Point of View Switch: Reader
Just as planned, Kai and Biscuit use the "Accompany" card to reach Dorias, The Gambling City, and immediately race off northwest.
Despite Biscuit's initial complaints, she easily keeps up with Kai's speed, skillfully traversing gambler camps, forests, and mountain ranges. However, when the two have to cross a swampy area, Biscuit becomes quite uneasy at the thought of getting her cute dress covered in mud.
Kai notices her discomfort and approaches her, carefully making his way across the waterlogged ground to offer her his hand.
"I understand. If you don't want to get your pretty dress dirty, would you let me carry you?"
Blushing slightly at his chivalrous gesture, Biscuit nods, and Kai immediately scoops her up into his arms like a princess as he swiftly crosses the swamp.
'He truly strives to be reliable in his role as my knight. He really knows how to conduct himself around a lady. Furthermore, this way I can also feel those well-defined muscles beneath his T-shirt.' Biscuit leans against Kai's chest, deliberately snuggling a little closer as she savors the feeling of his body against hers.
'She feels neither hard nor heavy. I can sense her well-defined musculature and solid bone structure, yet she's still soft and comfortable to the touch, just as her appearance would suggest. It's truly hard to believe that she's an imposing, muscular woman who is nearly 60 years old.' Kai thinks this as he carries her through the damp swamp.
The two continue making their way through the murky waters for about 20 minutes, making occasional comments to fill the silence until they finally reach dry land.
At that moment, unsettled by Biscuit's lecherous gaze, Kai removes his soaked, muddy clothes and lays them out to dry for a few minutes over a makeshift fire while changing into clothes he takes out of his binder in card form.
As they try to resume their conversation, Kai senses several individuals entering his En. To prevent himself and Biscuit from being surrounded, he quickly moves to confront them.
It turns out they aren't players, but a group of monsters resembling red-skinned ogres, so after putting them through several tests to determine how their programming works, Kai makes short work of them.
- Ogre Command Post. B-Rank. A vanguard of ferocious monsters with a strong sense of unity. They are physically very powerful, and as long as a single member remains standing, the others will rise again to continue pursuing and attacking their enemy.
"You're back. I gather it wasn't an ambush, then." Biscuit lets it slip when Kai returns.
"Just a new group of monsters. Intriguing, but ultimately of little relevance." Kai speaks, showing off his newly acquired card as he sits down next to Biscuit.
"Oh. A new monster. It's good to know more about what we might run into. So..." Biscuit rests her chin on her hands. "...are you going to continue telling me about your Hunter Exam?"
The two continue talking until Kai's clothes are dry enough to pack away. Then, after extinguishing the makeshift campfire, they resume their journey for about 2 more hours.
Along the way, they continue traversing fairly difficult terrain while occasionally facing monstrous foes such as an Underground Lurker and an Itch Battalion.
They even run into another traveler named Nazim, with whom they play a quick card match. The result is that the duo uses their two "Trace" cards to mark Nazim—while he gains nothing due to the "Paladin's Necklace"—and forces him to yield under the threat of the "Bullet" card.
Despite this unexpected clash, Kai and Biscuit part ways with Nazim on good terms and agree to get in touch for a future exchange before each side goes its own way.
After walking and exploring along the edge of a cliff for so long, they catch sight of a city in the distance.
"There lies our next stop and the new reference point for our teleportation spells: Calisia. More or less at the time I predicted." Kai speaks and starts searching for a way down from the high point. "Come on, Biscuit. There's just the last leg left now."
Leaping off earthen mounds and tree branches, the two of them descend from the high ground and, after running for a few more kilometers, reach their destination.
Calisia. The city closest to Dorias, and the first place in Greed Island that was truly unknown to Kai.
Unlike the other cities he had visited on the island, Calisia had never been mentioned in the canon, leaving Kai unsure whether he would find anything of value there beyond the card indicated by the "Guidepost" spell.
It wasn't particularly strange, considering that Greed Island was a fairly large island and the original story had only shown its most significant cities. There were undoubtedly plenty of unknown or relatively unimportant locations—such as Calisia—that a transmigrator like Kai had never heard of.
Still, it wasn't a major concern. He had already visited plenty of places in this world that had never appeared in the original story, so he simply dismissed the thought and entered the city alongside Biscuit.
Upon entering, Kai didn't notice anything that particularly caught his attention. There were no tournament boards, betting shops, or crowds thronging the streets. The architecture was attractive and distinctive, but compared to the other cities he had visited, it was hardly remarkable.
Biscuit, on the other hand...
"Wow! Look at that, Kai!" Biscuit exclaims, pointing at two women chatting nearby.
Kai, however, is completely clueless, having no idea what she is referring to.
"Look at what?" He asks.
