Chapter 288

Chapter 291: Rubbernecking is Engraved in the Human DNA (Please Subscribe!)

After some playful antics at the entrance of Rivira Town, the group soon passed through the archway that marked the town gate.

Tents, small bookstores, and various vendor-style shops immediately caught their eyes.

Yet there was no sign of elaborate decoration.

These stores were basically constructed with hastily gathered wooden planks, roughly erected along the edge of this island facing the lake, standing on a cliff slope over two hundred meters high.

Considering Rivira Town’s situation, all these were low-cost shops conducive to town reconstruction.

At first glance, the simple landscape of this small town might make one feel as if they had arrived at a primitive tribe.

However, natural forests and blue-white crystal pillars could be seen everywhere around the town, with azure lake water below and magnificent crystal domes above. These natural creations of the dungeon beautified the town’s streets magnificently.

“Is the town quieter today? The atmosphere feels a bit off…”

As they passed the tavern ingeniously built into a natural cave and arrived at the place in town where magic stones are exchanged, Riviria mentioned somewhat concerned.

“Now that you mention it, there do seem to be fewer people…”

Upon hearing Riviria’s words, Refia looked around and responded.

She and Izay had visited Rivira Town many times when exploring the dungeon, and it wasn’t like this back then.

Normally, although this underground city’s small town wasn’t always bustling with activity, there were always crowds of people coming and going, voices filling the air.

But now, it was eerily quiet, deserted even, and this strange atmosphere was hard to ignore.

“Oh—? Concerned about the town’s situation, Loki Familia? Are you newcomers here?”

At this moment, the female owner of the town’s magic stone exchange shop, an Amazonian woman dressed in a revealing dancer outfit, cast an interested gaze.

She took the dropped items and small magic stones handed over by Izay, appraising their value with her naked eye, while also starting a conversation with the Halfling Tribe Leader.

“Yeah, we just got here, not sure what’s going on yet. If you don’t mind, could you tell us what happened?”

Despite not being acquaintances, Finn asked in a casual tone that put others at ease.

The Amazonian owner replied as if following his lead.

“It’s a murder case. Some idiot killed another idiot. Anyway, they found the body of an adventurer in town.”

In an instant, including Finn, everyone gaped in disbelief.

An adventurer killing a fellow adventurer?

This hasn’t happened in how many years!?

Ever since the “Dark Faction” was expelled and suppressed, and the dark era ended, such things haven’t occurred without cause, right?

After all, except for those who willingly descend into madness, no adventurer would do something like this.

Mutual killings among peers is no small issue!

‘The culprit isn’t necessarily an adventurer…’ Izay noticed their line of thinking and his gaze shifted slightly.

This is being led astray by habitual thinking.

Because everyone living in this town is an adventurer, or rather – human.

If a monster appeared here, it would definitely cause a commotion.

So when a murder happens unnoticed, anyone would naturally assume it was done by an adventurer.

Just giving them a brief moment of shock, the female owner continued explaining with a slightly furrowed brow:

“The case was just discovered, probably not even ten minutes ago. But this place is so small that any little disturbance can alert everyone. Now they’ve all gone to gawk.”

“Go… go gawk…?”

Refia opened her mouth, staring blankly at the Amazonian owner who was playing with her own braids, unable to fully grasp the situation.

“That’s right, rubbernecking~” The female owner nodded in response to her gaze.

Even chaotic rubbernecking is still rubbernecking. Someone will always take the lead, and more and more people will gather to watch.

“Rubbernecking is ingrained in human DNA.”

“Izay, you’re saying stuff that’s hard to understand again.”

“Don’t interrupt me, Tiona. I’m reflecting.”

Ignoring the bickering duo, Finn continued asking the female owner for information.

Needless to say, they were bound to get involved in this incident.

Even if they hadn’t formally intervened yet.

But don’t forget, just earlier, everyone had decided to stay here.

With that as a prerequisite, this matter would inevitably involve them.

Meanwhile, the female owner casually answered Finn’s questions while quietly appraising the items.

Soon enough, she paid out the acquisition price for the magic stones and dropped items. Since she runs a store in Rivira Town and needs to make a living, the price was about twenty percent lower than the Guild’s standard rate.

“This time, I’ll give you a discount—just charge you twenty percent interest.”

Twenty percent interest?

Are you running a loan shark operation? How terrifying!?

The female owner’s statement made Izay, who stepped forward to receive the Valis, twitch his eyes slightly. But then she added,

“By the way, I also offer accommodation here~ Young man, are you that [Silver Star]? The only enchanter in Orario, and a top-tier adventurer.”

“Would you like to spend the night with me? I’ve heard about you from my kin, and I’m quite interested…”

With that, the female owner licked her seductive lips.

“—!?”

Instantly, Ais’ expression changed.

Regardless of which clan this owner heard such nonsense from, Ais clearly reacted strongly to her statement. Without a word, she grabbed Izay and left.

Her face clearly read “No! Way!”

Being pulled away by Ais, Riviria glanced at the female owner before following Ais out.

Then came Refia, whose ears turned red from the shocking words, emitting incomprehensible sounds, feeling both angry and embarrassed, before retreating.

“Hmm…” Tiona tilted her head, thinking it over, deciding it’d be best to follow.

In just a short breath’s time, the people at the shop entrance were down to an awkwardly lingering Finn and accompanying Tione.

“Cough cough.” The Halfling Tribe Leader politely cleared his throat, “Sorry, we appreciate your kindness, but regarding accommodations, let’s discuss it another time. We’ll leave now.”

“…”

Watching the group depart, the female owner swallowed her saliva.

For a moment, she felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if she’d survived a disaster.

The moment her words fell silent, she suddenly sensed a chill, seemingly an unintentionally generated aura. That mere presence scared her half to death, almost making her feel like she was about to die.

And the glare from Nine Demon Queens just now…

‘So does Silver Star have good relations with women within the Familial Group?’

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t heard of him having any scandals with other adventurers… though wasn’t there something about a goddess?’

‘And should I just run away now? Maybe come back in a few days to do business!?’

The female owner’s thoughts kept racing, and once that last idea popped up, it rooted itself in her mind, becoming increasingly tempting.

Without further ado, fearing she might “mysteriously disappear” the next day, she began packing her belongings…