Two days later, she’s not so cheerful anymore.
Another player sent to kill me? Really?
It’s a dark skinned man who looks to be in his early twenties this time, but when she mentions his name to Eric and Ray they tell her he’s been around for almost fifty years.
A level 93 sorcerer armed with expensive magic items. He must be bitter because he’s never been able to get promoted.
Having the best knights in the empire protecting her is a godsend, since they’re used to fighting high level magic users. Though the would-be assassin had only been a unique rank while she's at legendary, his experience, skills, and items are nothing to scoff at. Lexi knows she wouldn’t have survived a second on her own.
I need to get stronger. I hate being so vulnerable and useless.
She’s just two EXP shy of level nine now, so she asks Ray a ton of questions before she goes to sleep.
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Lexi Level 9 full bio [https://i.imgur.com/omlpxAh.png]
Foresight Grants user ability to see the future. Length and duration at current level: up to 25 minutes in the future for 25 seconds. MP required: 37 [https://i.imgur.com/RqFdIlE.png]
Hindsight Grants user ability to see the past. Length and duration at current level: up to 20 minutes in the past for 25 seconds, can only be activated upon touching the specific object or person whose past the user wishes to see. MP required: 34 [https://i.imgur.com/QcoRaPt.png]
Flow Allows user to see effect of flow of time on object, person, or surroundings with different variables by level. Current level allows user to see up to 4 variables’ impact on three items or persons, up to one day in future MP required: 20 Note: types of variables that may be used differ according to Intelligence points [https://i.imgur.com/mocY9FJ.png]
Guide Indicates items and people of important to player’s journey. Level 5 unlock: Guide leads user towards items and people of importance from up to 100 feet away Level up to unlock additional abilities. [https://i.imgur.com/6vHWTHM.png]
Sight Allows user to see information about others. User can view levels of people and items - both those that have been shared and those that have not been shared. Level up to unlock additional abilities. [https://i.imgur.com/gTSKqiq.png]
Clarity Allows user to see past illusions in accordance with user’s level. Current level: 9 Illusions that are level 9 and below do not work on user. [https://i.imgur.com/Z8jQScy.png]
Intuition Allows user to see warning signs over people, objects, monsters, and locations. Synchronizes with Guide. Current level: user can see simple warning sign in color starting from yellow (some danger) up to red (danger imminent). No warning sign will be displayed if no threat is detected. Note: danger may not be directed at user [https://i.imgur.com/3qiXjjJ.png]
“YES!!!”
Two pairs of wide eyes turn towards her when she cheers loudly first thing in the morning, before Eric is telling her not to call every monster in the vicinity over.
Oh. Oops.
When she explains what’s made her so happy, she gets a warm congratulations from Ray, and an “about time you made yourself useful” from Eric.
Asshole.
It’s still only names and levels that Sight allows her to see - nothing like the kind of detail Elise can - but it’s better than nothing, and proof that Lexi’s slowly but surely improving as a sage.
I should really ask Elise how she manages with Guide and Sight. These sparkling lights and information pop outs are distracting as hell, and on top of that I have Intuition that joins the party now and then.
Right now, given her skills, she’s probably every bank’s dream repossessor.
A small part of Lexi is annoyed that she can’t actually see the world as it is anymore, because she’s always enjoyed chasing sunsets, especially by the sea (with drinks).
I’m sure Elise will know what to do.
Still, it’s exciting to know that she’ll be able to immediately figure out how strong items, people, and monsters are with a single look.
Get in, losers, we’re going shopping.
If she’d already snagged a great deal with the pin for Eric and gloves for Ray with only basic Sight skills, who knows what other amazing items she’ll be able to buy for cheap?
Time to make some money.
Lexi has always enjoyed earning money - not to spend, since her father had given her more than enough, but for the thrill and bragging rights. She'd relished the envy and admiration from everyone around her each time she'd outperformed others in landing deals, and the only times her mother ever paid her not-so-backhanded compliments were when she'd announce her latest contract's value - especially vis-à-vis her peers'.
While she'd been dreading being stuck making money through quests and dungeon raids, now she has an option to use money to make money. Even if all she can tell are names and levels, if she can start trading enough powerful weapons and armor with the Imperial Knights - maybe even other knights that Eric and Ray know - she’ll be well on her way to earning a pretty coin.
Since he's filthy rich himself, Eric probably won't charge her too much of a commission for helping her flip goods. Though Lexi wouldn't put it past him to demand a large fee just to annoy her.
