Chương 112: Upgrades

Esha twirled in front of the mirror, admiring the way the new leather gear hugged her frame. It made her ass look incredible, reason enough to buy it. Then she glanced at the price tag and winced. Steep. She'd have to grind her profession for months to make up for the loss. Professions might be the best way to earn credits outside of high placements in integration competitions, but she despised levelling her profession and most things that didn't involve fighting or training.

She marched to the counter and begrudgingly made the purchase. As the shopkeeper accepted her credits, she considered a far more enticing way to recoup her losses: robbing the Farmer. He had to be filthy rich after winning so many competitions and solo clearing gates that others found impossible to clear in a group. The trick would be convincing him to show his status page, and then she could guilt him out of his credits. She was still plotting when Gao nudged her with a knowing grin.

"I like the new look," Gao teased.

"Thanks. Did you see my ass?" Esha spun playfully.

"Very nice," Gao laughed. They stepped out into the street, only to bump into the Farmer himself. Joe was studying a rack of clothing, one hand trailing along the fabric of a toga. He looked utterly distracted. Esha scowled at herself, damn it, the new style actually suited him. No, she reminded herself firmly. He was ugly. An ugly Farmer.

"Still shopping?" Gao asked as they approached. Joe blinked, then smiled faintly.

"Yeah. I need to upgrade practically all my gear. It's getting embarrassing how few stat points I get from it now." Esha nudged Gao and gave a subtle hand signal, urging her to keep him talking.

"Oh, you should look at this one," Gao said, sliding a brown-and-green toga toward him. Joe scanned it with Identify, then shook his head.

"I need something with stats for intellect and wisdom." He moved toward a white toga with blackened tips. Esha almost ground her teeth. She still couldn't believe his highest stats were intellect and wisdom. He was still so strong it was almost mind boggling. She cursed his luck under her breath. Joe glanced at her, brow furrowed. She plastered on her brightest smile and ducked behind Gao, letting her take the lead again.

"Ooo, this one is very nice. And look. It gives a hundred stat points in both of those stats," Gao said. The Farmer's eyes lingered on her for a moment, suspicious as ever, before turning back to Gao.

"That is pretty good," he admitted. He raised a hand to the seamstress nearby.

"Excuse me! Could you try infusing this upgrade token into this toga and tell me what the resulting stats will be?" Esha almost choked as he casually handed over the token like it was nothing. She knew it; he was filthy rich. She had to rob him blind. Maybe she could even rope Corel into drugging him later… The seamstress touched the token to the fabric, her eyes going wide.

"Two hundred in intellect, two hundred in wisdom, fifty in agility, and… a skill that boosts the range of something called Mana Seed Sowing." So that was the source of his annoying seed skill, Esha mused sourly. She knew he had somehow planted seeds below her feet with just a glance. Stupid Farmer!

"Excellent. Could you infuse it? I'll take it. Also, do you have any footwear?" Joe asked. After infusing the toga and passing it to him, the seamstress blinked at the pouch he handed her.

"Wait, you gave me too much. I can't accept this."

"Consider it a tip. Thank you," Joe said with his usual calm smile before turning back toward Esha and Gao. Esha pretended to be busy herself with the nearby racks, though her mind spun with ways to lower his guard. The seamstress scurried off to fetch footwear, leaving Gao to press him further.

"Joe," She began, after Esha gently tapped her back.

"How did you get so many high-level crafters in one place? They even out-level the ones we have in Kunlun."

"I was wondering the same," Joe said.

"Most of them just showed up near the forest about eight months ago. Since I built the village and completed Yggdrasil, their levels skyrocketed. They've been making high-grade clothing and gear ever since. I don't really understand it myself."

"Is that common here?" Gao asked.

"Maybe it's your influence."

"My influence?" Joe frowned.

"Outside of letting them move in, I haven't really done much. Corel deals with any issues that arise, usually." Esha spotted an opening. She slipped closer and hooked her arm around his, tilting her head just so.

"You're far too modest, Farmer. Just being around you has a profound effect on people. Look at everyone staring," she gestured toward the curious faces watching them. Joe glanced around, only now noticing the many eyes turned his way.

"She's right," Gao added.

"You have more of an impact on the people here than you realize." Joe looked faintly unsettled by that thought, shaking his head just as the seamstress returned with an armful of footwear. Esha's lips curved into a smile as she leaned in.

"How about these? They've got the stats you wanted," she said, poking him with a pair of brown flip-flops. He wrinkled his nose at them, though he didn't outright refuse.

"I suppose I could use them for the stats and keep them hidden," he mused.

"Precisely. One set for stats, and another for appearance," she said smoothly, holding up a pair of brown boots.

"Like these. These suit you, Farmer." He eyed her with suspicion.

"Why are you being so helpful today?" Her fist twitched; she had to remind herself this was about buttering him up, not strangling him.

"I'm always helpful. You just never noticed."

"Mmmhmm," he muttered.

"I prefer these," Gao cut in, holding up another pair. Joe's eyes actually lit up at her suggestion, proving to Esha he had no taste at all.

