Chapter 1445.2

This was the first time Davey had seen a neighborhood so excessively friendly, and it felt a little unfamiliar. It was a heavy contrast to the brutal death of the promising young mercenaries just the day before.

One of the two girls looked around and marveled, “Oooh! Dada, that person over there has a horn on their head!”

“Don’t say things like that.”

“Okay...”

He was surprised to find the number of different races living there higher than on any other continent he had seen so far. Only about fifty percent of the people seemed to be human.

There were muscular, green-skinned orcs; short dwarves; forest elves, and other races he had never seen on other continents. The populace even included palm-sized fairies and beastfolk, as well as dragonfolk and demons.

Despite the variety of races gathered, it seemed like no societal problems had arisen. The public order seemed extremely good. Even though Davey was outside the interference barrier he’d laid down, he didn't have to worry about being discovered as long as he didn't use too much power.

Since the public order looked good, he figured no issues would arise. Even if someone tried to pick a fight, he was more than capable of handling such a matter without significant effort

Davey immediately walked a short distance to the mercenary guild with the two children and Rinne. He found a considerable number of people to be gathered there.

The receptionist, dressed neatly, gave him a bright smile. “Welcome! How can I help you?”

“I came to buy information.”

“Information, you say?”

“Yes.”

“Uuuh. Hmm. Please remember, dear customer, that our guild doesn't sell detailed information on individuals. However, giving simple information isn't difficult. What information do you need?”

“Could I know the first location where the mutated monsters appeared?”

The loud chatter around them quieted down slightly the moment he finished.

Rinne's ears twitched at the subtle, though not significant, change.

“Hmm. That’s a question that violates our policy to answer, sir. I apologize, but I cannot fulfill your request.”

“Are there conditions I need to fulfill first or something?”

“For extremely dangerous regions, if you commission a high-ranking mercenary, the mercenaries will go there and collect the necessary information to provide you.”

Davey nodded, though he wondered if he should’ve just raided an information guild instead.

Still, investigating various methods wouldn't hurt.

“Then I will change it to a commission.” He requested, “I want to hire high-ranking mercenaries to explore that area.”

The prospect of a high-paying commission caused a stir among the onlookers.

“A commission is possible... but it requires a lot of capital to create. Our guild stipulates that any commission for deployment to an extreme region must be accompanied by at least twenty Transcendent-level or equivalent high-ranking mercenaries.”

Transcendent powers. Another person had mentioned it. Apparently, they were the strongest adventurers or mercenaries in the bubble world.

“How much does it cost?” Davey figured it shouldn’t set him too far back, given his stockpile of items.

“Hmm. It’s not something our side handles directly, but historically, a single Transcendent-Class person received five billion gel for a commission.”

Five billion gel.

Unsure of its value, Davey took out a single gold bar from his Pocket Plane and handed it over, casually inquiring, “How much is this worth?”

It was a kilogram gold bar, worth close to seventy million Korean won[1] just on Earth.

“Heavens! Just a moment!”

Davey didn't know its value in this world, but he figured it should do.

Just as the receptionist was flustered by his question, a dwarf stood up from his seat, offering, “I can take a look for you.”

The receptionist seemed to recognize him. “Ah! Mr. Gelleson.”

“Hello, young man. I have good eyes, even if I don’t look like it. Shall I assess the value for you?”

“Please do,” Davey replied with a nod.

Mr. Gelleson pulled a small magnifying glass from the pouch on his waist and brought it to his eye. He took the gold bar in his hand, humming thoughtfully as he carefully inspected it.

Once finished, the shock was clear on his face. “This... it’s pure gold!”

Davey just wanted a number. “How much is it worth?”

“It would be about fifty million gel.”

It would appear gel was actually remarkably similar in value to the Korean won. A comparable currency unit would make things easier for him.

Davey quietly stared into the dwarf’s eyes.“Is that so?”

Gelleson answered without hesitation, “Looking at me more won’t change anything. Fifty million gel. That’s the approximate amount. Frankly, I’d like to ask where you got something like this. Like the receptionist said, to hire a Transcendent-Class, you’d need about... close to a hundred of these gold bars.”

A hundred solid gold bars! The price was truly astounding for anyone to imagine.

“It’s a pretty high opportunity cost,” the dwarf admitted.

Davey just laughed it off. “Ahahaha. Transcendent-Class people are extraordinary individuals, even in this world. There are only a few of them to go around.”

“Hey, young man. Others are waiting behind you, so let’s go over there. I’ll tell you the details.” The dwarf, named Gelleson, led Davey to a quiet table. “Did you eat?”

Some said people who talked too much for no reason were swindlers.

Just as Davey was about to calmly refuse, Red Ribbon’s eyes sparkled. “Red Ribbon wants to eat that!”

She gleefully pointed at a dish of meat an adventurer was eating at another table, and Blue Ribbon and Rinne also looked the same way.

Davey figured he may as well get it for them. “How much does that cost?”

“Well... the gold bar you have would allow you to chow down on so many that you’d want to stop eating for the rest of your life. But, looking at you, do you have any gel on hand?”

Davey shook his head. “I don’t have any local currency, no.”

“Then I’ll get you some.”

Davey’s narrowed, suspicious of the offer.

The dwarf didn’t understand. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You know, honestly, there’s no kindness without reason.”

“Then why did you share food with Baron?”

Baron. When Gelleson mentioned the name, Davey saw the people around them flinch again.

