## Chapter 260: A Life of Toil
But why add "seemingly" before calm? Because it's just a facade. Usually, the Protagonists in anime or novels are destined for a Life of Toil. They might want to lie on a massage chair and sleep all day, but they are always running around dealing with trivial matters or major events concerning the survival of Humans. Forget massage chairs, they don't even have the Effort to sit down.
Actually, after saying all that, it's just to prove one thing: my good days are over.
So one morning, I was jolted awake by a strange chill. I was just about to do something beneficial for future generations with Velas, who was stripped like a Lamb and nestled sweetly in my arms, dreaming beautiful dreams, when before I could even start, a sharp, duck-like cry rang out from outside.
"Wu, are you there?"
Well, even if I wasn't awake, you've woken me up now. I pressed my temple with a troubled expression. Velas was also woken up. Seeing our posture, how could she not know what I was trying to do?
"Do your own thing, and let others talk," I said solemnly to Velas, who was blushing and struggling weakly. It's a pity, I originally wanted to do it while she was asleep... cough cough, never mind.
"Lord, outside. Someone is calling you outside!" Velas saw her Body gradually succumbing and quickly tried to divert my attention.
"It's just a noisy Raven calling."
"Wu, you little brat, if you don't come out now, I'm coming in!!" The duck-like Voice rang out again. Velas looked at me with a victorious expression.
Hmph hmph.
"You dead Drunkard, are you wailing early in the morning?!" In the entire Rogue Camp, the only one who could produce such a bizarre vocalization, besides the old woman Kashya, was someone I truly couldn't think of. Don't you know that interrupting a man's sex life and attacking a man's Lower Body are the two great taboos, things that absolutely must not be done?
I rushed out of the Tent in a fit of rage. As expected, who else could it be but the Rogue's Number One Drunkard, with her wine-red, shoulder-length short hair, already gulping down alcohol early in the morning? Even without my Curse, she would definitely suffer from stomach problems when she's old!
"You brat, do you think I wanted to get up early? If it weren't for you, I'd still be sleeping in my Home! Don't ever come back to the Rogue Encampment, get lost and go far away!!" Kashya was also full of displeasure, her face sour as if saying: I'm a victim too!!
"Oh, it's Lady Kashya, good morning." With a perfect smile, Velas pushed open the Tent flap and walked out. Look, why is there such a big difference between women? Velas, who just came out, was like Plains lilac, fragrant and refreshing. Compared to her, the Old Drunkard opposite was a stinky flower, reeking of alcohol.
"Yo, our Little Songstress is up early too. Seeing your rosy face, Young Wu must have spent quite a bit of Energy." Kashya waved her hand casually, and her first sentence made Velas so embarrassed she almost turned around and sneak back into the Tent.
"La... Lady Kashya, how about having Breakfast here?" Velas wasn't as thick-skinned as I was. She composed herself and pretended not to hear, but the blush all over her face betrayed her.
"Breakfast?" Kashya's sly Eyes flashed. Some people's cooking skills can be judged just by their appearance and Temperament. Velas was undoubtedly this kind of woman. Swallowing saliva without any regard for image, Velas's Suggestion was tempting, but Kashya thought about it and finally shook her Head with a face full of regret.
"Forget it, there's still a pile of annoying Matters today. Also, I need to borrow your man for a bit." Saying this, Kashya didn't wait for Velas to speak, but suddenly grabbed my collar and dragged me away with big strides.
"Velas!" I was dragged on the ground, watching the Distance between me and Velas gradually increase, and couldn't help but cry out in Pain, just like lovers forcibly separated by villains in a Soap Opera.
"Remember to feed Xiao Fan and Xiao Lu well!!" Just a casual remark, Xiao Fan and Xiao Lu are the two Lambs Velas raises. "Okay, what kind of Training is it today?" Seeing Kashya drag me to the Training Ground, even someone with negative intelligence could understand what was going on.
"Damn it, if that old hag hadn't dragged me out of bed and threatened me with alcohol, I wouldn't be doing this." Seeing my weak and listless appearance, Kashya, the other victim, still wailed in Pain: "Back in the day, who wasn't begging me to teach them? All in all, I've only seriously taught two people in these decades, and which one wasn't a heaven-sent Genius? The Talent of one toe was worth more than an idiot like you."
"Oh? Which two people?" Hearing Kashya say this, I became curious. As for that idiot remark, hmph, don't think you can get away with it, I'll keep it in mind and settle the score later.
"Time is pressing, let's start the Practice." Kashya changed the subject, her Gaze flickering uncertainly, seeming a bit lacking in confidence. This was strange. Although this Old Drunkard wasn't much of a person, her Vision was indeed very high. Anyone she approved of would at least be a Genius one in ten thousand. By all Principle, they should be shining brightly now, becoming the great Heroes people talk about after tea and meals. But looking at her, she seemed ashamed to mention them.
Seeing Kashya remain silent, not even drinking alcohol, I knew there was no hope of getting anything out of her mouth. I'll find Time to ask Fara. As Kashya's old rival, I think he'd definitely be happy to tell me something.
"Then today's Training content is..." I glanced at the Surroundings Weapon Racks and found that there were no Weapons on them. Is she going to teach me Unarmed Combat?
"Still the same, Basic Training Course." Kashya yawned boredly: "The Negative Status Effects and Combo Techniques I taught you before were just for you to Experience and get used to that Feeling. I didn't expect you to master them within twenty years. I've also taught you quite a few Basic Techniques for Battle. The rest you have to slowly Experience yourself. I'm busy today. Let's just use that first."
