Chapter 9 The First Bucket of Gold

John was the head of the wealthy merchant family William on Nasir, owning two sailboats and more than two hundred sailors, often setting sail from the port to do business along the East Coast.

He maintained exceptionally good relations with several knight clans, sub-human tribal elders, and bands of thieves around Nasir Town, and even had the opportunity to attend banquets held by Lord Baron Hovern.

A few weeks ago, John had contracted a rare and strange illness after returning from overseas.

His once normal skin began to shed uncontrollably, becoming scarred and often oozing black blood from the wounds, his mental state aging at an unimaginable pace.

John, panicked and desperate, quickly became almost mad, spending a fortune to call numerous physicians to treat him, but to no avail.

As for the extremely rare healing type spellcasters, there were none to be found in the vicinity of Nasir Town.

He could only send his eldest son to seek help from Tempest Bishop Matthew at the Tempest Church, but unfortunately, the high-ranking bishop disdained to come to a small place like Nasir to save an insignificant merchant.

The days awaiting death were unbearable; John would wake up crying every night, praying for mercy and salvation from the Lord of Salvation.

Yet, as days passed, prayers did nothing at all—John's body grew weaker and weaker.

He was not willing to give in!

After decades of hard work earning a fortune that would last ordinary people several lifetimes, and elevating the originally fishing-oriented William family to success, why should he die so easily?

O Gods!

You are far too harsh, cruel, and despicable!

John, lying on his deathbed, unable to speak, his eyes filled with malice, cursed the unfair gods in his heart.

Anyone would do, even a devil from hell, an evil god from the abyss—as long as they could save him, John would pay any price within his means!

"Master John, a person claiming to be a healing type spellcaster requests an audience with you."

The docile servant knelt outside, his words like a divine melody, instantly rekindling vitality in John's eyes.

Spellcasters with the rare gift of healing!

Trembling with excitement, he hurriedly said, "Let that spellcaster in immediately."

The status of Extraordinary Exponents was supremely elevated, not just an identity but a genuine social class; even those who had only reached the first "Beginning" tier of extraordinary power were still an existence beyond the provocation of mortal tycoons.

All heads of noble families on the Ouden Continent were Extraordinary Exponents, and a noble family lacking a sustaining Extraordinary Exponent would collapse.

The situation of wars, the rise and fall of nations, and the development of the world throughout history had all been determined by the formidable power of Extraordinary Exponents.

There is, after all, an impassable chasm between Extraordinary Exponents and mortals!

Irene nervously entered the mansion of the rich, having never been in such close proximity to the lifestyles of the wealthy and powerful.

The courtyard's flower beds, fountains, and sculptures created a thick artistic atmosphere and cozy vibe, with servants casting respectful glances her way—Irene could hardly breathe.

Just days ago, she was an ordinary girl from outside the town, but now she was pretending to be an aloof and superior Extraordinary Exponent.

Irene wore a black veil and donned an expensive black gown.

Renting this dress for just one day nearly drained all the money the half-handed members of the Fischer family had, with the outfit featuring a tightly cinched waist and a neck lined with soft, finely pleated ruffles in many layers.

The girl cautiously felt the clothes on her body, realizing noble attire was actually far less comfortable than her usual clothing.

Uncle Lucius, seeing the unstoppable nervousness in his niece Irene, knew it was quite normal, the ordeal probably being too much for a minor.

He immediately said, "Don't be nervous, it's nothing serious; Irene, we're just facing a thoroughly frightened, scared-to-death fat sheep, that's all."

Irene felt odd referring to someone as a "fat sheep."

She nodded, forced a response, "What do I need to do?"

Truthfully, after several days of interaction, Irene deeply felt that her uncle Lucius was indeed a formidable person.

He seemed to care nothing for social class, showing no reverence, and his execution was remarkable.

Lucius lazily squinted his eyes, half-serious and half-mocking as he said, "Actually, what you need to do is quite simple, and that is to keep quiet!"