"Those do look better. More practical. Excuse me," he called to the seamstress, "Could you infuse this token and check the stats?" Esha's jaw nearly hit the floor as he handed over yet another upgrade token. How many did he even have? They looked like peak E-grade tokens, worth millions! She shot Gao a quick signal. Ask about the tokens.

"Three hundred agility, one hundred vitality, one hundred endurance, and a random skill improvement," the seamstress reported. Joe nodded with a satisfied smile, taking the boots.

"Joe," Gao asked casually, "Where did you get those tokens? Were they prizes from the competitions?"

"What, these?" Joe said, pulling out three more like it was nothing.

"I purchased a batch at the last competition I won. First place can buy five each time, so I've got about twenty left. Here, take one." He handed one to Gao, who gave him a bright smile. Esha coughed loudly, stroking his arm while flashing her best puppy-dog eyes. The Farmer chuckled.

"Of course I've got some for you, Esh. Here," he said, handing her three tokens. For a split second, she almost kissed him on the cheek, but she reigned in the absurd impulse.

"Thank you," she said instead, giving his head a patronizing pat. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Over the next hour they escorted the Farmer around the village as he picked up a new pair of trousers and gloves, rounding out his gear purchases nicely.

"You two didn't buy much. How about your next items are on me?" he offered. Bingo! Esha thought. Her patience was paying off.

"How about three items? Some of us aren't as rich as others. And you owe me for being such a good friend," she said with a pout, all pretence gone.

"Hahahaha, okay, I get it. I was flaunting my wealth a bit today. Both of you, buy whatever you need. It's all on me." He beamed. Esha nearly, nearly jumped on him right there. __ Joe laughed as the shopping day wound to a close. He was a few million credits poorer, but with over five billion still sitting in his status, it barely mattered. Esha had been painfully obvious about angling for new gear, so he didn't mind treating her. What lingered with him instead were Gao's earlier words. Was she right?

Was his presence part of the reason so many crafters in Landradad had advanced so quickly? Did he somehow boost their growth, or even their luck? He shook his head. No, that was giving himself too much credit. Still, as they walked back toward his house, he couldn't deny he was pleased with the stat gains from his new gear. Agility and Vitality remained his strongest boosts, but the other stats had nearly doubled over his previous bonuses. A solid improvement. He pulled Jingu Bang from storage.

The staff had carried him through countless battles, the springboard for his rise in power. Was he really thinking of replacing it? A faint ache stirred in his chest. It felt almost like betrayal.

'Don't let attachments weigh you down,' Uriel whispered. For the first time, he understood her words perfectly. Which made him smile.

'Kakakakaka,' Joe laughed aloud, startling Esha and Gao, who exchanged a glance that said they were half-convinced he'd finally lost it.

"Are you two planning to stay the night? I was going to cook up a feast since we've got quite a few guests right now," Joe asked, eyebrows dancing.

"Well, when you put it like that… is there room for us?" Esha asked.

"I think we've got about seven empty bedrooms. Take your pick before Tevenny and her sister claim the best ones," Joe said.

"You can both join us in our bed if you'd like," Corel offered, appearing at his side. Joe stared at her in horror.

"No, they cannot!"

"I was joking," Corel said, tapping him on the cheek. He knew she wasn't, but he let the obvious lie pass.

"I'm going to cook while you ladies plot whatever it is you're plotting. Are Tevenny and the rest settled?" he asked.

"Yes, they're resting. I'll let them know you're cooking," Corel replied.

"Great," he said, skipping off toward the kitchen.

"I'll slip him some drugs later so you can both sneak in when he's passed out," Corel whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

"I heard that!" Joe shouted, retreating to the kitchen as fast as his feet could carry him. Voldura! That evening, Joe set up a large table outside by the lake. He invited the brats, Alice, and Felicia, until every seat was filled with hungry faces. He presented a feast fit for a king, platters of mana-enriched food that glowed faintly, tasted divine, and left everyone beaming. The air was filled with the aroma of cooked meat and roasted vegetables.

Joe leaned back in his chair, letting the buzz of conversation flow past him. Corel was deep in conversation with Gao and Esha, plotting something, he was sure. There was little point in trying to stop that trio once they started scheming; future Joe would have to deal with it. So instead he sat beside Tevenny, her sister Valeri, and the friend whose name had completely slipped his mind. Tevenny looked better than earlier, colour returning to her cheeks after a full meal.

She no longer looked like she might faint at the first breeze. Joe didn't know her well, but he admitted his interest in helping her hadn't been entirely selfless. During the Tides of Movement event, he'd seen how powerful her bloodline was. He hoped she might help him understand his own better. She also seemed to have some knowledge about fate, a subject that remained a mystery to him. Tonight, it was time to tap into that knowledge.

"A drink?" he asked, pouring her cup full.

"Yes, thank you," Tevenny said, sipping delicately.

"So, how are you finding Thropia and Heliopolis so far? Were you able to bring many over from your… clan?"

"Sect," she corrected softly.

"And yes. We managed to bring our entire sect over."

