The fun time of eating and drinking with Alma's gold quickly passed.
I'd like to extend it, but unfortunately, I still have business to visit Yokocho in the Technical Mastery Book. I hear Risha has some business to attend to.
More importantly, Alma, relieved as dead, has been pitied by the boulders.
"Hey, it was a fun lunch! Again, you all ate!
"... next time I'll never be extravagant, because!
Alma, who showed firm determination, I almost blew out. Reesha doesn't hesitate to laugh much and wipe her eyes tears with her fingers.
"Don't worry, it's not that thick. Next time, we'll be luxury."
"You're fat. Did they find you even on a good request?
"Sort of. I wonder if a successful clan establishment would be a second reading."
"It's a good story for the economy. I'd love to, too."
"How's that? Have you found any new people?
"That's it at all."
There's no point in spitting lies that you'll find out soon enough. I said shoulder to shoulder.
"Huh, not at all. Bye."
Risha gets herself out and puts her face closer to me.
"I knew you'd join the Purple Wolves. Alma's welcome. Absolutely, that's good! Hey!"
"So it's..."
"You can't do that."
Trying to say no again, Alma sharply denied it sooner than that.
"I'm not going under anything but Noel, and even Noel is, right? So, no. Risha, give it up."
"... that's the thing"
It was surprising that Alma thought that way. He seems to admit to his habit of having a licking attitude that he's a leader about me. I don't know its sincerity, but I don't feel bad.
To our firm will, Risha lowered her eyebrows and roared.
"Mm-hmm, no. I think it's gonna be a nice party. If you can't do it, can you?... Then let's be friends instead. That would be nice, wouldn't it? Right?"
Alma smiled at Riesha, who turned around and gave her a bright smile.
"I don't mind then. From now on, Mabdachi."
"Oh, Mabdachi! You did it! How's Noel?
"I don't care what they say..."
It's bad for Risha, but I don't really feel comfortable. As long as we dine together once or twice, it's going to be more troublesome to have a relationship with a woman from another party member clearly. It is also likely that there will be remorse in responding that I clearly do not like it.
Is it something we can't talk about somehow?
"If you want to get along, you've had your chance a long time ago. Why today?
"Because there was Tania before..."
"Tania? Is it inconvenient if Tania is around?
"I'm sorry, there's so many problems."
Riesha says she doesn't like to remind herself of an elf ear.
"Tania, I'm usually nicotine and she seems nice, but when Noel gets involved, I'm so scared. When the other girl approached, she frowned in the wind."
Reesha's face, who demonstrated it to me, is a horrible figure as if she had found her parents' revenge. Sure, I can't get close to being looked at like this.
"I see why. But you're Lloyd, not me. Tania was dating Lloyd."
"No, that was Noel! 'Cause Lloyd was often surrounded by fan daughters even after dating Tania, but that never pissed Tania off, did it?
"Speaking of which..."
Lloyd, the eighth-ranked man who wanted to be held, had a lot of fans. Walking with you through the city is something that often unrelenting fans have asked for autographs and handshakes. That was the same when Tania was there, laughing and watching Lloyd being chased by fan service as if he was in trouble.
"You did..."
"Right!? Look!"
"... well, Tania thought of me like a brother. You were worried about getting some weird bugs."
I have also received many handmade meals and clothes. Ever since I started dating Lloyd, I've kept my distance from him, but before that, he's been treating me like a real sister.
Ultimately, you betrayed me, so I guess it wasn't something deeply intentional, but a compensatory act to distract the loneliness.
"I didn't feel that impatient look because I was worried about my brother..."
I laugh bitterly at Leisha for not being convinced.
"So you're telling me Tania had a crush on me? This is ridiculous. He's the one who chose Lloyd, isn't he? If that's all, he still betrayed me. Don't you think it's too crude to do things to someone you like?
Even if Risha was right, it's none of my business. It's just a story that doesn't have too much clapping, so I have to argue.
"I'm not sure because I'm not in person, but that's probably... I don't know..."
"Noel doesn't know what the maiden heart is."
When Risha says it, Alma pinches his mouth from the side.
"The maiden heart is a rampant horse. Even if I want to give up and like others, I still can't give up who I really like and do all kinds of stupid things because of it"
"Yes, that! What we're trying to say is that!
"No, which one..."
You don't seem to understand. Expanding reason. Moreover, because of the conversation with his face, he is very handicapped.
"The guy who's been in the mountain cage all this time, don't talk like he found out"
"This is a general theory. Common sense."
"Right..."
"Noel should know more about maiden hearts. I have a novel to recommend, so read it."
"A novel... you..."
If you think we're talking about leaning your neck, it's the knowledge you got in the novel. You dumb bitch, your mouth is light. It's a lot of mess. I'm gonna sexually harass you, you only have a shitty zako element except for the strength of your arm.
"What novel? I want to read it too. I want to read it."
"Uh, hey."
