CHAPTER 280: HERB FOR HOPE ( 280 )

The next morning.

Hazuki stretched, stepping out of the inn’s cramped shower space. A few drips of water still clung to his hair, and the towel he used was more rag than fabric—but it did the job.

"Cheap, cold, and cramped. Yep... this is definitely the cheapest inn." he muttered to himself.

He strapped on his gear, grabbed his sword, and stepped outside. The air was fresh, the morning sun low on the horizon, and the dwarven town slowly starting to wake.

Floating just above his shoulder, Ridan yawned exaggeratedly.

"Haaahhh~ morning already?"

Hazuki side-eyed him.

"You said spirits don’t need sleep."

"Hmm? Of course we don’t." Ridan smirked.

"But if I don’t sleep, what am I supposed to do? Float around all night, sneak into people’s rooms, leave clothes hovering midair and scare someone half to death?"

Hazuki gave a flat stare.

"...That actually sounds like something you’d enjoy."

"Heh~ I was tempted. But last night, I slept on the pillow. Felt good. Soft. Fluffy. Way better than sand."

"You’re a damn spirit. You don’t even have a body."

Hazuki let out a tired sigh.

"Alright alright, let’s get moving. We got that herb thing to think about."

Ridan twirled midair.

"Yep. Seven ingredients. Seven death flags. Let’s start the day strong!"

"...Can we start with breakfast first?"

Steam rose from the big mug of strong black coffee. Hazuki took a sip, then bit into the warm, fluffy dwarven bread—crispy on the outside, soft and dense inside, with a slight buttery flavor.

Across from him, Ridan floated just above the table, lazily chewing his own magically stolen piece.

"Munch munch... so where do you think we should go first, Ridan?" Hazuki asked between bites.

"Hmm? Don’t know... munch munch... it’s up to you, man."

Hazuki fished out the folded map the guild receptionist gave him yesterday. He flattened it on the table, pushing aside crumbs.

His eyes scanned over the marked areas.

"Poison swamp... wait, what was it again? What herb do we need from there?"

Ridan took another bite, then answered casually,

"Chusi flower. That’s the one. Grows only in poison-heavy regions."

Hazuki paused mid-chew.

"That already sounds like death."

"It is." Ridan nodded with a straight face.

"The air’s toxic, the ground melts your boots, and the local monsters think you’re a snack dipped in gravy."

"...And we need to go there why again?"

"Because you took the quest, dumbzuki." Ridan pointed at him with a half-eaten bread chunk.

"Now we finish it."

Hazuki let out a heavy sigh and slumped in his chair.

Hazuki sat at the open-air food stall, still munching on his big hot bread, coffee steaming beside him, eyes fixed on the map spread out across the table.

"Poison swamp, huh...?" he muttered under his breath.

From behind the stall, the dwarven shop owner—who had been wiping down mugs—froze.

He turned slowly.

"...Lad."

His thick accent rolled heavy.

"Did I just hear ye say... poison swamp?"

Hazuki blinked mid-bite. "Uh... yeah? Kinda need to go there. Gotta collect a Chusi flower."

The dwarf’s face went pale.

"OI!!!"

He shouted loud enough to shake the table.

"EVERYONE!!! LOOK AT THIS HUMAN!! HE’S GOIN’ TO THE POISON SWAMP!!"

The nearby dwarves in the plaza turned immediately.

"Eh?! For real?!"

"Poor lad’s got a death wish!"

One elderly dwarf waddled over and slammed a wrapped bundle on Hazuki’s table.

"Lad! Take this jerky meat—free! Last meal’s gotta be good, aye?"

Another shouted from across the stall, holding up a dark-glass bottle.

"Lad! Strongest liquor we got! On the house! Maybe the burn’ll scare off the swamp rot!"

A young dwarven girl brought over a pouch of dried fruit and put it down gently.

Hazuki was stunned. "Oi... what’s with all this?! Why’re you giving me free stuff?!"

The dwarves were now gathered around, shaking their heads with overly dramatic sniffles.

"Sob sob... poor soul’s headin’ to his doom..."

"He’s still smilin’, too. Doesn’t even know he’s gonna melt from the boots up."

"A brave one... A dumb one... but brave."

Hazuki slammed his palm on the table.

"Oi! I’m not guaranteed to die! I’ve got plans! I’ve got support!"

"Aye, lad. And we’ve all heard that before."

A dwarf patted him on the shoulder.

"You’ll be remembered well. Especially if your bones float back up."

Hazuki groaned, burying his face in the map.

Ridan just floated beside him, grinning ear to ear.

"Hey, look on the bright side. We didn’t even ask for donations. You’re already getting sympathy loot!"

Amidst the crowd of dwarves mourning his "inevitable" death, a small hand tugged at Hazuki’s sleeve.

"Uncle?"

Hazuki blinked and looked down.

A young dwarven girl, maybe seven or eight, stood in front of him—big brown eyes shimmering with quiet hope. In her tiny hand, she clutched a single copper coin, holding it out with both hands.

"If you really go there... can you pick up one herb along the way?" she asked softly.

Hazuki blinked, surprised.

Then smiled gently and crouched down to meet her eye level.

"Sure, kid. What kind of herb do you need?" he asked, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair.

He looked at the copper coin and lightly pushed her hand back.

"Keep that. Heroes don’t take coins from little girls."

She fidgeted with her fingers, then looked up again with bright eyes.

"It’s a flower. Grows in the forest, not too far from the poison swamp."

"Oh? What color is it?"

"White." she said confidently. "Mommy said she wanted to see one before. She called it... Seraphis flower."

Hazuki raised an eyebrow. "Seraphis? Sounds fancy."

"She said it’s rare... but really pretty. It glows a little at night."

The girl tilted her head. "Can you help me get one, uncle...? Pleeeaaaseee?"

Hazuki looked at her for a long moment—then smiled softly.

"Yeah. I’ll get it for you. Promise."

She beamed.

"Yay! Thank you, uncle!"

The nearby dwarves, watching quietly, let out a collective "Awww~"

One of them even wiped an eye.

"This lad... He’s already a father at heart..."

"No, no—he’s gonna die more tragically now..."

Ridan floated close, whispering,

"You realize if you die now, it’s going to be heartbreaking as hell, right?"

Hazuki sighed and stood, slipping the map into his coat.

"Great. Now I really can’t die. Thanks, kid."

Inside Ridan’s mind...

He floated silently near Hazuki, watching the girl skip away, her little braid bouncing behind her.

"Compare to that damn summoned hero from a thousand years ago..."

His thoughts darkened.

The one who refused every request that didn’t give experience or loot. Who walked past crying children. Ignored wounded villagers. Who saw people as numbers. Just stepping stones to grind.

He only cared about getting stronger. Power. Level. The next skill. The next kill.

Ridan’s gaze drifted to Hazuki—still chewing the edge of his bread like a half-awake salaryman.

"This idiot... really is different."

Hazuki didn’t ask for thanks. Didn’t ask what he’d gain.

He didn’t even know the truth.

That Seraphis flower?

One of the rarest blooming herbs in the entire continent.

Used by high-ranked alchemists and ancient priests to make powerful elixirs—some that could heal curses, others that could boost spiritual senses, or even halt certain death spells.

Ridan didn’t say a word.

Just kept floating silently.

He doesn’t even know what he just agreed to. But he still said yes...

He smirked slightly.

At least this one... this one isn’t like the bastard who sealed me away.

Not the kind who’d sell the world for stats.

( End Of Chapter )