Camping

The black mage was unwilling to inform Kate Norton about the person who had hired him.

And Kate Norton also understood that trying to pry information from him would be hopeless.

A black mage could never be trusted, so even if he did tell her, there was a chance of it being a lie.

Thus, she was merely asking for the sake of delaying time.

"You're right about that, black mage. Therefore, I'm grateful that you've decided to be distracted and create an opening for me." Kate Norton laughed coldly and threw a spherical object on the ground.

"Not good!" The black mage hurriedly tried to cast a spell, but it was too late.

Kate Norton and her batch of soldiers had disappeared from the scene.

"Curses! What a slippery woman she is." The black mage stomped his staff on the ground and was angered by her.

Victory was supposed to be on his side when he controlled the monster wave to surround her four sides.

However, his arrogance got the best of him when he decided to reveal himself and gave her an opening to plan for an escape.

Just when he thought he had failed the task, the black mage noticed a trail of blood at the original position where Kate Norton was standing at.

"Hoh, so you were injured all alone, Princess Kate." The black mage was intrigued.

"Whatever, being injured by the monster I control is akin to dying. Don't think it's just a small injury. Jejeje, this is too exciting."

While this incident had occurred close to route 43, at the opposite part, Lei Zhen and Chris were currently resting in an area.

"Do you really know how to cook? If my Gizzle and Mizzle get a stomach ache from your cooking, then I'll make sure to add a fine on you." Chris warned.

"More like they are going to get a headache from your constant nagging before they can even get a stomach ache." Lei Zhen retorted.

He was busy cooking already with the equipment provided by Chris and being nagged constantly was irritating.

His cooking was fantastic and one could already smell the aroma from afar.

Yet Chris was unable to stop being petty and kept on trying to nitpick him for every little small thing.

"Hmph, you are the most annoying person I've ever met in my whole career." Chris crossed his arms and decided not to nitpick. After all, the aroma was starting to affect him as well since he could smell it from afar.

His nose was too sensitive and as much as he hated to admit it, Lei Zhen's cooking was indeed one of the best he had seen. With such few ingredients and condiments, he was able to make such a gourmet meal.

"Is it done yet?" Chris' mouth was practically drooling as he stared at the pot that was being boiled.

"Weren't you afraid of getting a stomach ache after eating my dish?" Lei Zhen knew this was his time to get revenge.

Who wouldn't kneel before his cooking skills?

Not even Tang Qiaolian was able to escape his cooking despite the fact that she could literally eat at any five-star hotel place.

"Why must you be so annoying?" Chris cursed aloud. "Just give me the dish, I'm starving already."

Afterward, he tried to reach his hand to grab a bowl for himself, only to be smacked by Lei Zhen.

"Nope, you're not getting any until you apologize." Lei Zhen said and made two portions. Once the two portions were done, Lei Zhen placed them beside Gizzle and Mizzle.

And with that, Gizzle and Mizzle instantly fell in love with Lei Zhen.

Food conquers everything and it was true even in a video game.

As Gizzle and Mizzle began to munch on their meal with a blissful look, Chris was on the sideline drooling even harder.

"L-Let's just call it even, Lei Zhen. I'm really starving now." Chris said with much difficulty, his stomach began growling whenever his eyes saw the meal in the boiling pot.

Seeing his pained expression, Lei Zhen smiled and nodded his head. After this incident, it was safe to say that he had successfully roped in Chris as an ally.

Although Magnolia had no guide on how to play, Lei Zhen knew a merchant like Chris was vital for the future. Never underestimate a person just because their occupation is not related to combat type.

Most of the time, it's people like Chris that help players the most since their brains aren't stuck in combat or training alone.

"Here you go," Lei Zhen poured enough for a portion and handed it over to Chris.

"Hehe, I knew you were extraordinary when you started to reason with me in town." Chris laughed and began to chug the meal down his throat. It didn't even take him more than a minute before he finished eating his bowl.

"Another one!" Chris said, hovering his empty bowl toward Lei Zhen.

Lei Zhen remained silent and looked at him.

"Another one… please." Chris corrected his wording and added another word.

This time, Lei Zhen smiled and nodded his head. "See, it's not hard to be polite to people. As a merchant, creating a good relationship with many people will benefit you in the long run."

"You think I want to be this crude?" Chris's face darkened as he began to eat.

"This world is always filled with hypocrites and monsters are always roaming in the wilderness. However, people are the most sinister being. I'd rather be vigilant at all times than let my guard down." He explained.

"Indeed, the world is cruel. But just because you met some bad apples does not mean everyone is a bad apple. You'll just need to be patient to wait for the right people to meet." Lei Zhen smiled in a nostalgic manner.

"I see you're a man with a past like me as well."

"Well, that'll probably apply to almost everyone. Those without a past are more tragic than those with a past."