This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist

Rita no longer cared about the conversation between Nuclear Flash and Maple Syrup. She wanted to gather information herself to figure out what was true and what wasn't—if possible, she'd try to trade for some food.

The other players who came with Maple Syrup were doing the same, spreading out in different directions. It's fine to follow the strongest player when there's danger, but when it comes to gathering information, everyone trusts their own judgment more.

Rita didn't prioritize talking to other players; instead, she focused on the mechanical race.

At this point, most of the mechanical race had transformed into a different form. They weren't in their battle-gear mode, nor were they in the mailbox-like worker form from earlier. Rita wasn't sure if it was to conserve energy, but these mechanical race had all shrunk down into mini-versions.

These mini mechanical race were only as tall as Rita's knees. Their bodies were square-shaped, with four small wheels for feet. The top of their bodies had even smaller square heads, with large "eyes" that looked like brown windproof goggles, occupying about 70% of their heads. Occasionally, data flickered across the goggle-like screens, giving them a mix of cool and cute vibes.

Rita carefully studied each mechanical race, trying to find one that might be easier to communicate with. However, there were no innocent or indecisive ones like L4327777 here. Most of them were in an awakened state, displaying emotions like "excited," "content," "relaxed," "guarded," or "aftershock."

These emotions were all too intense for Rita to want to provoke them.

Occasionally, she spotted a "confused" little robot, but that confusion was often followed by tags like "unexpectedly happy" or "unexplainable joy."

Although they looked clumsy, these confused little robots usually trailed behind the battle-mode mechanical race, like little chicks following their mother.

Rita stopped observing, feeling something strange—the sensation of being watched. It was intense enough that she couldn't ignore it.

Furrowing her brows, she shifted her gaze back to the players, locking eyes with Lania KaiaFat Goose, who was glaring at her angrily.

Rita: So, the consequences of drawing that Mysterious Power came so soon...

Although his name was Fat Goose, Lania KaiaFat Goose was anything but fat. He was thin and tall, easily standing at nearly 1.9 meters. He had silver-white long hair, with the ends burning like seven little white flame candles. With a delicate, almost feminine face, he exuded an exotic beauty.

Seeing that Rita had noticed him, Lania KaiaFat Goose suddenly jumped up and walked over to her.

Rita didn't step back. She wasn't scared; Nivalis wasn't out here, and she could always make a way out of this through Lania KaiaFat Goose if needed.

She remembered the numb expression on Nuclear Flash's face as he spoke earlier, and unease began to rise in her chest.

Fat Goose stood in front of her, his eyes burning with fury. Without caring whether Rita could understand, he immediately began to confront her, "BS Rita, we have no grudges, no enemies."

Rita, who just happened to know Candle Barbarian language, which she picked up from Maple Burn, immediately passed the blame, "Mistblade Moon Emperor forced me!"

Fat Goose was so stunned by Rita's shamelessness that he started laughing. But midway through his laugh, his eyes locked onto Rita's wings. He turned and glanced at Maple Syrup, who had been silently observing them, and Fat Goose suddenly understood.

He knew about the events at the High Tower. Looking at those Orange-Red Light Wings... there was no doubt. This must be Maple Burn.

Remembering Maple Syrup's thunder gun and thunder hammer, Fat Goose cleared his throat and lowered his voice, "She forced you? Then why did you sell your curse quota? And let her proxy it for you?!"

Rita sighed, "It's just the way it is. So, do you want to kill me or not?"

Fat Goose was taken aback, his eyes widening in disbelief, "... You're so bold."

Rita couldn't help but laugh. This was the most down-to-earth Lania KaiaFat Goose she had ever met. She said, "Thanks. Do you have any food? I'll trade you with World Graveyard."

She only had the Water Creation skill, so after leaving here, she planned to buy a skill that could make magical food.

She wasn't thinking of using treasure minerals to trade; that would be an insult to Fat Goose, who was a 15th-tier powerhouse. So she decided to offer him the most valuable thing she had.

But what she didn't expect was that Fat Goose would be insulted. One of the candle flames from his hair flickered up and pointed at him, exclaiming, "Me, a 15th-tier Abyss-level, am short on World Graveyard?!"

Rita couldn't help but glance at Maple Syrup, who had been silently watching. Their eyes met, and after a quick forced smile, Rita quickly shifted her gaze back.

She added, "I offered that price because it's the most valuable thing I have."

Fat Goose responded, "Not true. You still have a curse. You help me curse Mistblade, and I'll give you ten roasted geese."

That was unreasonable, right? Rita sighed. She had only just entered, and she already felt like she was about to pass out from hunger. Her body felt weak, her head was slightly dizzy, and it felt like she was back to being an ordinary human again.

This only heightened her sense of danger. She glanced around at the mechanical race. They were gathered in small groups, sometimes emitting sparks from their bodies.

Rita said, "Can we switch for something else? Something I can actually do. I want food, and I also need intel about the 1211 market district."

Fat Goose paused for a moment, then spread his hands out in front of his chest. In the blink of an eye, a fragrant roasted goose appeared, drawing the attention of many players. He handed it over to Rita, saying, "Are you Apache's apprentice?"

Rita took the roasted goose but didn't eat it right away. Although it looked like a normal roasted goose, and the item description checked out, she planned to hold onto all of them and refresh them later before eating.

She wasn't surprised that Fat Goose knew about her connection with Apache. If he didn't know that, she'd be shocked, given that he had been cursed by her before.

Rita nodded, "Yes."

Fat Goose asked, "The recipe for This Skill I Don't Like II?"

Rita replied, "… You can't afford the price for betraying Apache."

Fat Goose smirked, "1000 bottles of This Skill I Don't Like II."

Rita smirked back, "I could starve to death, then make a fortune with those 1000 bottles of This Skill I Don't Like II when I get back."

Fat Goose grinned, "Great, now I'm starting to suspect you're Mistblade and Maple Syrup's child."

Rita smirked, "Does Mistblade like drinking too? If she does, it's not entirely impossible."

Fat Goose: !!!

Maple Syrup, who had been eavesdropping, was completely confused: ???

Several other players who understood Candle Barbarian language: Oh my god?!

Maple Syrup called out loudly in perfect Candle Barbarian language, "I understand Candle Barbarian!"

Rita immediately responded, "Okay, I'm not that child."

In the next second, she vaporized, dodging the thunderball that Maple Syrup hurled at her.

When she reformed into her human shape, Rita felt even hungrier. She quickly raised her hand and said, "I'm sorry! I won't joke again!"

Fat Goose, trembling with excitement, sighed deeply in satisfaction, "I knew it... I knew it!!"