Serene City

Village Chief Kellan confirmed their fears, acknowledging that no pharmacist was willing to take their case. Elder Mattus let out an angry exclamation, expressing his frustration towards the selfishness and greed of these exclusive medical professionals.

The village chief turned to Devin and Alex, their only hope in this desperate situation. "We would like to ask if there's any way you could help," he pleaded, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and desperation.

[Task release: Village chief Kellan has issued a task to players Devin and Alex entrusting them to find the cure to the plague in the village to stop the entity from manifesting in order to stop a disaster. The rewards would be calculated upon completion.]

"We will do everything within our power to find a cure," Devin assured, his voice filled with determination. "We will seek out any potential solution, leaving no avenue unexplored. The villagers' well-being is our priority, and we won't rest until we find a way to remedy this plague." Alex nodded in agreement, a glimmer of optimism shining in his eyes.

Addressing Village Chief Kellan, Devin expressed their readiness to undertake the challenge but requested to first see the infected patients. There was no time to waste, and gaining a firsthand understanding of the situation was crucial to formulating an effective plan.

Village Chief Kellan, along with the elders and Priest Adan, led Devin and Alex through winding paths until they reached a large house. With each step, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on their hearts. They entered the building, where the air was filled with the sounds of pain and suffering.

Wooden beds lined the room, each occupied by an afflicted individual. The patients moaned and groaned in agony, their bodies marked with dark, black welts. It was clear that their life force was being drained, their vitality slipping away under the oppressive influence of the dark aura.

Priest Adan explained that they had been using ancestral charms to suppress the plague's effects, but it was an unsustainable solution. The situation had escalated beyond their control, leaving the village in dire need of a more potent and lasting remedy.

Devin's eyes scanned the room, absorbing the sights and sounds of the suffering individuals. Waves of empathy washed over him, as he already considered this villagers his people.

Devin already has gained immunity against this dark aura so he's not scared to approach one of the afflicted patients, and focused his attention on him as he used his identification skills "identity the cause and possible cure for this villager"

Activating his identification abilities, an invisible light enveloped the patients body, scanning and analyzing his condition. The result appeared in the form of a digital encyclopedia, promptly revealing the crucial information they sought.

[Identification System]

Name: Villager Joel (Jeremy's brother)

Age: 18

Gender: Male

Cause: Infected by the aura of one of the forgotten shadows, "Hyde". This aura is draining their lifespan and soul. Joel has a maximum of 7 days left.

Cure: Death vine, Luminary citrus, Everflame ruby, Talon of Hyde, Origin blood for maximum effectiveness (optional)

[10 Exp points deducted] system prompt sounded timely.

Upon hearing the system prompt deducting 10 experience points, Devin remained unfazed, knowing that the reward for completing this crucial task would far outweigh the temporary loss.

Devin turned to address Village Chief Kellan and the others, determined to convey the urgency of the situation. "There is still hope, but we must act swiftly. Most of these people won't survive beyond seven days," he declared.

Chief Kellan responded with awe and faith, acknowledging Devin and Alex as the saviors of the village. "Devin, you and your brother carry the weight of our hopes and trust. Whatever you need, do not hesitate to ask. We stand with you in this fight to save our people."

You have gained the full trust of the village chief Kellan, 50 favorability points from Grandma Mara, elder Mattus, and priest Adan]

With the announcement of gaining the village chief's trust and favorability points from Grandma Mara, Elder Mattus, and Priest Adan, Devin felt happy. The bar indicating his progress in unlocking the authority to claim Sun Haven as his domain increased to 30%, with Village Chief Kellan contributing the most.

Devin considered the urgency of their mission. It was clear that they needed to travel to Serene City to learn pharmacist skills and acquire the necessary herbs. He voiced his decision, stating, "I need to go to Serene City to learn pharmacist skills and obtain herbs like Luminary citrus, Everflame ruby, and other necessary items."

Priest Adan chimed in, affirming the feasibility of the journey. "If you set out now, you should be able to reach Serene City within two days," he said.

Grandma Mara had an idea to expedite the journey. "Let Gary take the ship and transport them there. He has experience navigating the seas, which will make the journey faster," she suggested.

Village Chief Kellan wasted no time in arranging the transportation. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, he quickly set out to execute the task. Shortly after, he returned, introducing Gary as the captain of their ship. "Devin and Alex, meet Gary. He's in charge of our ship and will be the one transporting you to Serene City. He knows the city well and understands it best," the village chief introduced.

Gary greeted the two young heroes with gratitude, acknowledging their willingness to help the village when the adventurer guild seemed to have turned a blind eye to their plight. "Nice to meet you two heroes. Thank you for coming to the aid of our village," he expressed.

Devin and Alex reciprocated the greeting, expressing their willingness to assist. "You're welcome," Devin replied,

Gary reassured them of their safety during the journey. "Don't worry about your voyage. You're in safe hands with me. I've been sailing these seas for twenty years," he said confidently.

Devin nodded appreciatively, sensing the experience and expertise that Gary possessed. It was time to embark on their journey, placing their faith in the hands of their experienced captain. Together, they boarded the ship, ready to face the challenges that awaited them in Serene City.

Devin and Alex were taken aback when Village Chief Kellan introduced Kylian, Devin's eldest son, to accompany them on their journey.

In addition to Kylian joining their party, Village Chief Kellan handed Devin a pouch containing 20 silver coins. Although Devin has the materials needed in his storage ring he wouldn't reject the village kindness.

Sun Haven village was not a prosperous one, relying on self-sustenance rather than monetary wealth.

"Village Chief Kellan, please don't worry. I will do my utmost to utilize these resources wisely and gather the necessary items," he assured.

The village chief nodded, with a mix of concern and hope in his eyes. "May the ancestors guide and protect you on your journey. Bring back the cure that our village so desperately needs," he said with a heartfelt prayer.

They bid farewell to the village and embarked on their journey to Serene City.

As the small ship carrying Devin, Alex, Kylian, and Gary approached Serene City, the sight before them was awe-inspiring. The city appeared as a well-developed island with a sprawling population, befitting the status of a bustling city. A bustling port served as the hub for various trade activities, where merchant ships from different regions docked to load and unload their goods.

The streets of Serene City were filled with a plethora of shops, creating a vibrant atmosphere. There were pharmacies offering medicinal herbs, inns providing accommodation for travelers, smithies crafting weapons and armor, bars where people gathered for entertainment, and countless other establishments. The city's prosperity was evident, with the floor paved with sea stones of various colors, creating a mesmerizing and dazzling effect.

Despite its flourishing nature, Serene City maintained a sense of order and organization. The city management enforced strict regulations, ensuring that everything operated in an orderly manner, including the bustling market. Law and order prevailed, providing a sense of safety for both residents and visitors alike.

Guided by Gary's expertise, the ship docked smoothly at the pier. Gary efficiently paid the necessary fees to the dock management, ensuring that his vessel was securely docked during their stay in the city. With their arrival in Serene City, Devin, Alex, Kylian, and Gary disembarked, ready to immerse themselves in the city's bustling atmosphere.

As Gary led the group into the bustling city, he took the opportunity to explain the rules and regulations of the market in Serene City. He emphasized that the city had a centralized market, governed by management, where the authenticity and safety of goods were guaranteed.

Additionally, there existed a decentralized market that was also managed but lacked the same level of guarantee. Fights were strictly prohibited throughout the city, with designated platforms for conflict resolution, or alternatively, one could resolve their issues outside the city.

Having sailed for two days, Devin recognized the need to rest and refresh before proceeding with their mission.