Chapter 46 The Phantom Troupe Leader of Meteor City 46 Ayana-neechan...
The system's notification in his mind was cold and abrupt, forming a stark contrast to the lingering warmth and deep voice from Kuroro's fingertips just now.
[Host, would you like to unlock other worlds?]
Ayana thought for a moment, then replied, "I refuse. Let's stay in this world for now and clear out the way first."
She is a person who finishes what she starts and doesn't like to procrastinate. She doesn't want to come back to do this after finishing that one thing.
【Understood. 】
Please continue to maintain the current mission line and actively promote its development.
"Then, I will issue the next task."
[Mission Objective: Get the adorable Kuroro to act cute towards you once.]
…Why is this still here?
Wait, what's this "cute god" thing?
[Host, this is the mission objective you personally selected initially. Please ensure its completion.]
Ayana twitched her lips and decided to put these complicated tasks out of her mind.
After all, he has more important things to do tomorrow.
With her thoughts in turmoil and her body exhausted, she lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
*
The next morning.
Before dawn, Ayana had already woken up.
The fatigue from last night had not completely dissipated, and with the mission on her mind, Ayana was unable to sleep peacefully.
She quickly tidied herself up, carefully inspected the potatoes she was going to take, and selected the best-looking ones. Without disturbing anyone, she left her residence again, her figure disappearing into the gray morning mist of Meteor City.
Following the rudimentary map that Machi had drawn and the directions she described, Ayana cautiously made her way towards the abandoned church to the west.
The closer you get to the outer perimeter, the more desolate the surrounding environment becomes, with rolling garbage mountains and a stale, musty smell permeating the air.
After walking for about an hour, the outline of a huge Gothic building came into Ayana's view.
The church was reduced to a dilapidated frame, standing alone amidst the ruins, a desolate sight.
Ayana went around to the back of the church and found a path that was almost completely buried by various debris and rubble.
She carefully walked along the path, keeping an eye out for any potential dangers.
As she reached the end of the path, Ayana suddenly came across a relatively open space.
This is the place.
She looked around, found a half-collapsed wall for cover, placed the package of potatoes in front of her, sat down against the wall, and waited patiently as Machi had instructed.
Time passed slowly, the sun gradually rose higher, dispelling the morning mist, but there was still no one around.
Ayana was filled with doubt, wondering whether she should wait any longer, when she suddenly heard extremely faint footsteps coming from not far away.
It seems someone is coming this way.
Ayana tensed up, held her breath, and turned her gaze toward the source of the sound.
A person dressed out of place in Meteor City was walking towards them. He was dressed in gray and looked to be around twenty or thirty years old. He stood at the end of the alley, hands in his pockets, waiting, seemingly hoping to try his luck here and exchange some expensive good things for a low price.
[New mission unlocked: Please reach an agreement with the outsiders to establish a long-term trade relationship.]
Ayana paused for a moment.
[Host, please seize this opportunity. A long-term, stable trading channel is crucial to your development.] The system provides timely reminders.
Ayana took a deep breath and slowly walked out from behind the broken wall, carrying a bag of potatoes in her hand.
The girl's appearance made the man's eyes sharpen, and his hand, which was in his pocket, seemed to be gripping something tightly as he watched the girl warily.
“I want to sell these.” Ayana went straight to the point, throwing the bag on the ground to reveal the potatoes inside. “These potatoes are of very good quality; you can check them out first.”
The man squatted down, picked up one of the potatoes and examined it closely, then asked, "How did you manage to make these things in Meteor City?"
“I have my own way.” Ayana downplayed the issue. “That’s not the point. The important thing is that, besides potatoes, there are many other plants and vegetables that I can supply to you steadily and at a lower price than any other source you could buy them from.”
The man straightened up and looked Ayana over again: "Long-term stability? Little girl, words alone are not enough."
“This isn’t just empty talk; we can agree on the rules,” Ayana said.
The man raised an eyebrow: "What rules?"
“First,” Ayana said, extending her index finger and meeting the other person’s gaze without flinching, “the transaction location is fixed here, and the time is set for this time of week. You can come in person, or send someone you absolutely trust to pick it up. I will bring more things next week, and I can guarantee an absolutely low price.”
