“Umm… Hello…”

A stupid voice left my mouth as I greeted the four demihumans.

“!? Eulia!!”

While the other three were still stupefied at the current situation, a male dwarf opened his mouth to shout someone’s name. The shout also brought the other three to their senses and all of them rushed towards the girl elf lying on the ground.

“Eulia!! Get a hold of yourself!!”

The male dwarf, shouting out words with a voice that didn’t match his appearance, held the elf girl known as Eulia. When I took a closer look, Eulia had a pale complexion, almost to the point where she looked like she would die any moment now.

“Oi!! Eulia!! I can’t seem to wake her up!!”

“Are you sure that she is just exhausted?”

“Idiot!! Exhaustion from running at full throttle for a minute or two isn’t enough to knock you out!! This is clearly something different!!”

“Eulia!!”

“Eu-chan!!”

‘Partner, this is bad. Look for a scratch or any wound on her body.’

While the group of demihumans was trying to wake up their fallen teammate, Cordo used telepathy to warn me about something.

…Do you know the reason why she passed out Cordo?

‘This is no ordinary exhaustion. It has probably something to do with an external source. Also, when I used [Appraisal], it didn’t show any debuffs.’

Then let me use [Appraisal] on her.

Name: Eulia

Level: 6

HP: 310 / 642 (856)

MP: 310 / 910

Str: 29

Agi: 28

Int: 37

Dex: 27

End: 27

Luc: 9

Skills:

[Healing Magic 2]

[Staff Technique 1]

Titles:

N/A

Debuffs:

[Low Health Sickness]

When I used [Appraisal] on Eulia I found a debuff called [Low Health Sickness]. It doesn’t have a level so it seems when one is affected by this debuff, all of them will have the same symptoms.

[Low Health Sickness] – Affected people are impossible to fully recover (Only up to 75% maximum HP can be recovered) and are stricken with extreme exhaustion when HP is below 40%. Those with 40% Hp and below will have their HP drained until they die and cannot use skills or magic. Can only infect newborns and is concealed from [Appraisal] leveled 9 and below.

What the!? Isn’t this just too much of a debuff!?

’O-Oi partner? What’s wrong?’

Many things!!! Apparently, Eulia has a debuff called [Low Health Sickness]. With the level of your appraisal, it is impossible to view it.

‘… Then, isn’t it a high level debuff?’

No, there aren’t any levels. My appraisal just says that it is impossible to view with [Appraisal] levels 9 and below.

‘Isn’t that a curse!?’

Maybe, but it can only affect newborns so if you weren’t born with this, then you won’t be infected.

‘Still, isn’t that something that can seriously affect your whole life? If one had complete control over this debuff, then he can weaken the next generations with ease.’

Both of us paused for a moment before I broke the silence and began to communicate with Cordo via telepathy.

Then, what can I do? I can’t risk changing my appearance in front of them.

‘… For now, I suggest you ask them to check her body.’

… Got it…

After our internal discussion, I walked towards the group and raised my voice.

“Excuse me, but would you please let me see her for a moment.”

I politely asked the group if I could check on the body of the Eulia. The male dwarf turned his head towards my direction, along with the other three.

“Sir! Do you know something about Eulia’s condition!?”

Woah… Suddenly turning around and shouting would give me a heart attack…

“I-I might… So would you all please kindly move away.”

“You heard him! Chiemi, Kalgo, Yami, please step aside.”

The four stepped aside to give me a path straight towards Eulia. I picked up her body that had white as snow skin.

!? Cold!!!

When I touched her, I almost dropped her reflexively because of how cold she was.

What the heck!! Isn’t she almost close to dying!!!

When I used appraisal again, I found that her HP bar was already below 200.

What the heck!! Isn’t this too fast!?

‘Partner, didn’t you say that you were able to gain skill points for your skill? Check it if you can level it up on the next transformation. The 30 minute cooldown is almost up.’

I did as Cordo asked and used appraisal to check up on my skill.

(Hero set number of changes: 14)

(Hero set number of changes left before next level: 1)

Yes!! With one more change, I can access the shop!! And with the money I have, I can buy the healing items to recover Eulia!

Since yesterday, I’ve been changing my skill set on every cooldown. For it to be useful this early in the game, I appreciate it.

I quickly used the [Dota 2 Skill Set] skill to change again to my previous hero skill set, [Dragon Knight]. Without anything happening, information flowed inside my head about the shop mechanic.

