Even in the end, Fang Mo did not personally beat Kiri.
But despite this, the vicious woman ultimately paid a heavy price.
Fang Mo was not short of money now, and whether to enhance his equipment or not didn't really matter to him... However, it was important to realize that there were still many adventurers on the Arad continent who were struggling to make ends meet.
They had handed over all the money they had painstakingly saved from their tight budgets to Kiri.
Money that could have been used for a cold beer to soothe the dust of travel, a gift for a beloved girl, a more decent dinner... or a life-saving alchemical potion at a crucial moment.
But for the beautiful wish of 'enhancing equipment.'
All these hopes shattered like bubbles.
Kiri, the despicable woman, not only took their money but also broke their equipment... It was equivalent to smashing their rice bowls and then slapping them in the face.
It's worth noting that among these adventurers watching the spectacle, there were quite a few Berserker.
And they were called Berserker because of the Kazan Syndrome.
People affected by the Kazan Syndrome would have deformed arms and fall into berserk rages. Many Berserkers accidentally killed their most beloved ones, leading to broken homes and families scattered. In the end, they had to carry weapons and wander the world.
Among them, berserkers were the most outstanding.
In their berserk state, they would recognize no one, becoming completely mad.
When Kiri's lie about equipment enhancement was exposed, they realized they had been deceived. In an instant, countless rage erupted, and their blood surged like a rolling red river swallowing everything in its path... No one could stop them.
Led by the golden-armored berserker mentioned earlier, the furious adventurers grabbed Kiri's hair and dragged her, as if she were a dead dog, striding towards the entrance of Grand Flores.
These berserkers, with ferocious faces and blood-red eyes, seemed like two burning flames of blood, wishing they could swallow her alive and tear her to pieces.
Even the more composed adventurers around them looked grim, their fists clenched tightly, and their knuckles cracking from the force.
The merchants in Hendon Myre shivered at this sight, unsure of the terrifying retribution Kiri would face.
As for what ultimately happened to Kiri...
Fang Mo didn't really care.
After all, he never underestimated the evil in human nature. The laws of the Principality of Bel Myre would not give Kiri the punishment she deserved, but those adventurers... This was not a game; this was the real Arad continent. Not every adventurer was noble-hearted. Fang Mo believed there would always be a few bad guys who wouldn't disappoint him.
"Tsk tsk, the online abstraction master didn't deceive me."
Walking energetically on the street, Fang Mo recalled the earlier scene: "The impact of labeling someone is really strong..."
"Sigh, Master, you are still too kind."
At this moment, the floating Manyullyn Cleaver beside Fang Mo spoke up: "If it were me, I would have made the helmet base material out of dung, and let this woman study our country's famous work..."
"Hmm?"
Fang Mo curiously asked, "Which famous work?"
"Hehe." Manyullyn Cleaver grinned mischievously: "Of course, it's 'Falling Dung'."
"Like playing with dung, huh? Then I will make a dung enhancement for you next time."
Fang Mo couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his eye and retorted: "Weren't you always thinking of changing your name? I think 'Hyena' suits you well. That way, you'd be the Cleansing Sword..."
"Wrong, wrong, Master. I shouldn't show off my minor skills before an expert. You, Brother Jue, and Teacher Guo are the eternal monarchs of scatological humor, the unrivaled trio of potty humor, the uncrowned kings of debate." Manyullyn Cleaver quickly pleaded in a low voice: "Master, please spare me. If my blade gets stained with dung, I won't be able to perform brain surgery on patients..."
Before Manyullyn Cleaver could finish speaking, a voice suddenly called out from a distance, followed by a figure anxiously running over: "Adventurer!"
"Hmm?"
Fang Mo turned to look at the approaching figure.
To his surprise, it was an acquaintance, dressed in yellow training clothes with a headband, none other than Pungjin.
"Pungjin?"
Fang Mo looked at him curiously: "Why are you here?"
Despite asking, Fang Mo had already guessed that Pungjin might be here to plead for Kiri. After all, they were both masters training adventurers, seeing each other frequently, and he might not want to see her in real trouble.
"Adventurer! Why are you still wandering around here?"
To Fang Mo's surprise, Pungjin didn't mention Kiri at all: "Something happened, it seems your partner is in danger!"
"Bullshit, my partner is fine..."
Fang Mo retorted without thinking.
But then he realized: "Uh, wait, are you talking about that demon Alodo?"
"What on earth is Alodo?"
Pungjin seemed to be in a bit of a hurry. He frowned upon hearing this but quickly spoke again, "It's the magician who was with you. She seems to be in danger!"
"What's going on?" Fang Mo found it strange, "Wasn't she always at your dojo?"
"She was," Pungjin sighed, "But shortly after you left this morning, the goblin merchant Grubeck Goblinde found me. He said a goblin capable of releasing lightning appeared in the Grand Flores and might threaten nearby residents. He asked me to eliminate it."
"A goblin that can release lightning?" Fang Mo recalled and quickly responded, "Oh, the Lightning Kinoll, right? So, what happened?"
"Then your partner..."
"Call her a mage." Fang Mo interrupted, frowning.
"Uh, okay." Pungjin paused, puzzled but didn't ask more, "In any case, your mage friend heard our conversation and volunteered to eliminate the goblin. I didn't intend to let her go, but she disappeared before I knew it."
"Really?" Fang Mo rubbed his chin subconsciously after hearing Pungjin's explanation.
"I just asked Grubeck Goblinde," Pungjin continued, "He said the goblin tribe is near the Thunderland. It takes at most an hour to get there from Hendon Myre. But I've waited for her for half a day, and she hasn't returned. I'm worried something might have happened..."
