Novel Bin Chapter 2: Hydrating Essence?
Chapter 2: Hydrating Essence?
"System?"
The sudden voice startled Charlotte.
During his part-time job commute, he often read online novels to pass the time, so he was familiar with systems.
Transmigration + system, it's practically a standard combo!
And, completing missions even comes with cash rewards?!
However, Charlotte couldn't feel happy at this moment. Diana's scrutinizing gaze was like that of a predator eyeing a fat lamb, considering which part to devour first.
[Ding! Diana has assigned you a mission: Choose an item to please and satisfy her! Mission rewards: 1. Three-day rent extension! 2. 100 copper coins! 3. +10 favorability! Mission failure: Loss of a body part!"]
[Accept? Yes! No!]
The icy mechanical voice rang out again, quickly calming Charlotte down.
Offer himself to a wealthy woman?
Charlotte didn't think his current frail body could please and satisfy her.
Money?
That's exactly what he lacks!
Are the eyeballs floating in the jar?
Then he would have to consider if he could keep his eyeballs.
"Have you made a decision?" Diana licked her red lips, and a snow-white bone knife appeared in her hand without him noticing.
"An item that pleases and satisfies a woman!" Charlotte's mind raced, cold sweat forming on his forehead. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit him, and he blurted out as Diana raised the bone knife, "I know what you need!"
"Hmm?" Diana halted her movement.
"Just wait a moment!" Charlotte turned around and silently accepted the mission in his mind. At the same time, he quickly walked towards the counter and took out two bottles of pink potions from the top corner.
"Do you think two bottles of low-level potions can satisfy me?" Diana's words carried a hint of mockery. She had already decided to take away Charlotte's right palm; his fingers were beautiful and suitable for a lamp base.
Charlotte felt a strong sense of danger, but he remained calm and said, "These are not ordinary potions; they are Hydrating Essences!"
"Hydrating Essence?" Diana looked doubtful; she had never heard of such a potion before.
"Madam, you are so beautiful and captivating, unmatched by the noble ladies of Calva, even the most beautiful elves pale in comparison to you." Charlotte praised with a sincere expression.
Diana's lips curled up slightly; she knew Charlotte hailed from Calva, and he seemed knowledgeable and had a pleasant way of speaking.
Of course, these were all true words.
"But even the most beautiful face requires careful care and maintenance to maintain its youth and moisture," Charlotte's expression suddenly became serious as he looked at Diana's face with a touch of regret. "Have you noticed that your skin has been a bit dry when you wake up recently? And your complexion seems slightly dull compared to usual?"
"Dry and dull skin?" Diana paused for a moment, and seeing Charlotte's serious expression, she subconsciously raised her slender fingers to touch her fair and delicate cheeks, feeling a bit less confident. "It does seem a bit drier than before, and my complexion doesn't appear as rosy."
Charlotte's lips twitched. Diana's skin was the best he had seen among womensmooth, bright, and flawless. However, the more perfect a woman is, the easier she falls into self-doubt and anxiety when questioned.
"Your observation is correct. The skin on your face is constantly exposed to the elements, and the Abyss air is filled with dust and impurities that corrode and damage your delicate skin, making it fragile and sensitive," Charlotte said solemnly as if announcing a terminal illness. "I'm sure you wouldn't want your skin to become rough and your complexion to turn dull and lifeless, right?"
"Are you saying I'm going to become an old hag with sallow skin?" Diana's tone carried a hint of anxiety.
"No, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen; it's just a minor issue with your skin," Charlotte shook his head. "And this issue has a solution."
"What solution?" Diana almost blurted out the question.
Charlotte raised his hand and smiled. "This is the latest moisturizing essence that I've developed, and it happens to solve your concerns."
"Just this?" Diana looked at the pink emulsion contained in the droplet-shaped glass bottle, then glanced at the smiling face of Charlotte, feeling as if she had fallen into a trap.
"Yes, all you need to do is take a small amount of the essence and apply it evenly on your face, gently massaging it until it absorbs. Once a day is enough to achieve the moisturizing effect for your skincare routine," Charlotte confidently declared.
Diana put away the bone knife and took the emulsion from Charlotte's hand. Her tone turned slightly cold as she said, "If you're deceiving me, I will take your head back and use it as a stool."
"Please give it a try," Charlotte remained calm in expression, but inside, he felt a bit anxious.
As the bottle was uncapped, a faint floral fragrance wafted out. Diana poured a few drops of the watery pink essence and evenly applied it on her face. The cool and moisturizing sensation spread across her skin as if her skin was breathing, greedily absorbing the moisture. It felt as if soft and gentle hands were gently stroking and massaging her face, putting her in a state of relaxation that made her unable to help but close her eyes and savor the sensation.
Charlotte watched as Diana closed her eyes with a smile on her face. The boulder in his heart finally fell. It seemed that he had made the right gamble.
After a while, Diana opened her eyes. She lightly tapped her cheek with her fingertips, feeling that it had become more elastic. She then pulled out a mirror adorned with gems from somewhere and carefully examined herself for a while. Her face appeared moisturized and smooth, radiating a rosy glow.
