As they journeyed back to Wonderelle along the road, Daisuke stole a glance at the hulking nun effortlessly bearing the lighter Amara on her back. As fatigue crept in, Daisuke couldn't help but curse his chivalrous obligations for shouldering the heavier burden.
As he mused about being strangled by Morgana if she could hear his inner thoughts, Gloria began to speak, her voice breaking the silence. She unraveled the shaman's sinister schemes—from calculated kidnappings, alliances with bandits, to the twisted psychological conditioning of his offspring to nurture evil inclinations.
"But that monster made a crucial mistake," Gloria remarked, the disapproving furrow in her brow softening. "It allowed the toddlers to remain with their mothers. Despite the circumstances, the girls did everything in their power to shower them with love and affection and instill in them a sense of right and wrong."
Daisuke's expression darkened as Gloria informed him that the shaman had claimed sole authority over fathering the children based on his supposed superior DNA among the goblins. As for the nun herself, her confinement stemmed purely from her healing abilities—she was tasked with the responsibility of tending to the girls and aiding them through childbirth.
Despite the unsettling revelations, one nagging question still lingered in Daisuke's mind. "Morgana was selected to be another host, right?" he inquired, his brow creasing with curiosity. "Then, out of all the others, why was she the only one who lost her leg?"
Gloria pursed her lips, contemplating the unsettling notion. "From what I understand, when Morgana and her companions were initially confronted by the goblins, she managed to defeat many of them, including a revered champion among the tribe.
Now, this is merely speculation on my part, but it's possible that the monster couldn't control the goblins through reason alone. Given their wild and uncivilized nature, a degree of violence and savagery may be necessary to maintain the power dynamic."
Daisuke felt a lump form in his throat as Gloria searched for the right words to convey the grim truth. "It's possible that her leg was offered to the tribe as a tribute to pacify their wrath," she said, her tone heavy with sorrow.
A brief silence lingered before Gloria shifted gears, injecting a note of hope into her words. "However, I've heard whispers of skilled blacksmiths capable of crafting prosthetic limbs from metal. With such advancements, Morgana's life as an adventurer may still be well within reach."
Daisuke's lips curled into a faint smile, his gaze drifting to Morgana's peaceful visage resting on his shoulder.
It wasn't long until the towering walls of a familiar town materialized in the distance. The welcoming sight of Wonderelle brought a sense of relief, a beacon of safety after their harrowing ordeal.
After leaving the unconscious adventures at the monastery and being reassured by Gloria that they would be thoroughly looked after, Daisuke bid her farewell and promptly took his leave.
***
It had been nearly a month since Daisuke last graced the town's cobblestone streets, hopelessly ensnared in the throes of a perilous adventure. If he had failed to escape the dungeon's clutches, would anyone in this bustling town even notice his absence?
As he surveyed the busy plaza—people flickering in and out through the teleportation gate, players bellowing requests for party members, and merchants' caravans flowing ceaselessly in and out of town—he couldn't shake the weight of his deep-seated pessimism.
When was the last time I got a proper night's rest in a comfortable bed? He pondered inwardly. It feels like ages ago. Right after that dungeon escapade, I pretty much made a beeline for Elmridge Village. My inventory's bursting with loot I haven't had the chance to sort through yet. Might as well take care of it all before retrieving Zephyr. First up, a visit to the apothecary.
Daisuke sneezed and shivered as he walked down the busy avenue. "Now that I think about it, my birthday was just last month in October," he muttered to himself. "Which means we're only a month away from winter. Thankfully, it doesn't snow in these parts, but I still need to come up with a plan before it gets unbearably cold. Sleeping outside won't be an option anymore if I can't afford lodgings. Ah, the struggles of poverty."
Daisuke was jolted back to reality by the sharp clatter of something striking the cobblestone street behind him. At the very last second, he managed to nimbly sidestep an incoming rickshaw taxi—a makeshift vehicle drawn by hand with two wheels.
In that suspended moment, time seemed to slow as his gaze locked with the woman seated in the passenger's seat. Her captivating jade green eyes and refined features peeked out from beneath the folds of her hooded cloak. Beside her, a man exuded an icy demeanor, his cloak veiling extravagant armor and a gleaming sword at his side.
Disregarding the driver's disgruntled scowl as they passed, Daisuke pressed on toward the apothecary. Outside, a foldable wooden sign nestled amidst a charming garden beckoned passerby.
