Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva
Chapter 964 - 88: The Adventure Squad Just Out of Novice Village_2

"Let me try healing." Blanchi wielded the wooden staff in her hand, and a faint green light enveloped Audrey. Her calf felt much cooler and more comfortable, and the bite marks gradually faded.

"Wow, it actually works! I thought it was a gimmick." Prin said, surprised.

"Of course it works. The sword technique Shui Yanqing used really causes damage; otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to break the structure of those wild wolves."

"After all, if it mimics reality, it becomes more immersive."

"Ding ding ding! We've earned some income!" A moment later, Prin and Shui Yanqing appeared holding wolf pelts and Crushed Crystals.

"These are the pelts and damaged Demon Crystals dropped by the wild wolves we defeated—they should sell for some money."

"Once we reach the next town, we can buy profession books and let everyone change professions."

"That makes it super exciting all of a sudden."

"Haha, if we've had enough rest, let's hit the road. Once we walk through this forest, we'll see the town."

Carrying their spoils of wolf pelts and Demon Crystals, the six of them continued forward. Minutes later, they finally arrived at Timber Town, a place with seven or eight brick houses, significantly cleaner compared to the earth-and-mud houses in the previous village.

"Want to buy some apples, young ladies?" An older man called out to the six as they strolled down the small town's street.

"Are these apples tasty?" The six looked intrigued—it was novel to actually buy fruit in the game.

"Of course they're tasty! I brought them from the northern valley, where the apples are superb. They can even be used to make apple pies and cider."

"How much do they cost?" The group continued asking.

"One gold coin apiece—pretty cheap, right?" The man grinned widely as he handed over a plump, ripe red apple.

"We've saved up 50 gold coins—should we buy some?" Shui Yanqing turned to ask.

"Since you're asking, we're obviously buying!" Audrey chuckled lightly behind her hand.

"Quite predictable," Ores nodded slightly, indicating this was typical for Shui Yanqing.

"Stop teasing me." Shui Yanqing muttered. Then, she pulled out a pouch of gold coins and bought six bright red apples.

"There's a well in the town's central square," the uncle casually pointed out, as though understanding the young women's thoughts.

"Thank you~"

Each carrying an apple, the six entered the town. Along the way, they glimpsed several residents, altogether numbering a few dozen.

"There's a blacksmith shop here; can we buy weapons now?" Prin pointed toward a shop not far away, where the clanging of metal echoed.

Curious, the group headed over. Inside the forge, the blazing furnace radiated intense heat, and as they entered, they were instantly enveloped by the warmth.

"This is real ironwork," one of them remarked as they watched the blacksmith pull out a glowing hot piece of metal and hammer it into shape on an anvil.

"Were weapons really forged like this back in the day?" While many knew this, standing in the blacksmith shop and watching the red-hot iron slowly take form had a fresh novelty to it.

"Looking to buy anything, young ladies?" After placing an almost-finished iron sword into an oil trough to quench it, the blacksmith wiped his sweat and inquired.

"How much for the swords and knives hanging over there?" The shop had tools for farming as well as two knives and one sword.

"Knives and swords are priced the same—30 gold coins apiece," he briefly explained.

"That's kind of expensive." Thinking about the reward from their first quest, which was only enough to buy a single knife, the six felt a bit disheartened.

"I see you're holding wolf pelts and Demon Crystals. You can trade those at the general store next door for some money," the blacksmith suggested, pointing out the way.

"Got it." The group headed to the nearby general store, quickly sold off their items, and exchanged them for 102 gold coins.

"Now we've got enough to buy weapons. But I'd suggest checking out the town center first," Tilan thought aloud.

"True, we might find something more worthwhile there."

Thus, the six continued exploring the small town. After 20 minutes of browsing every shop, they gradually formed an idea.

"Profession books are the priority, but one entry-level profession book costs 50 gold coins."

"Let's settle professions first, since a profession comes with an entry-level piece of equipment."

"So, who's up next?"

"I think it's Tilan and Audrey's turn."

"No rolling the dice this time? Makes sense—it saves time, and there will be chances later."

They purchased two profession books, using the remaining money to buy an iron knife.

"Tilan, what profession are you planning to choose?" Ores leaned over to ask.