"I'm glad to hear that." Joe leaned back, gaze flicking skyward.

"Another world vanished from the integration yesterday."

"I try not to pay too much attention anymore. It's hard to imagine how many are losing their homes and lives," Tevenny said quietly. Joe nodded in agreement, taking a slow sip from his cup before leaning forward.

"How much do you know about bloodlines?" Her face twitched at the question, caught off guard.

"I know some. What would you like to know?" She replied.

"Have you ever interacted with one? Talked with it?"

"Talked with… a voice?" she asked, brow furrowing. Joe nodded.

"No. I've never heard of a bloodline able to communicate verbally," she replied, tapping the armrest of her chair as she considered his words.

"Maybe it isn't the bloodline itself speaking, but a connection with someone who shares the same bloodline?" Joe mulled that over. That would make more sense than believing the bloodline itself was whispering to him. Maybe Uriel wasn't the bloodline, maybe she was someone bound to it, someone who shared it with him. Gale's face suddenly flashed through his mind, her calling him brother, her tongue… he shook his head quickly before the memory made him gag. Tevenny tilted her head.

"Sorry, Ignore that. Just… a bad memory," he muttered, waving a hand.

"But what you said is interesting. Do you know of many people who share a bloodline?"

"I share mine with my mother. But my bloodline is stronger. Even when it's shared, it doesn't mean it's the same. For example, she and I have very different skills, though the bloodline is identical. And we don't share any sort of connection that lets us communicate through it." Joe nodded slowly. Maybe Uriel really was out there somewhere, tied to the same bloodline. He could try asking her later, when he was alone.

'Kakakaka, ask now,' Uriel's laughter echoed in his head. Joe shook his head. Either she could read his mind, or she was very perceptive. He wasn't sure how he felt about that.

"Are you worried?" Tevenny asked gently.

"If you do share a bloodline connection, I'd imagine the other person would be an ally, or future friend." That didn't add up to Joe. Uriel spoke in a language his translation skill couldn't recognize. Was she even part of the Multiverse?

"Thank you. You've given me a lot to think about. Bloodlines are complicated things," he said, taking another sip of his drink.

"They are," Tevenny agreed softly.

"Oh, one more thing. You never did get to tell me what my fate…" Joe stopped mid-sentence as three of his early warning vines flared to the east. He shot to his feet, eyes narrowing. Corel rose beside him.

"What is it? More invaders?" Joe nodded grimly. Why did trouble always find him when he was trying to relax?

"Action? Who do we kill?" Esha asked, eager.

"It's only a group of two. I'll be right back," Joe said, raising a hand before vanishing. To say he was angry was an understatement. Fury roared through him as he arrived at the site, where thrashing vines already ensnared two shimmering bubbles. Without asking a single question, his Aura surged outward, flooding the area in violet light. Mana erupted like a storm, shattering their defences. Joe appeared beside them, his feet smashing into armoured bodies. Metal cracked under his mana-coated strikes.

In less than five seconds, it was over. Unfortunately, both invaders bit down on some kind of suicide pill before he could stop them, choking to death on the ground. Joe cursed, kneeling by their bodies. Their storage rings had vanished, just like on every dead body he had encountered during the integration, so there was no hidden stash of items he could look through to find answers. And they carried nothing else of use. But one detail caught his attention: a strange snake tattoo inked onto the back of their palms.

With Farmer's Sight, he gave them one last inspection, but no further secrets revealed themselves. Grimly, he let his vines drag the corpses beneath the earth, offering them to the forest. When he returned, he relayed what he'd found to Corel and Esha before settling back into his seat, forcing his mind to calm.

"You were asking about your fate line?" Tevenny prompted, gently pulling him back to the conversation.

"Ah, yes. Sorry. Right. The fate line. You said you can see one now?" he asked, still shaken from the encounter. Tevenny tilted her head, then winced as she rubbed her temple. Valeri quickly dabbed her sister's brow with a cloth.

"Don't push too hard, Tev. It can wait until tomorrow if you're tired," Valeri said, her voice thick with concern.

"It's okay, sister. It won't push me too much. This is the least I can do," Tevenny assured her, though Valeri's frown deepened.

"I can show you your fate line, but only for a moment." She extended her hand. Joe took it gently. The world vanished. He stood on a cliff, the wind howling at his back. Above him loomed an impossibly vast silhouette, like a river of black stretching toward the sky. It wrapped around him, flowing endlessly upward, until it stopped, cut off as though severed from the heavens. Then the vision shattered. Valeri cried out, clutching her sister close, whispering frantically in panic.

Joe reacted instantly, Nature's Paradise flaring around him as he funnelled the stream through his touch into Tevenny's frail body. slowly, her breathing steadied, her racing heart calmed. After a tense moment, Tevenny raised her head, pale but steady.

"I'm okay, sister. Just a small shock." Valeri didn't let go, still hugging her tight, her hands moving anxiously across her sister's arms and shoulders in search of injury. Joe gently released Tevenny's hand and sank back into his seat, his mind heavy with the image of that severed black river.