Ackster’s gaze didn’t sharpen because of the texts themselves but because of where Wilma had taken them out from. The table wasn’t anything special. It was a flat wooden slab perched on four legs. There was no room for storage underneath. If there were, Ackster would see it unless magic veiled it.

But, rather than magic, there was another explanation that further confirmed that it had been a wise choice not to try and force Wilma into spilling the details when she had revealed the Guild’s special forces to him. Her Nomi had an inventory.

Having an inventory didn’t mean she was a combatant, but one of the most straightforward ways to get an inventory was to be strong. A-rank at the minimum. Combined with what she had said about his newbie movements, Ackster could confirm that Wilma was more than a beautiful bespectacled receptionist.

But, Ackster wasn’t frightened or worried after confirming Wilma’s status once again. He already knew she wasn’t to be trifled with. He was just a little envious since he wanted an inventory of his own. Unfortunately, he wasn’t strong enough to go looking for the materials yet. It would also be a lot easier to do after getting started on his mana.

‘That’s the next stop, then.’

Ackster decided on his next destination after the Sea God Temple. An inventory would make a lot of things more convenient. And if he was going to continue getting skills he wasn’t sure about, he might as well go all out and continue upgrading and expanding his Nomi as much as possible. But that was a later matter.

What was right in front of him at the moment was more important since it was what would take him to that point. Hopefully.

“Information on how to get skills?”

Ackster reached for the stack of papers, scrolls, and pamphlet-like books. There weren’t that many, but if each one was a different skill, he was looking at five new skills at least. However, before Ackster could grab them, Wilma put her hand on them and pinched them to the table so that he couldn’t take them. Ackster raised an eyebrow and looked at her with a questioning glance.

She had said the Guild would provide him with all the support he needed until he was strong enough to repay it. Ackster knew that Wilma knew what she had said, so he didn’t even bother voicing his doubts. Wilma would explain why it looked like she was going back on her word.

“Not so fast. I pulled some strings and got you a couple of good ones. I need some assurance that you’ll be worth it.”

Ackster frowned.

“Why?”

“Why do I need some assurance?”

Ackster gave Wilma a sharp look. It wasn’t razor-sharp since he wasn’t going to display such clear hostility. It was more like the sharpness of a butter knife. But it was enough to convey Ackster’s displeasure.

“You went and did something on your own, pulling strings and what-not. Don’t get me wrong, the better the skills I get, the happier I am. But I only asked for skills and how to get them. Shouldn’t you take responsibility for your own actions?”

Since Wilma had gone out of her way, or so she claimed, to get Ackster even better skills than what he would have gotten otherwise, Ackster would have been grateful. But getting asked to do something or provide something unnecessary because Wilma had done something on her own didn’t sit right with Ackster.

It wasn’t about doing favors for each other or owing something to Wilma. It was because Wilma was forcing him to play her game. She was trying to dig her claws deeper into Ackster for whatever reason, and he didn’t like it.

“Tch. Guess your pretty face isn’t an empty shell.”

Ackster frowned. He felt like he was being tested. But he didn’t say anything and just waited for Wilma to continue.

“Alright, fine. I would appreciate a show of gratitude, even if it’s just that, a show. But it’s not necessary.”

Wilma sighed and slid the stack across the table to Ackster.

“There are a few different ones, but I mostly focused on strengthening and fortification, as you asked. Fortify, Guardian, Iron Wall, Block. I tried to look for more Iron-related skills, but I couldn’t find anything concrete.”

“Thanks.”

Ackster grabbed the texts and began flipping through them to see what the contents were or if he could even understand them, which he could, thankfully.

“Um….”

“Yes…?”

Wilma began saying something, but since she hesitated so much, Ackster had to urge her to continue. He knew that if Wilma wanted to say it, she would, and if she didn’t, she wouldn’t. But he didn’t have the patience to wait her out, not when he had keys to increasing his strength in his hand.

“There is one more….”

“But…?”

“I’m not sure I should tell you about it.”

“Since you’ve already made up your mind, just do it. Stop wasting time.”

Wilma pouted at Ackster’s brusque attitude.

“You’re no fun.”

“You’re not any better. This charade is getting long-winded. What happened to the cool beauty type?”

“Anyways.”

Wilma ignored Ackster pointing out her change in character.

“I won’t beat around the bush. This last skill isn’t a regular skill like those in your hand, and it might do you more harm than good.”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“You’re beating around the bush a whole lot for someone who said they wouldn’t do that.”

“I’m not. I’m giving you some essential information.”

Wilma gave Ackster a stern look as he slumped back in his chair and looked around the room, feigning disinterest.

“Okay?”

“Man, you were a lot cuter before.”

“I could say the same. I can also tell you that I’m leaving if you don’t get to the point.”

“Ugh, fine. I’m serious about it doing you more harm than good, you know!”

“Okay.”

“It’s something called Nold’s Secret Skeleton Refinement Technique.”

“Sounds interesting.”

Ackster leaned forward and rested his elbows against the table as he no longer looked like he was in detention.

“That’s… One way to put it. The only reason I’m even mentioning it is because you clearly have a pretty decent recovery rate. And if you manage to get your hands on some good materials….”

Wilma winked.

‘Knew it. Jim’s in on it.’

“...Or a self-regeneration skill, this secret technique might actually be beneficial to you. But you should know that out of everyone who’s tried to learn and put it to practice, no one has come very far. It’s despairingly difficult to do it right and mindbreakingly painful when doing it right.”

“But you’re saying that it’s worth it, despite the difficulty and pain?”

