Are You Afraid of Being Robbed?

Chapter 12: Are You Afraid of Being Robbed for Your Looks?

[Name: Iris Lizer (Puppet)]

[Profession: Knight · Necromancer]

[Level: Lv.8 (4017/4350)]

[Attributes: Strength 3, Constitution 2, Intelligence 7, Charm 9, Luck 1]

[Evaluation: Having lost most of her power, she is still exceptionally outstanding. Even when treading a different path, a genius remains a genius.]

[Skill: [Knight Sword Skill: Variable Slash - Modified Lv.1]: You can unleash three slashes at varying speeds, bypassing the physical and striking the soul directly, dealing high true damage. The damage is based on your Intelligence attribute and skill level. (Current Skill Damage: First slash 53%, second slash 61%, third slash 73%]

[Skill Overview: Beings not of this world naturally cannot wield human techniques. If that's the case, then I shall remake it into something that belongs to me.]

[Skill: [Knight Sword Skill: Judgment - Modified Lv1]: You can temporarily burn other attributes to unleash a mountain-splitting, sea-cleaving slash, dealing immense true damage. The damage is based on the number of attribute points burned and the skill level. (Current Skill Damage: 400%, each attribute point burned increases damage by 3%, burned attribute points will recover after seven days.)]

[Skill Overview: There is nothing left that cannot be lost.]

"Overpowered."

In the cramped space of the carriage heading to Leibu City, Linton looked at Iris's status panel and gave a two-word evaluation.

The mere characteristic of dealing true damage that ignored defense already crushed countless ordinary professions, coupled with the terrifying multiplier of her ultimate skill, she was practically a human nuclear bomb.

Compared to her, his newly acquired skills, while strong, felt somewhat lacking.

"What's wrong?"

The girl sitting opposite Linton heard his surprised murmur and asked curiously.

"It's nothing, I'm just a bit surprised by your strength," Linton said softly. "I originally thought that as a Necromancer I summoned, your strength would be significantly weakened, and even with your body modified by magic, you wouldn't be able to recover your former power temporarily. But now, I feel I've underestimated you."

It was the first time someone had praised her, causing Iris's lips to curl upwards involuntarily, her voice unconsciously carrying a hint of pride: "Hmph, I, Iris Lizer, a once-in-a-century genius of the Knights Order, the most dazzling Iris flower of the future, the brightest rising star in the Falasong sky. I'm not bragging, they say that."

"Perhaps you don't need them to say it; the light of a star isn't given by others," Linton said casually. "By the way, aren't you sad that you burned down your own home?"

Iris, whose emotions had just been lifted by Linton's previous words, was immediately dashed back down by his next sentence.

She pouted and said, "Sad about what? Sad that I wasn't bleeding there, or that I wasn't buried there after dying there?"

"No, I meant... where will you live when you go back to see your mother in the future."

Iris wanted to retort, but her delicate lips parted slightly, yet no words came out.

After Iris swore her allegiance to Linton in the study, she lit a torch and set the luxurious, yet defiled, noble estate ablaze.

Judging by the intensity of the fire when they left, without the interference of any mages, the blaze was enough to burn for a day and a night, cleansing all sins.

Before setting the fire, she first buried her father in the fields he once cultivated for rice, which had now fallen into disuse. Then, she took Hailan, who had been driven mad by the sight of her revived, to the doorstep of the church, leaving behind a modest sum of money sufficient for the church to care for her for some time.

"Who says I won't come back to infuriate me to death? She's the one who caused my death, why should I care about her!"

Iris irritably ran her hand through her beautiful golden hair. The once soft and smooth strands immediately became as wild as a golden lion's mane due to her actions.

"You're still laughing!"

Linton held his breath slightly. "I am a Necromancer, professionally trained, I don't usually laugh. You're mistaken. I'm wearing a hood, you shouldn't be able to see me laughing. You tricked me."

"Do I need to trick you for that?" Iris rubbed her forehead, then looked at the person opposite her, dressed all in black, and asked, "Why do you keep your face hidden by that hat? There are only two of us here, and even if you were a wanted criminal, I wouldn't report you."

"..."

Linton remained silent.

"Are you very ugly? Is your face covered in scars? Or are you just a skeleton with no flesh?"

"No," Linton said slowly. "By common standards, my appearance should be considered above average."

"Shameless... Then why won't you lower your hat?"

"Do you really want to see what I look like that badly?"

"Hey, is it normal for a Knight not to know what the person she swore allegiance to looks like?"

"Hmm, I suppose that's true. In that case..."

Iris watched as Linton slowly lifted the brim of his hat from bottom to top. For a moment, her heart felt a tension akin to the anticipation of a golden critical hit when drawing cards, and her breathing even hitched for a few seconds.

And when the man revealed his exquisitely handsome face, a face that would likely be even more beautiful than hers if he wore women's clothes, she suddenly felt a desire to get closer to him.

While this perfect appearance is indeed more to my aesthetic than a skull, I'm really not a face-lover! Why do I have the urge to pat his head and hug him!!

"As expected... you're no exception?"

Seeing the girl's breath catch, her cheeks flush a dangerous red, and her sudden movement to turn her head away, Linton put his hat back on with a wry smile.

"So, do you understand now? It's not that I don't want to be in the sun, it's just a helpless situation."

"Ah?"

After the Hider shielded Linton's presence, Iris felt that the sense of closeness emanating from her soul had diminished. Although some remained, it could no longer affect her.

However, she didn't quite understand Linton's words.

"Are you saying that you're too good-looking, with too much charm, and you're afraid of being robbed for your looks when walking around during the day? Although you are indeed very beautiful, the public order in the Kingdom of Blossoms is quite good, so no one should commit such a crime, right?"

"What?"

This time, it was Linton's turn to be bewildered.

"You think I'm good-looking? Instead of fearing me?"

"?"

The carriage fell silent. Only the clatter of hooves on the dirt road and the creak of the axle echoed softly.

"It seems I misunderstood."

Linton's tone immediately became much more relaxed.

"Then, let me explain."