CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 81: DINNER FIRST, BATH FIRST, OR ME FIRST?

It was already evening when we came out of the Maze.

Chloe carried Rephya over to Master Heisha.

No choice.

This One-Slash Shura thing is basically compressing all your magic power and energy to unleash in the shortest time possible.

You only need one strike, but then you’ll be bedridden for half a day.

Now I know why Rephya was so breathless the last time she came to find me.

Seeing the big oaf still lying on Heisha’s hospital bed, whining, he shook his head and turned to explain the situation to Heisha.

...

"Oh, you guys encountered an elite monster? Was that girl saved by you?"

Heisha said carelessly, crossing her legs:

"You were a bit slow, weren’t you? Elite monsters in a D-class Maze should be shattered in one punch by you, right?"

Chloe shook his head and said:

"That was taken care of by Rephya herself. I just estimated the strength she could exert now, confirmed she wouldn’t die, and let her handle it."

Heisha, who was sipping on glucose to replenish her energy, paused for a moment, and said somewhat surprised:

"You’re right, it seems it really was a surprise."

"The person I chose, what do you think?"

"You’re shameless to say that, your personality doesn’t match my criteria at all."

"Just say if I’ve met those three conditions you asked for or not."

Chloe and Heisha started bantering.

Perhaps his Sequence level rose too quickly, Heisha didn’t treat him as a regular student, more like a partner.

Therefore, the conversation between them doesn’t really sound like mentor and student.

Heisha said, a bit speechless:

"Get out, get out, go do your thing, I still have stuff to do."

Chloe shrugged his shoulders and said nothing.

"By the way, make some time to come to see me tomorrow, we’ll study your talent."

"Alright."

But he remembered something, turned to Heisha, and said:

"Some good stuff came from this elite monster encounter. If Heisha, you know of a suitable blacksmith, recommend them to Rephya and the others."

Heisha waved her hand.

Meaning she understood.

...

On the other side.

Chloe called Senior Sister Fufu.

"Sister Fufu, you’re back too, huh."

"I just arrived at the Duel Plaza, should I head over now?"

"You should go rest for a bit first, haha, I have some things to take care of."

"Hahaha, alright, I thought you would be in a rush,"

"Indeed, I am in a hurry."

"Let’s set a place to meet tonight; I’ll try to dress my best."

"How can you say that?" Chloe chuckled, "Sister Fufu is always beautiful."

"Hehe, see you later then."

He hung up the phone.

Chloe just felt that Sister Fufu was truly gentle and adorable.

Actually, he originally wanted to drag her out first thing.

Anyway, with Fufu’s personality, she’s not so good at rejecting him.

The longer he delays, the later it gets into the night.

By that time, there wouldn’t be a need to go back.

He already thought of the words to say.

"Sister Fufu, should we eat first, bathe first, or have me first?"

But bringing newbies in itself is quite exhausting.

After thinking for a long time, he decided to let her go home and rest for a while first.

And he, after freshening up, would go straight to a workshop in the outer city.

Although Simulated Hero is a Western Fantasy worldview, it incorporates some modern worldview settings.

The Extraordinary commercial street in the outer city isn’t like the medieval street vendors’ style.

A large supermarket-type center for bulk sales.

Standard Extraordinary Artifact vending machines.

Similar to Hema Fresh’s fresh Extraordinary creature meat sales store.

Bong.

How come there’s also an IKEA-styled Extraordinary Artifact one-stop center?

These things are not described in detail when playing the game.

But seeing them in reality, it’s hard to comment.

He was going to a forge factory.

In this era, even the stubborn Dwarfs no longer keep traditional workshops.

Various equipment parts shaped by large-scale grinding, after fine processing, a complete set of Extraordinary equipment is produced.

However, the forge factory he’s visiting today is quite special.

The owner is a Dwarf who has lived for over three hundred years.

Known as "Noka Giant Axe Lainer."

Common workers like to call him Old Lainer.

In his early years, he was an adventurer for a while and was quite famous.

Until later, he took an arrow to the knee.

It’s said that it was a Poison Arrow Dragon that shot the arrow, with soul poison that can directly affect the soul.

Afterward, he spent a considerable amount of money to heal the wound.

But the remnants of the poison linger on his body, needing regular treatment.

And Chloe happens to be his favorite healer to invite.

With an almost perfect "Recovery" talent, Chloe can provide him with the most significant therapy for the lowest price.

Ke has no idea how much Gold Coins this old blacksmith spent.

An ordinary person wouldn’t know how expensive this treatment is.

Chloe recalled his now-outdated old Space Backpack.

He vaguely remembered that when he first awakened, that Space Backpack was his most expensive possession.

And the cost of Old Lainer’s treatment, a third more, would almost buy a Space Backpack.

"Old Lainer, it’s Lainer!"

"Witty puns will cost you money!"

Old Lainer, nestled in a pile of parts, let out an angry roar.

Then, seeing it was Chloe, he sighed and said:

"Did the east wind overpower the west today? You, kid, don’t just come to the factory whenever I call."

