After obtaining the crucial information about the black market, Aurelia didn’t ask any more questions.
She simply left the water jug and the remaining black bread in the corner of the cellar, ensuring Dolotov could reach them, and checked the bindings on his arms.
They didn’t seem to be worsening for the moment, but he certainly wouldn’t be breaking free or making any big movements anytime soon.
“Rest well here. I’ll bring you food when I return tonight.”
After leaving those words, she locked the cellar door once more, sealing Dolotov inside again.
She straightened her slightly wrinkled maid dress, tucked her somewhat messy black hair behind her ears again, and resumed the timid, gentle young girl persona, blending into the bustling afternoon crowd of the outer district.
‘If I want to form a team and recruit teammates, the guild is a place I absolutely cannot avoid. It’s the core for mission postings, information exchange, and gathering people. To understand the more authentic side of this world and access higher-level information and resources, the guild is almost a necessary path.’
“Since I have to go eventually…”
She mused, strolling through the crowded, noisy streets, her gaze seemingly casual as it swept over the shops lining both sides and the diverse residents bustling about for their livelihoods.
“Better to go now. Boss An gave me two more days of leave, so time should be sufficient.”
First, go to the guild and get that so-called Strength Rating Badge.
This wasn’t just to meet one of the black market’s entry conditions; it was also to figure out her current strength level in this world.
She was very curious about which tier her current physical condition would be classified into.
This was related to the scale of her subsequent actions and goal-setting.
‘Better avoid exposure as much as possible. Otherwise, if that bastard redhead catches wind of my news, it’ll be a whole heap of trouble again. And then…’
She touched her smooth black hair and looked down at her curvy figure.
‘I need to figure out a way to change my outfit. Men’s clothes… can I flatten these two lumps?’
…
She tried pressing down.
The sensation under her hands was nothing but softness, yet no matter how she tried, she couldn’t completely flatten those prominent assets.
Instead, she ended up pressing until her cheeks flushed, her breathing grew slightly uneven, and a tingling, numb sensation spread through her body.
‘Sure enough, those anime and novel scenarios are all lies! How do you flatten such a large pile of soft flesh into a flat board!’
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed several passersby giving her strange looks.
Startled, she quickly lowered her hands and quickened her pace.
The top priority was changing her distinctive features, especially those overly striking crimson eyes.
She navigated through the commercial street, her gaze sweeping over various stalls selling sundries and low-grade magic items.
Finally, she stopped at a stall run by a beastkin vendor peddling low-level magic items.
“Do you have any magic items that can change eye color? Something cheap and usable will do.”
“Yes, yes, I do!”
The vendor was a bearkin who looked quite simple and honest.
He immediately used his thick fingers to rummage through a pile of miscellaneous items and pulled out a small wooden box.
Inside lay several pairs of dull-colored, simply designed metal earrings.
“Black Iron-grade little trinkets. They can alter the color of your eyes and the sheen of your hair. The effect is very natural, and they’re especially mana-efficient. Perfect for a young lady like you! Only… fifty copper coins!”
Aurelia raised an eyebrow, picked up a pair of silvery-white earrings, and examined them, putting on an act of being quite knowledgeable.
“Boss, the cheapest Bronze-grade magic items start at around one silver coin. You’re selling a Black Iron-grade item for fifty coppers? Does it do anything besides changing color?”
“Heh heh, young lady, you can’t put it that way.”
The bearkin vendor scratched his furry head.
The simple, honest smile on his face didn’t change, but a merchant’s shrewdness flashed in his small eyes.
“The cheapest Bronze-grade ones are indeed about one silver coin, but those are ordinary goods. My earrings are different. Don’t let the Black Iron grade fool you; they put little strain on your mental energy. You won’t feel swelling or headaches even after wearing them for a long time, and they even slightly improve night vision clarity!”
“Even if it’s just a tiny bit, it’s better than nothing, right? These are specially prepared for delicate and meticulous young ladies like yourself!”
“Forty coppers, and I’ll take them. You make a small profit and gain a potential big customer. How about it?”
“Forty coppers?”
The bearkin vendor’s furry ears twitched, and the gleam in his small eyes flickered faster.
He looked at the human girl, then down at the earrings, calculating quickly in his mind.
‘These earrings cost just over twenty coppers to make. Fifty was always leaving room for bargaining. Forty coppers is a bit less profit, but still some gain. And this female human’s words are pleasant to hear. No harm in doing her a favor.’
The simple, honest smile on his face widened, revealing slightly sharp beastkin teeth.
“Deal! You’re a straightforward one, miss! Forty it is! Consider it building good karma! Come back and take care of my business if you need anything in the future!”
“Certainly.”
Aurelia gave a faint smile, counted out forty copper coins, handed them over, picked up the earrings, and turned to leave without any delay.
The bearkin vendor watched her decisive retreating figure, weighed the copper coins in his hand, and muttered quietly, “Tsk, looks gentle and weak, but she knows what’s what… Not a loss, not a loss.”
Finding an unmanned corner, Aurelia endured a slight sting as she put on the earrings.
In a small bronze mirror, those overly conspicuous crimson eyes were gradually covered by a deep, pure black, with only the faintest, almost imperceptible trace of dark red light hidden in the very depths of her pupils.
She braided her smooth black hair into low ponytails hanging in front of her ears on both sides.
After a slight adjustment, she instantly transformed from a crimson-eyed girl with an exotic feel into a young maid with calm eyes, simple attire, but exceptionally outstanding looks.
The Twilight City Outer District Guild was a multi-story stone building, more imposing and grand than the surrounding structures.
