The other two aristocratic knights stood in stunned silence, whipping their heads around to see who had just arrived.
They eye’s were met with the sight of a strange woman—wearing a double-winged knight’s helmet and with a golden knight’s sword at her hip.
Just from her gear, they instantly realized she was no ordinary person. The price alone screamed nobility, leaving them frozen in place.
BAM!
Without a second’s hesitation, Fabiana threw out a textbook “Knight’s Justice” straight punch, smashing into another rich knight’s face and sending him flying.
These spoiled sons of merchants had no real skill. One solid hit and they were on the ground, groaning in pain.
These guys were basically cosplay knights—heirs of major trade companies who played at being warriors while piggybacking on their family’s caravans. All flash, no substance. Just annoying buzzing flies flaunting their wealth.
“I’m Fabiana Dilmutt, the Pure White Knight of the Hero’s Party. If you don’t want to die, take your buddies and get lost.” Fabiana didn’t bother beating up the third guy, instead telling him to drag his bloodied comrades out of the Melon Town chapel.
The cowardly knight wasted no time, hauling the two whimpering rich boys away, stumbling and scrambling.
“You hit them too hard. Even if they get their noses fixed, they’ll probably still be crooked,” Samimi commented dryly.
“Could you at least say thank you?” Fabiana tried to stay cool, donning her helmet to play her usual aloof tough-girl role.
“Thank you, Pure White Knight, for saving me,” Samimi replied sweetly.
To Fabiana, though, it sounded fake as hell. Oozing with sarcasm and smug irony.
Samimi brushed herself off, grabbed her coin pouch, and headed out.
“Off to do something shady?” Fabiana tailed her like a clingy puppy.
“Screw off. I’m going shopping,” Samimi replied flatly.
“Shopping for what?” Fabiana still wouldn’t let up.
“If you want to soak in the bath, just ask the innkeeper. I’ve already arranged it. Yesterday was my fault—I shouldn’t have treated you like that. You’re a guest, after all,” Samimi said.
This sudden tenderness stunned Fabiana in place. She was speechless.
Why is she being so kind all of a sudden?
Where’s the snark and sass from earlier?
For once, the two seemed to be getting along. They even managed the whole walk without arguing.
Samimi led the way to a shady little antique shop tucked in a forgotten corner on the edge of town.
It was run by a grumpy old granny who had a habit of hoarding what most would call trash. But occasionally, a real treasure was buried in the junk.
[Melon Town Antique Shop]
—A known location from Thorned Rose Fantasy, said to house rare items.
The author of Thorned Rose Fantasy loved to cram in loads of “useless” lore—clearly a luxury of popular authors who can write whatever they want and still sell. If someone like Samimi’s original self, a no-name amateur writer, tried to do that, readers would drop it instantly.
“Granny, I brought the money this time.”
Samimi entered the dusty shop. The air was thick and stale, the place cluttered to the ceiling. It didn’t look like a business at all.
“You again, you cursed little criminal. Just seeing you makes me sick,” the sharp-eyed, sprightly old woman snapped as she emerged from the back.
“Old—” Fabiana’s anger flared instantly.
But Samimi quickly cut her off and pressed her down by the helmet. “Granny, here’s the price we agreed on.”
The old woman snorted but opened a safe and pulled out a scorched black book.
Most people wouldn’t know what it was, but Samimi recognized it immediately: a grimoire.
Grimoires enhance spell strength. They function like magic wands but aren’t as specialized. While wands boost specific magic types, grimoires give a broad bonus across all spells—making them more versatile, though not as potent in one area.
For instance, a fire mage would still prefer a wand that boosts fire spells exclusively.
Since Samimi’s holy staff had been confiscated by the Church, her spells were all raw casts with no amplification—far from ideal for support.
Now that she could get her hands on a grimoire, it was like giving wings to a tiger.
“Here’s the money, Granny.” Samimi set the hefty pouch on the counter.
“Hmmph.” The old lady glanced at it. “I heard you did some good deeds around town. I’ll let it slide this time. That book’s useless to me anyway—just take it.”
“Nope. A deal is a deal. You take the money.” Samimi picked up the grimoire and turned to leave.
“Wait! Get back here!” the old lady shouted, stunned that someone actually refused to take a freebie.
“I’m not taking the money back,” Samimi said, stopping.
“There’s another item that goes with that book. I haven’t given it to you yet.” The granny bent down and pulled out a second black book from a cabinet.
“What’s this?” Samimi asked. It didn’t give off any magical aura—clearly not a grimoire or a skillbook.
“Looks like a mage’s notebook. I can’t read it. It’s yours,” the old woman said.
“I can’t accept that,” Samimi replied.
“I said take it! You’re more stubborn than I am!” The old lady tossed the book at her.
Samimi walked out of the shop, now holding two black books and rubbing her forehead.
“You got a screw loose or something?” Fabiana asked.
“What did I do wrong?” Samimi responded.
You don’t get it. This kind of transaction racks up kindness points in the game system.
“What happened to your holy staff?” Fabiana asked.
“The Church took it back. It belonged to them—I was just borrowing it,” Samimi replied.
“That’s… harsh,” Fabiana mumbled.
But she knew exactly who had set Samimi up—it was her. So she didn’t dare raise her voice.
Then, Fabiana’s brow furrowed. Something wasn’t right.
Samimi only just now got her grimoire. Meaning, when she fought the Steelback Dragon and the Cyclops Bear, she wasn’t even at full power.
Even without amplification gear, her support spells had boosted local knights to the point where they could take down a dragon. Without her, their own Hero’s Party couldn’t even break its defenses.
The more Fabiana thought about it, the colder her sweat became.
Were we ever strong on our own… or was it all just Samimi’s support magic carrying us the whole time?
Her fists clenched tight. The truth was unbearable.
“Why did you stop, Pure White Knight?” Samimi asked. “Is there something you want to buy?”
“Can you not call me ‘Pure White Knight’? Are you mocking me or something?” Fabiana protested.
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