Chapter 8: An unexpected Level up from depraved merchants

The group stepped out of the dark dungeon entrance into the fading evening light. The sun was already sinking low, painting the sky in deep oranges and purples. Star blinked slowly, his eyes struggling after so many days underground. The cool evening breeze brushed against his skin, making the thin silk robes and golden chains he still wore feel strangely out of place and heavy on his weightless body.

No one spoke at first. The only sounds were their tired footsteps on the dirt path and the distant call of night birds.

Lena stayed glued to his left side, her remaining hand occasionally brushing his arm. Rian walked on his right, quiet and watchful. Finn, mia, and Brock followed a few steps behind, whispering within themselves.

They walked along a narrow forest path for nearly an hour before Lena finally spoke.

"There’s a river up ahead," she said. "We should stop and clean up before it gets fully dark."

The group followed the sound of flowing water until they reached a gentle riverbank surrounded by smooth rocks and tall grass. The last rays of sunlight danced on the water’s surface.

Lena led Star a little downstream, away from the others. "You’re still covered in that underground filth... and those dusty chains."

"Let’s clean up here" Star nodded. He carefully removed the golden jewelry — necklaces, bracelets, waist chains — and handed them to her. Lena helped him wash his face, arms, and silver hair in the cold river water. The silk robe clung wetly to his body.

Never had he thought that he would be in this kind of situation, but here he was .

After they finished, Lena helped him package the jewelry neatly into a spare sack. "We’ll sell these at the merchant guild. Should get you decent coins."

"Like how much?" Star asked.

"I can’t say for sure. I am not exactly an Appraiser you know...but i think one thousand coins would do" she said and he smiled.

System what do you think?

[Applying Jewl’s gaze on the Jewlries from The goblin king: Everything should be valued over 2000 coins]

That much? !

[Yep]

They returned to the main group. Brock, the big warrior, cleared his throat awkwardly.

"you really are quite the spectacle," he said gruffly. "Didn’t expect someone like you to survive down there. Respect." He gave a subtle bow.

Star gave a small, tired smile. "Thank you uh....." he had forgotten the name.

"It’s Brock!" Brock said with a grunt and Star chuckled awkwardly.

"Of course i knew it was Brock"

"Right"

Finn leaned against a tree, eyes roaming shamelessly over Star’s wet form. His pants showed a very obvious, thick bulge.

"Fuck me sideways," Finn muttered, voice low and depraved. "Look at you. That wet silk clinging to your body... those pretty lips... I’m so hard right now I could fuck a hole into the tree. If you ever need a warm, eager mouth or a pole to hold on to when you feel too lonley at night...i am here "

"You fucking Pervert " Lena said glaring at Finn with disdain laced in her eyes. Rian also carried a scary aura around him too.

"Well well look who is getting worked up! You really thought you could keep him all to your self?" Finn said doubling down on his perversion.

Mia blushed furiously but shot Finn an ugly glare before turning to Star with sparkling, slightly unhinged eyes. "Don’t listen to him. I can take much better care of you. I can heal anything... anything at all."

"You take that back right now" Lena said walking up to finn, hands balled into a fist.

"I am not going to, besides he doesn’t have a problem with it, i wonder why you are so furious"

Star’s face burned red. He quickly looked away, feeling overwhelmed by the chaotic scene.

[If you don’t stop this you might end up getting caught in a battle]

No way! They are really about to start fighting?

[Correct]

Star groaned.

"Look guys" he spoke up and the tension died almost immediately

"It’s been a long day and i really want to get some rest. Could you all stop please?"

"You are right.. sorry " Lena said her fists were now uncleched.

He shot an ugly glare at Finn

"I did not appreciate the way you talked to me now finn, need i remind you that i am capable of fighting for myself and i promise i won’t go easy. Apologize"

Finn looked at everyone’s faces and sighed

"I am sorry" he said non chalantly and softly slid down to the base of the tree.

That felt powerful...

They made camp for the night and by afternoon the next day they made it back to town.

The following week that followed was slow and healing.

Star spent most of his time resting, eating properly, and adjusting to freedom again.

On the seventh day, Madame Vesper , the guild master summoned him to her office.

Star entered the room alone. Vesper sat behind her large desk, elegant as always, studying him with sharp, curious eyes.

