Chang Long and Kitsune woke up early in the morning, came out to breathe the fresh air, then laid out a cloth, set the plates, and ordered a variety of food from the Cone of Abundance. Wet Trash Can and Oliang woke up automatically due to the delicious smell of food wafting into their nostrils.

"Are you planning to go somewhere else, Chang Long? Wouldn't it be better to stay here and hunt mythical beasts to level up with us?"

Oliang asked while eating.

"I was thinking of going into town for a bit. I'm running low on various potions, that will dampen the fun of the adventure,"

Chang Long replied.

"True, the various potions do drop from mythical beasts, but they're rare. Buying them is indeed the most prudent choice,"

Wet Trash Can agreed.

"How long are you two planning to hunt the mythical beasts around here?"

Chang Long asked, interested. They must surely be of high level to hunt mythical beasts on Royal Cliff.

"We planned on staying for a while. Here, you can steadily increase your level because the higher you go, the higher level the mythical beasts. Plus, it's said that there are many royal class mythical beasts on the summit,"

Oliang explained.

"Wow! I didn't know this place was that interesting. Maybe after I finish my errands in town, I might come and join you two,"

Chang Long said excitedly, having learned another piece of information about the game.

"Of course! How about we exchange names in the friend list? It'll be easier to contact each other,"

Oliang suggested. Wet Trash Can nodded in agreement, his mouth full of food. Then the three of them set about exchanging names, with Oliang teaching Chang Long how to add friends, since she had not studied the game before playing. Wet Trash Can and Oliang looked at Kitsune, who sat idly by, not adding them as friends.

"Does Kitsune also not know how to add friends? Come on, I'll teach you,"

Oliang volunteered, noticing Kitsune just watching them silently.

"By the way, where is Kitsune's watch?"

"Um..." Kitsune hesitated, turning to look at his master who was stunned.

"So? Where is Kitsune's watch? Bring it out, and I'll teach you how to add friends,"

Oliang asked again when Kitsune did not respond, a look of curiosity in his eyes. Wet Trash Can also looked at Kitsune with suspicion.

Chang Long quickly thought of a way out of this new crisis. She could not let anyone know that Kitsune was a pet that could transform into a human, or else they would be in trouble again.

"Oh!! Kitsune's wristwatch is broken. We left it to be fixed before we last left town. We're actually going back to pick up Kitsune's watch too... Yep!"

Chang Long quickly made up a story when she saw the two new friends staring at her human-shaped pet with increasing suspicion.

"Yes! Everything is exactly as my master said!"

Kitsune immediately played along with the story Chang Long threw to him.

"Oh...so, that's how it was!"

Oliang nodded, still squinting at Kitsune with unfading suspicion.

Chang Long and Kitsune thought they had evaded suspicion and continued to eat, Chang Long took a sip of water with relief. Oliang smiled at Kitsune, no longer asking further questions.

"Actually!"

Wet Trash Can spoke up making Chang Long jump.

"What now, Wet Trash Can?"

Oliang frowned and asked his friend.

"I'm just a little curious why Kitsune has to call Chang Long 'master'?"

This question caused both the master and the pet to choke and cough grandly.

'Damn... I forgot to consider this because Peach Blossom didn't suspect anything. How am I supposed to answer these two now?' Chang Long grumbled internally, her face which was already pale, turned even paler.

'Master, how about this...' Kitsune quickly told his newfound lie to Chang Long through telepathy. Hearing it, Chang Long nodded in agreement, her pale face gaining a slight flush of life back.

"Whisper... Oliang I think there's something fishy here,"

 Wet Trash Can whispered to Oliang when they saw Kitsune and Chang Long staring at each other without saying anything.

"Whisper... Right, I really want to know how these two will answer us, taking so long to think,"

Oliang whispered back in agreement.

"Err... It's because Kitsune owes me a huge debt, and he couldn't pay it back, so he has to serve as a servant to pay off the debt..."

Chang Long answered, watching the reaction of her new friends.

"Yes, that's correct,"

Kitsune quickly added, pretending to be sad.

"Huh, so that's it! But why do you call Chang Long 'master'? There's no need to call him that, and why end up speaking awfully polite to him?"

Wet Trash Can continued his attempt to dig out the truth from Chang Long.

"Well... Since I'm a servant anyway, shouldn't I play the role correctly? Calling Chang Long 'master' and treating her politely like... like... err..."

Kitsune fell silent because he could not remember what Chang Long had told him.

