Vol-2: 081. This Isn't Training a Dog, It's Love

081. This Isn't Training a Dog, It's Love

"Niuzi, go buy me a Dumb Monkey."

"On it, bro."

"Niuzi, book a hotel for me."

"Already done!"

"Niuzi—"

"Yes!"

As he trudged through the shopping district, Caramel Snail was laden with bags, panting heavily. Whenever Li Aozi called for him, he would reflexively respond before setting down the luggage and standing at attention.

"Hmm…" Li Aozi rubbed his chin. "I haven't thought of anything yet. Just keep holding the bags."

"...(Very polite words)."

Putting Caramel Snail through the wringer wasn't some random whim or mean streak of Li Aozi's. It was just an excuse to continuously feed him experience points, making sure his level was boosted enough so that he wouldn't be killed by stray explosions during battles.

Honestly, though, Tianhuan was one of the four major nations, and its shopping streets and malls were full of dazzling products. Now that he was here, Li Aozi didn't bother to hide his Red Arrow nationality, freely spending its strong currency, Gallons, mostly on everyday necessities, biological materials, and snacks.

He had little interest in luxury items. He used to smoke occasionally to relieve stress, but ever since he noticed Alexia would frown slightly at the smell of tobacco, he quit entirely.

To show off his Red Arrow identity, he swapped out his recognizable "junkyard scavenger" trench coat for a white shirt, a dark blue waistcoat, and cross-shaped cufflinks, topped with a long, high-collared leather coat, subtly patterned with dark irises.

Li Aozi tied a lock of hair near his right temple into a braid, securing it with a golden-brown cord. This gave him the appearance of a true Red Arrow elite.

In contrast to the loose and sloppy robes of Tianhuan, which no one particularly liked, the fashion of the Red Arrow Empire revolved around black and white, exuding understated elegance. There was an innate pride and nobility in the way Red Arrow citizens carried themselves, as if being part of the empire naturally made them superior.

In fact, the outfit Li Aozi bought from the mall, [Days of Yore], was Red Arrow's "graduation attire"—something only available for purchase after achieving 100% completion of the main storyline and reaching the version's level cap in that nation.

[Outfit Name]: RAE-Days of Yore (Men's Edition)

[Quality]: Formal Wear

[Description]: "Chasing trends? Why not be the classic?"

The most iconic piece of Red Arrow's Imperial Impressions series, Days of Yore, embodied the peak of the empire's glory days. The empire's national flower, the dark blue Arrowheart Iris, adorned the coat. The high-collared, double-breasted design and padded shoulders refined the typically lean physique of Red Arrow men, sculpting them into the regal and elegant figures reminiscent of a "vampire duke."

Days of Yore focused on enhancing a man's sense of power and Alpha presence. The corsets were a torment for women, but for men, the high-flex polymer fabric emphasized their muscle definition, lifting the chest and tapering the waist. Broad backs and developed pectorals were the epitome of masculine charm. There was no need to worry about losing shape from overusing performance-enhancing drugs—no "Oly belly" would ruin this perfect look.

To accentuate the ideal male physique, the pants fit snugly around muscular thighs, showcasing a healthy and powerful silhouette. The matching tall boots featured three leather straps, modeled after military footwear, emphasizing strength and dominance. We promise you: Red Arrow's imperial impression won't stoop to revealing the chest and tight buttocks like the Frost-Plated Republic's fashion. In the empire, a man needs only his aura to conquer women—and the reverse is equally true, as the women's version combines military and aristocratic excess in a seamless blend.

[Outfit Effect]:

(Red Arrow Empire Citizens Only) Wearing this outfit allows [Charisma] to generate both 'Intimidation' and 'Fear' effects, making you appear 'Arrogant' to others.

[Price]: 150 tokens

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In contrast to the practical and convenient "scavenger" outfit, Days of Yore expressed a bold personal style. It made it immediately clear that Li Aozi was from the Red Arrow Empire, even though his external features—foreign skin tone and Frost-Plated facial characteristics—stood out from the usual blond-haired, blue-eyed Red Arrow citizens. But the moment people caught sight of his proud, hawk-like gray eyes, they forgot about such trivial matters.

Li Aozi's lavish spending of Gallons and his conspicuous Red Arrow outfit were not just for show. One reason was to replenish the supplies for his biopool, but the other was to spread the word that he had arrived in Nuliang City.

Relations between Tianhuan and Red Arrow were not good. The recent Huameida Archipelago incident and Tianhuan's economic stagnation (exacerbated by Red Federation interest rate hikes) had only strained the already icy diplomatic relations. The tension was temporarily shelved due to the Frost-Plated issue, but far from resolved.

Moreover, Li Aozi was a globally known (and wanted) figure. It wasn't long before rumors about his arrival spread like wildfire.

Tianhuan's government, which operated with a "maintain the facade, neglect the reality" approach, was caught off guard by Li Aozi's entry. But when they considered arresting him, they ran into a problem:

Li Aozi was a wanted criminal in the GTB for crimes in the Frost-Plated Republic, but everyone knew that his actions in Granat had been carried out under orders from powerful figures.

Besides, after Li Aozi killed the Granat Duke and dealt the Frost-Plated air force a crushing defeat, his combat strength was widely recognized as being near-Gamma rank. The officials in Nuliang City weighed their options and realized that, aside from having faster dive speeds, Tianhuan's air force didn't really compare to Frost-Plated's vulture fighters.

