Since Kenji was at the clinic, Cass and Jin had to carry an extra Stormsteed carcass.

  Though both were paid an extra 50 copper coins.

  “Let’s get you fixed up first. Although your wounds are superficial, they still need to be treated.” Jin was worried about his friend and his unhealthy obsession with money.

  If it wasn’t for Cass, he wouldn’t have had to help carry an extra Stormsteed.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll have my old man look after them.” Casting a glance at his wounds, Cass brushed it off.

  “Whatever. At least let me.” Showing the deep cut below his elbow, Jin continued, “If this doesn’t get healed, tomorrow I won’t be able to do much.”

  With that, Jin headed to the front desk.

  “Eh, Kenji. How are you feeling now?” Seeing that Kenji was still there, Jin greeted him.

  “Fine… I really appreciate the help.”

  Although Kenji was still in a trance, he vaguely remembered that Jin was the one who saved him from the Storm-thorn attack and carried him to the clinic.

  “...You. It’s fine.” Seeing Kenji bow his head respectfully, Jin was momentarily at a loss.

  Not knowing what to say, Jin turned to his friend, silently pleading for help.

  “Now, now, you don’t have to be so formal.” Chiming in, Cass helped Kenji up.

  “It was this arm, right? Fairies sure can do wonders. In just an hour or so, your arm is as good as new.

  If it were my father, it would’ve taken him days.”

  Cass marveled at Kenji’s arm, which had been chopped off just two hours ago.

  “It must’ve run through all your savings, right?” Jin asked with a concerned tone.

  After all, no party helps workers when they get injured on the job.

  Just last week, during the monster tide, Jin got Wind Frog acid on him.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  It burned a chunk of flesh off his shoulder.

  Getting it treated had cost him three gold coins, more than what he earned during the entire monster tide.

  “Something… like that.” Seeing that Jin and Cass were genuinely concerned, Kenji felt a faint sense of warmth.

  “Okay.” Cass wasn’t too happy with Kenji’s half-assed reply.

  “Jin, hurry up. I still need my old man to look at these wounds.”

  Since Kenji didn’t seem interested in sharing more, Cass didn’t push further and urged Jin to continue with his treatment.

  “Right, it was good talking to you, Kenji.” With the reminder, Jin recalled his elbow and headed to the Fairy at the front.

  “Bye, I guess.” Cass also followed Jin, leaving Kenji behind.

  After his little interaction with Jin and Cass, Kenji headed back to the city gate, looking for a job.

  Wandering around, Kenji found a simple job of carrying back Lizardmen carcasses.

  “Are you sure you are up for the job?” The man asked, seeing Kenji's weak body, which might even get blown away by the wind.

  “I..I…have a…strengthening gift.” Although Kenji's voice was somewhat broken, it contained resolve.

  Which the other person felt and allowed Kenji to join the team.

  Two and a half hours later, Kenji was one Silver coin richer.

  Since the sun was about to set, Kenji headed back to the housing complex.

  “Kenji, you are just on time. Come, come, food is going to get cold.” Seeing Kenji return, Kevin warmly invited him.

  “...Okay.” The sudden smell of food reminded Kenji that he hadn't eaten anything for hours.

  So, he awkwardly sat at the table and began eating with everyone. But the whole time, Kenji's mind was busy wondering why everyone had been so kind to him these past couple of days.

  Lost in his thoughts, Kenji finished the food and even helped Maria with the dishes.

  “Thanks a lot for the help.” Maria genuinely appreciated Kenji's help. “Some people can really learn a thing or two from you.”

  Maria's eyes were glued on Ryan and Rex while she spoke

  .

  After all, only these two bums did nothing to help. Kevin was the one making food, Kenji used to wash laundry and even the dishes before he started working extra hours.

  Only Rex and Ryan, after returning from work, lay around doing nothing.

  “Don't look at me like that, I am footing all the groceries. Only he doesn't contribute.” Rex coldly defended himself.

  Ever since he joined the Silver Party, his share of the spoils was quite a lot. Thus, for the past couple of days, he had been the one taking care of the groceries.

  “Don't look at me like that, do you think becoming a blacksmith is easy? After leaving the forge, I hardly have any strength to lift my arms, much less help around the house.”

  Seeing no one was willing to buy his excuses, Ryan added, “But worry not, when I become a successful blacksmith, I will make free weapons for you all.”

  “Yeah right,” Kevin said in a taunting tone.

  “Old man….”

  Amongst their bickering, Kenji headed back to his room.

  Thinking of the massive change in everyone's attitude, Kenji went to sleep.

  [Ancient Calendar: 27 Feb 0001]

  Waking up, Kenji took a bath and headed out of the housing complex.

  Today, he was going to hunt monsters. As the amount of money he earns transporting carcasses would take ages for him to pay back the medical debt

  .

  Before heading toward the city gate, Kenji made his way toward the market. After all, he can't hunt monsters without a weapon.

  “Man, can you hurry up? My party is waiting for me.”

  As Kenji entered a forge, another customer was already busy arguing with the Fairy.

  “Human, are your ears working or not? I said it would take two hours to repair your armor.” The Fairy replied in a harsh tone, not like the human attitude at all.

  “But it only has a breastplate missing and some dents.” The hunter complained.

  He didn't have two hours to waste; his party members were already waiting for him at the city gate.

  “Listen here, human. Currently, no one is free. Everyone is working on something. The only free person now is an apprentice human. Do you want me to hand over your armor to him?” The Fairy's voice contained a hint of threat.

  “No, don't do that. I can wait.” Hearing the words human apprentice, the hunter immediately shut down.

  __________

  Author’s Note:

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