Money can't buy happiness—but it can buy an inn with a soft bed that isn't infested with bedbugs. That became my new life philosophy as we stepped into Odelia's Trade District.
After our near-death adventure in the ruins (and the soul-sucking sponge incident), we returned with a sack full of gold coins and several ancient artifacts. Elena walked lightly ahead, while I trudged behind her, hauling our loot like Santa Claus after losing his reindeer.
We stopped in front of a large shop with an honest sign:
ANTIQUES & PAWN SHOP "GREEDY EYE."
Inside, an old man with a monocle and curled mustache was admiring a golden statue. His name was Mr. Bargo.
"Ah, Lady Elena! Odelia's pride and flower!" Bargo greeted her with a wide grin, flashing his gold teeth. "Did you bring fine goods today? Or the usual goblin trash?"
"Watch your tongue, Bargo," Elena said, placing a small chest of gemstones on the counter. "These are from Zanark Temple. Pure."
Bargo's eyes bulged. He immediately pulled out a magnifying glass.
"Magnificent! Pure Mana Crystals! Ancient gold! These are worth at least 500 Gold Coins!"
I grinned from ear to ear. Five hundred gold! That was enough to live comfortably for a year! I was already imagining dragon steak and fairy fruit juice.
"And you, little servant," Bargo sneered at me. "What's in your sack? Leftover chicken bones?"
"Rude!" I dropped my bag onto the counter. "These are Skeleton Warrior bones and… uh… a Legendary Sponge."
Bargo burst out laughing. "Rotten bones and dish foam? I'll give you two Copper Coins. And that's charity."
"What?!" I protested. "These are rare drop items!"
Before I could argue—or smash the counter with my pan—the shop bell rang.
Cling!
A powerful rose perfume flooded the room, overpowering the musty smell of the old shop. A man entered, followed by two burly guards.
He was handsome. Too handsome—the kind that made you want to punch him. Platinum-blond hair, emerald eyes, and golden armor shining so brightly it hurt my eyes. On his chest gleamed a Guild badge marked:
Platinum Rank.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Rival Detected!]
[Name: Sir Leonhart "The Golden"]
[Class: Holy Paladin (Pay-to-Win Player)]
[Unique Skills: Wealth Flexing, Fake Smile, Buying Levels with Daddy's Money]
"Elena, my dear!" Leonhart boomed theatrically, spreading his arms and completely ignoring my existence.
"I heard you returned from that filthy ruin. Why didn't you tell me? I could've sent my troops to clear it in five minutes."
Elena stepped back, her face expressionless but her eyes filled with divine-level irritation.
"I don't need your help, Leonhart. And don't call me 'my dear.'"
Leonhart chuckled, then finally noticed me. He scanned me from head to toe, then covered his nose with a silk handkerchief.
"And what is this creature?" he sneered. "Did you pick up a street beggar as a new pet?"
My blood boiled.
"My name is Rian. And I'm her partner," I snapped.
"Partner?" Leonhart laughed even louder, his guards joining in.
"Elena, your standards have fallen terribly. He doesn't even have a sword! Is that… a burnt frying pan?"
He stepped closer and patted my shoulder condescendingly. His metal gauntlet was cold.
"Listen, poor fellow. Here—ten Gold Coins."
He tossed a small pouch at my feet.
"Buy yourself some decent clothes and leave. You're ruining the scenery around my future wife."
"Future wife?!"
Elena and I shouted in unison.
"Leonhart, I'd rather marry an Orc than you," Elena hissed, her hand already on her sword hilt.
The tension spiked. The guards stepped forward. Mr. Bargo dove under the counter.
I looked at the coins on the floor, then at Leonhart's smug face. The system chimed.
[Response Options:]
[A. Take the money and run (Lose dignity, gain wealth).]
[B. Challenge him to a duel (Death Probability: 99%).]
[C. Use "Eternal Dishwashing Sponge" to teach a lesson about cleanliness.]
I grinned.
"Sir Leonhart," I said sweetly, my tone suddenly polite.
"You're right. I am dirty. But your armor… seems to have a little dust stain on the chest. Such a shame for such expensive armor."
Leonhart frowned and looked down.
"A stain? Impossible! My armor is dust-proof!"
"Right here," I said, pulling out my yellow sponge.
"Allow me to clean it as a sign of respect."
Before he could refuse, I wiped the sponge across his golden breastplate.
SRET!
[ITEM EFFECT TRIGGERED!]
[Target: Leonhart's Golden Armor]
[Sponge Analysis: Detecting fake gold paint over scrap iron.]
[Action: Cleaning falsehood.]
In a single wipe, the golden shine vanished—not polished, but peeled away, revealing rusty black iron underneath.
Silence. Absolute silence.
Leonhart stared at his now patchy armor—gold around the edges, ugly black in the center.
"Th-that's—" he stammered.
"Oops," I said innocently.
"Sir Leonhart… is your armor… counterfeit? I mean, fake?"
I wiped his shoulder.
SRET!
More gold paint peeled off like grime.
"Oh wow!" I shouted loudly. "It's all fake! Mr. Bargo, look! Our Platinum Paladin is wearing scrap iron sprayed with gold paint!"
Leonhart's face turned red—redder than a rotten tomato.
"You—insolent! This is… a special protective coating!"
"Protective coating that peels off from a dish sponge?" I asked with a grin.
Elena, who had been furious, now struggled to suppress her laughter. Her shoulders shook as a muffled pfft escaped.
Leonhart panicked. His image as a wealthy noble was crumbling in front of his "future wife."
"You—YOU RUINED MY HEIRLOOM! ATTACK HIM!" he screamed.
The guards stepped forward—but Elena was already between us, half-drawing her greatsword. A killing aura flooded the shop.
"One more step," she said coldly, "and I'll cut your salaries. Literally."
The guards froze. They knew who Elena "The Valkyrie" was. They weren't paid enough to die stupidly.
Leonhart clenched his teeth, glaring at me with pure hatred. In his patchy armor, he looked like a circus clown.
"This isn't over, Frying-Pan Freak! You'll regret this!"
He fled the shop with his guards, followed by Bargo's roaring laughter as he crawled out from under the counter.
[Ding!]
[Reputation Increased!]
[New Title Acquired: "Washer of Lies."]
[EXP Gained: +200 (Bonus Mental Damage).]
I laughed in satisfaction. Seeing that arrogant jerk flee felt amazing. But in the middle of my laughter, my vision blurred.
In the reflection of an antique mirror, I saw myself.
The reflection wasn't laughing.
It stared back at me, expressionless, red eyes glowing. In its hand was not a sponge—but a still-beating human heart.
THUMP.
My laughter died instantly. I blinked—and the reflection returned to normal.
[Corruption Meter: 0.20%]
[System Message: Enjoy this small victory. A sense of superiority is the gateway to darkness.]
"Rian? You okay?" Elena asked, patting my shoulder. She was still smiling.
"That was… cruel. But brilliant."
I forced a smile. My hands felt cold.
"Yeah. I just… don't like fake things."
We left the shop with pockets full of money. Odelia looked bright and lively—but to me, the shadows in every alley felt longer… and darker.
"Let's eat," Elena said. "My treat. Real dragon meat."
"Awesome!" I shouted, burying my unease with thoughts of food.
But deep within my soul, the seal trembled softly.
The second crack had begun to form.