This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist

Chapter 356 The Big Shots

Rita wasn't worried that Kayden might try to scheme against her. First, Kayden didn't have the means to outmaneuver her. Second, for Kayden, the most important person in her life was Apache. Since Rita wasn't on opposing terms with Apache, Kayden had no motivation to betray her.

Kayden's rented house was located in the slums of Dark City. The two small figures made their way through the city's twisting alleys and shadowy corners.@@@@

Truthfully, Apache treated Kayden quite well. All her meals were provided at the alchemy shop, she received three custom-made robes each quarter, and if she wanted, she could have just lived in one of the upstairs rooms above the shop, saving the money she spent on rent.

But it seemed Kayden had her heart set on owning a small house of her own. Despite having a room at the shop, she insisted on renting elsewhere. Besides, Kayden already knew how to make a fair amount of potions herself—she could easily sell them and save up even more money.

Rita asked, "That little house you've had your eye on—does it happen to be nearby?"

Kayden replied cheerfully, "That house? Someone already bought it! I'm looking for another one now."

Rita sighed. "You said the same thing last time... How much are you still short? Do you want to work part-time for me? Help me process potions, and I'll pay you."

Kayden was always talking about saving up for a small house in Dark City, but all the homes she liked were in the slums. From what Rita had calculated, based on how much money Kayden had earned since they'd known each other, she should have had more than enough by now. But for some reason, she still hadn't bought one.

The little undead girl skipped through the damp, shadowy alleyways, hopping over puddles and dodging water dripping from rooftops. Her voice was lighthearted as she said, "That'd be great! I'm almost there—probably next year."

Nivalis immediately chimed in, "You can't say that. If you say 'next year,' then you definitely won't buy it by next year."

Kayden's eyes widened in surprise. "There's a reason for that? Why?"

Nivalis launched into an explanation about what a flag was.

As they walked through the alleys, Kayden's exclamations of astonishment echoed. Rita watched her closely, noting that her smile never faded and her chatter became more lively. It was a stark contrast to how she had been earlier, silently facing Mistblade. And yet, Rita could tell Kayden was more nervous now than she had been in the alchemy shop.

She raised a hand, gesturing for Kayden to relax, signaling her harmless intentions. As Kayden watched, Rita activated one of her skills—[Silent Hill].

Among the six A-grade or higher skills she had obtained in High Tower, [Silent Hill] was one of her best. Though she had temporarily downgraded it using an Upgrade Cup, reducing it to an A-level ability, it was still incredibly useful.

[Silent Hill] (A-grade, Upgradeable):

Summons an alternate dimension where you are the absolute ruler. Within this dimension, nothing can be seen, heard, or divined by outsiders. All beings inside are fully under your awareness. The size and duration of the dimension depend on your Intelligence stat. Activation costs 2,000 Mana Points, has a 5-second cast time, and a 2-hour cooldown.

With Rita's current Intelligence stat and the skill's temporary downgrade, her Silent Hill could only cover a 3-square-meter area and last no longer than 5 minutes. But for this conversation, it was enough.

In an instant, white mist enveloped the room. Rita and Kayden could still see each other, but everything within the mist's boundary was now hidden from the outside world—undetectable by any means, even divination.

"You can talk freely now," Rita said calmly. "But don't take it out yet."

Kayden visibly relaxed. She finally said, "It's a Death Suit piece. Seven thousand."

No matter what kind of piece it was, Rita wasn't about to pass up the opportunity. "What do you want for it?"

Hearing that question, Kayden's whole body seemed to finally relax, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off her small shoulders.

Rita chuckled. "So that's what had you so nervous? You were afraid I'd just rob you? Or steal it and then force you to drink Forgetfulness Potion?"

Kayden nodded without any embarrassment. "Of course. One day, you're going to be someone truly powerful—someone important. Big shots don't bother with petty rules. Big shots can be ruthless, unfair, and willing to do anything to win. You all follow a completely different set of rules."

Rita couldn't help but laugh at Kayden's tone. The little undead girl, sitting stiffly on her chair, looked so serious and solemn, as if she had uncovered some grand truth of the world. She clearly thought of herself as wise and experienced, like Gota, someone who had seen the harsh realities of life. And yet, her bright, innocent eyes betrayed her childlike naivety.