Reborn: My Two Systems at War

Chapter 40: The Bliss of Ignorance

The next morning:

Tia reclined gracefully in the plush chair, her gaze meeting Stan's from across his grand mahogany desk. Atop the polished surface sat a solitary wooden box, bathed in the warm glow of the oil lamp.

She leaned in subtly, her hand resting on her waist, poised to respond swiftly should any threat arise.

'They are still criminals, so trusting them too much would be dumb.'

Stan just gestured at the box, not saying anything.

With a mere thought, Tia effortlessly willed the box to open. The gentle glow of the oil lamp glinted off the pristine surface of the silver ring nestled within. Its elegance lay in its simplicity, devoid of any ornaments, gemstones, or even decorations.

Ding!

//

Type: Minor Spatial Storage Ring

Minor Pocket space storage: It creates a small spatial dimension to store any physical object. It can hold up to three hundred kilograms. The weight of the stored items does not affect the wearer.

//

"Hmm, we are done here. It was a pleasure to work with you." Seizing the ring, Tia slid it onto her finger, rising gracefully from her seat. She pivoted towards the exit, where the elderly mage stood guard.

Just as she pushed the door handle, Stan's words made her stop, "I doubt I need to say this. However, as a gentleman, I will warn you. Do not let yourself get caught with it if you don't want to hang."

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"Thanks for the warning." Tia nodded in acknowledgment and exited the room.

The instant she did, the gazes of warehouse workers settled on her. Their eyes brimmed with a mixture of veneration, trepidation, and wonder.

Yet she remained unperturbed, quickening her pace to a near sprint, acutely aware that every second was precious. Her energy was what kept her in the world, yet she was squandering it with every useless altercation, 'I have probably only twelve hours at best after all those fights.'

Quickening her stride, Tia was acutely aware of her remaining obligations. The contract wasn't fully fulfilled, and she had to secure the essential supplies, arcane tomes, and mystical materials that she needed.

POV Shopkeeper:

Angela walked down the busy morning marketplace, bustling with women shopping for groceries. All the market stalls were packed with fresh cheese, vegetables, fish, and even freshly butchered meat.

Clutching her bag filled with fresh groceries, her eyes sparkled with delight. The aroma of the market's offerings teased her senses, nearly drawing salivating anticipation from her.

'All the days on bread and water are finally gone!' With her newfound wealth, not only could she indulge in hearty meals, but she also had the means to refurbish her shop and mend the persistent leak in her roof.

A trio of women stood in her path, discussing in the middle of the road.

"Did you hear the new rumors?"

"Yes. I heard the new hired gun of the Crimson Wolf gang is cutting people just with a move of her fingers."

Angela momentarily stopped, the terrifying chitchat between shopping ladies drawing her attention.

'This city is becoming more and more dangerous with each passing year.'

"Yes, I also heard she slaughtered more than ten ruffians up in the manufacturing district."

"Dafne also said she is insane. Do you think she is an escapee from the Crookyhill?"

A chilling vision gripped Angela's mindone of a malevolent, twisted woman engaged in a night-long spree of butchery. The graphic imagery sent waves of terror coursing through her, the horrifying thought taking root: 'What if I meet her? Will I be butchered?'

"What does she look like?"

"Hmm, I heard she is a young brunette dressed in an elegant black dress with a nice hat."

Angela's grip on her bag of groceries slackened as the chilling thoughts echoed in her mind, 'Could it be? No, surely not. She seemed so kind, not like the deranged figure they speak of.'

The memory of her mysterious benefactor, who had paid her an unexpected visit the previous night, flashed vividly in her mind.

POV Tia:

Tia covered her mouth and nose as she sneezed, 'I hope I didn't catch some otherworldly virus.'

Her heart sank, and her mood almost hit bottom. She found herself rooted in front of a weathered wooden door, paralyzed. The courage to proceed eluded her, leaving her trapped in her own hesitation.

'How am I even supposed to tell them their daughter is dead?' After a long time, her gentler and softer side resurfaced. Although she killed without hesitation, this time it was different. This time, she was supposed to meet with the loved ones of the deceased. Even though she didn't kill the girl, her heart was filled with hesitation and regret.

'Is the body I am using affecting me?'

Suddenly, the door opened. "Who is there?"

A woman in her thirties, cloth wrapped around her hair, stood there, her eyes going wide as she widely spread her arms and wrapped them around still-frozen Tia. "I was so worried! Where were you?"

"Sorry mother..." She silently murmured, unable to smash the woman's heart.

'No, she doesn't have to find out her daughter died. She doesn't deserve to experience such pain.' Even with all the blood on her hands, she was unable to do something like that.

It was one thing to kill some nameless trash and another to tell into someone's face that she was a monster wearing their dead daughter's body like clothes.

"Mother, I came to say goodbye... I found a great fortune. However, I must leave." She would rather leave the woman in the bliss of ignorance.