Doctor Desmond was a practitioner of medicine. He spent his whole life serving the downtrodden in society. Because of increased cases of a devastating skin disease amongst the poor, the stress kept building upon him. In the Kingdom of Horan, the rich and powerful control everything. They are the puppeteers, and many needy citizens are even forced to turn tricks in order to entertain the pigs in charge of law and order. On top of that, the King was a maniac with a desire to seize control of all territories so that he can use all resources at his disposal to finally overpower the demon race.

The doctor was running out of Salamander venom. This particular substance when diluted could be used to treat the symptoms of the aforementioned infection. Unfortunately for Desmond, no adventurer was heading out to hunt for salamanders, even when their skin can fetch rewards and also help folks level up their Classes. King Cris had begun the procedure of compulsory conscription which forced most able-bodied men and women (predominantly Adventurers) to join the army. A campaign was set in place to ravage the town of Avaron. For the sake of hundreds who depend on his skills, the doctor refused to give up. He had to try and reason with the King.

Scene- At the Palace of Horan

Guard: Who the hell are you? What brings you to the palace? The King is busy hatching strategies for what’s about to unfold real soon.

Doctor Desmond: You have a king whose orders you cannot defy, lest your head will roll. I have scores of people to take care of, and barely any materials left to address their problems. Please let me pass; I shall not stay in for too long.

The guard pitied Desmond. He had experienced

firsthand what Cris’s lunatic father had turned into when the latter became a slave to his desires.

Guard: Alright, I shall let you pass. You must ask for the Minister of Public Affairs once you reach the Court. He is the only one who can grant you an audience with the King.

Doctor Desmond: Very well.

After advancing through the golden doors, Desmond noticed a small platoon of soldiers who had their weapons pointed at him. In the wake of a thorough search, he was allowed the enter the main building. A few minutes later he was inside the Court.

The corrupt officials glared at him.

One of them said, “State your purpose civilian. We don’t have time for every degenerate that walks through those doors.”

An epidemic was running unchecked which affected the weakest members of society. And yet these scoundrels never felt sorry for those who were suffering the most. These men with iron hearts were a lot worse than the demons. Desmond had to bite his tongue to keep his anger in check; he could not let himself get arrested before fulfilling his goal.

Doctor Desmond: Sir, I serve the people like you all do. I just hope to meet the King for a short period of time. A catastrophic disease is causing enormous pain and suffering to those afflicted by it. My stock of Salamander shall be finished in a day or two. If the King gets involved with this matter…

”You dare provide our great King Cris a suggestion to help the wretched vermin scattered across our streets. Know your place, weasel.”

The man who uttered these words was the Minister of Public Affairs; Desmond had already failed at influencing him.

Doctor Desmond: Please sir, I beg of you. Our people are dying. As the MPA can’t you ask the King to provide a few Adventurers so that they may collect the venom. Just 10-15 would do, at least a few dozen will be saved. The people will forever be grateful to you.

”I will give you 2. That’s all I can spare for screw-ups who aren’t worth my time and energy.”

King Cris had reached the Court. He was escorted by the able-bodied Class 0 Adventurer Lazybones

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Doctor Desmond: Might I ask for your companion and a Class 1 Adventurer then, My Liege?

The King howled with laughter. He was amused at this request.

King Cris: You want me to lend you my strongest Knight? A man who can probably take on a league of dragons all by himself will aid you in hunting Giant Salamanders? Are you being a smart-ass, doc?

Doctor Desmond: Not at all, My Liege. I wouldn’t dream of it.

King Cris: Take any 2 ranked at Class 5. That should do it.

Doctor Desmond: My King, a Class 5 will have a hard time dealing with slimes let alone…

King Cris: Do not lecture me. I have more important subjects to attend to.

Following that statement, the tyrant left the Court. A dejected Desmond was led down to the quarters where the Adventurers were housed at.

MPA: There you go Doc. Choose two from Class 5 and get out.

