Daniel walked toward his ho, dusting off his pants and arms, still feeling the sting of the fall.
"Fking Jason, this Krin’s goon always brings a backup," he muttered under his breath.
As he walked along the road, he noticed a makeshift barber’s stall with no custors. A rough wooden table and a single chair sat before a tall mirror propped on a stand. Beside it rested a bucket of water, a wooden bowl floating lazily within.
He halted and ran his fingers through his hair, feeling the strands brush against his brow. "Hm... it’s starting to fall into my eyes. I should cut it."
...
After his haircut, Daniel paid the barber a single copper coin and made his way ho.
The barber was still stunned by the unusual request. Normally, n would simply walk in, sit down, and let him cut it short — each head ending up the sa, cropped close like a soldier’s.
But Daniel had wanted sothing different.
A fade-cut.
The barber clearly didn’t understand what he ant, so Daniel had to guide him through it step by step, explaining how the hair should gradually shorten along the sides instead of being trimd evenly all around.
In the end, it turned out to be a decent cut—slightly uneven in places, but decent nonetheless.
"Nice... I feel so light around my ears," he murmured under his breath.
*Creag-Clank*
The sun had begun its slow descent into the afternoon. Daniel returned to his room, took a sip of the healing potion, and changed out of his clothes, wrapping a towel around his waist.
In the kitchen, Marnie was preparing the midday al, while Darryl lay asleep on the bed.
*Splash-Splash-Splash*
Daniel washed himself, scrubbing away the dust and sweat from every inch of his body. The minor injuries had already healed under the potion’s effect.
His physique was beginning to take shape — the quiet proof of his daily runs across the training field.
While he bathed, Marnie entered, carrying a clay pot of raw rice, and began cleaning as she squatted on the floor. A faint hint of sadness on her face. Daniel’s eyes narrowed, his hands slowing as he scrubbed.
"What’s wrong, Mom? You look sad," he said with a neutral expression.
Marnie spoke in a soft tone, explaining that a woman at the infirmary counter had been charging far more than necessary in the na of treatnt.
’A lady? That Tina bitch? he thought, his expression tightening with irritation.
"How much was she charging, Mom?"
"From what I heard, she’s charging Ten gold coins unnecessarily," Marnie said in a weary tone.
"Mom, does that an you also gave ten coins for Father’s treatnt?" Daniel asked, his brow furrowed.
She shook her head gently. "Not ten... fifteen."
"Fifteen!" Daniel exclaid, his voice sharp with disbelief.
Marnie rose to her feet, her voice heavy as she prepared to return to the kitchen. "I had no choice... your father was poisoned, and she was threatening to raise the fee."
Daniel clenched the bar of soap so hard that it left a dent. ’This is unacceptable.’
He hurriedly rinsed himself and returned to his room. Quickly dressing in new, warm clothes, he made his way to the backyard with the pouch in his pocket.
Daniel withdrew Tina’s hair along with the last unused doll he had. He traced the lines with his index finger, and within minutes, the diagram took shape.
"Veiliquandè mikora jim bos ariqueisà," said Daniel.
Slowly, the sand began to shift, forming a small mound. Black smoke seeped upward, turning gray, then white. A hand erged from the center, lifting the doll — ready to be claid.
Daniel acted imdiately, snatching it and shoving it into his pouch before striding toward the front gate.
"Son, where are you going? Lunch is ready," Marnie called from behind.
"I’ll be back ho soon, Mom," Daniel replied.
...
Daniel walked toward the infirmary, his mind fixed on a way to teach her a lesson, a lesson she would rember for a lifeti. He joined the line with the others. It wasn’t long; only five people had gathered.
...
"Next," the guard called.
Daniel stepped into the infirmary and saw Tina seated on a chair, a quill in hand, scribbling across a sheet of parchnt.
"Status," he murmured.
————————
Na: Tina kara
Age: 30
HP: 1250/1250
Mana: 200/200
Essence: 100%
Quality: Good
Description: A self-centered, talkative woman who has served for years as an attendant at the Arcane Village Infirmary.
