bookpub Chapter 18: A Simple Bet
Chapter 18: A Simple Bet
Deklan watched curiously as the red ritual formation settled underneath the spear.Like any formation, it was circular.
Inside was another circle formation with strands of red strings intertwining with each other, forming a nexus of strings that looked like spider webs. Once the formation glowed, the spear levitated and then stood upright.
"Cool..." Deklan commented in amusement.
Right now, he felt like he was watching a magician performing a trick.
Normally, in horror movies, the ritual formation would need several components, like candles or salt, and more importantly, all of them looked scary and demonic. But this Strength Ritual was a lot more magical than scary, which Deklan appreciated.
Energy seeped out from the ritual formation.
It seeped into the spear from the bottom, cracking its surface and exposed the reddish gleam within.
For a few seconds, the spear pulse multiple times until eventually, the ritual dissipated.
Deklan caught the spear before it could fall.
He inspected the spear and couldn’t help but appreciate the change in design.
Earlier, the spear was completely white from the handle all the way to its head—the shade of white was the only thing different between the handle and the spearhead. Now, the handle was cracked along its entire length, and a red hue gleamed from within.
Deklan swung it around and saw that the spear now left a trail of red.
"It’s like having a premium skin in a game. Being in this world is more fun than I thought!"
...
[Albino Spear]
Rank: F → E
Description: A sleek, ivory-white spear comprised of refined steel. Despite its delicate appearance, it’s unnervingly sharp and perfectly balanced.
Boost: Increase strength slightly.
...
"Oh, it even went up a rank," Deklan smiled inwardly as this was a well-timed boost.
Not only did its durability increases along with its rank increases, but the spear also brought a boost.
For his very first weapon in this world, this was not that bad.
"Young master...?"
Deklan glanced over his shoulder and put the spear away, seeing that Marsha was already up.
And from the look of shock on her face, it seemed she had watched the entire ordeal.
"Oh, Marsha, you’re up?"
"Have you been training all night? Shouldn’t you rest first? If you want, we don’t need to go today."
"No need to worry about me," Deklan approached—and pinched her cheek again, which she already expected that he’d do from his gesture. "All I need is a good scrub, and then we can be on our way. It’s no biggie."
"Mmh," Marsha nodded—then shifted to the ground where the ritual formation was. "And what about that? What is that? How did young master do that?"
"Magic!" Deklan headed back inside and waved his hand. "I’m more capable than you think."
[Stop trying to score points, host. It’s annoying.]
Oh? What’s this? Are you perhaps jealous? Just tell me. If I’m a girl, I’ll also like me.
[No, host. I’m worrying about Marsha’s future because of your bad influence.]
You know what?
[What?]
Fuck you.
Deklan stopped when he was by the door and turned to face Marsha again.
"Oh, Marsha, in case I want to bully Granny Linsa, how would you feel?" He asked straight-up.
"Don’t do that, young master..." Marsha shook her head, surprised that Deklan would even suggest doing that. "If you’re angry, then you can take it out on me. You can be mean to me, but don’t bring granny into this."
Deklan’s lips curled into an annoyed smile.
Even though he expected this answer, hearing how Marsha framed it annoyed him.
What do you mean don’t bring that old hag into this? She’s the one who started this!
Although he wanted to burst, Deklan swallowed the curse words he wanted to spew with every ounce of his willpower.
It was hard, but he managed.
Marsha stared at Deklan dubiously, worried that it was the wrong decision to let Deklan handle this, "Ermm... Young master, can we not go? I don’t think it’s good for you to meet Granny. Don’t worry, I’ll find a way not to dwell deeper into the forest, and not take your pumpkins."
Deklan rubbed his forehead and pinched her cheek again.
But this time, he did it harder than normal.
"Since when did this become about me not wanting to give you my pumpkins?" Deklan raised a brow, looking at this annoyingly selfless—and innocent woman. "Fine. Since you don’t want me to bully Granny Linsa, why don’t we make a bet?"
His lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Back in his home world, his victims for bullying know no bounds.
Be it classmates, seniors, or even teachers—he can bully them all.
Not to brag, but it was a fact.
Right now, his annoyance stemmed from Marsha being timid, but he would vent it out to Granny Linsa.
And he knew exactly how to do that.
"A bet...? What kind of bet, young master?"
"It’s a simple bet. I’m going to make a stunt when we meet Granny Linsa, and if you ever change your mind—and allow me to bully her badly, you will give me a cue. If you didn’t change your mind even after my stunt, then I’ll not bully her."
Marsha was alarmed.
She didn’t know what Deklan was going to do, but it seemed he wanted to prove something to her.
And somehow, this made her worry.
Even so, Deklan was willing to go this far to consider the feelings of a peasant like her, so this is the least she could do. Biting her lower lip, Marsha eventually nodded, "How... How do I give you the cue? Should I just tell you?"
"Tell me? Of course, not. You’re really annoying me right now, so the sign will be..." Deklan leaned his face close and tapped her cheek. "A kiss on the cheek!"
"Eeh?!" Marsha stammered, her face turning redder than a tomato. She then turned her face away, "O-Okay..."
She accepted? I was only playing.
[Right... Playing. Keep telling yourself that, host.]
...
Moments later, Deklan had cleaned himself up and was now feeling like a new man.
He wasted no time and headed to the Ward, ready to erase the protective bubble around the hut.
Now it’s time for him to spread his wings and venture out into the vast new world.
"System, raise the Ward to level 5."
[Leveling up the Ward to level 5 will cost 20 Spooky Dollars. Do you want to continue?]
"Yep."
[Are you sure?]
"Fuck yes, I’m sure! Do you have to always ask me twice? How do I turn this setting off?!"
Swish!o check? That kid Brian usually sneaks out in the middle of the night, so we can use him."
"Leave her," Granny Linsa waved her hand dismissively, thinking nothing of the situation.
She’ll give more time before making a move.
Besides, it has been quite some time, and the young master has never even visited the hamlet.
Even his loyal guards never set foot, so Granny Linsa wasn’t worried.
Perhaps, his loyal guards have already abandoned him by now. Who knows?
Just then, Granny Linsa and Adrian heard a shout.
Not from the line, but from the far side of the square—a few men were running.
Adrian noticed them to be the men who were usually hanging out outside the hamlet and lazing around. And right now, these lazies are running frantically. It seemed they were running from something worrisome.
Or maybe someone.
"It’s... It’s the young master! Young Master Deklan! He’s angry!!"
"Young master!!"
Hearing their shouts, Granny Linsa frowned hard, "Young Master Deklan came...?"