Isolde grabbed John and started to leave, then stopped and looked at the man at the bar, saying, "Uncle Calen, this job was my own deal, so no deposit needed, right?"
"Sure, you decide for yourself." the man waved his hand and yawned, looking like he hadn't fully woken up.
"Thanks." Isolde said, and pulled John away.
At the door, a pure white, tall horse stood quietly, drawing a crowd.
Isolde walked over, untied the reins, and patted the horse's back. She said proudly, "John, this is my horse Fenric. Isn't he beautiful?"
"Sure is." John nodded. He could tell this white horse was special, and it probably cost a lot.
"Come on, we can't ride in town." Isolde was happy he liked it. She led Fenric, and the two walked forward.
Good thing John's place wasn't too far from here.
They arrived at a rundown apartment complex. Isolde looked at the simple room. Besides the bathroom and kitchen, there was only one bedroom, no living room at all.
But the place was very clean and tidy.
Isolde sighed, "John, this is where you live? It's hard for two people, honestly."
The kitchen and bathroom weren't places to live. Even if they slept on the floor, they'd still be in the same room.
"I told you, I'll go back and find someone else." John said with a sigh.
"No, I already took the job." Isolde said, not happy. "So, pack up and move to my place."
"Huh?" John was confused.
Isolde continued, "Your place has too many people coming and going. My sensing ability is too hard to use. Don't worry, I live alone. Two people won't feel cramped."
"Emmm…" John hesitated. He said, "Isolde, I don't have much gold on me."
Isolde gave him a look. "Do you think I'd charge you rent? Just start packing."
She started helping him pack without more words.
John said nothing else. This was an old, run-down building, and it was full of all sorts of people. Moving would be safer.
Knock knock…
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" John wondered. He didn't get many visitors here.
"John, it's me. Anna." A soft voice came from outside.
"Hey, your little girlfriend came. Should I leave?" Isolde teased.
"She's my ex." John frowned, but still opened the door, blocking it with his body.
Anna's eyes were a little red. Seeing his face, she quickly said, "John, I came to apologize. I was tricked by that Macbeth. He's just a waste of space… and a pervert…"
"Do you have something to say?" John interrupted, getting impatient.
Anna bit her lip, looking upset. She continued, "I just want us to get back together. You'll forgive me, right?"
John looked disgusted. He coldly said, "We don't want you here."
He tried to shut the door.
Anna stopped it, her expression no longer sad. She said in a proud tone, "John, do you really not know me? You always did what I said. You must be suffering after breaking up. Don't worry, I'm really sorry this time…"
"John, who is it?" Isolde came out from behind the door, and hugged his arm. She looked surprised when she saw Anna. "Oh, isn't that Anna from class? I should thank you for breaking up with John."
"You… you two…" Anna stared at them, eyes wide with disbelief. Then she burst out, "John, I can't believe you're such a bastard! You just broke up with me, and already you're with someone else? You're a jerk…"
Smack!
A sharp slap echoed through the air. Anna froze. Her face had a clear five-finger print. It was Isolde who had hit her.
She looked cold and angry. "You were the one who broke up with him. You betrayed John, and then you teamed up with Macbeth, didn't you? What right do you have to blame John?"
"You…" Anna covered her face, her eyes red. In her mind, even if she had betrayed him, John should never have liked someone else.
She shouted, "Isolde, don't think I don't know. You're just a tramp. You colluded with the headmaster and got kicked out. Now you're trying to seduce John again…"
Smack!
Another slap rang out. This time, it was John who hit her.
He coldly said, "Anna, we're done. Who I'm with has nothing to do with you. We don't want you here. Get out now!"
"Fine, good!" Anna hissed, her body trembling with anger. Her eyes were full of hatred. "John, you'll regret this!"
She said one last harsh word and turned to leave.
"John, your taste is really bad. How could you stay with a woman like her for over three years? How did you even manage that?" Isolde still had her arm around him, teasing.
John sighed, shaking his head. "I didn't know she was like that. We were together for three years, and she just used me to improve her grades…"
Isolde comforted him. "You didn't get to know her too late. I'm still single. Are you thinking about me now?"
She leaned in close to his ear, her breath warm and sweet, teasing.
"What?"
John was stunned. His eyes dropped. Isolde's tight leather armor slightly stretched, showing a bit of white skin. It was very tempting.
Isolde noticed his gaze. Her face turned slightly red. She quickly let go and stepped back, tightening her armor. She gave him a look of annoyance.
There was an awkward silence. She quickly changed the subject. "No need to bring the pots and pans. I already have everything. Just take your personal items."
"Okay." John nodded. He didn't have much. Besides his bedding and a few changes of clothes, there was almost nothing valuable.
He said goodbye to the landlord, locked the door, and left with Isolde.
"By the way, Isolde. I remember you were already level 30 when you taught us. Why are you still level 30 now?" John asked, thinking about her level.
"I took a hidden class quest. It's a special advancement trial. I can't pass it on my own, so I've been working as a mercenary to earn some gold."
Isolde sighed. She had spent a lot of time and gold on this trial, but still hadn't completed it.
"Can't you just hire a higher-level player to help you with the trial?" John asked, curious. Level 30 was already enough to unlock a class advancement trial. Even for a hidden class, it was easy to pay someone higher-level to help.
"I tried." Isolde explained. "It doesn't work. My trial is special—it's generated based on the player's level. The higher the player's level, the harder it gets. I've asked over a dozen people, and none of them could finish it."
John nodded. He knew some special quests had difficulty that scaled with the highest-level player.
It must mean Isolde's hidden class was really powerful. Otherwise, the second-stage trial wouldn't be this hard.
He said, "Isolde, when I leave the newbie village, I'll help you finish the quest."
With his Divine Gift ability, his power couldn't be judged by level. He was definitely strong enough to help Isolde complete the advancement trial.
"If you help me advance, I'll even waive my fee and protect you for free." Isolde said with a smile, thinking John was just joking and not taking it seriously.
...
The two arrived at Isolde's place, and the sky had already turned dark.
It was a new residential area. Though not high-end, it was way better than the old, run-down neighborhood John had lived in before.
Plus, there were security guards around, making it much safer.
"John, you'll stay in the second bedroom. Go ahead and get settled. I'll make dinner." Isolde said after tidying up.
"I'll do it. I can't just live here for free." John offered. He usually cooked at home.
"Good for you. Then I'll help you clean the room." Isolde didn't refuse and started cleaning.
Soon, dinner was ready—simple but delicious.
"Didn't know you had such skills." Isolde said, her mouth full of food, speaking in a muffled way.
"Take your time, no one's rushing you." John smiled. For some reason, he felt more comfortable with Isolde than with Anna.
"This is my home. I won't hold back on you. If you don't eat, I'll eat it all." Isolde said, then scooped a piece of food for him, complaining a little: "And if I get fat and can't find a husband, you'll have to take responsibility."
"Deal." he said without hesitation.
The dinner ended with pleasant conversation. John leaned back on the sofa, feeling more relaxed than he had in a long time.