The liquid was thick and sticky. The white shimmering liquid reminded him of something that he did not want to think of drinking at that moment. He could hear snickering in his mind. Ethan looked at the ladies as he held the vial of liquid resembling a body liquid he would never willingly drink. He tipped the vial, and the liquid ran onto his tongue. He made sure they could see him taking his medicine. Wendy and Maple gaped. They looked like they wanted to heave up their biscuits.
Lucy's face was a mask of disgust as he poured more liquid into his mouth, some spilling to the side of his mouth and running down his beard. Grace licked her lips. She was fascinated by something Ethan noticed. The liquid was bitter and had a green-like grass and earthy-like mud taste. Ethan wanted to gag but would not give them the satisfaction. The medicine tasted disgusting. Sophia spoke in his mind.
"Alas, the herbal remedies are working. It is neutralising the enzyme. By tomorrow, you will be free of it. You know it did look a lot like..."
"Alas, I know. Please do not remind me; I feel nauseated already. Do not make it more difficult, please."
Laughter echoed in his head.
"Maple said that she had posted a request at the adventurer's guild, but no one took up the task. She needs Kun Lai Runts' horns and venom sacs; they yield valuable manna gems. What do you think? It is a bronze plate level quest."
Ethan coughs and takes a generous drink from his mug. He follows that up with a biscuit. Maple has her hands folded before her. She has hope and fear in her eyes. Ethan suspected Grace and Maple had a secret they were not sharing, which had something to do with the king. He would not pry. He had enough problems at this stage.
"Alas, let us form a party. Then, can you think of someone else who might want to join us?"
This was a trick question. Of course, Ethan suspected who they would choose already. He had a feeling his life would become a lot more complicated in the future. Grace and Maple stared at each other, and then Grace turned to Ethan.
"We want Lara to join us. Maple will talk to her tomorrow at the academy. She will make a special trip."
"Hail, no need. We are going there tomorrow. Maple can join us, and we will bring her home safely. Ethan can get her there easily; she is low on coins, right?"
Maple took her coin pouch from her belt. She had five silver coins left. Ethan took two silver coins from his coin pouch, his weekly pay from Thompson, and gave them to Maple, closing her hand over them.
"Alas, take it as a welcome gift from me, and a thank you for the medicine."
"Squee, you're one of us now. Ethan will always care for us."
"Hail, Ethan will be there when you need him the most. I can guarantee it he saved me."
Ethan sat back as the women started chatting about their first encounters with him.
"Alas, my life has just become more complicated. Sophia, why did I come through the valley again?"
"Alas, because this is where you belong and can grow your power, have real relationships, and experience love like no other."
Ethan remembered that they needed to return to the smith for gear, and his new party members would also need gear. He would have to talk to Thompson.
"Alas, I am going to the supermarket to call Thompson. Let us eat at the Shepards Inn. I will pay for Maple's meal and drinks and make sure she gets home safely."
Ethan could make an educated deduction that Maple was rationing her food. The five silver coins were there as emergency money. As he could see in the window, if he remembered the symbol for coppers correctly, her remedies were three coppers for a remedy.
Sophia congratulated him on his memory. She could read the signs. Ethan scolded her for not telling him she could read the language in this realm. She stated that it was apparent she did translate the training manual for him. Ethan felt stupid after that he should have realised. Sophia said he had to do something for her when he saw her again.
Ethan left the house and floated to the supermarket. The streets were quiet as it was evening already. They had stayed at Maple's house longer than he would have thought. Ethan used two copper coins and dialled Thompson, and he answered out of breath.
"I knew it would be you, Ethan. Hold one second for me."
Ethan heard a woman groan, and then Thompson grunted loudly and moaned. He could hear Thompson speak faintly through the receiver. Thank you, Sergeant Kasey. See you tomorrow. Have a good night's rest, my dear. You're beautiful. Ethan heard him pick up the receiver.
"Sorry about that. I just filled my sergeant with important stuff, you know. How can I help you, Ethan? How is your dungeon party coming along."
Ethan was taken aback. How did Thompson know he wanted to discuss his party?
"Earl sent me a message outlining the requirements of the teams. My friend, it would be best if you recruited team members from outside the academy students. Only three students are allowed on a team. The others must be steel-plated adventurers. And you must pay them out of your pocket."
Ethan listened, and suddenly Thompson fell silent. He wanted him to respond. The old scoundrel was enjoying his discomfort. Ethan could hear the door open and a soft female voice greeting Thompson.
"Alas, I have three people in mind, but we need gear for them. Will you be able to help them get geared?"
Ethan could hear strange noises through the receiver and wanted to hang up. Thompson sighed like he was relieved.
"If it is Grace, Maple, and Lara, come and get a recommendation paper from me tomorrow. That is just right, corporal. Oh, sorry, Ethan. On second thought, I will send a message to Grom. I am going to. Later, Ethan."
The connection between them is cut off. Ethan walked into the supermarket, bowing through the door. Miley stood at the counter. She was Penny's youngest. How did she get here on her own? The lady behind the counter waved a finger at the little girl, scolding her lovingly.
"Did you sneak out of the inn again, Miley? You want frozen milk with cherries. Do not tell your mom, but here is one."
The lady offered her an ice lolly, and she opened it for her. The little girl's orange tail stood erect, her ears alive. She clapped her little hands.
"Alas, I will take her back when I am finished."
"Meow, Uncle Ethan."
She ran to Ethan, hugging his injured leg. It hurt like hell, but Ethan kept a calm face. Ethan picked her up with his left arm and carried her as he shopped for sweets for them. Ethan had a few packets of sweets and necessities in his basket. It would set him back twenty-six coppers. Miley had finished her frozen milk in minutes and was sleeping in his arms, drooling on his shoulder.
Ethan pondered while holding the little bundle. There was so much to do, yet his journey had only begun in this realm. The artefact hunt was a success and a victory for the demi-humans. He had reclaimed Wendy and Lucy's dignity before the human student. They were stronger than they thought, and their tenacious drive for survival gave them the edge. He could see them growing into a powerful adventure team in the future.
"Alas, time to go home, little one."