I see, to open the shop, first will it to appear.

I followed the instructions and willed the menu of the shop to appear. A menu filled with items I was familiar with appeared in my front vision. According to appraisal, only I could see the menu. Using the search option, I searched for the item [Healing Salve]. One [Healing Salve] is equal to 50 silver coins and luckily, I have just inside my bag.

To hide the usage of the skill with the onlookers, I reached inside my bag and exchanged 50 silver coins for the healing salve. I felt my hand grabbing a smooth surface which I knew that it was glass. I brought it outside to show the demihumans that I have something that I can use to heal Eulia so that they can relax. Instead, they tensed further and focused more on the scene.

… Please stop staring… You’re making me sweat…

When I brought the healing salve near Eulia, I realized…

… How do I use this…? Back in Dota 2, all you have to do is just press the button of your preference to use it, but how does one actually use it in real life?

(For external wounds, apply on the wounded area. And for internal wounds or sickness, ingest the fluid)

Thank you appraisal!!!

‘O-Oi!? You scared me, when you were silent, I thought of using telepathy to hear your thoughts and a noisy shout is what I got…’

Sorry about that Cordo…

Anyway, now that I know how to use the salve, I brought the glass towards her mouth in hopes of drinking it. Sadly, with her body as it is now, she coughed it back up. When I used appraisal again to check her HP, it is already almost reaching 100.

What should I do, a few more seconds and she dies…

‘Partner, let her drink it, mouth to mouth…’

HUH!? W-What are you talking about Cordo!!

When I tried contemplating on what to do, Cordo came up with an embarrassing method.

‘Just do it! We are already running out of time! Or do you want to see the corpse of a female elf? You can take it out on me later, but for now, just trust me!’

… Okay!!! I got it!!

I brought the bottle to my lips and sucked up some of the liquid, then, I brought it to Eulia’s mouth to forcefully make her drink.

“!? OI!!!”

You can take it out on me later, but for now, just tough it up seeing that your crush is getting CPR from a stranger.

I ignored someone who raised their voice and took another mouthful and forcefully make her drink until the glass bottle was empty. When I used appraisal, I saw that her HP is now more than 500. Looking at her complexion, she had a peaceful face, as if just sleeping peacefully without a care in the world.

“I thank you sir for saving one of my teammates.”

Once I was finished with her treatment, the male dwarf approached me and gave me his words of gratitude.

“Also me! Thank you for saving Eu-chan!”

“Indeed, this one is grateful.”

“Thank you!!”

Also, one by one, the whole group of demihumans, save the sleeping elf, gave me their thanks, but somehow, I feel that the male dwarf was glaring daggers at me.

“A-Ah… It’s no problem. Us adventurers need to help one another right?”

While I made an excuse about wanting to help Eulia, the female dwarf, who looked like a grade-schooler raised her voice.

“Anyway, mister! What rank are you? To subjugate an A-rank monster alone, you must be an S-rank right!?”

With sparkling eyes, the female dwarf quickly approached me with nimble footwork. She had brown hair and pointy ears. Her height was lower than my chest and she had blue eyes. On her right hand, she is holding a wooden staff. Using appraisal, I found out that the staff was just an ordinary rod enchanted with magic to boost the wielder’s magic output. She wore what seemed to be robes what common mages use.

“Indeed, for subjugating a Marpion single-handedly, you must be no ordinary adventurer.”

After the female dwarf, next was the dragonewt. He had black hair and black eyes, the same traits as us heroes, or Japanese. He had a tail that grew for about a meter that was adorned with black lustrous scales. Also, his arms, legs, and neck also had black scales, the same as his tail. He was dressed as an ordinary adventurer with leather vests, pants, and boots, but his weapon, a katana was clearly a superior item.

“Thank you stranger!”

Next up was the giant. He had a tall and muscular frame. His height was about 2.5 meters, completely overshadowing me from the sun’s rays. He looks no different from a human, except for giant body. He had grayish hair with gray eyes, almost looking like he was blind. He wore and oversized leather vest, and had leather shorts that covers the skin up to his thighs. In his hand, he wielded a giant axe, but upon closer inspection, I saw that it was worn and rugged. It won’t be long until he looks for a new weapon.

“Nii-chan!! Show your thanks!!!”

