With that, Belle proudly planted her hands on her hips and stood right up on Andrew's pauldron. The sudden movement didn't catch the experienced warrior off guard; he immediately adjusted his stance to give her a more stable footing.
"Besides, as someone who's never been to New Eridu, you can't go wrong listening to me. Did you forget that you don't have a New Eridu ID card?"
"Ann ID card?"
Suddenly realizing he was back in modern society, Andrew had a flash of insight.
"I'm screwed! I've been in the wilderness for so long, I completely forgot about that!"
"Exactly! You don't have a residential status in New Eridu right now, which makes you a totally undocumented person. If you just walk into the city like this, the New Eridu Public Security police on patrol will detain you for illegal entry."
"That does make sense. In that case, I'll be in your hands."
"Don't worry. To hide the H.D.D. System in the back of our vehicle, we've carefully disguised it. As long as you don't do something stupid and expose yourself on purpose, no one will find you."
Belle patted her chest, making the promise with full confidence. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her.
"Oh, right! I remember you said you don't have any New Eridu money, but those crystals you took out earlier can be exchanged for cash! And since Ether Crystals are always in short supply, their price is very stable."
Saying this, Belle hesitated a bit, as this was a matter of money.
"If you trust us, you can have my brother help you exchange them for Dennies. That way, you won't have to worry about money for a while."
Hearing this, Andrew, who had been wondering how he could find work and earn money in a new place, immediately felt relieved.
"Then I'll have to trouble you again."
Although this Hollow was not particularly close to New Eridu, Wise had already arrived with his car shortly after they exited. The vehicle, which looked like a van, was surprisingly fast.
Seeing that Andrew didn't mind, Wise quickly drove him to Ann illegal trading market, commonly known as a black market.
The small mountain of Ether Crystals piled on the passenger seat made Wise's eyes widen, though Hollow raider teams often offloaded far more than this.
Such a small task was no challenge for the experienced Wise. Using information he'd gathered as a Proxy, he quickly sold the crystals off in batches without skimming a single cent.
"I really can't figure out how you carried so many Ether Crystals. But even without a syndicate backing you, as a Proxy, I was able to find some reliable merchants through my contacts to sell to. Otherwise, it's hard to say if the merchants would have just ripped you off."
As directed by Wise, a thug in a helmet kept peeking at them from a distance, as if observing something. But as soon as he saw the fully-armored Andrew, he quickly ducked back and pretended nothing was happening.
"Selling in bulk at the black market is fine once in a while, but if it's too frequent, you'll get targeted by other gangs. Plus, if Ann individual account frequently receives unexplained funds, New Eridu Public Security will come knocking. So, it's best to find a stable job as a cover."
Wise's advice was very pertinent. No matter where you go, a stable identity and profession are always the best way to avoid trouble.
"Okay, I'll think about it."
He looked at the anonymous bank card in his hand, which now held the proceeds from selling the Ether Crystals—over seven hundred thousand Dennies.
Although Andrew wanted to give Wise a cut, he refused.
"You're new to New Eridu and at a point where you need money for everything. So don't worry about a cut this time. Besides, all I did was find a few buyers. But when we cooperate in the future, I won't be so soft!"
Andrew silently committed this favor to memory and pocketed the bank card. After all, having a channel to sell goods was the most important thing.
With money in his pocket, Andrew felt more confident. After observing the prices of goods around him, he figured the exchange rate between Dennies and RMB was about 10:1.
Seven hundred thousand Dennies was equivalent to seventy thousand RMB. As long as he wasn't wasteful, this amount was enough for him to live comfortably for a good while and get adjusted to the city.
But matters of identity could wait. Right now, the top priority was to fill his ravenous stomach.
Ann hour later, in front of the Waterfall Noodle Shop, Wise and Belle, having already finished their meals, were chatting quietly to the side while Andrew was on his fourth bowl of ramen.
"I didn't notice before since he was wearing a helmet, but now that I see him, he's actually quite handsome. He's incredibly strong, but without his armor, he doesn't look overly muscular."
Hearing this, Wise immediately started teasing her with a grin.
"What? Smitten already? I didn't know this was your type. No wonder you've never been into any celebrities; I guess they just don't measure up."
"Pfft! We've known him for less than half a day, how could I be smitten? Don't tell me you believe in that 'love at first sight' nonsense, big bro?"
Faced with her brother's teasing, Belle didn't back down. She retorted in a low voice and then stuck her tongue out at him mockingly.
"Instead of love at first sight, I'm more inclined to believe it's lust at first sight for you."
Stung by Wise's sharp remark and left speechless, Belle decisively changed the subject.
"I can't be bothered with you. As they say, a dirty mind sees dirt everywhere! But speaking of which, what kind of profession is this 'Hunter' that Andrew mentioned? How could he stay inside a Hollow for seven days without any protective gear or potions and be completely fine? The techniques and weapons he used in battle are like nothing I've ever seen."
Looking at Belle's face, brimming with gossip, Wise could tell at a glance that her curiosity was running wild again.