"If something were to happen, it would have already happened by now," interrupted Manyullyn Cleaver, who suddenly said, "By now, they could've already had a second child."
"Who is speaking!?" Pungjin was startled by the sudden voice.
"Don't panic," Fang Mo waved his hand indifferently and explained, "It's my demon sword. It can speak because it has a bit of its own intelligence."
"Is that so?" Pungjin nodded instinctively, "I see, it's a sword, no wonder it doesn't speak human language."
"Say that again!"
"Alright, enough." Fang Mo pressed the sword's hilt with one hand and looked back at Pungjin, "So what's the plan? Do you have a map of the Grand Flores?"
"The Grand Flores is too big; no one has a detailed map," Pungjin immediately replied, "But if you want to go to the Thunderland, we can go together. I've been there before, I should still remember..."
"Let me lead the way instead."
Before he could finish, a sharp voice came from not far away.
Fang Mo looked in the direction of the voice and saw a peculiar goblin leaning on a cane, dressed in burlap clothes. He looked unusually old, with a white beard reaching his chest, wearing a pair of scholarly glasses and a white top hat.
This attire made him look entirely different from ordinary goblins, even somewhat shrewd and slick.
"Grubeck Goblinde?" Pungjin turned and showed a surprised expression, "Are you personally going to the Thunderland? Didn't you say those goblins want to kill you?"
"Of course I'm scared. How could I not be?" Grubeck Goblinde sighed helplessly, "But this matter started because of me. I don't want to see adventurers getting into trouble. Alas... what can I do? I'm the most familiar with the terrain there."
At this, Grubeck Goblinde looked up at Fang Mo.
"Adventurer, you are the companion of that mage, right?" Grubeck Goblinde lowered his head slightly and said, "I'm very sorry for the trouble I've caused you. I am willing to compensate for your losses afterwards. As for this time... let me lead the way for you."
"Ah, well..."
Hearing this, Fang Mo was momentarily stunned. He knew this goblin named Grubeck Goblinde. He was a merchant from the back streets of Hendon Myre, quite famous in the game.
However, in the game, he was depicted as a cunning miser. But seeing him in person now, he seemed quite decent. Offering to be a guide voluntarily didn't seem so bad after all.
"Young man, I absolutely have no intention of deceiving you."
Perhaps sensing something, Grubeck Goblinde continued, "Although I am usually a bit stingy, I am very trustworthy. Other adventurers can vouch for that."
"Alright, got it!"
Fang Mo, not too concerned about these details, waved his hand and said, "Lead the way, please."
"... I understand."
Hearing this, Grubeck Goblinde was a bit confused, but he got the gist. He then began to walk towards the direction of Grand Flores, not the path where the adventurers dragged Kiri, but a small road on the other side. "Please follow me, I know a shortcut."
Since someone was guiding them, Fang Mo and Pungjin didn't say much and just followed. As they walked, Grubeck Goblinde and Pungjin seemed a bit anxious, clearly worried about something. Fang Mo, on the other hand, was quite casual. Holding resurrection and time-reversing dark arts in his hands, he felt confident and relaxed, even plucking and eating a wild strawberry from the bushes, which tasted surprisingly sweet.
This might be a unique variety in Arad, as Fang Mo remembered strawberries usually grew on the ground. The journey from Hendon Myre to Thunderland was about an hour, and as time passed, Fang Mo began to feel bored. Out of boredom, he started talking to his weapon.
"Master, can I ask you for something?"
Soon, Manyullyn Cleaver, the Splitting Knife, spoke, "I've never asked for anything in my life, Master, can you grant me a favor?"
"What is it?"
Curious, Fang Mo asked.
"Can you get me a companion?"
Manyullyn Cleaver, the Splitting Knife, said flatteringly, "Master, you see, it's quite boring to be alone. You usually put me in the storage space..."
"Hmm?"
Fang Mo raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry, sorry, I misspoke."
Manyullyn Cleaver quickly corrected, "Master, you put me in the storage space. It felt like being in prison now that I have self-awareness."
"Don't tell me you want a girlfriend too."
Fang Mo said irritably, "My craftsman module only makes swords, not scabbards."
"Hehe... Master, you usually put us back in."
Manyullyn Cleaver chuckled cheekily, "Aren't you our scabbard?"
Fang Mo's face darkened instantly. Without a word, he summoned Steve, ready to devour.
"No, no, don't eat me!"
Manyullyn Cleaver pleaded, "I'm wrong, Master! Truly wrong! Next time if you get a female module, use it on me... I'll become a sword maiden for you!"
"I'm not fond of a splitting sword like you."
Although Fang Mo glared at it, he dismissed Steve.
"What! You don't like my kind of sword?" Manyullyn Cleaver exclaimed, "Then... do you prefer daggers?"
"Better eat you."
Fang Mo held his forehead in frustration.
"I'm just joking~"
Manyullyn Cleaver floated back a bit, "Actually, we weapons have no gender. I just want some friends to chat with. I think Laevatein, Claussolas, and Time Sword would be good companions. We could look out for each other."
"Emmm..."
Hearing this, Fang Mo pondered. He imagined a scene with a bunch of his weapons dancing wildly, chaotic as a parade of demons, with Manyullyn Cleaver among them, happier than a ghost.
He initially wanted to refuse. But then he thought, if all his weapons could banter, it might be more interesting.
Thinking of Uncle Wolf being tortured by Old Eight's cigar, Fang Mo felt unfazed. As long as there was fun, who cared about being in a prison-like place?
So, he made a decision he would regret for life.
"... It's not impossible."