Chapter 19: The Compensation and the Mystery

“Ouch, that hurts.”

“Young Master is awake!”

As soon as Franz regained consciousness, he was greeted by Emon’s tear-streaked face, his eyes red and snot running down his nose. Franz looked around. This was his room, not the magical beast forest. Right... Emon. He struggled to sit up and asked, 

“Emon, did you bring me back?”

Emon shook his head and replied, “No, Young Master, it was a mercenary group that brought you back.”

Franz looked at Emon skeptically. He remembered the figure that had shielded him—it seemed very familiar. Yes, it was clearly Emon. But now Emon was saying that a mercenary group had brought him back. What was going on?

“Examine Technique.”

Name: Emon  

Level: 4  

Status: Healthy  

Skills: None  

Franz frowned. Why were there question marks for all the details? But when comparing the information with the current Emon, there didn’t seem to be any discrepancies. Still, it was Emon who had saved him in the magical beast forest.

“Young Master... ack!”

With a thud, Emon was kicked by Franz and tumbled to the ground. He quickly knelt, crying and wailing.

“Young Master, what did I do wrong?”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. I just saw a mosquito about to bite you, so I was helping you avoid it. Now, leave me be. I need to rest.”

Franz, feeling embarrassed, kept a straight face and lied boldly. Emon hurriedly retreated, deeply moved. But he wondered, “Are there really mosquitoes in the Young Master’s room?”

As Emon’s figure disappeared from sight, Franz knitted his brows tighter. That kick was a test for Emon. Emon might be pretending not to know how to use battle energy, but the look in his eyes had been genuine—he really didn’t know any battle techniques. So, who had saved Franz?

“Never mind. Let’s heal first.”

Franz clicked his tongue and drank a basic healing potion. The battle had earned him quite a bit, especially in combat experience. But assassin number one had been too vicious, breaking four of his ribs with a single kick. Even with the basic healing potion, it would take a full day to recover.

Franz also considered using poison on his daggers during future fights. Though his combat style aimed for a one-hit kill, against stronger enemies, poison could be the deciding factor. His weapon, Cloudfall, had two blades, allowing him to apply four different types of poison. The ninja system had a wide selection of poisons, though most couldn’t be used on weapons. Franz chose a poison that Sasori had once used on his puppets. This poison would hinder the enemy’s ability to use battle energy, potentially even blocking their energy flow entirely. Additionally, it had stun and fatigue effects. But the cost was steep—2,000 silver for a bottle, enough for four uses. Franz gritted his teeth and bought it, knowing he’d have to rely on poisons from other worlds for the remaining three types.

Speaking of otherworldly poisons, they belonged to the dark magic category. Poison makers were known as dark alchemists, and dark mages were famous for their curses and toxic spells, including paralysis, poison, and confusion. As such, poisons were categorized under dark magic. Poisons in other worlds were incredibly developed, with thousands of types and countless effects, mostly favored by thieves.

The next day, as soon as Franz woke up, he was summoned to meet his father. In the study, Duss appeared as dignified as ever, embodying the authority of the head of a great family. When Franz entered, Duss greeted him with a warm smile.

“Franz, come have breakfast with me.”

Franz obediently sat across from his father. He held Duss in great reverence.

“There’s no need to be so formal. It’s just the two of us,” Duss said kindly, adopting the tone of a gentle father. He was at a loss for words regarding Franz’s unnatural recovery speed. After being beaten so badly by Geoffrey last time, Franz had recovered in just one day. They didn’t talk much during breakfast, with Duss mostly inquiring about Franz’s wellbeing and reminding him to be careful when in the magical beast forest. Once they were done, Franz spoke.

“Father, do you know who was behind the assassination attempt?”

Franz looked at Duss with a knowing gaze, as if to say, ‘I’ve already figured it out, I just need you to confirm it.’ Duss chuckled. He wondered if getting beaten by Desmond had somehow opened his son’s meridians because Franz had not only grown stronger but also much smarter. Duss smiled and said,

“There’s no need for you to know the details. Just know that the person responsible has compensated you in full. Don’t bother seeking revenge. He won’t trouble you again.”

Duss gave Franz a meaningful look, signaling that he should let it go since the other party had already made amends. Franz grinned cheekily.

“Well, I am the victim here. Shouldn’t I get a bit of that compensation too?”

He was hinting that if his father had gained something from the situation, Franz deserved a share. With a laugh, Duss tossed a card toward Franz.