After looking at some papers that Arnold passed over, one guard, took off their helm and a black haired woman emerged, smiled at us and let us pass faster compared to the other carriages, looking at Arnold, he had an embarrassed expression. OHHHHH, I see what’s happening here.

I grinned and nudged him in the shoulder; I then raised my eyebrow up and down repeatedly. This is where Elliott’s teasing techniques come in handy.

“Oh shut up, kid, “ He ignored any kind of teasing from me the next 5 minutes.

“By the way, do you know any good inns here?” I stopped teasing him and inquired about a place to stay.

“Yeah, there’s one near our shop in the commercial district. We’ll take you there, “ He answered, “You would also like to register at a clan guild, to earn a stable income.”

“Thanks, I’ll take on your offer.”

After 5 minutes of riding through the city, we reached a shop named ‘Crescent Cross’, just like its namesake, a logo is drawn with a cross surrounded by a crescent moon.

“We’re here, welcome to our shop!” He got down the coach seat and lead the horses to a stable beside it.

“Nice naming sense,” I said as I got down the seat and stared at the logo.

“Thanks, I named it myself, you know!” Grandma Helliot responded with a grin and her hands on her hips. Just for you guys to know, she’s not slumping and she reaches my shoulder, okay?

“Come, help me unload the cargo,” Arnold’s voice came from near the carriage.

“Okay, it’s the least that I can do,” I went towards his direction and helped him carry some heavy crates, after 4 of them though, I was already panting. Arnold had already unloaded 6 of them and didn’t even break a sweat.

“Ha.. Hey, How high...ha… is your endurance stat?… ha…” I asked him while panting, this dude is strong… no wonder they didn’t need to hire guards to escort them.

“Endurance stat? hmm…” He looked up as if remembering something, “Last time I checked using a status scope, it was around 89 that was a year ago though.”

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Status scope? They can’t see their status? And his endurance is high!

Let’s investigate more on this later, if I ask him now, I’ll really sound like a weirdo. We can’t have that now, can we?

After helping out some more after catching my breath and drinking some water, we finally finished unloading all of the cargo into the shop, all in all, it took an hour. It’s already noon.

“Come on, Zack, I’ll guide you. Let’s walk.” Arnold beckoned me to follow him, “We’ll be back grandma, I’ll bring some food.”

Grandma Helliot only nodded and went inside the store, probably to organize the goods.

“So, where are we going?” I walked beside him (I should also include that he’s a head taller than me.)

“White Rose inn. It’s a best inn around here that you could afford,” He said that while grinning.

Oh, I have a suspicion about this.

“Is it that one in the front?” I saw it about 20 meters away.

“Yeah, the one with the flower logo.” He pointed at it and continued walking towards it, “Hurry, I need to buy food for grandma.”

“Does the guard earlier live there?” I grinned, nudged him in the shoulder and raised my eyebrows up and down again.

“What? No!... Wait, I mean yes!. But she doesn’t rent there, her parents own the place.” He got flustered at first but easily recovered.

“You’re really into her, huh,” I shrugged my shoulders and stayed silent.

“Well, yeah… We were childhood friends; Of course I would like her.” He scratched the back of his neck.

“Who likes who?” A gentle voice was heard near Arnold, he stopped at his tracks immediately.

A black haired woman appeared, she didn’t wear her armor this moment. She was a little taller than I am.

“Lau…ra?” As soon he saw her, he tensed up and stuttered, “Ah! Umm… ughh… This is Zack! He… uhh… likes porcupines! Yeah! Zack likes porcupines!”

I like what now? Laura and I looked towards him with a ‘What-the-hell-is-this-guy-talking-about?’ look.

“Haah…”I sighed, at this embarrassing sight, I looked at Laura who was giving me a suspicious look and said, “He likes you, alright?”

“Oh…” Laura scratched the back of her head and looked towards Arnold, “Umm… Is that true?”

“No! ah! I mean yes! Well, yes and no… but. Haahh,” He was flustered and looked terribly stupid, He then sighed took a deep breath and said, “No. I don’t like you Laura.”

Laura looked so betrayed; her mouth was hanging open and eyes wide, her hand to her chest. Her expression was terribly confused and looked pained.

However, he grabbed her waist and pulled her towards him. He kissed her.

After the kiss, he separated from her and said, “I don’t like you Laura, because I love you.”

Damn… that was real smooth… I swear he practiced for this moment or rather, I swear he has a skill for that.

Laura fainted just then and there. Arnold caught her while she was falling.

“Thank me when you have the baby,” I smirked, put my hands on my pockets and walked towards the inn, like the badass I am.

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Ch. 9: "Cupid is a Sniper"