"Let me check. The options include Axeman, Spearman, Archer, Wizard, and Herbalist..." She eyed the list displayed on the interface.

"I didn't expect it to be this varied."

"What about Audrey?" Tilan turned to see that Audrey had already made her selection.

A glow extended from her belt, enveloping her entirely. Moments later, a lightly-clad robe and a feathered hat revealed the newly minted Troubadour, Audrey.

"I chose 'Troubadour.' I can use instruments to boost everyone's status."

"Isn't that more like a Songstress?"

"Audrey is really slacking—a support profession."

"I'm counting on you for combat, Tilan."

"You leave me no choice." Tilan teased with a smile, then skimmed the profession list and settled on 'Spearman.'

"Not opting for the sword?" Prin couldn't help but ask. If anyone knew Tilan's combat prowess best, it was her.

Though Tilan was only Sequence 5, in Prin's eyes, this seemingly fragile black-haired girl could effortlessly wipe the floor with them all if she wanted to.

"Using a sword all the time is too practical—in games, you shouldn't be too utilitarian." Tilan winked; using a spear seemed more fun.

"The spear surpasses the sword—that's an undeniable truth~" a nearby companion quipped.

After completing professions, the six gathered in the town square to sit and check the quest board.

"There are three quests available: First, deal with the hippopotamuses near the river so townsfolk can fetch water there. Second, repair the town's eastern watchtower to ensure safety. Third, eliminate the bandit camp in the mountain outside town."

"Hippos aren't fast, so even if we can't beat them, we can retreat. The watchtower seems challenging, as it might require specific professions or tools. The bandit camp is definitely harder, so let's save that for later."

"Let's check out the hippos first."

Eating their freshly washed apples, the six decided their next task.

Twenty minutes later, they crossed the town, climbed a small hill, and reached the river at the town's edge. The water was shallow, and three hippos were soaking in it.

"They're actual hippos—and they're Sequence 1 Extraordinary Animals." The group quickly noted their uniqueness.

"Ordinary wooden weapons and tools probably won't hurt them; we'll need iron ones."

"Should we give it a shot?" They exchanged glances.

"Go for it!" Prin was the first to rush forward, throwing a rock with force.

"Moo—" The hippos, startled from their soaking, let out low bellows.

"Here they come."

"Sword Stab." Shui Yanqing attempted a skill at the front.

The pale golden glow flashed, scraping away some muddy bits off the hippos' surface and exposing patches of pink, thick skin beneath. To the hippos, this attack was merely a scratch.

"They're charging!"

The three hippos lumbered, their massive flesh-coated bodies dragging mud and water, charging toward the six.

"We can't defeat them." Tilan attempted a spear thrust at one, but the hippo's immense frame nearly snapped her 'Novice Spear.'

"Weapons and skills can't break their defense." The limitations of entry-level skills and base profession attributes were evident.

Failing to make a dent, the six opted to retreat.

The hippos chased them over a hundred meters along the riverbank before they climbed uphill, at which point the creatures slowly gave up.

Breathing heavily, the six young women sat in a row atop a large rock on the hillside, gazing down at the river and the distant setting sun.

"We're stuck."

"These hippos' skin is just too thick."

"We'll need to figure out another solution."

"Guess we have to move on to the second quest."

"But it's getting late," Audrey pointed toward the slowly descending orange sun.

"It's already four o'clock—not bad."

"We started playing after lunch, so it's been a decent amount of time."

"Looks like we won't finish today—we'll have to stay at the town's inn for the night."

"Wait, do we really have to stay at the town inn overnight? I mean, can't we just save and leave for school, coming back tomorrow to continue?"

"That would ruin the sense of immersion."

"I really don't want to go back to school—I'm honestly afraid of Senior Idrylia these days."

"Can't believe you're developing a trauma."

"Alright, let's check out the second quest and spend the night in the town."

"The realism is getting stronger and stronger."

"Hope I get good sleep tonight."

"I'll document this adventure thoroughly—it could be great material for a new song." Audrey raised her Seven-stringed Zither.

"I have a weird feeling—this adventure might be full of surprises."

Prin looked up at the sky, where another distant continent floated high above—the next layer of the labyrinth.

"The legend is just beginning," someone whispered beside her.