Faded gilded banners on the lintel swayed in the afternoon breeze.
…
Aurelia steadied herself, suppressing the subtle aversion from her predecessor’s life towards places like job markets or administrative offices…
‘What nonsense! Isn’t this just an otherworldly, oversized job market and administrative office combined!?’
…
Pushing the door open and entering, this feeling became even more pronounced.
Everything before her instantly overlapped with some rather unpleasant memories from her predecessor’s life.
The spacious, high-ceilinged hall, large enough to accommodate hundreds of people, was divided into several functional areas.
The most prominent central area featured several huge bulletin boards densely plastered with various-colored parchments, wooden signs, and metal plaques.
A crowd jostled in front, craning their necks, pointing, and gesticulating.
…
‘This sight… it’s exactly like a commission recruitment fair.’
…
Moving among them were not only various races carrying weapons and wearing all sorts of bizarre outfits but also harried-looking guild clerks clutching stacks of files and documents, hurrying along, as well as guards stationed at the edges maintaining order.
Surrounding them were rows of counters resembling “service windows.”
Most of the people seated behind them were human, though occasionally one or two sweet-looking elf girls could be seen, attending to middle-aged individuals dressed like nobles.
…
All sorts of characters gathered and dispersed here.
There were fully armed, arrogant mercenary teams, and travel-worn solo adventurers squeezing in front of the settlement counters, faces full of anticipation as they awaited their rewards.
Besides these, there were several young people wearing uniform leather armor, huddled around a map discussing in low voices—likely adventurers from some academy or a newly formed team.
…
And she, Aurelia, a black-haired, black-eyed girl in a maid dress with simple low ponytails, looking somewhat reserved, seemed utterly out of place here.
Only a few idle lone-wolf mercenaries leaning against the wall near the door, sizing up the passing crowd, cast appraising glances her way as she passed.
Their gazes lingered on her profile and slender waist for a moment but were forced to withdraw under the warning glare from a guard.
‘Sigh… headache. I wasn’t good at dealing with environments like job interview scenes even before transmigrating. Now, in another world… I have to go through this again?’
Aurelia reached up and rubbed her temples, sidestepping to avoid a curious young man who moved forward, seemingly intending to block her path on purpose to get her attention.
Then, she quickly walked to the back of a long line at a registration counter and quietly joined the queue.
In front of her was a young warrior with a greatsword strapped to his back.
He glanced back at Aurelia a few times, as if wanting to strike up a conversation, but upon seeing a guild guard standing nearby with a hand on his sword hilt, he silently turned back around, though his neck turned slightly red.
The line moved slowly.
When it was the turn of a brawny man wearing chainmail, he seemed to have just completed a well-paying task and was clearly in a good mood.
He picked up his money pouch, weighed it, and as he turned to leave, his gaze happened to meet Aurelia’s, who was observing her surroundings.
The brawny man’s eyes lit up.
He immediately stopped, putting on what he thought was a friendly smile.
“Hey, what a pretty little girl! Why are you at the guild all alone? With such delicate skin. Let me tell you, it’s dangerous out there, not suitable for a girl like you. How about coming with me, big brother? I just finished a task, made a bit. I’ll take you out for a good meal?”
As he spoke, he deliberately jiggled the money pouch in his hand.
‘Tsk, why are these horny little nobodies so jumpy? Is this kind of scene mandatory when coming to a place like this? It’s really annoying, you know!’
Aurelia sighed, putting on a very troubled expression.
She lightly placed her right hand against her cheek and let out an awkward laugh.
“I’m sorry, sir. I’m here today to go through the strength certification procedures. After the certification, I need to hurry back to work. Time isn’t very flexible. Thank you for your kindness.”
The brawny man was taken aback by her words.
His eyes swept over Aurelia again, as if only now noticing that although she wore a maid dress, her demeanor and bearing lacked the timidity of an ordinary servant girl.
Considering she appeared here alone and was here for strength certification… even if she looked delicate, maybe she really had some skills?
Or perhaps had some backing?
The frivolous smile on his face faded a bit, but he wasn’t ready to give up easily. He chuckled twice.
“Ah, certification? What strength is a delicate little girl like you going to certify? Does big brother need to give you some pointers?”
As he spoke, he made a move to step forward, as if wanting to pat Aurelia’s shoulder.
Right then, the previously expressionless guild guard nearby glanced over.
Though he made no sound, the thoroughly warning look in his eyes and his slightly tensed arm muscles made the brawny man’s movement halt abruptly.
Harassment and coercive behavior of any form were strictly prohibited within the guild.
This was a written rule.
The presence of guards and strict order existed precisely to ensure the basic safety and rights of all who came here to conduct business, especially newcomers and those who appeared vulnerable.
The brawny man withdrew his hand resentfully, muttering under his breath, “Tsk, there are plenty of pretty girls in the brothels. What’s one less?”
He weighed his money pouch and, in the end, didn’t dare to cause more trouble.
He turned and headed for the main door, though he couldn’t help but look back at Aurelia one more time before leaving, his eyes filled with unwillingness and anger at losing face.
Among the adventurers nearby who noticed this scene, some showed unsurprised expressions, while others cast looks of disdain or mockery at the brawny man, but all tacitly minded their own business.
In Twilight City, similar minor episodes played out daily.
As long as they didn’t escalate into conflict, the guards usually only issued warnings with their eyes.
…
‘Phew, the most useful episode for security and guards.’
She thought to herself.
‘Though, this maid dress really is a bit eye-catching. If I hadn’t washed my ordinary set of clothes, I wouldn’t be wearing this.’