017: Mary’s Time, The Flame Knight, Mastery of Horsemanship (Please Continue Reading!)
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Li Cha and Mary stepped into the room. The familiar cramped space, the familiar bed—Li Cha stretched lazily and said, "Officer Mary, my presence can actually help you better conceal your identity."
After Mary, the landlady, knocked late at night, most people no longer appeared at the Shock Tavern. This was largely because their pride was bruised, and they refused to patronize the place any longer. But as time passed, such incidents grew more frequent, inevitably giving rise to other rumors—accusations of greed and murder.
There were countless shady establishments like this. Li Cha had even overheard a few jokes: “The landlady is descended from giants, and giants eat people, right?” “Maybe if you lose to the landlady, you’ll get eaten, haha!”
Li Cha chuckled and said, “The fact that I’m alive and well means the Shock Tavern is still cheap and safe. Besides, we’re colleagues—this is just part of my duty. No need to thank me.”
Yet, faced with Li Cha’s radiant smile, Mary wore a serious expression. “What are you trying to do?” she asked.
Li Cha tilted his head in confusion.
Mary pressed a finger to his chest. “No touching Wendy. I’m warning you.”
Li Cha replied, “Isn’t Wendy meant for that?”
The adult services at the tavern had to be genuine, serving as a cover, much like what Li Cha had just mentioned.
Mary said, “That was before. Now, unless I say otherwise, Wendy no longer does that kind of thing.”
After all, the girl called her “godmother” affectionately. Even cats and dogs develop bonds over time, let alone humans.
Moreover, business at the Shock Tavern had long since stabilized and no longer needed such means to attract customers.
“Even if she consents, it’s not allowed?”
“No!”
Mary narrowed her eyes. “Li Cha, don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. If you want to take revenge, come at me. Bullying a child is nothing. Also, Military Intelligence forbids internal conflict, that’s true, but don’t forget—you’re just a lowly private. If I wanted to deal with you, I wouldn’t even need to lift a finger.”
Li Cha sighed. “Officer Mary, you’ve misunderstood again. I thought what I saw was just a normal tavern show. Since it’s not, I won’t do it again.”
With that, he turned to leave.
“Stop!” Mary pinched the bridge of her nose. “How do you plan to explain this if you walk out now?”
Li Cha shrugged. “Not enough money, so I’ll have to try another day.”
Adult services always cost money, even if the other party initiates. Wendy’s price was 10 to 20 copper coins; the landlady’s rate would be even higher. Just because you can afford Wendy doesn’t mean you can afford the landlady.
“No way,” Mary snapped. “Did you forget you already spilled the beans about Charlie’s Psychological Clinic?”
Oh, right.
Charlie’s Psychological Clinic was much like the Shock Tavern—both were assets of Military Intelligence Section Six.
So Li Cha hadn’t spent much out of pocket. But outsiders didn’t know that. The doctor Li Cha was at least middle class in the outer city, so joking about not having enough money to play with the landlady was plausible. Still, having already entered the room and then claiming no money was bound to raise suspicions.
Mary said, “Stay tonight.”
Li Cha grinned, “Sure, sure!”
“I’m taking the bed; you sleep on the floor.”
“...”
Previously, Li Cha always took the bed while Mary slept on the floor.
Soon, the crystal chandelier in the room went dark.
Li Cha lay on the floor bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. “Landlady, I could actually help you have a good dream.”
Mary, on the single bed beside him, said, “Don’t worry, I won’t believe a word you say unless you tell me what your real power is.”
Li Cha replied, “I’m a disciple of the Goddess.”
“Get lost!”
“Okay.”
“Hey, shouldn’t we make some noise or something?”
“You can try.”
Mary, a Military Intelligence Section Six sergeant, was level 18.
Li Cha was level 3.
He decisively closed his eyes for an hour.
“Ding dong”—
Notification: You have acquired [Calming Flower] *3. Your experience has increased.
...
Li Cha leveled up.
His personal level rose to LV4, attack power +4, totaling 48 attack points.
But this level was still insignificant before Sergeant Mary.
“Forget it.”
Regardless of Li Cha’s feelings toward Mary, there was no rush. He had a cheat of a man, and sooner or later, Mary would be kowtowing to him in bed, admitting her mistakes.
Li Cha silently summoned the trading system interface and stared at [Mary’s Time] for a long moment.
[Mary’s Time]: Price 60 copper coins per hour, maximum exchange of 16 hours.
...
He recalled selling free time to the system at 12 copper coins per hour.
And now it was five times the price.
The system’s heart was even darker than the black market.
Li Cha had already formed ideas about his own stamina.
In the future, when he was exhausted and needed energy, spending money to buy stamina would grant him extra endurance.
The logic was sound.
He was ninety-nine percent sure of this.
Perhaps even others’ stamina, if he bought it, could become his own endurance.
But others’ time...
Li Cha glanced at the figure on the bed.
“Adding to my lifespan?”
This body was barely in its early twenties. Unless he learned some skill requiring life essence to activate, he wouldn’t need to replenish lifespan for decades.
“Only a test will tell.”
Coincidentally, Mary was there tonight, making it a perfect opportunity.
Trade.
[Mary’s Time]
One hour!
“Ding dong”~
Notification: Transaction successful, -60 copper coins!
...
Almost instantly, a blazing power surged within Li Cha’s body!
Current status—
[Name: Li Cha]
[Profession: Flame Knight]
[Level: 18 (--)]
[Attack Power: 380, Critical Damage: +180%]
[Assets: 31 silver 6 copper coins]
[Second-tier Adventurer, Military Intelligence Section Six Sergeant, Flame Affinity LV2, Strength Enhancement LV1, Polearm Mastery LV1, Flame Magic Mastery LV1, Horsemanship Mastery LV1]
...
Wang Defa?
Li Cha was stunned.
So... this is how time works.
Mary’s Time was essentially a trial card for Landlady Mary.
Amazing—say it loud!
Sixty copper coins to buy an hour of an 18-level Flame Knight’s use. Li Cha not only didn’t lose out, he gained immensely.
Li Cha’s own attack power was 48.
The landlady’s was 380, with a 180% critical damage bonus.
Ignoring enemy defense, a single critical hit could deal 1,064 damage!
He finally saw what a true combat profession looked like.
[Flame Affinity LV2]: Fire element affinity, 20% fire resistance, 20% increased fire magic/skill damage.
[Strength Enhancement LV1]: Strength +10%.
[Polearm Mastery LV1]: Polearm damage +10%.
[Flame Magic Mastery LV1]: Fire magic damage +10%, critical hit chance +5%.
[Horsemanship Mastery LV1]: While mounted, attack power +10%, strength +5%.
...
A Flame Knight wielding a polearm and capable of casting fire magic.
This profession was fascinating.
Before this, Li Cha could hardly imagine what it would be like to slash enemies while hurling fireballs.