Chapter 258: Reputation

Words : 1210 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

Chapter 258: Reputation Going from radio silence to explosive popularity was something they all eventually decided on. They figured they only got lucky with getting their first client. And they really just did, for only the desperate would allow a guild with nothing to show for to do something as difficult as to rescue people. But they cannot rely on luck and strays if they plan to get closer to their goals without sounding like a cult or deluded quack doctors. And what better way to do that than by focusing on something that wasn’t too out there while gaining a reputation? Obviously, nothing about it screamed normal, but saying you could rehabilitate beasts was far easier than convincing humans that you could cure them without showing all your cards. For how many people would willingly put their blind faith in young men with nearly zero credibility? Especially when none of them would be willing to explain what was up. But what more when they actually succeed with curing people? Pandemonium. What lengths would people be willing to go to upon realizing that not everyone could be cured right away? They only had five containment cubes, and after realizing how beneficial it was, Luca had tried looking for ways to make them, but so far, nothing. D-29 thinks that just like the other Dungeon amenities, they might have a better answer after upgrading to level 4. It sounded pretty easy until the resident penny pincher almost fainted from the requirements. 10 million CP. Ten million when they couldn’t even find the funds they desperately needed for their barn and the respective animals?! So, they thought of the purification cannon which could be a good thing to use. But not only would they be unable to afford the energy crystal cost but they also won’t be able to fully solve those whose cases were similar to the Duke’s unless one was willing to take a cannon to the mouth. Then there were the pills. Now those sounded promising until Xavier heard how it was made and decided that it’s not happening, not unless they find other ways to create that without having to rely solely on Luca’s spiritual energy. That surprised the little guide who thought they’d actually go that route, but everyone agreed, and honestly were just more surprised at how Luca’s spiritual energy was the main ingredient for it. "The low-grade pills, I can actually make them when I’m overcharged." It was an embarrassing fact and something that would surprise even the most pampered guide, but Luca was capable of reaching this point because Xavier was generous with him. And also because he’s in such an energy-dense space that he’d unconsciously overcharge. "I think it does help in keeping my energy levels stable. It’s just the other grades that would take a bit of effort to make in large quantities." "I get overcharged sometimes and make a few pills here and there when you’re not here..." trailed the shy guide. Xavier did not expect that answer and almost wanted to ask for details until he saw the little mop’s face and figured he’d just ask when they were alone. "Then maybe you can make those for emergencies. Or whenever you need to discharge." Luca nodded obediently, and the Prince had the urge to pat his head if not for the alarm that warned them about their appointment. __ The moment they entered the building, Luca felt eyes on them. Not just casual curiosity—no, but probably assessments. It was not every day that kids, from their perspective, would be scheduled for a meeting with the marshal. And if anyone really looked at them, three were rather familiar faces, but the two were a bit too short to be mistaken for soldiers, had it not been for their uniforms. Ollie, in particular, felt like being thrown into the den of wolves. He knew that mechanics also worked for the military, but why did it seem like even they could bench press him? Not to mention the women! They were all so tall! The little mop couldn’t help but glance around and want to message his Pop for this genetic failure. How come he had not been given the boost he needed? But if Ollie was distracted by the people’s heights, Luca, on the other hand, was busy remembering all his past crimes. While Xavier said that he should be fine. and that in the worst-case scenario, should call on him first in any unlikely instances of getting jailed, Luca’s heart still thundered at the thought of willingly walking into a possible trap. This was something he did in his past life, and he was just hoping he’d be able to go back after a supposedly harmless meeting. Surprisingly, or ideally unsurprisingly, the meeting was really harmless, well, for them. It was actually the marshal and his people who were being kicked in the gut every time their own rules backfired against them. This all started after the inspection ended. Honestly, the silence may have been long, but the outcome was unanimous. They needed to set up a way for the military to partner with this guild. And so they asked for a meeting, and at first the other officers wondered why they couldn’t just forcefully storm in there after hearing about having to ask one puny little guild. But after the dukes who were present gave them stern side-eyes, the idiots realized that there’s got to be more to it. "Marshal, I suggest just bartering for any number of minutes. The military budget would definitely not be able to afford the rates for everyone, but even five minutes would be enough." Recommended Duke Zorath "If anything, maybe we could strike a deal for our non-human soldiers who need more spiritual energy to survive." Sighed Duke Azren, who was grasping at straws. "Sir, would they be unwilling to sell it to the military?" Asked one of the officers who was well-meaning but lacked the right information. "Even if they attempt to sell it, we likely won’t have enough funds to buy unless we liquidate ourselves. All together." Answered Curtis, who decided to save the poor soul. "Is it really that life-changing?" Asked one of the retired advisers who looked at the constipated faces of these powerful people and had to know just what it all was. "All those fruits and drinks that you all live for? They serve it there. They even serve more of it to the beasts." Eden dead-panned. But she was not wrong. "And yet, there’s no need to eat just to benefit. It’s enough to breathe." "It’s just that once you leave the place, you realize how bad the air here is." She sniffled, and the others who were both fortunate and unfortunate enough to be able to experience it, grimaced with her. Marshal Julian felt like he was going to come down with a headache. And while his body was seriously at its best state in a very long while, his mental health was inversely suffering. And if he was like this, what more for people who would have desperately benefitted from being there? This was a moral dilemma, one that hopefully their Imperial Prince accounted for.

Chapter 258: Reputation

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