Lynn silently let out a sigh of relief, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

But he knew.

Although the task was complete, it wasn’t yet time to complain to the system.

"That makes sense, because everything I said was absolutely correct!" Lynn sat straight, looking serious.

Whoosh—

The female ghost’s split face slowly closed, and one by one, her viscous tendrils were retracted back into her body. She once again regained her elegant, mature woman’s appearance.

She stared at Lynn, her eyes locked on the baby in his arms.

For a moment, there was a tinge of unease in her expression.

"I... I..."

She avoided the baby’s pure gaze, looking as awkward as a young woman who had just become a wife.

"Here, hold your child." Lynn said with a serious face.

The female ghost awkwardly turned her head, unable to look at the baby. Her hands hesitated, stretching forward.

Seeing this, Lynn wasted no time and immediately placed the baby into the female ghost’s arms.

"Yada~"

The ghost baby affectionately wrapped its little arms around the female ghost’s neck, sticking out its tiny tongue and licking her cheek, leaving streaks of moisture.

The female ghost stood frozen, unable to move as her daughter lovingly licked her.

Clearly, she had never experienced anything like this before.

Because the fragments of herself that fell off and transformed into ghost babies had always been malicious and would kill anything they saw.

Not even the evil spirits treated her as a mother.

"So, how does it feel?" Lynn asked seriously,

"Do you feel a genuine joy and sweetness coming from deep inside?"

The female ghost stiffly held the baby in her arms, replying, "I... I’m not used to it..."

Lynn nodded, giving a thumbs up, and seriously added,

"Of course, it’s normal. Becoming a real mother for the first time often comes with a bit of awkwardness. It’s like how one feels embarrassed the first time they make love."

"……"

After a long pause, the female ghost finally shook her head hard, her face returning to a cold expression as she held the baby,

"Hmph! You little smooth talker, don’t think that just because you say a few words, you can change the fact that my child has been altered by you!"

"I’m living right next door. When I get interested, I’ll sneak in at night and eat you."

"Yada~~" The baby’s tiny tongue flicked across the female ghost’s cheek again.

The female ghost froze once more.

"Let’s see… let’s see!"

…

Lynn maintained his smile, sweating profusely as he watched the seductive woman walk out of the store, holding the ghost baby.

Once they were gone, Lynn finally relaxed and slumped into his chair.

He muttered to himself, "I have to raise my combat abilities quickly, or the next time I encounter a situation like this, it won’t be as lucky as today..."

And that female ghost had already said,

She would come back for him!

Although he had successfully made her drop her malice today, there was no guarantee that she wouldn’t decide to sneak in at night and deal with him then.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"I’ll just have to wait until tonight. The teacher should be back soon!"

Lynn steadied his nerves.

He then opened the system space and retrieved the special reward he had just earned.

[Infectious Aura]

[Quality]: Rare Passive Skill

[Description]: When engaging in persuasion activities, it greatly increases the chances of success and reduces the target's malice.

[Attribute Bonus]: Soothing Mastery +1 permanently.

A skill!

Lynn read through the description carefully, and it became clear to him what this skill did.

In other words, when attempting to persuade or calm others, it would increase the chances of success.

All in all, it seemed like a decent auxiliary skill!

"Learn!"

In an instant, the skill book transformed into a long stream and entered his body.

His system panel immediately displayed a new passive skill.

Time passed slowly.

Lynn continued his mundane routine of sitting at the counter.

Knock, knock, knock—

A knock sounded from outside the door.

Lynn, half-drowsy, immediately straightened up and flashed a professional smile, raising his head and saying,

"Welcome..."

A chilling aura slowly seeped through the door.

Lynn’s eyes instantly widened as a tall, imposing figure appeared before him.

Clad in sinister, pitch-black armor, with a dry, bone-white face and matching bone-white hair flowing behind him, his eyes flickered with crimson light.

Behind him, an ominous black warhorse, covered in eerie black fur, followed him in.

[Black Knight]

[Level]: ???

[Attribute]: Chaotic Neutral

[Combat Power]: Extremely strong offense and defense.

[Description]: A death knight roaming the Dark World, possessing immense battle intent. Driven by a desire to challenge all strong beings in the Dark World, he craves power above all else.

Lynn was taken aback.

Clearly, this was another formidable individual.

And judging by his attire and description, he was definitely an elite boss-level character!

As the demon hunter had said, the area near Soul Alley was indeed attracting all sorts of formidable beings!

"I need some strong battle assistance potions."

The Black Knight’s voice was hoarse.

He took out a bloodstained pouch from his chest, and the clinking of coins echoed as he opened it.

"Payment, of course, won’t be a problem."

[Ding! You have triggered a task: Prepare sufficiently powerful battle potions to suit the Black Knight's needs. Task Reward: Base Experience +200, Skeleton Coins +100, Black Knight Affinity +1.]

Finally, a customer who seemed somewhat normal!

Lynn immediately stood up, keeping his smile,

"Please come in, you’ve come to the right place! Our Blood-Saw Apothecary offers the highest quality potions in all of Soul Alley!"

The Black Knight rasped,

"Aren’t you the only apothecary in a several hundred mile radius?"

The Black Knight entered.

The soul lanterns flickered wildly.

The sound of his armor scraping and clanking filled the air.

A palpable, oppressive aura surrounded him.

There was no doubt—this was an incredibly powerful warrior!

"Customer, what type of battle assistance potions do you require?" Lynn smiled as he introduced the products.

He took out several bottles of different potions from the counter and placed them on the table.

"We have all sorts of potions here, a wide variety, and I’m sure you’ll be satisfied."

Lynn pushed a bottle of potion toward the Black Knight.

"Take this one, for example."

"This is a Strength Potion. It significantly boosts your attack power and is one of our bestsellers. You should try it."

The Black Knight glanced at it.

He sniffed the potion, then drank it all in one go.

[Ding! Crisis Level 10]

"It’s useless." The Black Knight rasped, placing the empty bottle down.

"This potion barely has any effect on my battle capabilities. Are you mocking me?"

Lynn immediately felt a strong, oppressive presence engulf him.

His heartbeat quickened.

He instantly realized the danger of this task.

In other words,

If the Black Knight wasn’t satisfied with the potion, he might just resort to violence!