“Secondly, you have to promise me one thing,” she lowered her voice, emphasizing, “you can’t reveal a single thing about me or the origin of these potatoes to anyone. If I hear any rumors about this in Meteor City, or find out that anyone other than you is watching this place…”
The girl paused, a flicker of an unreadable emotion crossing her eyes: "Our cooperation will end immediately, and I can't guarantee what I'll do to you."
Behind it lies a blatant threat.
After all, it was a transaction, and it was being conducted in a place like this. She had to make it clear to the other party that she was not someone to be easily manipulated.
The man narrowed his eyes, probably weighing the pros and cons.
He thought for a moment and asked, "The price?"
A flicker of joy crossed the girl's face, but it quickly vanished, replaced by her usual cold demeanor as she began negotiating with the man.
After some bargaining, both parties reached a price that was satisfactory to each other.
“It’s a pleasure doing business with you.” The man who called himself Slade finally nodded, took the potatoes from Ayana’s hand, and handed her a small packet of basic medicine and a small bag of ginseng. He said, “I will come again at the same time next week. I hope you will not disappoint me.”
“As long as your vows and sincerity are there, I will naturally not be disappointed.” Ayana put away the vows and medicine, her tone calm.
Slade said no more, quickly wrapped up the potatoes, and soon left.
He came here just to try his luck and see if he could get some good fortune.
After all, things are much cheaper in Meteor City compared to the outside world.
Transaction complete!
[Task complete. Congratulations, host, on successfully selling potatoes. Points reward has been issued.]
[Mission complete. Congratulations, host, on establishing a long-term trading relationship with the foreign merchant [Slade]. Points reward has been issued.]
[Note: This person's credibility is moderate; the host should remain vigilant.]
Ayana held the heavy money bag in her hand, and a weight was temporarily lifted from her heart.
Fearing that others might come, Ayana dared not linger and immediately returned along the same route.
The sunlight completely dispelled the morning mist, illuminating Meteor Street and revealing a scene of utter devastation.
But everything is about to change.
*
To be honest, after what happened yesterday, Ayana actually wanted to avoid Kuroro.
But thinking about the mission, after breakfast she still went to Kuroro's side and took the initiative to say that she had something to talk to him about, and even invited him to her room.
Kuroro looked quite surprised at the time, as if he hadn't expected her to come looking for him, but he still agreed.
Aside from Kuroro, the expressions of the others present were also quite intriguing.
Especially Finks.
He practically had "I knew you two were having an affair" written all over his face.
Ayana pretended not to see it.
"Bang."
The door was gently closed, leaving only Ayana and Chrollo in the small space.
Kuroro stood in the center of the room, not asking Ayana what she was going to do, but just looking at her innocently.
Although the boy didn't do anything, just standing there made Ayana's heart pound for some reason.
She took a deep breath, mustered her courage, ignored the dryness in her throat, forced a smile, and asked, "Kuroro, there's something I'd like to ask you."
Kuroro blinked and asked, "What is it? If I can help Ayana, I will do my best."
"I'd like to ask you, um... to cooperate with me a little."
Ayana, steeling herself, said, "Could you try making a cute or coquettish face or gesture towards me?"
As soon as she said those words, Ayana felt her face burning.
The boy didn't reply immediately; he remained silent.
The air seemed to freeze. Ayana felt awkward and was about to say something to ease the tension when the boy suddenly took a step forward, closing the distance between them.
He tilted his head slightly, gently tugged at Ayana's sleeve with his fingertips, looked up at her, his movements carrying a sense of complete dependence, and deliberately softened his tone, making it sound sticky and affectionate, as he asked, "Is this how it is?"
The rabbit's ears twitched.
This isn't over yet.
The boy's thick eyelashes trembled, and his dark eyes, filled with confusion, looked at Ayana timidly, like a black kitten tentatively extending its paws, yet afraid of being rejected, and slowly spoke.
"Sister Ayana?"
Ayana felt as if her brain had been hit by fireworks.
All the blood rushed to her head in that instant, making Ayana's brain pound. She abandoned all thought for a moment, her face blank.
[Mission complete. Congratulations, host, you've made Kuroro act cute for you. Points reward has been issued.]
Fortunately, the system spoke up in time, pulling Ayana back to consciousness.
Her lips moved, as if she was about to say something else to ease the ambiguous atmosphere, but unexpectedly the boy suddenly grabbed her wrist, placed her hand on his cheek, and rubbed it back and forth in her palm like a cute little kitten.
He then asked, "Sister Ayana, have you been too tired lately?"
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