Author's note: Next chapter is back to Nysa! I just had this little scene in my mind, and I do not want to let it slip off yet.

Also, this chapter was completely unplanned in the draft...it is just that I got the idea, and I could NOT resist writing it.

==================================================

???? POV

I was at the tavern, drinking some good ol' beer after all that happened. It was a bit amusing, wasn't it? To do such reckless action, for nothing but greed for power... but do I regret it? Probably not. That was a valuable lesson, that stealing is not something that anybody can do.

The level penalty, the 24 log-out period, did not apply until level 10...which for that, I was quite thankful for. But yet the images were so vivid that I kept drinking, trying forget it.

"Y'know...I saw the great wolf today." I said, drinking, as I looked at the nearby warrior. He looked like a seasoned adventurer, wearing an iron armor, along with a big sword. Yet... he didn't made me nervous, like the draconian did when I saw her fighting.

"The one in the legends of the village. The reason that nobody goes too deep in the forest." I added.

"R-really?... how are you sure it wasn't just a tougher than average wolf?" The warrior replied...but yet he looked skeptical. At first, I drank to forget...but maybe I should drink to confess.

"Two ladies fought him. A slime, and a draconian. I doubt a 'tougher-than-average' wolf could give trouble to such people. And I can claim for sure that they are not pushovers." I added, drinking more. 

"And.... how you know these two girls are not pushovers?" 

"Simple. I fought with one of them. Wanted to take the wolf for myself. Make a name for me. Say what you want, I don't regret it. Not because I failed. No, in fact I'm glad for failing. This kind of business is harder than you think, and you only know it after a bad move nearly kills you." I said, drinking more. "Do you know how it feels to have your skin burnt by a slime? Well, I can say how it feels, and it is enough to give the priest at the church some trouble." I added, lying. Mainly because, I did not know how NPCs would react, about me being able to survive death.

"...I see. Well, you are going to be killed by them both sooner or later...but before you do...how were they? Were they pretty or what?" The warrior said, with a hopeful glint in his eyes. I was far too familiar to the feeling...and I grinned.

"Enough to make the goddess of beauty jealous." I replied. In the corner of my eye, I saw the two of them walking inside of the tavern. "Hey, you two, come here! I was just speaking about you both!" I shouted, waving my empty mug in the air.

The slime grimaced, and the draconian just looked awkward...yet they both walked closer. I knew that the slime hated me, though...just from the feeling, that she would pounce me if we weren't in a town.

"Bartender, the meal of the day for the lil' fighter here!" I added, placing my hand on the slime's head. It was a way of 

saying thanks, for giving me such a great fight. 

"Hmm? You are being overly friendly wih the person that you nearly fought to death with." The warrior said, surprised... yet intriged.

"It is a thanks, think nothing of it. A thanks for teaching me, that the path of the ruthless and merciless, is often the harshest and most dangerous one. Not changing it, but I guess a little thanks wouldn't hurt." I said, laughing cheerfully.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"...Excuse me, mind if you explain what happened between you two?" The draconian said, scratching her cheek. It was a cute sight, but she was not my type.

"When you can, explain it yourself, little girl." I replied, laughing out loud. "But for now, dig in." I added as I gave the slime the plate. It was simply cooked fox meat, along with some vegetables such as potatoes.

...And I saw her eating the plate clean. In one single motion... and afterwards her digesting it, slowly melting the food into a gross mess...

"...Y'know, suddenly you don't look so cute anymore." I said, with a small sigh as I placed my hand against my forehead...only to see the slime pout, looking at my eyes...somewhat angry, but it still seemed too cute.

"The name is Shade. Feel free to look for me someday." I replied, walking away from the tavern, laughing out loud.

Amiita POV

Hmm...I can't help but wonder. What happened between them? "Uh...can you tell me?" I asked, to the slime partner.

"Hey. He told me that he tried to kill that wolf for fame while you two fought it, and in return, he nearly got killed by the slime." The nearby warrior said.

....It was obvious that he was killed, but he was sneaky enough. Can't blame him, it would throw things into chaos if others knew he could revive, just like other players.

"Good job." I said, placing my hand on top of Aqua's head, giggling a bit. "He got what he deserved."

"Now, if you don't mind me, I'll be taking my leave." The warrior said, stretching his arms up, and walking away. Too 

bad I didn't get his name, but I never knew him well enough.

Meanwhile, I saw Aqua smilling cheerfully, deciding to follow the warrior outside. Well... I guess a breath of fresh air is good. And so, I tried to walk away...

But unlike the rest, I was blocked by the bouncers of the bar. "Y'know, somebody has to pay the tabs." The guards said..

...And suddenly, I realized. I realized that nobody was as nice as I thought.

You learned a new skill!CleaningRating: ☆☆☆☆☆Level 1, noviceXP: 10.00%Cost: NoneCast time: NoneCooldown: 0 secondsType: PhysicalWith your extensive experience in cleaning, you can now clean a house with nothing but a wet piece of cloth!

You can make hard surfaces so clean that you can see your reflection on it!

You have a 300% attack modifier against dust bunnies!

You can now use brooms as a weapon!

They made me pay for it.