At the wound where flesh had been mangled and bone shards had protruded, the tissue was visibly squirming and reknitting under the golden light.
The bleeding had long since stopped, and the unnatural bend of the arm seemed to be slowly corrected by an unseen force...
It was actually healing! But the process was unlike anything they had ever seen.
【Pleasure +2】
The companions looked at each other and slowly lowered their weapons, but the fear remained on their faces as they stared intently at Bai Xuan's hand and their friend's reaction.
A few seconds later, the golden light dissipated.
The burly man's wretched wails turned into extremely weak groans, his entire body drenched in sweat.
However, the arm appeared to have returned to its original state, with the wound covered by a layer of pale pink new flesh.
Bai Xuan retracted his staff, secretly letting out a sigh of relief himself.
He looked at the stunned companions.
Coming to their senses, the leader hurriedly pulled a coin pouch from his chest and counted out fifteen silver coins. His hand trembled slightly as he handed them to Bai Xuan.
His gaze was complex, containing a lingering trace of terror from witnessing the treatment process.
“Th-thank you...” his voice was dry.
Bai Xuan nodded and said nothing more. Holding the silver coins, he walked back to his seat under a sea of complicated gazes.
He had just sat down when the ponytail girl from before ran over, carrying a plate of venison skewers and a fresh glass of apple juice.
She set them down gently, took a quick glance at him, and whispered, “Your meal, sir. Please be careful, it is hot.”
Then she quickly ran away, her cheeks flushed bright red.
It was unclear whether it was from being busy or from witnessing the strange healing earlier.
Bai Xuan began to enjoy his dinner.
The venison was charred on the outside and tender on the inside, the aftertaste of spices and juices lingering in his mouth. Compared to the coarse dinner at the post house, this was undoubtedly a treat; it almost rivaled Nora's cooking.
He finished the sweet, clear apple juice and let out a satisfied breath. The heavy feeling in his heart seemed to be slightly diluted by the delicious food.
Speaking of Nora, they should have arrived at Calais Town long ago and were likely preparing to head to that vast-sounding Myriad City, right?
Bai Xuan's thoughts shifted back to the present.
The blatant arrogance and extortion of the Cross family, and that mysterious high noble who even made Zane Cross bow and scrape...
In this world, the barriers of power and class were far more naked than he had imagined.
The tavern had already returned to its usual clamor, as if the previous conflict and screams were merely a minor interlude.
The bragging man was supported by his companions as they staggered out, leaving behind a mess and the excited, fearful murmurs of the patrons.
He raised his hand to signal the waitress working nearby.
The ponytail girl quickly jogged over.
“The bill, please,” Bai Xuan said in a calm tone.
“Yes, sir! One order of roasted venison skewers is thirty-five copper, and one glass of apple juice is ten copper. That will be forty-five copper coins in total,” the girl recited the price quickly, her voice clear.
Bai Xuan paused for a moment and confirmed, “Forty-five copper?” The price was much cheaper than he had expected.
In the Outer Town of Blackcreek Town, a meal with such substantial portions and good flavor actually only cost forty-five copper coins.
Compared to the unpalatable set meal at the post house, the prices here were very affordable.
He remembered that he had just earned fifteen silver coins; this expense was almost negligible.
“Yes, sir. Our skewers have large portions and fair prices. Many adventurers like to come here!”
Seeing his confusion, the girl quickly explained, a hint of pride showing on her face.
“It is worth every bit,” Bai Xuan complimented sincerely.
He counted out forty-five copper coins from his pouch and placed an extra five copper coins on the table. “The taste was excellent. This is a tip.”
The girl's eyes lit up at the extra five copper coins, and she whispered her thanks, “Thank you, sir! Please come again!”
She nimbly cleared the dishes and coins, stole another glance at Bai Xuan, and then turned to leave.
He straightened his white robe and picked up his simple staff leaning against the table, preparing to depart.
However, just as he pushed back his stool to stand up, a figure slid noiselessly into the seat beside him.
Bai Xuan paused and looked up.
It was a female demi-human.
The pair of white cat ears atop her head twitched slightly, and her long tail hung by the side of the stool, immediately catching Bai Xuan's eye.
She had short silver hair and delicate features, her golden slit pupils glinting with a feline's characteristic cunning and curiosity in the dim light. She wore dark leather armor over a night-suit, her limbs tightly bound and her posture light and agile, making her look completely out of place among the rough adventurers around them.
“Hey,” she said, propping her chin on her hand. The tip of her tail leisurely drew small circles behind her as she gave a brilliant smile.
Those golden cat eyes carefully sized Bai Xuan up. “You're a Healer with a very unique technique, handsome. That treatment just now gave everyone quite a scare.”
Bai Xuan remained composed, but he quietly expended some mental power to scan her.
【Kami】
【Race: Shadow Cat Demi-human】
【Class: Thief Lv. 3 (Awakened)】
【Status: Excited, Inquisitive】
【HP: 210/210】
【Mana: 45/55】
【Potential: 1-Star (Dust Crown)】
A Level 3 Thief. In this Outer Town area where Level 1 and Level 2 were the norm, she was already quite outstanding.
A Shadow Cat demi-human... judging by the name, it was likely a race known for agility and stealth.
Her current status explicitly read “Inquisitive.”
An unfamiliar Thief actively approaching him with inquisitive motives after he had just displayed a unique healing spell?
This definitely wasn't a simple attempt at small talk.
“It was merely the price of the treatment. There won't be any lasting effects,” Bai Xuan said in a flat tone, polite but with a clear sense of distance.
He then made a move to leave. “If there is nothing else, I will take my leave.”
“Don't be in such a hurry!”
Kami leaned forward slightly, her smile unchanging, but her speaking speed picked up. Questions followed one after another, scratching at him like cat claws:
“You're a very unfamiliar face. You're not from Blackcreek Town, are you? Did you come alone? How long do you plan to stay? Which area are you staying in? I might know some cheap and comfortable places, you know?”
Her questions sounded like advice from a helpful local to a newcomer.
But combined with her class and inquisitive status...
Although Bai Xuan did have a natural curiosity about the catgirl race—it was, after all, a classic fantasy trope from his previous life—that curiosity was currently being outweighed by a stronger sense of vigilance.
He stopped his movements and looked at Kami. Her golden slit pupils met his gaze without flinching; instead, her interest seemed to grow even stronger.
“I just arrived and am just looking around,” Bai Xuan replied vaguely.
He then asked in return, “It seems you are very familiar with this town? Do you often... make new friends here?”
He placed a slight emphasis on “making new friends.”
Kami blinked, her tail swaying a bit more widely, as if she found Bai Xuan's reaction very amusing.
“Oh, in my line of work, it's always good to know more people, especially capable ones like you.”
She offered him a compliment before shifting the topic. “Seriously though, the effects of your healing magic are much better than any Church priest I've ever seen.”
Rate on N.U.
