Ruel sat in the Cinder Hollow Guild's common room.
Ruel had just signed the contract proposed by Zamir, who was representing the most powerful guild in Emberhold.
After a bunch of negotiations, a deal that suited both parties came to be.
Ruel managed to secure a monthly salary, access to various guild resources, and a favorable deal: the guild would purchase items he brought from Talia at 20–30% above market price.
Although he held the title of Captain, Ruel wasn't considered a core guild member and wasn't permitted to freely use the guild's name.
There were several other clauses, but these were the key terms that mattered to Ruel.
As they concluded the main talk, the receptionist placed a basket with a large egg on the table in front of Ruel.
"This is the mount egg I mentioned as a sign-in bonus," Zamir stated.
Ruel looked at the blood-red egg, a gut feeling telling him it would hatch a powerful beast.
Zamir smiled slightly as he added, "I look forward to seeing what beast you will hatch."
"Likewise," Ruel said with his ever-calm smile.
"It'll take a while to get you the cores, it'll be ready in two to three days," Zamir said.
"It'll take a while to hatch the egg, so it will be ready in time for you to get the Mount feature. I'll contact you when it's ready."
The mount feature unlocked upon reaching Enma Citizen Tier-5. Ruel had bought cores which were used to obtain points used to raise Tiers.
He had been honest with Zamir and told him his current Tier 3, which was neither impressive nor unimpressive to the guild representative.
Once the formalities concluded, Ruel's expression darkened slightly. "I have a request," he said. "I want to buy medicine."
"Medicine? For what kind of disease?" Zamir asked.
Ruel replied based on Muriel's keen observation, "For someone whose core and mana vessels are corroding along with the body."
Zamir frowned and shook his head. "Such illnesses are almost as rare as soul-affecting ones—and require similar treatment."
Ruel's heart sank at this moment.
The temperature of the room dropped drastically, making the receptionist feel something they've never experienced in life—
Cold.
"But worry not, we will put efforts into obtaining medicine as soon as possible." Zamir said, subtly trying to calm Ruel.
"Calm down, Ruel." Muriel said telepathically.
It wasn't until he heard her voice that he snapped back to reality and registered what Zamir had said.
"I'm sorry for showing you such a scene. I would like to take my leave now if there's no problem."
Zamir stood and said, "No problem."
Then he extended his hand to Ruel, who shook it and received his change from the 60,000 En Coins after using part of it to buy the cores.
Ruel forced a smile, then saw one of the receptionists carry the egg basket, ready to follow him.
As Ruel walked out, he began thinking.
'Zamir had just said that it's rare, meaning the chance to get medicine is not zero.
'There's also the fact that this place is isolated with their resources being limited. If I can reach other Havens, I will have higher chances there.
'I need to obtain a mount as soon as possible.'
Ruel left the building with his mind concentrated on his thoughts, but the feeling of unhidden eyes staring at him returned.
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to Zamir as the receptionist placed the basket in the carriage waiting for him.
"Sir Zamir, I'm sure you have no reason to keep your security active after I signed that contract."
Zamir lingered for a second before he replied. "You are correct."
Ruel said no more and walked into the carriage while the unseen gazes immediately retreated.
He sat and stared at the carriage floor for a while until Nick finally knocked and asked:
"Back home, boss?"
"...Nick, do you know anywhere that sells high quality?"
"You betcha. Hold on, boss. I'll take you everywhere you need to go."
Ruel remained stoic as the carriage moved.
For the next few hours, they began going to every corner of the Haven looking for a helpful medicine.
To his dismay, Ruel found nothing.
With every failed shop, his hope dimmed a little more and his stress swole.
Now, they were on the way back to Ruel's residence.
Nick helped Ruel carry his egg basket into his home while Ruel was looking dejected.
"Thanks, Nick." Ruel handed the man two silver coins he'd been fiddling with the entire ride.
"Huh– Boss, I'm good—"
Ruel forced a smile.
"You've helped me out today. How can I reach you if I need to?"
Nick was about to decline but acquiesced and pocketed the coin while bringing out a black paper.
"Tear this paper and I'll know when you need me."
Ruel collected it and gave the man a nod. He carried his egg basket in and closed the door.
Nick sighed as he walked back to his carriage.
"I wonder who the Kid is trying so hard to heal."
Sitting on his carriage and feeling the coin in his pocket, Nick shot a glance to Ruel's home and muttered:
"Anything for money."
- - -
Ruel removed his armor and slumped onto the couch, the blistering peakday heat clashing against the natural coolness of his skin.
Muriel turned corporeal, wearing her white gown, and stood near him.
She wanted to say something—but she couldn't. Her main job was to assist Ruel in Enma, guiding him to the truth while imparting knowledge of this world and maybe a few others.
She could feel how sad Ruel was right now and it made her uncomfortable too.
Ruel smiled at Muriel and asked, "Are you worried about me?"
Although she may seem expressionless to others, Ruel was bonded to her and he could feel her emotions too.
Ruel let out a dry chuckle.
"Despite how it may seem, I'm fine. As long as my father doesn't give in to his sickness, I will find medicine for him."
Feeling his determination, Muriel smiled and nodded with approval.
"Let's grow our strength so we can reach depths to find something for him. I am not sure, but something that may be helpful might be in the door underground or beneath Galden Reach."
"You're right."
Ruel looked at the egg in front of him and said, "Right now, I believe I can only make the most difference with battle experience… and this egg."
Rubbing the egg that was right beneath his feet, Ruel muttered, "An egg that hatches a beast suited for the breeder. I wonder what suits me."
He raised the basket to the egg on the couch and placed his hands on it.
He wanted to do as Zamir had mentioned and feed the egg his mana.
As he pulled mana into the egg, Ruel found it calm.
"Arhk–!"
Until after a while, the egg began pulling his mana greedily.
Huff–! Huff–!
If not for the fact that his mana was exhausted, the egg would have continued drinking the mana.
Even Muriel found herself being glad she was in her corporeal form, if not, she felt like she would be absorbed too.
Ruel stepped back from the couch and stared at the egg, smiling wryly.
"Didn't they feed you, little one? You're not satisfied with my mana and went for the atmosphere's mana!"
Muriel shook her head gently, looking at the egg with disapproval.
"Damn, now I'm drained," Ruel muttered, rubbing his eyes.
He didn't talk much as he walked into his room and slept.
Muriel observed the egg for a while and turned towards the bedroom.
Before leaving, she glanced back at the egg and muttered:
"Greedy."
- - -
Night befell Emberhold.
Under the crimson moon and dark red sky, a cloaked figure walked into Ruel's compound.
A hot gust lifted the edge of the cloak's hood, revealing Nick's smirking face.