Hellbents
Chapter 12: Dance Party

After understanding River's original motive for following him stubbornly, Ava was more receptive to the man's presence. Receiving additional protection for the ransom of guilt was not detrimental to him, beneficial instead. So for a few days after deciding to stay in the capital longer, River accompanied him everywhere. Starting from morning sports, hunting, to when Ava languished in the city library to find new information about this fantasy world and [System]. But this should not continue if Ava wants to find a way to return to her home world.

Already the dozens of low-leveled monsters that Ava killed, the status points she accumulated were also piling up even more. Now that each status was above 10, the observation skill rose, but Ava's level was still 1. Coins from the sale of carcasses also he canister, he, while then whichever stone he got from the monkey monster he sold after making sure that there was no road that could connect Ava with the incident at the city gate. River said, which stone cannot be traced to what monster it came from, unless the object has certain attributes that have typical indications. If there is an investigation involving which stone, the investigator can only arrive at the initial seller. So even if Ava sold the mana stone without the attribute of a level 26, no one could accuse Ava of stealing it from a longhand ape belonging to a noble. Ava's financial problems were solved with just one stone.

Maybe he should target monsters with a higher level than usual.

***

Tezia that night was brightly lit, colorful lights were installed at every corner of the city hall. Various kiosks were also set up, ranging from food, trinkets, to unique imported goods originating from outside the island. All ages enjoy the festive atmosphere of the festival, children laugh, teenagers smile shyly with their partners, and adults and the elderly are entertained by all the activities displayed.

Ava nodded her head to the rhythm of the tone being played. His eyes had observed the simple choreography done by the residents near the fountain, basically they jumped to the right and then left and then turned. But the problem is that the dance must be done in pairs. Ava glanced at River who was beside her. The man looked neat, brown hair that was usually left wild this time was combed. “You can dance, right?”

“Oh, can .. I guess,” River replied, dragging uncertainly the last word.

“Ok, come on!” Although the man refused, Ava would still insist on pulling him into the dance arena. Perhaps as a small retaliation to the stubbornness River had committed against Ava. Because Ava is sometimes petty like that.

A new melody bounced as the two of them took positions beside the fountain, a small child approached them with a pair of flower crowns. “Thank you!” Ava wears a string of white roses on her head, as does River. “Oh, it fits you perfectly,” Ava said teasingly. Despite its large body with various claw wounds here and there, River had large green eyes that glittered plainly, the impression of his face was also gentle as well as friendly, so it's actually no surprise that things like this look good on the guy.

“You too,” reply River timidly, smiling between his cheeks that blush red. Then they move to follow the other couple's movements, Ava who wears a simple dress pale yellow looks harmonious with River who is gray.

“After this our destination where?”

Ava had just wanted to bleat the necklace that the women were wearing next to them, the loot was still only a few. “You still intend to follow me?”

“Why do you want to go alone?”

Because this trip will be better if it is confidential. “Why do you want so badly to follow me?” Ava asked back. But he actually knows the reason.

“I want to.” River projects his sister Ella to Ava.

“You realize I will go everywhere, sometimes without direction, could be to dangerous place.”

“That means, my presence becomes extra protection for you, right?” It does. It would be better if there are others who accompany him in this foreign world, River is also useful as a free transportation tool and a more complete information provider.

“But the possible risks are great.” Ava still does not understand why Eve kidnapped her to this world. Whatever it is must be risky. But the clue her doppleganger gave was the only clue to return to its origin, so for now Ava will comply.

“Basic stubbornness,” whispered Ava to herself. In the end, the girl decided to accept River as her travel partner. “Oke, you win.”

The music ended with a flurry of applause and applause around them. The petals of various color variations were scattered into the sky, the strands descending following the night wind. Ava's hand stretched out, she took the crown from River's head to clear it of the trapped petals. The girl returned it with a smile.

But River still can't know the original purpose of his journey, let the man think that Ava wants to get an elixir of life.

***

The stolen fruit turned out to be nothing, most of the accessories he took turned out to be fake gold. But there is one ring that he took turned out to be a magic artifact, its function adds mana. Not much, just 2 points. But those two points turned out to be very valuable for low-level people.

A person's status points are divided into types, main and additional statuses. The primary status is power, speed, and flexibility, variables that will always be in a person's status window. While additional status is a variable that a person uniquely possesses based on the talent they possess. Most talents in this fantasy world are of course magic, so a lot of people have additional status of mana. Then, the process of increasing the higher level the more difficult also affects the prudence of allocation of status points, so any additional points will be very helpful.

For Ava herself her additional status was intelligence and senses, so the ring that enhanced mana was useless to her. Because the error in leveling up also equips Ava with status points every time he kills even low-level monsters, although on the other hand he is threatened to be level 1 forever.

So Ava will sell the ring and other jewelry after leaving the capital, certainly to complicate tracking.

By the way ....

Name: River Doyle

Race: Human

Level: 43

Power: 8

Speed: 10

Dismissed: 9

After his observation skill reached level 4, Ava no longer needed to mention [Observation] every time she wanted to use it, plus now she could already see the main status of her target. New conclusion again, points from Ava's main status turned out to be greater than River. Even so his ability to snatch monsters was very useful, perhaps the additional status of the man was related to that. It's just that it still can't be seen with the skill level that Ava has.