He opened the first page of the booklet.
What first caught his eye was an extremely exquisite doll illustration, and below the illustration were densely packed small characters displaying information about that doll.
【First Doll - Cang Xuanyue】
Cleaning-type doll, possesses extremely strong cursed arts abilities, skilled in using cursed arts to launch large-scale attacks on targets. Personality: mature and talkative. Emotional Development: ★★★. Combat Rating: ★★★★. Energy Consumption: High
Appearance: Female, simulated medium-sized cursed arts doll, adult body type, black long straight hair, blue pupils. Right eye is damaged so often covered with a flower bud. Characteristics: white robe with blue sash, 175cm.
【Second Doll - Requiem】
Combat-type doll, extremely strong close combat abilities. With ultimate assault and berserk abilities, she can become a sharp blade on the battlefield. Personality: insane and pathological. Emotional Development: ★★. Combat Rating: ★★★☆. Energy Consumption: Extremely High
Appearance: Female, simulated light-type doll, loli body type, crimson hair with red pupils. Often uses a three-meter long heavy scythe. Nearly uncontrollable during combat. Characteristics: scythe, crimson hair, 151cm.
【Third Doll - Glazed Lamp】
Maid-type doll, female, excellent housekeeping assistance abilities, perfect butler-type doll. Outstanding management and financial abilities allow her to quickly adapt to any environment. Personality: lively and adorable. Emotional Development: ★★★★★. Combat Rating: ★. Energy Consumption: SmallAppearance: Female, simulated medium-sized doll, young girl body type, golden hair with blue eyes. Often manages the Doll Manor when the Mistress is away. Serves as the head maid of Doll Manor. Maid uniform, perfectly simulates real human emotional expression. Characteristics: smile, dignified, 160cm.
……
Lynn stared blankly as he flipped through the introductions in the collection booklet.
Every page contained a doll illustration and related introduction, and without exception, every doll was exquisitely carved, like real people yet not real people.
Carrying an indescribable, eerie beauty.
"These are all..." Lynn said in astonishment.
The Doll Mistress smiled lightly, resting her chin on her hand. "They're all very good dolls. Each one has been carefully selected by me, brought back from all over the world - cursed dolls who are also my daughters."
"You should be able to see, each of them has their own areas of expertise, and after my meticulous carving, at least in appearance, compared to ancient puppets like me, they can be more accepted by the normal world."
The Doll Mistress introduced while leaning forward, smiling seductively.
"So? Have you seen any that interest you?"
"If you have, Auntie can rent them to you anytime. They can serve as bodyguards, or as maids. Of course, if you're not afraid of death, they could even be playthings."
Lynn: "(꒪Д꒪)!"
This... this can be rented too?
Lynn frowned. "I don't think that's appropriate. Since you've already said these are your daughters, renting them out like commodities feels somewhat..."
The Doll Mistress immediately smiled. "Alright then, let me use more formal wording."
"You can think of it as a form of employment."
"Employment?" Lynn questioned doubtfully.
The Doll Mistress hugged her chest, closed her eyes, and smiled slightly. "Yes, my daughters have extremely outstanding performance in their respective fields. Many creatures in the Dark World are willing to pay high prices to hire my daughters to help them handle some troublesome matters."
"For example, assassination, warfare, bodyguard, management and other services."
"And my daughters are also very willing to experience different customs and lifestyles around the world through this method. At the same time, this is also the funding source that maintains the normal operation of the entire manor."
After listening to the Doll Mistress's explanation, Lynn nodded thoughtfully.
In other words.
In a certain sense.
This is a security company.
The Doll Mistress smiled lightly as she looked at him. "So? Any suitable ones? If you like any, just tell Auntie directly. And since this is repayment, the first rental is free."
She kept tempting him.
Lynn pondered upon hearing this.
To be honest, he was indeed somewhat interested.
Not because they were beautiful enough, nor because they looked pleasing to the eye, but simply considering his actual situation.
What she said earlier was indeed correct.
After the teacher left, if something like the previous Flesh Puppet invasion happened again, it would undoubtedly be a big trouble.
Because he couldn't rely on the Blood-Robed Evil Spirit every time.
And Blood-Robed Big Sister often went out to hunt for food. If he encountered some big shots again, relying only on himself and Left Hand would be quite difficult to handle.
Maybe...
Choose one?
Lynn's heart was moved.
Under the Doll Mistress's smiling gaze, Lynn began carefully flipping through each doll's introduction.
But soon, Lynn found himself in a dilemma.
Because...
They all look so appealing!
It's like sitting in a club, watching one cute little girl after another walk in gracefully, each one so outstanding that you simply don't know which one to choose to accompany you!
"Can I have them all?" Lynn asked curiously.
The Doll Mistress's smile instantly brightened.
"You can~~~"
[Ding! Doll Mistress's Affinity towards you +10]
[Ding! Doll Mistress's Affinity towards you +12]
[Ding! Doll Mistress's Affinity towards you +15]
[Ding! Doll Mistress is overjoyed!]
Lynn instantly shivered.
Something's wrong!
Why is she even happier when I say I want them all?
Does she have some wicked scheme in mind?
In an instant.
Lynn remembered the curse inside her.
Could it be that her real purpose isn't to thank me, but to make me have some strange interactions with her doll daughters, then help her daughters break the curse?!
Lynn: "!!!"
Using my body?!
No way! Absolutely not!
Although I occasionally act perverted, I could never achieve the same level of mastery as the teacher!
Instantly understanding the Doll Mistress's meaning, Lynn's heart trembled violently, but he maintained calm on his face.
"Can... I not take any?"
Lynn tested.
Buzz—
The smile on the Doll Mistress's face instantly vanished.
[Ding! Doll Mistress's Affinity towards you -10]
"I'll take them! I didn't say I wouldn't! Let me look more carefully!"
Lynn said sheepishly.
Only then did the Doll Mistress become overjoyed again, her smile radiant.
Lynn thought for a moment, then asked: "I understand the combat star rating, but Auntie, what does this emotional development mean?"
The Doll Mistress blinked and explained: "This is based on my years of interaction with them, judging how difficult it is to stimulate their emotions. The higher the star rating, the easier it is, and the closer they are to real people."
Without hesitation.
Lynn quickly rejected all dolls with high emotional star ratings.
Preferably ones with no stars!
He didn't want to achieve mastery level!
"What about the energy consumption?" Lynn continued asking.
The Doll Mistress chuckled lightly: "Just like you flesh creatures - when you're hungry, you need to eat. They also need to consume energy, otherwise they'll become slow-moving, or might even stop working."
"But my daughters are all very advanced. Whether it's flesh and blood, cursed energy, or energy blocks, they can convert them into their own energy sources."
Lynn pondered upon hearing this, muttering to himself: "So that means... I'd have to raise them too..."
The Doll Mistress: "????"