A warm smile graced the woman's face as she entered the room from the kitchen, her eyes lighting up with joy upon seeing Bolg. Ethan observed their affectionate embrace, their locked gaze expressing a profound connection that momentarily captured their attention.

Internally groaning, Ethan felt the effects of the potion wearing off, the pain resurfacing with a vengeance. Fatigue weighed heavily on him, tempting him to surrender to sleep. Just as he was on the brink of drifting away, Bolg placed a cup of fragrant brew on the table beside him.

"Drink this. It will warm you," Bolg said, his words tinged with just the tiniest bit of concern. "Kisa will stay with you while I go fetch the healer."

Ethan focused on Bolg and managed a nod. "That would be great. Thanks," he mumbled in response, his weariness evident.

Bolg glanced at his wife, receiving a nod of assurance, before stretching and leaving the house to seek the healer's aid. Meanwhile, Kisa approached Ethan, settling herself in front of him. Her intense gaze made him slightly uncomfortable, but his state of partial undress failed to faze him much.

After a while, Kisa mustered a smile, though it appeared forced. "You're a peculiar one, aren't you? Where do you come from?"

Setting his cup down, Ethan contemplated her question. "Would you be satisfied with the answer 'far away'?"

Kisa maintained her artificial smile. "I would not. Bolg is trusting, but I am not. So, let me ask again, where are you from?"

Ethan shrugged, exhaustion etched on his face. "Half of my heritage is Japanese, and the other half is British."

Kisa blinked, her curiosity piqued. "I'm unfamiliar with these places."

Offering a weary smile, Ethan replied, "Like I said, they're far away."

A frown tugged at Kisa's features. "I believe you might be trouble, Ethan Okamura, and I don't like it. Why are you here?"

Ethan let out a sigh, his frustration evident. "Look, I already explained this to Bolg. I don't know why I'm here. It just happened. I have no sinister motives. In fact, I simply wish to heal and be on my way."

Kisa's frown persisted, her suspicion unwavering. "I see. And what about my husband's payment?"

Ethan chuckled wearily. "The armor and the axe? He can have them, 'after' the healing."

Kisa nodded, her tone firm. "And then you'll leave?"

Ethan shrugged, a sense of indifference creeping into his voice. "Sure, I'll go away." In truth, Ethan meant every word. He held a general distaste for people, and Kisa's presence only heightened his unease. Her stern beauty, defined by high cheekbones, piercing blue eyes, and long blond hair cascading down her back, carried an icy aura as she continued to fix her gaze on him. Eventually, her eyes shifted away, breaking the intensity of the moment.

"Good. I'll look forward to it. Stay put. Bolg will return soon. He promised a change of clothes, and I'll provide them for you. But remember, you are to stay here. Understood?" Her tone brooked no argument, leaving little room for negotiation.

Ethan simply nodded in resignation, "Fine..." He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes, clutching his pack tightly against his chest. He couldn't shake the feeling that the woman, Kisa, might snoop through his belongings if he drifted off to sleep. His pack held valuable items, but he had a particular attachment to the crystal knife and was determined not to lose it.

Abruptly, Ethan jolted awake as a sharp prod landed on his shoulder, shooting waves of pain through his body. Growling in discomfort, he swatted away the intrusive hand, finally focusing his gaze on an elderly man. The man's mostly bald head was adorned with patches of hair on each side, his face etched with wrinkles, and his smile wide.

"Oh, he awakens. Good, good. It's better if you're awake. Now, tell me, young man, where does it hurt?" the old man rasped.

Ethan scowled, "Everywhere, so stop poking me, would you?"

The man chuckled, revealing a few missing teeth. "Ah, yes, it'll take some time, but I can heal you," he stated matter-of-factly, then began muttering to himself, "I'll need a few potions, some Moon sage leaves..."

Ethan tuned out the old man's ramblings, the pain intensifying now that the effects of the potion had completely faded. He longed to drift back into unconsciousness, yearning for the moment when he would be fully healed. He had never been accustomed to suffering, and he had concluded that he had no affinity for it whatsoever. The idea of willingly subjecting oneself to extreme situations seemed utterly incomprehensible to him—those people must be certifiably insane.

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His attention snapped back to the old man, who had stopped muttering and was now looking expectantly at him. "Uh, sorry. Can you repeat that?" Ethan inquired.

