Chapter 80: Scammer Beauty
As I continued strolling through the sprawling streets, I noticed something peculiar about Uruk.
No matter how long I walked, the sky remained locked in a permanent, shimmering twilight. There was no rising sun, no descending moon, and no shifting shadows. I pondered it for a moment before simply shaking my head with a light shrug. ’Well, it’s a legendary magical realm anchored by a cosmic barrier... guess normal day-and-night cycles are optional.’
Having thoroughly satisfied my stomach with divine skewers and magical sweets, I decided to explore the commercial districts and pick up some unique souvenirs for Yerin, Mom, Dad, and Val. They might have already visited Uruk, but it didn’t matter.
’I’m sure they’ll like it.’
Wanting to capture the surreal sights around me, I pulled out my phone to record a quick video of a floating ziggurat and dragons flying in the sky. The moment I opened the camera app, the screen flickered red and glitched out completely.
[Oho?] Paige’s voice chimed in my mind. [Don’t bother, Host! Uruk’s laws and anti-surveillance wards block standard mundane electronics from capturing footage. If you want to take photos or videos here, you’ll need to buy a localized Awakened device. It’s pretty common here.]
’That sucks.... whatever. I’ll just buy something new.’
Following her advice, I walked down a busy avenue until I spotted a sleek glass tech boutique run by human Awakened. The store was packed with customers browsing holographic displays.
I walked up to the counter and purchased a high-end local smartphone using Cyrus’s card. The moment I booted it up, I was blown away-the processing speed, projection quality, and enchanted battery technology were light-years ahead of anything on the mortal market.
I blinked in surprise. "What the hell? We can put 512GB RAM in a phone? You gotta be kidding me. Do you know the price of DDR5 RAM on normal market?"
[You can smuggle them, hehe.]
As usual, I ignored my crafty system. If I followed her ideas, prison time was guaranteed.
[How rude!]
With my new device working flawlessly, I spent the next twenty minutes snapping photos of flying mythical beasts, glowing fountains, and enchanted market stalls.
Opening the messaging network, I created a new group chat and added Yerin, Mom, Dad, and Val, dropping a gallery of stunning Uruk photos into the thread.
Mom replied almost instantly:
’Seth! You’re in Uruk?! Oh, Father really took you to the grand city! It looks breathtaking, sweetheart! Are you doing okay? Do you need me to transfer some credits or arrange extra security for you?’
I chuckled, typing back quickly:
’I’m doing great, Mom! Grandfather showed me around, and a friend gave me an executive pass, so I’ve got everything covered. Bringing back some awesome souvenirs for everyone!’
While Dad and Val were offline, likely buried under high-level security meetings for tomorrow’s concert, Yerin exploded in the group chat:
’WHAT?! URUK?! SETH, THAT’S SO UNFAIR!! WHY DID YOU GO TO THE MOST MAGICAL CITY IN THE WORLD WITHOUT ME?!
A second later, my private DMs buzzed with a flurry of rapid-fire messages from her:
’Seth... I just looked up that plaza with the leviathan fountain... that’s literally listed as one of the top romantic date spots in the whole supernatural realm!! You’re teasing me on purpose!’
I couldn’t help a fond smile from spreading across my face as I texted back:
’Tell you what, goblin. As soon as your farewell concert wraps up, I’ll bring you right back here and we’ll have a proper date across the entire city.’
’PROMISE?! Deal! You’re the best boyfriend ever!!’
Just as I was about to slip the phone back into my pocket, a series of loud, furious shouts erupted from a nearby jewelry stall, drawing a massive crowd of onlookers.
Curious, I strolled over and squeezed through the crowd. Standing near a display of glowing gemstones was an exceptionally attractive woman wearing revealing, glamorous silk robes that accentuated her lush, voluptuous curves. She was pointing a sharp finger at a stout merchant, accusing him of blatantly scamming her on a purchase.
"You altered the mana-weight scale!" the woman declared passionately, her alluring voice easily swaying the surrounding crowd. "He’s trying to cheat poor, helpless traveler out of her hard-earned coins!"
The stout shopkeeper’s face turned beet red as he yelled back, "Don’t listen to her! She’s using her beauty and charm to turn everyone against me! She’s the real scammer here!"
The beautiful woman simply tossed her long, silky hair over her shoulder, flashing a mesmerizing, innocent smile that made half the people in the crowd sigh. "Well... it’s hardly my fault that I’m so gorgeous and charming, is it?"
I leaned against a nearby stone pillar, deeply amused by the spectacle. ’Hey, Paige... who’s actually in the wrong here?’
[Fufufu~] Paige giggled mischievously inside my head. [Both of them! The shopkeeper initially tried to overcharge her using a rigged enchantment, but she saw right through it instantly and used her charm to manipulate his inventory count! They’re both pulling a scam!]
I chuckled dryly under my breath. ’Figures. Beauty really does hide a lot of sharp edges.’
Still, out of sheer goodwill, and a slight desire to wrap up the commotion, I stepped out from the crowd and spoke in a clear, calm voice. "Actually, the merchant’s scale is rigged via a subtle gravitational rune under the counter. If you check the left wooden peg, you’ll see the mana-flux lever he taps with his knee every time he weighs a gem."
The crowd gasped. A quick inspection by a nearby guard confirmed the hidden lever, exposing the shopkeeper’s scam to the entire street.
The gorgeous woman turned her head toward me, her sharp, expressive eyes sparkling with intense interest as she took in my relaxed posture.
Not wanting to draw any more unwanted public attention to myself, I gave a subtle nod, turned on my heel, and slipped quietly into the bustling alleyway behind the crowd.
However, before I could make it twenty paces down the quiet stone path, a sweet, intoxicating scent of lotus blossoms drifted toward me.
I paused, looking up to find the stunning woman standing right in front of me. She tilted her head, flashing me a brilliant, dangerously captivating smile.
"Hi there..." she purred softly, her eyes lingering on mine. "...and thank you, handsome."