Anderson waved his hand dismissively. “No... it’s nothing. I just feel a bit unwell.”
He hurried to the counter, handed the form to Jiwa, and then leaned in to whisper quickly in her ear, “The test is done. He’s definitely a Healer, and the effect... it was very good.”
“But the process... Jiwa, I swear I’m never eating roast rabbit again.”
Without waiting for her reaction, he hurriedly slipped back into the workshop behind the counter.
Jiwa held the form, looking at the confirmation signature and the somewhat scribbled notes Anderson had left.
She watched Anderson’s flustered back as he retreated, several invisible question marks popping up above her head.
She looked back at Bai Xuan, who had already walked over to the bulletin board, and mentally tagged this newly registered Healer for special attention.
Bai Xuan ignored the quiet whispers and curious gazes, heading straight for the massive bulletin board on the left.
The board was divided into three sections, making it very easy to navigate.
The leftmost section was labeled Paper Rank, and it was covered in the most numerous and varied requests.
Most were for finding lost livestock, helping move construction materials, or cleaning out warehouses...
They were mostly tedious, low-paying manual labor or errand jobs, with very few involving actual combat.
The middle board was labeled for both Bronze Rank and Iron Rank.
The number of requests here was smaller, but the content was significantly different.
Clearing out small Forest Wolverine nests, escorting merchant caravans, investigating abnormal mana fluctuations in certain areas...
The rewards were mostly in silver coins, with the occasional glimpse of gold coins.
On the far right was the Silver Rank board, which only had four or five pieces of parchment pinned to it. The descriptions were brief and dangerous.
The rewards were substantial, but they required at least a Silver Rank adventurer or a team of equivalent scale to accept.
Bai Xuan’s gaze lingered on the Silver Rank board for a moment, specifically noting anything related to the Glay Dungeon.
Then, he returned his focus to the Paper Rank and Bronze Rank requests.
He was thinking and evaluating which tasks might suit him or provide an opportunity to get closer to the dungeon.
Just then, a familiar, faint fragrance drifted into his nostrils.
A lithe figure silently pulled up beside and slightly behind him.
“So~ you just registered as an adventurer!” a crisp female voice rang out with a hint of a smile.
Alert, Bai Xuan turned around instantly.
Standing before him was the white-haired Shadow Cat demi-human Thief from the tavern last night.
Today, she had changed into a more practical, form-fitting grey-green hunting outfit. Her golden vertical pupils sparkled with unabashed interest.
“Well? Aren’t the Paper Rank tasks boring? The pay is barely enough for a few meals.”
Kami tilted her head, her tail swaying leisurely behind her. “Would you consider... joining us?”
She raised her voice slightly to ensure the people around could hear. “Our team, Nightshade, is short on hands and we’re about to take on a Bronze Rank combat mission.”
“When the reward is split, it’ll be much better than doing these errands alone.” She pointed to the Paper Rank board, her tone enticing.
Then, she suddenly took a step forward, leaning almost against Bai Xuan’s ear, and lowered her voice.
Like a viper’s tongue, her voice carried a sweet but dangerous edge. “And... I have some friendly news for you.”
“That big-mouthed guy you saved last night? Someone at the tavern, looking to suck up to the Cross family, went out of his way to report your actions as a helpful Healer to Lord Harvey—with a few extra details added for flavor!”
Bai Xuan’s hand tightened quietly around his staff.
Kami’s breath brushed against his ear. “Harvey feels that you’re using the ‘works’ he created to make money, and that’s a direct insult to him.”
“He’s put the word out. He wants to make a stray dog like you, who doesn’t know the rules, understand how to keep your head down in Blackcreek Town.”
She stepped back half a pace, her voice returning to a normal volume. “Taking missions alone? Be careful. You might run into an ‘accident’ in some quiet corner outside of town, or in a dark alley on your way back to the inn.”
“The hounds kept by the Cross family have very sharp noses.”
Bai Xuan never expected the Cross family to be so tyrannical that even healing someone would cause trouble.
This problem had arrived so unexpectedly and was so unavoidable.
“However—”
Kami’s tone shifted, and her smile became bright once more. “If you become an official member of our Nightshade team, that’s a different story.”
“Openly attacking a member of a team is equivalent to provoking the entire team and the guild’s default protection rules.”
“Even Harvey would have to weigh the consequences. Even last night, Harvey only used that big-mouth’s slip-up as an excuse to teach him a lesson.”
She leaned in a little closer one last time, adding in a voice only the two of them could hear:
“Will you face cold arrows from nowhere on your own, or will you come with us to earn money and get stronger legitimately? And, by the way... have someone to watch your back?”
Bai Xuan asked tentatively, “You saw it last night, didn't you? With the side effects of my healing magic, am I really worth this much of your attention?”
Kami gave a light laugh. “That little side effect of yours... what does it matter compared to staying alive?”
“The healing effect is strong enough and leaves no hidden issues. That’s what matters most, isn’t it?”
“It seems that in your eyes, my status as a Healer is very important to your team,” Bai Xuan said, playing along on the surface.
Inwardly, he was weighing his options. Should he agree?
Team operations offered higher safety and access to higher-level missions with better returns.
But binding himself to this Thief team with unknown motives and background could very likely drag him into their own grudges.
However, if he had to face the malice of a Lv.4 Practitioner Swordsman and his lackeys...
In a place like Blackcreek Town where the Cross family held immense influence, they had too many ways to make him disappear.
Kami is willing to offend Harvey for a Healer...
This Nightshade team must have some kind of backing or strength, as they don’t seem to fear that family much.
Kami’s line, “What does it matter compared to staying alive?” served as a wake-up call for him.
In this world, which was far crueler than any fantasy, survival often took precedence over comfort and appearances.
What he needed now was time, room to grow, and channels to acquire resources and information, rather than being exposed alone to lethal malice.
“...Alright.”
Bai Xuan looked up, meeting Kami’s golden vertical pupils, and made his decision.
“I’ll join this mission. What is the specific request? Who else is in the team?”
The smile on Kami’s face grew even brighter, as if she had expected this answer all along.
“A wise choice! I’ll tell you the mission details and introduce the teammates on the way. Welcome to Nightshade as a temporary member, Healer Bai Xuan~”
She held out her leather-gloved hand in front of her, palm facing him.
Bai Xuan paused for a moment, not understanding what she wanted.
“Oh, come on! It’s our team contract! Let’s high-five!”
Bai Xuan hesitated slightly before finally giving her a light high-five.
A crisp slap echoed in the corner of the hall.
Rate on N.U.
