[ Money: 26 Silver Snake, 1 Gold Leaf, 2 Gold Sails. ]
Being rich isn't as difficult as people say, it's quite easy, at least for me, especially when you're surrounded by wealthy people, Ed thought with a chuckle as he continued exploring the city.
Having filled his pockets and gained a general understanding of the city, Ed prepared to visit the outskirts to see the remains of the watchtowers. However, from the corner of his eye, he saw a pair of guards running in a certain direction. They moved quickly and seemed anxious, clad in plate armor and helmets with long boots. One hand held a spear, the other rested on a holstered gun that resembled a musket but looked far more powerful than a pistol.
Suddenly, a noise in the distance diverted his attention from the guards. "Quick, catch her! She's a wanted criminal!"
Two guards with spears were chasing a masked woman in a white dress, a venomous figure with curves enough to drive any man wild, who was dodging through the crowd like a nimble snake, rushing in Ed's direction.
Since the people around were either rich or noble, the guards didn't dare raise their guns to shoot; hitting the wrong person would mean their heads would hang on the city wall before tomorrow's sunrise. So they could only raise their spears and attempt to surround her like novices.
"Ahhh!"
"Careful, you bastard! You almost hurt my woman!"
The wanted woman seemed to know exactly how to use the VIPs on the road to torment the poor guards. Every time they came close, she grabbed a random person and shoved them forward, forcing the guards to stop and catch the civilian, which gave her enough time to put more distance between them.
Ed, who had been watching the fun amid the crowd of cowards surrounded by beautiful ladies who rushed out of a nearby clothing store to see what the noise was about, thought for a moment. He flipped his palm, and a card appeared. With a swift motion, it flew in an arc through the crowd toward the fleeing woman.
As if she had eyes in the back of her head, the woman suddenly jumped up, kicked the card away, rolled in the air, and landed gracefully on the ground, earning cheers from the perverted men captivated by her beautiful figure, especially her ample E-cup breasts.
Glancing back toward Ed, who had already hidden himself very carefully behind a hippopotamus-sized woman who weighed no less than 200 kg, she revealed lavender eyes full of confusion after seeing the large woman, wondering how an elephant could throw a small card at her. But she didn't have time to think much, and quickly ran away without looking back.
Phew, thank goodness I had a big obstacle in front of me. Otherwise, she would have surely seen my face and taken revenge if she saw me in the future. I should be more careful from now on. This isn't a world where you can do whatever you want, even if it's a good deed, without consequences.
Be a villain and mind your own business if you want to live longer, Ed thought seriously. He patted the large woman's back in thanks for saving him and quickly walked toward the main gate of the inner city.
But upon arriving, he found a large number of guards and roadblocks blocking the path. Even the wealthy and noble were being checked one by one with utmost seriousness before being allowed to enter or leave.
Reflecting on what he had just witnessed, Ed couldn't help but marvel at the quick response of the guards. It had only been a few minutes since the criminal was detected, and they had already blocked the only path out of the city and nearly started a curfew.
As he walked closer to the gate, he noticed a few guards holding a stack of papers and posting them next to the city wall's notice board. In very large letters, the papers read: WANTED CRIMINAL.
Curious, Ed looked closely, and his eyes widened in disbelief. He quickly adjusted his expression, acting as if nothing had happened, and walked closer to the notice board. The portrait on the paper was none other than that of the Blue Fist Treasure Hunting Group, his own damn group.
Andre, Elena, Jason, Bobby, a swordfish-like man with a long pointed nose, and a beautiful woman with a venomous figure, large breasts, charming lavender eyes, and a lovely face were all depicted.
Ed had already met most of them, except the alien-looking fishman and the woman at the back.
Wait! F*cked! Ed exclaimed in his mind. Isn't that last woman the one who just ran away? Her eyes and figure were exactly the same. I even used a card to try to mess with her. It turns out she's one of my own people? Damn it, if she saw my fighting style, she would surely recognize me. That's going to be very awkward. Ed facepalmed and shook his head inwardly.
After that, he walked back into the city before the soldiers noticed him. If it's so chaotic outside, naturally, he should stay somewhere safe instead of handing himself over to the guards. Who knows if they're already aware of his existence? The soldiers were still posting pictures of wanted criminals, who knew there was also his poster mixed in with them, and they just hadn't posted it yet.
"I was only away for half a day. What happened? Did those bastards do something big and, considering me a noob, not tell me anything?" Ed muttered with a frown, feeling extremely confused.
Passing a men's clothing store, he thought for a moment and walked in. When he came out again, he was wearing a long, tailored coat made of a deep, rich purple fabric that caught the light with a subtle sheen, hinting at its luxurious quality.
The coat fell gracefully to his calves, its high collar framing his neck and adding an air of regality. The cuffs were broad and turned back, revealing a midnight black lining that contrasted sharply with the purple exterior.
The coat was further elevated by intricate golden embroidery sprawling across his chest like the wings of a majestic bird, the feathers meticulously detailed and interwoven with swirling patterns. At the center sat a large, ornate eye, its pupil a deep violet gemstone that glinted mysteriously, giving the impression that the eye was watching, always aware.
Beneath the coat, he wore a high-necked shirt in a lighter shade of purple, the fabric smooth and form-fitting, enhancing his tall and imposing figure.
The coat was cinched at the waist by a series of golden clasps shaped like serpentine dragons, their bodies coiled and interlocked, adding a touch of ancient, arcane symbolism.
The lower half of his outfit was completed with sleek black trousers that fit perfectly, tucked into finely polished black boots that rose just above his ankles, the leather soft yet sturdy, suitable for both formal gatherings and swift, decisive action.
Now, having wasted an entire Gold Sail on a single outfit, if anyone still dared to call him poor or mess with him lightly, Ed would have to admit the source of all his problems was his not-so-handsome face.
"Sir, if you have any questions, please feel free to consult me again," Said the female store attendant, stars in her eyes as she stared at Ed lustfully. She smiled while unbuttoning the top two buttons of her shirt, revealing her charms in an attempt to hook a big golden fish.
Ed turned around, walked toward her, put an arm behind her, pulled her into his embrace, and stole a deep, passionate kiss. He nodded with a smile after letting her go while she panted heavily.
"Your service is excellent. You are worthy of being a resident of this beautiful city. If I ever need to buy anything else, I will come directly to you, then maybe we can have a more in-depth conversation," Ed said, giving her a knowing wink.
After gently smacking her buttock, Ed nodded at the charming young lady, said goodbye, and turned toward a store on the corner. A while later, he emerged carrying a small bag. He then followed a crowd of tourists into an alley.
When he came out again, his image had transformed once more. Now dressed like a royal prince, he also wore a small round lens with a golden frame over his right eye. Short, thin beard stubble appeared on his originally youthful face. Coupled with Ed's already mature temperament, he looked much older, around 25.
Ed, now a completely changed man, walked into a nice-looking hotel with pink paint on the exterior. A sign above the entrance read: Sleeping Beauty, clearly giving men in need the hint they needed about what kind of place this was.