Chapter 100: Scammed

Roderic walked through the streets with his hands behind his head, his mood considerably better than before.

’That went well,’ he thought. ’Now we just have to hope we can buy enough time to get everything made.’

The plan, however cowardly it may be, was very simple.

Right now, Margaret was a hostage inside the Whitemane Estate.

Negotiations for her ’freedom’ would hold Baron Deres off for some time, especially if rumors were spread far and wide.

’He wouldn’t be able to ruthlessly abandon her. Not unless he wants his own people questioning their loyalty.’

After all, who would fight for someone who could easily abandon his family?

That alone would force Baron Deres to at least entertain ’negotiations’.

And that meant time.

’We don’t even have to give her back,’ he thought, smiling. ’Everyone just needs to believe there’s a chance we will.’

And even if Baron Deres decided to march on them, hundreds of large metal bear traps and constant guerrilla attacks would slow his army down.

’By the time they actually reach us, everything should be ready and they’ll be weakened.’

Roderic’s smile widened slightly.

It wasn’t exactly an honorable way to fight a war.

But then again, he never gave a shit about fighting honorably anyway.

As he continued walking, his thoughts naturally drifted towards his four retainers.

It had already been an entire month since he’d last seen them.

’I wonder how much those morons have grown,’ he thought, his excitement slowly returning. ’I’m sure they’ll surprise me considering Captain Harris was training them.’

More importantly, it was finally time to buy weapons and techniques for them.

Well, finally...

Roderic still wasn’t quite sure if he was supposed to be excited or sad.

’This is going to cost me a fortune,’ he thought, his heart aching. ’All those hard-earned coins disappearing again...’

CLANG! CLANG!

The familiar sound of weapons clashing entered his ears.

Roderic snapped out of his thoughts and glanced ahead.

The training grounds had finally come into view.

Several dozen knights were training throughout the field, but it didn’t take long for him to spot four familiar figures among them.

Roderic’s eyes widened immediately.

’Damn...’

They looked completely different from a month ago.

Their bodies had filled out considerably, their arms and shoulders noticeably more muscular than before.

But their physiques weren’t the only thing that had changed.

Just from how they stood and swung their swords, Roderic could feel they’d grown far sharper and more confident.

A wide grin spread across his face.

’Now this, this is more like it!’

Simultaneously, a golden glow flashed through his right eye.

Lines of text immediately began appearing in his vision.

[Frederic]

Age: 18

Race: Human

Current Rank: Peak one-seal knight

Knight Talent: Extremely High [Pure Yang Physique]

Minor Traits: [Iron Will], [Steady Hands], [Self-Disciplined]

Medium Traits: [Rapid Learner]

Advanced Traits: [Natural Commander]

- - -

Roderic stared at the floating screen for several seconds.

His eyes quickly locked onto one particular line.

’Now what do we have here?’ he thought slowly. ’A Pure Yang Physique?’

He’d only ever heard of one physique.

And that was his own Supreme Aura Physique.

Outside of that, not a single soul or book in this world had told him about special physiques existing.

’I guess it was to be expected in some way,’ he thought, brows furrowing. ’The system can’t just make talents up... well, I guess it can. I got reincarnated here too, after all. But why would it bother?’

Roderic fell silent for a moment.

Shrugging once, the previous thoughts vanished from his mind.

His attention turned back to the physique once more.

’’System,’’ he muttered quietly. ’’Can you show me the Pure Yang Physique?’’

Several blue windows popped up in front of him one after another.

Finally, he arrived at a rapidly scrolling shop tab.

As the scrolling came to a stop, a single line of text expanded into dozens in front of him.

[Pure Yang Physique]

[Possesses exceptionally pure aura, containing significantly fewer impurities than ordinary aura.

Pure aura continuously nourishes the physique, greatly improving physical development, aura growth and natural recovery speed.

Upon reaching a sufficient level, the wielder can transmute their aura into Pure Yang Fire.]

Roderic’s eyes went wide.

’’What the actual fuck?’’ he muttered, flabbergasted.

His gaze slowly moved towards Frederic.

The guy was still swinging his sword in the distance, completely unaware he was even being watched.

’I knew he was talented and all, but this...?’

Even the traits he’d gained, such as [Natural Commander] and [Rapid Learner], were amazing.

Roderic suddenly felt considerably better about all the Throne Coins he was about to spend.

’...’

’Hold on a moment...’

’Something’s missing.’

Roderic’s eyes narrowed in annoyance.

’’System, I was told I could check what weapons suited them with this eye,’’ he said. ’’Surely you aren’t trying to bullshit me, right?’’

Silence fell around him.

Roderic waited patiently for several seconds.

Then his face began to twist.

’’You fucking—’’

BZZT!

A sharp pain suddenly jolted through his right eye.

’’Fuck!’’

Roderic grabbed his face, stumbling half a step back.

Several new lines appeared beneath Frederic’s status.

Simultaneously, another system window popped up in front of his eyes.

[-1000 Throne Coins]

[Purchase Confirmed]

[Equipment Body Compatibility has been permanently unlocked.]

’’Huh?’’

For several long seconds, Roderic simply stared at the notification.

His expression gradually twisted.

’’WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF BULLSHIT IS THIS?!’’ he shouted angrily. ’’YOU MADE ME PAY FOR SOMETHING I ALREADY HAVE?!’’

It felt like he was back on Earth all over again!

Roderic began rapidly shaking his head.

’’No, no, no, we need to get this straight right now,’’ he ranted. ’’I can tolerate a few glitches here and there. BUT YOU DO NOT SCAM ME!’’

As if responding to his outrage, another window appeared.

[Equipment Body Compatibility was not previously owned.]

[Appraisal Eye possesses multiple independently unlockable functions.]

Roderic’s eye began twitching.

’’You thieving piece of shit!’’ he cursed, swiping the messages away. ’’You and your fucking add-on purchases can go straight to hell!’’

After letting out one more irritated sigh, Roderic turned back to Frederic.

’I already lost the damn coins,’ he thought. ’Might as well see what I paid for.’

A golden light flashed through his right eye once more.

Several new lines immediately appeared beneath Frederic’s status.

Roderic’s annoyance slowly disappeared.

’’Oh?’’ he muttered. ’’Isn’t that interesting?’’