Riesha and Alma thrive on the story of the novel. It's fine for women to get along with each other, but it's a uncomfortable space for me as a man. I want a same-sex companion soon......
"- Oh, this is already the time. Let's get out of here."
Risha stood up when she checked her watch.
"Alma, you're here today"
"... it's Reesha's turn next"
Riesha narrows her eyes to Alma's figure with a slip lined with zeros.
"If you know what I mean. Then Noel can come too."
"I'll go if I can."
"That's what you're complaining about! Already!"
Reesha inflates her cheeks like a squirrel. Because if I have time, I want to train or study... I really don't want to waste too much time.
"I need to ask you something before you leave the store. I hear dangerous drugs have been prevalent lately, but does Risha know?
"Dangerous drugs?... Oh, I may have heard such rumors. It's a new wake-up call, isn't it? Sometimes the side effects make me rabid or something. What's wrong with that?
"No, I pinched it in my ear too, so I was just wondering if the other guys knew the story"
Has the rumor spread already? Again, the reminder that the Gambino group (family) is scattered in pieces seems to be flowing outside the Glades (slums).
It's not a matter of direct interest, but let's just be careful.
"Yeah, well, we forgot to ask, too. Did you hear back from your friend?
Did you remember...... You should have forgotten...
"... ok. Regards,"
Reesha spilled her white teeth as I responded to the throwing mood.
"Yeah! Regards!
†
†
"Noel doesn't like Risha?
Alma's question would be natural. I was clearly avoiding Leisha.
"It's not like I'm bad. It's just that she's from another party. If you were inadvertently close, some of the guys would come out looking for the inferior species. That would also annoy the Purple Wolves (Lightning Bytes)"
"Aren't you overthinking it? If I said that, I wouldn't be able to make a single love."
"For me, work is my lover. I don't cheat."
It's not that I'm not interested in romance, but the first thing that matters is being a seeker (Explorer). I don't have time for swelling in love.
After leaving the Full Cat Pavilion, we came to Yokocho as planned in the Technical Master's Book (Skillbook).
A narrow alley with arched glass ceilings is lined with bookstores from the entrance to the back.
Technical Mastery Book (Skill Book) Although it is called Yokocho, it does not only sell technical mastery books (Skill Books).
Each bookstore also deals with entertainment novels for the masses from rare collectible books, as well as book cafes where you can eat while reading shelf books freely.
As a result, not only seekers (seekers), but also ordinary people, are visitors. It's a place I've opened so much that even couples have families with children.
"It's not what I thought. A bright, pleasant place."
Alma said with her eyes shining.
"I was surprised when I first visited, too. However, the assortment of technical mastery books (skill books) is perfect as the street name suggests. Unless it's so rare, everything that's out in the world gathers here"
"What skills does Noel want to learn?
"Whether it's a defensive support (buff) skill or an unusual (debuff) skill that inhibits enemy action. And Alma?"
"I want to increase my throwing skills. You need to get used to your skills now for when you become a chaser. It helps to be an assassin."
Good choice. As Alma says, throwing skills don't rot no matter what the rank up destination is. I was going to advise him if he seemed lost, but he seems to have no problem choosing a technical mastery (skillbook).
"Okay, then, let's act differently from here"
"What, you're not going around with me?
"Unfortunately, the bookstore we're dealing with is different. So if you find what you want, buy it yourself. Payment is like using this check."
I took a bunch of checks out of my pocket and handed one of them to Alma.
"The budget is up to a million fils. Keep your thought-sharing (link) open so let me know when you're done shopping or when the book you want is over budget"
"What store has a scout-based technical mastery book?
"Scouts, that's the shop. I'm going into that store."
As he fingered the location of each store, Alma nodded.
"Okay. I'll be there, then."
"Don't forget to get a receipt."
I made sure Alma went to the store, and I moved on to the store I was looking for.
†
†
"Oh, isn't that Noelboy? Long time no see."
When I walked into the store, my grandfather, sitting at the counter, whispered casually. I'm the owner of this shop. The race is Gnome. It is characterised by sheep-like curly horns growing from the side head. Older shopkeepers look like real sheep because they store gray hair and fine mustaches.
"Would you like another new skill?
The shopkeeper makes the pipes smoke and laughs calmly.
I have used this store twice. I bought a technical mastery (skill book) for the total of the series (assault command) and the roar of the wolf (Stanhaul). It was an expensive purchase, so the store owner remembers me very well.
"I want a technical mastery (skillbook) that can remember defensive support (buff) skills or behavioral inhibition abnormality (debuff) skills, do you have them in stock?
"Hmm, you have them all together. Let's get a list."
"I'm sorry. It'll help."
"This is the job. I don't need any thanks. Yes, it's different from what you wanted, but a skill book (skillbook) arrived that Noelboy might like."
The shopkeeper takes out a blue book tied with a leather belt from his feet. A skill book. The Technical Mastery Book (Skillbook) is strictly sealed so that someone does not read it on their own because it will no longer be effective once read.
