If shaped reasonably and placed in a relatively safe location, this thing can be reused many times, like a capsule hotel at an airport. Even if it breaks after multiple uses, larger parts can be removed and used as a makeshift shield.
The Dark Archmage checked the status of her [Cocoon] and felt that it could be used for at least three more days. Then, she carefully hid the [Cocoon] in a leaf, circled around to make sure there were no problems, marked it on the map, and headed towards White Wax Town.
[ The Dark Archmage ] has been incredibly busy offline lately.
Having truly grasped the realism of " World of Disorder," she began gathering information offline to learn how to infiltrate and investigate an area.
Although most of her reference materials were novels, something is better than nothing. Besides, her physique score was a full 8, and her stamina was incredibly high, making her impossible for ordinary people to catch up with.
With such excellent stats, plus the techniques learned from carefully studying the novel, investigating White Wax Town shouldn't be a problem, right?
Shouldn't it be... no problem?
With that thought in mind, the [ Dark Archmage ] quietly approached the building behind the inn, where she noticed some scattered wood chips in the grass.
Did we have these things yesterday?
The Dark Archmage narrowed his eyes slightly, and after noticing that no one was around, he nimbly leaped onto the second-floor windowsill, opened the window, and slipped inside.
The [ Dark Archmage ] was completely unaware of the priests' forced entry last night.
But based on her previous interactions and discoveries, she also realized that her identity wasn't so easy to fake.
At this moment, she was thinking of pretending nothing had happened, trying to get as much information as possible from the hotel owner, and then getting to work.
So she straightened her clothes in the room, opened the door as if nothing had happened, and went downstairs.
Then the [ Dark Archmage ] saw the innkeeper's face, which was filled with disbelief.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
The Dark Archmage was curious about this.
The hotel owner quickly said:
"I'm just a little surprised, after all, at this hour most people..."
She waved her hand, signaling the other person to stop talking. Why would a random person in the game world urge her to get up early?
The Dark Archmage felt a surge of displeasure.
But she didn't show it; after all, what kind of person would take their anger out on an NPC?
She swaggered out of the hotel and began wandering around the town like a tourist.
Meanwhile, in the hotel, the priest, whose face had been replaced by the owner's, was experiencing a myriad of thoughts.
Why, why did this woman actually crawl out of that room?
He couldn't understand it. After making such a commotion last night, most people would never return to the hotel unless she truly didn't know she had been exposed and was completely unaware of the investigation that had taken place so much last night.
Or there's another possibility—she has complete confidence in her abilities.
But this was completely undetectable. He felt that the opponent's aura was not as strong as his own, so how could they possibly handle being surrounded by a small team with ease?
So, what exactly is she relying on?
The priest couldn't understand it, but he felt the woman probably wouldn't come back...
My undercover mission should be over by now, so... can I finally get my handsome face back?
However, things didn't go as planned. Half an hour later, the woman reappeared at the hotel front desk.
She glanced around casually, then leaned her upper body against the counter, lightly hefting the coins in her hand to produce a crisp sound.
"Boss, I need to ask you something."
The hotel owner's lips twitched. This woman's actions weren't exactly conspicuous, but rather extremely ostentatious.
Isn't this just provoking himself?
But thinking of his own face, and the consequences of his failure, he still leaned his head closer.
"Please speak."
The Dark Archmage asked in a seductive tone:
"Is there anything strange about this town...? Especially the priests and bishops?"
Exposed?!
The hotel owner's breath hitched; he almost did a backflip followed by a jumping strike!
But his professional instincts as an undercover agent prevented him from doing so.
"Do... do you have one?"
"I think so?"
The Dark Archmage opened his palm, revealing not two copper coins, but two silver coins!
That's a hundredfold price difference!
The hotel owner nodded as he looked at the two shiny little creatures.
Yes, yes, yes, if you say it's there, then it is!
"Then tell me, what's strange about this town?"
The [ Dark Archmage ] continued his patient and persuasive guidance, while the innkeeper's forehead was now beaded with sweat.
This is never going to end, is it?!
She must have realized her problem!
This is a blatant provocation, a declaration of war!
But given the other party's composed demeanor... if I were to suddenly attack, I might be killed on the spot...
what to do?
His eyes darted around, and finally, one word came to mind: patience.
Since you're pretending to be ignorant when you know the truth, I'll play along for a while.
He nodded. Since he'd already given himself away, he might as well start spouting nonsense!
"There are indeed many strange things. For example, the priests in White Wax Town are very friendly, and they collect less tax than in other dioceses. The bishop is also very kind to us subordinates... no, to us parishioners. He organizes sermons every now and then to cleanse everyone of their sins."
[ The Dark Archmage ] nodded thoughtfully:
"Looking down on others, imposing excessive taxes, and abolishing sermons... these are hardly serious crimes..."
"No, when did I say that...?"
The hotel owner looked surprised, and even a little annoyed.
[ The Dark Archmage ] slightly raised his hand:
"No need to explain, I understand."
What do you know?
The fake boss roared inwardly.
The Dark Archmage raised an eyebrow; in her opinion, her boss was clearly being sarcastic.
The fact that these NPCs are so cautious, and dare not tell the truth even when there are only two of them, suggests that these priests are indeed manipulating or enslaving them...
A bunch of scoundrels!
With a look of pity, the [ Dark Archmage ] handed two silver coins to the shopkeeper, then returned to his room under the watchful eyes of the innkeeper and a handyman who appeared out of nowhere.
This handyman was an underling of the priest who was posing as the shop owner. Since the real owner's testimony stated that the woman only saw him, adding a handyman she had never seen before wouldn't cause any problems.
The door closed, and the hotel owner's face broke into a sinister grin.