Perman's Hint

"You're aware you're a beauty, right?" Perman's eyes, flashing with a cold light, made Xin Mu falter. While Zhang Ruofeng sometimes had a chilling gaze, Perman's was infused with a palpable ferocity. Zhang Ruofeng had once observed such eyes on people when he and Xin Mu were people-watching in the streets; in his experience, those who possessed that look had crossed a certain threshold, had killed before. Perman had that look too.

"And you're from another world. Beauties don't have it easy in this world, but when you combine 'beauty' and 'from another world,' those two tempting factors... do you really think you won't be treated as a rare commodity if you lack strength, or even as a plaything by some wicked adventurers?" Perman's voice was low and oppressive, leaving Xin Mu flustered.

"Let me ask you, would you accept a strange potion from someone you just met?" Perman asked. Xin Mu immediately shook her head. She would absolutely not accept anything from Perman, even if she acted friendly. "Very well. Then let me ask you, in your impression, would Zhang Ruofeng accept it?" Perman asked calmly. Xin Mu shook her head even faster. Zhang Ruofeng rarely interacted with anyone, so how could he accept something from someone and owe them a favor?

"Sigh~" Perman dropped her aggressive stance, resting her head on Xin Mu's lap. "I've said what I needed to say. The rest is up to you to figure out; my saying more won't help much. I can see you like that brat Zhang Ruofeng, and both you and Zhang Ruofeng are good people with excellent potential as adventurers. Calm and not rash – that's the most crucial factor for an adventurer to survive. But your personality is too bland, putting a lot of pressure on Zhang Ruofeng and forcing him into perilous situations almost every time he ventures out."

Xin Mu frowned in confusion, looking at Perman. She was only in her early twenties, and her experience couldn't compare to someone like Perman Aisilusi, who had been an adventurer longer than Xin Mu had been alive. Moreover, unlike Zhang Ruofeng, who grew up and survived in complex environments from a young age and had early contact with society, Xin Mu was a typical hothouse flower. She truly couldn't understand Perman's words at the moment.

"You know this yourself. Zhang Ruofeng values you greatly. I don't know why he has such a peculiar personality, but he cares about you deeply and also about your goddess Fura. He's extremely observant," Perman's words immediately earned Xin Mu's approval. Perman continued, "So, I'll abduct you now. You're clearly a pure maiden, and even though I'm a woman, it wouldn't be difficult for me to take your chastity, would it? Or can you resist me?" Xin Mu looked into Perman's serious eyes, knowing that if Perman's words came to pass, she truly wouldn't be able to resist.

"Of course, I generally don't bully lower-level adventurers, but adventurers are not kind beings. Some do it for money, some for fame, some for greater power, risking their lives. Most of them are not good people. Many heroic or kind adventurers have died. Remember this: always be cautious. Be wary of adventurers from any other Familia. This world is neither beautiful nor kind." Perman's final, pained expression made Xin Mu nod along.

"Hey, you know what?" Perman's demeanor shifted abruptly, becoming lewd. "Although slaves are forbidden in Orario, other countries commonly have the tragic status of slaves. And there's a specific type for nobles. You and Zhang Ruofeng need to work hard! When you gather the materials for 'Dragon Blood,' I'll buy it all and make 10 bottles of Dragon Blood. A certain great noble promised me he'd trade two super beautiful twin sisters for 10 bottles of Dragon Blood. They're only fifteen, absolutely obedient to their master, and virgins. I saw them last time the noble visited, truly... hehehe..." She even had stars in her eyes and was about to drool.

Although Xin Mu knew Perman just wanted to break the heavy atmosphere, the topic change left her dumbfounded. How could she talk about such things to members of other Familias? And female members at that?! For the first time, Xin Mu understood Zhang Ruofeng's expression when facing Perman's black-lined face.

"Alright, drink this. Mana is tricky to manage. Even without using magic, your mana can be consumed by your mental and physical state. Drinking this mana recovery potion will make you feel better." Although Xin Mu had been unconscious for a long time, her mana recovery hadn't kept up, so she drank the pale green potion without hesitation, feeling her head grow heavy.

"This is a Minor Mana Recovery Potion, but its side effect is the same as Zhang Ruofeng's: drowsiness. Get some good sleep. I'll take good care of you." Xin Mu saw Perman's expression turn into that of a lewd old man for a moment, and then she couldn't fight the sleepiness, collapsing onto the sofa.

------Perman's Perspective------

"Such troublesome kids." Perman looked at the two sleeping figures. Xin Mu seemed to be having nightmares after falling unconscious, her mental state unstable. Perman had no choice but to place Xin Mu beside Zhang Ruofeng, and only then did she calm down slightly.

"It seems every adventurer from the Flower Goddess's Familia is like this." Perman recalled the former members of the Flower Goddess's Familia she had met; they were all regular customers at her shop.

"You're quite capable, kid." Perman looked at Zhang Ruofeng before her. He had the courage to face four Guard Bees. This kid was the bravest newcomer she had ever seen. Was it because he was from another world, or was it the fearlessness of a newborn calf? Thinking of her own pathetic state back then, she couldn't compare to these guys.

"It's because you're willing to risk your life to protect the beauty Xin Mu that I can confidently entrust my daughter to you." At that moment, Perman heard the familiar commotion outside. Looking at the female adventurers entering, she smiled happily, "Welcome back! Do me a favor."