The Elder Sent Me on Patrol

Nak limped back to Razorfen in the morning. Andy had woken up particularly early today; the story the old Quilboar had told about Nak had touched him. Here was a man of such status, yet he lived at the bottom of the social hierarchy, leading an ordinary life and remaining so relaxed and at ease.

"Nak, what happened to you?" Andy ran over and asked.

"It's nothing. I didn't watch where I was going last night and took a tumble," Nak said with an awkward smile.

Andy glanced at Nak's foot, which was so swollen it looked almost like an elephant's, and hurriedly said, "You shouldn't go tonight. If it's really that bad, I'll go in your place!"

"You?" Nak looked at Andy, shaking his head. "You can't. They won't agree to it. Besides, don't worry, this little injury is nothing."

Andy immediately lost his spirit, thinking that his hope of slipping away had been dashed once again. However, his concern for this foolish Quilboar was genuine. Andy helped Nak back to his cave; Nak's wife was not there, and it was unclear if she had gone out.

Nak called out twice, but when no one answered, he let it be.

Andy wanted to go out and ask where he could find a doctor to take a look at Nak, but as soon as he stepped out, he nearly collided with someone coming in. Andy stepped back two paces, only to see Nak's wife clutching her chest, clearly startled.

"Nak, you're back!" Nak's wife said. "Oh my, what happened to your foot?"

"It's nothing, I accidentally tripped," Nak laughed. "In a while, go to Uncle Sonata and let him know. I'm afraid I won't be able to go on patrol tonight."

Nak's wife looked at Nak, then looked up at Andy, and said, "Alright, I understand." With that, she went into the inner room and left a few minutes later, saying she was heading to Sonata's.

Andy watched Nak's wife leave, frowning without saying a word. He always felt that this female Quilboar's eyes would dodge his gaze whenever she faced him. Her behavior only made Andy more firm in his suspicions.

"Nak, you rest first, I'll come see you later." After saying this, Andy walked out of Nak's cave. However, he didn't return to his own cave; instead, he watched Nak's wife from a distance. She indeed went to Sonata's cave and pushed the door open to enter.

Andy stood in the shadows, his eyes fixed on the entrance of Sonata's cave. Ten minutes later, Nak's wife walked out. She checked to make sure no one was around, then walked quickly toward their own cave.

Andy slipped out of the shadows and hurried back to Nak's cave. Nak was sitting on a chair drinking water, and he looked at Andy with surprise, wondering why he had returned so soon. Andy had just sat down on a stone stool next to Nak when his wife walked in.

"Nak, I went to Uncle Sonata's place," Nak's wife said.

"What did he say?" Nak asked, putting down his wooden cup.

"He said that since you've been patrolling for so long, you must be very familiar with the route, so... so it would be a lot of trouble to replace you with someone else. He had me bring this back," Nak's wife said, holding up a small bottle and shaking it.

"What is this?" Nak asked.

"It's medicine to treat your foot injury. He said as long as you apply it for a day, it will definitely be better!" Nak's wife said with a grin.

Andy glanced at the small bottle. At this moment, the Monster Spirit was already making a racket in his head: "Andy, hurry and ask if he has any more of this! This is good stuff. If he has any, you must find a way to get your hands on it!"

"What is this?" Andy asked, puzzled.

"A Potent Healing Potion!" the Monster Spirit shouted. "Where else are you going to find something like this?"

"A Potent Healing Potion? Is this really considered good stuff?" Andy said dismissively. "Isn't this stuff everywhere in this world?"

"You've really played too many games. Do you think that just because it's sold in games, it's sold in reality?" the Monster Spirit said in a tone of exasperation. "Without a high-level alchemist, every bottle of Potent Healing Potion used is one less in existence; it's an absolute high-consumption item. Whether it's external wounds, internal injuries, or a mix of both, one bottle fixes it all!"

After hearing this, Andy's brow furrowed even deeper. By now, Nak's wife was already applying the potion to Nak's foot. So, that old fox Sonata gave him this, he really doesn't want to let Nak go, Andy thought to himself.

The Potent Healing Potion was indeed worthy of the Monster Spirit's praise. After the potion had been applied for half an hour, the swelling on Nak's foot began to subside. Seeing this, Andy was truly tempted, and it took a great effort to suppress the urge to go and question Sonata.

"Is Andy here?" A Quilboar guard placed his spear by the door and walked in, asking.

"What is it?" Andy asked, looking up.

"The Elder wants to see you. He says he has something to discuss!" The guard dropped the message and turned to leave.

Andy glanced at Nak's foot, which was currently losing its swelling, and felt his heart ease for a moment. He said to Nak, "You get some sleep, I'm going to go see what he wants."

Nak nodded. After the turmoil of the night and his injury, he was already exhausted, and he was yawning repeatedly, his eyes barely able to stay open.

Andy left Nak's cave but did not go directly to Sonata's. He first checked the weapon at his waist, then ensured his bow and arrows were secure on his back. Only after confirming everything was in order did he head toward Sonata's. He had to be careful; who knew if this Sonata was planning something against him?

"Knock, knock, knock." Andy tapped on the door, and only after hearing a voice from inside did he push the door open and enter.

"Ah, Andy, you've come," Sonata said, looking at Andy. "How is it? Are you getting used to living here?" As he spoke, he pointed to a stone stool nearby, signaling him to sit.

Andy frowned as he looked at Sonata. He didn't believe for a second that this old fox was the type to show concern for others, so he didn't sit. Instead, he asked expressionlessly, "Why has the Elder summoned me?"

"Nothing much, just about Nak. I believe you already know that Nak injured his foot while patrolling. Although I had his wife bring him medicine, his injury won't heal overnight. Therefore, to prevent him from getting hurt again, I want you to accompany him on patrol," Sonata said in one breath.

Andy didn't answer immediately, thinking, Why is this old thing suddenly being so proactive? He hummed and hawed for ages just for this? When I volunteered to go before, he didn't agree. What's going on today? When things are abnormal, there must be a demon at play. I have to be careful.

"What, you don't want to?" Sonata asked, probing as he watched Andy's expression.

"No, I'll go!" Andy shook his head, giving Sonata the answer he wanted.

Sonata chuckled, then nodded, signaling that Andy could leave and go back to prepare.

After Andy turned and left, a look of disdainful mockery appeared in Sonata's eyes.

The sky was about to turn dark. When Nak woke up, he discovered his foot was truly fine; the swelling had vanished, and it no longer hurt, leaving only a slight numbness. Nak picked up his torch and weapon, preparing to head out, just in time to see Andy walking out behind him with his bow slung over his shoulder.

"Andy, where are you going?" Nak asked, puzzled.

"Oh, the Elder said I'm to accompany you on patrol tonight," Andy said, blinking his eyes.