"Everyone has their own secrets. As a friend, you shouldn't try to dig to the bottom of everything. Maintaining a proper distance is a basic rule of respect. Besides, the world is a huge place. It's impossible for us to have seen everything, so it's normal not to recognize some things."
Hearing Wise's lecture and knowing he was serious, Belle wilted and said listlessly,
"I know, I know, big bro. I'm not a kid anymore; I get it. But hey, with strength like that, he could probably reach the level of a Void Hunter, right? If he had a match with the new Void Hunter, Miss Miyabi, who do you think would win?"
Seeing Belle go from a wilted flower to her bubbly self in a split second, Wise sighed helplessly.
"You say you get it, but you clearly don't. Still, based on the power and skill he showed in combat, I can't say for sure who's stronger."
He then poked Belle sharply on the forehead. Rubbing the spot, Belle said with a hint of grievance,
"I was just talking… Don't be so serious, bro… Hey! Bro! Look at Andrew!"
Wise, thinking Belle was just trying to distract him, saw the genuine expression on his sister's face and turned around in confusion.
He saw that where Andrew had been eating his fourth bowl, there was now a tall stack of empty bowls.
"6... 10... 18... 24! Twenty-four bowls!"
After quickly counting under her breath, Belle nudged Wise with her elbow and whispered,
"Bro, let me ask you something quietly... did you bring enough money?"
Asked this, Wise couldn't help but look a bit helpless.
"I came straight here to queue up after bringing him back. I didn't go home to get extra cash. I just didn't expect his appetite to be this huge. General Chop's ramen portions aren't small at all; I can only manage one bowl."
"That's because you stay home watching documentaries all day and don't exercise, so you have a small appetite. When I'm really hungry, I can eat two bowls, no problem!"
Hearing his sister's remark, Wise rolled his eyes in annoyance but didn't argue. The most important thing now was to find a solution. He whispered a plan:
"Sis, I'm going to sneak back and get some money. If he finishes eating before I get back, distract him and stall for time. I'll be back quick."
Thinking the plan was solid, Belle hid her hand with her arm and secretly gave him Ann 'OK' sign.
"No problem, bro! Leave it to me!"
In just a few tens of seconds, Wise turned back to see Andrew already eating his twenty-fifth bowl. Not daring to delay, Wise was about to make a break for the video store nearby when Andrew stopped him.
Pushing Wise back into his seat and signaling him to relax, Andrew put down his twenty-fifth empty bowl, wiped his mouth in satisfaction, and smiled at General Chop.
"General Chop, your skill is amazing! Thank you for your hard work today. I don't know if it's because I was hungry for so long or because it tasted so good, but I ate Ann extraordinary amount today. Where do I pay?"
Flushed red and dressed in a traditional Japanese ramen chef's uniform, General Chop stood on a platform and said cheerfully,
"Hard work? As a chef, letting a customer leave hungry would be my failure. It's been a long time since I've seen a customer enjoy their food so much. Belle and Wise really introduced me to a great guest. I'm happy today, so I'll give you a ten percent discount on your meal!"
With that, General Chop pulled out a payment terminal and handed it to Andrew. Seeing him about to pay, Belle immediately stopped his hand from extending the bank card.
"Wait, wait, wait! Andrew, did you forget? Back in the Hollow, I said I'd treat you to a meal at General Chop's!"
But Andrew simply waved her reminder away.
"Belle, let me get it this time. After all, I ate so much because I was starving, while you two only had two bowls. So let's just call this a celebration for my narrow escape from death. Your treat can be for next time."
Without waiting for a response, Andrew quickly took the payment machine, swiped his card, and paid in one smooth motion.
"Received forty-nine thousand, four hundred Dennies!"
After receiving the payment, General Chop gave a thumbs-up and got back to work. Wise, who hadn't been able to stop him in time, could only lower his half-raised hand, while Belle puffed out her cheeks, a little upset.
"You're new to New Eridu and don't have much money. You should save it for more important things."
Knowing Wise was concerned about him, Andrew waved his hand and smiled.
"It's fine, Wise, I know what I'm doing. In any case, without you two, I couldn't have cashed in those Ether Crystals. So this was a windfall anyway. Treating you to a meal is the least I could do."
Hearing this, Wise gave up on the idea of transferring the meal's cost to Andrew, knowing he wouldn't accept it.
"You! I said it was my treat, and you made the future legendary Proxy go back on her word! I'll remember this! Next time, I'm treating, and I'll make sure you eat until you burst!"
Hearing Belle's words, which sounded more like teasing than anger, Andrew laughed heartily.
"Alright! I'll be waiting for it!"
Full and satisfied, the three sat and chatted while their food digested. As they talked, Belle remembered the two uniquely shaped weapons Andrew had on the second floor.
"By the way, Andrew, back in the Hollow I saw you carrying two huge weapons on your back. Why don't you use them?"
At the mention of this, Andrew's expression turned a bit helpless.
"After two tough battles in a row, I then used them to fight for seven straight days. The prolonged combat and lack of maintenance have left their durability critically low. In technical terms, their sharpness is stuck in the red and can't be restored with a whetstone."
