Explosion

THE GELON APOTHECARY

It was written on the building. We had already made flyers, went around, and started sharing them. A lot of people promised to come back, and we told them the apothecary would be ready for business in three days.

After sharing for some time, we returned to the apothecary to move in. Oh! One thing I left out — it was not just an apothecary, it was our home. An apothecary in the front, with a beautiful home at the back.

After setting up our home, we went ahead to stock it with various types of drugs, medicines, and other healing items we had gathered during our adventuring. We slew lions and other dangerous creatures, and I can't wait to get to the mystical realm to see magical creatures.

We separated the herbs based on value and potency. It was a long and stressful day, but we managed to arrange everything within two days. Now, it was time for us to rest. Oh, I slept in late, but I had to wake up early for the first sales.

We both did. We set up fast and were ready for sales. An hour passed. Two hours. Three hours, and no one came.

"Maybe this was a bad idea; let's close up," I suggested.

"Don't be silly, Anon."

"Can't you hear voices? People are passing, but they aren't coming in. I wish this had worked."

"We just started. Give it some time. Don't forget there's another apothecary around; some might not want to change."

"But no one has come, and it's nearly been four hours."

"Exactly, something is wrong."

BANG

Someone barged into the store.

"FIRE!!" he screamed.

"Fire?! Where?" Angel responded quickly.

"The third building from this. Come out, it could spread."

We rushed out and found that there was indeed a fire. It was our neighbor's building. Angel hurried over to find out what happened.

"What happened here?" Angel asked a lady in tears.

"My son is inside!" she sobbed.

"Your son?!" Angel exclaimed.

I was on the other side, trying to get information from the others, but they didn't know what had happened either. The lady tried running into the building, but the villagers stopped her.

"Are you crazy? The fire is too intense," one warned.

"My... son... I can't leave him in there."

She tried again, but they stopped her.

Angel came over to tell me about the boy, and I felt a growing worry.

"Ma'am, when the rescue team comes, they'll get your son out of there," I tried to console her as Angel and I walked closer.

"No!! I can't wait! This is my son's life we're talking about, my only son!" she cried.

"If no one can help, I'll get him out myself," I decided.

"Okay, do you have a skill or something?"

"No, I'm not an adventurer, and the other adventurers are out on missions," she said, fear written all over her face.

I glanced at Angel, and she looked back at me. At that moment, we knew we were thinking the same thing.

"Let's do it," we both said.

"HELLO EVERYONE, AS EX-ADVENTURERS, WE'LL HANDLE THIS! PLEASE MOVE BACK!" I shouted, ensuring everyone heard us.

"Please save my son," the woman pleaded.

"We will," Angel reassured her.

"Thank you," the woman sobbed.

"You can dry your tears. You have our word," Angel consoled her. The crowd moved back.

"I'll stop the fire from spreading," Angel said as she pulled out her plant grimoire to cast a spell.

---

SPELL: "Nature's shield, foliage's might, encircle now, protect firm and tight."

SPELL NAME: EDEN'S FOLIAGE

SPELL ATTRIBUTE: "Wrapping the mage or cherished object in a verdant embrace, it weaves together a lattice of vines and leaves, creating a natural barrier that encircles with protective grace, shielding against all intrusions."

LEVEL: C-class Spell

TYPE: Protection (Barrier)

PERFECTION: 30% Perfect (A little bit weak, can be penetrated).

DURATION: 10 minutes per 2 hours.

---

Giant roots and large leaves sprouted from the ground and covered the area, creating a barrier that blocked out the fire. We had learned a lot during our adventuring days, including how to use spells.

With the barrier in place, everywhere became slightly dark due to the fire burning outside, but we could still see.

"We have to do this fast. We don't even know where to go," Angel said.

"That's where I come in," I replied as I pulled out my light grimoire to cast another spell.

---

SPELL: "Unmask the shadows, reveal all trails, true or false, where light prevails."

SPELL NAME: FALSE ILLUMINATION

SPELL ATTRIBUTE: Provides the mage with leads in finding what is wanted — a true lead and a false lead. Light shines along the pathways.

LEVEL: C-class Spell

TYPE: Location

PERFECTION: 20% Perfect (When fully perfected, its name changes to TRUE ILLUMINATION).

DURATION: 5 minutes per day.

---

Two light orbs appeared, each heading in opposite directions — one top left, the other top right.

"Follow the left path; I'll take the other. We only have five minutes."

"If I take too long, you know how to find me. But once the spell wears off, come back out and wait for me," I instructed.

We agreed, and then rushed into the burning building.

I followed the light through the back door, though the smoke was thick. Maneuvering through fire and debris was not easy, but I pressed on. The trail of lights soon went out.

"No! No! No! What will I do now? What about Angel?"

I knew she wouldn't give up either, but time was running out.

I hurried through the smoky hallways, checking rooms until I finally caught sight of a human figure, clothed and standing still, staring at me.

"Finally! Your mother is worried; let's coughs get you out of here!" I said as I approached. But suddenly, the figure sprinted away.

"Wait! Why are you running?" I coughed, feeling dizzier. My head spun, and I knew I had inhaled too much smoke.

I tried to follow, but a part of the ceiling fell on me, pinning me down.

"Wait..." I gasped.

"Poor little Anon... Sayonara, weakling," the figure said before jumping out of a window.

I blacked out.

The root barrier came down just before the entire building collapsed, flames engulfing it.

"Nooo!" the lady screamed.