A few days later.
Nidhogg lifted the blanket, got up from the wooden bed, stretched his waist, and heard a series of satisfying pops.
The scent from the small incense burner on the table, placed there by Vargas, had helped him sleep well these past few days and aided his wound recovery.
He had been living in Vargas's cellar for the past several days, never going above ground. Sometimes, without sunlight streaming through the skylight in the wall, he couldn't tell day from night.
After killing the Slug Count and Wyald, Nidhogg had also received many items and further improved his physical condition and combat awareness through leveling up.
The Blue Amber Medallion was from the same series as the Green Amber Medallion he had received earlier. The former increased maximum Focus, while the latter increased maximum Stamina.
Increasing his Focus value helped with using combat skills and spirit ashes. The level-ups and acquiring the Blue Amber Medallion had raised his Focus value. Using this aspect would definitely be more convenient in the future.
Next were the Golden Seed, Sacred Tear, Land of Shadow, and Smithing Stones.
Nidhogg placed the Golden Seed and Sacred Tear into his Flask of Crimson & Cerulean Tears. This increased both the number of uses and the amount restored per use by another level.
He used the Land of Shadow to strengthen Ingvall the Lost Knight's ashes, and the Smithing Stones to strengthen Bloodhound's Fang.
Generally speaking, the number of Golden Seeds required for each upgrade of the Flask, the number of Lands of Shadow required for each upgrade of Spirit Ashes, and the number of Smithing Stones required for each upgrade of weapons and shields would gradually increase.
Lands of Shadow and Smithing Stones would also have different grades and types for enhancing different spirit ashes, weapons, and shields.
But Nidhogg didn't have to abide by these restrictions.
Every time he received them, the Golden Seed, Sacred Tear, Land of Shadow, and Smithing Stones could directly strengthen the corresponding target by one level. It was quite simple and straightforward.
This was another one of the advantages granted to him by the golden brand on his chest.
After washing up briefly, Nidhogg stepped out of his room and saw Vargas rummaging through some boxes.
Vargas was on crutches and two prosthetics. He limped, but moved quite skillfully.
He heard the sound behind him, turned around, and quickly noticed that his benefactor was awake.
"Mr. Nidhogg!" Vargas hobbled over with a thumping sound. "Did I wake you? I'm so sorry! I should be quieter."
"Not at all." Nidhogg waved his hand. "I woke up on my own... What are you looking for? Need any help?"
Vargas shook his head. "It's about that woman's injuries... Although she's past the critical stage, her health is still not good enough. I'm looking for a book, trying to heal her using ancient methods."
The "woman" he referred to was the survivor Nidhogg had rescued from the Slug Count's dungeon that day.
At that time, Vargas had painstakingly and slowly led the woman back to the cellar through the sewers and immediately began intensive treatment.
If not for the exhausting effort of avenging himself on the Slug Count, Vargas, the physician, would have been the one lying in a hospital bed.
The horror of that day's dungeon scene had filled him with shame, but Nidhogg's instructions had inspired him and restored his confidence—at least enough to do what he could.
The final result was satisfying.
Vargas had saved the woman's life. Though she would have to be wrapped in bandages for the rest of her life, just like him, she could survive and function afterward. That was already very good.
Moreover, when Nidhogg returned, he had also killed the Slug Count, avenging Vargas.
Though it couldn't bring back his wife, children, or his own broken body, it was enough to astonish, relieve, and comfort Vargas.
At the same time, he was deeply grateful to Nidhogg and didn't know how to repay this kindness.
Nidhogg looked toward the partitioned-off area of the cellar and saw a hospital bed behind a closed door. A woman lay on it. The toes exposed from under the blanket were mutilated.
He knew nothing about medical skills, so he had simply poured some Crimson Tears on her to sustain her vitality. The rest he left to Vargas. Consider it an act of goodwill.
Now that her wounds had healed and she was past the critical stage, Nidhogg thought it over and decided it was time to begin a new journey.
So he said to Vargas, "I'm leaving tonight."
Vargas panicked slightly. His crutches clattered to the floor. "You... you're leaving? Have I done something wrong? Have I made you uncomfortable?"
"No." Nidhogg rolled his eyes. Vargas was good in every way, but he was too sensitive. "I can't stay here forever. It's just that the time has come to leave."
"This..." Vargas frowned. "But people outside are waiting for you..."
As he said this, a righteous indignation filled him.
"It's quite hateful to say. They've actually mistaken you for one of the Black Dog Knights, claiming you planned to seize the lord's position before killing the Count and burning the city! They don't even know that you saved them!"
"If you hadn't acted in time, who knows how many people that Count would have tortured to death in the name of eliminating cultists... And those Black Dog Knights were an even greater pack of beasts!"
Nidhogg bent down, picked up the crutch, and handed it back to Vargas, saying:
"I don't care about that. I'm not here to rule, and I don't need their admiration or gratitude. Tonight, I'll just slap my ass and leave. What they think of me has nothing to do with me, and I don't care."
"This... you're so open-minded." Vargas sighed. "If it were me, I couldn't do that... Do you really have to leave tonight? Can't you stay a few more days? I have nothing to repay you with..."
Nidhogg leaned down slightly, patted Vargas on the shoulder, and said, "I have to go. As for repayment, it's not important. Put all your thoughts into taking care of that woman."
Seeing that Nidhogg was determined to leave, Vargas had no choice but to let him go.
That night, as Nidhogg packed up and prepared to leave, Vargas approached him and said solemnly:
"Mr. Nidhogg, I will never forget your kindness. In the future, whatever needs you may have, if you wish to use me, just contact me. Even if I have to go to the ends of the earth, I will rush there as quickly as possible."
"I will do my utmost to treat this woman. If she recovers from her injuries, I will tell her that you saved her life. If she is willing, we will do any small task for you."
After Vargas finished speaking, he set down his crutches, prostrated himself on the ground, and bowed deeply to Nidhogg.
Nidhogg smiled helplessly. He didn't force him to stop and simply turned to leave.
He quietly departed from this place in the dead of night.
Vargas looked up and watched as Nidhogg's figure disappeared around a street corner.
He had a strong premonition that he would surely see this incredible figure again in the future.