“I was skeptical at first,” Gelleson began, “But seeing your appearance, your clothes, and those three conspicuous children, it’s impossible not to recognize who you are.”

Davey was surprised to find such a coincidence, asking, “Are you acquainted with him?”

“Well, we’re not exactly close. They were just kids who had recently become mercenaries. And not long ago, they pushed too hard and lost two of their own...”

He called a server with a practiced gesture and ordered the dishes before continuing, “Like I said, we weren’t close, but... still, it’s not a good thing when young people die. And you saved him. You seem quite capable, contrary to what one might think. Baron was too out of it to properly tell anyone what happened, but I could read between the lines.”

It seemed all Baron remembered was the delicious chicken and the sight of his dead friends.

Gellesonwent on to tell him that Baron, who returned with his friends' bodies, had immediately shut himself up in the temple, without mentioning how he was saved.

“They were kids with a future. I've spent most of my life being a mercenary, so I don't have children. That’s why those kids felt a little more precious to me.”

The food arrived, and the three children enthusiastically focused on their meal.

“It doesn’t look like you’re commissioning because you need something from that place.”

“It’s something I have to see in person.”

“Are you part of a research group? Well, it doesn't matter... If possible, you should give up. That place is too dangerous. Transcendent people are amazing, but... you can’t just commission them with money alone. Nations who have Transcendent individuals are very hesitant to send their people to the extreme region. They say the very air there is hard for ordinary people to withstand.”

Davey asked again, “You can’t go just with money?”

“Transcendent-Class mercenaries... Well, they’re called mercenaries, but in reality, every one of them is a walking strategic weapon. Most of them are actually affiliated with some organization or have become high-ranking nobles.”

In other words, they weren’t the kind of people who would accept a commission just for money.

“Then I can't help it,” Davey sighed. “I don't even know if it's worth paying that much to commission them anyway. I'll just have to go look for it myself.”

“Hey, young man, did you even hear what I just said? Not only can you not enter, but if you sneak in, the powers that be will track you down. The only ones who can freely enter are heroes and their party members.”

He was trying to warn Davey of the danger, unaware that it wasn't something the lad needed to worry about.

Just then.

“Hey! Doctor! Is there a doctor here?! We need a doctor or a priest!” Someone shouted urgently as a man and a woman with blackened corrupted skin were carried into the mercenary guild.

“Heavens! What happened?!”

“Mutated monsters appeared, and when we went to investigate, some of us got poisoned by mana! Hurry! Hurry, get a high-level priest or a skilled doctor!”

A dragonfolk, elven, and fairy priest present gathered around, only to all three groan in unison.

“Oh no... It’s the beruul curse...”

“Heavens. This is...”

“It’s too late...”

The man was beside himself. “Please... please save them! The beruul curse is...”

“The beruul curse?” Davey wondered aloud.

Gelleson sighed. “Looks like another three have fallen... That's the beruul curse for you. It’s what happens when someone is exposed for too long to the poisonous fog that’s released when a phantom-type mutated monster dies. Though, I'm not sure whether it should technically be called a curse or a disease...”

He sighed before continuing, “First, the skin turns black and they lose consciousness. Later, they writhe in terrible pain, their entire skin is distorted as if it’s on fire, and they eventually rot away.”

“Is it common around here?”

“Not at all. It comes from some of the mutated monsters. I heard that many high-ranking mercenaries and adventurers died from it during the Transcendent-Class-led exploration of the extreme region. The only person who can realistically cure it is the Great Saintess, who is a Transcendent-Class priest, but I heard a rumor that even her power’s capability has a limit of one or two people.”

The newly arrived group didn't look good.

The man persisted, shouting, “Is there anyone who can help?! Please... please help!”

“It’s too late for this. They’re past the point where they can be saved.”

When the priests shook their heads, the man cried out in despair and bowed his head.

“Dada?” Just then, Red Ribbon held Davey’s hand tightly. “If Red Ribbon tells the sickness to fly away, will they get better?”

Davey, who had stayed silent while observing, offered a bitter smile. “Yes. They will get better.”

“Then Red Ribbon will do it!”

Everyone stared as Red Ribbon ran over to the group.

“Rinne confirms existence of germs. Rinne determines removal to be possible.”

“Ordinary holy magic won’t get rid of it.” It required a more refined healing spell. Davey didn't know how advanced the healing magic of Troy was, but he doubted anyone had mastered Daphne-style precision healing.

He figured he didn’t need to worry about being exposed with that level of magic.

When Davey approached the injured people, Gelleson looked puzzled. Yet when Davey placed his hand on the chest of one of the injured people, Gelleson's eyes widened.

[6th Level Holy Magic]

[Heavenly Reversal]

[Holy Cure]

A brilliant white light burst forth and seeped into their bodies.

Before long, the black curse consuming their bodies began to disappear as if being devoured by white blood cells. As it faded, their skin gradually returned to normal.

“Wha... what?!”

The people gasped in shock.

As they stood still, they heard Red Ribbon humming loud and clear, “Sickness, sickness, go away!”

* * *

“Aris, that is...”

“That’s amazing...” A girl in a black robe heard the mage next to her marvel, and her eyes sparkled. A cute, sweet voice flowed from her lips as she remarked, “How interesting... Even the Great Saintess can’t heal someone in such a short time.”

The mage turned to her, suggesting, “Are you going to step forward? If you do, a lot of people will be surprised. Everyone’s going to focus their attention on you.”

“I know, Mary.”

1. Converts to ~$50k USD, give or take a few thousand. ☜