New Side Quest Discovered

Hendrix and Charles entered the carriage and sat on the seats across from one another. However, there was a table between them.

"Hendrix, where did you learn your medical knowledge?" Charles asked, leaning forward as he looked at Hendrix.

"I'm sorry, but I can't disclose that information, Charles. Its source is a well-kept secret." Hendrix replied with a tight-lipped smile and his hands in his pockets, as he didn't take credit for the invention.

Charles paused, waiting for Hendrix to continue. At the same time, he grabbed a pitcher and two chalices, and he poured a liquid into each chalice. His smile never left his face.

"Though if you like, I can give you a demonstration. Assuming you are interested, of course." Hendrix said, shrugging while he leaned back and looked into Charles's eyes.

"No, that's not what I want. What I have is an offer. I would like you to help me treat the wounded when required. In return, you will get three delicious meals a day and two personal guards. What do you say?" Charles asked

Hendrix stroked his chin as he weighed out the pros and cons. But he realized he could hit multiple birds with one stone if he accepted. First, he could practice his medical skills and raise his Ruthless Surgeon Achievement.

Second, he will no longer have to worry about being sacrificed. As he knew, the people in his carriage were all called bait for a reason.

Third, he can safely see how long it will take to reach the citadel. And when he learns, he will use that time to carry out his plans.

"I will accept your offer, Charles. I hope our cooperation is fruitful." Hendrix said while looking down as he wondered what other hidden gains he could acquire.

"I'm glad you accept, now have a drink. I filled the chalice with some wine." Charles said with a chuckle as he placed a filled chalice in front of Hendrix on the table.

"Alright, I'll accept, though I'm curious if we can begin treating the wounded. Do you know where the wounded are?" Hendrix said as he drank his wine. He wondered if it would be possible for him to start right away.

"Why should I disagree if you're so eager? Haha!" Charles chuckled more as he drank his wine as well.

"Charles, have you ever heard of Varmints?" Hendrix asked as he wondered if anyone else had heard of them, as his quest mentioned them.

"I have never heard of that term, Hendrix. I apologize for my ignorance." Charles said as he finished his wine.

Hendrix nodded as he finished his wine as thought about what medical knowledge he should practice next.

"When the next person gets wounded, we'll begin. Until then, relax." Charles said as he poured some more wine into his chalice.

"Where will I be sleeping?" Hendrix asked as he wondered if he had to sleep on hay or the equivalent.

"You'll be sleeping on a comfortable bed, Hendrix. Since you are now working with me." Charles said as he sipped some of his wine.

They continued to chat until nighttime, when Charles brought Hendrix to a different carriage, which had ten large beds. They had a somewhat luxurious look to them.

"This room is where everyone with status sleeps, Hendrix. You can choose any unoccupied bed." Charles said as he went to a bed and got in, and put on his covers.

"Alright, though, who sleeps in the other beds?" Hendrix asked as he felt he shouldn't take someone else's bed.

"Only four of the beds are taken currently. The rest are empty." Charles said as he began to close his eyes.

The door would open, and three people would arrive there. The first was a young woman with long red hair and blue eyes, and she was well-endowed. The second was a muscular man who had a goatee and lime eyes. The last of them was a young man who had yellow hair and purple eyes. They all wore night clothes.

"Charles, why is a little guy here?!" The first asked as she narrowed her eyes at Hendrix while frowning. She would cross her arms underneath her chest as she gazed coldly at him.

"I'm curious as well." The second person asked as he raised a brow.

"He's Hendrix, and he will be helping me tend to the wounded. So he will be joining us." Charles would say, chuckling a bit.

"You know he looks very adorable. I want to hold him." The first would say as she smiled.

"How about no? I don't like people touching me." Hendrix shook his head, shivering, remembering how Kendra tortured him. He didn't want ever let himself be vulnerable to anyone.

"Aww, why not? I won't hurt you, little guy." The first said quietly, thinking Hendrix was easily terrified.

"No, I'm not willing. Please refrain from doing that." Hendrix said as he shook his head as went to his bed.

"Fine, but I won't give up. I'm Christine, and it's nice to meet you, Hendrix." Christine said, sighing as she went to sleep in her bed.

The other two new people headed to their beds, and everyone went to sleep but Hendrix.

'Guide how rare is the ability to identify items and live things?' Hendrix asked, wondering if he had a chance to learn it.

[It's sporadic, Hendrix.]

'I see. Can you wake me up when the sun rises?' Hendrix thought as he wanted to see if Guide had the feature.

[I cannot, I am a guide, not a system.]

Hendrix nodded as he went to sleep after pulling the covers over his small form.

For the next eight months, Hendrix helped Charles treat the wounded and live a comfortable life. However, he continued to decline all of Christine's offers to hold him.

He also talked to Franklin and told him what he knew about edible plants. But he spent most of the time carving wooden needles, making string with grass, and treating the wounded.

His Ruthless Surgeon achievement eventually evolved to Aberrant rank. Now we arrive as he finishes making wooden needles.

[Common Achievement Acquired. Needlemaker]

[Achievement Description

Your diligence in making needles has allowed you to create flawless ones made from wood. Great job.]

[Requirements]

1) Diligently make Needles for five months' worth of time.

Hendrix became startled as a horn sounded, and the carriage halted.

'I wonder why the carriage stopped.' Hendrix thought as he got up and walked out of the carriage.

Outside the carriages, all the soldiers stood beside them with their weapons out. A village lay in ruins, and the remnants of a battle and fire littered the landscape. Smoke rose from the remains slowly and hovered eastward.

"Look for any survivors. We need to know who or what caused this. Bring the bait out first. They must test the waters." Christine ordered the soldiers with a cold gaze as she arrived near Hendrix. She gripped her rapier tightly in her left hand while also wearing a large uniform with a suit and tie and tight pants.

"Yes, mam." Some soldiers said as they dragged out the people paid to be bait. They force out and toward the village.

"None of you are allowed back until you get intel. Now enter the ruins." Christine said to all the bait people as she sighed a bit at the cruel tactics.

"Christine, this destruction is suspicious. This village is far from the frontlines and has no value as a target." Charles said as he sighed as he arrived.

"It is? I'm curious about this information." Hendrix said after some thought. He thought the cause was bandits, a cult, or a monster attack.

[Tribulation Hidden Side Quest discovered.]

[Mysterious Disappearance]

[Side Quest Description]

[Figure out why the people in this isolated village disappeared.]

[Quest completion details]

1) ???

[Accept or Decline?]

'I accept the side quest.' Hendrix thought as he wondered what this side quest had in store.

[Noted]