Extraordinary Exponents, especially those who wielded healing powers, held esteemed status, and ordinary rich merchants often could not obtain the aid of such high-tier individuals.

Karl's will, residing within the crimson brand on the back of Irene's hand, was also observing everything around them.

The dwelling place of the wealthy in Nasir Town, it seemed, held the first bucket of gold the Fischer family needed.

He could easily judge that the man had been stung by some poisonous magic beast overseas and thus infected with a magical toxin.

Karl weakly expended his spirituality, his will encouraging Irene to keep going.

The girl hesitated for a split second, but the indecision in the depths of her heart dissipated, turning into stronger determination.

"The great Lord of the Lost shelters me, all difficulties will ultimately be resolved," she murmured to herself.

Merchant John finally saw the healing type Spellcaster, lying immobile on the bed but still glancing over.

The girl in the black dress and veil appeared extremely mysterious, and her partly obscured face under the veil was exquisitely beautiful, like a noble treasure, making John feel ashamed by his own unworthiness, unable to look directly at her.

"Spellcaster, please... save me..." John pleaded weakly.

"I am a member of the Fischer family, the young lady's uncle and spokesperson, and I hope you can offer us the compensation we need."

"Money is not an issue!"

John immediately screamed, his voice hoarse like that of a specter.

"Apart from money, we also need trade channels for extraordinary materials!"

Most of the extraordinary materials were controlled by the nobility and the church. After a moment of silence with dilated pupils, John still nodded and said:

"As long as I can survive, I will agree to any conditions within my power."

Lucius was not surprised at the success of the negotiation, for the man was, in essence, at his wit's end and had to accept their terms.

The crucial moment was next, and he did not know whether Irene could actually heal the man.

The Lord of the Lost was undoubtedly a great being, but how strong was the power He granted?

Lucius didn't know, and even Irene herself was not clear on that.

Without saying a word, she slowly walked over, and John's eyes were filled with longing, hope, and even a faint trace of awe.

He is actually awe-struck by me?

For the first time in her life, Irene felt such an odd emotion.

Could even I be an object of... awe?

She understood that the root of the man's awe wasn't really her; it was the strong power, the destiny manipulated by the great Lord of the Lost!

"You will get better."

Since I have come following His will, you shall be saved.

Irene slowly extended her hand, her pupils flickering with the green light of life, and a gentle, spring-like aura instantly enveloped the nearly rotten man.

In merely a few minutes, the healing came to an end.

The man's illness was greatly alleviated, and Irene felt that she could have healed him effortlessly, but Lucius had previously told her that even if it was possible to cure the disease completely, it would only be necessary to heal halfway.

The young Irene did not understand why, but she still stopped as her uncle had advised.

"Hahaha! I, I have survived!"

John, who managed to sit up, was still weak but beamed with a look of elation in his eyes.

Lucius smiled faintly, politely saying, "We will not linger today, your illness will require a few more treatments. As long as you pay the reward first, we will come again next time to cure it completely."

By the time Irene and Lucius were seen out of the rich man's yard by the servants, they both looked somewhat bewildered.

On the way home, leaving the town behind, Irene asked her uncle in disbelief.

"Did that man go mad just now, willingly giving us five gold coins without hesitation? Those are gold coins we're talking about, equivalent to a hundred silver coins, um, two thousand copper nals!"

Lucius was silent for a moment, then said, "I can roughly understand that fellow's thinking, it's probably the same as mine, he wants to pursue a long-term cooperation."

Actually, the money was still secondary, the languid mercenary squinted his eyes, looking at the box in his hand. Opening it, inside was a piece resembling coral, fiery red, and faintly exuding a constant warmth.

Blazing Coral!

Class 1 Extraordinary Material!

Lucius's eyes were filled with greed, as if he could see more extraordinary power within reach in the near future.

When Irene saw it again, she too took a deep breath and smiled in relief.

"That's great! We have successfully obtained the sacrifice that can be offered to the great Lord of the Lost!"