Ten minutes later…
The words of Henrita, the medic, played through Ralf’s head as he strode through the corridor.
There are no problems. You pretty much did everything already, and perfectly at that. You’re out of the woods young man. For now, just take those potions and rest up, and you’ll be at hundred percent in a day or two- no, with this body of yours, it’ll be even quicker…
In the end, all was well with his body.
[[Pretty much…is not good enough. I doubt we can improve Psi operating that much, but increasing our potionolgy knowledge should improve our medical ability. Make sure to check for those books at the library later,]] Rei advised.
[[Will do. We could also do an official course. I’m sure the Adventurer Association offers them…maybe Henrita could teach us. She seemed pretty interested.]]
[[Yeah, very interested,]] Rei said, remembering the other’s gaze during the examination process, especially as it passed over a certain organ. [[You can arrange that if you like. I’ll be doing my own thing. I’ve thought about a few things since the clash and want to do some experiments. You’re on your own for a bit, okay.]]
[[Sure, see you.]]
*Snap*
Mental Link disconnected, Ralf continued his walk to the branch’s front section.
“That was quick, is everything all good?”
“Yeah, it is,” Ralf reassured the receptionist. “ Henrita checked me out, and gave me the all-clear.”
“Good, that’s great,” Genise breathed a sigh of relief.
Ralf smiled. He directed his gaze to the entrance which his footsteps then followed.
Seeing his trajectory, Genise quickly spoke up. “Oh Ralf, there’s something I want to tell you.”
“What is it?” Ralf asked, changing direction and approaching the desk.
“You see…I inquired about the Adventurer Donald Ripply through the telepathic network and got some surprising results. It turns out that Donald Ripply has been reported missing, for over a year already, presumed to have died to monsters after entering too deep into the Great Ocelot Forest.”
Ralf’s eyebrows raised. “So the person who attacked me was just pretending to be him?”
“Certainly. The descriptions you gave don’t match up. Donald Ripply is forty-three years old, has brown hair, green eyes, is two metres tall, lanky, and definitely doesn’t exude a wild aura. Also, he wasn’t a Surveyor.”
Ralf scratched his hairless chin at the revelation. “Then, who was my attacker,” he pondered out loud.
“I want to know as well. I’m sure him attacking you wasn’t a once-off thing, Donald Ripply must have been a previous victim of his, and who knows how many others he has killed,” Genise’s face darkened at the notion. Stifling her rising anger, she continued on. “Where is his corpse? Do you remember? Maybe we can identify him that way.”
“I do, but at that depth, I’m sure monsters have already gotten their hands on it. Luckily, I have another way.”
“Another way?”
“Yeah, just give me a few seconds.” Saying this, Ralf slumped himself over the desk. Then, to everyone’s surprise, fell unconscious.
“Ralf?”
Genise called out with confusion circulating her system. Receiving no response from the lame Adventurer, she called out again, this time even prodding at him. However, he was totally unresponsive. ‘He just willed himself to sleep, didn’t he? But how? The same way he doesn’t feel pain? Haa, this kid is too strange.’
Five seconds later, Ralf’s limp body filled with tension. He got off the counter and made himself presentable.
“Okay, it’s done,” he announced. “Connect me to the telepathic network, I’ll transfer an image.”
Genise’s eyebrows lifted at the claim but nevertheless moved as requested. A telepathic tether was sent his way.
Mentally connected, Ralf focused inwardly and transferred the image in question through the telepathic link. The battle was like pretty much everything else, recorded. The Record of Everything (Outer) was constantly recording the duo’s outside sensory data.
Not wanting to disturb Rei, Ralf had hopped in and taken a screenshot of Morris’s profile using the Record of Everything’s stored data. The transference process was no different feeling-wise to the Mental Link, so Ralf easily managed to share it.
“That’s him,” Ralf said after knowing the screenshot had been sent.
Genise’s face darkened as she observed it. Projected to her mind’s eye, the image of Morris walking towards Ralf as his back was against the tree. Seen through Ralf’s enhanced vision, it was extremely high quality, with every minute detail popping out vividly.
Genise couldn’t appreciate this fact though, Morris’s sadistic smile and cruel gaze caused her emotions to boil. Knowing that Ralf had to face this look in person minutes prior, her heart clenched and anger surged within her.
*Tap*
“Genise, you okay?”
Ralf’s hand fell on her shoulder as he asked. His touch worked to break the one-sided staring contest between her and Morris’ image, bringing the receptionist back to reality.
“Ah, yes thanks, Ralf. This image will do wonders in identifying him. We’ll definitely find out who he is, rest assured.”
“I’m sure you will,” Ralf turned around, “I’m going to hit the library, see you tomorrow Genise.”
“Of course, see you too, Ralf.”
Genise watched as Ralf’s waving figure quickly disappeared from her vision.
Now gone, she couldn’t help but smile to herself. ‘I wonder if a day will come where I’ll be unsurprised by what he does?’ Pondering the question for a few seconds, she arrived at the answer which she couldn’t help but shake her head at.