"The clothes those women are wearing are based on Chalvarez Pilatzio's latest autumn collection! And just look at them!" She yells, pointing this time at several men tending stalls selling food and ornaments.
"Their outfits and shoes are a highly sought-after set that debuted three years ago in the city of Nancha, launched by a rising new artist."
"And it's not just them! Everywhere I look, I see people dressed in high-end, stylish clothing! It's as if we were backstage at a fashion show featuring the world's top designers!"
While Biscuit gazes around the streets with wide-eyed wonder, Kai can only stare at her in confusion. Eventually, he decides to ask the first person who happens to walk past them.
"Excuse me. We've just arrived and need to ask for some guidance. Why do the streets seem to be full of people wearing clothes that look so luxurious and expensive?" Kai asked.
"Because this is Calisia, The City of Fashion." The woman replies.
"The City of Fashion?" Kai and Biscuit repeat hesitantly, the title failing to ring any bells.
"Merchants from across the island pass through here, bringing the finest fabrics and adornments along dangerous, winding roads so that our local artisans can craft garments that perfectly suit the tastes and needs of both residents and visitors." The woman gestures dramatically with one arm as she speaks, looking more like an NPC programmed to deliver exposition than an actual person.
"Due to its distinctive style and the trends it sets, the city is known as the fashion capital of Greed Island."
"Ah... I see. That explains it." Kai says, feeling slightly uneasy as he grasps the basic concept.
'Essentially, this city exists to offer players better clothing than what they can find in the shops of other cities. It's not surprising that it's barely known by name. Compared to other cities, which offer clues about cards or opportunities to obtain them, there isn't much reason for most players to come here.'
'I wonder if the other cities are like this, too?'
As Kai ponders the matter, Biscuit quickly speaks up. "If this is a city dedicated to fashion, where can we buy some new clothes?"
"There are several shops scattered throughout the city. If you want to start with something inexpensive and simple, you can visit "Sastrería Largo y Hermanos" in the westernmost area." The woman replies with a kind smile, sounding almost like a promoter advertising the place.
"Kai! We have to go check out those clothing stores right away!" Biscuit declares eagerly, her eyes shining as she looks up at him.
"Biscuit, we can't. We only came here to investigate the restricted card and register the location. We didn't bring enough money for impulse purchases. Besides, it's getting late, so we need to head back soon. I still have to make dinner and start training." Kai reasons.
"Buu. I don't wanna go back. We'll stay here for the night after we investigate, and you can start that training tomorrow." Biscuit pouts, clearly unwilling to reconsider.
"But Biscuit..." Kai barely has time to continue before she cuts him off.
"You found that B-Rank monster, so we have funds, and you can also scout the area for more monsters to train against—and earn some extra money to buy new clothes while you're at it. You could certainly get yourself some new outfits after our little excursion."
Biscuit had a point.
Kai hadn't paid much attention to clothing during his time in the game, so he only had the outfit he'd started with and the spare set he was currently wearing. Having another spare set wouldn't hurt, especially in case one of them was damaged or otherwise became unusable.
Besides, seeing the determined look in Biscuit's eyes, he knows there is no way he is going to talk her out of it.
At times like this, it's easy to see another side of Biscuit: beneath her powerful exterior and strict demeanor, she is still a woman with a genuine passion for fashion who takes great pleasure in indulging her feminine side.
"Sigh. Alright. We'll stay the night to investigate and buy some new clothes to expand our wardrobe here on the island. But tomorrow, we're sticking to the planned schedule without any further detours. Okay?"
At Kai's weary surrender, Biscuit lets out a little squeal of delight
"Hiiiii! Yeah! That's perfect! I knew I could count on you." Biscuit immediately started pushing Kai, practically ushering him outside the city.
"Alright, then. Go ahead and head out to the outskirts and look for some more monsters to defeat. I won't be able to—I mean, we won't be able to buy any clothes if we don't have more money. So come on, get going. Meanwhile, I'll scour the city, asking around and investigating just like we planned."
Faced with Biscuit's relentless prodding, Kai finally leaves the city and begins running through the surrounding area, searching for monsters to hunt or any unusual phenomenon that might catch his attention.
1 hour later.
Kai has managed to hunt down two Possessed Boxes, one Stretchy Lime, and several low-ranking animals for their meat and hides, but he hasn't found anything particularly noteworthy or unusual for the game progress.
Considering how much time has passed, he decides to return to the city and meet up with Biscuit, who greets him with a wide grin across the street.
Once they reunite and exchange their monster cards for money cards at the Trade Shop, Biscuit grabs Kai by the arm and effortlessly drags him along—while running—to the first shop the female NPC had recommended: "Sastrería Largo y Hermanos."
