There was a time when the world was filled with all kinds of sicknesses that merge and become anew. When they heard a cough a blade was thrust into those who'd made such a noise. Even the security of the smallest towns was comparable to that of a prison meant to cage an unkillable beast
At that time a wanderer unlike anything the world has ever seen would appear, but what he offered would result in a change. He treks the land aimlessly and some say he was nothing but the spirit of those who suffered from the illnesses. Just like a spirit, he leaves no traces left for anyone to find, until he encountered an outlander that's one of a kind
16 years ago
"You're the first human I've found in this town, what brings someone like you to the countryside?" A short man masked by the smell of burning coal in his body hands him the meal he ordered
"Am I that peculiar? I've just wanted to visit this place after I got a tip that I've been looking for. A side job that's the best way to say my reason for being here. I'm just like you Mr. Dwarf, im having a hard time getting some funds so im doing a lot of side jobs," From his gear and weapon his appearance was peculiar to the tavern keeper
There weren't a ton of guardians visiting this particular town, but for a blacksmith such as this dwarf, he was far from being normal. There wasn't a single weapon apart from his knife and his bag was filled with herbs and vials alike. Since he doesn't wear any sort of heavy piece of armor he was viewed as a mage
"I don't know what your reason is but I advise you to leave. This place doesn't need another victim, not again! There are a ton of guardians I met and I'd tell you they rather avoid this place. Rumor has it that some guardians have pledged a pact with a demon and now I've seen so many guardians die the next day," His tone was filled with sheer horror and his body was stiff, to say the least
"Thanks for the warning I'll make sure to hurry up with my job. The the food was great, keep it up! I'll see you when I get back," He quickly left as soon he entered to have some food to nurture his body along with some takeouts he asked for in advance
'This is the place alright, but with just the people being hostile to the outsiders I can tell they've seen a lot. This village manages to avoid the plague because its a town is isolated from the rest. I can move to the next city over, but I still have some unfinished businesses left in this town~'
In the woods, there was a rundown shack, and the sounds of the leaves swaying and the twisting of branches were all he needed. But he never once grabbed his knife and only widen his arms. A child came bursting from the bush and hugs him in the process, she was the daughter of the late owner of the shack. He found her when he was searching for the herbs he gained from his intel and he protected her until she could learn to survive
"Master! You're back!" The sickly child he once treated was energetic and her mood brightens when he returned from his voyage to the town
"Gwen, I told you to stop calling me that! I'm just taking care of you once your illness have been treated. I did teach you some self-defense techniques, but I never once made you my apprentice. Let's go inside, it's getting cold, and your illness is having a negative reaction," He didn't have any problems when he took her in and treated her disease
Before he left his hometown he already had the same talent as a veteran alchemist, and because of that, he was able to work. When he had some time on his hands, he took care of the kids younger than him in the orphanage. But when the bias of the Guardians class arises he knew that he'll be deeply affected by this, and so he decided to leave. That was the time he scour the lands for any herbs and broaden his knowledge and improve his combat capabilities
'Encroaching black miasma, a skin disease that'll spread as time goes by, and the result will leave a foul stench. This disease won't stop until every single chunk of its body is covered in black spots. When that happens all hope will be lost and the patient will have no choice but to accept a slow and painful death. Most of the time the doctor even advises the patient to die before it gets worse. Having this disease is unbearable, I got it once but I've found a way of treating this illness,'
"Are you done with your meal? If so then we'll proceed with today's treatment, you know the drill, strip. I need to apply my special mix of skincare, this will prevent the spread, and as long as you drink the medicine you'll be fine. Bear with the horrible taste, I don't have the money to make this taste any more enjoyable than it is," He gave her a cup full of the things he hunted and gathered from his travels before he arrives at their house
The intestine of the monster Tortreous is known for its high resistance to any form of status ailments. Wild herbs and spices he picked from the woods have the effect of increasing one's regenerative capabilities. Lastly, the worst ingredient of all is the hardened excrement of a forest ogre. This monster was known to have antibodies perfect against any form of skin-related disease
"I'm fine, Gwen's a good girl! I can handle this!!" She was tearing up with just the pungent odor coming from her medicine
But she took it in and when her body would be opposed to swallowing this atrocious medicine she covered her mouth. She tried her best to avoid vomiting after her body was slowly recovering from her sickness. When all of the juice was confirmed, she notices a long stick being waved at her face and her mood begins to change
"Here's some popsicle blueberry flavor and your favorite dessert. I've scored a lot of coins and I decided to reward you for cooperating with your treatment. I hope this will make up for that atrocious medicine," She took his offer and enjoyed the taste of the popsicle to her heart's content
Time flies and he stayed in that village for a month when her treatment was nearing its end. But when he came back, he wasn't pounced on, nor did he hear some noise originating from the shack. When he came to investigate he found the entrance was filled with a muddy footprint and the shack was filled with a horrific scent
This scent was something he despises the most, it was one of the signs of a demonic guardian. He heard the rumors of their being demonic guardians, but because he didn't encounter anything, he brush it off as untruth. The scent was strong and it meant that it didn't occur that long and he runs in the direction of the scent
"Let go of me! I swear if my master catches you he'll tear you to shreds!!!" She was dragged by a deformed guardian that now embodied the body parts of a monster whilst its head was filled with horns
"This is indeed peculiar, it seems you've built a resistance from the disease I was ordered to spread. I'll just kill you, but that's after I've killed the one who treated you, if he survives my plans will be in vain. You'll act as my hostage, now do you understand? Because he cared enough to treat you he'll die by my hands!!!" In the tracks, he purposely left he controlled the monsters where in return their power grew exponentially
But before he could ever reach his stronghold, the demonic guardian was ambushed in its tracks. Its vision became unstable and before it could get any worse a figure descended from the skies. It threatened an attack and knocks the demonic guardian which landed on the trees
"Gwen, speak to me! Are you in any pain?" Gwen opened her eyes in thel confusion and she sees Ernest carrying her whilst he revealed his true identity
"The wanderer?" Because of the cold environment, the condition of her body worsen
In her unstable vision, she gazes upon the figure of the tales that her late father tells her every night. An individual that's been speculated as an ethereal being that's a manifestation of the sick. A pale man wearing not a suit of armor, but carrying a bag full of trinkets whilst he dons a Jingasa
"The wandering pharmacist? So you're the one behind all this! No matter, you're too late! I've already been changed by the pledge I've made with my demon," In the rainy evening in this dreadful woods lies the person responsible for the plague
Yet another incarnation appeared an individual who's spoken as a myth for his figure. He brought forth countless miracles and yet he only ask for a few herbs and a place for him to stay. The rumored otherworldly being was none other than Ernest Quelt the wandering pharmacist