Chapter 11: Departure

The next day, Zaos donned a dark leather coat, leather trousers, and a pair of calf-length leather boots. His coat featured a high collar that obscured the lower half of his face, revealing only his short jet-black hair, abyssal eyes, and his prominent elven ears.

His getup added an air of mystery and danger to his small stature.

After concealing his weapons and picking his sack filled with Mana gems, Zaos made his way to the market.

It was currently the day of fire, the sacred day of the fire elves, despite that, there were still a significant number of fire elves present on the streets.

[The Church of Eternal Darkness would never let any other church set camp in the Ever-night Continent.] Zaos shook his head.

He swiftly navigated the disorderly streets, feeling the chilling breeze brush past his figure as he moved.

Zaos soon arrived at the bustling market. The neatly arranged buildings brought him a sense of satisfaction and ease, in contrast to the discomfort and displeasure he felt in the disorderly residential streets.

Zaos walked directly to the right side of the market, where a variety of miscellaneous goods were being sold. He wasn't heading to Ronik's shop, however. Instead, he was browsing through the stores in search of those that sold savage beast parts and herbs.

[If I can find the ingredients I need, I wouldn't have to make a trip to the forsaken woods!] His thoughts were filled with hope.

Zaos searched for a while before spotting a stall with a particular plant he needed. He wasted no time and promptly went up to the vendor and questioned.

"Is this a vene-zular?" Zaos pointed at a plant that looked like a black rose. He tried his best not to sound anxious.

The seller smiled and responded, "Indeed, you have a keen eye, customer. I got it when I embarked on a cave exploration that almost claimed my life… "

"How much is it?" Zaos directly asked. He wasn't in the mood to listen to the vendor's bullshit.

"Well… considering how I almost lost my life to acquire it, 300 poor-quality dark mana gems or 3 good-quality dark mana gems." The lanky, dark-haired vendor smiled slyly.

Zaos' burrows furrowed, although he could afford it, he had no means of earning mana gems currently so he had to spend wisely.

[I can continue checking around first… but what if I don't find another and this one gets sold? Forget it, it is too important to me.] Zaos begrudgingly took out three polished-looking dark mana gems, the energy waves they gave off was multiple times that of the poor-quality dark mana gems.

"Hehe, you made a wise choice!" After seeing Zaos' actions, the vendor clapped loudly as he praised him.

A vein popped on Zaos' forehead as he glared at the vendor, who quickly averted his gaze, pretending as though nothing had happened.

After receiving Zaos' payment, the vendor handed Zaos the vene-zular sealing in a jar.

"Thank you for your patronage. Please come back soon!" The lanky vendor performed a bow with a large grin on his face.

Zaos snorted in reply and proceeded to exit the stall. He moved around the stalls and shops in search of the blood of a skivii, however the outcome was disappointing.

[Nothing, I can't find it anywhere!] Zaos was extremely frustrated because this meant he had to find and kill one himself, or at least extract blood from one.

Zaos had no problem in hunting it, he was confident in his abilities, the problem lay in the fact that skiviis could only be found in the forsaken woods: a place packed full of powerful savage beasts.

[I guess I have no choice but to do it myself.] Zaos sighed, feeling helpless.

Zaos had, of course, considered asking for help from the Qildor clan, but he quickly dismissed the idea.

His knowledge of the elixir came from the Qildor clan's records, if he were to suddenly ask for ingredients to create the elixir from them, his intentions would most likely be exposed.

Although the clan might not kill him, they would put a leash on him and he would become a puppet that could only follow orders.

After making the decision to hunt a skivii himself, he made another round through the market, acquiring essential survival items: traps, repellents, poison, bait, food… Zaos got his hand on anything he could find.

When he was finished, he had a sack full of items, and his Mana gems sack had noticeably shrunk.

[After this expenditure, I need to find a source of income or I'll get Ronik to pay me for my services,] Zaos thought with a pained expression.

[Speaking of Ronik… I should probably inform him of my departure.] Such were his thoughts as he proceeded towards the former's shop.

When he got to the rundown wooden shop, he was surprised to see a closed sign hung on the door.

Just when he was wondering what was going on, Ronik's voice sounded from behind him.

"Zaos? Why are you carrying such a large sack with you?" Ronik inquired.

Zaos turned to the old dark elf, who had donned a robe that hid his lanky figure. Ronik held a stack of papers in his hands as he looked at Zaos' sack in suspicion and curiosity.

"I would like to try searching for Vundin. I cannot sit still knowing the killer of my parents is still out there!" Zaos channeled all his acting skills to make his expression of pain, anger, and grief believable.

When Ronik heard Zaos' words, he sighed. He gazed at Zaos with great pity.

"Child… *sigh*. I will permit you to go but you must return in under a week. Use this time to vent out your emotions." Ronik sighed once more.

"Thank you, Mister Ronik." Zaos bowed to the former, he felt no shame in manipulating the latter for his gains.

[It's not like I can tell him I need to hunt a skivii… ] Zaos thought dismissively. Although Ronik had been kind to him, Zaos didn't trust him too much, he had seen a lot of betrayal during his time as a mafia member.

Ronik placed a hand on Zaos' shoulder, "Place your trust in the clan. The Lord Investigator will certainly catch the culprit!" He said in an effort to console him.

Zaos shivered a little when he recalled that individual, he quickly composed himself and nodded with a serious expression at Ronik.

"I understand. Farewell Mister Ronik." He responded as he proceeded to leave the settlement.

Ronik smiled wearily in response.