The player crept closer, and an option appeared on the screen: [Kick him] or [Give up].
The player flashed an evil grin.
*Hehehe (*＾ー＾)*
The player selected [Kick him].
The Tarnished raised a foot, aimed at Patches's sticking-out backside, and delivered a vicious kick!
"Ow!"
Patches screamed as he tumbled down the slope, rolling over several times before landing spread-eagled in the grass.
The player jumped down after him and stood before him.
Patches rubbed his backside as he climbed to his feet, looking around furiously.
"Damn it, who did that? Have they got no manners?"
Patches: "Oh, friend, did you see? Which bastard was it?"
The player looked at him in silence. [...]
Hold it in!
Don't laugh. I can't laugh now.
You were always the one kicking me before. Now I finally got a chance to kick you!
One word: satisfying!
Patches eyed the Tarnished suspiciously, but his merchant instincts soon prompted him to put on a smile.
Patches: "Ahem, looks like you're a Tarnished too."
"Oh, worried about the lockdown?"
Patches: "Hehehe... actually, I have my connections. You'll need a permit if you want to get in..."
"5,000! Just 5,000 Runes, and I'll give you the information."
Options appeared on the screen:
[Pay 5,000 Runes] or [Refuse]
The player hesitated for a second.
5,000 Runes... that's a bit steep.
But on second thought, what was that little bit of money if it meant getting into the Academy?
The player selected [Pay 5,000 Runes].
Patches: "Ah, much obliged! Hehehe..."
He pulled a crumpled piece of parchment from inside his clothes and stuffed it into the Tarnished's hand.
Obtained: [Map Drawn by Patches]
Patches: "Just head over there. Word is someone in the Crystal Cave got a permit..."
The player set off for the Crystal Cave.
Southwestern Liurnia, the