NOVEL NEXT Chapter 97: Dilemma
"This is…" Hayden was shocked as soon as he realized the identity of the figure. With his Ocularis Lens, there was no way he would make a mistake over this.
He could see that the magician from a while ago lay slumped against the grimy alley wall…
Her once elegant robe was now torn and stained with blood.
Her breath was also ragged and shallow, and even with the darkness of the alley, Hayden could see that her skin was tinged an unnatural shade of violet—a clear sign of poison.
It seemed that the battle against the five Aura Knights just now had spread the effects of the poison.
Nonetheless, as Hayden got a bit closer, he felt her killing intent…
Even in her weakened state, her golden eyes glared at Hayden.
It was definitely a beautiful eye and Hayden was mesmerized for a moment…
[ Warning! Warning… ]
However, with his Ocularis Lens, he immediately realized that it was actually some sort of spell trying to cloud his mind. Thankfully, it acted like some sort of drug that affects his brain, so it was easily detected by the Lens and stopped the problem…
"You…" Hayden was shocked as he immediately strengthened the Aura protecting his body. He was hoping that it would be enough to block the Mana of the weakened Magician.
Realizing that she had failed, a dagger materialized in her trembling hand. She seemed really frail right now but Hayden knew that this Magician must still have some tricks up her sleeves. Because of that, he just kept his distance and observed the surroundings.
There was no Aura Knight nearby.
"One more step…" she said with a hoarse voice… "and I'll make sure you join me in death."
Hayden didn't flinch. His Ocularis Lens analyzed her condition in an instant:
[ Severe blood loss from multiple lacerations. ]
[ Advanced neurotoxin in her bloodstream—likely from a coated blade. ]
[ Mana depletion, rendering her incapable of even basic spells. ]
[ She had, at best, ten minutes before the poison stopped her heart. ]
Hayden considered his next move. After all, this might be the big break he was hoping for.
He had a few options available to him.
The first one was to actually let her die and loot her belongings after.
The advantage of this matter was obvious since magicians carried valuable artifacts, spellbooks, and maybe some reagents if he hadn't used them yet... Furthermore, there was no risk of betrayal or involvement in whatever mess she was in.
However, there was also something that he might miss. After all, he might've wasted an opportunity if he let her die. After all, if a living magician owed him a favor, it might become one of his best defenses against another magician if he ever offended one!
Furthermore, there was also a risk if he looted her… After all, the Aura Knights must've blocked the exits of the city at this point!
Needless to say, the Aura Knights might do some inspections for anyone who wants to leave this city!
If the Aura Knights found him with her belongings, they might assume he was an accomplice.
'I don't want that to happen…' Hayden thought as he had no way of hiding whatever he could get from her. It would be a huge problem if it turned out that he got the item that the Aura Knights wanted from her.
The next option that he had was obviously saving her…
Anyone knew that a magician's gratitude could be priceless. He could have potential access to magical knowledge or artifacts. Then, if she was innocent, he'd have an ally against those knights.
Unfortunately, there was also a huge problem with this option… She might kill him the moment she recovered and she could be a criminal, dragging him into a conflict he wanted no part in.
Then, as Hayden was thinking hard about what to do, the magician seemed to have noticed his dilemma…
The magician coughed, a trickle of blackened blood spilling from her lips. Her dagger wavered as she tried to stabilize herself.
"Leave!" She said with all of her strength.
Hayden exhaled as he looked at her eyes.
After thinking for a moment, he finally spoke. He wanted her to make her choice instead!
"I can try healing you," he said… "Or I can wait for you to die and take whatever's left. Your call."
Her eyes widened slightly as she didn't expect such a reply.
For a moment, the alley was silent save for her labored breathing. Then—
"Heal me," she said weakly as the dagger clattered to the ground…
Clank… Clank… Clank…
"And I'll grant you… a reward. Anything within my power." She said this weakly. She doubted that this child, who probably hadn't graduated from school yet, could heal her. However, she had nothing else she could rely on.
Hayden then knelt beside her. "How do I know you won't turn on me?"
She let out a weak, bitter laugh. "You don't. But if I wanted you dead… I'd have already… tried."
Fair point.
Hayden rolled up his sleeves. "This will hurt."
'Alright… Lens… Help me on this…' Hayden thought as he started analyzing her physique. She seemed to be in her early twenties…
Soon, with the Lens' assistance, he started stabilizing the wounds.
Hayden tore strips from his shirt, using them to bind the deepest cuts. The magician gritted her teeth but didn't scream.
After covering her wounds, Hayden had to deal with the poison.
This was the tricky part. He had no antidote, but his Ocularis Lens identified the toxin's flow points in just a few seconds.
From his belt, he withdrew three silver needles—the same ones he'd used on Lady Clarisse.
Hayden noticed that the woman's eyes constricted, so he immediately spoke.
"This will slow the poison…" He muttered before he started inserting them at precise meridians along her neck and wrists.
She gasped as the needles redirected her remaining mana to fortify her heart and lungs, buying her more time…
However, it wasn't over just yet…