After it was time to close the shop, I decided to head out to buy dinner and to check on the claw machine.

But along with these two things, I also had another thing I needed to do—to deliver the rodent repellent medicine. The people had suffered enough as it was.

The streets were empty as the threat of the rodents biting someone was too high. I had left Fenrir behind because of that as well—to not get bitten by the rats.

As for myself? I carried a few rodent repellent pills, and I noticed how the rodents refused to come near me.

Due to the sudden threat of the epidemic, the profit I earned at the claw machine was massive.

I suddenly had 500 faith points, the most I ever had, and I felt tempted to use the claw machine as well.

A fortune ball and a mask rolled out of it, and I felt surprised. It was the first time I had gotten an item from the claw machine.

"What is this… a mask? And a black cloak. Do I know what they are?"

I asked, but there was no answer. There was only one sentence that stared back at me.

[Your current system lacks the capability to understand the hidden truth. Would you like to upgrade the system? Requirement—400 faith points]

"400—? What the heck—! That's plain robbery. There is no way I can afford that…"

I told myself, but I felt conflicted.

There was no need for me to upgrade my system because I could still use the normal one.

But knowing what I did about the modern system, I knew that staying on the old system for too long could be a problem.

Even the hard-headed people had no choice but to change once in a while. And it was not like I could not afford the 400 points…

'No, let's think positively. A new system will likely come with more benefits and more ways to earn faith points. Besides, do I even have a choice?'

The system had not warned me about this, but I had a small fear that if I didn't upgrade when it came, the system would stop working.

And then I would be truly in a bind here. So I made the purchase with a heavy heart.

[System upgrading. Estimated time: 1 min]

My phone shone for a second before it went back to normal… well, not quite normal. I opened my phone and noticed something—my phone had changed forms.

It was no longer a normal phone but one that had a poor-quality camera.

"Huh—! What is this? Am I supposed to do with this…? Ugh, the camera quality truly sucks… but maybe I can take pictures?"

I positioned my camera toward the station, but the error message appeared on my screen.

[No energy signals can be checked. Please try another object.]

"Oh—! So it's like a scanner? Let's see—"

I turned the camera toward the claw machine, and there was an immediate response.

[Object registered and recognized—Heavenly Claw Machine. Function—has a chance to give out a useful item. The grade will depend on user's luck]

"Is the camera… telling me about the features an object might have? How useful… let's check what the claw machine gave me."

I turned the camera toward the mask and the cloak, and the reply was instant.

[Item scanned: Saviour's Mask and Cloak. Set has a charm effect and can cause others to have positive feelings toward you]

That sounded like a useful item, and I suddenly felt like I had made the right choice by checking the claw machine out.

I quickly wore the mask and the cloak, and they fit perfectly. Moreover, they hid my hair and face perfectly.

I looked at the window glass, but I could not recognize myself. It was perfect for me to wear around.

"Alright, it's time to head out now. I need the people to have the rodent repellent in their homes before the situation gets worse… then, I will think about what to do for the bigger problem."

I told myself as I walked out of the train station.

Did I look suspicious? Perhaps I did.

But no one stopped me to ask me any questions, which I considered a win in my book. And soon, I reached the police station, and it was time for me to enter the place.

________

"Boss, there are a lot of complaints about rats running around these days. Has the duchess said anything?"

General Henry's secretary asked him with a worried voice, and she had every reason to be anxious.

The rodents had suddenly turned violent and started to actively attack people. The case was turning out to be a huge one.

Moreover, it just added a huge burden to her already large pile of work to be done… not that it was the reason she was worried about.

Her workload had nothing to do with all this.

"Don't worry so much, Lina. I went to the claw machine, and it assured me that we will get a solution to our problem soon. We just need to have faith."

The general told her, and the secretary felt her head throb.

"Have faith—! General, are you even hearing yourself? We are losing people, and here you are, speaking of faith—"

The secretary caught herself before she could get even angrier.

Just then, the door to their office opened, and a nervous low-level officer entered. He looked around but quickly looked nervous as he saw the expression the secretary had.

"What is it? You don't have to be nervous because of Lina."

General Henry encouraged the man, and the officer took a sharp breath before he told the general why he was here.

"A-About the recent rodent case… there is someone here to help us out. He says that the shopkeeper has sent him to help us and that you would know what that means."

The officer told the general and his secretary, and General Henry immediately stood up to head out.

"Oh really—! The shopkeeper sent aid—? I need to go out and check right now. Lina, you take care of my paperwork—"

"No way—! I am coming with you, General. I know that you cannot keep a straight mind when it comes to the shopkeeper, and I won't allow you to get scammed."

The secretary was the real brain behind the police force. She might be young, but sometimes she felt like she was the only one who was keeping this place running.

"Eh—! You want to come with me? Looks like little Lina has also learned how to run away from her work. Eh… don't give me that dirty look. Fine, you can come with me."

General Henry tried to tease Lina, but that almost backfired as he got a glare back. That made him stop teasing her and go back to work instead. Lina, who had heard what just happened, let out a frustrated sigh as she went back to work.

"Come, let's see what gift the shopkeeper has prepared for us this time. I have a feeling we are in for a surprise this time as well."

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