Strength: 18 + 5 Speed: 26 + 6 (Boots of gliding + 5) Dexterity: 19 +5 Agility: 25 + 6 Intelligence: 28 + 6 Vitality: 28 + 6 Charisma: 21 + 5 Luck: 22 + 6 [https://i.imgur.com/abn1F7Y.png]
Nice!
The HP boost in line with vitality points aside, P-ATK and M-ATK had gone up by an additional 5 points each, while P-DEF had risen by 10. Adding in the stat boosts she’s getting from her items, and Lexi is slowly but surely becoming a little more adept at staying alive in this world.
Alright, I guess this is good enough.
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As they’re cantering through a vast plain filled with souvenirs from the time Verita came crashing down on Terra, Eric suddenly dismounts and leads Azure towards some boulders on the right.
Huh? ...OH.
Dammit.
Up ahead are seven goblins, all pointed ears and loin cloths and sharp decaying teeth, wielding weapons that were clearly stolen from human prey.
No. Way.
She really doesn’t want to get anywhere near those nasty things. Even if she’s not encountered or read about them in this world, back in her world one of her favorite stories had been about a man obsessed with killing goblins. And the creatures in that fictional world are probably on par in terms of cruelty and sadism with the humans who’d run the hellhole Vena had been kept in.
Really, Eric?
He ignores her pleading eyes and gestures, giving her a Look when she keeps shaking her head frantically.
Ugh. GROSS. NO. I hate you.
C’mon Lexi, think. How not to end up like victims in that show?
Cover my scent? I’m downwind.
Don’t fight them at night or in the dark coz that’s when they’re most active and can see better than you, respectively? It’s broad daylight now. I thought they’re supposed to be asleep...oh, right this is Terra not that story.
Don’t wield big weapons when you go into their little caves: I only have Akara, and we’re in a wide open field.
Eric is getting increasingly impatient, and Lexi knows it’s only a matter of time before he gets Ray to throw her at the goblins.
Think, c’mon, THINK. You’re a sage, what...
Oh, that’s right! Foresight!
Signaling to Eric that she’ll fight the monsters once she’s had a peek into the future, she calls up her very first active skill.
That’s...a no go.
It’s thanks to the commander forcing her to use Foresight at least once a day that she doesn’t suffer the ill effects of the skill itself anymore, though the vision she’d seen makes her feel a little sick anyway. No matter how quick the knights are with Flash, if she screws up when the goblins are right next to her neither Eric nor Ray can reach her before she takes at least one strike.
Taking deep, quiet breaths, Lexi unsheathes Akara and tries to think of how to fight them, tries to think about what a Hawk would do if...
A hawk.
That might work.
Rising to her feet, she steels herself and rushes towards the goblins, who notice her closing in a little too late thanks to their low levels, and her stats and new boots.
Thanks, Brienne.
She’s taken out two goblins - their heads hanging on to their thin, lumpy necks by a thread, before Intuition’s lights appear over the remaining five who’ve started shrieking and counterattacking.
Here goes nothing.
Turning and running as fast as she can, Lexi hears Eric yelling at her for showing her back to her enemies, ignores him until she’s at that same familiar distance just like in the Tridentia training grounds.
Don’t miss, don’t miss, don’t miss...
Flinging Akara the way she’d been taught with practice knives, Lexi can’t stop her whoop when the dagger pierces the forehead of the goblin farthest from her.
Now let’s play some pool.
“Akara! Come!”
Calculating angles and speeds as she crouches a little and dashes from side to side - left hand held at the same height as the eyes of the goblin she’s targeting before rising or falling slightly to match the eye level of the next target as soon as Akara has pierced one goblin.
This is so tiring, but at least it lets me fight from a distance safely.
The Mask of Mist fortunately keeps the stench from overwhelming her, since she's downwind and panting from the exertion, as Lexi sprints like hell to get into position in time for Akara to pierce the last green creature right through its lumpy head, before thick dark brown liquid is being absorbed as the dagger drinks its fill.
I hope I don't need to feed her more of my blood so she stays bound to me.
She makes a mental note to ask Ray about it later, since Lexi doesn't want a repeat of that imprinting ceremony, then Akara is back in her hand in pristine condition and Lexi can't help grinning.
“Yes! Good girl, Akara! Good girl!”
I did it! Without having to get near those things, and without getting hurt! It's all thanks to you, Akara!
> PING!
Huh?
> PING!
What the hell was that?
“What the hell was that?”
“Eric! You heard it too?”
