Diran looked a bit suspicious of my words, but he didn't ask it any further. Thanks to the Navigation skill tree, it had been easy to find the right path and avoid the traps in the hideout. Maybe my parameters helped with that as well.
"I am glad that you are back… but it looks like you bought something unwanted."
"Tell me about it… Still, you aren't planning to use this place for long, right?"
"Indeed, but… even so…"
"I don't want to be here either, so don't mind me, and I won't mind you."
The prisoners had been freed, but their conditions were still dire. Many were weak and malnourished, their bodies bearing the marks of prolonged neglect and mistreatment. They were being treated and fed, but the process was slow and arduous. Moving them to safety was the ultimate goal, but that might take days.
Recovery of their physical and mental strength could not be rushed, and every day spent in the hideout carried its own risks. We had to balance the urgency of escape with the necessity of ensuring they were strong enough to endure the journey.
"We will leave in three days to a place we can use as a base for a while. We probably left some traces behind, so this hideout will no longer be safe. We will destroy the whole thing and make them think that we were buried alive."
"I guess that is for the best, even though it looks like a waste."
A hideout like that wasn't easy to build, but it wasn't worth their lives. Regardless, Diran went to the back of the place, grabbed a bag with a lot of coins, and handed it to me.
"As we agreed, this is your extra."
"Thanks."
I finally had some leeway with money, but it wasn't like I could spend it anywhere… by looking at Diran, I also could tell that he was expecting to hear from me about my plans. Still, I decided to keep quiet about it, and then I heard some good offers.
I decided to improve my market value by helping heal the wounded… no one around could use healing magic, after all, so that would speed things up for us.
(The Healing Skill Tree leveled up. You received 20 Experience points.)
(The Healing Skill Tree leveled up. You received 30 Experience points.)
(The Healing Skill Tree leveled up. You received 40 Experience points.)
(You have leveled up and received five Status Points and one Rank-up Skill Point.)
(You have upgraded the Healing skill tree.)
Improved Healing
when using Healing magic, you can restore one extra point of HP per rank. (Requires Healing skill tree at Level 05)
It had been exhausting, to say the least. For two solid days, I poured every ounce of my energy into healing the dark elves. The work was almost nonstop, each one needing a careful touch and patience. Despite the fatigue, I knew it was necessary. Diran had made it clear that he wanted them in a better condition, and I didn't have all the time in the world.
By the end of two days, the progress was noticeable. The dark elves were in a much-improved state, far closer to what Diran had in mind. It hadn't been easy, but at least my efforts hadn't been in vain. My skills had definitely seen significant improvement. I could feel the difference in my magic; each spell was more precise and effective than before.
Still, the idea of hurting myself just to heal myself as a means to further enhance my skills lingered in the back of my mind. I knew it was an option I could use in the future, but it was an unsettling thought. I preferred to avoid that kind of self-inflicted pain if I could help it. For now, I was content to focus on my healing without resorting to such drastic measures.
Although some dark elves looked at me with dubious eyes, they began to relax more when I didn't ask anything in return. Still, it was quite shocking since some of them looked at me with disgust in the beginning. It looked like Leon Maxwell's good looks weren't all-purpose.
"We are going to leave tonight. Are you coming with us? That way, we can keep in touch more easily."
"That will depend. What are you planning next?"
"You are really considering staying with thieves? Do you want to make your reputation fall even more?"
"No one asked you anything."
I had brushed off Serana's opinion with a wave of my hand, but she didn't seem particularly upset by it. In fact, she just gave a small, understanding nod as if she'd anticipated my reaction.
She did have a point, though. I was already wanted for crimes I hadn't committed, and aligning myself with thieves would only add to the list of offenses I would be accused of. Her words echoed in my mind. Working with such a crowd would inevitably drag me deeper into trouble and lead to more crimes I might commit.
Still, It wasn't like things could get any worse. After all, with a target already on my back and people actively seeking my death, the risk of becoming a criminal in the eyes of the law seemed like just another layer of trouble in an already troubling situation.
"We are planning to lay low for a bit, but we receive some jobs now and then that will improve your skills to avoid trouble.
"That makes sense…"
"When our fangs are sharp again, we will get our revenge, and that will benefit you in the long run as well."
Decreasing the number of enemies was always the smartest thing to do… while we waited, I also asked for some help from Diran. I probably needed to improve my MP before that, but I also wanted to learn some new spells. Working with them, I wouldn't have to buy them; I could just steal the skill books from those who wanted my death. Two birds, one stone.
"All right, I suppose we can keep helping each other as long as we can benefit from this."
Diran and I shook our hands and then nodded. When night came, we began to prepare to leave the hideout… leaving with such a large group wasn't feasible in a carriage. Guards would check caravans more thoroughly, after all.
When everything was ready, Diran left some candles close to some pillars soaked in oil, and then we left the hideout. We left the area without even checking if the plan worked since the whole thing had been set to end very slowly. Regardless, we didn't have to worry about that since we would have to move the whole night.
"By the way, you might want to join us officially now; the more you succeed as a thief, the more benefits you will gain, and your rank will increase as well."
"Rank? Benefits?"