NOVEL NEXT Chapter 114: The Unwanted Healer
The merchant set his porcelain cup aside and folded his hands politely. His smile never wavered, but his eyes glimmered with calculation.
"May I know what type of slave the esteemed sir is seeking?"
Ethan leaned back, his tone flat. "A healer."
The effect was immediate. The merchant's shoulders stiffened, his confident air faltering for the first time. He glanced briefly at Lirael, then back at Ethan, and exhaled slowly.
"…We do have healers," he admitted. "But from what I see…" His gaze lingered on Lirael's flawless features, her refined attire. "…you might not prefer them."
Ethan's brow arched. "And why is that?"
"Because," the merchant said carefully, "our current healers are two apprentices and one senior. All… men."
Ethan's expression soured instantly, lips tugging down in disappointment.
In his mind, Lirael's voice hissed, 'Tsk. Shameless.'
Ethan smirked and pretended not to hear.
The merchant, meanwhile, cursed inwardly. Damn it, of course. Nobles always demand female healers—and we're out of stock. He looks like he could afford one too… I can't let him walk out empty-handed. And knowing men, he would prefer a young maiden beside him in bed...wait maiden
Then, an idea flickered across his mind. His smile returned, practiced and bright.
"If sir would allow, I humbly ask for your patience—two days. A maiden healer will be arriving from our main house. She may be… unusual, but I am confident she would suit your needs."
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Unusual?"
The merchant hesitated, then leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret.
"I will be frank. She is awakened—rare, as you know, and worth a small fortune. But…" He sighed, feigning regret. "Her awakening is… flawed. She cannot increase her physical strength no matter what training or techniques she attempts. When she tries to expand her mana capacity like other healers, her body rejects it—she ends up coughing blood. Worse, her recovery time is abnormally long. She can only heal once before collapsing. Useless to most. A liability."
He spread his hands helplessly. "When she was under church and made a small mistake...more like excuse, she was sold off. We bought her, thinking fortune would favor us. But… even after a year, not a single buyer has taken her. No one wants a healer who cannot heal reliably. Even when she is classified as sex slave, since she is a healer her cost is high for commoner and low ranked nobles..."
Lirael's lips tightened at his words. For a moment, her usual sharp tongue stayed quiet—her eyes flicked to Ethan, gauging his reaction.
Ethan, however, wasn't listening to the merchant anymore. His mind brushed against the system.
What kind of condition is that?
[Possibility: Faulty awakening or external interference.]
If I take her as a servant… can I raise her stats?
[Affirmative. Host may directly influence a servant's growth through soul bond. Even an unawakened body may surpass limits under the host.]
Ethan's smirk returned, subtle but unmistakable.
"We'll see her," he said at last.
The merchant blinked, caught off guard. "Then there is nothing we can—…Pardon?"
"I said we'll take a look at her first. Two days, you said? Fine. We'll be back then."
It took a heartbeat for the words to sink in, then the merchant's eyes lit with relief and greed. "Excellent! Excellent. I will immediately send word to our main house. In two days, she will be here awaiting your judgment."
I was right! he only needs a girl beside him in bed...the healer thing might be only for face, heh..nobles really are easy.
He then looked at Lirael...hmm..he surely has a taste...
Ethan rose, brushing nonexistent dust from his cloak. Lirael followed silently, her expression unreadable.
As they stepped back into the sunlight of the slave district, Ethan stretched lazily. "Well. That was productive."
Lirael glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "…I don't like this. Something about that merchant's smile disgusted me."
Ethan grinned. "Of course it did. That's how merchants smile when they think they've trapped their customer." He looked ahead, eyes gleaming with intent. "But it's me who's setting the trap."
And with that, the two disappeared once more into the noise of the city, the promise of two days hanging over them like an unseen thread of fate.
---
The streets beyond the slave district were brighter, the oppressive weight of chains left behind. The smell of roasted meat and fresh bread drifted from taverns, drawing Ethan and Lirael toward the promise of a meal.
As they walked, Ethan's voice brushed her mind.
"Lirael… I think your stat growth through the system might slow down for a bit."
She glanced at him, brows raised. "Hmm? Don't tell me… you're planning to give those stats to that healer girl we'll be seeing in two days?"
Ethan shrugged with a casual grin. "Something like that."
Instead of snapping, Lirael surprised him with a faint smile. "No problem. Honestly, it's probably better. Do you know how difficult it is to suddenly gain explosive strength? My body and mind struggle to keep up. Having a companion to share the burden… might actually be a relief."
But then her eyes narrowed, and her voice sharpened. "Still… you really are scum. The moment you heard she was a girl—even a defective one—you started drooling."
Ethan laughed shamelessly, scratching his chin. "Hey, what can I say? I'm not about to cuddle some bastard at night. I'd much rather have two rebellious yous for company."
Lirael's cheeks flushed. She crossed her arms and huffed, trying to hide the small curve tugging at her lips. "How many pillows does a single man even need?"
"It's not about pillows," Ethan replied smoothly, eyes gleaming with mischief. "It's about life. And comfort. Yes, that's what it is." He leaned closer, his grin widening. "Besides… you don't seem to mind that much, do you?"
Her expression soured instantly, a flare of irritation breaking through her mask. "Don't act like you can read me!"
"Oh, but I can," Ethan murmured, his sly grin carrying a dangerous edge of certainty. His eyes locked on hers, unyielding, as if he really could peel away the defenses she clung to.
Lirael's breath caught. She tore her gaze away, heat rising to her ears. "B-Bastard…" she muttered under her breath.
Ethan only chuckled, falling into step beside her as though nothing had happened, the air between them carrying a tension both sharp and strangely warm.
----
>Inspect - Lirael Vaerune
- Currently delighted at the prospect of getting a new companion and slightly irritated at host's shameless behaviour.
Desires
- Punch host so atleast he could hide his carnal desires and not show it openly outright to others.