Instead of a door, a pair of curtains partially obscured the interior. The air was rich with the fragrance of herbs, spices, and floral incense, a stark contrast to the sterile scent of hospitals.
Speechless, Daisuke entered the shop, his eyes aglow with wonder as he absorbed the surreal atmosphere. Sunbeams poured in through glass windows, casting a golden hue that danced upon an array of glass bottles and vials, each containing a unique spectrum of colors.
Wooden shelves, stretching tall, proudly showcased potions, plants, and trinkets of all kinds. Above, shrubbery adorned the ceiling like celestial clouds, while scattered mana crystals sparkled like stars in a distant galaxy.
Mesmerized, Daisuke approached the counter, his gaze darting around the shop like a child in an amusement park. A patient old woman with snow-white hair glanced up from returning a book to its shelf, offering him a warm greeting.
"Ohyah?" she exclaimed softly, her eyes flickering open slightly as she observed him. "A new face—you must be a fresh adventurer."
"How could you tell?" Daisuke asked, intrigued.
The woman's smile deepened. "In Wonderelle, there are only four apothecaries, all owned by my siblings and me. We share the medical histories of our customers, ensuring any one of us can respond in the event of an emergency."
"That explains it. But still, remembering everyone's faces…"
The woman chuckled lightly. "After years in medicine, you pick up a few tricks to enhance memory."
"Makes sense," Daisuke nodded, impressed.
"Now, how may I be of assistance today?"
Daisuke was about to respond when a holographic menu materialized before him. Like your typical RPG, it displayed the familiar options to buy or sell and a comprehensive list of all the items available for purchase, along with their respective prices.
He couldn't help but feel conflicted about the sudden shift from a conventional social interaction to a streamlined, self-regulated process. Yet, he couldn't deny the efficiency it brought to the transaction.
He had a strong feeling he could choose between this method and having the woman aid him personally. But since the menu was already opened…
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[Vitaberry] - $3 Gold | Owned: 12
[Gathered from the Vitality Tree, Vitaberries serve as the key ingredient in crafting health recovery potions.
Item Effect: Replenishes 150 health
Cooldown: 20 Seconds]
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[Small HP Recovery Potion] - $7 Gold | Owned: 18
[A potion brewed by combining Celestia Flowers and Vitaberries. Its restorative potency varies depending on the concentration grade.
Item Effect: Replenishes 450 health
Cooldown: 20 Seconds]
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[Medium HP Recovery Potion] - $10 Gold | Owned: 0
[A potion brewed by combining Celestia flowers, Vitaberries, and Bloomwhisper Herbs. Its restorative potency varies depending on the concentration grade.
Item Effect: Replenishes 1,500 health
Cooldown: 20 Seconds]
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[Etherberry] - $3 Gold | Owned: 8
[Etherberry bushes require plenty of water and moonlight to grow, and it is rumored that exposure to mana supposedly helps to accelerate their growth to maturity. Etherberry are a crucial component in the creation of mana replenishing potions.
Item Effect: Replenishes 150 mana
Cooldown: 20 Seconds]
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[Small MP Recovery Potion] - $7 Gold | Owned: 14
[A potion brewed by combining Lunarfrost Lily and Etherberries. Its restorative potency varies depending on the concentration grade.
Item Effect: Replenishes 450 mana
Cooldown: 20 Seconds]
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[Medium MP Recovery Potion] - $10 Gold | Owned: 0
[A potion brewed by combining Lunarfrost Lily, Etherberries, and Bloomwhisper Herbs. Its restorative potency varies depending on the concentration grade.
Item Effect: Replenishes 1,500 mana
Cooldown: 20 Seconds]
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[Antidote] - $5 Gold | Owned: 7
[A bitter herbal remedy that induces a chill in the throat when swallowed. Combining a careful blend of curative plants, it swiftly neutralizes various poisons, providing instantaneous relief.
Item Effect: Cures poison
Cooldown: 10 Seconds]
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[Burn Heal] - $12 Gold | Owned: 5
[A healing brew, concocted from a careful blend of five ingredients, with the Lunarfrost Lily as its core element. Upon application, it wraps the affected area in a cool, soothing aura, swiftly reducing inflammation and expediting healing.
Item Effect: Heals burn wounds of any degree and replenishes 450 HP.
