Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 87: Finding a New Goal - Jealous Peasants!

Alex arrives at the exchange stall, irritated by the crowd hovering around him, blatantly spying on his every move. One guy even stands right beside him, watching with a smug smile. "Let's see what our powerful player has got for sale!" he says loudly, his tone smug.

Not only is Alex annoyed, but he feels a sense of threat. He wants to keep his gains to himself. If he's exposed as having wealth, some of these desperate players might even try to ambush him to afford a ticket. "Time for my favorite intimidation tactic," he thinks, and with a quick move, he pulls out his trusty [Sword of Pluto], activating "Fire Sword" and triggering the effect of his cloak.

Nimbus Cloak effect activates - Increasing Evasion by 5%, and Movement speed by 40%

In an instant, Alex darts around the player twice, disorienting him, then holds his still fire-infused sword inches from the man's throat.

"Talk to me like that again, and you're dead. I might not be able to lay a hand on you in here," he says loudly, glancing at the curious villagers watching their exchange with grins on their faces, "but the moment you step outside this village, consider yourself a corpse... NOW SCRAM." He draws strength from [Commander Shepard's Dog Tag], and the previously smug player screams in horror, bolting away in shock.

The other players quickly back off, putting more than a dozen steps between themselves and Alex, now watching from a much safer distance.

Suddenly, a young woman with a righteous look and small stature steps forward, looking a bit younger than him. "That's not right! We're supposed to band together to survive, not threaten each other! Stop this madness!"

Alex, not in the mood to argue, turns away and heads toward the merchant in charge of exchanging treasures for tokens.

"HEY! I'M TALKING TO YOU!" she yells, her voice growing angrier.

He glances back at her with an icy stare, his voice cold and sharp. "I don't talk to dead people. Stay in this village and preach to whoever's desperate enough to listen, while I secure my ticket to the exam and ensure my survival."

The woman falls silent, her righteous expression fading as a shiver runs through her.

Finally, Alex approaches the merchant. It's a typical horned snake-beast demon, but this one looks older; Alex notices wrinkles, and it has a smaller, more petite build compared to the other villagers.

"Hello, Beautiful Madam," he says with a slight bow, his voice smooth. "Apologies for the rude display earlier. I'm here to exchange a few treasures I happened upon in the forest. Would you do me the honor of naming the price for my spoils?"

"Heeeee Heeeee Heeee. Oh my, I can't decide if I ssshould feel hungry after ssstumbling upon such a delightful little man like you... or just charmed by your lovely mannersss. I am impresssssed regardlesssss, little tasssty human," she says with a clear, loud, and almost warm voice. Her expression doesn't show hostility—there's something else there instead. Alex smirks, thinking of Tereza's constant teasing.

"Don't tease me, please, madam! I blush way too easily if a beautiful woman does that to me!" he replies with a playful grin.

"Heeee Heeee Heee, I've made up my mind. If you fail to get your token, I'll buy you myssself. You'd be better usssssed as a pet than as food," the demon says with a greedy but charmed expression.

"Well, that doesn't sound too bad, madam, but I've got a few goals in life and some people waiting on me. Can I show you what I've got to sell?"

"Jusssst dump it all here, and I'll identify, rate, and value it for you, boy," she says, pointing to a large, empty counter, which looks spotless, as if it hasn't been used yet today.