Endless Evolution As A Skeleton In A Game-Like World

Although Thalia had been the one to recommend the shop, Ark had not expected to see a lamia standing at the other side of the counter.

Unlike Thalia, who had dark red scales, the woman’s scales were a bright green that glittered like gems, her hair and eyes were of a matching colour, and resting on the bridge of her nose was, of course... a pair of glasses.

Did all lamias have bad vision?

She seemed much older than Thalia, well, at least ten years older, but since Lamias lived for centuries, there was no way to tell how old she truly was.

She was nose deep in a book when they arrived, the tip of her tail swaying from left to right, but the moment the bell rang, her eyes snapped in their direction, those slit pupils narrowing on them.

But despite how hostile they should have been, Ark sensed absolutely no animosity, it was almost as though he was being stared at by a cat...

"Ah~ Thalia dear!" The woman snapped her book shut and immediately rushed up to her, wrapping her up in a warm hug.

"Dunya..." Thalia said breathlessly. "You’re going to strangle me one of these days."

The woman laughed as she stepped back, then she turned her attention to Ark, leaning closer to inspect him.

"And who is this fine specimen..." Her voice came out with a hiss at the end.

Thalia moved deeper into the shop. "He’s a friend, and my current employer."

"A friend?" Dunya seemed to heavily doubt this information. She gave it a little thought before her eyes widened.

"Don’t tell me you’re going to eat him! No, Thalia, that will be a huge waste!"

A vein ticked on Thalia’s jaw. "Stop it with your nonsense, Dunya, or I’ll go to another shop!"

"Huh?" Dunya paused. She slithered towards Thalia and stroked her jaw as she stared at her. "What happened to you? Your eyes... they seem different."

Thalia sighed. "I’m no longer at a hundred percent synchronisation..."

Hearing this, Dunya became deathly silent. And then suddenly, she leaped into the air, once again pulling Thalia into a hug.

And when Thalia explained that Ark was the one who helped her, he was subjected to the same treatment.

Although, he had to admit, it wasn’t all that bad...

"Dunya is a native, before I met you, she was helping me manage my... tendencies." Thalia explained with a faint smile on her face.

’A native?’ Ark glanced at the buxom woman, and she smiled while waving at him.

Now it made sense why he had not sensed an ounce of animosity from her.

Unlike players who were suddenly overloaded with feral thoughts all at once, natives had been living with it for as long as they were born.

Because of this, they were far better at managing their wild side. That was why monsters often known for their violent tendencies, like demons and orcs, could sometimes be found in human cities.

But of course, not all natives were this way. There were some of them who completely embraced their wild nature, living out in the forests.

Those locals were the ones to watch out for...

"Thank you for helping her all this while." Ark gave a polite bow. "I am Ark Karras."

The woman’s smile broadened as she returned his greeting. "Dunya Arkaband."

"So what do you want?" She frowned. "Thalia never visits unless she wants something..."

"I need to restock on my supplies, I also need to buy a gift for my little sister..."

"Oh? What do you want to restock on? Rations, Health potions, Consumables... Love potions..." She glanced at Thalia and winked while bouncing her brows. "We have them all."

Dunya’s shop was a very popular type of stall among players in Eden.

These types of shops were a single stop where a player could get everything they needed before a raid or adventure, and so they had begun to call them utility stores.

During Ark’s last raid, he had only taken two potion bottles, and he had regretted it, so—

"Fifteen potion bottles, all of them D-Rank, and twelve mana potions as well."

C-Rank and higher-level potions were difficult to brew, so they were not readily available. Needless to say, they were extremely expensive, that was why most players stuck with D-Ranks.

Ark planned to split the potions five to each person, while the mana potions would be split four to one.

"Alright, give me a moment." Dunya picked up a basket and walked up to one of the shelves.

"I thought you would buy much more." Thalia commented. "You’re pretty experienced for a newbie..."

Ark smiled. "I’ve been reading articles about players since I was five, there is nearly nothing I don’t know about this place."

Newer players would have fallen for the trap of thinking they could survive infinitely as well as have a near-infinite supply of mana by stacking dozens of potions.

But all that would lead to was mana toxicity, one of the easiest ways for a newbie to see God.

The number of potions a player could realistically consume was often based on their physique.

But the general safe range was seven potions a day for mana and healing potions.

But buff consumables like strength pills, mind enhancement panaceas, and elemental potions were limited to a single potion a day.

Add more, and a player would be risking death.

Dunya placed the potions on the table and told him the price. When he agreed with it, she noted it in her ledger.

"Now about the gift for your sister... I think I have something you might want." She left the counter, and they followed her to the back.

There was an ornate glass case hanging on the wall. Although little sunlight reached this part of the store, the items inside it still managed to shine softly.

"These are my most prized possessions." Dunya smiled proudly as she showed off the materials.

There were rings with runes inscribed onto them, gem-encrusted daggers, enchanted necklaces, as well as a host of other items neatly arranged inside it.

They all looked so good that Ark considered even getting something for himself...

"But why do you keep them hidden all the way here?"

Dunya let out a dry chuckle. "Hehe... well, some players are not too keen on paying for things. And I’m honestly not very good at fighting."

"Oh..." Eden was just like the regular world, of course there would be robbers.

"Alright!" She clasped her hands together. "How old is your little sister?"

"She’s thirteen."

"Oh, she’s at that age, huh. Then this will be perfect!" She picked a golden ring with an orange gem.

The gem matched Cracker’s hair, so Ark was immediately interested in it.

"This is a power stone!" Dunya said with glee.

"A what?"

"What?"

Both him and Thalia asked simultaneously.

"Huhuhu. With this, if any pesky boy comes her way." Dunya slipped the ring onto her finger and suddenly punched the air.

*Bang!*

There was a flash of light, just before a large gust of wind was sent billowing backwards, causing the shelves to rattle violently.

Ark immediately reached for the ring, a wide smile on his face. "I like it!"

But Thalia grabbed his hand mid-air with her tail...

She shook her head and shot Dunya a glare, her hands folded across her chest. "Are you trying to get her in jail?"

"What else do you have? Preferably nothing dangerous, or highly illegal for a child to use." She said, placing emphasis on the word ’child.’

"...pfft." Dunya returned the ring. "Well, if you want to be boring..."

By the time they had looked over the other items she had, Ark had begun to wonder if the shelf was really hidden here because of thieves, and not because some of the items could potentially have her thrown in jail...

But after a few minutes, Ark finally found something reasonable. It was a three-piece set, a necklace, a bracelet and a ring, each with light blue gemstones and swirly, runic patterns.

Ark lifted the necklace and raised it to the light, watching as the light danced within it.

"And what does this one do?"

Dunya was sulking at the corner after being reprimanded by Thalia multiple times. She glanced up at the gem before saying dryly:

"The three artifacts are linked. If anyone is in danger, all they have to do is rub the gemstone with intent, and all other artifacts will turn red."

Ark smiled as he stared at it. Not only were the items beautiful, they were also handy.

There were times he would not be around his family, at least with this he could be sure that they were alright.

"Can you box them up for me?"

Light finally returned to Dunya’s eyes as she sprang up to her feet. "Of course!"

When the items were packed up and ready, they returned to the inn, after which Ark waved Thalia goodbye, before vanishing from where he sat...