Divine Skill Unfinished, Forced Down the Mountain

The area used to have some scattered footprints, but after a few rainfalls in the past few days, their specific shapes were no longer easy to discern.

"Guild Master, did you get any results from investigating the beast rampage you mentioned earlier?"

"None at all. There hasn't been a single trace since that incident." Makarov looked at Rhode. "However, I have a slight suspicion now."

"This… me too." Rhode felt a bit guilty and whispered, "If it really was caused by my magic going berserk, how much will I have to pay?"

Seeing Rhode's worried expression, the Guild Master chuckled.

"There's no need for any compensation. This area is unclaimed land, and we can't go to the king to pay a fine for such a minor matter."

Rhode breathed a sigh of relief, narrowly avoiding a greater financial crisis.

After walking further into the forest, the two officially arrived at Porlyusica's residence – a treehouse.

Rhode looked up at the bright red apples hanging on the surrounding trees, then down at the bag of apples he was carrying in his left hand. He suddenly felt a bit redundant.

"Guild Master…" Rhode forced an awkward smile. "Why didn't you remind me?"

"Hahaha… So you make faces like that too? It's too amusing!" Makarov burst into a wicked laugh, like an old mischievous child.

After he had his fill of laughing, he said, "It doesn't matter what the gift is, as long as the thought is there!"

"So noisy!" The door to the treehouse was flung open roughly. "I can hear your annoying laughter from a hundred meters away, Makarov. Can't you be quiet for once?"

Makarov greeted her with a smile. "What's wrong with a little liveliness now and then? Isn't it a bit lonely living here all by yourself?"

Porlyusica noticed Rhode. "Your injuries should have healed by now, right?"

Rhode quickly replied, "Yes. I heard you prefer quiet, so I didn't dare to bother you. Thank you for your help and care!"

"Oh?" Porlyusica was surprised by how fluent Rhode's common tongue was, but she didn't pry. She simply said, "Since you know, hurry back. I told you I dislike humans."

"Don't be so heartless. This child came with me because he wanted to thank you," Makarov said. "Here, he even brought you a gift."

Porlyusica's eyes immediately fell on the bright red apples. She glared at Makarov. "Hmph, a fool who takes in a fool is also a fool."

With that, she turned and went back inside, but she didn't close the door.

Rhode felt a bit embarrassed by her words.

But Makarov knew she wasn't scoffing at Rhode, but at his own silly behavior of bringing a gift to someone whose house was full of apple trees, just to tease the child.

"Don't mind her, that's just how she talks." Makarov was used to Porlyusica's way of expression. "Let's go, not closing the door means she's inviting us in."

Tsundere?

No, no, that would be rude.

Rhode condemned himself for his presumptuous thoughts about his benefactor and followed the Guild Master into the treehouse.

The space inside the treehouse was small, and the furnishings were very simple. There was hardly any room to stand after entering.

The floor was covered with flowerpots containing medicinal herbs and bottles filled with various potions.

The interior furnishings consisted of only a bed, a desk, shelves and cabinets carved into the wall, and a single wooden stump for a seat.

Rhode looked around, unsure of where to put the things in his hands.

Porlyusica looked at the bottle in Makarov's hand. "You came for that thing, didn't you?"

Makarov nodded. "That's right. This is some soil contaminated with venom. I wanted to see if you could find a way to deal with it."

Porlyusica immediately asked, "Did anyone in the guild get poisoned?"

"No, it's just precautionary." Makarov explained the origin of the matter and praised Rhode at the end. "This child is very steady."

"Hmph, another fool who only chases after power."

Porlyusica took out a petri dish with a look of disdain, put a small amount of soil into it, and dripped in one medicinal liquid after another.

Rhode paid no mind to Porlyusica's attitude. Perhaps the old lady had experienced something to say such things.

For example, a companion who pursued power excessively and ended up harming themselves.

After a series of professional tests, Porlyusica confirmed the effects of the toxin.

"It's a contact toxin. Once it touches you, it quickly seeps into the skin. Initially, there will be a stinging sensation, followed by numbness, and your movements will become sluggish.

If the poisoning is prolonged, the toxin will damage internal organs, and in severe cases, it may lead to death.

Low temperatures can slow its spread, and after high-temperature baking, its toxicity will decrease to a certain extent. The volatile gas has a negligible effect even if inhaled in small amounts."

After a detailed examination, Porlyusica went outside to find a spot and asked Rhode to release the Swamp Toad.

She needed to collect more venom samples, saliva samples from the Swamp Toad's mouth, and also study the mushrooms on its back.

"Come back in a few days for the antidote. Until then, don't misuse this monster."

"Yes, thank you!"

"You don't need to come. Makarov brought this trouble upon himself, let him come himself."

"Oh, okay."

Rhode initially wanted to say it was his own fault, but after thinking about it, something felt off.

"Trouble" might refer to him, so is the Guild Master the one causing trouble?

It seemed there was no way to refute that.

On the way back, Rhode wore a worried expression.

Makarov asked, "Are you bothered by what Porlyusica said?"

"No, Ms. Porlyusica... how should I put it? Even though she was complaining, she didn't slack off on the matter you asked her to handle. She's probably a good person with a sharp tongue but a soft heart." Rhode shook his head. "I'm worried about something else; it seems I've overspent my living expenses this month."

Money for the welcome gift, ingredients for the Poro delicacy research, a new set of clothes a while back, and some fitness equipment...

The cash in his pocket always slipped through his fingers without him noticing, and there were still nearly two weeks until payday.

If it were before his transmigration, he could have solved it by skipping breakfast every day, but not now. Skipping breakfast would inevitably affect his training.

"You know, it's about time you tried taking on some requests," Makarov said helplessly. "If you keep this up, you'll become the second Nab."

Nab was actually more resolute than Rhode because he refused to work as a waiter.

"I'd actually like to try, but the hourly wage for requests within the city might not be as good as the guild tavern. As for requests outside the city..." Rhode looked conflicted. "I just feel like my strength isn't enough, and it wouldn't be very safe to go out like this."

"Being cautious is good, but now, at least half of the people in the guild can't defeat you." The Guild Master sighed. "Have a little more confidence in yourself; you're strong. Magic comes from the power of the heart. If you don't believe in yourself, your magic will weaken too."

Rhode was shocked. "So, even if I train diligently, there's a chance I'll get weaker when I go out?"

"Is that the main point?!" Makarov couldn't help but yell at Rhode. "Go back and have Mira help you pick a suitable mission!"

Makarov suspected that Rhode might have lingering trauma from being attacked by a fierce beast and that it was necessary for him to get out more, build some confidence, and gain some common sense beyond books.

"Oh..."

Rhode reluctantly nodded. Thinking rationally, the Guild Master had no reason to lie to him or trick him.

Perhaps he really should go out? To be safe, he should let Mira pick a secure mission, and it would be best if he could team up with someone.