“Okay, that should do it.”

It only took around ten to fifteen minutes before Hazel finally got back to her campsite, and obviously, she brought a guest along with her. Placing down the elf on the ground, the mage started patching up her wounds using some pieces of fabric that she had in her bag.

She wasn’t much of a first-aid expert, but after treating her injuries back at the haunted town, she was at least a little bit more experienced in patching up wounds. Though, considering how bad this person’s injuries were, Hazel wasn’t sure if that was enough.

Before wrapping the wounds, Hazel took a better look at them to see if they were life-threatening or not. Checking her side, it seemed like this elf was cut with a blade, probably from a sword or dagger. And it wasn't deep where there was the possibility of stitches, but it was still bad.

As for the leg injury, that was her main concern at the moment. It appeared to be a through-and-through shot, likely from an arrow or something similar. This was the type of injury where you would need stitches.

Sadly, Hazel not only didn’t have the supplies to stitch the wound, but she also didn’t know how to do that. So, all she could do for the moment was wipe the blood and clean it up as much as she could before wrapping it.

She thought about giving her last potion to Astrid, but that would’ve been an extremely dumb move. For one thing, they barely knew each other, so they weren’t close enough for Hazel to risk using her potion. The second reason was pretty obvious. It was her last Healing potion.

If she used it on Astrid, then she wouldn’t have any more until a new Dungeon Challenge appeared and allowed her to get more. So, if she went through with using it, Hazel would be put in a very serious and dangerous situation.

There was also the fact that if Hazel healed the dark elf, there was the risk that Astrid would attack her right after. Which would also be an incredible waste of a potion. So, until Hazel knew that she could at least trust the dark elf, she wasn’t using it.

With her first-aid treatment done, Hazel moved away from the elf and sat down to relax. After carrying her here along with treating her injuries, she was beyond exhausted. Hopefully, this elf would wake up soon so she and her could have a little chat.

This elf was not from her world, so that meant she was from the other one that was being merged with Earth. Though that wasn’t all that important at the moment. What was important was keeping this person alive so she could get a chance to talk to her.

And maybe…convince her to team up with Hazel.

While she was able to survive as long as she had by herself, Hazel needed more players or allies so she could have a better chance at surviving. Of course, that was if this person would even agree to team up with Hazel in the first place, but that was for when she woke up.

So, before that could happen, Hazel figured it would be better to practice her persuasive skills. Or, more accurately, her begging skills, since that was likely going to be the only way for her to convince this elf to team up with her.

Maybe she was with other players and got separated from them. That would certainly be beneficial for Hazel since she’d be able to become part of a bigger group and survive with them. As long as they were friendly, at least. If this group were a bunch of assholes, then Hazel was better off soloing this dungeon.

While pondering over this, The unconscious dark elf began to stir on the ground, slowly waking up from her slumber. Hazel panicked and stood up, unsure of what to do at the moment. If she woke up now and thought that the mage was an enemy, then they would just go back right to when they first met…and fight one another.

Hazel didn’t want the situation to end up like that again after she just patched her up and brought her back to her camp. Not only would she have to find a new hiding spot, but that would also mean she wasted trying to fix her up since the dark elf planned to strain her body, further injuring herself.

Stolen novel; please report.

Preparing for another battle, Hazel reached for her staff and dagger, waiting for when the Dark elf finally woke up. Her eyes slowly opened as she groaned in pain. They then widened before her head turned from side to side, scanning her surroundings.

Her eyes then locked on Hazel’s…

“Now just hold on…!” Hazel started, just as the Dark elf quickly pushed herself off the ground, getting in a defensive position.

A moment after, she winced in pain while falling back on her ass right after. Even when this occurred, the dark elf’s eyes were trained on Hazel, making sure that the mage didn’t make a move.

Hazel stayed in place, doing her best to not agitate her guest. “I’m not an enemy, alright? In fact, I just got done patching you up.” She pointed at the wrappings around the dark elf’s wounds.

She looked down, frowning at her wrapped-up injuries. Almost as if she was judging them. Did Hazel not properly bandage her or something? It was her first time doing first aid, so she couldn't really help it.

The dark elf raised her head to look at Hazel, her silver eyes glaring at the mage. “Who…are you?” Her voice sounded strained as she questioned her.

Oh good, it was introduction time, then. At least that was better than the two of them struggling in the dirt trying to kill one another.

“My name is Hazel Thatcher," She said calmly. "I’m a player just like you, that got dumped into this dungeon. And who are you?”

Hazel technically knew the name of the dark elf after identifying her, but she was trying to be polite since this was a bit of a dangerous and awkward situation for both of them. She hoped that being friendly was helping to lighten the mood. Along with getting rid of any desire to kill for survival.

The dark elf hesitated for a moment, looking stern and cautious. However, it soon softened as she took a deep breath to collect her thoughts.

“Astrid…My name is Astrid.”

Hazel smiled, relieved that she was finally having a proper conversation with her. Plus, she didn't lie so that meant Astrid at least didn't view her as an enemy or someone suspicious. Or at least she hoped that was the case.

“Okay, Astrid,” Hazel began. “For now, I think it would be best for you to lie back down. I may have bandaged your wounds, but you’re still injured, so moving around a lot isn’t a good idea.”

Hazel was pretty surprised by how Astrid was moving around before, especially when she attacked her. However, that scuffle they got into might’ve been enough to strain her body to the point where she fell unconscious. Which was good for Hazel since she nearly died if Astrid managed to stab her with the dagger.

“I-I can’t…” Astrid stuttered, slowly getting back up from the ground. “I-I need to go back to my campsite…my people need me.”

Hazel cocked an eyebrow curiously. “Your people? You mean you aren’t alone?”

If Astrid was with other players, then that meant she was part of a group. A party. And if that was the case, then Hazel might be joining a group faster than she thought.

But judging from Astrid's tone and urgency to leave, it sounded like they could be in danger.

“I-I have to stop Dolk…I need to save my people from those Fractured Orcs that bastard lured to the camp.”

“Dolk? Fractured Orc?”

Astrid was suddenly dumping a lot of information at once, and it didn’t help that she wasn’t properly explaining the situation.

“I need to leave now…ugh?!” Astrid tried to get up again, only for her wounds to get agitated and force her back on the ground.

Hazel got worried and rushed over to her. “You can’t move right now, Astrid. Both your leg and side are badly wounded. Moving around will only make them worse.”

Astrid was clearly desperate to go back to her base, but Hazel doubted that she could. She’d be lucky to even walk a couple of feet away from this place, let alone return to hers.

Considering how Hazel and Astrid haven’t encountered one another until just now, her temporary base likely wasn’t close by. Which was a bit impressive since she came all the way here while being injured.

Speaking of which…

“You said something about a person named Dolk, right? Was he the one that injured you?”

Considering how frantic Astrid was to get back home, her situation must’ve been dire. And if her group was in danger, that only complicated things further. And since Hazel helped Astrid, she had a feeling that she was bound to help the rest of her group as well, which would've been very bothersome but also necessary since she needed them to help her survive.

“That…bastard,” Astrid swore as tears streamed down her face. “I trusted him…and he…he…!” She clenched her fist and punched the ground in anger.

Hazel had to hold her hands so she didn’t injure herself further. It seemed that whoever this Dolk person was, he seemed to be the one that was responsible for Astrid's current condition.

And from what she said earlier, Dolk and Astrid seemed to have been allies before he apparently betrayed her. And that...sounded very complicated.

While trying to calm her down, the mage sighed deeply, realizing that she might've gotten involved in a very, very troublesome situation.