Jester continued racing through the forest on the back of his Dire Wolf, with Lucia clinging tightly behind him. Fang moved incredibly fast, perhaps a little too fast, because it wasn't long before the young woman's grip around him began to weaken.
"Fang, slow down," Jester said.
The Dire Wolf gradually reduced his speed before coming to a stop.
"Lucia?"
Jester reached back and caught the girl's wrist. He quickly shifted his position, swinging one leg over so he was sitting sideways on Fang's broad back.
Lucia had already gone limp, her body leaning heavily against his shoulder.
He gently cupped her cheek. Her skin was burning with fever, and the cuts covering her body were still clearly visible, stained with dried blood.
"I'm... fine..." she whispered weakly. " You can just leave me here..."
Jester knew she was supposed to be nothing more than an ordinary NPC, but that did not mean he could simply abandon her after saving her life.
He carefully adjusted her position, letting her rest against his shoulder while wrapping his left arm around her back to keep her from falling. He had to do something to help her recover. If this continued, she could actually die.
Jester opened his inventory and searched through everything he had.
He had taken several potions from Caelan's treasury before leaving. Not many, only the ones he thought might prove useful.
His eyes quickly skimmed through the list.
[Small Health Potion | Common | ×66]
[Medium Health Potion | Common | ×66]
[Large Health Potion | Rare | ×33]
[Grand Health Potion | Rare | ×33]
[Supreme Health Potion | Rare | ×6]
The size only determined the amount of potion inside the bottle, allowing it to restore more Health with each use. However, the grade was an entirely different matter. Higher-grade potions were purer, more effective, and often came with additional effects beyond simple healing.
Fortunately, Jester had stocked up on quite a few basic supplies. Never one to let valuable resources go to waste.
He still had 66 Small Health Potions sitting in his inventory. If he never used them, he could always sell them later, although Common-grade potions were never worth much.
Then his eyes stopped on another item.
[Small Universal Antidote | Rare | ×9]
“This should work.”
Lucia's Health would naturally recover over time, but her condition suggested she was suffering from one or more abnormal status effects. Fear, overwhelming stress, mental trauma... all of those could weaken an NPC's overall condition.
His gaze drifted to the tears across the front of her clothes.
That perverted Bullkin… What a bastard.
Jester reached into his inventory.
[A refined antidote capable of curing most Common and Rare status ailments. It neutralizes poison, paralysis, bleeding, infection, and several mental abnormalities caused by fear, panic, or trauma. Highly effective against abnormal conditions, but incapable of removing curses or permanent afflictions.]
Combined with a Health Potion, that should be more than enough to stabilize Lucia's condition.
However, just as he was about to use it, something suddenly appeared before him at the very same moment.
[Spend 25 Chaos to upgrade the selected Small Universal Antidote?]
[The upgraded item will receive enhanced properties. There is also a chance for the upgrade to produce an unexpected result.]
Jester froze for a moment.
This had never happened before whenever he held one of these potions. That was exactly why he had only kept a reasonable supply instead of wasting Chaos on them. He had always assumed they would only be useful whenever he actually needed them.
“Still… Twenty-five Chaos Points?”
That was expensive.
Upgrading a loaf of bread had only cost him five Chaos Points back then. Would this really be worth it?
The upgrade option had appeared at the exact moment he needed something to save Lucia. Could it have something to do with her?
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Chaos could always be earned again in various ways. But if the system had reacted like this… Then this upgrade had to be important.
"...Fine."
Jester made his decision.
"I'll just treat it as the reward for killing that Bullkin so easily."
[25 Chaos consumed.]
[1x Rare Small Universal Antidote successfully upgraded.]
[Item Upgraded: Potential Awakening Elixir | Epic]
[An exceptionally refined restorative elixir capable of curing nearly all Common, Rare, and most Epic-grade status ailments. In addition to restoring the target's body and mind, it removes hidden shackles that suppress natural talent, allowing dormant potential to awaken. The awakening is permanent, but only occurs if the target possesses unrealized potential.]
"Damn... only one vial got upgraded," Jester muttered. "The system is seriously stingy."
Even so, the corner of his mouth lifted into a grin. "But it's Epic now. This thing should be worth a fortune."
Well, it had better be. It had cost him twenty-five Chaos Points, after all.
Jester clenched his left hand before uncorking the vial without another thought. He carefully poured its contents into the girl's mouth, tilting her head slightly to make sure she swallowed every last drop.
"Drink it, Lucia," he said quietly. "You're going to recover. You still want to see your sister again, don't you?"
The entire vial was emptied within moments. Without waiting, Jester took out a Health Potion and helped her drink that as well.
He suddenly felt a strange surge of energy radiating from Lucia's body.
A faint purple glow slowly wrapped around her, gently flowing across her skin like mist.
"...Wait."
Jester blinked.
"That was the Potential Awakening Elixir..."
What exactly was it going to awaken?