Damn, I look stunning!
"This intriguing elixir is indeed satisfactory," Diana nodded in approval, and her gaze toward Charlotte gained a touch of admiration. She smiled and said, "You're quite bold, but I like tenants like you."
"It's priced at 800 copper coins, but if you'd like, I can offer it to you at an 80% discount, making it 640 copper coins," Charlotte said confidently.
Diana's hand paused, and she looked at Charlotte with a more appreciative gaze. She chuckled, "You're audacious, but I like that about you, tenant."
"Deal," Diana handed seven silver coins to Charlotte and took the other bottle of essence. "Consider the rest as a tip."
"Thank you," Charlotte nodded, accepting without refusal.
"I'll come back in three days," Diana waved the mirror, swaying her waist as she walked away, and her mellifluous voice could still be heard from the mist, "Mirror, mirror, who is the fairest of them all in this world..."
Charlotte immediately turned around, entered the clinic, and closed the door behind him. As he took deep breaths, he didn't forget to count the silver coins he had just received.
Since the end of the racial war a millennium ago, which was fought to resist the catastrophe of the Red Moon, the six dominant races unified the currency in circulation on the continent of Isor for the convenience of trade.
The smallest currency is the copper coin, approximately the size of a human adult's fingernail, cast in brass.
One hundred copper coins can be exchanged for one silver coin, which is made of silver. And one hundred silver coins can be exchanged for one gold coin.
The obverse side of the silver coin bears the emblem of the alliance of the six races: dragons, elves, trolls, humans, orcs, and dwarves, along with a dove of peace encircled by the six rings. The reverse side depicts the Free City of Kalwa, a city built jointly by the six races.
The silver coins, crafted by dwarven blacksmiths in Eisen Ironforge, have almost no difference in size or weight. They have a smooth and delicate texture and are stamped with special anti-counterfeiting marks, ensuring stable circulation even in the chaotic Abyss.
After carefully placing seven silver coins and seven copper coins into his money pouch, Charlotte secured it close to his body. He felt a great sense of security.
[Ding! Diana's favorability mission is complete. The rent payment deadline is extended by three days. Received: Copper Coins +100! Favorability from Diana +10!]
The sound of the system rang out, and Charlotte felt the money pouch in his chest noticeably become heavier.
He quickly took out the money pouch, and the seven silver coins had turned into eight.
The system reward was deposited directly into his account!
Earning money on both ends with a single taskhow satisfying!
Charlotte laughed with joy, feeling that his life was full of opportunities.
However, Charlotte quickly calmed down. He had managed to pass Diana's test by cleverly deceiving her.
The so-called hydrating essence he mentioned was a fabrication. The bottle contained a failed batch of healing potion that he had prepared a few days ago.
However, the moisturizing effect was indeed significant. By approaching it from a skincare perspective, he could turn it into something valuable instead of useless.
Now he even felt grateful that his original self wasn't a serious person.
Who writes a diary anyway?
This hydrating essence might bring Charlotte a substantial income. Women's money is much easier to earn than that of men or dogs.
"System?"
Charlotte attempted to call out.
A virtual screen suddenly popped up in front of him.
[Player: Charlotte]
[Professions: Doctor, Alchemist]
[Level: Fourth-tier mage turned useless (waste!)]
[Wealth Value: 807]
[Professional Skills:
Wound Dressing and Changing: Intermediate: 1223/2000Foll𝑜ow current novÊls on nov/3lb((in).(co/m)
Skin Wound Suturing: Intermediate: 1806/2000
Uterus Incision Surgery: Beginner: 230/1000
Castration of Feline and Canine Animals: Advanced: 650/4000]
...
[Special Skills:
Holy Light Healing (previously possessed)
Water Cleansing Art (previously possessed)]
...
[Main Quest: Attain an Influence of 1000 as the Abyssal Physician! (10 influences gained per patient treated) Accept: Yes! No! Mission Success Reward: New cultivation system x1! Copper Coins x10000! Rare Item x1!]
[Side Quest: Not yet triggered]
[System Store: Not yet open (Opens when Wealth Value reaches 10000)]
[Favorability Panel: Not yet open]
Charlotte carefully studied this panel for a moment, overlooking his useless level and the luxurious magical skills he once possessed. He confirmed that he now had the capital to survive in this mysterious world.
With his magic abilities being stripped away, he could no longer become a mage again. And the reward for the new main quest was a new cultivation system?!
The system store was still closed, and he had no idea what good items it might offer.
The most striking aspect was undoubtedly the Wealth Value, which seemed to be directly linked to the money in his pocket.
The crucial point was that this system provided tasks that paid money! It was the kind of system that didn't owe any wealth!
Treating patients would make him stronger!
Completing missions would make him rich!
He loved this stable sense of happiness.
Knock, knock, knock!
The sound of knocking on the door came again.
Charlotte securely stored his money pouch close to his body and opened the door with a smile.
"Doctor, I'm dying. Please save me..." A massive figure staggered into the clinic.