"Like in period dramas!"

Chang Long, seeing Kitsune struggling, quickly intervened.

"Exactly! I was about to say that, hehe,"

Kitsune said, embarrassed for forgetting the crucial line. However, since he did not know what period dramas meant, his explanation seemed unreliable.

Oliang and Wet Trash Can did not ask further, even though they still had their doubts, respecting Chang Long's right to answer or not. They appreciated the effort to reply, even if the story's veracity was uncertain. After breakfast, Chang Long and Kitsune split off to head back into town, while Oliang and Wet Trash Can went on to hunt beasts.

Chang Long and Kitsune were relieved to finally got away from their overly curious friends. They descended from the Royal Cliff, a high mountain within the Pine Forest area, to return to town. Fortunately, they had directions from Oliang, so they did not stray too far off the path.

"Phew... good that we finally parted ways. Staying with those two any longer and things would've surely blown up,"

Chang Long sighed in relief.

"Indeed, Master. The new friends of yours are really observant, aren't they? Unlike that  Peach Blossom girl who never doubted or questioned this matter even once,"

Kitsune agreed.

"We can't blame them, right? If Kitsune wanted to know something and someone could provide the answer, wouldn't you ask them?"

Chang Long asked with a smile.

"I would ask, Master... But, all we told them were lies. Is that really okay, Master?"

Kitsune replied, concerned.

"If someone asked you about a secret, but you didn't know if that person was truly good as they appeared, plus the question could cause trouble for you later, what would Kitsune do?"

Chang Long continued in a good mood.

"Um... Not answering might hurt their feelings, but if we were to tell the truth, it's uncertain how much we can trust them,"

Kitsune pondered, clearly troubled.

"Sometimes, people need to lie for various reasons. Even though lying is not a good thing, as long as our lies don't harm anyone and might even benefit them, would Kitsune choose to lie?"

Chang Long explained, remembering her father's big lie about her mother being alive and treated abroad, asking her to take good care of herself until the day they could reunite.

"I will if it's really necessary, Master!"

Kitsune replied with a brighter expression.

"Hehe... You're a quick learner, aren't you? Well, to ensure our lies aren't in vain, let's look for a pet collar. I remember seeing the shop selling diverse types of those, some even look like players' wristwatches. And we can't forget about your new clothes. I want something cool like mine. And then..."

Chang Long spoke cheerfully, thinking of the many things she wanted to buy for Kitsune. She quickened her pace to reach the starting town sooner.

"Yes, Master,"

Kitsune smiled happily, feeling fortunate for having such a kind and caring owner.

When Kitsune was still just an egg, his mother was terribly cruel to him, simply because the color of his eggshell was mottled and ugly. Unhatched Kitsune was neglected. Without care, warmth, nor attention from either of his parents, He thought that he would be left to freeze to death just like that. Then suddenly, a warm hand reached out to cradle him. A gentle voice kept speaking to him constantly. After hatching, his master continued to be kind, teaching him many things. So, Kitsune swore to himself even before he hatched that he would remain loyal to this person forever.

"Player Chang Long has earned the complete loyalty of the sacred beast, Flames Fox Kitsune, making it impossible to transfer or abandon the pet. Due to this complete loyalty, the pet can die in place of its master."

The system's announcement made Chang Long stop in her tracks. She turned to look at Kitsune, who was following with a curious smile.

As they stepped into the town at dusk, Chang Long and Kitsune were stunned by the number of players out and about, mostly members of guilds or associations. Everyone turned to stare at Chang Long and Kitsune abruptly, causing them to jump and immediately run into the nearest clothing store.

"Welcome, what kind of outfit would you like to buy?"

The store clerk hurriedly came over to greet Chang Long and Kitsune attentively, and upon seeing the faces of her two customers clearly, she was stunned, enchanted.

"Um... are these clothes suitable for pets?"

Chang Long looked around before asking the clerk, who was staring blankly at her and Kitsune.

"Ah! Of course, if your pet is a human, that is. Hehe,"

the clerk said, laughing merrily.

"Does that mean any beast with a human form can wear player clothes?"

Chang Long asked, delighted.

"That's right. And may I ask if you're buying it for yourself or for your pet?"

The clerk joked, causing a startled reaction.

"Uh... just asking for knowledge. I'd like to buy a high-quality, cool outfit for my younger brother, price is no object,"

Chang Long said, pushing Kitsune towards the clerk.