"Isn’t it because I missed you?"

"Get out, get out, this old man only likes Dwarf women."

"Liar, I heard from the girls at the Enchanting Demon Nightclub that you often go there for foot massages."

Old Lainer shamelessly said:

"I just purely go for foot massages."

"Like I’d believe you."

"You don’t believe? The old man’s fists aren’t just for show."

Chloe laughed loudly, "Come on, Old Lainer, let’s go for a fistfight."

Vibrant Life, activate!

Titan race, open!

Red Moon Gauntlet, open!

"Take this punch from me!"

He threw a punch.

Lainer’s rusty gong-like voice resounded: "You take this punch from your old man too!"

With a loud boom.

The factory area fell silent.

The goblin workers next door poked their heads out at the noise:

"What’s happening, a fight?"

An old worker nonchalantly processing materials on the assembly line said:

"What else could it be, every time Xiaodeng and Old Deng meet, it goes like this.

They’re never tired of it."

The goblin worker was a little surprised, gesturing emphatically:

"No, wait, Old Man Lainer is a Sequence Six! That’s a Sequence Six!"

"Yeah, that’s why every time it’s the old man carrying the knocked-out Chloe back inside, just watch..."

Facing away from the source of the voice, he pointed behind him and said:

"This is the time when an old man comes in carrying a handsome guy."

The goblin instinctively turned to look.

He saw the bright sunlight at the factory entrance shining on the young man carrying something large, as if coating him with an aura.

The bruised and battered Old Lainer was being carried on Chloe’s shoulder, like a sandbag.

He shouted defiantly:

"How did you become a Sequence Six, kid!"

"You’re a Sequence Six too, and you got beaten up!"

"I was going easy on you, didn’t use any gear!"

"I saw you just equipped the Dragon King’s Right Wrist."

"You did it too!"

"But I’m stronger than you!"

"I’m not convinced, I’m not convinced! I’m going to report it to central! There’s something fishy about you, kid!"

Chloe rolled his eyes.

He knew Old Lainer was just joking.

Their interactions started cautiously between customer and healer.

Gradually, they opened up to chat more freely.

Eventually, he could enter the factory without needing to register at the gate.

Three years passed like that.

Besides Master Nini, Lainer was the person he knew best in this city.

Quite literally.

Yes.

Old Lainer was one of Chloe’s earliest clients.

It’s thanks to him that his reputation began to spread among certain circles.

"So, you must have some favor to ask if you’re here at an odd time."

"Brought you an order, interested?"

Old Lainer instantly perked up:

"Hey, you’ve got connections now, landed some big boss’s son, bringing orders to your old man."

Chloe waved dismissively, speaking arrogantly:

"Sophomore, planning to start my own mysterious association."

Old Lainer felt a shiver up his spine; which little princess was looking for adventure?

"Spent ten thousand and eight hundred gold pounds to acquire the Lion Heart Society and got ownership of Amber Hall."

Old Lainer’s heart burned with excitement.

Damn, this kid struck gold!

"Now he’s preparing to procure another batch of non-extraordinary equipment, but doesn’t want outsiders to profit. Can you guess who he is?"

"Whose young lady is it? Tell me quick, I’m not going hungry while your old man’s business grows!"

"Not a young lady."

Lainer drew a sharp breath.

Grabbing Chloe’s shoulder, he said:

"Kid, she’s not worth it! Not worth it! Selling yourself to a male classmate for an order? Sigh, at this point, let me talk business with him first."

Chloe’s mouth twitched slightly, then he coldly said:

"That rich person..."

"Who?"

"Is me!"

Smack.

Old Lainer, who was about to unbuckle his belt to listen to gossip, accidentally snapped it.

He let out a pig-like squeal:

"My dragon leather belt!"

Chloe continued to jab:

"Definitely not dragon leather, who makes such a fragile belt, must have been a fake."

"Even sub-dragon hybrid skin is still skin!"

Chloe laughed:

"A black dragon’s still a dragon, right?"

With a bewildered look, Lainer asked Chloe:

"When did the Five-Colored Dragons’ black dragon get kicked out of dragonkind?"

Chloe knew what he said was true.

But for this exact reason, he laughed even harder, not even catching his breath.

It was hilarious.

After much time, he finally explained things to Old Lainer.

"So now you’ve got money to build a mysterious association?"

"Yeah, so how about a discount, old man?"

"Alright, I’ve known you for years, I’ll make a smaller profit on this one."

The next moment.

Chloe’s voice sounded.

"Law of Blessing."

"Law of Life."

"Flesh and Blood Magic: Extraordinary Regeneration."

"Recovery."

"Enhancement."

Flashes of light shone.

Old Lainer was a bit surprised, but he still grinned and said:

"Just to be clear, I’ll only pay the therapy fees."

"Are you sure? Don’t forget, I’m Sequence Six now."

Lainer froze, and after a moment he realized something, yelling:

"Damn, could it be..."

"Congratulations, Old Lainer, you won’t be losing your gold coins to me anymore."

Yes.

The Sequence Six Chloe healed his old ailment.