Old Jack

The carriage moved much faster on the way back than it had on the way there, and Li Si's group finally entered Can Guang City before the gates closed.

"I'm going for a drink first. Don't wait for me!"

Lunbos leaped from the carriage with agility unlike his usual self, greeted Li Si and the others, then vanished in a flash.

It seemed he truly had been craving a drink.

Arsen shook his head but said nothing. As long as Lunbos did not drink during a mission, he could do as he pleased the rest of the time. With a dwarf's constitution, drinking would not cause any problems anyway.

Ya Er paid no attention to him. She happily rubbed her face against the little Moon Spirit Leopard in her arms, completely ignoring the tiny cat's pink paws, which were stretched straight as it struggled.

After all her pleading and coaxing along the way, Elena had finally agreed to let her look after the little Moon Spirit Leopard for a while.

"From now on, your name is Little Black!"

Ya Er held the Moon Spirit Leopard up before her with both hands and happily gave it its new name.

Elena helplessly watched the little Moon Spirit Leopard struggle in Ya Er's hands. Barring any surprises, this little one would become her companion in the future, yet Ya Er had simply given it a new name.

Shouldn't it have been called something like "Dark Night Sacred Leopard" or "Moon Shadow Assassin" instead?

(Little Black: I don't want either!)

When the carriage reached the vicinity of Fes Street, Li Si also jumped down and bid Ya Er and the others farewell.

Ya Er merely waved, then turned back to snuggle against the Little Black Cat.

Arsen, who was driving the carriage, turned around and said to Li Si, "We're going to the Mercenary Guild tomorrow morning to turn in the mission. Are you coming? I can split the mission reward with you then."

"No need." Li Si thought for a moment. "I have some matters to handle as well. Just hold onto my share of the reward for now."

He casually tossed Arsen the bag containing the Magic Crystals and said, "These were from the kobold nest last time. They're worth several hundred Gold Coins too, so include them in the total."

Arsen caught the bag, then tossed it back to Li Si. "No need. Spoils obtained during a mission belong to the individual and don't need to be divided among the team. Keep them."

"All right, then. See you around."

Li Si nodded. Since those were the rules, he naturally would not refuse. After all, although he was a viscount, his funds were still somewhat tight at the moment.

These Magic Crystals were worth several hundred Gold Coins, and more importantly, he needed such precious resources for his magical research as well.

"Ahhh..."

Early the next morning, Li Si woke from his soft, large bed and lazily stretched.

Although this extermination mission had taken only two days, most of that time had been spent in the carriage. Even though his body had become much stronger through training, he still felt rather tired.

After washing up, he went to the dining room and enjoyed the lavish breakfast carefully prepared by his chef. Li Si patted his stomach in satisfaction.

Ever since he had made some pastries for Ya Er in his own kitchen last time, the household chefs had learned that Young Master Li Si's cooking far surpassed theirs. Though it felt somewhat strange, they had humbly sought guidance from him.

Li Si was naturally happy to teach his chefs a few things. After all, he was often too lazy to cook himself. If the chefs improved, he would be able to eat more happily too.

For example, this improved egg pancake before him. Li Si had specifically asked the chefs to make a flat griddle for pancakes. After some practice, it already had seventy or eighty percent of the flavor he remembered from his previous life. Li Si preferred it cooked a little longer; one bite was soft, fragrant, and crisp. It was simply delicious.

Butler Joyce still stood behind Li Si, quietly waiting on him.

After two days apart, Joyce, whose temples were faintly gray, still wore the Black Dress Suit he had never changed. His elegant bearing seemed as unchanging as his clothes. Compared to Li Si, who had shed his airs and become increasingly natural, Joyce possessed far more of a noble's temperament.

Joyce looked at Li Si, a dim gray spiritual light flowing through his eyes.

He's improving quickly. He's already about to break through to high Bronze rank. And this feeling... is it a blessing from the Gods? An Elf God System deity, perhaps because of that elf companion?

Li Si's current strength was completely exposed before Joyce, and Joyce had a clear grasp of Li Si's experiences after joining the adventuring party.

As Joyce pondered this, his expression remained as calm as ever. He had no intention of doing anything.

Li Si had no idea that the butler standing behind him was actually a Legendary-level powerhouse.

If Li Si had known, he would have clung to him without hesitation—both thighs, even!

After breakfast, Li Si habitually went into the courtyard to loosen up. He picked up his longsword and practiced the Royal Family Swordsmanship once more.

Although his strength would not decline with the panel's existence, things on the level of sensation, such as feel and combat instinct, would not be reflected on the panel.

So even though he had already obtained Proficiency in All Weapons, he still needed to review it from time to time. He treated it as physical exercise.

After finishing his warm-up, Li Si changed into a fresh set of clothes with Rosie's assistance. Then, accompanied by Welf, he set off toward today's destination.

Lan Gai Street

Li Si once again stood before the brick house he had visited last time.

A month had passed since his previous visit. The surroundings were still as rundown as ever, with muddy streets and filthy water, but the several gazes secretly watching him were gone.

Of course. Welf was with him this time. Anyone who could survive in such a chaotic place had to be perceptive. How could they dare risk their lives spying on a nobleman who was clearly accompanied by a high-ranking guard?

Shaking his head, Li Si thought that a month had passed. According to what that little girl had said, Old Jack should have returned.

"Knock, knock, knock~"

The same iron door, the same knocking sound. The difference was that this time, there was finally a response.

"Who is it? Do you think I'm deaf? Why are you knocking so loudly?!"

A vicious voice came from behind the door. Li Si said nothing and simply waited quietly outside.

Clatter~

The door was suddenly pulled open from within, and a man who appeared to be over fifty stepped out.

His thin, small frame made it hard to imagine that such a booming voice had come from this body. He had the ordinary appearance of an old man from the kingdom, though his expression was somewhat fierce. Sparse brown hair sat atop his head, and his leather jacket was covered in greasy wine stains, nearly obscuring its original color.

He looked like nothing more than a slovenly old man, with nothing remarkable about him.

But Li Si knew that this man called Old Jack was far from simple.

In the game of his previous life, Old Jack had been a hidden NPC. Even though his temper was peculiar, he had remained extremely popular among players in the Can Guang City region.

Because this place was a secret shop!

Old Jack was the owner of this shop, selling magic items and equipment rarely seen elsewhere. Thus, no matter how strange his temper was, it meant nothing compared to the players' enthusiasm.

Li Si had come for a special treasure in Old Jack's possession.

"Sorry to disturb you, Old Jack. An old friend referred me here. I came to buy a few things."

Old Jack carefully sized up the handsome young man before him upon hearing that. Without saying anything, he stepped aside and gestured for Li Si and Welf to follow him inside.