"I'm thinking of observing this city a bit longer," Eric said, finding a chair and sitting down.

  "Would you like some tea?" Tadela got up, eagerly brewing a cup of tea for Eric, then looked at him expectantly.

  "……"

  "Ah, sorry, I forgot," Tadela realized after a moment of Eric's inaction, remembering that beneath the cloak was a skeleton. Eric always wore his cloak, and since he behaved just like a normal person, she had subconsciously forgotten the identity of the skeleton in front of her.

  The air grew quiet, and the atmosphere subtly turned a bit awkward.

  "Would you like to change clothes?" Breaking the silence, Tadela felt she needed to do something.

  "Sure, thanks," Eric replied, standing up.

  "Master, here are the clothes you requested," a cat - eared maid said, bringing in several pieces of clothing.

  A cat - eared beastgirl maid.

  Eric glanced at Tadela, with a look that said "fellow traveler."

  Afterward, the maid left.

  Tadela sat at her desk, watching Eric without any intention of looking away.

  Although he had been "naked" before, suddenly having to undress in front of a woman was still a bit……

  "Is there a changing room or a cubicle?"

  "Oh, yes, we do," Tadela replied.

  The new clothes were much thicker, with a heavy cloak covering his face. From the mirror, only a dark shadow could be seen. If it were night, perhaps one could see the eyes glowing like ghostly flames within the shadow. This completely eliminated any risk of Eric accidentally exposing himself.

  After leaving the changing room, Tadela was standing outside.

  "Hmm, it suits you well," she commented.

  "Thanks, I'm heading out for a bit," Eric said.

  "Here's some money for you. Be careful," Tadela warned, handing him some coins.

  "One gold coin can be exchanged for ten silver coins, and a silver coin is worth a hundred copper coins," she added.

  ……

  Eric didn't go anywhere else after leaving. He walked straight toward the city's landmark tower. Even hiding in the city, he couldn't truly feel at ease. Only by increasing his own strength could he truly feel secure. After all, you can hide for a while, but not forever. If Pond attacked this city, where would he hide then?

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  The underground city was a place where he could quickly gain power through trials. Moreover, "conquering the underground city" sounded so romantic.

  Eric arrived at the base of the city's landmark tower. Up close, the tower was even more awe - inspiring. It stretched straight up into the clouds, like a vine hanging from the sky.

  At the base of the tower, there were countless large and small holes. Scattered adventurers, fully equipped, were heading into the holes. Most of them were entering in small teams. Judging by their attire, there were swordsmen, heavy - armored warriors, mages, and priests.

  He didn't plan to enter today; he just came to take a look……

  The two soul flames in Eric's hood suddenly shrank. Following his gaze, two figures were walking toward him.

  One was a handsome, blond - haired, blue - eyed preacher wearing a missionary's robe. He was talking and laughing with his companion, a purple - clad figure completely covered in heavy armor, who walked with a cold, indifferent air.

  They were the same preacher and purple - armored warrior who had fought against Pond. The purple - armored warrior carried a giant sword that had once cut off one of Pond's horns.

  Eric stiffly averted his gaze, pretending not to notice as the two walked past.

  The purple - armored warrior's face was covered by a helmet, making it impossible to see any expression.

  The preacher also continued talking to his companion, seemingly unaware of Eric.

  Eric breathed a quiet sigh of relief inside, trying to keep his movements natural.

  As he passed by the preacher, the preacher's voice sounded in his ear.

  "Stop."

  The preacher turned around and looked at Eric with a smile.

  "Have you seen me somewhere before?"

  If Eric had a heart, it would be pounding so fast right now that it could power the Earth out of an energy crisis.

  He slowly turned around, pretending to examine the preacher.

  "Never seen you before."

  "Oh, really? Your voice sounds a bit hoarse. Are you sick?" The preacher narrowed his eyes, still smiling.

  "No, it's just the way I am."

  Eric felt every joint in his body creaking.

  The pressure was overwhelming.

  "Oh……Well……"

  The preacher reached out his hand toward Eric.

  Watching the hand getting closer, Eric's legs almost instinctively wanted to run.

  But he forced himself to stay still.

  "Kate, we've already wasted a lot of time," the purple - armored warrior spoke up.

  It wasn't the deep voice of a burly man that Eric had imagined, but a very pleasant and strong - willed female voice.

  Just hearing the voice, Eric already felt an overwhelming pressure.

  "Alright," the preacher, named Kate, withdrew her hand.

  And then……

  "Do you believe in the Goddess of Light?"

  "……No."

  No way was he, a skeleton, going to believe in the Goddess of Light. She'd probably just purify him out of existence. And this definitely wasn't the right time for missionary work.

  "What a pity," the preacher turned around.

  Eric's soul flames, which had almost gone out, reignited.

  He should be grateful that he wasn't human; otherwise, his physiological reactions would have given him away completely.

  He glanced at the purple - armored warrior with a look of gratitude.

  Purple seemed to be his lucky color.

  The first time she appeared, she had cut off a piece of Pond's horn for him. And now she had indirectly saved him again.

  He calmed himself down and left the landmark tower.

  On the other side……

  "Ilu, that guy definitely recognized us. Why did you help him?"

  "Say something."

  "There has to be a reason, right?"

  "Did you take a liking to that guy?"

  She was kicked away.

  "Sure, why not?"

  Ilu didn't look at Kate and kept walking.

  In no time, the unscathed Kate caught up again.

  "No way, no way, you really did take a liking to him?"

  "So that's your type? The sneaky, mysterious kind, or is it……"

  "The sense of mystery, the sense of anticipation?"

  "As far as I'm concerned, that guy looks scrawny. Don't be fooled by his thick clothing; he doesn't have much meat on him."

  "He won't last long with you."

  She was kicked away again.

  "I'll sew your mouth shut one of these days."

  As soon as Kate came back, she got kicked again.