forward.
"..."
I feel like I'm being led by the nose, yet this enthusiasm, contained within her pure Temperament, makes it impossible to get angry. Vital Energy-type Maidens are truly terrifying; I really can't handle them.
Speaking of which, this is the first time I've seen such a lively Wizard. In my impression, Wizards should feel like Lin Ya, reserved and introverted, or perhaps steady and taciturn. Of course, Fara, that anomaly, must be excluded.
"Oh right, Fanfan, were you trying to ask me something just now?" After walking a few steps, Tia suddenly turned her Head and asked, tilting her Head.
"Ah, it's nothing. It's just my first time seeing a Sorceress dressed like this. Do you usually wear these Clothes?"
I smiled, my Gaze lingering on Tia's Body for a moment. It's no wonder I was so surprised; Tia's clothing simply didn't look like a Sorceress's Appearance at all.
A sexy Leather clothes, with a short, tight top that revealed her slender, easily graspable little waist, her long, sexy neck, and half of her arms, all so Attracting to the eye. The lower half was a pair of tight shorts that couldn't be shorter, paired with healthy, tanned skin, a tall Figure, and a slender waist full of a Maiden's Stretch and Vitality. She looked more like a wild Amazon than a Wizard. Her delicate and well-defined Features and sweet smile were full of a Maiden's youthful exuberance, yet also possessed a touch of sexy femininity.
Eh, why am I starting to comment on her Appearance? It's not like she's the Type I like anyway.
"Is that so? It really doesn't look like a Sorceress."
Understanding the Meaning of my words, Tia tugged at her bra and then at her shorts, examining herself as she spoke.
"Actually, I want to wear a Mage Robe too. But Fanfan, you know, our Tribe can't make Clothes ourselves, and the Drop Rate for Mage Robes, which are a Type of Equipment, is low. Sigh..."
Tia frowned, her Expression slightly Dejected for a moment, but the next instant, it was instantly filled with Vitality again.
"But it's okay, they'll definitely drop eventually. It's fine as long as I can wear one in this Life. Hehe..."
As expected of a Vital Energy-type Maiden, she recovers really quickly. However, is a Wish like "It's fine as long as I can wear one in this Life" a bit too insignificant for a Class Changer?
"Oh right, oh right, I also want to eat lots and lots of Fruit, and Fish. Mm-hmm, the Book says there's a Food called Jam Bread. I've always wanted to try it..." Counting on her fingers, Tia smiled happily.
Wuwu~~, how insignificant! How pitiful!!
Listening from the side, I was almost moved to tears. What a pitiful child, saying these insignificant Wishes with a smile full of satisfaction and happiness. It makes one feel even more sympathy.
"It's okay, next time I'll take you to eat the Lut Gholein specialty Jam Seafood Bread. That will satisfy all your Wishes at once." I grabbed Tia's shoulders and looked her firmly in the Eyes, speaking with extreme seriousness.
Tia, who was forcefully turned around by me, stared blankly at me, then suddenly lowered her Head, a little shy, and giggled.
"A Man's Strength is really great."
"Ah, sorry." I quickly let go.
"However..." To break the awkward Atmosphere, I chuckled a few times.
"I can fulfill your first Wish right away." Saying this, I coughed mysteriously, pretending to be important, and took out a Mage Robe, holding it high against the Wind.
"It's really a Mage Robe!" Tia couldn't hide the surprise in her Eyes.
"Five thousand Gold Coins, please." My smile remained unchanged, and I extended my other hand.
"Wuwu~~" Tia immediately lowered her Head like a defeated rooster.
"I don't have that much Money."
"Mm-hmm, is that so? Five thousand Gold Coins is actually very cheap for this."
I couldn't help but stroke her drooping little Head and said with a smile. For some reason, I just felt like teasing her.
"Mm. Wuwu~~ I know it's very cheap. But..." Tia wailed and rummaged through her Inventory for a while, revealing an Expression like a primary school student handing in their scribbled homework to the Teacher. She pitifully held out more than ten Chipped Gems in her hand.
"This... this... I only have this much Money on me, wuwu~~~"
Seeing Tia shaking her Head, looking distressed and troubled, I laughed even harder.
"Actually, it's not impossible to reduce the price a bit, but that would lose its Meaning. For example, what if I gave it to you as a gift?"
