Picking Up the Abandoned Healer (1)
I leaped down from the body of the Water Demon as it floated limply on the surface, completely drained of power. Its slime was acidic—if I stayed on too long, the soles of my boots would melt right off.
Swimming slowly toward the shore, the border guards rushed forward, grabbing me and hauling me up one after another.
"You're amazing, Mr. Leonar! Taking down that monster in one shot!"
Clemence was spitting with excitement, her face flushed beet red as she babbled incoherently.
"You okay?"
Leana asked, her hands running over my soaked leather armor.
"I'm fine. No injuries. Towel?"
I took the towel Leana pulled from her bag and started wiping my hair and face, but the guards and officials immediately bombarded me with questions.
"What the hell was that thing? A demon like that exists?"
"So you really are a Demon Hunter! But how'd you jump that far in one go?"
"What was that you threw in the water? What'd you make it with to explode like that?"
"So the reservoir won't lose any more water now? What if it dug a tunnel and everything's leaking out somewhere?!"
"Quiet, quiet!"
Clemence wedged herself between the guards and officials, waving her arms wildly.
"Mr. Leonar just came back from slaying a demon! Give him a moment to breathe!"
Thanks to Clemence, I escaped the crowd. I stripped off my armor completely, even peeling off my undergarments.
"Oh my god!"
Clemence yelped in shock, covering her eyes and turning away, while Leana and the men blinked in wide-eyed surprise.
Anyone would react like that seeing the massive scars crisscrossing my body. Some were from Leonar's original backstory. Others I'd picked up after possessing him. At least my face had been spared by some miracle.
I wrung out my underwear and shook it dry while explaining the Water Demon's traits and habits in detail to the crowd.
Everyone listened in awe, gasping and marveling at my words.
"A true Demon Hunter. Impressive. But earlier, it looked like you swallowed some weird potion—what was that?"
"Potions for demon hunting. Mix of various ingredients that temporarily boost physical abilities, with different additional effects depending on the type."
"Could we get the recipe? As you know, border guards risk our lives every day."
"I could tell you, but you probably couldn't use it. It's poison to normal people—they'd drop dead on the spot."
"Eek? For real?"
They looked skeptical, so I listed the ingredients one by one. The guards' faces turned pale yellow.
"Might as well smear it on arrows for poisoned tips...."
I changed into the spare clothes from my bag, gathering my armor and Nightrend.
"Ms. Clemence, we'll head out then."
"Yes, Mr. Leonar. You did amazing work. The city hall will handle collecting the corpse."
"It won't come back to life, but watch out for the acidic slime. Melts anything if it touches too long."
Leana and I parted ways with the group and headed back to the guild. On the way, Leana kept talking about what had happened.
"I've never seen fighting like that. Guess that's what it takes to hunt demons."
"Got lucky this time. Water Demons aren't that tricky."
"That wasn't tricky?"
"Water Demons were made to drain humans' water supply from the start—no high intelligence needed. Just guzzle water. If it were a bit smarter, it wouldn't have bitten the bait. Then I'd have had to fight it underwater, which would've been a nightmare."
"I see. It got done in because it was dumb."
Leana nodded slowly.
"We should advertise when we get back. 'Lucas Guild massacres demon lurking in Rezobuar Reservoir, set to ruin this year's grape harvest.'"
"Perfect. Emphasize we have a demon-hunting specialist."
"And once that demon head from last time is taxidermied, we'll hang it by the front door. So people think, 'Ah, this must be that demon-hunting guild.'"
"Eh... might be too scary and keep people away."
"True. Mantelpiece it is, then. But one regret."
Leana glanced back at the distant reservoir.
"If we could've taken that Water Demon's head, we'd have more to display."
"Can't be helped. Client owns the byproducts."
"I'll ask Ms. Clemence later. If we can snag it, we will. No point rotting at city hall."
"Sure, sure. Stick it by your bed then."
"Sounds fabulous."
Leana burst into giggles. What a gutsy woman.
Back at the guild, I immediately washed up and maintained my gear. Every profession demands equipment care, but for a Demon Hunter, it's life or death in the field.
First, hang the soaked leather armor and combat boots in a cool, shady spot to dry. While the lining dries, maintain my blades. Wipe the special oils off Nightrend's blade meticulously, check for chips. Then hone it sharp on the whetstone with water.
Daggers and throwing knives not used this fight get the same treatment—clean and sharpen.
By the time blades are done, armor and boots are partially dry. Inspect for external damage, scrub grime thoroughly. Finish with leather lotion—oil and wax mix—to coat the surface.
Demon Hunters don't use shields. Few can block demon attacks anyway, and striking a vital spot one more time beats defending.
Crossbows are okay for downing flyers, but not great for reliable hits. Better light gear and sharp weapons for max agility.
Holding my polished armor and weapons, I paced a bit. Proper racks for armor and swords would be ideal, but the guild's are ancient—cracked and splintered. They'd shatter under the weight.
I leaned them against the wall for now, then lined up potions and special oil bottles on the desk. The desk was warped from age, bottles toppling constantly.
Reason Leana didn't include furniture in the guild sale price.
Let's see. Need to refill River Hotpot Oil and Strength Potion.
Man, a guild healer would be gold right now. With buffs, I could take most demons without potions. But healers are rarer than stars—most holy power users get snatched by churches. Private ones cost a fortune we can't afford.
Thought about sending Leana for potion ingredients, but held off. She's nominal guild master and handles admin. I'm official admin on paper, but she does all the real work. A request means paperwork; can't pile shopping on her.
Maybe hire a servant for chores and cleaning.
Right on cue, Leana returned from city hall.
"Back, Admin."
Leana set papers and a pouch on the desk. Request completion cert, payment receipt, and the money pouch.
"As you said, billed them for all potions and oils used."
"Good work."
"No demon head. Needs to go with the report to the Grand Capital."
"Figures. Too big anyway—calf-sized even without the body."
The fee went straight to the guild master's safe. Leana would file the cert and receipt in storage.
"And this."
Leana grinned, unshouldering a sack. Out came a pristine taxidermied demon head.
Glossy varnish on a fancy wooden plaque, perfect for wall mounting. Below, a silver nameplate.
'Demon of the Vineyards Near Schlessi. Leonar of Lucas Guild. Year XXX, Month O, Day OO'
"Nice. Mantelpiece, as you said."
Leana hummed happily, propping it by the fireplace.
"Stopped by city hall and grabbed a new request. Wanna see?"
She pulled out a torn poster.
"You ripped this off the board?"
"Yeah. Can't have someone snag it first."
I chuckled and read it.
Cattle and livestock keep disappearing from the ranch on the outskirts of Schlessi. Reward for capturing the culprit(s).
Guards or border patrol should handle this, but a private request with pay means no progress. Borders aren't cushy gigs—guards are crime pros. If it's bad enough for this, not ordinary.
Monster? Would leave bigger traces. Maybe a demon. Post-Great Demon fall, they're hiding, waiting revival. Scrounging food first. Bet a hungry one snacking on cattle. The vineyard thief I turned into decor did the same.
Could be human, but we'd investigate.
"Good request. Second one's this."
"Yes, Admin. Eat and head out?"
Leana and I had a late lunch of dry bread, cheese, and ham, then set off for the ranch. And there, we met something incredibly rare and precious.