Cooldown: 20 Seconds]
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[Antarctic Balm] - $13 Gold | Owned: 0
[A soothing ointment that blankets the skin with a refreshing coolness upon application. Specifically formulated to provide targeted relief from paralysis and stun, swiftly restoring mobility and clarity.
Item Effect: Cures Paralysis and Stun
Cooldown: 10 Seconds]
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[Resonance Herb] - $15 Gold | Owned: 0
[Harnessing the essence of essential oils, potent herbs, and pureed mushrooms, this herbal remedy serves as a powerful antidote for silence. It restores vocal resonance and corrects the flow of mana.
Item Effect: Dispels silence
Cooldown: 10 Seconds]
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[Downy Feather] - $17 Gold | Owned: 0
[This mystical feather, obtained from the mighty Griffin, carries the whispers of the wind's gentle erosion.
Item Effect: Dispels petrification.
Cooldown: 10 Seconds]
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[Omni-Remedy] - $25 Gold | Owned: 0
[An unparalleled elixir crafted from a fusion of rare flora and fauna. It possesses the ability to effortlessly cure all manner of status ailments and restore balance and vitality to those in need.
Skill Effect: Cures all status ailments
Cooldown: 60 Seconds]
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Daisuke's brows furrowed, a sheen of sweat breaking out on his forehead as he browsed the list of ridiculously overpriced consumables. But this blatant case of highway robbery wasn't a monopolistic ploy orchestrated by this old woman and her three siblings.
No, these inflated prices were, in fact, programmed into the game by its developers. It was a deliberate tactic to elevate the value of the healer class and incentivize players to incorporate them into their parties. However, only a few players showed any interest in assuming the role of a healer due to the stringent rules and regulations associated with the class.
Firstly, they had to select a patron deity and locate the corresponding church to begin their journey. Only after enduring a series of demanding initiations and trials in the form of quests would they earn the coveted title and blessings of a healer.
After earning this privilege, players were obligated to devote several hours each day to prayer to maintain their divine powers. Failure to do so resulted in the loss of these abilities, necessitating a repeat of the initiation process.
Additionally, they were required to contribute to society by performing daily acts of kindness. It could be as simple as assisting the elderly with their groceries to feeding a stray Bearhound. Yet, these prerequisites were undeniably time-consuming, especially for a class with almost zero combat capabilities.
As for the NPC healers—quite frankly, they didn't really trust the players and seldomly agreed to join their parties. Consequently, many players found themselves left with no choice but to purchase the exorbitantly priced items, despite their reluctance to do so.
Skimming over the remedies for status ailments such as Blindness, Curse, Frostbite, and Bleed, Daisuke scrolled down to the bottom of the list where something intriguingly different caught his eye.
[Repel Incense] - $20 Gold | Owned: 0
[A sack containing a repulsive brew of ingredients that acts as a natural deterrent to keep most monsters away.
Skill Effect: Repels most monsters
Duration: 2 Hours]
Daisuke rubbed his chin in contemplation. Most of the potions and antidotes I have are from monster drops, so I'm pretty confident I'll come across a few of the other items if I keep hunting.
But I have a feeling the Repel Incense won't be as easy to come by, if it even drops at all. It might be wise to grab one or two just in case. Hm… He glanced at the 235 gold in his inventory.
Twenty gold is quite a hefty price, especially since I need items from several other stores too. Alright, let's sell off some of these monster drops and then see where we stand.
"Oh!" the woman's eyes widened with surprise as Daisuke selected all the relevant items and completed the sale. "These are incredibly rare materials," she mused, her tone filled with awe. "And they're in pristine condition, too. Thank you very much for your business!"
Daisuke's lips stretched into an unusually wide grin, his eyes obscured by the shadow of his bangs as he entertained a vivid fantasy.
In his imagination, Wallet-kun had morphed into a voluptuous woman. She was hot and bothered, radiating an irresistible allure as she struck a seductive pose. She was clad in a skimpy outfit that left little to the imagination, bursting at the seams as the 315 gold coins he just made began to overflow.
"I-Is there anything else I can assist you with?" the woman stuttered, visibly unsettled by the youth's peculiar expression.
"R-Right! Sorry about that," Daisuke said apologetically, his hand instinctively moving to tousle the back of his head. "I'll take two Repel Incense, please."