After a moment of stunned silence, Tia revealed her sweet dimples again, her smile still cheerful, but her Tone was very serious: "No, that won't do, Fanfan. You can't give me such a valuable Item, and I won't Accept it."
As expected? I sighed. Actually, I had already seen it. Although the Horadrim are poor, the arrogance left over from their glorious Era ten thousand years ago hasn't changed at all. They firmly believe that the Horadrim are the most excellent Race in the Act, so how could they tolerate pity and sympathy from others?
Of course, there are many people on Sanctuary who hold this Idea/Thought, such as the Amazon Tribe, Elf Race, Dwarf Tribe... Ah, speaking of which, everyone probably thinks their own Race is the most excellent, it's just that this Conviction is stronger or weaker. The Horadrim are undoubtedly the most intense and persistent ones, just like Cain's Family. Even after thousands of years, their Bloodline no longer exists, yet they still insist that they are Horadrim. This is evident.
"Yes, you definitely won't Accept it, right? What should I do? Besides Gems, do you have anything else on you?" Seeing how much Tia wanted it, I couldn't bear to tease her anymore. As long as she took out anything else, I would pretend it was a "very important Item to me" and buy it at a high price. That would work.
"Wuwu~~"
Tia continued to be troubled, seemingly thinking about what valuable things she had on her. Equipment? She only had a few pieces of Magic Equipment with very ordinary Stats, which were really not presentable.
"Huh, I have something."
Tia clapped her hands, looking as if she had a sudden Realization. I also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Grandpa told me when I was little that a girl's most precious thing is her Body. Although I don't know where it's precious or how to exchange it with you, Fanfan is knowledgeable and must know, right? Can my Body be exchanged?"
Revealing a smile as clear and pure as a mountain stream, Tia looked at me with a Gaze completely devoid of Wariness. Her chest leaned forward, and the slightly open collar revealed her adorable little Rabbits, faintly appearing in my Line of Sight.
"..."
"Huh, Fanfan, are you okay?" Seeing me grabbing a Stone Pillar and banging my Head against it frantically, Tia quickly pulled my neck from behind.
"No... I'm fine..."
Old Man Saklon, you should occasionally let your precious Granddaughter learn some sex Knowledge, you bastard!!
"Forget it. I'll lend you this Mage Robe to play with for now. That should be fine, right?" Finally, I groaned with Helplessness, afraid of causing something else that would make me die from excessive Health loss.
"Is that so..." Tia showed a confused Gaze. The arrogance in her bones and her Maiden's nature struggled for a while, but were ultimately defeated by my roundabout excuse. She hesitated before taking it.
"How is it? How is it? Fanfan, does it look good?" Wearing the Mage Robe, Tia twirled around In Front of me, the innocent smile on her pretty face seemed capable of blooming for ten thousand years.
"Mm, it's indeed not bad."
I nodded. She had less wildness and more Temperament. Overall, I still felt that wearing the tight Leather clothes suited her personality better.
"Look how happy you are, you don't need to be that happy, do you? Is this the first time you've worn one?"
"Not really, I secretly tried on Grandpa's when I was little. It's a Secret, Fanfan, you absolutely must not tell him." Tia playfully stuck out her tongue and giggled.
After walking a long distance, seeing the Sun gradually setting, I couldn't help but mutter with some confusion.
"We've walked for so long, why haven't we seen a single Monster?"
"Oh. That's because I deliberately avoided them. We came out to investigate the Tomb, right?"
Tia replied, "Look, not far ahead is where the Devourers (Sand Worm's Second Progression) frequent. And over there, are the Crushers (Giant Beast's Third Progression). In the place we just bypassed, there are also Hellcats (Huntress's Final Progression) and Hell Clan Rock Throwers (Stone Thrower's Final Progression)." Tia pointed in several directions as she spoke.
"I didn't realize there were quite a few Types of Monsters here." I was a little surprised, but more so by Tia's Knowledge of this place.
"Hmph hmph, amazing, right? The Ancient Tomb has even more powerful Monsters." Tia raised her Head, crossed her arms, and said proudly.
Actually, I wanted to say, there's nothing to be proud of about this...
"Fanfan, do you want to try the Strength/Power of these Monsters?"
"No, let's forget it. If we're going to Battle, we won't be able to avoid it once we reach the Tomb." I shook my Head. I really couldn't muster much Battle Intent against Lackeys.
