Chapter 189: A temperamentally beautiful woman

Words : 1272 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

"That was exhausting..." Strax murmured as he descended the inn's stairs. "Honestly, what a hassle..." he said, facing the street in the city of Eldoria. "I think I'll just try to calm down first..." he said, as the soft light of dawn began to illuminate the surroundings. The morning tranquility was a stark contrast to the tension he had just left behind... 'Female rivalry is terrifying!' he exclaimed inwardly, especially since he didn't even have Tiamat and Ouroboros right in front of him. 'This is going to escalate massively...' he thought. As time passed, he tried to distract himself while walking aimlessly, reflecting on the recent complications in his life, and of course, there was still the auction... The week-long delay seemed endless... Time seemed to have stopped with the problems and wasn't advancing for anything in this world... What was left? Two days? It felt like two weeks! The city, usually vibrant and full of life, was now relatively calm. 'It doesn't even look like that bustling place full of big problems and loud bars... how surprising.' He thought, noticing that the neon lights which usually dominated the environment had gone out, giving way to the natural sunlight. It was a sunny day, and Strax decided that if he had to spend some time away from home, he might as well enjoy it by doing some shopping, especially if he could find things to help with the dragon heart heist. After a few minutes of wandering the streets, he spotted a small shop with a subtly glowing sign: "Beccy's Enchantments and Magics!" Curious, he approached and entered the shop. The interior was filled with magical items of all kinds: bottles with colored liquids, scrolls, potions, and amulets. The ambiance had a magical and mysterious atmosphere, with the scent of herbs and spices in the air. He didn't see any attendants, so he decided to explore the shelves on his own, examining the items in search of something interesting or useful. While examining a shelf of sparkling bottles, a movement in the shop caught his attention. On the other side of the shop, a woman was trying to reach a bottle that was on a very high shelf. She appeared frustrated, stretching her arms in an attempt to grab the item that was clearly out of her reach; she wasn't short, about 1.75m tall. Strax watched the scene with an amused smile, thinking about how he could help, finding it cute to see her on tiptoe, making small jumps to reach the bottle, and failing miserably. He approached with light steps and, before she could notice, reached the bottle and took it with ease. When he turned to hand it to her, he was surprised by the sight of the woman. She was stunning, with sky-blue hair and a presence that immediately drew attention. Her eyes, a deep blue, seemed to penetrate every detail around her with an almost overwhelming intensity. She was dressed casually, in a white blouse and a short skirt, but there was something commanding about her posture and the way she moved. Additionally... 'Analysis doesn't work...' he murmured, trying to use the innate skill of the system... something that, well, seemed common in a world of weaklings, 'Grandmaster and above...' he thought. "Here you go," Strax said, extending the bottle to her with a friendly smile. The woman looked at him with a mix of surprise and disdain. She took the bottle with one hand, her gaze turning cold and calculating. 'Not so bad... but still lacking polish...' She reflected on her own impressions. She was known for her strength and temper, traits that often intimidated those around her. Yet, there was something genuine and unexpected in the way Strax interacted with her, making her question her usual judgments. 'He didn't feel fear?' She wondered, 'No... my aura is contained... perhaps if I...' She released more of her aura. But nothing changed... He continued searching for what he wanted with no significant reaction or change in expression. 'Doesn't he feel the cold?' She questioned, the dense air had almost frozen, and even where she touched, small shards of ice were forming... Finally, after exploring the shop for a while longer, Strax decided it was time to leave. He approached her, who was still watching him with a curious look. "I think I've seen enough," he said with a friendly smile. "It was nice meeting you; I hope to see you another time." He said, smiling while being... extremely polite. She raised an eyebrow, a mysterious smile appearing on her lips. "Likewise, Strax," she replied, her tone still carrying a subtle authority. "I hope you find what you're looking for." With that, Strax left the shop, feeling a bit lighter despite still being concerned about what awaited him at home. As he walked away, he couldn't help but think about the mysterious woman he had just met and how much she had impressed him, even if only with her presence and attitude. 'Who knows who she is, but I'll keep an eye on her... She's dangerous... much more than anyone in this city...' Strax murmured, 'I hope she's not the person the White Falcon mentioned...' As Strax moved away from the shop of enchantments and magic, she watched him with a thoughtful expression. The encounter with the man had been an intriguing curiosity for her, and even after the interaction, the impression he left did not easily dissipate. She was beginning to question whether Strax was merely a fleeting distraction or if there was something more significant hidden beneath his seemingly ordinary surface. However, her attention was quickly diverted when a soldier appeared from the back of the shop. The man, with a firm posture and a serious expression, approached her with an urgent message. "General Kryssia..." The soldier began, slightly trembling in her presence, his voice carrying a discreet urgency. "We've dealt with the shopkeeper as ordered. She confirmed that a group of merchants bought a significant quantity of drugs from this side of the city. She was only acting as an intermediary." Kryssia raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting to one of disdain as she listened to the report. The disdain on her face was evident, a reflection of her frustration with the situation. "I understand..." she commented, her voice tinged with irritation. "What a joke. This place was dirtier than I expected." She adjusted her clothing, visibly uncomfortable with her current outfit. Although her attire was casual, she preferred more practical and less revealing clothing. Her discomfort with the short outfit was evident as she grimaced while adjusting her blouse and skirt. "I hate wearing short clothes..." Kryssia murmured to herself, adjusting the skirt with a look of displeasure, though the soldier clearly disagreed... he didn't take his eyes off her legs for a second. "But we have work to do." Shifting her attention back to the soldier, who quickly looked up, Kryssia regained her authoritative and focused posture. Her gaze was now filled with calculated coldness. "Kill her, and shut down this place," she ordered with a decisive tone. "We don't want any more distractions. It's crucial that this network is dismantled without leaving any traces. Also... I want you to look up a name for me..." she said, glancing towards the exit. "Strax... get me everything about this man," she said, with disdainful eyes following the man as he moved away down the streets. "This is starting to look interesting..."

Chapter 189: A temperamentally beautiful woman

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