"My... My you really are a beauty" she said as Star quietly sat on the chair opposite to her.

"I have a mission for you. Can you take it?" she asked directly.

Star hesitated.

A mission?

"I mean... I just started in this guild. I don’t think I’m ready for it yet, ma’am?"

Vesper smiled faintly, leaning back in her chair.

"Oh don’t worry, my dear. It’s not a typical combat mission. What we need is someone who can walk into dangerous places and make both men and monsters lower their guard. Your mana signature is... special, Star Denice. Extremely special. It reacts to corrupted dimensional energy in ways normal adventurers can’t. Whether you know it or not, you are uniquely suited to investigate the Shattered Veil — a broken dimensional barrier that’s been leaking monsters. The official duration is two weeks, but I suspect it may take longer. Are you interested?"

[Interesting,] Jezebel’s voice chimed in Star’s head. [She knows more than she’s letting on, it seems that she possesses the unique skill called, True sight. She can see mana and track it’s potential]

Is there anyway i could skip this task?

[She gave you a choice but i will advice that you take it. You don’t know what you would find on the road]

Star swallowed. "I’ll take it."

"Excellent! Go to Mira for your paper work, the mission is going to be briefed to you there and decide on your pay with her" she said standup up.

"I am afraid i have to leave now. There is something i need to attend to" she said beaming with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, then she struted out leaving Star there by himself.

"Wierd"

**

The next day, Star went to the Merchant Guild to sell Gorzod’s treasures.

As Star stepped into the Merchant Guild, the entire hall fell into a stunned silence. Dozens of eyes locked onto him — greedy, lustful, and hungry. Merchants stood up from their chairs, their gazes raking over his body shamelessly. Whispers turned into open offers and bids.

"Oh my!"

"Is that...."

One merchant licked his lips. "Name your price, beauty..."

Another stepped forward aggressively. "I’ll give you ten times the value if you spend one night with me..."

[These are depraved men,] Jezebel chimed in, chuckling wickedly in his mind. [Oh! The thrill of this attention! Look at how they salivate over you, darling~]

A warm notification screen suddenly appeared in front of Star’s eyes.

[Attention from Depraved Beings Detected!]

[Your overwhelming beauty and presence have triggered a hidden growth effect.]

[Charm Stat +1]

[Charm has increased from 4 to 5]

Star froze for a moment, cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and discomfort. He felt a strange warmth spread through his body as the stat point settled in. His natural allure seemed to sharpen just a little more.

This... this is because of them staring at me like that? he thought, feeling slightly violated but also strangely aware of the power it gave him.

[See?] Jezebel purred, clearly amused. [Even the most disgusting lust can fuel your growth. How delightful~]

Star lowered his head slightly, trying to hide his flushed face as the merchants continued throwing increasingly shameless offers at him.

Star felt overwhelmed by the sudden attention. He sold everything for over 6000 gold coins!

With the money, he excitingly went straight to Tessa’s Threads.

"I need practical traveling clothes this time," he told her. "Less revealing. Something I can actually fight and walk long distances in."

Tessa helped him pick sturdy but still flattering outfits. He bought reinforced pants, a good cloak, boots, and practical shirts.

He also purchased a sturdy travel cart, two strong horses, camping supplies, preserved food, and maps.

One week later, on a quiet morning, Star stood at the eastern gate of Greenhaven. His cart was fully packed and ready. The sun was rising, casting a soft golden light on his silver hair.

Before leaving, he looked at Lena and Rian.

He focused on them both.

"Use Jewels Gaze."

[Activating Jewels Gaze. Would you like to place marks on them?]

"Yes."

[Marks placed. You will now be able to sense their general location and strong emotions from a distance.]

Lena hugged him tightly with her one arm, kissing his cheek. "Stay safe. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you. I’ll come find you as soon as I can from the northern border mission."

Rian stood a respectful distance away. He gave a small nod. "We’ll see you soon from the western ruins investigation."

Star looked at both of them. "I’ll be waiting for you."

He climbed onto the driver’s seat, took the reins, and gave the horses a gentle command. The wheels began to turn.

As Greenhaven grew smaller behind him, Star looked forward toward the distant horizon, heart heavy with fear, excitement, and quiet determination.