Chapter 198: Fresh Fish Market

"But if the sword isn’t cursed, couldn’t we just return it to its original owner...?"

"Absolutely not!"

Warren glanced toward Xiao Tao beside him, but Xiao Tao remained completely unwilling to accept the idea.

Well, that was understandable. He probably did not have any fond memories of this sword, or rather, the knife it had taken the form of while he was carrying it.

Still, this was troublesome. Qiu Nuoya had never imagined that someone had deliberately concealed the sword’s information. He could see the entire set of information perfectly clearly with his own Appraisal Skill, yet apparently something like this was possible.

Is it simply a difference in skill level? Or is the Appraisal Skill itself different depending on who possesses it?

And then there was the Divine Sword Velikorya.

Was it really safe for Warren to keep using it like this?

"Oh, right. I’ll tell you about the only information I was able to see. That sword has various magical enhancements that increase its abilities and stats. Even if you tried to buy it normally, it would be worth more than ten platinum coins, so take good care of it."

The Divine Sword Velikorya is expensive even if you buy it normally! And it costs more than ten platinum coins? That’s absurdly expensive...

"Wait... You’re saying it’s that expensive? There’s no way I can bring myself to use a sword that valuable..."

"Hahaha! Once you actually use it, a sword is a sword!"

Igor laughed off Warren’s concerns.

"Don’t treat it like it’s someone else’s problem!!!"

Warren once again shouted his protest at Igor.

After finishing the appraisal of the sword and having Xiao Tao’s identification card made, the group left the shop and headed toward their next destination.

The fresh fish market!

Of all the things Qiu Nuoya wanted to see in this city, this was what he had been looking forward to the most. Naturally, his steps felt considerably lighter as they headed there.

By contrast, Warren’s footsteps had grown increasingly heavy.

After all, he now had an unbelievably expensive sword hanging at his waist, thanks to the appraisal.

"No, seriously, there’s no way. No, no, no. Using something this expensive as an everyday weapon is way beyond me!"

"Then would you like to sell the sword? Now that we know it isn’t cursed, I believe it should be possible to sell it. However, as long as the sword currently favors you, meaning that you are acting according to its will, it should remain harmless to you. On the other hand, if the sword does not approve of you parting with it, it may pursue you wherever you go. Are you prepared for the possibility that the sword might even stab you?"

Viktor’s words left Warren speechless.

Meanwhile, Igor burst into laughter.

"That sword sounds like a stalker who’s obsessed with someone they fell in love with. Something like, ’If you won’t love me, then I’ll kill you and die with you!’"

Igor continued laughing heartily, causing the wrinkles between Warren’s eyebrows to deepen.

"Well, Warren, look at it this way. You aren’t cursed, and the sword itself is an incredibly valuable weapon. You could consider yourself lucky."

"Even you, Nuoya...?"

Warren let out a troubled sigh.

Beside him, Xiao Tao was still clutching the edge of his clothes as he quietly mumbled, "Um, I really am sorry about this, but there’s no way I could ever use that sword properly. So I’d actually be really grateful if you could use it."

"And if possible, it would really help me if you could protect me with that sword until I’m able to stand on my own..."

"Ugh..."

Warren choked on his words at Xiao Tao’s request.

Hmm... Aren’t his ears a little red?

Warren had always seemed like the big-brother type, someone who probably liked being relied upon by the people around him. And then Xiao Tao came along and made a request like that.

Did that just hit him right in the heart? Is Xiao Tao naturally like this? If he’s doing this on purpose, he’s unbelievably good at playing cute!

"A man should be able to protect himself!"

"Uu... You’re right. I’m sorry..."

Xiao Tao looked dejected and Warren glanced toward Qiu Nuoya with a troubled expression.

No, don’t look at me like that. You’re only making this harder for me too.

"I’ll make sure to protect you properly, Xiao Tao, so don’t worry. Everyone in our party is incredibly strong. You have nothing to worry about."

At Qiu Nuoya’s reluctant reassurance, Xiao Tao nodded with visible relief.

Xiao Tao was probably another cheat character like Qiu Nuoya, so he should theoretically be capable of protecting himself. However, he still had no idea what kind of talents were lying dormant within him, so there was not much he could do about it for now.

Until he’s able to protect himself, I’ll do my best to support him.

After all, they were from the same hometown.

...

When they arrived at the fresh fish market, they found stalls selling all kinds of colorful fish.

Some of them were such bizarre colors that Qiu Nuoya wondered whether they could really be eaten. But of course, different regions had different kinds of fish. That yellow one over there, for example, almost looked like a tropical fish if he looked at it closely.

Though it does have fangs.

Qiu Nuoya browsed the colorful fish while asking the vendors how each kind was normally prepared.

"This one is best stewed."

"That one tastes great when fried."

"Try this one with seasonal vegetables. It’s delicious."

He received all sorts of useful recommendations, but there was still no mention of sashimi.

"Um, I have a question. Here at Cider Lake, is it not possible to eat fish as sashimi? I mean, raw?"

"Huh? You mean eating raw fish? Nobody normally eats something that disgusting. The only people who eat raw fish are customers at the Paws & Claws Eatery."

"Paws & Claws Eatery? Is that a restaurant?"