After the deal was finalized, Carter shook hands with Emma, a genuine smile on his face. "Thanks for working with me, Emma," he said sincerely.
Emma smiled back. "No, thank you, Carter. I think this partnership is going to be great for both of us."
As they lingered by the counter, their conversation turned more personal. "So, Carter," Emma began, leaning forward slightly, "how did you get into potion-making? You seem pretty passionate about it."
Carter chuckled. "Honestly, it started as a hobby back in the day, but it's become so much more now. I've been thinking about opening my own shop someday—something small but meaningful, where I can sell potions, flowers, and maybe even help others grow their own ingredients."
Emma nodded thoughtfully. "That sounds like a beautiful dream. And with your skill, I have no doubt you'll make it happen."
Before Carter could respond, the guild doors slammed open with a loud bang, drawing everyone's attention. Two adventurers, a man and a woman, rushed inside, carrying an unconscious tiger demihuman woman between them. Her red hair was matted with blood, her muscular yet curvy frame visibly bruised, and her green eyes closed tightly in pain.
Emma's face grew serious as she stepped forward. "Sorin! Kara! What happened? And who is she?"
The male adventurer, Sorin, spoke quickly, his voice laced with urgency. "It was our mission. We got ambushed by a group of beasts deeper in the forest. She's Raena, a solo adventurer. She jumped in to save us but took the brunt of the attack. Our healing magic isn't doing anything for her."
Kara nodded, her voice trembling slightly. "We tried everything we could, Emma, but nothing's working. She's barely holding on."
They gently set Raena on the ground as Emma crouched beside her, inspecting the injuries. "Her wounds are deep," Emma muttered. "We need to act fast, or she's not going to make it."
Carter stepped forward, his expression resolute. "I can help."
Emma looked up at him, her brow furrowed with worry. "Are you sure, Carter? This isn't just a potion experiment."
He smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure. Trust me."
Without waiting for further discussion, Carter knelt beside Raena and reached into his item box, pulling out a high-grade healing potion. He uncorked it, but when he tried to administer it, Raena's jaw remained clenched tightly shut.
"She can't drink it," Sorin said, panic creeping into his voice. "What do we do?"
Carter glanced at Emma, then at the others, before making a decision. "I'll give it to her myself." He took a deep breath, poured the potion into his own mouth, and leaned down, pressing his lips to Raena's to transfer the liquid. The room went silent, everyone staring in shock.
Emma's eyes widened. "Carter... what are you doing?!"
Kara's jaw dropped. "Is this... normal?!"
Sorin scratched his head awkwardly. "I mean, I guess it's effective?"
After ensuring the potion had been delivered, Carter pulled back, his face slightly flushed but determined. "She's not out of the woods yet," he said, ignoring the stunned expressions around him. He placed his hands over Raena's chest, green light emanating from his palms as he activated his healing magic.
"Skill: Healing Touch," he murmured. The glow intensified, spreading over Raena's body. Her breathing, which had been shallow and erratic, began to steady. The bruises and wounds slowly started to close, the visible signs of her injuries fading away.
The room held its breath as Carter worked, his focus unwavering. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he exhaled and sat back. "That should stabilize her."
Raena's eyes fluttered open slightly, her green irises locking onto Carter's for a brief moment before she drifted back into a restful sleep.
Emma placed a hand on Carter's shoulder. "You did it," she said softly, her voice filled with relief.
Sorin and Kara exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from disbelief to gratitude. "Thank you," Sorin said, his voice sincere. "You saved her."
Carter offered a small smile, his exhaustion finally catching up to him. "I just did what I could. She's the real hero here."
As the room settled, the adventurers and Emma couldn't help but look at Carter with a newfound respect, realizing they had witnessed something extraordinary.
Carter looked at Emma, his expression softening as he gestured toward Raena. "Do you have any rooms where she can rest? She shouldn't be left out here like this."