He continued supporting Lucia for another moment before carefully lifting her into his arms. He carried her over to a nearby tree and gently sat her down against the trunk.
After that, he adjusted the robe draped over her shoulders, making sure it properly covered her body.
The cuts scattered across her skin began healing at a speed visible to the naked eye. Color gradually returned to her pale face as her breathing became steadier.
Jester thought of something. He opened the Item Shop, where a Costume Gacha was available.
Scrolling through the catalog, he searched for clothing suitable for NPCs. After checking a few prices, he figured he could afford to spend a little.
He immediately started pulling the gacha repeatedly.
"I should at least be able to get some clothes for Lucia. It can't be that expensive."
After several attempts, he finally obtained a complete outfit.
The upper garment looked similar to the one she had been wearing before, while the bottom consisted of fitted shorts instead of a skirt. The entire outfit was a dark navy color, simple but durable enough for traveling.
Satisfied, Jester transferred the costume into his inventory before turning back toward Lucia, who was still resting against the tree.
Only to find himself staring in surprise at what he saw.
The young woman was already awake. She stared blankly at both of her hands, slowly opening and closing her fingers as though trying to confirm they truly belonged to her.
But then… Jester frowned. “Why did her hair look noticeably darker than before?”
Lucia finally raised her head, only to meet Jester's gaze. Surprise immediately appeared on her face. She quickly tried to stand before instinctively pulling the robe closer around herself.
"Sir..." Her voice trembled. "You... you've saved me once again."
"I thought I was going to die. I could barely feel anything anymore, but now..." She slowly clenched her fists. "The pain is gone. My wounds have completely healed. This... this is incredible."
She took a deep breath before placing a hand against her chest.
"But... something feels different."
Her brows knitted together.
"I can feel energy flowing through my body. It's warm... stronger than anything I've ever felt before. It feels like something that had been sleeping inside me has finally awakened."
Jester remained silent for a moment. "...What happened to you, Lucia?"
"I leveled up," she answered.
She looked at him with eyes filled with amazement. "I'm Level 75 now."
"...Seventy-five?"
"Yes. Before this, I was only Level 25." Even Lucia sounded unable to believe her own words. "I suddenly gained fifty levels. It's unbelievable."
"...What else changed?"
Lucia's genuine smile slowly bloomed across her face.
"I don't know everything yet, but... I feel so much stronger." She raised her hands again. "My body feels lighter, my senses are sharper, and somehow... I feel like I can do things I never could before. It's strange, but it doesn't feel frightening at all."
She looked directly at Jester.
"Whatever you gave me... it didn't just save my life. It gave me a new one."
"Well..." Jester shrugged. "Good for you."
[The gratitude in Lucia's heart has reached an unprecedented level. She cannot understand why a complete stranger would go so far to save her, heal her wounds, and grant her a future she never thought she would have.]
[Unable to repay such a debt, Lucia has made a vow deep within her heart. She will devote her life to serving the one who saved her. Even if she spends the rest of her life repaying this kindness, she believes it still would not be enough.
[Chaos +15]
Well... not bad. Cashback.
However, the system notifications did not stop there.
[A target has fulfilled the requirements to establish a Chaos Bound.]
[Establish a Chaos Bound with the target: Lucia?]
[Chaos Cost: 125]
"What?!"
**
The royal carriage came to an abrupt halt, causing the woman seated inside to jolt in surprise. Elora instinctively grabbed the edge of her skirt as the carriage rocked to a stop.
"What happened? Why did we stop so suddenly?" she asked, unable to hide the panic in her voice.
Faint noises drifted in from outside. Shouts. Dozens of them. It sounded like a large crowd yelling somewhere ahead.
Elora reached toward the carriage window, intending to peek outside, but before she could, several urgent knocks echoed against the carriage door.
"Your Highness," a familiar voice called from outside. "I must report an emergency."
It was Igrio.
Elora's body immediately tensed.
"There is a large force of players advancing from the front. We estimate several dozen of them. Your Highness, I request permission to open the carriage door and escort you to a safer location."
Elora's breathing caught in her throat, and all the color drained from her face. The Prince had disappeared, and she had absolutely no idea how to tell the man standing outside.
Another series of urgent knocks echoed against the carriage door.
"Your Highness?"
No answer came. A moment later, the carriage door was pulled open, and Igrio's face immediately came into view.
His eyes quickly swept across the interior of the carriage. "...Where is His Highness?"
"Sir Igrio..." Elora's lips trembled. "His Highness... he... he's not here."
"What do you mean he's not here?!" Igrio's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I don't know what happened!" Elora said hurriedly. "He was here before... but when I looked again... he was gone! I swear I'm telling the truth!"
It was probably the most ridiculous explanation Elora could have come up with, but she was terrified. Her mind had gone completely blank, and she honestly had no idea what else she could possibly say.
No matter what happened, Jester's true identity would never be revealed. Even if it meant risking her own life, she would keep that secret until her very last breath!
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