Chương 76: Strong Legs, Good Teeth

"Did they have interesting gear?" Vasil asked.

"Kind of," I said, "but not really. It didn't synergize with my build as much as my current items, and since we don't know what class Kasia will choose I just left it there. And, uh… it was a bit dirty." Vasil cocked his head.

"Dirty?"

"Yeah… I mean, the chest pieces were destroyed. They both had a big hole in the middle. And the rest, well… the rest was covered in chunks of their occupants." I shook the little totems.

"But that did allow me to collect the heads in one piece."

"The totems are probably more important anyway." I nodded.

"Yeah, that's what I figured. They also took me to level twelve, so only three more levels and I'll be able to equip a third totem. Did you gain any levels?" He shook his head.

"I was probably too far away."

"Hmm. I'll keep that in mind for the next time. Let's check the heads first and then go over what skill I should take." The viwa sat down cross-legged in front of me.

"Yes, let's do that." I raised an eyebrow, then glanced at Kasia. She shrugged. I held the two shrunken heads up, one in each hand, and angled them so they were "looking" at each other.

"Oh, Blue-shirt Guy," I squeaked, wiggling Brown-shirt Guy's head.

"I was so wrong! Hecate isn't stupid! She's actually a super-genius and I'm just a big loser!" I moved the Blue-shirt head in a nod.

"You're right, Brown-shirt! She's the smartest person ever! But... there's something I've always wanted to say to you."

"What is it, Blue-shirt?"

"I love you."

"I love you too!" I smashed their faces together and made loud, wet kissing noises while Vasil looked horrified. I pulled them back.

"But Brown-shirt... I have a secret… I also love eating poop."

"Oh my gosh, Blue-shirt, I—""Hecate!" Vasil barked.

"Stop it. Just stop." The viwa didn't look bothered at all. She was leaning forward with her head in her hands, looking delighted.

"No, no! Go on! It was just getting interesting! What was Blue-shirt going to say? How will this revelation affect their new found love? I must know."

"This is what I mean," Kasia said.

"This is not normal behavior. It's disturbing. You shouldn't do that." Maybe it wasn't.

"They were laughing about how stupid I was when I got there."

"You are better than this," Kasia said. I looked at Kasia, then back at the heads. Maybe it was a bit much. Even if they deserved it. Even if they liked eating poop. I took in a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

"You're right, Kasia. They just really got under my skin. They were very rude."

"You are the one that said don't let them bother you." Damn. Now she was using my own words against me, and she was right. I shouldn't have let them get to me. Especially not those guys. Maybe a part of me also felt ashamed that I hadn't noticed them following us, and that made it worse somehow. Would I have caught them in time if the viwa hadn't warned us? So not only did I need a disguise skill, I was also in desperate need of some type of perception skill. The list of skills I needed to survive grew by the day.

But what was more important? I saw Vasil staring at me with anticipation. Right, the heads. I figured instead of attaching the totems to my stuff, I might as well cast [Artifact Index] on them and save myself some time (and effort). I read the stats aloud. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. [Headhunter - Mateusz Brodzka, Fighter] Weapon modification: +5% Damage per successful hit for 10 seconds. Stacks 5 times.

+5% Attack speed per successful hit for 10 seconds. Stacks 5 times. +5 Strength +5 Dexterity Gear modification: +5 Strength +5 Dexterity +15% Physical Resistance +10% Movement Speed [Headhunter - Pavel Rak, Seeker] Weapon modification: Applies [Mark] on successful hit. +5 Dexterity +5 Stamina +15% Stamina Regeneration Gear modification: +5 Dexterity +5 Stamina +15% Stamina Regeneration +15% Movement Speed"What does [Mark] do?" I asked the System. [Mark] Type: Passive X marks the corpse.

Applies [Marked] every time you successfully hit your target. [Marked] targets take 50% more damage and gain a golden glow around them that is visible through objects. Lasts 30 seconds. Status refreshes every time target is hit with [Mark].

"So Pavel's head is worse than the bear head on my weapons, unless I'm trying to track someone."

"Agreed," Vasil said.

