Chapter 23 - Supreme Malevolence
"Welcome to the humble town of Yusta!" Connor cheered and ran to the arch served as the entrance for the village. "It's a small farming village but the people have big hearts for everyone!"
"You seem happy," Lance cheered.
"I miss my parents, that's all," Connor said.
"Well, I guess we'll go ahead and get on with our mission," Ripple said.
"Aw, why don't you stay for tea at least?" Connor offered, but the twins shook their heads.
"We have a deadline. But we will contact you after our quest," Frost said. "We will be seeing you guys soon."
The three boys waved the twins goodbye as the two slowly walked away. It was still noon, so they didn't have to worry about the twins' safety.
"Let's go?" Connor grinned and led the way. When they got in front of their house, Elliot gave him the gift.
"W-What's this?" Connor asked and his eyes immediately lit up after he saw the gem. "W-Why?"
"It's for being a good friend," Elliot said. "Thank you."
'Quest [ Connor's Present ] Complete.'
'Your reward is in your inventory.'
Connor smiled and hugged Elliot. "Thank you so much. One day, I will repay your kindness."
"Just don't leave my side, okay?" Elliot said.
"Okay."
"Connor?"
They snapped their heads to the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged man. His face looked sickly and his clothes were dirty.
"Father!" Connor cheered and engulfed his father into a hug. "I missed you!"
"I-I missed you too but…" his father trailed off and his face fell into sadness. "Your mother is sick, Connor."
Elliot's eyes widened after hearing what Connor's father said next.
"The healer said she only has until tomorrow to live."
Connor instantly pulled back and walked inside their small home. It was a hut that was similar to Elliot's house.
"Mother?" Connor called from the door.
A soft croaky voice responded from the inside, "C-Connor? Is that you, my child?"
Connor ran inside with Elliot and Lance following him. There, they saw a pale thin woman lying on the bed in the living room.
"What happened to you mother?" Connor sobbed in his mother's blankets. "I left so you could have a better life, not get sick."
"I'm very sorry, my child," Connor's mother said. She tried to sit up but her husband stopped her. "I guess these are your friends?"
Connor wiped his tears and nodded, "These are Elliot and Lance. They both saved me, mother. They are good people."
"Thank you," she looked at the two and smiled. "I am glad that I'll be able to leave knowing that Connor has made good friends."
Elliot clenched his teeth as he read and read the message that popped up.
'Trivia.'
'Mountain Golem Gems are known for healing any kind of disease. It must be worn by the sick and the gem will absorb all the negative energy.'
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Connor, didn't you have a gift for your mother?"
Connor nodded, "Right." He scoured his bag for the small gem and he handed it to his mother.
Eliot walked over to them and connected a small chain-like strap to the gem, making it a necklace. "They said this gem purifies diseases."
He handed Connor the necklace and prayed.
Please work. Please work. Please work.
The sobbing boy stood and wore the necklace for his mother. After he locked the chain, the gem glowed along with his mother's body with a green color. Her eyes widened and took a deep breath. Her thin body got healthier, the dark circles under her eyes disappeared along with the dark bruise-like spots all over her body.
"M-Mom?" Connor called out. She shook her head and when the light died down, she sat up with wide eyes and mouth agape.
"I-I can breathe," she let out and hugged her son. "What happened?"
Connor was speechless. He looked at his mother then at Elliot, then at his mother. "I don't know mother."
"I feel like I'm an Adventurer again!" she cheered and jumped up. "Wait, can I still… Status."
"I'm still an Adventurer!" she cheered.
"H-Hon?" A sound of broken vase echoed throughout the house. Connor's father's eyes widened before a body crashed into him and engulfed him in a hug.
"Honey!" she yelled. "I miss you. I miss you. I miss you!"
'Fatima wants to add you as an Acquaintance.'
'Accept or Decline?'
Elliot quirked his brow. Fatima was hugging her husband, whispering how she missed him.
How can she use her Console?
"Accept," Elliot whispered.
<< Fatima Carp >>
Level 94
Class: Grand Sorceress
Occupation: Housemaid
Subclass: Crop Tamer
Elliot's eyes widened. She looked at Fatima who winked at him and mouthed, "Let's talk later."
She then hugged Elliot. "Thank you very much."
"N-No, it's no biggie," Elliot said.
'Quest [ The Farmer's Dilemma ] Completed.'
'Reward < Random Skill >'
–
"So, you two are Adventurers, huh?" Connor's dad, Elijah, said.
"Y-Yes," Lance replied. "I am their vice guild master."
"A vice guild master?" Fatima's eyes glimmered. "Connor, you didn't tell us you were in a guild."
Connor was about to shake his head when Lance said, "He just joined a day ago."
Fatima and Elijah looked at each other and grinned. "Thank you very much, sir."
Lance shook his head, "No, no. Connor actually was the one who impressed us at the Strike."
"There was a Strike?!" Connor's parents chorused.
"Yes. And these two caught our guild master's eyes. Their combination was something to be proud of," Lance complimented. "They were able to take down thrice the number of Great Boars a party of their levels could ever take!"
As Lance exaggerated his stories to impress Connor's parents, Elliot was staring at the message on his screen. He claimed the reward for the quest he just finished and he couldn't believe his eyes.
'You have gained Supreme Malevolence.'
[ Supreme Malevolence
Cost: 2,500MP
When activated, each successful attack to your opponents increases your overall stats by 5%. Lasts for 2 minutes. ]
Elliot gulped as he kept reading the description.
'I can finally taste the power of The Manual.'