"You are welcome to the "Sastrería Largo y Hermanos", the oasis where we help people reveal their most hidden beauty." Three men of elegant appearance and manner welcome us the moment we step through the door.
The first stepped forward with a graceful bow, one hand resting over his chest as though he were welcoming us into a grand theater rather than a clothing store.
"Allow me to introduce myself first. I am Josue, the maestro of adornment. My task is to find the delicate details that bring an ensemble to life—the brooch that catches the light at precisely the right angle, the necklace that complements the neckline, the gloves that transform a gesture into a statement." His fingers moved delicately through the air as if arranging invisible ornaments before our eyes.
"Whether you seek something for a quiet afternoon or an extravagant soirée, I shall find the toque that completes your appearance. After all, elegance is not merely worn. It is composed."
Before either of them can respond to this oration, the second brother takes a step forward, a pair of gleaming scissors appearing between his fingers with the ease of a magician revealing his finest trick.
"I am Nathaniel, the artisan of the coiffure." He smiles as he raises the scissors, his expression filled with almost artistic reverence.
"Hair is more than something that grows upon one's head. It frames the face, accentuates the eyes, reveals character, and can transform the very impression a person leaves upon the world around them."
He gestures toward Biscuit as though already envisioning an entirely different appearance.
"Long or short, straight or unruly, delicate or voluminous—it matters not. With these scissors and my combs, I shall shape each strand until it falls exactly where it was meant to be. Not a single follicle shall escape my attention."
Finally, the eldest of the three steps forward.
Unlike his brothers, Largo doesn't immediately speak. He simply studies the pair for a moment, his sharp eyes moving from head to toe as though he is already taking measurements no tailor's tape could record.
Then, with a faint smile, he spreads his arms.
"And I am Largo, the eldest of the three, and the one who shall clothe the masterpiece my brothers have prepared." His voice carries the weight and confidence of a man introducing the final act of a performance.
"Clothing is not merely fabric sewn together, nor is it a simple shield against the elements. It is identity. It is presence. It is the language spoken before a single word ever leaves your lips." He slowly circled Kai and Biscuit, examining their clothes with an intensity that makes Kai instinctively straighten his posture. "A garment can whisper, it can command, it can seduce, or it can inspire. It may proclaim je suis élégant, soy distinguido, or simply say, 'This is who I am.'"
Largo's smile widens.
"So tell me, what does your heart desire? Something refined or demure? Fresh or imposing? A wa or a bo? Something that whispers beneath the moonlight, or something that demands the gaze of everyone in the room?"
He snaps his fingers while striking a refined pose.
"Whatever your desire, mes amis, I shall find the piece that makes you look into the mirror and wonder how you ever lived without it."
The three brothers exchange a glance before raising their arms dramatically.
"The three of us together are... the Stiletto Brothers!" The three of them shout in unison.
'It's obvious these guys are NPCs. And they're a real pain.' Kai thinks, already irritated by their little performance, as the tallest brother approaches them.
"Oh, how wonderful. A young couple in love visiting our shop to enhance each other's beauty and further celebrate their love. Bellísimo."
"We are not a couple." I say bluntly, somewhat unsettled by his over-the-top behavior.
"Not right now, at least. But I still haven't lost hope that Kai will take that step and accept me as one of his women." Biscuit makes a flirtatious remark while rubbing against an annoyed Kai.
"Oh, very well, miss. Then come with us, and we will turn you into a work of art whose beauty this gentleman cannot ignore. Right this way." Another of the brothers, Josue, replies as he leads her toward the dresses in the shop.
"Okay, miss little lady, tell me what style of clothing are you looking for to enchant that handsome gentleman?" Largo asks, also accompanying them.
"Let's see..."
After some consideration, discussion, and browsing through the reasonably priced dresses available, Biscuit begins trying on various outfits, ranging from formal gowns and chic attire to more modest ensembles. All the while, the three brothers adorn her with accessories, adjust every little detail, and shower her with compliments that grow increasingly elaborate with each outfit.
"Magnifique! This dress does not merely complement your fit figure, miss. It frames it, drawing the eye toward your natural grace without overwhelming it. And this necklace..." Josue gently adjusts the piece around her neck. "Perfect. It catches just enough light to make your neck and shoulders shimmer with every movement."
"Indeed!" Nathaniel exclaims, circling Biscuit as he carefully adjusts a strand of her hair. "And this coiffure brings out the liveliness in your eyes. You have the sort of delicate features that require no ornamentation, yet somehow every little detail only makes your beauty more striking. Quelle merveille!"
"Aww, guys. You're making me blush with all these compliments." Biscuit says, blushing and cupping her cheeks.
While Biscuit remains thoroughly dazzled by the attention, Kai stands waiting in a corner with his arms crossed, watching her little modeling session with a lingering sense of déjà vu.