He gently patted his Blazing Light Tachi, which had been reduced to a battle-damaged state in a single fight, and continued.
"Luckily, it was forged with Ann Incandescent Dragon's Dragon Gem. All it needs is to continuously absorb energy of the corresponding element to gradually recover. The biggest problem now is finding that energy. As for not using the bow, that's simpler. I'm almost out of arrows. Until I find a replacement, every one I shoot is one less I have."
Although Belle had no way to help Andrew repair his weapons, she understood that he currently had no usable weapons on hand.
"How about I take you to a weapon shop later to pick out something you can use for now? I know a thing or two about where to go."
"That sounds good. I'm also very curious about the weapons here. It would be great if I could find something that suits me. That way, I won't have to stab Ethereals with my hunter's dagger."
Hearing Belle's suggestion, Andrew, who was equally curious about the weapons of this new world, agreed without hesitation.
With their next destination set, Belle immediately started scrolling through her phone for saved locations. As she looked at weapon shop descriptions, she remembered the dagger that had pierced a Hati-type Ethereal in a single blow.
"The dagger you used in the Hollow was sharp enough to slice most Ethereals in half. Wouldn't you be even more incredible with that tachi? If you run into those gangs in the Hollows, you could just raise your tachi and they'd definitely run for the hills!"
But to Belle's surprise, her suggestion was rejected.
"No. I will not point a dragon-slaying weapon at a human."
Andrew's unwavering words piqued Belle's curiosity once again. Her vast experience with movies sent her imagination running wild.
Cursed weapons that would turn on their user if they tasted human blood, or weapons where a monster's consciousness lingered, which, if used to kill a person, would awaken and become Ann uncontrollable demon blade, and so on and so forth.
Finally, she couldn't help but ask her question.
Faced with Belle's confusion, Andrew sat up straight. The words his master, The Sapphire Star, had taught him on his first day as Ann apprentice hunter were still as clear as if it were yesterday, and everything he had experienced since had only reinforced them.
This was a Hunter's conviction and bottom line.
"A hunter's duty is to maintain the safety of human settlements and ensure ecological balance through hunting and gathering. We must always prevent the collapse of the food chain due to special circumstances. Therefore, hunters are guardians, not destroyers."
Saying this, Andrew touched the hunter's knife at his waist, a gift from The Sapphire Star.
"My master always taught me this. And as guardians, hunters who are permitted to wield powerful dragon-slaying weapons have one crucial rule: never point them at humans or non-target creatures. This is a hunter's bottom line."
Belle nodded in agreement with such conviction and belief. A profession that exists to protect the world... what a noble principle.
"I can't believe that someone strong enough to defeat a level-four Ethereal in under two moves still has a master. What kind of person is he? Is he strong?"
At the mention of The Sapphire Star, Andrew couldn't help but smile.
"Although that old coot seems unreliable most of the time and loves to run around wearing a Wiggler Head for no reason, when it comes to his strength and his grasp of right and wrong in serious matters, his dependability is second to none."
Even though the old guy was often goofy, his skills were undeniable.
"He taught me all my hunting techniques and my tachi skills. Even now, with the tachi, I can only say I'm just beginning to see his back. I still have a long way to go to catch up to him."
"Alright, you two. Since you've decided on your next destination, don't linger in my little shop. You're starting to hold up the customers queuing outside!"
At General Chop's gentle urging, Belle turned around and saw the line of people outside. The three of them quickly got up to leave.
"Then go have a good look at the weapon shop you want to see. I'll wait for you at the video store. It's not big, but there's a sofa you can sleep on."
"Thanks, Wise."
General Chop, who had been listening, cheerfully cleared the remaining empty bowls from their table. When no one was looking, he gave the siblings a subtle wink with his right eye and whispered, "Your new friend is not bad," before turning to welcome the next customers.
Hearing the old man's approval, Belle happily gave him a thumbs-up and then cheerfully pulled Andrew towards the city center where the weapon shop was.
As for Wise? He had to mind the store, so he said his goodbyes and returned to Random Play.
————
"Hello, you two! Welcome to the Artisan's Weapon Shop! You can call me Sweety. Our weapons are famous for their durability and resilience. You can use them as much as you like during the trial period, and any damage will be covered by the shop. What type of weapon would you two like to try first?"
As soon as they entered the shop, a graceful young woman in a qipao appeared before them. Her fine figure, combined with the neat and tidy counter, gave a sense of professionalism from the moment they walked in.
Her sharp, efficient movements and the confidence in her eyes truly made the place seem far more professional than the cluttered private workshops they had passed earlier.
"This shop is pretty good. Many of the agents and clients I've worked with bought their weapons here. Although most are standard issue, they're tough and durable. They said if you're in urgent need of a weapon, this is a good place to check out."
As the host, Belle was filling Andrew in on the shop's background. Hearing her praise, the confidence in Sweety's expression grew even more pronounced.
"Of course, sir. Our shop's equipment has been meticulously designed and curated based on demand. While we can't satisfy every customer, we can certainly meet the needs of humans and most Thiren with ease. Whatever you need, just let me know."
-
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