After the two left the manor, they went their separate ways.
It was already evening by the time Ailiya returned to the Wind moon tavern.
Having been on the move since yesterday, her body finally began to feel the weight of exhaustion.
As she pushed open the door, the raucous noise of the tavern rushed at her, sparking a sense of annoyance in her already weary mind.
Her silver-white wolf ears pricked up slightly, and her tail, which usually swayed with her steps, puffed up in irritation.
Clearly, having sensitive senses was sometimes a burden.
‘I really should find a quiet place to stay.’
Although that place had the annoying Golden Finch, compared to this tavern full of flies who didn’t know the meaning of silence, they weren’t even on the same level.
Of course, she was only targeting specific individuals, not the group as a whole.
Ailiya thought honestly to herself.
“Heh heh heh, little Maid, you’re finally back.”
“Miss Ailiya, hurry up and bring ten mugs of ale! That little maid Bella is too slow; she has no efficiency at all.”
The drunks quickly noticed Ailiya.
Since her arrival, business had been exceptionally booming. Naturally, this also attracted many lecherous individuals.
However, they gradually discovered that this demi-human lady was not to be trifled with.
Furthermore, Balke often patronized the place. Thus, they could only talk big and enjoy the view without the courage to actually do anything.
Facing these meaningless comments, Ailiya gave only perfunctory responses.
“I’m not working tonight. If you want a drink, get it from the bar yourself.”
“Eh… that’s not right. That’s so unprofessional! Careful, or we’ll complain to Boss Sise,” a mercenary shouted, trying to stir up the crowd.
“Exactly, Miss Ailiya! Without ale served by your hand, I feel like I’m just drinking watered-down trash.”
Ailiya didn’t even lift her eyelids. She merely gave the drunks a cold glance before withdrawing her gaze. Ignoring the sounds of laughter, she stepped directly onto the wooden stairs and headed up to the attic.
For some people, the purpose of provocation was simply to gain attention.
If you gave them a direct look, even if it was just to curse them out, it would be equivalent to giving them exactly what they wanted.
She pushed open the door to her small attic room.
Ailiya brought over a wooden basin, sat on the edge of her somewhat hard wooden bed, and took off her shoes.
She slowly peeled off her tight, white over-the-knee maid socks, following the curve of her thighs, and submerged her delicate, fair feet into the cool water.
The water rippled over her white insteps as she lazily rubbed her rounded toes and soles.
This was a habit she had brought over from the real-world: if her feet weren’t clean, she wouldn’t touch the bed.
After washing up, Ailiya began to count the spoils she had recently acquired, totaling thirty gold coins along with some loose silver and copper coins.
This amount of money was enough for a family to live comfortably for several years in a frontier town like this.
As for the next step of her plan…
Since things had come to this, she would sleep first.
***
The next morning.
Ailiya woke up.
The morning light streamed through the window, shining on the wolf-eared girl who was usually cold and serious.
At this moment, her short silver-white hair was a messy, fluffy mane, with several stray strands resting against the tip of her nose.
She rubbed the corners of her eyes, appearing bleary-eyed. Her sharp, ice-blue pupils still held a hint of confusion from just waking up, and her sensitive wolf ears drooped softly amidst her hair.
If the drunks at the tavern were to see her in this defenseless state, they would probably give up their lives for her on the spot.
“Haaa—”
She let out an unrefined yawn while her tail swept lazily across the bed.
Ailiya sat blankly on the bed for a while, rubbing her eyes before she finally regained her usual indifference.
With a soft thought, the translucent system panel expanded in the void.
Her strength was increasing a bit slowly, but since no one was paying attention to her and there were no dangerous events, the overall returns were quite high.
[Status] [Skills] [Inventory] [Quests] [System Settings]…
Her fingertips slid across the rows of data.
[Character Panel]
Name: Ailiya
Race: Wolfkin (Silver frost bloodline · Tier 1)
Main Class: Assassin Level 2 (165/200)
Total Level: 5 (Assassin Level 2, Warlock Level 1…)
HP: 140/140
Stamina: 100/100
MP: 80/80
[Base Attributes]
STR: 10 AGI: 12 CON: 12 PER: 14
SPR: 8
CHA: 11
[Traits]
Silver frost bloodline (Tier 1): In cold environments or under moonlight, all attributes increase by 10%.
Vision, hearing, and smell checks are doubled.
Indifference: Mindset changes are minimal, unlike normal people. Less susceptible to mental influence.
[Sub-classes]
Maid Level 3 (80/100)
Warlock Level 1 (40/100)
Blacksmith Level 1 (90/100)
[Professional Abilities]
Basic combat Level 5
Danger sense (Level 2)
Stealth (Level 1)
Precise throw (Level 2)
Handicraft Level 3
Chores Level 3
[Skills]
[Assassin] Weak point insight (Level 1)
[Assassin] Sprint (Level 1)
[Warlock] Flash spell (Level 1)
Ailiya focused on checking the quest list after the system update.
Her gaze then landed on the “Log Out” button in the [System Settings], which was still missing. A trace of complexity flashed through her heart, but she quickly returned to her cold demeanor.
It didn’t matter.
Since it hadn’t appeared now, then it better not appear ever again.
The library at the Marquis mansion was a good place. Not only could she get free experience points, but she could also save on the cost of buying books.
Moreover, compared to serving trays and enduring flies at the tavern every day, the value of becoming the Head maid for that slacker blonde young master was clearly higher.
As for the family faction struggles Balke had warned her about—in the eyes of this “Player”—the setting of a marginalized concubine and an abandoned young master was perfectly suited for the start of a massive, multi-part main storyline.
Once her strength increased, the risks would be entirely within a controllable range.
After going downstairs, Ailiya pushed open Sise’s study door and handed over her resignation.
Sise was smoking a pipe and didn’t seem surprised by her departure. “Ah me~ Is our little Maid leaving us already?”
She leaned forward and asked with a smile, “Have you thought about joining my adventure team?”
“No thank you, Boss,” Ailiya said in a calm tone. “I have my own plans.”
“Is that so…” A trace of regret flashed in Sise’s eyes, but she still agreed gently. “Fine then. To each their own. If you ever change your mind, come find me anytime.”
After finishing the handover, Sise stood up with a smile to see her guest out.
Just as the two brushed past each other, the charming boss suddenly felt playful. She lunged her hand out, her fingertips heading straight for the girl’s fluffy silver-white wolf tail, wanting to take a cheeky feel.
Ailiya didn’t even stop her pace. She merely shifted her body slightly with a deadpan expression, and Sise’s hand missed, brushing against the edge of the fur.
She stared at the other woman with her ice-blue eyes. “Boss, what are you trying to do?”
“Oh, you’re quick.” Sise withdrew her hand as if nothing had happened. Instead of feeling embarrassed, she covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes filled with the pity of a missed opportunity.
“It’s nothing, nothing. I just thought it looked cute and was curious about how it felt.”
“Boss, the word ‘cute’ does not suit me. Please watch your words and behavior.”
“Haha, sorry. My mistake. Let’s just say I owe you a favor. The tavern will be free for you for one day in the future.”
“Thank you. I’ll visit if I get the chance.”
Ailiya nodded, then took her simple luggage and hurried toward the Kastian manor.
‘This woman is strange. Too frivolous.’
She confirmed the thought in her heart.
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