13: Chapter 13 Former Teammates

Cecilia carried the only surviving villager on her back.

The others wrapped the bodies of the three deceased villagers in clean spider silk they had torn down, taking turns carrying them all the way up.

By the time they emerged from the well, it was already dusk outside.

The orange-red sunset dyed the withered branches of the old elm tree as if they were on fire.

When the villagers waiting on the surface saw the severely injured patient and the few corpses they were carrying up, there was only silence.

Then, several women rushed over and threw themselves beside the bodies, wailing in long, shrill cries.

The old village chief stuffed a small cloth bag into Cecilia's hand, containing currency with a total value of ten gold coins, mostly in silver and copper coins.

Looking at the weeping villagers, the old village chief's eyes turned red; after all, those who had died were all young people from the village, and the days ahead would be even harder.

He sighed and said:

"Thank you all for your help, honorable adventurers. The village has nothing much to offer, but please, join us for a simple meal."

Dinner was eaten on the village threshing floor; there were no tables or chairs, just a few straw mats laid out, but the food served was far more sumptuous than everyone had expected.

Freshly baked black bread, thick slices of smoked pork, several large bowls of stew with wild garlic, and a whole block of goat cheese wrapped in cheesecloth.

The old village chief personally cut the cheese into small pieces and handed them to each person one by one. The distinct, pungent, goaty smell mixed with the fermented sour aroma wasn't exactly delicious, but it was hearty and filling.

A few farm women also brought out a small barrel of homemade ale; the liquid was cloudy, but the taste was decent.

When it was time to leave, the old village chief stuffed several more blocks of goat cheese wrapped in oil paper into their backpacks, insisting on thanking them. Richard and the others couldn't refuse and had to accept this gesture of goodwill.

It was the afternoon of the next day by the time they returned to Blackwater City.

There were a few more sailing ships in the harbor than before they left, and a few seagulls were lazily preening their feathers while perched on the pier pilings.

The group split the payment in the lobby of the Rose Hotel. The ten gold coins were divided into four equal shares, with each person's reward being two gold coins and five silver coins.

After splitting the money, Richard slapped his coins onto the table and suggested going to a tavern for a meal. He said:

"We completed the mission smoothly this time, and we worked together very well. Let me treat everyone to a meal!"

Val's eyes lit up immediately: "Are you serious? Then I won't hold back."

"Haha, would I lie about that? Let's go!"

Richard also wanted to use this meal as an opportunity to get to know these people better.

The tavern was called the "Broken Oar" tavern.

It was a tavern Val had suggested, located in a narrow alley in the harbor district. The name was crude, but the layout inside was quite interesting.

The thick oak tables were covered in nicks from knife cuts, and an old sail with three holes in it hung on the wall.

The bartender was a burly, middle-aged man with a full beard. The mugs he served were huge, filled to the brim with ale that spilled over onto the table.

In the corner, a few sailors were gambling with dice; at another table sat two people in black cloaks, talking in low voices; and a few guys dressed like adventurers were drinking heartily.

The group had just sat down and taken a couple of gulps of ale when Cecilia suddenly stood up and waved toward the door.

Richard followed her gaze and looked over.

Standing at the door was a young man of about eighteen or nineteen, with a thin build and a pointed chin.

He was wearing a brand-new leather armor, and on his fingers were several worthless copper rings. His outfit made him look like one of those gang members from the harbor district.

After seeing Cecilia's wave, he hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked over with a somewhat forced smile on his face.

The young man said: "Cecilia, I heard you completed the mission and returned safely this time. That's good."

Before Cecilia could even open her mouth, Val had already slammed the table and stood up:

"You, this guy, just up and left after you were healed without even saying a word to us! Have you no shame!?"

"Do you know how much money we spent to dig you out of that pile of mud?"

Richard finally realized that this was the heavily injured Rogue teammate from their team earlier, the guy who had been mauled by the giant rat swarm.

Back then, Cecilia had pawned her sword to raise the money for his treatment.

And now, here this guy stood in clean clothes, with no trace of injury on his body; the temple's healing magic was truly powerful.

"Calm down, Val." The young man raised his hands in a soothing gesture.

"I know you spent money, and I am very grateful, but..."

"But what?!" Val's mug slammed onto the table, foam splashing out.

"But I've already decided. I don't plan on being an adventurer anymore. This line of work is too dangerous, and I've found a new path."

The young man's tone changed from slightly grateful to exceptionally arrogant.

"Hehe, I've found a good gig with the Blood Hand Gang now. It's stable and safe; I don't have to risk my neck every single day."

Blood Hand Gang. Hearing this name, Richard found the corresponding information from the memories left behind by the original owner—one of the largest gangs in the harbor district of Blackwater City.

This gang specialized in smuggling, protection rackets, and the underground black market. Its members were everywhere, and they were at odds with the dockworkers' union.

Cecilia's expression didn't change much, but her voice was several degrees colder than before:

"I have no opinion on you working for the Blood Hand Gang."

"But you need to clear up the matter of the medical expenses. That money was pooled together by all of us, including the sword I pawned."

"Well, as for that..." The young man scratched the back of his head, his expression becoming a bit awkward.

"To be honest, I didn't beg you to save me back then. You chose to spend the money yourselves, and I never said I would pay it back, right?"

After these words fell, the entire area around the tavern table went quiet.

Richard only heard the sound of Val's knuckles cracking and Liam's sharp intake of breath.

A surge of anger instantly rose in his mind; he had never seen such a shameless person.

In the next instant, Val lunged at him, vaulting over the tabletop; cups and plates shattered all over the floor with a clatter.

Her hand grabbed the young man by the collar, hoisting him up entirely. The composure on his thin face finally shattered completely, replaced by an expression of terror.

Just a second before Val's fist was about to smash into his nose, Cecilia grabbed her wrist from the side and forcibly pressed it down.

"Enough, don't fight with someone like this; it's not worth it." Cecilia's voice wasn't loud, but her grip on Val's wrist was firm.

Val was so angry that her entire face turned red, but in the end, she gritted her teeth and let go.

The young man stumbled back two steps, and while straightening his pulled-askew collar, he muttered something nasty:

"See, I told you. An orphan from the slums like you is just barbaric and ill-bred, always ready to hit people."

"I'm a member of the Blood Hand Gang now. If you touch me, you're messing with the whole—"

He didn't even have time to finish his sentence.

Because Richard's fist had already smashed into his face.