After we returned to the surface, Tace brought us to a medical center for treatment, they had a mage heal our wounds and give us some antibiotics in case of infection. Even though they used magic to heal the wound in my left thigh, their was still a jagged scar left by the giant rats teeth, Tace also argued with the healer the best they could without using words, apparently the healer wanted Tace to take off their armor so they could focus their healing into each individual wound, but Tace wouldn’t budge. So in compromise the healer cast magic all over Tace, gave her antibiotics as well, but also disinfectant and gauze to clean any wounds that weren’t fully healed.
Once we were both “fully” healed, we went to the adventurers guild and spoke to Friedman to explain the situation that happened in the sewer, well I explained and Tace did hand gestures to visualize what I described. Friedman heard our explanation and apologized for the surprise encounter; it was unknown that there would be so many giant rats in the sewers. He excused himself to talk to the adventurers guild owner and when he came back he told us the guild would put up a new quest to explore the sewers and find the source of the enigma, which Tace seemed interested in, our pay was also doubled due to unintended risk not described in the quest. I then asked Friedman if there was a tavern I could stay the night that’s cheap and he gave me a suggestion of a tavern that was reasonably priced and in a safe area. And thus, Tace and I were finally able to leave the adventurers guild and see the sun setting over Breufidems walls.
“Damn, this whole ordeal took all day, well at least we got paid double, right Tace?”
Tace stared at me and didn’t respond as usual, which I had gotten used to and found more enduring than anything. But they suddenly flicked something towards me and I caught it, what I caught in my palm was 1 gold coin.
“Isn’t this the extra pay you got for the quest compensation?”
Tace shook their head in confirmation.
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“Are you giving this to me?”
Tace shook their head in confirmation.
“Are you sure, you took the brunt of the damage and killed almost all the giant rats, I really didn’t do anything in comparison.”
Tace held their palm out to stop me from speaking and after I went silent, they gave a slight bow, patted my head, and walked past me on their way, waving behind them as they went down the street.
As I watched Tace’s figure disappear in the distance, all I could think was “damn their cool, maybe I should start being a mute.”
After leaving Tace, I was now walking towards the front gate of Bruefidem, with two gold coins in my pocket, today felt surreal, I went to do a simple quest and it turned into a possible grave, I possibly saved someone's life, and I made two gold coins in 1 day, things were going bumpy, but favorably at the same time. Thinking on Tace, I guess they saw my decision to throw the spear to free their arm as selfless and important, but I feel like I threw it because it was the best decision. I could’ve used it to knock the rat around my leg off and then escaped, or I could’ve not gone towards Tace to help in the first place and run the first chance I got, but both those options just didn’t seem right in the moment, I think it’s cuz I didn’t want to see Tace die, especially after they put themselves in harms way to protect me. Maybe I’m starting to see this world more and more as my reality and the people of this world as real people that are also trying to reach their goals or survive. And I think that explanation makes sense, because I’m currently headed to the front gate of Bruefidem to talk to Vikir before I go rest and let him know I won’t sleep outside on the ground, so he doesn’t worry.
[. . .]
After the ordeal with the giant rats, the rest of my week was thankfully uneventfully, I went on a few quest a day to save up money, nothing dangerous, mainly quest fetching herbs, finding pets or helping a workplace that was short staffed, Tace also came with me on a couple of these quest, at first Tace would come to me while I was idle in the adventurers guild and hold up a quest in front of my face and point to it and me, trying to get me to go with them. But all the quest Tace would bring would be too high of a difficulty for me whether it be hellhounds, kobolds, or goblins, I would turn them down simply stating that I had I high chance of dying, and Tace would respond by flexing to suggest my safety, but I would still have to turn them down to be safe, which Tace would respond with dejection, which I honestly enjoyed those bits with Tace, eventually they got the memo and started picking quest that were a lot safer and I went with them a couple times. I also ended most of my days going to the front gate of Breufidem to converse with Vikir if he was working along with the other knights, it was a great way to unwind after a long day of saving money. Speaking of which, after this first week, I had finally saved up enough to begin my plan to bring the demon king into my harem.