Zhao Kai felt like his mouth was coughing up blood because of Fiona's comment.
How could one even call that a compliment?
Saying that he kept his ability well, but his overall behaviorism needed work was akin to saying he was not good enough.
'Is Feng trying to help me or put more salt in my wounds?' Zhao Kai wondered silently, feeling like he was still getting toyed.
Meanwhile, Xu Feng merely faked a cough, clearly not expecting such a frank comment from Fiona either. 'Though she's not wrong and is quite on point. As expected of an experienced blacksmith.'
Despite having such a thought, Xu Feng still acted humble and defended Zhao Kai.
"Shadow Blade rarely interacts much with people of your prowess. So he tends to be nervous, Fiona. Please forgive my companion's unsightly display of behavior in your presence," he apologized on behalf of Zhao Kai.
"Hmm, indeed, not many can even talk to me face to face." Extremely proud, Fiona nodded her head in agreement.
She then raised her chin up and continued, "Aii, it's truly hard for me to conceal my presence either. Your timid friend could only try to train harder to resist my dominating presence."
Thankfully, it was a good thing that she couldn't manipulate any of her body parts. Otherwise, Xu Feng was positive that her nose would start to grow long from ego alone.
As for Zhao Kai, he felt as if someone had just shot him multiple times repeatedly, and even in death, he was still getting shot. That was how much the combined statement from Xu Feng and Fiona had hurt him emotionally.
'Why am I being talked down to help the two of you have such a friendly conversation? I was just being respectful and frightful of your hammer swinging at me.' Zhao Kai screamed loudly in his mind, wanting to say those aloud.
However, he painfully knew if he uttered such words aloud, then a hammer would really be flying his way, and it wouldn't miss him.
To have such an unfortunate death added to his count was definitely not something he wished for.
Thus, he could only keep a bitter smile on his expression, keeping silent and enduring their conversation.
'Is this what Feng wants to teach me as well? That people can change in a heartbeat depending on the person, value, or anything in general.' Zhao Kai thought to himself.
Sometime later, Fiona finished inspecting the materials, and a satisfied smile was shown on her expression.
"Haha, the two of you have done a good job." Fiona praised, storing all the materials in a heartbeat.
"It is our pleasure to be able to assist you," Xu Feng placed one hand by his chest and bowed slightly, whereas his other hand signaled for Zhao Kai to mimic his action.
"Yes, it was our pleasure to be of help," Zhao Kai quickly followed up, albeit with some change of words.
Pleased, Fiona laughed heartily as a system completion prompt soon appeared in front of Xu Feng and Zhao Kai.
Given Xu Feng's shrewdness, he was able to latch onto Zhao Kai and receive the same mission reward, especially when he didn't slack on the contribution factors.
'Sigh… only level 4 after all this effort.' Xu Feng smiled bitterly.
Never once did he think that reaching level 5 would be such a difficult task.
—
Player Name: Lin Feng
Class: Cleric
Level: 4
Experience Points: 1,840/1,000,000
Attributes: Strength 12, Agility 15, Endurance 14, Intelligence 25, Vitality 18
Free Attribute Points: 10
—
Ignoring the snail-pace leveling speed and new character status, he took a glance at the reward and most of them were already fulfilled.
-Increased Reputation within Willowbrook Village
-Gain access to the Willowbrook Village through any teleportation platform.
-15,000 Experience Points
-40 Copper Coins
-Possibility to Trigger (Rare Custom Weapon or Armor crafted by Fiona Forgefire)
Their reputation so far had already been spread everywhere within the Willowbrook Village. From now on, even the original wary NPCs would still take a little bit of their time to greet them.
As for the second reward part, they were now eligible to teleport to the Willowbrook Village on any platform. They were no longer restricted to the eerie fog location, saving them time and trouble.
The 40 copper coins were negligible with Xu Feng's current wealth, but he wouldn't mind extra money.
Only a fool would complain about having more money.
Finally, the most important two rewards were the 15,000 experience points which greatly helped Xu Feng close the gap in reaching level 5, as well as the possibility to trigger the rare custom weapon or armor.
'Since Fiona didn't say anything, it seems like I need to give a final push.' Xu Feng knitted his brows and thought.
Others might have a misconception of thinking the NPCs would take the initiative in case of a trigger possibility outcome, but not him.
In most cases, these types of additional rewards require the players to work extra hard and explore more hidden features themselves.
"Fiona, aside from the material you requested, I also have something else that you might like to see." Xu Feng stepped forward and said in a friendly tone, dropping the honorific and extreme politeness.
"Oh, you have something interesting for me to see?" Surprised, Fiona was truly taken aback by Xu Feng this time.
She was already satisfied with their swift completion, but to think there was more to it, it was hard for her to conceal her amusement.
Her anticipation was reaching its peak as she nodded, "Very well, show it to me."
"No offense, Fiona, but I don't think the space here is enough for my surprises." Xu Feng glanced around the interior and determined the space was inadequate.
"Hmm, now you're making it mysterious, Lin Feng." Fiona furrowed her brows and continued, "I shall bring you to a more spacious environment, but I'll warn you in advance. If it's not satisfactory, then you're in big trouble."
"Of course, I deserve it in that case for troubling you if the items are unsatisfactory." Xu Feng smiled, confidently adjusting his glasses.