Chapter 168?It's alright, she has already repaid the favor
Chapter 168?It's alright, she has already repaid the favor
Chapter 168?It's alright, she has already repaid the favor
"Damn it, it doesn't hurt anymore, it's just empty... a bit uncomfortable."
Monte flapped his wings and carefully felt it. The previously painful fangs no longer hurt. He opened his mouth and exhaled, not feeling uncomfortable even when the cold wind blew.
However, it wasn't entirely a good feeling.
It seemed that he had permanently lost this fang.
The blood-sucking ducts inside the fang were blocked by that white paste-like substance.
This fang had lost its blood-sucking function.
Fortunately, he had four teeth that could still suck blood, so losing one wasn't a big problem. At most, he would have to suck a bit longer in the future.
"This physician has something." Monte glanced back at the clinic, flapped his wings, and disappeared into the dark mist.
Tonight's hunt ended before it even began. Unable to suck blood, he needed to find a way to fill his stomach.
Perhaps... some vegetables or something.
...
Charlotte held two gold coins and lightly tapped them against each other, enjoying the pleasant sound. A radiant smile spread across his face.
He didn't expect to receive a big job in the middle of the night.
Twenty thousand copper coins, equivalent to two days' worth of income from the clinic.
Although he was forced to take on this job, the result was still satisfying to him.
Carefully closing the door and sliding the bolt, he happily went upstairs.
However, the visit from the vampire today made him once again feel anxious about the low level of protection enchantments.
He was certain that if Monte wanted to force his way in, the protective enchantments of the clinic wouldn't be able to stop him.
When he had enough money, he would have to upgrade the protection enchantments, at least to level five, so he could feel safer when sleeping.
[Miracle: Master Technician, did you receive the Judgment Sword?] Charlotte lay back on the bed and sent a private message to the technician with the black stone.
A knight without a sword felt the same as being naked.
[Technician: Received. It will take three days to reforge. If everything goes smoothly, it will be successful in one go. If not, it might take longer.]
The technician's reply was quite prompt.
[Miracle: Alright.]
[Technician: However, you chose to pay upon delivery for the shipment fee?]
Charlotte raised an eyebrow, indicating his intention to end the conversation.
[Technician: No problem, next time I'll send it to you COD (cash on delivery), and the pickup fee should be 10,000 copper coins.]
The postage in this world is too expensive!
Charlotte was taken aback.
The postage in the free shipping zone has dropped to less than one coin, but in this world, it starts at 10,000 copper coins.
[Miracle: No problem.]
Although bitter, he could only swallow this bitter pill.
If the verdict was sent back for re-shipment, could he still refuse to accept it because of the 10,000 copper coins postage?
As he was about to put away the black stone, Charlotte's gaze fell on the friend list.
The Witch, this woman seems to be a sea tribe member.
To be able to join the Red Moon organization, she must have something special unless she is a big shot.
Perhaps he could obtain some useful information about the deep sea black mist from her, which could help with Kasha's condition.
He decided to take the initiative.
[Miracle: Hello, Miss Witch. Can I ask you a question about the deep sea?]
[Witch: Big shot, go ahead.]
Being called a big shot made Charlotte feel a bit awkward, but the false reputation of being a potion prodigy still had some value in online chatting, so he didn't overly modest.
[Miracle: I encountered a case of a mermaid washed ashore. She encountered a huge black mist in the sea and fell into a coma. After waking up, she developed an allergy to seawater.
Whenever her skin comes into contact with seawater, it is severely corroded. This kind of corrosion cannot be cured by healing spells and can only be treated through physical removal.
Currently, she is becoming weaker and can only survive on land for three more months. I want her to be able to return to the ocean, but I have no clue about things like the deep sea mist and no means to research it.]
[Witch: You're talking about the Curse Mist.]
"Curse Mist?" Charlotte's eyes lit up. It seems like he found the right person.
[Witch: The Curse Mist started appearing over three hundred years ago. I've done some specialized statistics, and there are already more than ten groups of Curse Mists in the coastal areas, and both their numbers and sizes are increasing year by year.
However, according to my research, once enveloped by the Curse Mist, the body will rot and perish, the whole process lasting no more than three minutes, ultimately turning into a pile of bones within the black mist.
And now, you have one of my people who survived within the black mist?]
Charlotte didn't expect the Witch to be researching the black mist.
And, she's a mermaid too?
If she finds out he has taken in a mermaid servant, would she want to kill him?
[Miracle: That's right, I just performed a rot removal surgery for her today. She tried to return to the ocean and went into the sea multiple times, resulting in more than a hundred rot spots on her body caused by the seawater. It's a very serious condition. Her name is Kasha, do you know her?]
[Witch: I don't know her. The mermaid population is widely spread, and there are dozens of mermaid settlements alone. But I still have to thank the big shot for saving my people.]
[Miracle: It's not a problem, she has already repaid the favor.]
Charlotte hesitated for a moment, wanting to retract, but the Black Stone didn't support that functionality.
