Sky World Vol 2 Chapter 2.02

VOLUME 2

Chapter 2: The Curse of the Pyramid
Part 2

As night fell, Jun and the others had a meeting with a guest at the bar on the first floor of the inn.

The small visitor was none other than Ryuka. She worked as the well-known shopkeeper of the second-hand shop in Payang. Eri and Yukaria both knew Ryuka from a while back.

“I think I stumbled upon something that can benefit us all…”

Ryuka initiated the conversation with Jun and the others. Her eyes twinkled as she saw t Kasumi’s delicious cooking. She had a request to ask of Jun’s group. She wanted to investigate the curse of a pyramid.

“A Pyramid? On this island?” Jun tilted his head. “And also, a curse? True, the mummies on islands like Gradia Island are said to attack with curses but…”

“Yes, a curse. Pyramids, among other things, aren’t really Chinese though.” Ryuka lifted her arms sweetly and dangled them like a weeping willow.

“I don’t think that.” Yukaria shook her head. “Pyramids aren’t just structures that exist in Egypt. Even China has ancient tombs that are pyramid-like in structure. Though I’m not sure if there would be any mummies in them.”

“Hey, Ryuka, do you want to experience that curse?” inquired Eri.

“Why would anybody want to go there to be cursed?” shaking her head, Ryuka responded. “For a skill max increase. Through a quest in the pyramid, one can increase his or her appraisal skill max to 110.”

“Appraisal, huh…?”

When it came to improving the odds in battle, be it through alchemical or combat skills, adventurers did not usually care for the max skill level.

The appraisal skill was a comparatively less important skill. Some rewards from killing monsters occasionally had hidden t.i.tles or effects. Depending on the situation, these items, sometimes cursed, could be identified using the appraisal skill.

If an adventurer paid gold to an appraisal NPC in town, the item could almost certainly be identified, no risk involved. The necessary funds, as far as an adventurer was concerned, were not at all large sums.

“Are you going to offer item identification in your shop?”

“We won’t have normal players come and bring us their items for identification. But, if we can promote our shop with it at all, we won’t be people who only seem to be able to run a shop,” Ryuka said calmly, sipping some tea after finis.h.i.+ng her meal.

Though Jun was already familiar with it, when he saw such a mature att.i.tude from her, his initial reaction was split into three. He could get upset over her boldness, or be amazed at it, or…

“You’re adorable! Ryuka, you’re an angel!”

“Ryuka-san, you’re lovely! Is it okay if I stroke you gently?”

Yukaria and Kasumi a.s.sailed Ryuka’s face from both sides. That was unexpected of the usually meek Kasumi.

“Kasumi, you still sleep with a stuffed toy, right? I have about a hundred of them in my bag, wanna see?” Eri whispered in her ear.

“Teehee, your cheeks are squishy.”

“Your hair is so silky. It feels so nice.”

“Oh, surely Jun too has trained his appraisal skill. I think he’s interested.”

Ryuka calmly looked up at Jun, while Yukaria and Kasumi were still playing with her like a toy. That girl’s presence of mind and composure seemed infallible.

“That pyramid is located in the far north of the island. It’ll probably take a few days to get there.”

“I’m a black magician, so I can teleport us back to the city afterwards. Even so, since we’ll have to be away for multiple days, during that time, Genta-sensei will be tasked with managing the shop.”

“Will Genta-san be okay?”

“If it’s just retrieving the prices by using the system… Worst case scenario, he can just contact me with the communication stone.”

Her former instructor, Genta, was a very good-natured person, so Ryuka said that he was not cut out for business due to that trait.

“If he buys things carelessly or lowers any prices, I said I’d be sure to punish him strictly so… I think it’ll be okay… probably.”

Jun couldn’t help but notice how Genta’s student was treating him.

“I’m interested. I haven’t completed this island’s quest list yet, so there are still many of this kind of secret quests left. I think it’s a great opportunity because I get to go on even more quests! How wonderful! This is great news!”

“Heeey, you shouldn’t get so enthusiastic over it!” retorted Eri, going on to say, “Well, I’m okay with it too.”

“Jun, the second cooking quest group will return in a week.”

“Well, then it’s settled. They’ll collect Altaria Berries.”

Altaria Berries, berries originating on Altaria Island, are the raw materials used in making jam. When Kasumi brought some of the jam to the cooking cla.s.s earlier, it was very well received.

“I’m happy to work together with Ryuka-san. By all means, let’s do it.”

Jun crossed his shoulders gently and looked at Yukaria. She was still hugging Ryuka, who had her face buried in Yukaria’s chest. She glared at Jun.

“Jun, get your fangs away from this innocent little Ryuka!”

“It’s okay if you’re teasing me, but you’re making Ryuka suffer.”

“Well…”

Ryuka, getting out of Yukaria’s cleavage, looked around, completely exhausted.