After much deliberation, the Nuliang City government decided to take a hands-off approach. They didn't bother monitoring a near-Gamma rank powerhouse from an unfriendly nation, nor did they even attempt to follow him.

Not to mention, even if they could track someone of that caliber, if anything were to happen, it would likely result in a multi-Gamma ranked brawl that would level the entire city.

Given the destruction he caused in Granat, they figured the city wouldn't survive either.

Forget it—why bother? We make less in a month than he spends in a day. Not worth the trouble.

While the Nuliang City government resigned themselves to "neglect," the city's populace was abuzz.

"Hey, hey, that's Li Aozi, isn't it…"

Caramel Snail clearly noticed how the crowd parted around Li Aozi, whispering and pointing as they passed.

"He's a once-in-a-millennium beauty. Gender doesn't even matter against that kind of charisma."

"I never believed Frost-Plated's warrant, and now that I've seen Li Aozi in person, I believe it even less."

"Honestly, even if he did commit a crime, he should be forgiven."

"Who's that ugly guy next to him? No class, no looks. I'd make a better attendant than him."

Caramel Snail felt a black cloud looming over his head. As a social anxiety sufferer, he hated being the center of attention. However, when he realized that all the focus was on Li Aozi and people were debating over who would make a better attendant, he felt a strange discomfort.

He didn't want to share Li Aozi with anyone else. He even silently deleted the draft post he had written for the forums.

Caramel Snail's tiny thoughts didn't escape Li Aozi's notice. He was an open book, wearing his emotions on his face—Li Aozi would never lose at poker against him.

[Good. He's starting to develop dependence, and his sense of identity is forming. Time to begin the mental conditioning.]

After wandering around with Niuzi for half an afternoon, Li Aozi kept an eye on the forums. Soon enough, local players caught wind of his arrival in Tianhuan.

With his objective partially achieved, Li Aozi found a martial hall and left the exhausted, bag-laden Caramel Snail with the instructor, tossing in a few hundred Gallons as tuition and tips.

Li Aozi only had one request for the instructor's training:

"Once his qi is awakened, beat him senseless."

"No problem!" The instructor slapped his muscled chest in assurance. "I guarantee he won't be able to get out of bed tomorrow!"

"Not that kind of thing!" Caramel Snail, who had spent the whole afternoon trailing after Li Aozi, was on the verge of despair.

Shopping with Li Aozi was like shopping with a woman—picking through everything, trying things on but buying nothing, stopping at every store. His legs were sore from the endless walking. This was a game, yet he felt inexplicably exhausted.

Now, Li Aozi was handing him off to some muscle-bound brute who said such predatory things—it made Caramel Snail shudder. He quickly grabbed onto Li Aozi's leg, wailing, "Aozi bro, you can't be this heartless! I've been your bag carrier all afternoon, don't do this to me—I'll die!"

"So you think I haven't done enough for you?"

"At least don't treat me like a dog!"

Li Aozi's expression shifted, his lips pulling into a slight frown as a hint of disappointment glimmered in his eyes. Almost unconsciously, he repeated a line from Abyss:

"Carrying bags, shopping, training—you've misunderstood. I'm doing all this to make you better, because I care."

Caramel Snail froze. Li Aozi, emanating both arrogance and powerful charisma, crossed his arms and turned his gaze away, looking world-weary.

"You're dumb, untalented, unskilled, and born into nothing—everyone hates you—but I don't."

Li Aozi's voice carried a note of self-deprecation:

"I thought that by showing you a world you'd never seen—the bustling marketplace, the intoxicating pleasures of capitalism—by letting you walk beside me, a Red Arrow citizen, I'd give you a taste of being treated like someone important. A street punk like you would never have the chance to experience such things. I thought that after seeing all this, you'd understand my intentions and awaken your ambition."

…Eh?

Caramel Snail remained frozen in place.

The game was so immersive, he had forgotten he was just a player inhabiting the body of 'Saga Ki.'

Is this really how Li Aozi viewed 'Saga Ki?'

Did he really believe he had talent and pitied him? Is that why he was so compassionate and encouraging, keeping him close?

Caramel Snail suddenly understood that he hadn't fully embraced the role of 'Saga Ki'—he hadn't been playing his character right, so he hadn't grasped Li Aozi's intent.

No wonder the developers implemented a [Disguise Mode]—it was the only way for players to truly live in the bodies of their avatars and experience the game as if they were alive.

'What would Saga Ki think? He definitely wouldn't want to give up this opportunity.'

"It seems I was too naive after all," Li Aozi shook his head, his eyes filled with both disappointment and regret.

Caramel Snail could faintly hear a sigh:

'I thought the rats in the sewers would dream of climbing to the moon, but it seems I was wrong.'

Casually, Li Aozi told the instructor:

"It seems this child isn't willing to fight—just teach him some basic moves."

"No problem."

He glanced at Caramel Snail, saying indifferently:

"This is it. If we're fated to meet again, we'll see."

With a wave of his hand, Li Aozi used gravity to gather up all his bags and began to walk away.

"Wait!"

Caramel Snail called out.

It wasn't just Saga Ki… This was his chance—his rare chance to stand on the same stage as those elite, untouchable professional players.

He didn't want to give it up.

He clenched his fists, staring resolutely at the instructor:

"Torture me however you want—bring it on."

Li Aozi glanced sideways at him, offering a subtle nod of encouragement.

['Li Aozi's favorability +10]

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