The marketplace was bustling again, as though the fierce battle for life and death had never happened in Odinburg.
The vendors on either side no longer fell silent when Dick arrived. Instead, they all greeted him.
"Master Dick, we only survived thanks to you."
"Master Dick, whenever you come to my stall from now on, everything is free!"
"Master Dick, would you like a wife?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Why would Master Dick marry an ordinary person?"
Looking at the gratitude in the vendors' eyes, Dick nodded in acknowledgment.
Sometimes, ordinary people thought very simply. If you treated them well, they would treat you well, and the reverse was also true.
That was all.
A short while later, Dick stopped before a damaged doorway.
Stepping through the doorway and around the broken cutlery, bowls, and basins scattered about, he noticed that the area outside the kitchen door had clearly been wiped down, but dark red, dried bloodstains still remained.
Sighing inwardly, he walked into the kitchen.
A moment later, he returned with a plate piled high with beef. Although the beef was cold, he still sat down in a corner of the little shop and wolfed it down.
When he finished, he rubbed his belly in satisfaction, yet felt that something was missing.
Returning to the kitchen, he took a large iron pot out of a cupboard, opened the lid, and sniffed it gently.
Then he picked up an iron cup and poured the liquid from the pot into it.
Holding the cup, Dick returned to his seat in the corner and sat down.
He raised the iron cup to his lips with one hand and took a small sip.
A mask of pain returned to Dick's face, but in the end, a faint smile curled his lips. "Still... just as sour."
With that, he drained the cup.
Inside the fortress, someone led Dick to the third floor.
With a single glance, Dick saw that Little Odin's room was clean, tidy, and spotless. Clearly, someone cleaned it every day even when he was away.
Kebi giving him his younger brother's room was an exceptional courtesy.
"Master Dick, your bathwater is ready. Would you like to bathe now?"
The maid beside him asked timidly, her face full of admiration.
"I can bathe myself. By the way, I think we've met before."
"Master Dick, my sister turned into a wraith before. You were the one who helped put her to rest," the maid explained.
"I see. I was wondering why you looked so familiar."
"Then I'll leave you to it. Please ask me for anything you need. I'll be right outside."
"All right. Thank you."
With that, the maid closed the door.
Inside the room, Dick slowly removed his clothes and armor, which were stained with dark red blood, clinging scraps of flesh, and crystallized sweat.
Walking over to the bronze mirror, Dick found that his wounds had already scabbed over. Even the spot on his shoulder where the giant mantis had bitten off a chunk of flesh had grown a thin membrane of new flesh.
"This Self-Healing Ability really is useful."
After that remark, Dick stepped into the large, steaming tub and groaned in comfort.
At the same time, he began reviewing his gains on the panel:
Killed [Incomplete Demonic Mummy] ×6, gained Energy Points ×30; Killed [Incomplete Giant Mantis] ×8, gained Energy Points ×40; First kill of [Humanoids], gained Ability Points ×30; Completed the city defense commission, gained Energy Points ×300; Current total Energy Points gained: ×400.
A smile spread across Dick's lips.
I never expected to gain this much. The key was that this one city defense commission actually gave me 300 Energy Points. Killing the Broom Witch "Second Sister" before only gave me a few dozen.
Still, defending the city this time really did depend heavily on me. First, I persuaded the troll to withdraw, preventing the "monster catapult" below the walls from unleashing its power.
I shot the officer demanding our surrender dead, preventing unrest among the soldiers on the walls.
During the first wave of the defense, I was also the one constantly rushing back and forth to help.
After the demonized Jatu soldiers reached the battlements, I killed fourteen monsters, almost half of all their monsters.
And I killed the last Broom Witch.
Besides, there was a huge disparity between our fighting strength and theirs. I led just over a hundred soldiers who had long been out of practice in battle against more than three hundred Jatu soldiers skilled in archery and horsemanship, along with powerful monsters.
It was probably that last point, along with my contributing the most, that earned me so many Energy Points.
Dick couldn't help clicking his tongue. If I could fight a few more defensive battles like this...
At that thought, Dick shook his head. They had been lucky to win this time, with timing, terrain, and people all in their favor. How could things go so well again? Once was enough.
Besides, I'm a witcher. Slaying monsters and upholding the righteous path is my actual job.
As for these 400 Energy Points, how should I spend them?
[Swordsmanship] and [Bow and Crossbow Shooting] are both at professional level now, and upgrading either to elite level would take exactly 400 Energy Points.
But close-range damage isn't what I'm lacking right now. Although [Bow and Crossbow Shooting] is a ranged combat skill, it can't threaten several enemies in an instant.
As for [Alchemy], there's no need to consider it for now. It might improve on its own as I keep making potions, and with Xiya's help, I won't need it for a while.
And although the upgradable talent [Intermediate Self-Healing] works very well, right now...
Forget it. No matter how fast I heal, without powerful combat strength to protect myself, I'll still be at someone else's mercy.
Then my only option is upgrading [Signs], which can threaten groups.
It's decided. Upgrade [Signs].
The Signs section of the panel changed:
[Mind Shockwave] upgraded from proficient level to professional level. Consumed 200 Energy Points.
Now, the power of Mind Blast had nearly doubled, while its area of effect had also increased slightly.
Dick estimated that when he encountered humanoid monsters in the future, a single [Mind Shockwave] could knock down nearby enemies outright and inflict impact damage on those closest to him.
From now on, I just have to manage my positioning, gather monsters like drowners together, then unleash [Mind Shockwave]. That sight, tsk, tsk...
[Fire Signs] upgraded from novice level to proficient level. Consumed 100 Energy Points.
He was no longer limited to producing a little flame with a snap of his fingers. Instead, he could instantly spray a broad swath of fire from his palm. Although it lasted only briefly, it seemed sufficient for now against monsters that feared fire, such as cockatrices.
[Protection Sign] upgraded from novice level to proficient level. Consumed 100 Energy Points.
Rather than only defending one part of his body, he could now cover his entire body in translucent, flowing light in an instant, increasing the area protected.
With that, all the Energy Points he had worked so hard to earn defending the city were gone.
As for "Eldest Sister's" potion, Dick had no plans to use it yet. He wasn't sure how many Energy Points it would take to completely purify its side effects.
Rising leisurely, Dick picked up the towel draped beside the tub and dried himself while humming a tune.
Once I have enough Energy Points, I'll upgrade whichever skill I want.
And purify whichever potion I want. Heh, heh.
As he relaxed, drowsiness swept over him. He hurriedly dried himself, put on the pajamas the maid had prepared, and flopped onto the velvet bed. The moment he closed his eyes, he drifted into a deep sleep.
Tips:
Dick's current skill panel:
[Combat]: Swordsmanship (professional level), Bow and Crossbow Shooting (professional level) [Signs]: Mind Shockwave (professional level), Flames (proficient level), Protection (proficient level), Magic Trap (proficient level) [Alchemy]: Potion Making (novice level), Sword Oil Making (novice level) [Talents]: School of the Lynx Witcher, Intermediate Self-Healing