System of the Beast Slayer [litrpg Adventure]
Copyright© 1999 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 317: A Desperate Knock at the Door
The first pale light broke along the horizon.
Roy woke on a crude bed of hay. His dark-gold pupils slowly dilated. He stared blankly at his empty right hand, still able to feel the softness from last night.
The rich scent of roses seemed to linger at his fingertips.
But Lytta Neyd was already gone.
After rowing through the night, she had pushed him back through a Portal.
Leaving behind a parting gift.
In his left palm lay a delicate glass vial, no longer than a finger, filled with deep crimson liquid. Dense magic churned within it, almost tangible. A brilliant elemental glow shimmered through the glass, threatening to spill past the cork.
“Blood Essence.”
From a powerful spellcaster, brimming with magic.
...
Lytta Neyd herself was among the most formidable spellcasters in the Brotherhood of Sorcerers.
Her blood essence could naturally stimulate Elder Blood, a key component in refining certain elixirs. Still, Roy had not expected that she would trust him enough to offer it, even at the risk of curse or bodily harm.
A warmth spread through the Witcher’s chest.
He closed his fingers gently around the vial and stored it in his Loot Satchel.
“Can’t take advantage of her like this. I’ll have to prepare more surprises for her.”
...
“Hey, kid, out enjoying yourself again last night?”
Roy had barely stepped downstairs when three Viper School Witchers blocked his path, looking ready to interrogate him.
The bald Letho looked displeased. Orin and the others wore amused expressions.
“What kind of spell did that old woman Lytta Neyd put on you, to make you so obsessed?”
Roy rolled his eyes, hands on his hips, full of confidence.
“Don’t pin that on me. Do I look like someone who chases after women? I spent the whole night talking business with Coral. Nearly wore myself out just convincing her.”
“In a couple of days, she’ll come to Novigrad to speak with Griffin about Karl’s Trial of the Grasses ... and while she’s here, she can also examine Kaen’s injuries.”
The smiles on Orin’s face froze. Even Letho turned his head slightly, embarrassed.
The three of them together had lived several times longer than Roy, yet the help they offered the two Cat School Witchers paled in comparison.
Hard not to feel ashamed.
“So sorceresses are actually quite useful...” Orin rubbed his nose and clapped Roy on the shoulder. “Roy, you’ll have to make some sacrifices. Keep her satisfied, draw her in completely. For the Viper School to grow, we need a trustworthy sorcerer.”
“A ready-made pillar. Hold on tight. Kid, whenever we need magic in the future, you handle contacting Lytta Neyd. Saves us a fortune,” Kael added seriously.
“I don’t need you to tell me ... wait, what do you mean by ‘keep her satisfied’ and ‘save money’?”
“Cough ... kid, you look worn out. Dark circles, pale face. Clearly you spent a lot of energy last night. You should replenish yourself. We’re thinking of brewing a couple of Virility Potions for you, just in case.”
Roy watched the three elders retreat in haste and sighed.
...
Out in the courtyard, the young Cat School apprentice was practicing alone with a training sword, darting between a dozen wooden posts.
Light on his feet, like a monkey.
From him, Roy learned that his teacher Griffin and Kaen had gone together to the coast outside Novigrad, searching for the remains of a Flying Stag and a Cat School blueprint.
From Roy’s memory, that place held little more than a few drowners. Not worth his time.
...
The two shops were still under renovation. Kantila remained there. The others were busy with their own affairs.
For once, Roy found himself with nothing to do.
So he took along the Griffin, currently in the form of a yellow dog, and went to the market to visit Old Mole and his wife at their vegetable stall. He stretched the dog’s mouth into a flat grin, making little Minnole burst into giggles.
With Roy’s current wealth, the old couple no longer needed to work to live comfortably.
But after a lifetime of labor, forcing them into idle luxury would only make them uneasy.
So he left it be.
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