Trapped as an NPC in a Dating Sim-Chapter 41: First Impression Is Important!

"No, I don’t have much time, and to be honest, at just E-rank, it is better to buy some equipment outside than to order. My costs are quite high, you know."

Isolde spoke, rubbing the vial a bit reluctantly before placing it on the desk.

"Okay, if you don’t want to sell it, so be it. You can now go."

She signaled toward the door, straightforward and even a bit rude. No wonder the girl from before seemed afraid of her.

As for her interest in this new team that had managed to conquer a dungeon in their second day, she had already lost it the moment she saw that Soren was just a B-rank Archer.

The monocle she wore on her left eye was a unique identifying artifact she created herself.

Anyone below her level, she could see their class, rank, and skills, though not individual stats. It was her prized possession that she wore whenever she met a stranger.

"Wait, Senior..."

Fortunately, Soren came prepared this time. Making equipment from these E-rank materials was just a ruse he used.

After seeing Isolde lose interest and turn around, he suddenly spoke with a faint smile, halting her steps.

"Senior, what if I say I can get you the Echo Stone that you want? Will you accept my order then?"

"Hmm?"

Sure enough, the moment Soren mentioned the name of the item, Isolde stopped and turned around abruptly.

Echo Stone, a material found only in the boss’s lair of the D-rank dungeon, Howling Chasm.

She had been searching for it for quite a while now, but no matter how much she tried, she could not get one in her hands.

After all, Echo Stone had a very unique effect. It was a consumable item that could instantly replenish a hunter’s stamina while sharpening his perception for a period of time.

Such an item would be snatched by the guild the moment it appeared, or the hunter would keep it for themselves.

Of course, Isolde had a hard time finding it.

"Hmm... it seems you did your homework before coming to meet me. But..."

Isolde’s attention was indeed attracted by his words.

"Maybe talk to me when you really have that item in your hand. You are just at level 25 now. Don’t you think you are aiming too high?"

Isolde spoke while rolling her eyes.

Did this guy think that just because he conquered an E-rank dungeon, he could do the same with a D-rank one, too?

These juniors and their ambitions. It seemed yesterday’s success went over his head.

"Haha... Senior, if I have that item, would I still talk so much?"

Soren didn’t mind her indifference. Rather, he laughed and spoke meaningfully,

"To be honest, Senior, although you might feel that I am talking big, I am almost 100% sure that I can get that stone for you."

In Lover’s Labyrinth, the meeting between Isolde and the protagonist took place after he cleared the dungeon: Howling Chasm.

So, he had more information about that dungeon than the E-rank one he completed yesterday.

"So, why not take a gamble? In fact, this isn’t even a gamble for you. All you have to do is refine some equipment I asked for while getting paid. I will even give you this vial of blood as a token, and the Echo Stone is just a bonus item that you may or may not get in the future."

Soren proposed again. To be honest, if possible, he wanted to meet Isolde after getting the Echo Stone.

But he was pressed for time after deciding to conquer a dungeon for his class ascension.

After reaching level 25, he was now barely ready, all because of the unique nature of that dungeon.

But he still needed one item badly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to fight. And the only one who could help him make that item was Isolde in front of him.

"Two of them!"

"Hmm?"

"What, hmm? I need two vials of Wyvern’s Blood as compensation, besides the credit points for this order. And I won’t take the next order from you until your team manages to conquer another dungeon like the one before."

Isolde spoke with a playful smile.

"For a B-rank archer, you sure have a lot of confidence. Then, let me see if it is empty talk or the real deal."

Since Soren was ready to get ripped off by her, she had no qualms either. It wasn’t like it would take too much time for her to make E-rank equipment.

She just didn’t want to because she wouldn’t gain many experience points.

"Two of them?"

Soren was a bit reluctant as he only had five vials of Wyvern’s Blood with him. One had to be used to make the artifact he needed, and if he gave her two, he would only have two left.

’Sigh... I knew this girl was very stingy. That’s why I didn’t want to come so early.’

Soren sighed, seeing her playful look, and took out two vials from his inventory.

Along with them, he also took out the parchment paper he prepared that stored the description of the equipment Isolde needed to make.

"Okay then. Let’s make a deal. However, I need this equipment by tomorrow morning."

"No problem."

Isolde readily agreed while giving him a sweet smile. Only now did Soren notice that she had a beautiful dimple on her left side.

"Do you want me to describe the item I need?"

Soren ignored her look as he wasn’t in the mood and pointed at the papers instead.

"No need. Just the basic description is enough."

Isolde shook her head. As an S-rank craftsman, she had more knowledge than fledglings like Soren.

"Okay, I will come here tomorrow morning then. See you soon, Senior."

Soren nodded and turned around, intending to leave. With this, he would have the item he needed by tomorrow. He should make other preparations now. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Oh... right... I almost forgot."

But just as he was about to leave, he abruptly turned around, looking straight into Isolde’s confused gaze.

"Senior, before I leave, let me offer you a small piece of advice."

Soren put a meaningful smile on his lips, his eyes focusing somewhere on her face,

"Sometimes, putting too much trust in your artifacts can backfire badly. Don’t always believe what they tell you."

After saying that, he truly left the place, leaving behind the stunned figure of Isolde.

With this, his attempt to leave a good first impression on her was successful.