“If you succeed and get far enough, yes. If the madman who made it is to be believed, the strength boost is proportional to the pain. And, since it’s painful enough to literally make someone go crazy, it should be worth it as long as you don’t lose your mind.”

Wilma had a serious face as she locked eyes with Ackster, who didn’t look like he was taking things as seriously as she wanted him to.

“Great. I’ll take it.”

Wilma clasped her hands together as she leaned forward and rested her forearms against the table. She looked at Ackster with a narrowed gaze.

“I can’t tell if you’re not listening to me, underestimating Nold, or just that desperate.”

Ackster shrugged and gestured for Wilma to hand it over.

“It doesn’t really matter, either, does it? As long as I grow strong enough to carry out the tasks, you’re happy right?”

Wilma tilted her head and shrugged slightly. She didn’t deny it.

“I mean, sure. But there are other ways to grow strong. Your explosive growth rate is a decent indicator of your potential, talent, and hard work. But you would be surprised by the average life expectancy of rising stars who reach all the way to the A-ranks and above.”

“I wouldn’t. They get overconfident and die, no? It’s nothing weird. But if you thought I was the same, you wouldn’t have pulled those strings. So, stop dallying.”

Wilma sighed.

“You really were a lot more fun to talk to before all this.”

“Can you blame me? I thought I was asked on a date for the first time in my life, and instead of, you know, starting to date someone, I got roped into some weird business where I got threatened with death if I won’t keep my mouth shut.”

Wilmajaw dropped slightly, and she looked at Ackster with wide eyes.

“Really? You haven’t been asked out before?”

Ackster crossed his arms and looked to the side with a frown.

“Even when you’re that handsome?”

“Looks aren’t everything, you know. Now, can we get back on track?”

Still a little surprised by Ackster’s revelation, Wilma obliged and stuck her hand out. It vanished into thin air for a couple of moments before it came back out with a box.

“Ironwood?”

Ackster voiced his question about the box’s materials as he grabbed it. It was the size of a shoebox, and it looked like it was a single piece of wood due to the grains seamlessly covering its surface. However, it possessed a metallic gloss and sheen. It was also smooth and slightly cold to the touch.

“You know about it?”

Wilma raised her eyebrows in surprise as she looked at Ackster. Her hand was still on the box, preventing him from taking it.

Ackster realized he might have fumbled, and his eyes flashed. But he forced himself calm. Ironwood was rare, especially on Tenger, since it came from another continent, and the Arboria continent, more specifically its inhabitants, weren’t really famous for being willing to trade. However, that only added to the material’s fame.

“Not personally. But I’ve heard about it.”

“I see.”

Wilma didn’t say anything and just looked at Ackster, still holding onto the box and preventing him from taking it.

Ackster raised an eyebrow and gave her a questioning look. He thought they were done with the games. He was getting pretty tired of them and in general. He had been awake and active for a while now, and with what he had achieved during the day, he was tired. Strong Body and its regenerative and energizing capabilities helped him stay awake for longer periods of time on fewer hours of sleep.

But the earlier he could get to bed and rest up, the sooner he could get out and continue growing stronger. And now that he had instructions on how to get skills and possibly something bonkers he had never heard about, he definitely didn’t want to sit around and play mind games with Wilma.

Ackster wondered what would happen if he just decided to go ahead and rest his eyes for a couple of moments until Wilma finally decided to acquiesce.

Almost as if she could read Acksters’ impatience and stubbornness conspiring to make trouble for her, Wilma spoke.

“I’m sorry.”

“...What?”

‘Wouldn’t it be better to just give it to me instead of apologizing?’

Ackster didn’t voice his doubts since he had a feeling Wilma wasn’t apologizing for not handing over the box.

“I didn’t mean to hurt or lie to you when I asked you out on that date. In my eagerness to better understand you and recruit you, I used an approach where the ends justified the means.”

Wilma solemnly bowed her head in apology. But she still didn’t let go.

Ackster furrowed his brow in suspicion and confusion. He couldn’t understand why she was apologizing. It felt genuine, but he couldn’t tell if Wilma was being honest or if she was doing her best to fool him.

“Why? Why are you apologizing now?”

“Because you’re right. I don’t think you will grow arrogant and get yourself killed. It’s my earnest wish that you live a long and fulfilling life. I also want our cooperative relationship to continue for a long time.”

“...”

“However, that will be impossible, the cooperation part, not your long life, even if I can increase your chances, if our relationship is already souring.”

“I see.”

Ackster nodded. He didn’t accept or reject Wilma’s apology or explanation at once since he had to think about it a little. He also didn’t want to be swayed by the honest and solemn beauty that Wilma put on display as she looked at him with clear eyes. He couldn’t believe in his judgment if he made a decision at once without thinking about it first.

Wilma’s words made sense. But that didn’t mean much since Wilma wouldn’t speak nonsense. If she really wanted to solidify the trust between her and Ackster, she wouldn’t say anything that would cause the already paranoid Ackster to doubt her even more.

Considering the power behind her and her influence, Wilma could force Ackster’s hand. Unless she really wanted it, there was no reason for them to have such a great relationship when they could just be casual business partners. There would be no need for trust in the other person when they could trust what the other had to offer.

Wilma would trust Ackster’s potential and the Guild’s ability to guarantee he wouldn’t go back on the agreement.

And Ackster could trust in the benefits Wilma offered.

Ackster leaned toward accepting Wilma’s benefits, even if it was suspicious since she didn’t stand anything to gain, at least not on the surface.