"But on your gear it's useful. More movement speed, Stamina and Dexterity. You could argue that having that head on your gear serves you better than having the bear head on your pistol right now, since you generally use [Clean Entry] the extra damage doesn't really matter much." He made a good point, and I could always swap the heads when needed. I summoned my revolver and took the bear head off.

"Sorry, little guy," I said as I slipped it into my satchel. I attached Pavel's head to my belt. More Dexterity was always good, and let's be honest, I needed the Stamina as well.

"That leaves little Mati." I said.

"I suppose he has some use, just not right now." Vasil nodded in agreement.

"True, good to have it though." I tossed Mateusz's head in the satchel with the others.

"So that leaves us with the skills," I said.

"I'm kind of bummed that I didn't get to take [Generous Gift], seeing as how I've had to kill a considerable amount of people recently." The viwa nodded enthusiastically.

"Right. Right." I stared at her for a second then continued.

"But recent developments have led me to believe that may not be the optimal course of action."

"Especially since [Clean Entry] is basically free now, as long as you get a kill," Vasil said. I pointed at him.

"Exactly." The viwa also pointed at him.

"Exactly." I turned to her.

"Why?" She just smiled brightly and shrugged.

"Alright," I continued.

"So the incident with the inquisitors and my mask, and today's incident with the seeker have made it clear I need some type of disguise skill. Preferably one that not only changes my face, but also my class. On top of that I believe I need a perception or early warning skill. If the viwa hadn't warned us we might have been dead."

"You're welcome!" she said.

"Also, my name isn't 'the viwa', my name is Jelka."

"Thank you, Jelka. I'm Hecate, that's Kasia and the frog is Vasil." She waved to them like we hadn't been sitting here together this whole time.

"I'd get a disguise skill that lets you turn into a horse," Jelka said as she suddenly transformed into a horse. Then she transformed into a swan.

"Or a swan. Flying is cool." Seeing her as a swan reminded me of the story of that time Keraion shapeshifted into a swan and seduced a queen. As you can imagine, that caused a lot of trouble. I shuddered.

"Maybe not a swan." She turned back into a woman and sat down again.

"Your loss."

"A swan is definitely off the table," I said, trying to shake the mental image.

"I am also not sure if a skill exists that would allow you to hide your class and change your face at the same time," Vasil said.

"I believe the System would see that as two separate skills. Though shapeshifting into a horse like Jelka might work. No one ever uses [Identify] on horses." I groaned.

"Of course. So now I have to choose between three skills! And I also don't really see the value in changing into a horse."

"You would be a lot faster, and Kasia could ride you. It would be efficient energy-wise." I spread my arms.

"I don't want anyone to ride me, Vasil!"

"I think you would be a good horse."

"I agree," Jelka said.

"A great horse, even." I narrowed my eyes at Vasil. He looked like he was trying very hard not to laugh.

"Are you messing with me?" Vasil maintained a perfectly flat, frog-like stare, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"I am merely considering the needs of the party, Hecate. Your comfort is, of course, a secondary concern to our travel speed."

"You are messing with me," I said, pointing a finger at him.

"Unbelievable! Why, Vasil? Why?" I looked over at Kasia, hoping for an ally. She was biting her lip, looking at the ground, but her shoulders were shaking.

"No! Kasia, not you too!" I turned to Jelka, who was just nodding approvingly. I don't think she was messing with me, I think she actually believed I'd be a great horse.

"You'd be a sturdy one," Jelka added, squinting.

"Strong legs. Good teeth." Kasia let out a small, stifled snort.

"What the fuck," I said, "What the hell is going on here? Have you all lost your minds? Did you just call me fat?" Jelka raised her hands.

"Oh no! Your legs are nice and toned."

"I'm wearing armored pants! How would you know what my legs look like?" She grinned.

"What's that skill called?" I asked.

"[Piercing Insight]. I believe your would-be attacker also had it." I wasn't even upset anymore. If I had a skill that could see through everything, I'd know exactly what weapons people were hiding. What they had in their pockets. Who was waiting just out of sight, ready to ambush me.

"That's a very good skill," I said.

"But does your class have access to it?" Vasil asked.

"Only one way to find out."