What a careless mistake!
If the witch finds out that her fellow clan member's first treatment was paid with the rights to their virginity, and the second treatment required them to serve as a maid for three months, she would probably go berserk on the spot, right?
[Witch: Repayment? My innocent and adorable clan members wouldn't offer themselves to you, would they?]
In a delicate little house built from white seashells deep under the sea, the witch with fiery red hair stared at the Black Stone in her hand, an expression full of curiosity on her face.
"The Miracle Master must be quite mature, right? An oily, pot-bellied middle-aged man? A handsome uncle?"
"But, a genius alchemist who can produce high-end potions like the antidote to magic disillusionment shouldn't be judged solely by appearance."
"Of course, I'm an exception to this looks-oriented mindset!"
"Such a successful person must be irresistible to a little girl like her."
She could even imagine a cute and obedient mermaid cuddling up in the arms of a plump middle-aged man, admiringly feeding him fruits.
After careful consideration, Charlotte realized that Kasha chose to serve as his maid for the last three months of her life and intended to share his bed tonight. It seemed... she was indeed offering herself to him.
[The Miracle Master: As someone as righteous as me, I wouldn't take advantage of someone in a vulnerable position. Right now, I only want to find a way to cure her water allergy and let her return to the ocean, to live on.]
"Ohoho, he's getting anxious." The witch's lips curled up with madness.
After a brief thought, she replied:
[Witch: This situation is new to me as well, but based on my research on the Curse Mist over the years, its harmful effects are more akin to a curse, and this curse is strongly related to the marine creatures that died on the night of the Red Moon.
Weren't you studying the effects of the Red Moon on various monstrous creatures? Perhaps you can start your research from that angle. I'm not very busy lately, so if I encounter the Curse Mist, I'll help you study it.]
The Red Moon, yet again!
Charlotte furrowed his brows. Anything related to the Red Moon was never a good thing.
But at least the witch gave him a direction.
[The Miracle Master: Alright, thanks.]
Charlotte ended the conversation.
But it wasn't a complete waste.
At least now he knew that the black mist, known as the Curse Mist, was responsible for Kasha's current appearance.
However, even though he was a seasoned resident of the deep sea and a witch who had done extensive research on black mists, it was the first time he had heard of this situation, and couldn't provide any more valuable information.
So, his next investigative direction would be that boy named Abin.
He could now be fairly certain that the manga artist did indeed save a mermaid and was living a shameless life with her.
The next morning, while the clinic was still closed, Charlotte sneaked into the neighboring bookstore.
The bald boss was mopping the floor and was startled by Charlotte's sudden entrance. He exclaimed in surprise, "Doctor, why are you here so early? Is there something you need?"
"It's nothing major, I just wanted to ask if you know the author of the picture book you sold to me yesterday," Charlotte asked with a smile.
"Oh, so you're not satisfied and want to buy more from the series?" The bald boss immediately had a knowing expression on his face.
"Ah... yes, that's right," Charlotte nodded with a smile.
"Can you get your hands on the latest installment of the picture book?"
"Well... that might be a bit difficult. After all, that picture book has been on the shelf for over a year, and because it hasn't been selling, I haven't bothered to inquire about any sequels, let alone new ones," the bald boss said with a troubled expression.
"Do you know who the author is? Can you find him?" Charlotte pressed.
"That's not possible. You know, artists who draw these kinds of books don't reveal their real names or where they live unless they have no one left to care about in this world," the boss shook his head, looking at Charlotte with confusion.
"Even if you wanted to find a sequel, you wouldn't go to their doorstep to demand it. You'd at most send some blades."
"I want to be friends with him. It's not often you come across such an interesting artist. If you can help me find him within the community, consider it a reward," Charlotte placed six silver coins on the bookshelf.
The boss's eyes lit up, and he immediately patted his chest and said, "Don't worry! Leave it to me. I'll give you a definite answer today. I've been in this community for decades, and I still have some connections."
"Thank you then," Charlotte smiled and turned to leave the bookstore.
But when he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned back to look towards the direction of the stairs.
It was empty.
But he had a feeling that someone had been watching him earlier.
Could it be that girl who had peeked at him showering last time?
He went to the neighboring bakery and bought three soft bread buns before returning to the clinic.
"Boss."
"Master."
Vivian and Kasha had already come downstairs.
Kasha had changed into the gray robe she wore yesterday, tightly wrapping her body and tail, leaving only her small, delicate face and a pair of fair, slender hands exposed.
After a night's rest, she looked much better.
"Let's have breakfast," Charlotte handed the soft bread buns to the two of them, and he bit into a bread bun, walking towards the counter.
Kasha's arrival helped alleviate the busyness during the peak hours of the clinic to some extent.
He pulled out a spare wooden sign from under the counter, took a goose feather pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote two lines on the wooden sign:
Buy potions on the left side;
Medical treatment on the right side.
After some thought, he added two more lines:
No noise or fighting in the clinic;
Offenders will be expelled and blacklisted!