————————
The mont she lifted her head and saw Daniel, her expression shifted from a smile to a scowl. She froze mid-sentence, quill hovering above the parchnt.
"You... you again. Don’t even think of breaching the room again, or I’ll permanently ban you from the infirmary," she said, rising to her feet.
Daniel approached, lifting both arms. "Breach? Agh, no... why would I?"
As he moved to sit in the chair, Tina extended her hand to stop him.
"Did you bring the money you owe ? If not you can get out of here," said Tina, her expression sharp and calculating.
"Oh, the coins... I actually don’t have ten gold coins but—"
Before he could finish, Tina cut him off.
"What? Then why are you here? Get out imdiately. Don’t waste my ti, co back when you got money," she said, her tone harsh and biting.
She went on for what felt like minutes, words spilling out as if she were rehearsing a rap verse. Daniel said nothing, sliding into the chair with quiet composure while she lectured him from where she stood.
...
"Yes, I know I know. What I am saying is that, I have money but not gold coins. Coppers and few silvers I an," Daniel added imdiately after her scolding ceased.
Tina sat on her chair and narrowed her eyes. "Didn’t I say only Gold."
"I know... but, it is what it is," said Daniel, his expression unbothered.
A mont of silence settled over the counter—until Tina broke it.
"So... you’ve got the money? Right now?" she asked, eyes flicking to the leather satchel slung over his shoulder.
"Not here, but at ho," he replied.
"Okay, do one thing: take this and co in the evening with the money," she said handing a piece of paper.
It was her ho address.
Daniel glanced at it and smirked to himself before shifting his gaze to her. Instantly, her face flushed soft red at the eye contact, a faint warmth spreading through her body.
"Okay, Lady Tina," Daniel said, before turning away.
’What was that feeling? What’s wrong with ? My body felt warm for so reason,’ Tina wondered, as warmth blood inexplicably through her body, her thighs pressing together.
...
"Next," the guard said.
Daniel stepped out of the infirmary and turned left toward his house, glancing down at his right palm where the paper rested.
Suddenly, soone tapped him on the back. Daniel spun around, but before he could react, a firm hand clutched his tunic at the chest — it was Kyle.
"You think you can walk calmly and I wouldn’t notice, huh!" Kyle said, giving him a shove.
Daniel slid the paper into his pouch and fixed him with a steady stare. "What do you want from , Kyle?"
"Don’t try to act innocent in front of ," Kyle said, his expression sharp. "Krin told everything."
"Krin? Told you? What?" Daniel asked, forcing his face into a look of confusion.
Kyle charged forward, throwing a punch, but Daniel deflected it, sending it harmlessly aside. A few people noticed, but they paid no mind.
Daniel didn’t strike back; he moved with precision, evading Kyle’s blows while repeating the sentence to him.
"What did I do?"
"Wait, Kyle, at least tell what did I do to Krin?"
Kyle stopped, gasping for air. Strike after strike he missed his target, and frustration finally forced him to stop.
"What are you talking about? You beat him this morning didn’t you?" Kyle demanded, swinging another punch.
*Whoosh*
Daniel dodged effortlessly. "What? When? I literally woke up late this morning."
Kyle slowed, as if reconsidering his actions. "What?"
For a brief mont, both of them froze, staring at each other in silence.
"Krin told , that you beat him rcilessly and broke his legs and arms," Kyle said, pointing a finger at Daniel.
"And you believed him?" Daniel replied, his tone steady.
Kyle’s face fell, his expression darkening as if recalling Krin’s words. Daniel’s words pierced his thoughts, but he didn’t allow the silence to settle between them.
"You said I broke his legs and arms... but is that really true?" Daniel asked without pause, maintaining the pressure.
’Wait... now that I think about it, he was fine after all,’ Kyle thought, recalling the scene — Krin walking and holding a glass of water as if nothing had happened. ’Does that an... he lied to ?’
"What happened, Kyle?" Daniel asked, stepping forward.
"No, no... he wouldn’t lie to , he shouldn’t lie to . You must have done sothing to him," Kyle said, his tone shaky and uncertain.
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