"Hey, come on, Kai. You have to participate too. You can't sit this one out."
At Biscuit's declaration, all eyes turn toward the suddenly nervous Kai.
A few moments later, Kai is the one trying on different outfits and receiving compliments from the three brothers—and from Biscuit, who has eagerly joined them.
"Um, guys. These clothes look pretty good, but I don't think they're really for me." Kai glances down at his current outfit: an open black coat with metal shoulder pads, a chain necklace, cream-colored baggy trousers held up by a segmented gray belt, and dark blue boots.
"Well, I think it looks great on you. You look like a total bad boy." Biscuit remarks with a flirtatious smile.
"Yeah... that's not quite what I'm looking for. I'd prefer something with a simpler style and color scheme, something that's easy to move around in. Could you bring me something more like that?" Kai asks Largo.
"But of course, my lord! We are here to meet our customers' every need. With your request in mind, I shall go fetch the appropriate ensembles for you."
And so, that became the rhythm they followed for the next two hours as they made their way through the city's clothing stores. Biscuit would become fixated on one outfit after another, make Kai wait while she tried them on, and happily indulge in the lavish compliments she received from the various fashion connoisseurs she encountered in each shop. She would then insist that Kai try on several outfits of his own, but in the end, Biscuit was the one who did most of the shopping.
As a city devoted entirely to fashion, Calisia's shops remained open late into the night. The fact that they had arrived so late did nothing to stop Biscuit from embarking on a full-blown shopping spree—or dragging Kai along with her.
By the time Biscuit is satisfied, Kai is trailing behind her toward a guesthouse, lugging 6 heavy bags filled with clothes—only one of which contains anything for himself.
"Aahh. This city turned out to be so much fun. Almost as much fun as Aiai. I think we should come back sometime in the future, just to see more designs and enjoy trying them on. Don't you think, Kai?" Biscuit asks, turning her head to look back at him.
"If you want, you can come back whenever you like. These few outfits should be more than enough for the rest of my time in the game." Kai replies politely, though a faint trace of annoyance begins to creep into his voice.
"Don't be silly, Kai. It's much better to come with a strong, polite gentleman like you—someone who can accompany me through the whole experience, my love." Biscuit counters sweetly.
Her words sound affectionate and complimentary, but Kai has no trouble deciphering their true meaning.
"It's better to have someone to carry my bags."
"By the way, all this shopping has made me hungry. What are you planning to do for dinner?"
This question finally makes a cross-vein mark appear on Kai's forehead.
"It's almost midnight. I don't feel like cooking anything this late, and I doubt the guesthouse is still serving dinner at this hour. If you're hungry before bed, you'll have to settle for one of the food cards in our binders." Kai answers, finally dropping the gentlemanly demeanor he'd maintained until now.
"Eehh. But I really wanted to eat something made by you," Biscuit complains.
"Well, I'll settle for that this time. It's been a long day, and you've been taking care of me the whole time, so you deserve a rest."
"Although, I'm expecting a breakfast tomorrow that's just as good as today's. Especially that light and fluffy spinach omelet."
With that final remark, the two finally arrive at the guesthouse where they will be spending the night.
"I'm sorry, but we no longer have any single rooms with single or multiple beds available. We can only offer rooms for couples, with a single large bed." The receptionist explains when Kai asks about the available rooms.
Exasperated by how the day has turned out so far, Kai lets out a weary sigh before asking for the key to one of the couples' rooms, with Biscuit responding with a mischievous smile.
After heading upstairs and getting settled in, Kai offers the bed to Biscuit while he lays out his travel sleeping bag on the floor.
"Are you sure you want to sleep on the floor? The bed is big enough for both of us to sleep comfortably." Biscuit asks as she lies down, now dressed in a nightgown with her hair loose, clearly inviting Kai to join her.
"I'd rather not sleep in the same bed as a woman I'm not dating, thanks. Besides, I'm used to camping in the wild, so it's not a big deal." Kai replies, once again slipping into his polite-gentleman persona.
"Whatever you prefer. Although, if you change your mind and decide to crawl into bed and try something with me, just know I wouldn't mind."
With that final seductive remark—half teasing, half sincere—Biscuit pulls the blanket over herself and settles down for the night.
From his place on the floor, Kai watches her settle in and close her eyes before clasping his hands behind his head and reflecting on the day's events.
'Things didn't go quite as planned today. But hey... that's the charm of traveling with a companion.
Biscuit is a tough nut to crack, so I'll have to be patient and take things one step at a time.'
'We spent the latter part of today mostly following her pace and indulging her whims. Tomorrow... we'll focus more on my routine and making progress in the game. It should be a lot less tiring than this.'
With that final thought, Kai closes his eyes and quickly falls fast asleep.