But the lively atmosphere did not last long.
The moment Cen Yao stepped onto the main street, the surrounding sounds seemed to be drained away bit by bit.
The flower-selling rabbit stopped peddling.
The proposing frog remained on one knee, its bulging eyes turning toward her.
The pumpkin carriage shut its complaining doors.
The dwarfs slowed down their hammering.
Along both sides of the street, countless gazes fell upon Cen Yao.
A purple Witch's Robe.
A pointed witch's hat.
A black wand.
And the aura of the dark element that had not yet fully dissipated from her body.
Her appearance as a Witch was simply too distinct.
So distinct that she did not look like a guest passing through the royal capital, but rather a major villain walking out of the dark forest, specifically here to collect a debt.
The pedestrians parted to make way for her.
But those gazes were far from innocent.
Cen Yao could feel it.
Viscous.
Chilly.
Dark.
Greedy.
Those gazes were like rotting meat hidden beneath frosting—clothed in the outer shell of a lively fairy tale, but entirely filled with the malice unique to the dungeon.
They stared at her skin, her flesh, and her soul.
Wishing they could tear her apart and devour her, leaving not a shred of flesh, nor letting a single wisp of her soul escape.
A sudden wave of hostility surged from the depths of Cen Yao's heart.
That hostility came incredibly fast.
So fast that before she could even react, her fingertips had already brushed against the wand at her waist.
"Kill them."
"Clean up all these annoying things."
"They aren't human anyway."
"They are just monsters in the dungeon."
The moment this thought surfaced, Cen Yao's fingers gripped her wand.
A cold sensation pressed against her palm.
That touch of cold was like snow water pouring down, abruptly pulling her back from the brink of losing control.
Cen Yao paused in her tracks.
She looked down at her hand.
Her knuckles were slightly white from her tight grip.
She had actually wanted to start a fight on the streets of the royal capital.
A sudden chill ran down Cen Yao's back.
Even after a night had passed, the side effects of using the dark element were still there.
Just a moment ago, she had almost treated all of these NPCs as targets she could devour.
But her magic power had not yet fully recovered.
And this was the royal capital.
NPCs lined the streets, and who knew how many ghosts and rules were hidden in the shadows.
She had no doubt that if she had really made a move just now, once her magic power was exhausted, she would definitely be the one to die.
Cen Yao slowly let go of her wand.
Suppressing the lingering irritability in her heart, she spoke in her mind.
"Orb."
The orb immediately replied, "I'm here, Host."
Cen Yao's voice was very soft, yet very serious.
"If I show signs of being controlled again in the future, remember to wake me up."
The orb also cast aside its usual playfulness.
"Understood, Host."
It paused, then added in a low voice, "But Host, your mental strength is still too low right now, so your ability to resist negative influences is very weak. The dark element is inherently dangerous, and you used it too aggressively last night, which is why the lingering effects are persisting until now."
"Once this dungeon is over, remember to go to the Mall to buy a mental strength enhancement potion."
Cen Yao listened intently.
"Alright, I understand."
Seeing her receptive attitude, the orb flipped through its background data.
"Also, Host, if you have time during this period, you can look for more materials to brew offensive potions."
"The quality of the herbs here definitely won't compare to those in the Mall, but at least you can use them to practice."
"The next time you encounter a situation like the inn, you won't necessarily have to resort to the dark element."
Cen Yao looked at the rabbit selling flowers by the street, then glanced at the ores displayed in the nearby dwarf blacksmith shop.
"Mhm."
The orb continued, "I just saw that there are dwarfs here. Their race's crafting materials are considered quite good in fairy tale dungeons."
"If you have time, you can trade with them for some."
"Okay, I got it."
Even if the orb hadn't mentioned it, Cen Yao already had this intention.
Although dungeons were dangerous, the resources within them were real.
The clear-heart vine was the best proof.
What she lacked right now were not just offensive means, but also items and materials that could reduce her magic consumption.
The orb remembered something else and quickly reminded her, "Oh right, Host, it's best to wait until you've brewed some potions before trading with them."
"Dwarfs mostly prefer practical things. Offensive potions, defensive potions, and healing potions are much easier to tempt them with than gold coins."
"This way, the success rate of the trade will be higher."
Listening to the orb's detailed reminders, the chill in Cen Yao's heart, which had arisen from the residual dark element, was finally diluted by a bit of warmth.
She curled her lips slightly.
"Alright, I got it, Mother Orb."
The orb's fur bristled instantly.
"W-What 'Mother Orb'?!"
"This system was only born a few hundred years ago! I'm still a child!"
"Host, you're so mean, making me sound so old!"
Cen Yao smiled but said nothing.
Just then, a warm, smiling voice sounded from ahead.
"Respected Lady Witch."
"Are you also here to attend the Little Princess's Full Moon Feast?"
Cen Yao looked up.
A young man with blond hair and blue eyes stood before her.
He wore a well-tailored knight's uniform, his silver-white breastplate polished to a shine, with small sapphires embedded in his epaulets.
A longsword hung at his waist, his boots were clean, and his cloak draped behind him, even its folds carrying a hint of deliberately arranged elegance.
He bowed slightly to Cen Yao, performing a standard noble etiquette.
The movement was fluid and the posture was graceful.
It was as if he had been corrected countless times since childhood, knowing exactly where his hands should be placed, how low his waist should bend, and even the timing of looking up was perfectly calculated.
Cen Yao did not reply immediately.
She stood in place, the shadow of her hood concealing most of her face, revealing only a hint of her fair chin.
Her eyes fell calmly upon the man, sweeping over his attire, movements, gaze, and sword without any emotion.
The man still wore a smile.
That smile was gentle and polite, yet it carried a trace of subtle contempt.
It was not the greed of a ghost coveting flesh upon seeing a living person.
Nor was it the fear or vigilance a normal NPC should have when facing a Witch.
It was more like someone who believed they were in control of the situation, observing an interesting but ultimately insignificant subject.
Cen Yao lowered her gaze.
"This person is probably a player."
The orb opened its round eyes wide, its tone shocked and bewildered.
"How does the Host know?"
"His eyes are wrong."
Cen Yao calmly analyzed in her mind.
"It's not the flesh-coveting look of a ghost, but rather carries a hint of disdain."
"He might have items purchased in advance, or perhaps his family hired someone to lecture him on how to handle rookie dungeons before he entered the game."
"In real life, he's probably a young master with some background."
"That's why his noble etiquette is quite good."
"Most importantly, the rules at the city gate explicitly stated not to believe the words of the wizard, yet he still came over to strike up a conversation. Isn't that clearly telling me there's something wrong with him?"
The orb's mouth fell wide open as it listened.
In just this short moment, its host had already analyzed so much?
Was it sure it and its host were looking at the same person?
Seeing that Cen Yao delayed in answering, the young knight's smile deepened slightly.
He seemed very patient, yet also confident that she would definitely respond.
Beneath her cloak, Cen Yao's lips parted slightly.
Her clear, crisp voice echoed along the gradually quieting main street.
"No."
"I am here to find my lost treasure."
Rate on N.U.
