Geralt the White Wolf

Kraun's consciousness left the Mystic Space. After using the Time Hourglass's ability, he now understood some of the item's properties.

Its timekeeping function was passive and always active. As the hourglass's power grew, it could also measure the passage of time with greater precision.

Time Stop was relatively expensive to use and required Time Sand. There were two ways to obtain Time Sand: it accumulated naturally as time passed, or it could be converted.

Absorbing a living creature's spiritual energy could convert it into Time Sand. As Kraun understood it, spiritual energy was the sum of a creature's vitality, essence, and spirit. Without it, animals would become the walking dead, while plants would wither and die.

Another way to convert it was to draw upon living creatures' negative emotions, such as pain, fear, and despair. Primates were the best targets for this method, especially humans, since they had feelings and could produce more intense negative emotions.

The Time Hourglass's power was, at its core, the power of an Evil Spirit. Kraun had no idea what side effects might come from actively increasing his Time Sand, so for now, he didn't plan to do so. He would wait until he had a general understanding of the mysterious world before deciding whether to seek it out deliberately.

He also hadn't fully tested Time Stop. For example, what was the exact range of its effect? If a bullet came flying at him, would stopping it cost the same as halting a falling Silver Coin?

He would have to verify all of this gradually. Now that the hidden danger in his body had been dealt with, Kraun wasn't in such a hurry to test these things.

He planned to shift his focus toward Herbalism and making the two kinds of Dao Talismans.

Herbalism was how he made a living. He had to earn money before he could accept the Father's guidance and become a Crusader Order warrior.

Advancing the Golden Light Incantation had given him some ways to fight Evil Spirits, but his physical abilities hadn't improved much. His recovery had simply become much stronger, and he still needed a way to deal with Monsters.

Werewolves and Vampires weren't just legends. They truly existed.

It was said that the larger the city, the more numerous these two kinds of evil creatures were.

When Nick had displayed his might while killing the Goat-Headed Monster that day, he had completely overturned Kraun's impression of Fathers.

Nick had carried a heavy shield and a flail, yet still managed to maintain an explosive fighting pace for a long time. That had convinced Kraun that Fathers had ways to help people fight evil.

Having thought it through, Klaan decided to return to his old routine. He would continue visualizing the Golden Light Incantation during the day, keep an eye out for materials used in making Dao Talismans when buying herbs, and practice Marksmanship while trading with livestock farms. At night, he would grind his Herbalism proficiency.

Making ordinary potions now earned him very little proficiency. But since he hadn't yet entered the Transcendentalist circle, he had no way to obtain the ingredients for Blood-Boiling Potions or find buyers for them. For now, he could only rely on making ordinary potions to earn money.

Over the next few days, he planned to increase his production of ordinary potions. Frostfall Month would begin in a few days, and the Faruk Kingdom would soon enter a long, bitterly cold winter.

He needed to stock up on enough goods before the traveling merchants arrived.

The merchants passed through Zack Town during the first week of every month. They would stay for two or three days, buying and selling goods.

Pink Potion, used to spice things up; Bupleurum Potion, used to treat colds and fevers; Bruise Ointment, used to promote blood circulation and disperse bruising.

These three potions had a wide range of uses and were in high demand. He planned to promote two of them to the merchants.

Frostfall Month had arrived. It wasn't quite dark yet, but the wind outside the window already carried a bone-chilling cold.

Kraun formed the Moonlight Seal with both hands and visualized beneath the pure, silvery glow.

In his Consciousness Space, the silver liquid to the right of the Crystal Ball accumulated at an almost imperceptible pace, shining alongside the golden liquid on the left.

When his spiritual sense told him it was a quarter to seven, he slowly ended his practice.

He let out a breath, picked up the wooden box he had prepared earlier, tucked his handgun into the inner pocket of his old coat, and headed for the Goat Inn on Tavern Street.

At noon, he had gone out to buy grain and meat and learned that the merchants had already arrived in Zack Town.

The medicine box held several potion samples, along with a stalk of Black-Tail Grass.

He planned to ask whether the merchants knew the herbs used by Mystics. If they did, that meant they had connections to people with supernatural abilities, and he might be able to obtain a supply of ingredients for making Blood-Boiling Potions.

It didn't take long for him to reach the Goat Inn.

The inn was bustling with people that evening. The quarrymen, after a day of hard labor, always liked to come here for a drink.

He pulled aside the goatskin curtain hanging in the doorway, and a warm, lively atmosphere washed over him.

"Abel, two more big mugs of dark beer!"

"Bring out the food already! What's taking so long? Jason, are your cooks slacking off?"

Kraun caught the aroma in the air and felt hungry again. Visualizing the Golden Light Incantation took considerably more energy than it had when he was at Tier Zero.

I'll have a big meal here after I take care of business. Let's see how this place's cook measures up to me!

He swallowed, then headed straight for the counter. "Old Jason, where are the merchants?"

Old Jason was in his forties, sturdy but not fat, with a slight bald spot. Kraun's previous self had delivered goods here many times, so the two knew each other well.

"The Gisai caravan?"

Without turning around, Old Jason pointed to the small door at the back of the room. "They rented the entire back courtyard."

"Got it. I'm going to talk business with them. Have two roast legs of lamb ready for me. I'll come eat when I'm done."

With that, Kraun started toward the back.

"Hey!" Old Jason called after him, leaning close and lowering his voice. "Can you still supply Pink Potion?"

"Of course. My potion-making skills are way better than my old man's. You could drink it with every meal, and I'd still be able to keep you supplied. I've got plenty!"

Kraun thumped his chest. "I'll bring you some tomorrow. Have your money ready."

"You little bastard. Get out of here!"

Jason rubbed his smooth scalp sheepishly and spat out a curse.

The little brat sure wasn't stingy. When your old man was alive, he only bought a roast leg of lamb at New Year's. You'll eat yourself to death.

"Yalu, have the kitchen roast two more legs of lamb. Put in plenty of chili peppers," he called to the server, who was rushing around in a flurry.

Kraun made his way through the crowded passage and headed for the back door.

Just as his hand was about to touch the doorknob, an arm reached out in front of him.

"Friend, I'd like to discuss a business deal with you," said a man standing up from a nearby table, his tone mild.

He had long white hair loosely tied behind his head, a weather-beaten face, and resolute features.

His yellow-brown eyes were exceptionally bright, and a vicious scar ran from his forehead to just below his left eye.

Everything about him spoke of a perilous past.

"My name is Geralt. Geralt the White Wolf."