Expensive.
And not just ordinarily expensive.
Yi Chen's salary from several months in the Cemetery, plus his special bonuses, amounted to only a little over a hundred Silver Coins, while even the cheapest Kerosene Lamp here cost 500 Silver Coins.
But it had to be said.
The Kerosene Lamps sold here were quite impressive,
Their size had been compressed to the absolute minimum while preserving their lighting capabilities, and no amount of shaking would affect the combustion inside.
Both the lamp tube and base were made of impact-resistant materials. Some of the more expensive Kerosene Lamps even bore defensive mysterious runes, greatly reducing the chance of damage during battle.
At that moment,
Edmund emerged from a private section of the shop, carrying a special Kerosene Lamp in his hand.
"William, what do you think of this one? It seems pretty suitable for you."
Edmund had chosen a primarily black Kerosene Lamp with a crow specimen standing atop the lamp tube.
The crow's corpse had been specially treated, its body filled with a special material that was somewhat hard yet flexible and would never decay.
What was worth noting was that
The crow's eyeballs had been replaced with two unique rubies, giving the dead crow an eerie liveliness.
In addition,
The fuel inlet had been specially designed in the shape of a "black-framed wooden door," making the Kerosene Lamp resemble a private cottage, with the bonfire burning inside shining through the windows and illuminating the outside world.
The shop attendant began introducing it enthusiastically, as though they had encountered a major customer:
"The Kerosene Lamp in your hand is called The Crow's Night. Its inspiration came from Mr. Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven.
It was personally crafted by this shop's senior lamp artisan, Gnom.
It uses flexible glass branded with a 'Toughness Rune.'
The lamp base, handle, and various metal decorations are all made from cemetery cold iron that has been buried for more than ten years.
Our shop will also provide free replacement of its long-lasting fuel permanently.
The price is 4,800 Silver Coins."
Edmund frowned slightly. "A little expensive~ What do you think, William?"
"Too expensive. Let's look at another shop."
"Alright, then."
Yi Chen left decisively. This was completely beyond what he could afford, and the other squad members followed suit.
Edmund was merely a little slower. By the time he came out, he was carrying an extra finely packaged paper bag bearing the emblem of Holy Fire.
With a quick step, he arrived beside Yi Chen and casually hung the bag from his wrist.
Inside the paper bag was none other than the crow-decorated Kerosene Lamp.
"Huh!?"
"William, you've been resting at the Academy ever since you left the Cemetery. You probably don't have much money on you... For me, this is only two months of living expenses.
Once we successfully complete a high-difficulty mission of three stars or above, we'll naturally receive a generous Silver Coin reward.
Since I bought it on my own initiative, I'm not sure whether this Kerosene Lamp is to your liking.
If you really want to pay me back, just give me half after we complete the mission."
Seeing Edmund's sincere expression,
And considering the high-difficulty Gentleman Mission they were about to undertake, Yi Chen ultimately accepted it.
"Thanks."
Yi Chen took the Kerosene Lamp out of the paper bag.
The lightness and comfort he felt while holding it were beyond imagination. It was as though he were gripping the surface of a soft bird's body—supple and comfortable.
At the same time, this dark-styled Kerosene Lamp suited Yi Chen's overall temperament.
Edmund had already moved a certain distance away and was sizing up Yi Chen from head to toe.
"My eye was right after all. This Kerosene Lamp was practically made for you.
By the way, William, do you want to do something about your long black hair? It suits the air of someone who came out of a cemetery, but hair this long might hold you back in battle."
"My long hair?"
Yi Chen touched the shoulder-length hair that had grown rapidly during his body's recovery period. He did not dislike it—in fact, he rather liked it.
For almost his entire life before death, he had kept his hair short.
But now, he really wanted to try this somewhat longer hairstyle. Perhaps it was related to the changes in his body; some part of him wanted to change as well.
Besides, this long hair could be considered a "record" of these unusual six months, giving it a certain commemorative significance.
"I think it looks good like this. It doesn't need trimming."
"How about this~ Let Anna tie it up for you? That'll make it suitable for battle while letting you keep your long hair. Give it a try."
Under Edmund's encouragement, Yi Chen eventually agreed.
With Julianna's practiced movements,
She left his bangs and sideburns loose, while tying the hair at the back into a centered bun. He immediately looked much fresher.
"Mmm~ Very nice! This hairstyle suits you... Oh, right. Do you want to change your weapon?"
Edmund looked as though he were planning to give Yi Chen a complete makeover.
"No need. This hand axe feels quite comfortable to use."
"Mmm, the workmanship is indeed good, but it only falls within the category of basic equipment.
