novelraw Chapter 126-1: Maid Doll, Strangeness in the Fog (1)
Chapter 126-1: Maid Doll, Strangeness in the Fog (1)
The first item was the Epic+ grade eyeball.
[Eyeball of the Pale Dragon of Ancient Sages (Epic+ Grade Item): For ancient dragons, the accumulation of knowledge comes naturally. The Pale Dragon, revered as an Ancient Sage, was one of the keenest observers among the dragon race. This eyeball is one of its many eyes.]
[This item must be used with an empty eye socket. Upon use, you will definitely gain a Knowledge-enhancing skill.]
[This item must be used with an empty eye socket. Upon use, there is a chance to acquire the special trait: Weak Point Insight.]
Weak Point Insight?
The item description didn’t detail what Weak Point Insight did.
Most likely, it could only be discovered after transplanting the eye.
Lin Xun noted that this eyeball guaranteed a Knowledge-boosting skill, but the Weak Point Insight effect was only a chance-based gain.
He suspected that might be due to the item being a single eyeball rather than a pair.
He looked to the next item.[Brass Sand Maraca – Support-Type Maid Doll (Special Item): A small hand-rattled idiophonic instrument. The hollow Maraca head is made from fine brass alloy and contains a small amount of brass sand. Shaking the handle produces a soft and pleasant ‘sha-sha’ sound.]
[Etched on the Maraca’s head is a miniature maid doll—vividly lifelike and exquisitely detailed.]
[Use this item to summon a creature: Support-Type Maid Doll. This creature acts as a support companion and possesses specific auxiliary functions. Use the Maraca again to dismiss the summon. If the creature dies, 1 point of Soul Strength is required to re-summon it.]
With a thought, Lin Xun manifested a small Maraca in his hand.
The Maraca had a dark golden hue and was about the size of a water bottle. Being made of special refined brass, it was cool and solid to the touch.
Holding the brass handle, Lin Xun turned it side to side, and saw a tiny maid doll on the Maraca’s head.
The miniature maid seemed to sense his gaze, blinking at him, lifting her skirt with a graceful bow, then spinning into a dance.
Unlike massive mounts like warhorses or the three-headed lion, the maid doll could be summoned even inside his rented apartment.
And being support-type, she didn’t have combat capabilities, so there was no risk of causing damage.
Lin Xun glanced out the window, it was getting dark.
Just to be safe, he drew the curtains, lest any neighbors accidentally caught sight of a ‘not suitable for children’ scene.
Gently shaking the Maraca, a sha-sha sound rang out.
From the corner of the apartment, a beautifully dressed maid doll appeared out of thin air.
Her maid uniform wasn’t the typical anime-style frilly outfit with lace and garters. Instead, it resembled a traditional European Victorian-style maid dress.
A black underlayer with a white apron, absurdly tight waist, and a wide, conservative skirt.
On her head was not a ‘Katyusha’ headband, but a plain white folded cloth cap.
The doll stood about 1.6 meters tall. The fine brass seemed to be alloyed with something that dulled its luster, making it appear skin-like under artificial lighting.
Only on close inspection could one spot the metallic seams on her face and body.
The brass winding key at her back was a bit conspicuous, and at the connection point on her spine, faintly visible gears turned gently.
The Support-Type Maid Doll wore a stiff smile, but her eyes were incredibly lively, almost indistinguishable from a human’s.
When she saw Lin Xun, she lifted her skirt and bowed politely.
Lin Xun recalled Bennett’s words: the doll could perform transplant surgeries and handle daily chores.
With a thought, he issued a command for her to sweep the floor.
The maid doll nodded, picked up the broom from the corner, and diligently began cleaning.
Her movements were swift and efficient, within seconds, the floor was spotless.
Lin Xun clicked his tongue. This maid doll was absurdly capable!
She might even be expandable into other functions…
Like cooking, laundry, bathing, taking out trash… hmm, something weird might’ve slipped in there.
A tireless, unpaid, endlessly capable maid, she was the definition of a perfect housekeeper.
Absolutely delightful.
Lin Xun continued to have the maid doll tidy up his messy bachelor pad.
Meanwhile, he picked up his phone to keep checking his loot.
[Doll Factory Route Map (Map): A map detailing the carriage route to the Doll Factory. Of course, you could walk there, that is if you can navigate through the fog and aren’t afraid of the unknown dangers lurking within.]
[While carrying this item, you may use the Brass Carriage and follow the route on the map to reach the Doll Factory.]
[Refined Copper Smelting Plant Route Map (Map)]
[Multivision School Association Route Map (Map)]
The remaining two maps had item descriptions nearly identical to the first.
What caught Lin Xun’s attention, though, was the phrase in the text: ‘unknown dangers lurking within.’
Was this referring to the risk of getting lost in the Veil of Knowledge, or were there actual monsters in the mist?
During the journey from Dis Academy of the Multivision School to the Transplant Clinic, he had slept the whole way.
Because the carriage was sealed, he hadn’t seen anything outside, and the game text offered no description either.
Now that he thought about it, something didn’t feel right.
Even though Lir’s shell wasn’t top-tier, with the Visage of the Leader enhancement, she was now level 30, on par with the Earth Giant. That was a respectable level of power.
So how could she have fallen asleep the moment she boarded the carriage?
It was probably Bennett’s doing, this black-hearted merchant must have tampered with the ride.
And since he needed to transplant the newly acquired eyeball anyway, he might as well settle everything with Bennett in one go.
He walked up and clicked ‘Talk’ to Bennett.
[Bennett was slumped on the ground, staring blankly at the clinic’s ceiling, motionless.]
Lin Xun curled his lip, opened his equipment menu, and clicked on the Ancient Dragonfang Greatclub.
[You raise the Ancient Dragonfang Greatclub, glaring darkly at Bennett.]
[It instantly snaps out of its trance, climbs to its feet using the counter for support, and asks what you need.]
Only two options appeared on the screen: ‘Trade’ and ‘Surgery’.
He selected Surgery, then chose the newly obtained Eyeball of the Pale Dragon of Ancient Sages.
[Bennett returned to his usual rambling self as he led you deeper into the clinic, chattering along the way…]
[The Support-Type Maid Doll had already learned most surgical procedures. Though her operations weren’t as refined as his, they were decent enough.]
[If you ever needed an urgent transplant in the field, the maid doll could handle it for you.]
[After the Veil of Knowledge descended, the ever-crafty Bennett purchased a Brass Carriage to ferry in customers. Not only did his business not suffer, it actually boomed.]
[Unfortunately, that golden era didn’t last long. Eventually, customers stopped coming…]
[You have entered the Transplant Clinic Operating Room!]
[Bennett gestures for you to lie down on the surgical table while he prepares the instruments nearby…]
[Please select the body part for transplantation…]
Lin Xun was still possessing the Earth Giant shell.
Giving such a high-grade Epic+ eyeball to Lir’s shell would be a bit of a waste. It was better suited for the highest-quality shell, the Earth Giant.
He selected the spot above the brow, effectively placing the eye in the center of the forehead, just like Erlang Shen.
Later, when manifesting the shell, hiding the eye would be easy. A hat or fake bangs would do the trick.
[Surgery in progress…]
[…]
The text stalled here.
Lin Xun waited patiently.
It wasn’t until a full hour had passed that the next message finally appeared.