"Mr. Ash, it's good to see you again. You rarely show your face around here." The receptionist smiled, her face beet red as she leaned against the counter, close to where Ash was.
Additionally, her breasts were securely supported by it, serving as a cushion for her chest.
Aisha, who was standing right behind Ash carrying a small sack in her hands, couldn't help but notice how much the receptionist was gawking. A suspicious look quickly played on her face.
"Yeah, I guess."
Ash placed the paper on the counter, containing the details of the quest they had just completed.
"Done. All six of the adventurers were rescued and are unharmed," he paused after noticing the woman wasn't even looking at the paper but at him instead. "I don't know if these are all the people the guild was looking for, but you should check for yourself."
"No, it's correct. The number of missing people issued was six in total." The receptionist finally moved her gaze away and looked towards the hallway where the rescued adventurers were seated.
"I am actually amazed they all came back unharmed. Goblins are violent C-ranked creatures; it's quite surprising to see they didn't kill even one person."
Ash sighed. "They were badly injured when I found them. I only just healed them, is all." He turned around.
"You healed them? Did you add a healer to your team or something?" The receptionist had a skeptical look on her face.
"Quit asking stupid questions. Aisha will handle the rest; I am going to my room."
With that, Ash walked away.
The receptionist tried to stop him from leaving; however, Aisha quickly stood in front of her, taking his place while pouting.
"A-Aisha, what's up…"
BAM!
Aisha dropped the bag of magic crystals on the counter.
"Stop looking at Master Ash like that; he doesn't like it."
"Oh, come on, don't be like that." The receptionist sighed. "He is wasting his handsomeness rotting inside that room of his. I know many other receptionists who would die to talk to him, and I am not talking about the women alone."
"Well, Master Ash doesn't like talking. In any case, please just give me the reward money for the quest and the magic crystals. I need to get something to eat, or Master will go to bed hungry again."
"Really? I swear that man will forget his own head if you let him." The receptionist carried the bag of magic crystals. "Is there a reason why he still refuses to register as an adventurer? Someone with his skills could quickly climb the ranks."
"Right?!" This time, Aisha was the one leaning forward. "I told Master Ash the same thing, but every time I ask, he gives me this mean look and goes, 'It's none of your business.' I don't understand. He's far better than any lousy adventurer in this room."
The receptionist chuckled nervously at her comment. "He does have a mean look sometimes. Then again, he only ever bothers to talk to you, so if there is anyone he might tell, it's probably going to be you."
"I guess so."
"Besides, you are the one practically taking care of him. He owes you that much," the receptionist said, moving towards the back of the room while smiling, leaving Aisha standing there in deep thought, her eyes glued to the counter.
…
Back inside the inn room, Ash sat on the bed, a half-eaten apple in one hand, while he focused on the system notification in front of him.
'Interesting…'
[Skill Stats]
Unique Skills: Demonic Aura (Level 25), Dark Absorption, Contract of Dominion.
Talent Skills: Prey Hunter (Level 20), Goblin Blood (Level 4), Hulk Smash (Maxed), Arrow Mastery (Maxed), Shield of Teran (Level 27), Hunter's Instinct (Level 19).
Artifact Skills: Damager (Maxed), Ring Counter (Maxed).
Ash stared at the screen for a while.
'The Ring Counter I got recently cost about 1000 points in the magic store. While it allows me to counter all projectile attacks, it's still somewhat weak in close combat. I need something to rival that.'
He paused, just as he was about to tap something on the screen.
'I don't have stats like everyone else; my rank and class are unknown. This means I need to make up for the areas I lack in if I hope to come close to that bastard John in combat.'
Click!
He tapped on the screen.
[You have opened the Magic Shop.]
[Shop has been updated.]
Ash immediately began to scroll down as if shopping for items in a supermarket.
He knew what he wanted; all he had to do was find it, and the rest would be easy.
It took him almost ten minutes until, eventually, he finally found something that would match what he needed.
[Cape of the Dark]
Description: This item allows you to transform your entire body into mist while also constantly regenerating the mana used, on a 30-second ratio.
Note: Only ⅓ of the mana used will be replaced within this period.
'Per thirty-second ratio? Meaning if I use my mana, I have to wait thirty seconds before it can regenerate? If I were to cast in between this time frame, it will probably reset. One-third isn't a good deal either.'
Ash grabbed his chin. 'Then again, when I bought the Ring Counter, I wasn't too impressed with the early stats. Perhaps this will also be the same.'
His eyes glanced at the price.
[2500 points.]
'Damn.'
Ash didn't give much of a reaction, with the sole exception of the single drop of sweat at the side of his face. 'That's almost half my points. Is it worth it?'
The contemplation lasted for a while, until eventually, he gave in and decided it was best for him to get the item.
Investing in a weapon was not a bad idea, but seeing as his demonic aura was versatile, it was something he could wait on.
Thus, he purchased the cape.
[You have purchased the Cape of the Dark.]
[2500 points have been deducted.]
[Cape of the Dark (Level 1)]
Normally, he could wait for the artifact to level up on its own after use, but there was a much faster way—a way to take it all the way to Level 30, which was the max level.
[Would you like to force level up?]
'Yes.'
[Cost for maxed level up: 3000 points.]
'Figures as much. That leaves me with 500 points. Sigh. Do it.'
[The artifact Cape of the Dark has been maxed.]
[3000 points have been deducted.]
[The Cape of the Dark can now do the following:]
Mana regeneration will be instantly replenished to its fullest upon use.
All unseen damage is blocked.
All seen damage is blocked.
The cape can be used for flight and other law-defying actions.
Before Ash could say anything, the dark cloak appeared around his shoulders, adding a more villainous look to him.
'Not bad. Better than I expected.'
He slowly stood up, allowing the cape to fall all the way to his feet. Then, the door opened, and Aisha walked in.
...
[A/N]
Do note that some kills don't have levels as they have no means or need to level up.