Free Web NovelChapter 13: Genesis (5)
As Misha admired the rapier, the shopkeeper noticed her interest and approached her.
"You have a good eye, " he said. "But if you’re looking for something reliable, I’d like to recommend these instead."
He gestured toward a nearby display that had far more expensive-looking weapons. He walked toward the display and took out a claymore. "This claymore grants additional [Strength]." He placed it back and took the spear next. "This one increases stamina recovery." He returned his gaze to her with a smile. "Both are much better choices, don’t you think so?"
"How much are those?" She asked out of curiosity.
"The claymore is 190 coins and the spear is 168 coins. It may be pricey but they are both great weapons."
Misha nearly choked when she heard the price of the weapons. Better choices for her funeral, maybe.
"I’m sorry," she offered an apologetic smile. "My budget is tight right now."
The shopkeeper sighed in disappointment. "That’s too bad then."
She raised the rapier she was holding. "How much for this one?"
"It’s 12 coins."
Misha felt a small sting in her heart. It was more than half her savings. But still... she needed a weapon.
After a moment’s hesitation, she handed over the coins. Once the transaction was complete, he wrapped the rapier and passed it to her.
As she fastened the weapon to her side, it felt surprisingly natural hanging at her side.
"By the way," she faced the shopkeeper once again. "Where can I go if I want to climb to the 2nd Floor?"
He raised a brow at her in disbelief. "Wait, is this going to be your first time climbing?"
She nodded, to which the man’s expression became even stranger. "Shouldn’t they have taught you that at the academy? Don’t tell me you’re one of those students who try to sneak and climb to the 2nd Floor without graduating?"
Graduating from what? The question nearly escaped her mouth, but fortunately, Misha caught herself just in time the shopkeeper continued.
"The Academy exists for a reason, young lady. Kids your age receive training before they are allowed to continue ascending."
Kids her age?
Misha wanted to deny that she was a kid. In fact, she was already 26 years old. But then again, because of her youthful appearance, it wasn’t the first time someone mistook her for a teenager. Shoulder-length black hair framed her face, while a pair of warm brown eyes held a trace of innocence.
She didn’t possess a breathtaking beauty or a commanding presence. She simply looked approachable, like someone who would apologize after bumping into someone, even if it wasn’t her fault.
"Mister, I may look young but I’m already in my 20s."
The shopkeeper blinked. "Really?"
"Yes, I’m already in my 20s."
"Huh..." He studied her for a moment. "... I don’t believe you."
She sighed heavily. "Why would I lie about being older? If I really am a student, then I’ll be a 26-year-old student."
"Well, you wouldn’t be the oldest."
She blinked a lot in confusion. "What?"
"The Academy accepts all ages since some people awaken late that’s why the Academy has two divisions, one for the regular students, the other one is for the awakeners." He said as if it was already a common knowledge for everyone.
"So I’d be studying alongside teenagers?"
"Well, probably."
"..."
"You’re learning how to survive the Tower, not applying for a beauty pageant. It’s for your safety."
Misha opened her mouth then closed it again. Unfortunately, she couldn’t argue with that.
"Besides, you’ll need a Floor Access Pass." The shopkeeper leaned against the counter. "Only those who have completed the field experience with one of the guilds can obtain a recommendation to become a full-fledged Ranker. As for those who choose the path of a Raider, they’re issued a Pass so even if you try to sneak in, the teleportation gate is guarded by Rankers."
Rankers? Raiders? Piece by piece, Misha began forming a rough understanding of how Genesis worked. The Academy trained awakeners, Guilds provided practical experience, Rankers maintained order, and Raiders climbed the Tower.
Now that she had that information, she could tell that it wouldn’t be easy to climb the Second Floor. Should she just ask King to teleport her instead? He seemed to have the ability to do so. Since he was her guide, he should at least do that much.
≈≈≈
When she left the weapon shop, while she was heading back to the inn, as she was walking mindlessly–
Thud.
She walked straight to someone.
"Ah–!" Misha stumbled backwards when suddenly, a hand shot out and grabbed her arm before she could fall. freēwebnovel.com
Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with the woman who had horns-like ornaments. It was the same woman she had saw at the inn earlier, who was also the same woman she had noticed at the market last night.
"Oh!" Misha immediately straightened herself. "I’m so sorry!"
"It’s fine." The woman smiled kindly at her as she released her arm.
Up close, Misha could see the woman was even more striking than from a distance. Her green eyes were as beautiful as an emerald, and it was rather mesmerizing.
"We should get going." One of the men standing behind spoke.
He was tall and broad-shouldered with a scar running vertically on his right eye and horizontally on his left cheek. He looked like a man who solved problems by punching them until they stopped being problems. His gaze briefly landed on her.
Misha resisted the urge to take a step back. Why was he looking at her that way?
"At this rate we’ll be searching all day." The horned woman said as she faced her group. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Just as Misha was about to excuse herself to leave, the woman’s next words caught her attention.
"We still need one more person so it’s better if we spread out."
Misha’s ears automatically perked up. One more person? One more person for what?
"Most graduates have already joined guilds so it won’t be easy to find someone who didn’t."
Misha’s brain instantly connected the dots. Wait... are they recruiting?
An opportunity had practically fallen into her lap!
Before she could overthink it, she stepped forward and raised her hand in the air. "If you’re looking for someone, I can join you!"
The entire group turned toward her and the sudden attention almost made her regret opening her mouth. It was rather embarrassing to be stared at by everyone.
The other woman with green pixie-cut hair raised a brow. In her white armor, she looked every bit the image of a storybook knight. Though she was pretty, the sharpness of her gaze made her look rather intimidating. "You?"
Misha nodded slowly. "Yes... I haven’t joined any guilds and I’m actually looking for one myself."
The scarred man looked her up and down like she was being evaluated by a particularly judgmental bear until his gaze landed on her new rapier. "Who are you?"
I’m Misha, a professional liar for two days. She kept that part to herself and flashed him a friendly smile. "My name is Misha. I just recently graduated from the Academy, and I’m currently looking to complete my field experience so that I can earn a recommendation."
As always, the lie came out as smooth as butter.
Thank you, random shopkeeper for the info!
The group’s expression shifted slightly.
"Recently graduated?" The man with messy brown hair asked.
When Misha faced him, she choked on her words. It was her first time seeing a handsome man like one of those famous idols up close. With his perpetually sleepy eyes, he looked more like a noble who couldn’t be bothered to act like one, with how refined his armory robe was. He probably was the group’s mage...
"Which Academy are you from?" He continued to question her.
She snapped out of her trance, and for a split second, her soul nearly left her body.
There was more than one Academy?!
Fortunately, the horned woman interrupted. "Does it matter? We only need someone for a temporary slot."
"Can you fight? Or are you a supporter?"
Misha remembered stabbing 5 goblins. "... More or less I can fight and support...?"
The brown-haired man snorted. "That’s not exactly reassuring."
"It means I haven’t died yet." She replied with a sheepish smile, trying very hard to sound more competent than she actually was.
A brief silence followed. Meeting his gaze, Misha had the distinct feeling that if she said something stupid, he would throw her into the nearest wall.
Then, unexpectedly, one of the group members laughed, it was the green-haired woman.
The man could only shake his head. "We’ll test you first."
Misha’s heart immediately sank when she heard those words.
Test? It sounded dangerous but unfortunately, she had already volunteered. There was no backing out now.
