"But first..."
"I have to make this very clear upfront. The new medicine is highly unstable. I've already arranged for adventurers to test its side effects."
"So far, there have been no results."
"Why?"
"Because none of the adventurers I hired made it back from the Dungeon alive."
Airmid stated in an extremely calm tone the tragic fate that most adventurers in Orario could potentially meet inside the Dungeon.
Developing new medicine was necessary.
The high-priced "Panacea" was unaffordable for many.
But lowering the quality of materials and the formula inevitably led to unstable effects. Using it recklessly on the injured could even cause irreversible consequences.
After careful consideration, offering compensation to adventurers to report back on the new medicine's side effects was the safest method.
The girl didn't know what kind of difficult situation would drive a new adventurer like Xyros to take such a dangerous risk just to make money.
But all Airmid could do was honestly inform him of the consequences.
"The testing method is quite strict. You need to use the medicine in a safe environment after getting injured, then record all your sensations."
"The healing effects, side effects, and so on…"
For other adventurers, just getting injured by ordinary monsters was difficult enough.
But for Xyros's Dungeon? Forget about getting injured even dying and reviving was commonplace. As long as the injury wasn't immediately life-threatening, Airmid's new medicine could heal it perfectly.
Then he could use his [Rebirth] charges to continue exploring the Dungeon, kill as many monsters as possible, and earn precious soul fragments.
A double win.
Meaning he won twice.
Get paid for testing, receive free new medicine, and guarantee sustainability for his Dungeon exploration!
Xyros's gaze was firm as he looked at the doll-like girl before him. "I think I'm qualified for this medicine testing request."
"Alright."
"Wait a moment."
Seeing how serious Xyros was, Airmid felt there was no need to persuade him further. She turned and went to the storeroom, packing the new medicine that needed testing into a shockproof case.
She didn't forget to add, "After you use the healing medicine and safely return to Orario, compile the information you gathered and give it to me. I'll analyze it based on the specific conditions."
"I will pay you between 200,000 and 1,000,000 Valis as compensation."
'Wasn't this much faster than working odd jobs in Orario?'
Xyros readily agreed. This request, which was extremely dangerous for other adventurers, could be completely avoided thanks to his [Rebirth] skill.
He was about to leave with the medicine case when the silver-haired girl's slightly cool voice stopped him.
"There's a green healing potion inside the case. If you're really in danger…"
"It can restore some of your injuries."
"I've already approached many adventurers, but none of them brought me useful information. I hope Mr. Xyros can bring me a pleasant surprise."
Airmid's cool eyes remained unruffled.
Only when her gaze fell on the grateful-looking Eina did the girl give a slight nod. Not every medicine-testing adventurer received this kind of special treatment.
It was purely out of consideration for Eina that she offered this extra help.
"Got it covered."
"And thank you, Miss Eina. If it weren't for you, I might never have come across this special way to make money."
Xyros's tone was quite cheerful.
Despite his relaxed attitude, it couldn't dispel the half-elf girl's inner worry. She watched his figure until it completely disappeared from sight.
She still couldn't be sure.
'Was it really the right choice, getting Xyros involved in such a high-risk medicine testing request?'
Actually if he really needed money, she could have helped out a bit too.
Returning to the dorms, Xyros put the medicine case in the storage chest, hiding it from Hestia. Explaining that would be troublesome.
As for the rest of the time, he didn't waste it. He trained alone in the courtyard, focusing on the basics.
Until evening Hestia came home from work, carrying the custom-made brass heavy shield. A light sweat beaded on the goddess's smooth forehead from hauling the heavy gear.
But it couldn't mask her genuine excitement.
"Xyros!"
"I brought back the shield you ordered!"
"The materials are definitely sturdy. It should really help with your future Dungeon explorations. Come try it out and see how it feels!"
"Thank you, Lady Hestia."
Shield poke build.
It didn't require much technique.
Left hand holds the shield to block monster attacks. Right hand, his dominant hand, uses relentless forward pressure to attack the target.
The rapier with a blood groove effectively compensated for any lack of damage.
Xyros experimented with this new playstyle, following what he remembered from his previous life. His only worry was the sheer size of the Roman-style tower shield.
Could he even lift it with one hand?
But that worry was unnecessary after becoming an adventurer, even though his stats hadn't skyrocketed yet, he could still lift it easily.
"Not bad."
"If I had a shield slam skill like in World of Warcraft, would I qualify as a proper Prot Warrior?"
You must attack that which has taunt.
After getting used to the wheelchair tactics of the shield poke build, Xyros didn't continue training. Instead, he took the earnings from the past two days and took Hestia to a nearby restaurant.
He treated her to a meal to thank her for her care.
The budget was tight, so the dishes weren't particularly lavish. But he could still tell from the girl's excited tone how genuinely happy she was.
After eating his fill, Xyros turned in early.
Orario had no real nightlife. Coupled with the physical drain of Dungeon exploration and daily training, staying up late was a luxury.
Correspondingly, his internal clock was now rock solid.
Early in the morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Xyros carefully and quietly got up, trying not to disturb Hestia, who had to work at the weapon shop every day.
A quick wash.
First, he put on his repaired steel armor, then strapped on his bracers and greaves. His short sword and rapier were sheathed on either side of his thigh.
As for the key to the "shield poke build", the brass heavy shield, which for an ordinary person would be quite substantial in weight, was strapped to his back with cloth strips.
"Not bad."
"All this gear really brings a sense of security!"
Despite that, Xyros felt it was still a bit lacking.
He needed a two-handed door-plank greatsword.
A crossbow for dealing with ranged monsters.
To forge a complete set of weapons with special properties, the biggest problem was still a lack of money!
And so, on the way to the central plaza, ignoring the curious stares from passing adventurers, the young man walked with firm steps toward the Dungeon.
Damn Souls-like Dungeon.
Just wait for the invincible shield poke master to come and tease your sensitive nerves, and turn all the monsters blocking my path into fuel for my coronation as the new Lord of Cinder!