Chapter 119 - 115: Camping, Pitcher Plant, Professional Badge

Chapter 119: Chapter 115: Camping, Pitcher Plant, Professional Badge

And yet, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with it.

Holy shit, what a "natural cycle." No sane person would have ever thought of that.

"Alright, go on back and make dinner,"

Lu Wei said, his expression suddenly turning stern. He was trying to shoo Bai Ya away so he could "dig up the grave" himself.

Unfortunately, he was a step too late.

Because in the next second, Bai Ya pulled another equally filthy, brooch-like object from the dirt pit.

"It’s actually quite exquisite... Ah!"

After wiping the dirt from its surface to reveal the brooch’s true appearance, her jaw dropped in surprise, as if she had discovered something incredible.

"What is it?" Lu Wei hurried over.

"This is..."

Bai Ya turned her head, answering in a daze:

"Th-this is a Mage Association Professional Badge..."

...

...

[Mage Professional Badge]

[Type: Accessory (Worn)]

[Level: High Level]

[Value: 8 gold coins]

[Introduction: An inverted triangular badge forged from pure refined gold. The front is engraved with the "Eye of All-Seeing," representing knowledge and Insight, while the back is engraved with the name "Anse Lin" and a blurry string of magical serial numbers.]

[Wearer: Intelligence +1, Charm +3]

[Note: Wearing this will not make you a Mage, but it can make others think you are one. Of course, this also requires a bit of acting talent and a Magic Staff that looks at least halfway decent.]

"CRACKLE... POP..."

Half an hour later, the fire was burning brightly as the sky gradually dimmed.

Furen had cleared the weeds and fallen leaves in a four-to-five-meter radius around the campfire. He’d then sprinkled a circle of Insect Repellent Powder, which was enough to ensure they wouldn’t be bothered by venomous critters like centipedes and scorpions tonight.

The stream crabs were already in the pot, tumbling in a soup with some fern roots and giving off a rich, savory aroma.

Lu Wei and the other three sat around the fire, silently staring at the pale gold brooch on the ground.

Clearly, the thing was real.

That meant a Professional—perhaps even a noble Mage—had died somewhere nearby.

Of course, according to Bai Ya’s "great forest cycle" theory, that conclusion wasn’t necessarily correct.

After all, it was possible a monkey had carried the badge across mountains and rivers, traversed the Lost Basin all the way from the Southern Forest, and then "accidentally" fallen into the trap of that Demon Vine Pitcher Plant.

The possibility existed, but no sane person would actually think that.

So...

"This is way too much of a coincidence."

After a long silence, Furen finally broke, muttering, "There are so many pitcher plants in this forest. Why would the badge happen to end up in this one?"

"It is too much of a coincidence."

Lu Wei nodded. "And Bai Ya found it almost as soon as she started digging. That means it can’t have been there for long. A year at most, maybe even just a few months."

"So what do we do now?"

Furen looked around worriedly. "Should we move camp?"

"That... let’s not."

Lu Wei thought for a moment, deciding it wasn’t necessary to be that cautious. "I just did a lap around the area. I didn’t find anything out of the ordinary."

"Besides, even if this Mage really did die nearby, it doesn’t mean they were killed by a monster."

"And even if it was a monster, it’s been so long, it’s not like it would just hang around here forever."

"So let’s just rough it for one night."

"But this whole thing is a good wake-up call. We haven’t run into any real danger on this trip, but we’re in the deepest part of the forest now. We can’t be sure when we might run into a powerful monster, so we have to be extremely careful."

Lu Wei’s tone was serious as his gaze swept over Furen, Bai Ya, and Mirana.

Furen, Bai Ya, and Mirana all nodded with grave expressions, promising to be more careful from now on.

The next matter of business was what to do with the badge.

"Same old rules. Let’s start the bidding."

Ignoring Furen and the now-broke Mirana, Lu Wei looked directly at Bai Ya and reminded her in a serious tone:

"Furen was right before. Bidding within the party is a perfectly fair and normal way to distribute loot. If you want it, make an offer. Don’t be shy."

"Oh, okay..."

Bai Ya answered meekly, stealing a glance at the badge. From the look on her face, she really seemed to want it.

After all, she was using her [Skillful Hand] skill often these days, and even with 12 Intelligence, she always felt like she didn’t have enough Magic Power... ’Oh, who am I kidding!’

’To hell with Intelligence!’