"What kind of skill book is that?
"Exorcism."
"What!?
A Necromancer (Exorcism) is one of the few offensive skills of a Speaker.
The effects are limited to ghost (undead) systems such as ghosts and zombies, but the effects are amazing and can be extinguished in an instant by the same person. Even if it is the opponent, it is not the end of resistance (resist), but it is possible to significantly weaken its abilities.
Because most ghost (undead) systems are no longer enemies just by remembering this skill, it is one of the skills books that I want.
"Didn't arrive all the time. Rare in rare..."
"Well, it's only been a few decades since I've seen Non."
"... horrible to hear, but how much is the price?
Thirty million fils.
"Thirty million!?
I knew it, but it's terribly expensive. Technological mastery books are just expensive. If that is a super rare product, it would naturally come with a price of 30 million fils...... When I bought my current most powerful skill, Coalition Total (Raid Command), it took me 18 million fill.
"Is it possible, by the way, to make instalments?
"You can't. Several collectors have already called to ask for it. I'd rather sell it to Noel Boy, who lets him live properly than give it to the collector, but unfortunately, it's hard to trust you now. You haven't got a whole new party yet, have you?
"You're a fast ear..."
Being able to remember your face isn't all good. In this way, bad results and conditions will also be known.
As the shopkeeper said, I have stopped exploring the abyss (Abyss), and no matter how many achievements I have, it's only a thing of the past, with zero social credit value. There's no place for a favorite to approve a 30-million fill installment on someone like that.
"Thirty million... you can't do it in bulk on a boulder..."
I regret it, but I have to give up. When I drop my shoulder, the shopkeeper smiles for some reason.
"A month. I won't sell it to anyone for a month. I'll wait."
"Huh? Wait..."
"Try to get the money together with the party members by then. If you want to transcend the Undying Devil (Overdeath), you can't do that."
"Wow, okay! Don't ever sell it to anyone because you'll always be able to buy it in a month! It's a promise!
It's a childlike way of getting excited while I'm at it, but this is a chance we should never miss. I still want the Necromancer (Exorcism) so much that I can get my hands out of my throat. If we miss here, we don't know when we'll see you next.
"I won't break my promise. Noel, don't betray Noel's expectations."
"Leave it to me. It'll all be perfect in a month."
Either way, I don't feel hairy being stuck like this. There are as many proposals per se to break the situation. If the deadline is met, the motivation will be doubled.
I snorted hard at the shopkeeper's tried glance.
†
†
I decided to give up my planned technical acquisition (skillbook) purchase and turn the money over to the Necromancer (Exorcism). That's better than half-strengthening.
It's just that this is my convenience. Alma will be given a new technology acquisition (skill book) as it was originally planned.
I haven't heard from Alma yet. Maybe I'm taking the time to buy it. I'm going to the store where Alma is.
When I walked into the store, Alma was just about to do the accounting.
"That, Noel, are you here?
Alma tips her neck when she notices me.
"Oh, I'm done with this one. What skill book did you buy?
"Armor Breaking Bullet (Armor Piercing). Throwing skill that reduces target's Defense Influence by half. Price, 800,000 Phil"
"I see. That's a good skill."
I can think of as many uses as I want, even if I just asked about its skill effects. The range of tactics would be exceptionally wide.
"And this"
Alma held the large box placed on the counter in her hand.
"What's that?
"Ha-ha-ha, this is..."
The box lid is opened. What was taken out of it was a bear stuffed animal.
"... what is that?
"Mr. Bear's stuffed animal"
"No, you'll see that. Why are the bear stuffed animals here?
"Because you like me, I treat you specially."
Instead of Alma, it was the young lady shopkeeper in this shop who answered.
"Was she cute? Take care of her."
"I don't know. What are you talking about?"
Turns out we're dealing with bear stuffed animals in this store. It's a completely uninteresting story. The question for me is why Alma has it in her hands.
"Uh, you're gonna buy that?
"I'm going to buy it. The technical mastery (skill book) is 800,000 fils, and I can welcome this child with the remaining 200,000."
"Are you going to buy it for expenses!? That's not what I said, cap million!
I mean, 200,000 fils is expensive. I'm not sure because I don't know anything about stuffed animals, but I know they're pretty fancy.
"Buy something like that for expenses, idiot. Just put it back on the shelf."
"Eh! Buy it, buy it! Buy it!
"No! Wagamama, the child you say is not my child!
"Mmmm... I was going to use it as a pillow when I went to bed..."
"What are you talking about when you're twenty-one years old..."
Alma sighed at this sight when I was stunned and unable to say anything.
"Okay, give up"
"It's obvious."
"Instead, ask Noel to be a pillow. I'll go to my room when it's time to go to bed, so leave the window unlocked. Well, even if it's locked, I'll go in."
"I can't help it, I'll buy you"
It's cheap if you can buy your own safety for only 200,000 fils.