Paintbrush Summoner – 47

Chapter 47 – Adventurer Etiquette

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When they arrived at the campsite, Menew took out the mountains of lizard meat.

Ralph and Totto prepared the oven and vegetables.

They separated about 6 kilos and went around the tents and distributed the rest. But there was still a lot of meat left. And so they decided to give some to the innkeeper when they returned.

According to Dan, it was best to share any extra food that you had. This way, you were bound to have an easier time there.

The problem of food could sometimes be a matter of life or death for an Adventurer. It would be quite horrible to be starving, while the party next to you is feasting happily. And it could result in them holding a grudge.

“We have some lizard meat. Would you like some?”

Menew took 2 kilos to each tent. With a look of surprise, the person in charge of watching the campsite would accept the meat gratefully.

They had been eating in restaurants for a few nights in a row, but never saw any lizard meat. So perhaps it was rare.

Apparently, Adventurer parties hired workers to watch their things and their campsite. And while Menew and the others had not considered it, it did make sense.

And so from now on, Menew decided to keep their camp supplies in his pouch.

The main members of the party who had been mocking Menew, had not returned yet. As they had left during the afternoon, they were likely just scouting. So what could have happened?

“Have the others not returned yet?”

“Yes… With three parties, they were supposed to go and crush the lizardman nest…”

They had left right after Menew greeted them. However, they had lost all contact with them since. There was not even a smoke signal, which would tell the others that they would be camping out there for the night.

“We will have to be careful too then.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Menew returned to his camp, and the food was already cooking. They just needed to wait for the meat to be ready.

Ralph mixed the contents of the pot and asked Menew.

“So they are still out there?”

“Yes. They seem to have lost contact with them. Maybe we should go and take a look after we are finished eating.”

Greeting the others at the campsite was the bare minimum when it came to creating connections.

If Adventurers went to fight strong monsters and haven’t returned, then it was very likely that they failed the quest, and were even dead. If that happened, the request would have to have its rank raised. Such procedures were necessary to ensure safety. That was what Dan had said.

“I’m sure it will be fine if you go, Mr. Menew. But…”

Totto was worried that it might anger them. After all, someone they had mocked would be going to their rescue. Menew also did not want strange rumors to spread about him.

While Ralph did not say anything, if Menew joined the fray, it would be considered an act of ignoring the guild’s ranking system. And so if the situation turned out to be worse, then he might have to stop Menew from getting involved.

“Well, if I do have to fight, I can just use this.”

Menew said with a laugh as he took out his Z mask from the pouch.

Ralph and Totto saw the mask and muttered, “Ah, I guess it’s fine then.”

The lizard meat sizzled as the oil dripped into the fire. It was finally ready.

“Let’s eat.”

They pushed thoughts of the Adventurers to the side for now.

The surface of the meat was juicy as they bit into it. It had been well-seasoned, and had a texture similar to chicken, but the fat had a sweetness like pork.

Though, it was not too oily. Perhaps because it was a lizard.

And so the three ate all of the meat in no time. They also had some vegetable soup, as they were unable to ignore the silent pressure from Ralph. Yes, it was not good to eat only meat.

Besides, the vegetables were bought that morning, and still fresh. And so they were delicious. They had no complaints, but it was only recently that Menew and Totto started to eat normal meals. And so the appeal of meat was still strong.

Speaking of the pouch, food did not go bad when it was stored inside. The microorganisms that caused decay and degradation did not go inside. There was also no oxygen or heat, so things remained fresh. It also kept parasites out, so even if the meat was raw, it would be safe.

Once all three were full, they sensed a number of presences coming from upstream.

Was it the Adventurers? While this was supposed to be a safe zone, there was no guarantee that monsters never came close.

While they were still far away, Menew sent some magic light out and confirmed that it was the Adventurers.

Some of them appeared to be wounded, and they were being supported by the others.

“Totto. Can I buy this medicine from you?”

Menew asked while patting the pouch lightly. Totto laughed and said, ‘It was already yours, Mr. Menew.’

