Outtakes

These are some tidbits that I almost put in the chapters, but decided not to for a variety of reasons (pacing, inconsistent characterization, bad weather, etc)

Note: These bits are non-canon.

Also, mild spoiler.

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(Chapter 13)

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(Inside Araun's general store)

Manco was about to leave when he remembers something.

"Hey, you said you were out of non-standard bolts. What says I can bring you some?"

"No need. A caravan's coming from the town this afternoon. They'll deliver a new batch of heads. Then I can make the bolts."

Later, they found out that the caravan has been ambushed. Most of the goods was looted, and the rest was burned.

〔Quest received: "Out of stock."〕

> Type: Collection. Difficulty: F

> Given by: Araun Pearce 〈Show details▼〉

> Location(s): Mistwood

> Details: Arrange for Araun to restock his crossbow bolts. He needs armor-piercing bolts, split-head bolts, and sickle head bolts.

> Reward:

1. 250xp

2. 30% discount on all goods and services at Araun's store

3. Improve standing with Araun

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(Around chapter 30, probably)

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(Inside the tavern of Mistwood Village)

"My name's Manco."

"Pfft!" She spit out her drink

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Get it out of your system!"

"No. Sorry! I'm a bit surprised!"

Luckily he didn't tell her his last name. That would certainly bring the conversation to a strange turn.

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Chapter 36-38

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(As Manco and Yuan Qiu were discussing the matter of rent?)

"I suppose compensating with my body is out of the question?" He jokingly asked.

"Really?" With a smile that sent a chill down his spine, Yuan Qiu flicked her wrist and summoned a balisong seemingly out of thin air. Giving it a twirl to unfold the blade, she asked: "Which part? Can I collect right now?"

"Nevermind!" Gulping, he gave up trying to tease her.

(After the machine was fixed)

"Now get out of the room!" Yuan Qiu ordered.

"Uh…"

"So I can test it. Or would you prefer sticking around and watch?"

The thought of the fearsome landlady being defenseless while immersed in the VR game rig sent mixed signals to his brain (and his groin).

(Author's note: The term is probably 'confused boner'?)

"No! I mean, the thought never crossed my mind!"

"What do you mean the thought never cross your mind? Do I look that ugly?"

"Ugh…" Mahn Li sighed internally. It was one of the 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' kind of situation. However he replied, he would be trapped.

"I mean… I value my life too much."

"Hmm. Good answer. Now, wait outside!"

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Chapter 39

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(after the internet connection and rent problems were solved)

Manco's first sensation as he woke up was pain all over his body. Like someone had laid him down and used a meat tenderizer to soften him up.

Panicking, he tried to open his eye…

…and found that he was only able to see out of his right eye. His left eye had been blinded! His vision flashed red, a visual shorthand announcing he had less than 10% HP left.

As his vision focused, he saw a small pack of squirrel-sized creatures on the branch front of him.

'Shit! Rabid squirrels!' In the forest, there would always be a chance that the normally docile creatures were infected with rabies and became violent. It was just his bad luck that this bunch found the branch he slept on.

'Dammit!'

They bared their teeth and hissed.

"Hey, hold still!" A voice came from behind him.

*Twang!*

An arrow hit the leading squirrel, knocking it alongside several more behind it clean off the branch.

Then a green glow covered his body and he felt the pain subside. With a grunt, he lifted his hand and cast a mana blast, cleaning the rest of the squirrels off the tree branch.

"About time you woke up!"

Turning around, he saw Cordelia sitting on a branch above him. She was holding a bow, and leaning against the tree, looking exhausted?

"How did you find me?"

"It's funny. I was hunting when I saw this small deer-like thing prancing around. It looked at me, led me to this tree, then disappeared! I looked up and saw a bunch of squirrels gnawing at your face."

Manco shuddered as he pictured the image. All that hard work and he almost died and lost his gun because of a bunch of squirrels!

Looking down at the ground, he saw hundreds of those tiny little creeps, half were dead and another half were injured. How long had Cordelia been here?

"Hey, you mind getting back to the village? I'm tired and I wanna sleep. I've been on this branch for hours." As if reading his mind, she spoke.

"Yeah, sure!" He nodded.

It took them a few moments to clean the ground of the squirrels, and they were on their way back to Mistwood Village.

[Summary]

She had leveled up to 10.

She fell asleep, and he carried her back to town.

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(Chapter 47)

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One-liners

(After a certain someone was killed)

"Hell of a way to cut ties!"

"Well, they certainly got their points across!"

"Were her remarks so cutting that they had to retaliate with THAT?"