37 There is no third option

"Star Fall Fragment?" Lian's group was confused.

Blan nodded in response. "They come from broken Star Stones. It's said that they fall from the skies and are rich in Star Energy. Then again, just a single fragment is something most people in Tume would kill for without thinking twice. The fragments are extremely rich in Star Energy. Not only that, but they're also very good for Star Apothecaries. A single fragment can increase the potency of our medicines by more than double. It's truly marvelous. If I get this fragment, I will definitely use it to make another Three Phases Leveling Medicine."

"Does that mean Master also wants to Level Up? No, that doesn't make sense. If you wanted that, you could just contract another group of mercenaries and come to the Ostalas Forest to make more medicines," Lian said.

However, Blan confirmed that it was exactly what he wanted. "You're wrong. I truly need the medicine to Level Up." He then explained, "It turns out that the more you use medicines, the less effective their effects are. I was unlucky in my attempts to Level Up, so the normal Three Phases Leveling Medicine I made in the past already doesn't have any effect on me. I've been in the second level for almost thirty years already. This Star Fall Fragment is my last chance to finally reach Level Three."

"I see..." Lian and the others understood after hearing that. "Sure enough, there's no free lunch in this world."

"Those words couldn't be any truer," Blan sighed. "Well, the Star Fall Fragments can help me, so I'll definitely get the Three Phases Leveling Medicine ready during this excursion. Fortunately, we left Tume City way ahead of everyone else, so we should have some time."

Carol couldn't help but mention, "It's fine, but. I can guarantee that the Star Fall Fragment is not part of any star. You probably got that idea just because it falls from the sky."

Tuly was surprised to hear that, let alone Blan. "Could it be that your world obtained a star in your hands?"

"Hahaha!" Lian, Coran, and Duran laughed out loud in response. "If a real star fragment had gotten close to our world, everyone there would have been dead long ago."

Blan's curiosity was piqued, and he questioned Lian's group about the reasons. One could only imagine his surprise when he heard about the concept of gravity and how powerful it would be for real stars. After all, if a fragment really fell, it meant a star had already died, and what really came into this world was a dead piece with tremendous gravity.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind their group. "Oh-ho... look who we have here."

Blan's eyes narrowed, but they quickly returned to normal as a smile appeared on his lips. Only then did he turn around to meet the person. "Oh! If it isn't my fellow Star Apothecary Joani! What could you possibly be doing in this place?"

Joani shrugged his shoulders in response. "What else? I also received the City Lord's request for the Three Phases Leveling Medicine. Since that's the case, you might as well return to Tume as I will take care of it."

"Hahaha!" Blan laughed in response. "Junior, this is a job for those with experience." He then patted Tuly's shoulder, continuing, "If you know what's good for you, you won't look for the Tricolor Flowers. There aren't many of them, and I'll need as many of them as possible."

Tuly bitterly smiled after hearing that. How could he not tell what Blan was doing? Blan was obviously using him to threaten the other part. Fortunately, he did have Blan on his side since offending a Star Apothecary never ended well for anyone back in Tume City.

It was then that another group of mercenaries appeared near Joani. Not only Tuly but Grisa and the others recognized the group. "S-Senior Braga's group!"

"Are they famous?" asked Duran with a low voice to Jaruo beside him.

Jaruo nodded with a nervous expression. "They are. Braga is the skinny guy in the middle. However, don't judge him by his appearance. He's also a Level Three Star Energy Warrior with decades of experience. Tuly wouldn't be killed in combat against Braga, but that's because he would probably have to flee. Braga has a special reputation for being merciless. As for the four warriors that are following him, they're all at Level Two. Our groups are in completely different leagues."

Blan couldn't help but ask, "You made a contract with Braga's group? They're very expensive, you know. Is the Star Fragment really worth that much for you?"

Joani nodded. "It is. I can't tell you why, though. In any case, I need that fragment as fast as possible. Anyway, if you want to compete with me for the Tricolor Flowers, be my guest. Just don't expect me to be polite." After that, he turned around to leave. "Let's go, Braga. We are entering Ostalas immediately as the other Apothecaries are already on their way here."

As soon as they left, Tuly warned Blan. "Senior Blan, if we meet them in the core region, we better flee straight away. I'm not confident at all against Braga. You should know about his reputation."

Blan obviously knew that. "That's okay. I have been to the core region before, so we have the advantage in knowledge. If we're fast enough, we can avoid bumping into Joani's group. However, we will have to change our plans. I know you wanted to kill the Coral Bear living in the inner region first, but we'll have to save that for last."

Tuly and the others had no complaints about that. "No problem. We also would rather get everything over with if that means not having to deal with Braga's group."

Lian then looked at Carol, Duran, and himself. "Is it really okay for us to follow you there? We will probably be nothing more than dead weight since we have never fought before."

Tuly shook his head, though. "Braga definitely noticed that you guys are the slaves that appeared recently. Lian, your attack power is enormous. It doesn't lose out to my own power at all. I will need you to act as the element of surprise and kill Braga if we find them."

Lian bitterly smiled. "B-But... I've never killed anyone."

"There is a first time for everything," Tuly answered. "And in this world, you kill, or you get killed. There is no third option."