As it was obvious it would be used for the Adventurers, Totto did feel a little conflicted. But he also knew that it wasn’t just about Menew wanting to help those people, but about what kind of Adventurer he wanted to be.

“Thank you. Alright, will you two help me then?”

Menew asked, and then he started to walk towards the Adventurers, who looked like they had just escaped a battle.

When they met up with the others, Menew laid down a cloth on the ground, and with the help of Ralph and Totto, took out the medicine.

There were five who were badly injured.

And so they put the injured on the cloth, and passed out the mid-rank potions.

The three parties consisted of three shields, two sorcerers, two healers, and four attackser that were a swordsman, assassin, and spear-wielders. That was eleven in all. And nearly half were badly hurt.

“Is this everyone?”

“Aye. We only meant to scout out the place, but it was on a different scale than we expected. And we had gone into the nest without realizing it…”

Said one of the shields. He had been in the rear, as heavy armor was not suited for scouting.

He was also bleeding from his arm.

In spite of the concept of levels and HP, it was just a way to express bodily damage as numbers. It did not mean you could still fight with 1 HP.

It just meant you were breathing and had a heartbeat.

Injuries and sickness were slip damage.

As for magic potions, drinking them temporarily increased the magic energy inside of your body, while automatically healing you.

Unlike having someone cast Heal on you, it was using your own magic energy, which resulted in less stress.

Heal for low-level, High Heal for mid-level. And there was Excellent Heal, which only a few of the best Healers could use.

Menew could use all of them, but he decided that it was best to use medicine if they had it.

After all, people looked down on those who acted against their chosen profession.

“Here, drink.”

“Please drink this.”

For those who could walk on their own, a single mid-level potion would heal them completely.

They then went around and made the more seriously injured men drink high-level potions. And then little by little, the wounds vanished.

“Hey. Isn’t that a high-level potion…?”

Just one would cost 20 silver…or 2 gold. It could heal almost any wound. So it was a matter of ‘death or bankruptcy’ for most people.

And these men did not look wealthy enough to be able to pay it.

“Don’t worry. It was made by our brilliant alchemist. So it was free.”

Menew said with a smile. Just then, the expression of the shield-bearer changed. Menew was a level 10 and had incredibly expensive potions. They could make so much more money by selling them than slowly doing these quests.

However, Ralph and Totto were not so kind as to miss that look his eyes.

“Be thankful to Mr. Menew. As for me, I hate people who mock others.”

“Don’t say that. If they get carried away after healing, and try to attack us, we’ll just wound every one of them again, and leave them here.”

“I don’t want you two to become criminals, so please come back safely.”

“Stealing items. And if it is in the campsite, it will be self-defense. Besides, Menew is only level 10.”

They started to talk about things that they thought the Adventurer who insulted Menew might do.

But as it seemed like they were provoking them, Menew frantically tried to stop Totto and Ralph.

“Hey, hey…you two. As if they would do anything so foolish. It’s against the rules to fight in the campsite. We would all be bandits if we did that. You know they have a record of everyone who is here.”

While they were now healed, their weapons and armor were in a bad state. And these three could not be beaten so easily. Of course, even if the other Adventurers were fully prepared, it would make little difference.

“Of course. Sorry. I said too much.”

“I’m sorry too.”

Ralph and Totto were satisfied after seeing how pale the Adventurers had become, and so they apologized.

They had spoken of bandits and having the means to badly wound all of the Adventurers.
After all, if they could make such good potions, they could probably make poisons.

And so with looks of horror, the Adventurers that were now healed, got up to their feet and expressed their gratitude before returning to their tents. Menew then picked up the cloth that was covered in blood and mud.

The Totto separated the filth from it before putting it in the pouch. Alchemy sure was useful.

“Ah…now I really feel like an Adventurer!”

“…Yes.”

Ralph said tiredly. He was exasperated by how dense Menew could be.

After that, the Adventurers enjoyed the meat that had been shared with them.

Though, a few of them were too scared, and ended up chewing on some dried meat instead.

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