’I admit it!’

’I just want that +3 to Charm!’

Her gaze shifted to the silent Mirana. Bai Ya bit her lip, convinced that this attribute bonus was crucial for her.

’First of all, every girl wants to be more charming. That’s perfectly normal.’

’Second, Mirana is taller than me and her chest is bigger. I’m already losing in the attraction department, so I have to make up for it with Equipment!’

’Otherwise, how will I ever win this war?!’

"I’ll bid one... No!"

With that thought, Bai Ya no longer hesitated and immediately made her bid. "I bid three gold coins!"

"..."

Lu Wei was taken aback for a second. He hadn’t expected her to open with such a high bid.

After a moment, however, he spoke up. "In that case, I’ll bid four."

Bai Ya didn’t hesitate. "I bid five!"

Lu Wei raised an objection. "Hang on, do you even have that much money?"

Bai Ya blushed. "I... I can borrow from Furen!"

"Alright then..."

Lu Wei hesitated for a moment before shaking his head, much to her excited anticipation.

"Then never mind. I’m out."

"Yay!"

Upon hearing she’d won the auction for the badge, Bai Ya jumped for joy. She quickly emptied her coin purse, pulling out all 3 gold and 5 silver she had.

Then she had Furen lend her another 1 gold and 5 silver, scraping together the full 5 gold coins.

For a piece of Equipment that gave four attribute points, 5 gold coins really wasn’t expensive.

Especially since this badge came with some extra "effects."

As for why Lu Wei was willing to let her have it at a bargain, without even trying to "maliciously drive up the price"...

For one, Bai Ya was the one who found the badge, so she deserved most of the credit anyway.

For another, he didn’t really need the four-point attribute bonus himself.

And finally, if he were being honest, there was one more thing...

’I saved you twice!’

’Gave you a steady job!’

’Gave you a Divine Skill Book!’

’And now I’ve let you have a piece of High Level Equipment!’

Looking at Bai Ya’s joyous face, Lu Wei gritted his teeth and made a resolution in his heart—

’Bai Ya!’

’Now we’re finally even!’

...

...

After splitting Bai Ya’s five gold coins and finishing dinner, the sky had grown completely dark.

The moon hung among the treetops, its faint glow draping the surrounding woods in a white veil.

Perhaps because of the badge, none of the four were in a particularly good mood. They only played cards for an hour before deciding to turn in.

"Good night, everyone."

Mirana was the first to get into her sleeping bag, as polite as ever.

"Good night."

Furen’s tone was glum. He still hadn’t won a single game of Gwent. Not against anyone! He had almost beaten Mirana tonight, but she turned the tables with a miraculous draw!

’Just luck,’ he thought. ’Tomorrow, I’ll definitely win...’

With this conviction, Furen replayed the day’s matches in his head and quickly drifted off to sleep.

But Bai Ya, also snuggled in her sleeping bag, couldn’t fall asleep.

Her Perception was too low, so she still didn’t have to stand watch.

But maybe for that very reason, she was getting a little too much sleep.

"Captain..."

Opening her eyes, Bai Ya looked at Lu Wei’s back by the campfire and asked quietly, "What are you doing?"

He was counting his money.

Lu Wei glanced back at her. "What’s up? Can’t sleep?"

"Mmm..."

"If you can’t sleep, you could follow Furen’s example and do a hundred push-ups over there."

"No way... So, do you sense anything different about me now?"

’Oh boy. So she’s already wearing the badge, huh?’

Lu Wei pursed his lips. "Oh, it’s a huge difference. You’re practically radiating Charm."

Bai Ya’s face lit up. "Really?"

"No."

"..."

Her eyes went wide, and Bai Ya froze.

And every time Lu Wei saw her with that expression, he was struck by a pang of guilt, as if he’d just tricked an idiot.

So he could only mutter in resignation, "Alright, fine. You do seem a little more... approachable."

"Hee hee~"

Bai Ya’s gloom instantly turned to joy, her eyes curving into crescents.

After giggling blissfully for a moment, she called out softly once more:

"Captain~"

"What is it now?!"

"Um, do you still have my pendant?"

"Hm?"

Lu Wei’s brow furrowed. He was instantly on alert, his mind racing to figure out what Bai Ya meant by asking this.

But before he could reach a conclusion, he heard her make a small request:

"If you have it with you, could I see it again?"

"Just for a little while..."