Beelzebub hunts ghosts... (3)

Chapter 16: Beelzebub hunts ghosts… (3)

"Who the hell does he think he is?"

"Dude woke up and thinks he's Mr. Wetherell."

"It's us who scam others…."

"Shut up, you idiot!"

Those whispers flew from one ear to another, slowly finding their way to everyone's minds… even Bruno expected to hear something like this, for what Beelzebub offered was something the best alchemist couldn't easily achieve. Rather, Mr. Wetherell couldn't accomplish it at all, only stagnating the issues.

On the other hand, Beelzebub could even turn those issues into advantages for both himself and the affected.

The leader of The Ghosts, the best mercenaries in the Williard Village, left his seat and towered before David, his hulking frame making the demon shorter and seemingly weak.

However, Beelzebub's faint smile and eyes looking up and straight into the man's hues instantly shattered that impression, drawing out a picture of both men of equal status facing each other.

Ignorant mercenaries still only saw a muscle contest in which the mercenary leader of The Ghosts was in much better shape than Beelzebub, whose frame was slender for a man, which was awkward in those areas.

Additionally, the massive man had only his legs sheathed in a cloth, leaving the rest revealed for everyone to admire… a few women were only working in this tavern to fawn over mercenaries with those muscles and see them with a closer look, and some rode on those muscles as well.

Men had their strength contests, which didn't really matter now.

What mattered was that the man's issue was blatantly exposed to Beelzebub's keen eyes. "You can hold back your breath… but you can't hide your perspiration problem. Does it make you lose your stamina faster, which further translates to you working less and less, only drawing out your sword to deal with your group's problems if need be?"

After hearing this short but on-point analysis, the leader and his friends sitting by the table widened their eyes.

It was true that every mercenary had some issues, which were all due to them taking medicines and other stuff fraught with impurities. Of course, no one was at fault here. Mercenaries were often forced to take stamina or other pills to continue their arduous battles, while alchemists and healers couldn't miraculously create pills without any impurity.

The latter was such a high-level concept that only the best of the best could provide such precious medicines to others.

Those impurities weren't lethal to one's life unless they were taken in abundance or regularly… it was important to take different medicines to somewhat cope and fight that flaw… or just get rid of it.

But who could achieve that in Williard Village? No one…

What about outside? Yes, there were grand cities with alchemists and even healers whose skills could chase away impurities, but a price for it was more than The Ghosts had made in their whole life, together at that.

Therefore, while the issue of impurities was known, the fix to it was impossible…

Moreover, everyone hid their problems from others, except friends and teammates, for it was crucial to know their partner's flaws to fight to the utmost of their abilities.

Beelzebub muttered what only the leader's friends were aware of!

And even those guys had inconspicuous problems, too!

"Boss, we're at your service. I'm Yale, the leader of The Ghosts." Yale extended his hand forward, offering his services to the demon.

Bruno and the rest stared stupefied at the show unfolding before them.

Soon, the rest six members joined their leader, standing in an orderly row before Beelzebub, all wanting to work under him. Those seemingly fierce and frightening guys wore such childish and warm smiles that looking at them made Bruno reexamine his previous impressions of them.

Meanwhile, Beelzebub stood straight as though familiar with such scenes.

His soft voice gave more hope to The Ghosts. "Give me a list of pills and other stuff you've ever taken in your life… I'll concoct a simple cure that should last two weeks so that all of you can be useful for me, then I will get rid of all impurities once you're done with your task."

"Yes, sir." Yale nodded brightly, then threw a coat over his brawny top. "Let's meet here tomorrow, sir. Ah, is that fine?"

He was so looking forward to Beelzebub's cure that he forgot to politely speak.

Beelzebub didn't mind and casually replied to those words. "It is."

And then, two parties went their ways.

-

"Do we have ingredients to make a cure for their impurities?" Still in shock from what he had witnessed, Bruno asked his teacher this crucial question.

Beelzebub took out a blue pill from his pocket. "Remember?"

"Yes!" Bruno's eyes twinkled warmly. "It's the first pill I've concocted with your help!"

"Exactly… this one needs a little tinkering, but I should be able to freeze the impurities and all after-effects of The Ghosts with this pill." Beelzebub didn't mention how easy it was to deal with impurities using the souls — this ice resistance pill had the spiritual energy of Bruno's dead friend, so Beelzebub didn't even think of bringing that concept to his friend — and how the world condemned those methods.

But with what Beelzebub had at hand, he would be able to easily deal with obstacles his way.

Ghosts parading in the Williard Village were a great help… no, they were more helpful than Beelzebub thought, for they were like special ingredients prepared only for him, for only the Lord Of Souls could so easily leverage them in those low-level areas.

"Awesome… so awesome!" Bruno clenched his hands and looked at his teacher's back with even more admiration, which was caused by the fact that Beelzebub could tinker with the already concocted pill and bring miracles that no one could in his village could.

And while his father had asked about David's origins, Bruno's reverence didn't even allow him to suspect Beelzebub…

In this case, Bruno was quite lucky to meet a demon like Beelzebub.

"Mr. Wetherell can learn so much from you, David! I can only hope he'll personally accept the gifts!"

"We have caused the commotion in the mercenaries' circles, too, which are related to him. When he learns that you were with me, he should 'remember' the gifts you have sent and open them… but for now, I want you to tell me about other vaults of resources, second only to the chasm. I will need your help to get them to me."

"Sure!"

Beelzebub was glad to have a man like Bruno, for all the demanding work was done by third parties in his early levels. And when he rose in strength, Beelzebub used his nature magic to pick up resources from high-level grounds.

Well, for now, he could only rely on Bruno and his knowledge, which was the entire purpose of their business relationship…

However, Beelzebub kinda grew fond of this man whose eyes never shone with poisonous jealousy.

Jealousy was given, for all felt jealous at least once in their lives.

But it was important to not drink the poison of jealousy and instead use it as a competitive and genuine fuel.

Bruno was good at that.

Soon, David and Bruno returned home.

Their ghost hunting successfully ended.