“What are you here for mate? Do you need help with something?”, asked a strongman from within the Class 5 section.

When Desmond informed the group about what they were going to hunt, most turned away. The strongman was the only one who didn’t refuse the offer. The Doctor left the Palace, with the strongman following closely behind.

Doctor Desmond: I just realized something. We are all part of a circus, and the pigs wanna see acrobats and monkeys enthrall them. They could care less about whether we live or die.

Class 5 Strongman: I guess that makes you a clown. And when has it ever been different? I would rather die facing a Giant Salamander than on the battlefield fighting a psychopath’s war.

Desmond finally cracked a smile.

Doctor Desmond: What is your name, Adventurer?

”I am Rudolf, sir. Hopefully, we get lucky out there. Do I leave immediately?”

Doctor Desmon: Of course. I shall go with…

Rudolf cut him off, “No sir, even if something happens to me, won’t the people need you?”

Doctor Desmond: The medicine bottles are almost empty. What’s the point? I won’t be able to face them if I return empty-handed.

Rudolf: So I guess we are both suicidal as of this moment.

Doctor Desmond: You are a humorous fellow. Don’t forget to joke before we croak because the pain will hit us harder otherwise.

______

Scene Shift- The Dark Forest, adjacent to the Kingdom of Horan

This area has been deemed unpredictable. Most ordinary citizens would steer clear of the treacherous trees. As the duo stepped into unchartered territory, Desmond knew that irrespective of the outcome, he had not shied away from doing his duty towards those who lived without privileges. The two remained on high alert as Rudolf tried to look for any sudden movement.

After a short interval, they reached a small pond. Rudolf decided to quench his thirst, unaware of the fact that they had waltzed right into a family nest of multiple Giant Salamanders.

Rudolf: So Doc tell me why do you do this shit job? What makes you an altruist?

Doctor Desmond: Same thing that makes you fearless. A decent home with cultured parents.

The strongman grinned while sipping some water. Then he noticed something in the deep.

Rudolf: Sir listen to me carefully. Step back and try not to make a sound.

As they began retracing their steps, a Salamander leaped out and prepared to swallow them both. Praying for a quick death, the Doctor closed his eyes. Nothing happened. Once a few seconds had passed, he opened them.

The Giant Salamander was lying dead next to them, chopped in half.

Doctor Desmond: You are a Class 5 Adventurer? That’s a load of baloney.

Rudolf: I wasn’t the one who slew it.

The doctor looked up and saw a masked figure hovering in mid-air.

“What brings you to the cul-de-sac of amphibians?”, he asked. Desmond could figure out that the individual was a male of formidable power.

Rudolf: Prepare yourself, more are coming.

Stranger: Nope. They are all dead. Check the bed of the pond mate.

With a flick of his hand, a fiery arrow was launched into the water body. In a fraction of a second, it all evaporated. Just the lifeless remains of Giant Salamanders remained behind. Rudolf and the doctor were elated. The trip wasn’t a waste after all; they now had enough venom for all the patients inside the Kingdom.

Doctor Desmond: Who are you?

Stranger: Everywhere I go, people keep asking me the same thing. It is getting tiresome now. I had come here for their skin which can be modified and turned into armor. Are y’all from Horan?

Rudolf: Yes, good sir. This here is the public doctor, and I’m his helper.

Stranger: Well alright then. You’re gonna help me skin these bad boys right? That’s the least you could do after I pulled your necks out of trouble.

Doctor Desmond: Sure sir. You still haven’t told us anything about you…

Stranger: Our paths will cross again real soon. We shall have plenty of time to catch up and drink mead. For now, let’s get this over with.

The whole process took quite a while. Once the skinning was completed, Desmond began extracting the venom.

Stranger: Farewell, lads. It was a pleasure meeting you. Take care of yourselves.

The masked individual vanished into thin air, and the skin was all gone too.

Rudolf: Phew, that was some badass eh? And here I

thought our time has come.

Doctor Desmond: Yeah, some badass…