While the three were giving their thanks, the male dwarf, who was still beside the unconscious Eulia, was called by the female dwarf.

“…E- Ehh!? Excuse me… I thank you for saving Eulia. My name is Chen, the female dwarf is my sister Chiemi, the giant is Kalgo, and the dragonewt is Yami. The elf that is unconscious right now is Eulia. May I please ask for yours?”

With a quick change of pace, almost as if the male dwarf earlier hadn’t been staring daggers at me earlier, introduced himself along with his team members. It would be rude to not introduce myself after the other party had already introduced their selves, so I unhesitatingly opened my mouth.

“My name is Kouta, a wandering adventurer. And also, can you keep a secret?”

I gave out minimal information about myself to the other party to avoid revealing my secrets and weaknesses. But I should really tell them about one thing I need to, otherwise, there might be misunderstandings.

“… Sure, if it is within our capabilities…”

“Nii-chan!!!”

“Chiemi, quiet… This is for our safety.”

“… Ahaha… You really are suspicious of me aren’t you? Well, that is what adventurers do in order to prolong their lives, and I am also the same.”

Silence dominated the area until I opened my mouth once again to speak.

“Now then, please what you are going to hear a secret, and also anything that transpired here a secret. This Marpion is an A-rank, correct?”

The four silent demihumans nodded their heads in agreement.

“Now, Chiemi, let me answer your question. I am not an S-rank adventurer. I am just a G-rank adventurer. I just registered now too long ago.”

“Wha-!?”

Along with Chiemi’s surprised remark, the other three also looked dumbfounded.

“Now, now… Next is what would happen if this event got out to the public. Imagine what would happen if per say that a G-rank adventurer subjugated a Marpion single-handedly, and with proof and witnesses.”

“… I think it would cause a commotion and the nobles and aristocrats will do anything in their power to restrain that adventurer in their territory…. Don’t tell me…”

Chen who was silent raised his voice to reveal the course of events if this incident ever got out to the public.

“You’ve got a good head. That’s right. It would hinder my travels. Right now, I am trying to go to the Human Continent to meet up with someone I know, and I don’t want to get delayed.”

“!? Human Continent!?”

“Are you crazy!? Do you know what will happen if you go there!?”

Kalgo and Chiemi raised their voices upon hearing the reason. Of course, who would want to go to the Human Continent where they know that they would be ostracized?

“Also, if I said that you 5 were the ones who subjugated this Marpion, I doubt this will also end well for you.”

““““……..””””

The four of them went silent at my remark. If it was said that they were the ones who subjugated this Marpion, they would be no doubt, given high difficulty requests that they might not be able to complete. Well, there also a few advantages for me and them if we were to say that we subjugated this Marpion, but the disadvantages outweighs the merits.

“And so, I would like to make a deal to keep this secret.”

“… Like what?”

“I’ll give you money, about 100—no, 300 gold coins to keep silent about this incident.”

““““…!?””””

Upon hearing my bargain, the four of them had money signs on their eyes. They really are typical adventurers.

“Oi… What you say is true right?”

Chen, who was looking at me with eyes that can kill, asked for proof if this was a legit deal.

“Don’t worry, I have it right here.”

Using [Creation], I created 500 gold coins and a bag to hold all of it. It reduced my MP to about ¼, but 500 gold coins is enough to let you live for about 5 years, and still have some more for some fun.

I tossed the bag at their feet to let them confirm the goods.

“…Are you serious…”

“We’re rich!!!”

“Umu… Gold does tug at the heart of many men…”

“Nii-chan!!! Buy me a new staff!!!”

While the demihumans were celebrating, Cordo used his telepathy to speak in my mind.

‘Looks like all of it went well…’

Shut up!! I’m never doing this again!!! I’m never going by your script again!!!

While feeling tired at doing a play by play from Cordo’s impromptu stageplay, the four demihumans looked at my direction.

“We accept…”

“Then that’s good. By the way, if you ever spill the beans, I’m coming for you all…”

“!? Y-Yeah…”

Suddenly being targeted by extreme bloodthirst, the four demihumans flinched.

“Now then, for the last request, can you please guide me to the nearest town?”

The four of them held their breaths about the last request, and then a sigh of relief came out of their mouth from hearing my request.

…

Later, when travelling towards the town with the merry demihuman party...

‘…Stop pouting already…’

…Shut up…