You are reading story The Silver Path at novel35.com
***
From the Adventurer Association branch, Ralf didn’t immediately head to the library but first returned to the Ventos store, where he purchased a new white shirt. He also placed several more identical orders.
The process was as smooth as before. All Pillar factions and their affiliated branches were connected so he could use his Adventurer account to make the purchase without any physical money or hassle. This pseudo digital money transference process made using the Pillar factions very popular.
Once he completed putting in his orders, Ralf was off to the library. The hours passed by with him doing the monotonous but important task of recording books and absorbing knowledge.
Only when the sky burnt orange did Ralf exit. Outside, he could be seen doing some light stretches.
‘All healed up. Mom won’t be the wiser.’
Ralf’s troubled heart settled at the confirmation. He had made big claims about his capability to his mother. Should he turn up injured after his very first outing, it wouldn’t be very assuring. He didn’t want her to worry about him, so healing back up to a hundred was a necessity.
With his mom on his mind, the desire to head home seized him and he hopped on his Psi Bike and took off.
‘Hmm, mom?’
Ralf’s eyes lit up as he caught her figure up ahead. He sped up and quickly caught up to her striding form.
Side by side, he flashed her a smile and said, “Hey beautiful, need a lift? My rate is a hug per half-kilometre. Interested?”
Hana smiled at her son’s words. “I am, but a hug per half-kilometre…seems pretty cheap though.”
“It’s not,” Ralf denied with a head shake. “ Anyway, hop aboard. You can place those bags here.” The bike’s tail end transformed and a container section was created. After Hana floated her two bags of groceries in, Ralf’s Psi bound it in place.
Hana hopped on behind, much to Ralf’s delight. “There’s no seat belts so hold on tight.”
“Sure sure,” Hana complied with equal delight.
Fully secured, the bike began moving. Its briskness had dropped significantly, but Ralf didn’t mind it. In fact, he preferred it. When Hana offered her help, he immediately shot her down.
“How was your first adventure?”
“Nothing noteworthy, killed a few hundred monsters but it was pretty boring. Fighting Rei is much more fun.”
“Ray,” Hana’s face brightened at the name of her other son. “What’s he doing right now?”
“He’s doing…something…I don’t know. In the Mental Space, we have private domes that we use to do secret training and other stuff. He’s currently in his, working on something, said I shouldn’t disturb him until he is finished.”
“Oh,” Hana’s eyes dimmed a bit at his words, but upon feeling the warmth of her other son in her embrace, her mood quickly shot back up. ‘I’m so lucky,’ she thought as she pressed her face against Ralf’s back.
“Rei will show his face later… and Silver. Silver will probably hog most of your time, the pig.”
Hana’s brows raised. “You’re Silver as well, doesn’t it feel strange to insult yourself?”
Ralf nodded. “Strange and cathartic…hmm, maybe I was too quick on the masochist denial,” he rubbed his chin as though really contemplating his SM stance.
“Masochist?”
“Never mind that. What have you been up today?”
“I spent the morning completing mister Donovan’s order. The dragon sculpture turned out great. He seemed to really like it, there was the biggest smile on his face when he saw it.”
Ralf shook his head. ‘I’m sure you could hand him a turd and that smile would remain.’
“Next, I began working on miss Adria’s order. I’ve never had to do a mermaid before so it was interesting…”
Ralf listened to every word with a sense of pride. He had always admired his mother and her ability to get things done. It was a type of strength that went beyond simply punching hard.
Hana hadn’t sat on her laurels relaxing- no, her nature prevented it. Since entering the Orchard District, she had been spreading her own seeds. These quickly bloomed into many business opportunities.
Hana’s socialising and looks helped greatly as always, but the unnatural speed everything moved at, was due to her relationship with Ralf. After Greg’s high praise of him, many wealthy Ganurgians looked to establish friendly relationships with him.
They saw Hana as an opportunity in. However, while they had come for Ralf, they ended up staying for Hana. Her relationship with Ralf was quickly forgotten about once they cast their eyes on her immaculate work, and even more marvellous beauty.
“...while midway through, mister Jones paid a visit and put in another order. He wanted a wooden sculpture to match the others in his home, so it had to be wood from a gorgeni tree. I didn’t have any, so I headed out and placed an order at Frank’s. It’s not rare, so he’ll be able to deliver it to me in a few days.”
“Good good.”
“Then, since I was already out, I decided to pick up some extra groceries. Mister Greg has done more than enough. We shouldn’t impose on him more than we alread-mm? Ralf,” uttering the name, Hana’s face fell into a wry smile. She had only just noticed that they had been going around in circles. ‘So, this is why he said it wasn’t cheap.’
Hearing the intonation in her voice, Ralf knew that she caught on. Even so, he didn’t buckle into changing lanes. “I didn’t say I would take the shortest distance,” he defended his actions.
“I suppose you didn’t. Fine, rack them up. I’ll make sure to pay what I owe, in full,” ending her words, she gave Ralf’s body a tight squeeze.
Ralf didn’t say anything, merely enjoying the sensation. If a wound opened up, as a result, it was worth it in his mind.
Swoosh!
Under the eyes of many curious and confused onlookers, the two did a few circles around Ganurg before finally returning home.