"Wouldn't you like to buy a spare outfit for yourself?"

The clerk turned to Chang Long with a sweet smile.

"Let me look around first. You go ahead and find some cool outfits for my brother,"

Chang Long ordered, ignoring the clerk's sweet gaze.

The clerk led Kitsune deeper into the store to select high-end clothes, while Chang Long browsed the outfits displayed at the front, waiting for Kitsune.

"No! I don't understand. How can I reach level 60 if you keep dragging me back to town like this!"

A familiar whining voice came from behind Chang Long, who was looking at the clothes in front of the store.

"Come on! The guild meeting won't be long. I'll help you level up later,"

A man's soft voice replied.

"Your guild meeting is nothing but long. It always lasts at least several hours every time. My level won't go up like this. And then you would refuse to look for master, right!!"

Chang Long was shocked to turn around and see a Peach Blossom up close, with a large group of male players following, no less than fifty in total. Fortunately, Peach Blossom was busy talking to Siegfried and did not notice Chang Long.

"That's Peach Blossom... Why does she call me master... and even goes out to look for me?"

Chang Long muttered to herself while sneakily watching Peach Blossom and her group move away from where she stood.

"Ah! Could it be that she's going to bring her group of friends to kill me... (her face turning pale) Sure enough, I've annoyed her quite a bit. I'd better hide inside the store,"

Chang Long hurried back inside. She went deeper into the store to see how Kitsune was doing with choosing his outfits instead of waiting at the front, which seemed unsafe now.

"Just in time. It seems your younger brother is having trouble choosing an outfit. He won't take anything I suggest. Could you help?"

the clerk said dejectedly.

"What's wrong? Don't you like the clothes here?"

Chang Long asked Kitsune.

"Not at all, master. It's just that... the price..."

Kitsune shyly replied. Chang Long smiled at Kitsune's demeanor and then went to see the outfit the clerk had picked out.

"Let's see... This outfit should be suitable. It's high-level too, offering ten thousand points in protection," Chang Long picked up a light cream-colored martial artist outfit made of fine silk with glossy silk thread leaf and flower embroidery, showing it to Kitsune. The set included: a white waistband (belt) with an orange maple leaf pattern embroidered in the center. The brown leather shoes had white fur at the edges. A hair accessory, which was two silver hairpins shaped like fans, and a white fingerless pair of gloves.

"Oh, it really suits you, Mister Kitsune," the clothing store clerk agreed, especially when the outfit was held up against Kitsune, making the young fox look like a celestial being.

"Exactly! Try it on, Kitsune,"

Chang Long commanded with a beaming smile. Kitsune bashfully accepted the outfit and went to try on the new clothes in the dressing room for customers.

The clerk invited Chang Long to sit and sip tea at the store front while waiting for Kitsune to change. She engaged Chang Long in a conversation, attempting to make a connection. Chang Long discovered that the clerk, named Kungten, was also a player who took on the job of tending the store and selling clothes for extra income on behalf of the system.

"And what if it's a player-owned store? Can they hire employees?"

Chang Long asked while sipping her tea.

"Of course, but only the wealthy players can afford to hire employees, as the minimum wage set by the game is quite high,"

Kungten replied.

"Um... Master,"

Kitsune emerged, presenting himself to Chang Long and Kungten, after having changed into his new outfit.

"Wow! You look fantastic. This outfit suits you so perfectly, no one else can compare!"

Kungten praised sincerely, albeit a bit exaggeratedly.

"You look like a nobleman in a period drama... but it suits you well. I like it!"

Chang Long complimented, making Kitsune blush.

"Then it's settled!! You'll take this outfit, won't you?"

Kungten, seizing the moment, immediately put on her best salesperson demeanor.

"Mm, I'll take another one of the same kind, just in case it gets damaged. But what happens if the outfit tears or gets damaged? Can it be repaired?"

Chang Long inquired because if equipment, including weapons, gets damaged, their power is halved.

"You can bring them to our clothing store for repairs. We also repair damaged clothes, or you can sell them and buy new ones. However, most players prefer to get them repaired because the price of each outfit is quite high, especially for high-level ones. But for weapons or higher-level clothes, you'll need to find an NPC called 'The God of Creation.' You'll have to accept a quest from him, and only then he will repair the damaged equipment for you,"

Kungten explained in detail, especially since Chang Long had purchased two sets of the most expensive outfit in the store.

-----

Read 'Adventure World Online (AWO)' before anyone else with more chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.