Without warning, the old man lightly slapped the top of Ethan's head, much to his annoyance, and repeated his question, "I said, how will you pay?"

Ethan blinked at the man, taken aback. "Pay? I don't have anything to pay with."

The old man grinned mischievously. "Oh, I'm sure we can find something for you to do, eh?"

Ethan frowned. "I'm already giving Bolg items in exchange for my healing. Why should I pay when he took on the quest? Shouldn't he cover the cost?"

The old man shrugged. "Bolg helped you reach a healer. If he hadn't sought me out, I wouldn't be here, so he fulfilled his part."

Ethan simply stared at the old man, an expression of disbelief on his face. "I don't agree with that at all."

Kisa scowled at him, but Ethan deliberately ignored her. The old man maintained his smile, "Whether you agree or not is inconsequential. He ensured you could be healed, but the herbs I require come at a high cost. So, let's say you do something for me, and in return, I'll restore you to full health, hmm?"

Ethan fought the urge to snap back at the old man and instead growled through clenched teeth, "And what do you want from me, then?"

The old man clapped his hands once in satisfaction, "Ah, there are plenty of ways you could be of assistance. Bolg tells me you have the skill of enchanting, so perhaps you could employ that for me as well?"

Ethan let out a weary sigh, "Fine. What do you need? Just be aware that my options are limited at the moment."

The old man shrugged, "I can be patient. You can study and learn the specific enchantment I require."

Ethan maintained a neutral expression as he stared at the old man, "What is it that you want?"

The old man pondered for a moment before a smile crossed his face, "Perhaps a knife that never needs sharpening. I'm getting too old for constantly sharpening my blade, and it's quite essential for my work."

Ethan let out another sigh. He wasn't sure how he would go about creating such an enchantment, but it seemed like he didn't have much of a choice. "Fine, I'll give it a try. But I want the healing in advance. I need to be in good health if I'm going to concentrate properly."

The old man shrugged nonchalantly, "That's acceptable. We'll commence once you agree to the trade."

Notice:

Rewards

On failure or abandonment

You have Been offered a quest by the healer of Dervin’s rest.

Create an enchantment that will make sure the healer never have to sharpen his knife again.

Healing back to full health

You are penalized 6 SP

Ethan's eyes remained fixed on the screen, a sense of dismay washing over him. He seriously contemplated making a run for it, consequences be damned. Would losing those specialization points even matter in the grand scheme of things? It was an agonizing decision, and the uncertainty only made it more difficult. Finally, he cast a resigned gaze at the healer and uttered with a hint of defeat, "Fine... I accept."

Notice:

Rewards

On failure or abandonment

you have accepted the quest

Create an enchantment that will make sure the healer never have to sharpen his knife again.

Healing back to full health

You are penalized 6 SP

The old healer wore a contented smile and nodded in affirmation. "Indeed, we have reached an agreement. Now, onto your healing."

He produced three small vials filled with a vibrant red liquid and handed them to Ethan. "Take one vial each day, and by the third day, you will be fully restored."

[https://i.imgur.com/K58L1Rl.jpg]

Ethan accepted the vials and wasted no time in consuming the contents of the first one. He leaned back in the chair, feeling a glimmer of gratitude. "Thank you. I'll dedicate some time to pondering this enchantment, but I'll need some solitude."

The healer offered a reassuring smile. "Take all the time you require. I'm certain Bolg won't mind your presence for a little longer."

Kisa interjected sharply, "I mind! I won't have a stranger lingering in my home. Find somewhere else for him, old man."

Bolg intervened, placing a calming hand on Kisa's shoulder. "It'll be alright, dear. He won't be a bother." He turned his gaze toward Ethan, a meaningful look in his eyes. "Will you, Ethan Okamura?"

Ethan let out an exasperated sigh. "Of course not. But I also wouldn't mind alternative accommodations."

Bolg grinned mischievously. "Certainly, but keep in mind that it would come at a cost. Lodging and food aren't free, after all."

As the three pairs of eyes continued to scrutinize him, Ethan grew increasingly disenchanted with the village and yearned to leave. This was the inherent flaw of humanity—everyone acted in their own self-interest, himself included. He resolved to complete this quest and then find a way to escape. Where to, he wasn't sure. The thought of returning to Earth resurfaced, but he quickly dismissed it. There had to be another way, another path to pursue.