After finishing speaking to herself, she suddenly shouted loudly at me: "Young Wu, close your Eyes."
Intimidated by her words that didn't seem like a Joke, I subconsciously closed my Eyes.
Hiss—
In the world of darkness, a whistling sound cutting through the air assailed me head-on. Without Time to open my Eyes, I hurriedly ducked down and dodged to the right, just about to use the Lazy Donkey Roll that I hadn't used for many years. The next moment, my Body suddenly stopped.
Opening my Eyes, Kashya's left Fist was pressed against my right waist/ribs. From my current posture, it looked like I had actively offered my waist to be hit by her.
Kashya smiled and withdrew her Fist: "See? This punch was thrown at the same Time you dodged that frontal punch. I didn't hide the force of the punch either. Do you know how weak your foundation is now?"
I nodded. I understood Kashya's meaning. If these two fists were two Enemies, then I would already be in a passive situation. That is to say, in the darkness, if there was only one Enemy, I could still barely judge its position and Attack. If two or more appeared, it would be a completely passive situation.
"It's good that you understand." Kashya nodded happily: "Then, let's officially begin." She said evasively, then suddenly conjured out several Emerald Green, small Birds, smaller than a woman's Fist, like a Magic Trick from her hand.
"Often seen in the Jungle, a type of Bird called Fellglow. Their Speed is very fast. Even Class-Changed Ones find it difficult to catch them just by Speed." Seeing my doubtful Gaze, Kashya explained, then pointed to a Western-style log Wooden House outside the Training Ground that looked somewhat like a small indoor sports arena.
Then, Kashya led me inside. As soon as I stepped in, I felt a trace of malicious Aura. The more than ten windows on both sides were tightly closed, and even the Crevices between the logs were completely light-proof. It was simply like a giant Underground Secret Chamber.
"Heh heh—" Kashya smiled wickedly and released the four or five Fellglows in her hand. They immediately cried out in alarm and flapped their Wings, darting around everywhere in the House. By the Time I reacted, Kashya had already retreated outside, closed the Door, and all the Light was immediately blocked out.
"Don't be surprised, I already had that Old Man set up a Light Isolation and Magic Reinforcement Magic Array here. Your current Task is to catch the five Fellglows in the House, with your own hands. Of course, if you use Magic or other Items, I won't say anything either. What makes you strong is only yourself, you figure it out. That's how it is, I'll come back at Dusk to open the Door for you."
After saying this, a few gradually receding Footsteps came from outside, and then it became quiet.
Damn it, I cursed fiercely. This Feeling is really annoying, as if the Five Senses were cut off. Only my ears faintly heard the sound of the Fellglow's Wings flapping in the distance. Damn it, this place is the size of an indoor basketball court, and what's even more frustrating is that the sound made when the Fellglows fly is not much different from a swallow. The Old Drunkard is too demanding.
Complaining is complaining, but I also had to take action. The shortcut to becoming strong is one step at a time.
The Sunset painted the horizon with a rosy glow. Kashya, carrying a small Wine Pot, staggered to the Training Ground.
"Wu, hiccup are you still alive? hiccup" Reeking of alcohol, Kashya opened the Door, and a Shadow immediately darted out from inside like it was flying.
"Hiccup Wu, what... what happened to you?" Kashya looked at the darting Shadow with a black face. His Clothes were messy, and there was still a lump of bird droppings stuck on his Head.
"Old Drunkard, this thing, can you give it to me?" I held a Fellglow in my hand that was wailing and flapping its Wings, an indescribable ferocious expression on my face. This dead Bird actually stood on my Head and pooped! But if it weren't for this, I wouldn't even be able to catch one.
"Uh... uh, take it. Anyway, there are as many of these things as you want." Kashya seemed to be stunned by my miserable appearance and answered without hesitation.
"That's good, that's good. This Time you won't die. Roasted alive, or braised in red sauce? Haha, wahahahahaha—"
Listening to the gradually receding ferocious laughter, Kashya wiped the Cold Sweat from her forehead and suddenly clapped her hands.
"Hey, I forgot to tell him. Hummingbirds are poisonous. Even Class-Changed Ones... Eh, never mind. It's not a big problem anyway." Muttering like this, Kashya continued drinking, staggering step by step towards her little Home.
An hour later...
"Lord, what's wrong with you?" Velas stood outside the Restroom Door and asked with a worried expression.
"Don't talk about it." A Voice close to breaking down came from inside the Restroom. Poking his large Head out from the corner of the Wall, looking at a group across the corner composed of The Banished and Ratmen, after suffering enough on the third floor, even Doug, who usually charged headfirst, learned caution.
"This way is blocked." Doug made a gesture with a grimace to the two behind him. For him, there was nothing more frustrating than having the Enemy right in front of you but being unable to act.
Lars and Gus behind also nodded gloomily. It wasn't that their Strength/Power was weak, but the closer they got to the Opening of the fourth level of the tomb, the Quantity and quality of the Monsters became terrifying. It wasn't uncommon for two or three Elite Monsters to appear within a group of Monsters. This was truly not a hard Bone that an Adventure Team could chew through.
Secretly sneaking back to the Hideout discovered a few days ago, the three continued to eat and drink heartily. They had been lingering in the vicinity these past few days. Danger also means Opportunity. Elite Monsters that they previously wouldn't encounter even once in half a month, now they could see them almost every day. It's just a question of whether they can chew through them.