He looks at her like she’s grown another head. “Heard what? I’m talking about what you just did, you empty headed brat. Turning your back on your opponents was reckless and foolish - if you’d tripped and fallen they’d have been all over you since you recover and rise to your feet FAR too slowly. Goblins are small but fast and always hit you where it hurts, were you not paying attention when I was telling you about them? And good work.”
What the fu-
A stifled laugh from Ray brings Lexi back to the present, blinking in shock at the redhead who looks prouder than she’s ever seen him.
“That was brilliant, my lady.” She blushes a little at the genuine praise, accepts his help getting back on Violet - who’s neighing cheerfully, almost as though she’d enjoyed the show as well - and ignores Eric’s grumbles about Ray spoiling her too much.
Wait.
“So you mean you didn’t hear it? That ‘ping’ that sounded twice?”
Both men stare at her like she’d been saying goblins are adorable.
Then that means...
“Menu.”
You murderous little BEAUTY.
There’s a pop up overlaying her usual screen - all wonky gold borders and childish script on a dark red background.
AKARA LIKES TO FLY AFFINITY: 0 + 1 = 1 System: Akara enjoyed flying through the air while killing goblins on her way back to you. Your affinity with Akara has grown. Make Akara happier to unlock more abilities. [https://i.imgur.com/GdWVqqr.png]
“Akara, you’re the best!”
Closing this pop up displays another message.
Explains the second ‘ping’.
AKARA LIKES TO CHASE AFFINITY: 1 + 1 = 2 System: Akara had fun chasing after you while killing goblins. Your affinity with Akara has grown. Make Akara happier to unlock more abilities. [https://i.imgur.com/ExIlTeI.png]
“Eric, Ray! This is awesome! Akara’s talking to me through the system!”
They’re both stunned by her exclamation, and even more shocked at her explanation.
“This...”
For the first time since she’s met them, both knights are at a loss for words.
“Oh...is this...?”
Surprisingly, it’s Eric who recovers his composure first as Ray continues to stare at her with wide green eyes.
“Yes, this is unheard of.”
I see.
Focusing on her screen again as Eric and Ray discuss just what this discovery means for legendary weapons, Lexi realizes Akara’s affinity score has imposed itself between her level, class, and attribute information column and the HP, MP, and EXP column.
Lexi's level 9 bio top section with affinity squeezed in [https://i.imgur.com/lqSYZ2g.png]
I LOVE you, Akara.
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They detour a little to stay at an inn when they’re less than three days away from where the basilisk had last been spotted, Lexi relishing the warm bath and chance to change out of mud and bloodstained clothes. While she has no complaints about Ray’s cooking, their hearty meals by the campfire can’t hold a candle to the variety of the dining hall’s menu.
Ooh, looks like this place is famous for pizza.
AND THEY HAVE PROSCIUTTO E FUNGHI PIZZA.
Even if it’s named entirely in English here, Lexi is absolutely positive it’s her favorite topping, jabbing at the line item on the menu excitedly when Eric glances at her questioningly.
He smothers a smile quickly, turning to give their order to a very busty barmaid - Ray had told her that’s what the official title for the role is - who winks at his appreciative gaze, sashaying towards the kitchens once they’ve ordered enough wine and food for a party of ten.
Hey, big spender.
“What?”
It seems Eric has finally noticed Ray’s and Lexi’s smirks. Rolling his eyes, he states that he’s just hungry and thirsty.
Sure. ‘Thirsty’.
Dinner is a cheerful affair, with both Lexi and Ray taking turns to tease Eric indirectly as the redhead eventually chooses to ignore them and flirt with the well-endowed barmaid and her equally blessed cousin.
Lexi’s always been self-conscious about her body - shoulders broader than most women’s, wide hips, a waistline that never shrinks which makes her short torso look stockier than it is, thick legs, and small breasts - especially whenever she’d had to study and work with women who’re naturally slender with curves in all the right places, no matter what they eat and despite the fact that they never seem to exercise.
But right now, Lexi honestly doesn’t care if she looks like she has “a man’s body instead of a woman’s”, as her mother and some of her exes used to tell her constantly.
She hasn’t lost a single battle against monsters (to be fair, Eric had only let her fight those level 4 and below on her own, sending Ray to back her up when facing groups of creatures between level 5 and level 8, and forbidding her from intervening in any fight against beasts level 9 and above), she can mount and dismount Violet all on her own even before the horse comes to a complete stop, she’s accurately hit moving targets with Akara in battles six out of ten times, and she hasn’t gotten hurt or died yet.
She’s alive, she’s healthy, and she’s getting stronger.
Not such a deadweight after all.
“Cheers!”
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CHAPTER 16 END