Emma nodded. "Yes, we have a few rooms upstairs for injured adventurers. Follow me."
Carter carefully scooped Raena up into his arms, carrying her in a princess carry. Her weight wasn't an issue, but he was mindful of her condition. "Lead the way," he said to Emma, following her toward a staircase at the back of the guild.
As they ascended the steps, the noise of the guild hall began to fade, replaced by the quiet creak of wooden boards underfoot. "You've got a nice setup here," Carter said, glancing around at the clean, simple decor of the upper floor. "It's clear you care about the people who come through."
Emma glanced back at him with a small smile. "We try our best. Adventurers put their lives on the line every day, so it's the least we can do to provide a safe space for them."
"That's admirable," Carter replied, adjusting his grip on Raena slightly. "It's good to see a guild that actually takes care of its people."
"Not every guild does," Emma said, her tone more serious now. "Some prioritize profits over people. But here, we value the lives of our adventurers. Without them, the guild wouldn't even exist."
They reached a door at the end of the hallway, and Emma pushed it open, revealing a modest but cozy room. The bed was neatly made, with clean linens and a thick blanket folded at the foot. "Here we are," Emma said, stepping aside to let Carter in.
Carter entered the room and gently laid Raena down on the bed. He adjusted the pillow under her head and carefully pulled the covers over her, tucking them in to keep her warm. "She should be comfortable here," he said, stepping back to take a final look at her.
Emma leaned against the doorframe, watching him with an appreciative expression. "You've done more than most would, Carter. Thank you."
Carter turned to her, offering a modest smile. "I just did what I could. She risked her life for others—it's the least she deserves."
As they stepped out of the room and closed the door quietly behind them, Emma looked at him curiously. "By the way, how did you find out about the Adventurer's Guild? You don't exactly seem like the adventurer type."
Carter chuckled. "You're right about that. I'm more of a potion maker than a fighter. Aria, the potion shop owner, actually showed me where you guys are yesterday. She's been helping me get connected."
Emma raised an eyebrow, her smile growing. "Ah, Aria. That explains a lot. She has a good eye for talent—and you definitely have it."
"Thanks," Carter replied, his tone light but genuine. "I've been lucky to have her help."
As they began descending the stairs, Emma glanced at Carter again. "So, you mentioned being a potion maker. What got you into that?"
Carter smiled slightly, thinking back. "I've always had a love for plants and nature. Back where I'm from, growing things and experimenting with herbs was kind of a hobby. When I ended up here, it felt natural to turn that into something more."
"It suits you," Emma said. "You've got a calm, steady energy about you. It's probably why people trust you so easily."
Carter laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment. But I've got to say, being around adventurers is definitely new for me."
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, a small group of adventurers nearby had started talking about Carter. One of them, a burly man with a deep voice, called out, "Hey, potion guy! That was impressive up there. Didn't think you had it in you."
Carter turned, a little surprised by the attention. "Uh, thanks. Just doing what I could."
Another adventurer, a woman with sharp features and twin daggers strapped to her sides, smirked. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Mouth-to-mouth with a tiger demihuman? That's a story right there."
The group laughed, and Carter rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment. "I didn't really have much of a choice," he said. "It was the only way to get the potion to her."
"Well, whatever works," the burly man said with a grin. "You've earned some respect around here."
Emma glanced at Carter, her smile softening. "They're right, you know. What you did was brave."
Carter shrugged modestly. "I just did what anyone would've done."
As the adventurers continued to chat amongst themselves, Emma led Carter back to the reception desk. "If you ever need anything from the guild, just let me know," she said. "You're part of our community now."
"I appreciate that," Carter replied. "And if you ever need potions, I'm your guy."
Emma smiled, her green eyes warm. "I'll hold you to that."
The two continued talking for a while, their conversation flowing easily as they discussed their jobs, the guild's role in the city, and Carter's plans for the future. By the time they wrapped up, Carter felt more at ease, knowing he was building meaningful connections.