Chapter 232: Money Saves Lives
Outside a bustling city protected by high walls and guards clad in high-tier equipment, three fairly decent-ranked adventurers talked enthusiastically as they waited for their party members to finish their preparations.
However, it wasn't only them.
Similar scenes happened everywhere near the city's entrance. Some waited inside the city; others on the city gates chatting with the guards, while a few waited outside the city.
Dubbed as an "adventurer hub", cities such as this one did not have an adventurer academy.
The reason for this is there were no beginner adventurer zones in its periphery.
In short, adventurer hubs are cities where veterans and promising rookies gather.
The competition of guilds and adventurers in such cities was way more intense compared to an academy city like Colzen.
On a well-traveled path near the city, a young male adventurer with ash-colored hair had desperation and agony written all over his face as he trudged along.
Shye didn't look as attractive as usual, however, he couldn't care less.
Why would he bother, considering that a potent poison had already permeated nearly half of his body? If not for him drinking random expensive, high-grade, no-harmful-effect antidotes and expensive high-grade health potions every thirty minutes, he wouldn't have survived.
Although he felt pained that he had to spend the points he saved up through countless battles, at least he was alive.
Moreover, he had purchased a few life-saving passive skills along with lots of attribute upgrades so it wasn't like the points went down the drain.
Shye had to use it for less ideal purposes, however, it was definitely more ideal than dying.
As he drew nearer to the city, his bone-chilling poison-vein-infested appearance easily captured the attention of the adventurer parties waiting outside the city.
This time, a few of them were actually kind-hearted enough to sprint towards him and check his condition—all too ready to help him.
However, for some reason, seeing them approaching him brought nothing but vigilance in his heart and a scowl on his face.
The thought of them trying to help him didn't even cross his mind.
Naturally, seeing his a-bit-too-intense reaction, the approaching kind-hearted adventurers didn't dare walk closer to him.
Instead, they simply watched him trudge along with slightly worried expressions.
A few minutes later, he finally arrived in front of Balkrow City's gates.
By this point, nearly everyone had their eyes fixed on him.
Some showed concern, others indifference, and a few even wore mocking expressions on their faces.
He paid no attention to the onlookers though, his sole focus being on seeking medical assistance as swiftly as he could.
"I haven't seen you around, do you have any sort of valid ID?" a guard with a stern countenance said, prioritizing his job over Shye's horrendous condition.
Shye didn't have the energy to reply.
Breathing heavily, he clumsily took out his expired academy ID, graduation token, and recommendation letter.
The guard didn't have any ill intentions toward him, however, the guard also didn't feel the need to give him special treatment even though he was in a terrible state which was a bit frustrating.
Still, he understood that protocols are protocols so he had to endure.
Well, at least the guard was sensible.
Recognizing Shye's awful condition, the guard did not dally and checked his documents as quickly as possible, giving him a Balkrow Adventurer token before allowing him entry shortly after.
Setting foot inside the city, Shye did not have time to appreciate the bustling wide marble streets and the prominent establishments made from high-quality construction materials such as refined bricks, granite, and smooth wrobblestone.
Should he manage to endure this ordeal, he would then have ample time to relish the delights of the city.
The poison was becoming more and more unbearable as minutes went by.
After asking the guards for directions, Shye promptly headed towards the nearest hospital.
While he was on the way to the hospital, a short, grape-haired young adventurer with fairly attractive facial features and a slim yet toned body—seemingly only a few years older than Shye—shivered upon seeing his terrible condition.
'What the heck…how is that guy still alive?' thought the young female adventurer.
Luckily for Shye, one of the good hospitals was close.
In just a few minutes, he was already in front of one—adventurers—a good deal of them priests/priestesses—walking in and out of the wide wooden doorways.
Momentarily pausing, Shye entered the hospital, attracting the attention of almost everyone in the lobby due to his striking yet terrifying appearance.
This was the first instance in their lives witnessing someone so severely poisoned yet still alive.
"I…I have money. I can pay for the treatment." he exclaimed, taking out a small, filled-to-the-brim sack of silver coins before collapsing onto the ground.
He is all too aware that many hospitals would turn away individuals lacking funds, even if they were facing death.
He and his little sister had experienced this firsthand, after all.
His absurd final move turned out to be the correct decision as the hospital staff immediately sprang into action after momentarily looking into each other's eyes.
Controlled chaos unfolded in the hospital lobby as various staff members suddenly emerged from different rooms, carrying a stretcher and essential medical equipment.
They moved swiftly to securely place Shye in one of the rooms and efficiently stabilize his condition for the time being.
A few moments later, a bespectacled slim old man entered the room with a stern expression.
"Doctor Stein, the patient seems to be badly poisoned. We've given him poison stabilizers for the time being."
Hearing the head nurse's report, Stein nodded, sitting beside Shye to check his condition.
A few minutes later, Stein couldn't help but furrow his brows.
'How the hell is this young man still alive?' he thought before looking at the head nurse beside him and giving out instructions.
"It's poison from a Mist Arachne, make sure to give him an appropriate antidote and have a priest heal him back to full health."
"Understood, Doctor Stein."