Tia clearly agreed with my Statement and led me around the Devourers' Territory.
"How much longer until we reach the Destination?"
"If we keep walking like this, it will probably take two to five days." Tia pointed to the Route ahead. The Desert's climate is unpredictable, far beyond what a Class Changer can withstand. Even she couldn't be sure of the exact Time.
"That direction?" I looked hesitantly at the direction she pointed.
"But I think it's this way."
I pointed in a direction that formed a 60-degree angle with hers, feeling a powerful Mysterious Power summoning me from the direction I pointed. It must be right, this Mysterious Power must be Duriel.
"Is... is that so?"
Tia showed a hesitant Gaze, looked back at the Surroundings, and then looked at the Sun in the Sky: "It should be this way, right?"
I looked back at the Surroundings, looked at the Sun in the Sky, then wet my finger to judge the Wind direction, and observed the distribution trend of the Cactus. I shook my Head: "No, I think it should be this way."
"But, according to my observation, it should be this way!" Tia's Gaze became increasingly confused.
"No, no, no, a Man's Seventh Sense tells me it should be this way!" I shook my index finger and clicked my tongue, then, like an Elder, I solemnly took Tia's little hand.
"Child, the forms of all things in the Act are unpredictable and often the most confusing. When an evil person stands In Front of you, your Eyes can only see his handsome Appearance, and your Ears can only hear his gentle Voice. These are all deceptive. Only your Inner Heart can understand his essence. Therefore, don't be deceived by your Eyes and Ears. The only thing we can trust is our own Inner Heart. Following your Inner Heart is the most correct choice."
"So, trusting my Man's Seventh Sense is absolutely correct!!!"
"Is... is that so?" Tia also became confused.
"Yes, think about it. Perhaps the direction you pointed was correct before, but maybe Duriel moved."
"That... that makes sense too!"
"Besides, what if we get lost? Don't the Protagonists in Novels always encounter Fortuitous Encounters because they get lost? Simply put, a Life without getting lost is without passion; it can only lead to a mediocre Life."
"Your words... seem a bit contradictory..."
"Therefore, let's walk this way."
Without waiting for Tia to fully digest my words, I excitedly pulled her hand and walked towards the direction I pointed. Oh, I feel it, that strong Summon, the increasingly strong impulse.
Little Ghost: It is indeed the God of getting lost summoning you.
So on the third day, we appeared at the entrance of the Ancient Tomb.
"That's right, Fanfan, this is our Destination!" Pointing at a windmill-shaped Marker above the Ancient Tomb, the smile on Tia's face became even prettier.
What... what is going on?
I knelt weakly In Front of the Ancient Tomb entrance, groaning Incredulous. This was not the Destination I had imagined at all. Where was the Fortuitous Encounter? Where was the Treasure? Where was the strong Summon?
In my Helplessness, I had to ask Little Ghost for help.
"It's absolutely impossible for you to find the Destination so smoothly. I think... you were probably led by the nose by that woman. The Desert is so big, there's no Sense of Direction to speak of. Maybe she outwardly agreed with you, the Directionally Challenged Person, but secretly corrected the Route little by little."
Is... is that so?
If that's really the case, then Tia is truly a terrifying girl. At this moment, the brilliant smile on her face also became profound and unfathomable in my Eyes.
However, Little Ghost's Tone really made me sad.
"Tia, stay close behind me."
Eh, since we're here, let's make the best of it. We can talk about it later if there's a chance. Throwing the disappointment in my Inner Heart into a Corner, I narrowed my Eyes and turned back to Tia.
"Mm... mm, I understand..."
A trace of confusion flashed in Tia's Eyes. The Man In Front of her, his Temperament seemed to have become unfamiliar. It was a Confidence even more powerful than her own, and a Battle Intent that made it hard to breathe.
Light Snow , Poison Creeper, Oak Sage, come out.
Instantly, five large Ghost Wolves appeared around us. The strong Aura emanating from their Bodies made the scorching Desert reveal a chilling Aura. The Poison Creeper moved in the Sand, issuing a protest—it didn't like dry Sand.
"Tia, let's Depart."
Holding the Oak Sage in my arms, I licked my dry lips and was the first to enter the Ancient Tomb with Light Snow .
"Mm... okay..."