If we obtain Diseased Crystallization or some more precious materials on this mission, you can use them to forge a more suitable weapon after we return to the city.
Weapons for hunting the Sick Ones are as important as our limbs."
"Mmm."
It had to be said,
Edmund's family was extraordinarily wealthy. They even had a mansion in Zion.
Afterward, he treated everyone to an entire day of lavish meals and full-body massages before the battle.
After a day of recuperation, both their bodies and spirits were adjusted to their peak. The following morning, they headed to the Gentleman Hall to submit their mission execution documents.
A high-end carriage belonging directly to the organization was also waiting for them outside the hall.
Compared with the carriage Yi Chen had taken before, it was several grades better... It used specially bred horses whose physical capabilities were several times greater than those of ordinary horses, along with resistance to disease and self-healing abilities.
Muscle tissue resembling flying feathers could even be seen on both sides of the horses' bodies.
The carriage cabin had curtained windows and could be completely sealed. It was sturdy and stable, and it was even equipped with an emergency generator.
If something happened to the horses, the carriage could still maintain a high speed under electric power, enough to escape certain pursuing dangers.
After the coachman emphasized a few basic matters, they officially set off for their destination—Vinal City.
Although the distance written on paper was 51 kilometers,
Due to the various mountainous terrains, the journey was expected to take three and a half hours.
While everyone was chatting about the mission, Yi Chen suddenly voiced a question that had been weighing on his heart.
"By the way, what is secret medicine? It doesn't seem to have been mentioned in the lessons."
For a moment,
The carriage fell completely silent.
The question was ultimately answered by Edmund:
"It seems you've spent most of the past six months focused on yourself, William, which is why you haven't learned about information related to the organization... Let me explain it briefly.
When discussing secret medicine,
We have to mention two other important concepts: Doctors and Clinics.
When we first arrived in Zion, we encountered a Doctor on a bridge. You should know what I'm talking about, right?"
"Mm..."
Yi Chen remembered Edmund telling him that Doctors were a special group among Gentlemen. Their abilities were unique and powerful, and after gaining the organization's recognition, they were issued a Doctor's Certificate.
Edmund continued:
"Clinics are somewhat similar to Tailor Shops. Both are important institutions established outside the city with the organization's recognition and financial support.
Clinics can provide medical services such as treatment and disease removal to nearby Gentlemen carrying out missions or Gentlemen en route to their missions. They are also special armed departments. When emergencies occur in surrounding areas, Clinics provide support as well.
But the core—the most important part—of a Clinic is secret medicine, or Nostrum.
If a Doctor wants to establish a private Clinic outside the city and obtain the organization's support in manpower and resources, they must submit a 'secret medicine manuscript' along with a sample.
Only after the organization conducts layer upon layer of testing and review, confirming the secret medicine's value, will it approve the Clinic.
At the same time, it requires the Clinic to regularly supply the organization with a fixed quantity of secret medicine.
If production is high and its value exceeds expectations, the organization will also increase the Clinic's budget, raise the number of apprentice positions, and provide greater support in various areas.
Under normal circumstances,
The raw materials for secret medicine are usually obtained from Sick Ones.
They are processed and refined through a Doctor's unique private methods, producing a special medicinal agent that carries no Pathogen.
This is every Clinic's most important and most closely guarded secret.
Generally speaking, we can divide secret medicine into three categories.
1. Healing
Healing secret medicine is far more effective than ordinary medicine. It can restore physical strength in a short period and break through an individual's previous limits.
Some can even provide Super Rapid Regeneration for a certain period, allowing an individual to maintain an 'undying state.'
2. Combat
This type of secret medicine specifically activates and strengthens one of a Gentleman's inherent traits, granting an enormous boost for a certain period.
If the secret medicine does not match an individual's traits, a rejection reaction will occur. In severe cases, it may even result in death.
3. Potential
This is a relatively rare and extremely valuable type of secret medicine.
It can enhance an individual's Psyche for a certain period.
It is commonly used to explore important regions within the Gray Domain or to achieve a breakthrough in rank.
These three categories are what I learned from my family's books. After so many years of development, the organization may have discovered entirely new categories of secret medicine.
In short, secret medicine plays an irreplaceable role in our fight against disease.
There are also some points we need to pay attention to.
Secret medicine has extremely strict dosage requirements for different individuals.
If taken in excess, it may cause enormous, irreparable damage to the individual, or even direct death... It may also induce hidden illnesses within the secret medicine, causing internal infection in the user.
Once we pass the New Gentleman stage,
We'll gradually come into contact with more and more secret medicine. These things can save our lives at critical moments."
Before you continue