Player Tendencies

"Brother I've seen you staring at that request for a bit, you decide if you're taking it?", a player interrupted Akiol's thoughts.

"I don't think this one's for me.", Akiol smiled, "You want it?"

"I'm looking to upgrade my bag so yeah, I'll take it."

Akiol handed over the request to which the player was momentarily shocked, "Oh! Thank you."

Staring at the request they looked back towards Akiol, only to find a different player at the same place. Looking about they couldn't find the player that had handed them this request. Looking back at the request their face twisted, "Ugh fighting slimes is gonna suck."

Akiol walked through the beaten roads of Purple Sunflower. Although {Way of the Galaxy} had a method to prevent people from prying into his stats he was unsure about his race. If someone figured out he was a Third Stage slime would he be hunted down despite being a player? Various forces from before had mentioned things about his core, so it was possible.

Additionally as a high quality race the Slime King mentioned that those who wished to know more about him would find out just the authority he wielded as a high class slime. This was even more troubling. He'd have to borrow something similar to Dot's mask to hide such things.

It should be fine if he stuck around the beginning areas for now. No starting player would have an idea of who he was, nor would have the Skills to find out. Yet he couldn't remain here if he wished to find capable individuals to challenge and learn from.

Akiol paused as a thought crossed him. He could also allow people to hunt him down regardless! This way he would be directly sought out and challenged by capable people instead of him hunting them down! The only issue with this is the potential Fourth Stage combatants that might be interested in a Third Stage slime core. 

Especially one from a Prince Slime. . .

It might just be worth the risk! Akiol was confident enough to not immediately be crushed by a Fourth Stage, after all the Undead King was among the peak of Fourth Stage. Granted it took a lot out of just about every talented individual he came across to fight the Undead King, and even then they needed another Fourth Stage to beat him.

Escaping wasn't entirely out of the question either though. Akiol decided to keep a look out for anything capable of thwarting appraisal Skills for now, if the worse case scenario occurs he would simply fight head on!

Akiol made his way back to Wharm. There was a flood of players leaving the area which made Akiol believe Wharm was successful in selling his wares. As he approached the cart's location he was surprised to see Wharm currently on the ground holding his nose, "I-I told you fine sir this is the only reasonable price I can sell it at!"

'I think he's unlucky after all.' -Stars

"Might be so."

"Are you kidding me you stupid merchant? Five thousand Bills for this?! Who are you trying to scam?!", a frustrated player held a clenched hand.

"I'm sorry but this is undoubtedly a treasure! I can't let it go for less!"

Currently a rug was laid out on the ground with several wares being shown. There wasn't much remaining on the rug, Wharm certainly had some success in selling. However the troublemaker. . .

"He's First Stage? What's someone like that doing in a beginner village?", Akiol murmured as he continued to watch the situation.

"Five thousand for some lame ass leather cloak! I can get a custom made one for five hundred! You're out of your mind!"

"Th-This is no ordinary cloak!"

"Sure it isn't. This is why I hate traveling merchants! I ought to take it from you!"

"That would be a crime good sir!"

"I came here since my junior mentioned a traveling merchant arrived, but who would've thought you were simply trying to scam them out of their hard earned cash!"

"I have many other affordable wares!", Wharm desperately tried to reason.

"You bastard!", the player went to punch again.

Akiol slipped by and caught the fist. He had gathered enough information. Although it sounds like the five thousand was an exorbitant price this level of violence was uncalled for. The player was startled and looked towards Akiol, "Who are you?"

"Adventurer.", Akiol didn't give his name, "Leave the merchant alone will you? Expensive prices aren't anything new, no need to rob the fellow."

The player swiped his hand free and Akiol willingly let go. The angry player looked up and down at Akiol before huffing, "I don't know why you're trying to protect an NPC, but whatever."

Once again Akiol felt like he was short a bit of information. He fully expected the heated player to break out into a fight but they left with no issue. Were they the kind to avoid conflict with strong opponents? 

Ensuring the player had left Akiol extended a hand towards Wharm, "You alright?"

"I must thank you yet again Akiol.", Wharm accepted the hand and Akiol pulled the unfortunate merchant to his feet.

Tenderly touching his nose Wharm winced and reached into his coat. A thin vial of a health potion was revealed and he tenderly sipped it. His broken nose began to heal at a visible pace and he wiped away the blood.

"Was it simply the price he was mad at?", Akiol asked.

"It would appear so. I was about to make that sale when that Resurrector punched me suddenly."

"His junior. . .", Akiol felt he finally finished the image, "I see."

Dusting off his crimson suit Wharm sighed, "It is good I managed to sell quite a bit of my wares. I shall gather some mercenaries and move to my next location. You have been an utter blessing upon my misfortune."

Reaching into his suit pocket and pulled out a wallet. As he fished for his money he was about to hand over a stack of paper bills towards Akiol when he was stopped.

Immediately Akiol realized that the west used paper bills as money. Compared to the central's usage of gold coins and Plates. Or the east's usage of the Sents. Still Akiol refused the money, "Where's your next location?"

"I'm heading to Green Bay village next. I've gathered word there's a surplus of Slime Cores. I plan to trade some of my wares and purchase a sizeable amount to sell to the Resurrectors for a profit."

'This guy might actually be lucky instead.' -Akiol

"Instead of the money I ask for a ride again. I have business in Green Bay."

Wharm's eyes lit up, "Are you positive? I can't keep bothering you like this."

Akiol smiled faintly, "It's likely Green Bay will be my final stop from you. Since we're headed the same way might as well stick together for a little longer."

This earned an enthusiastic nod from Wharm. Stuffing the paper bills back into his wallet he stumbled upon his words, "Give me a bit of time to clean up my wares and get some food for Rango. Then we can head off immediately."

Akiol looked upwards and shook his head, "Let's set off early morning tomorrow. Night arrives soon."

Realizing his mistake made in haste Wharm nodded, "Very well! I'll be here, we set off at daybreak."

After calculating the time Akiol nodded, "Daybreak it is."

Slipping into an alleyway Akiol logged off. He had spent a lot of time in A World's Legacy. Without the gaming pod it would be unwise to keep playing. Slipping off the headset he inhaled deeply and immediately smelled food.

Exiting his room he spotted Rue making a meal with chicken. Thighs were sizzling as Rue was tasting the various seasonings. Akiol approached with enough sound to not startle her and Rue looked back, "Ah so you do live."

"Did you think otherwise?"

"You were in your room for a while. I figured if you hadn't exited I would check."

"There's no need."

"As it appears. Come, I believe I am almost finished."

Peering at the food Akiol found that there was more than just chicken. It also had a large assortments of greens and a helping of rice. In fact it was a lot of food Akiol was unsure if he'd be able to finish it.

Remembering the meal he prepared previously Akiol felt he should probably increase the portion he makes for Rue. Unlike Akiol who took over the body of James, Rue's body was basically the same as his previous world.

A Demonfolk naturally had a larger appetite. He had forgotten this.

"You seem awfully skilled at cooking.", Akiol made a faint joke.

"Although my meals were prepared for me originally, my Blessing of Arms also makes me quite skilled with the knife."

"That doesn't correlate with cooking ability."

Rue nodded, "I had to try the seasonings we purchased ahead of time before adding it."

No longer pushing the matter Akiol backed off. Very shortly Rue finished and provided heavy plates for the two of them. Both sat down and silently enjoyed the food as night crawled over the apartment.

The food was delicious, even more so with company.