Chapter 111: Ch:111 Lesson in Lies

Daniel walked toward his home, dusting off his pants and arms, still feeling the sting of the fall.

“Fking Jason, this Krin’s goon always brings a backup,” he muttered under his breath.

As he walked along the road, he noticed a makeshift barber’s stall with no customers. A rough wooden table and a single chair sat before a tall mirror propped on a stand. Beside it rested a bucket of water, a wooden bowl floating lazily within.

He halted and ran his fingers through his hair, feeling the strands brush against his brow. “Hm… it’s starting to fall into my eyes. I should cut it.”

…

After his haircut, Daniel paid the barber a single copper coin and made his way home.

The barber was still stunned by the unusual request. Normally, men would simply walk in, sit down, and let him cut it short — each head ending up the same, cropped close like a soldier’s.

But Daniel had wanted something different.

A fade-cut.

The barber clearly didn’t understand what he meant, so Daniel had to guide him through it step by step, explaining how the hair should gradually shorten along the sides instead of being trimmed evenly all around.

In the end, it turned out to be a decent cut—slightly uneven in places, but decent nonetheless.

“Nice… I feel so light around my ears,” he murmured under his breath.

*Creag-Clank*

The sun had begun its slow descent into the afternoon. Daniel returned to his room, took a sip of the healing potion, and changed out of his clothes, wrapping a towel around his waist.

In the kitchen, Marnie was preparing the midday meal, while Darryl lay asleep on the bed.

*Splash-Splash-Splash*

Daniel washed himself, scrubbing away the dust and sweat from every inch of his body. The minor injuries had already healed under the potion’s effect.

His physique was beginning to take shape — the quiet proof of his daily runs across the training field.

While he bathed, Marnie entered, carrying a clay pot of raw rice, and began cleaning as she squatted on the floor. A faint hint of sadness on her face. Daniel’s eyes narrowed, his hands slowing as he scrubbed.

“What’s wrong, Mom? You look sad,” he said with a neutral expression.

Marnie spoke in a soft tone, explaining that a woman at the infirmary counter had been charging far more than necessary in the name of treatment.

’A lady? That Tina bitch? he thought, his expression tightening with irritation.

“How much was she charging, Mom?”

“From what I heard, she’s charging Ten gold coins unnecessarily,” Marnie said in a weary tone.

“Mom, does that mean you also gave ten coins for Father’s treatment?” Daniel asked, his brow furrowed.

She shook her head gently. “Not ten… fifteen.”

“Fifteen!” Daniel exclaimed, his voice sharp with disbelief.

Marnie rose to her feet, her voice heavy as she prepared to return to the kitchen. “I had no choice… your father was poisoned, and she was threatening to raise the fee.”

Daniel clenched the bar of soap so hard that it left a dent. ’This is unacceptable.’

He hurriedly rinsed himself and returned to his room. Quickly dressing in new, warm clothes, he made his way to the backyard with the pouch in his pocket.

Daniel withdrew Tina’s hair along with the last unused doll he had. He traced the lines with his index finger, and within minutes, the diagram took shape.

“Veiliquandè mikora jim bos ariqueisà,” said Daniel.

Slowly, the sand began to shift, forming a small mound. Black smoke seeped upward, turning gray, then white. A hand emerged from the center, lifting the doll — ready to be claimed.

Daniel acted immediately, snatching it and shoving it into his pouch before striding toward the front gate.

“Son, where are you going? Lunch is ready,” Marnie called from behind.

“I’ll be back home soon, Mom,” Daniel replied.

…

Daniel walked toward the infirmary, his mind fixed on a way to teach her a lesson, a lesson she would remember for a lifetime. He joined the line with the others. It wasn’t long; only five people had gathered.

…

“Next,” the guard called.

Daniel stepped into the infirmary and saw Tina seated on a chair, a quill in hand, scribbling across a sheet of parchment.

“Status,” he murmured.

————————

Name: Tina karame

Age: 30

HP: 1250/1250

Mana: 200/200

Essence: 100%

Quality: Good

Description: A self-centered, talkative woman who has served for years as an attendant at the Arcane Village Infirmary.

————————

The moment she lifted her head and saw Daniel, her expression shifted from a smile to a scowl. She froze mid-sentence, quill hovering above the parchment.

“You… you again. Don’t even think of breaching the room again, or I’ll permanently ban you from the infirmary,” she said, rising to her feet.

Daniel approached, lifting both arms. “Breach? Agh, no… why would I?”

As he moved to sit in the chair, Tina extended her hand to stop him.

“Did you bring the money you owe me? If not you can get out of here,” said Tina, her expression sharp and calculating.

“Oh, the coins… I actually don’t have ten gold coins but—”

Before he could finish, Tina cut him off.

“What? Then why are you here? Get out immediately. Don’t waste my time, come back when you got money,” she said, her tone harsh and biting.

She went on for what felt like minutes, words spilling out as if she were rehearsing a rap verse. Daniel said nothing, sliding into the chair with quiet composure while she lectured him from where she stood.

…

“Yes, I know I know. What I am saying is that, I have money but not gold coins. Coppers and few silvers I mean,” Daniel added immediately after her scolding ceased.

Tina sat on her chair and narrowed her eyes. “Didn’t I say only Gold.”

“I know… but, it is what it is,” said Daniel, his expression unbothered.

A moment of silence settled over the counter—until Tina broke it.

“So… you’ve got the money? Right now?” she asked, eyes flicking to the leather satchel slung over his shoulder.

“Not here, but at home,” he replied.

“Okay, do one thing: take this and come in the evening with the money,” she said handing a piece of paper.

It was her home address.

Daniel glanced at it and smirked to himself before shifting his gaze to her. Instantly, her face flushed soft red at the eye contact, a faint warmth spreading through her body.

“Okay, Lady Tina,” Daniel said, before turning away.

’What was that feeling? What’s wrong with me? My body felt warm for some reason,’ Tina wondered, as warmth bloomed inexplicably through her body, her thighs pressing together.

…

“Next,” the guard said.

Daniel stepped out of the infirmary and turned left toward his house, glancing down at his right palm where the paper rested.

Suddenly, someone tapped him on the back. Daniel spun around, but before he could react, a firm hand clutched his tunic at the chest — it was Kyle.

“You think you can walk calmly and I wouldn’t notice, huh!” Kyle said, giving him a shove.

Daniel slid the paper into his pouch and fixed him with a steady stare. “What do you want from me, Kyle?”

“Don’t try to act innocent in front of me,” Kyle said, his expression sharp. “Krin told me everything.”

“Krin? Told you? What?” Daniel asked, forcing his face into a look of confusion.

Kyle charged forward, throwing a punch, but Daniel deflected it, sending it harmlessly aside. A few people noticed, but they paid no mind.

Daniel didn’t strike back; he moved with precision, evading Kyle’s blows while repeating the sentence to him.

“What did I do?”

“Wait, Kyle, at least tell me what did I do to Krin?”

Kyle stopped, gasping for air. Strike after strike he missed his target, and frustration finally forced him to stop.

“What are you talking about? You beat him this morning didn’t you?” Kyle demanded, swinging another punch.

*Whoosh*

Daniel dodged effortlessly. “What? When? I literally woke up late this morning.”

Kyle slowed, as if reconsidering his actions. “What?”

For a brief moment, both of them froze, staring at each other in silence.

“Krin told me, that you beat him mercilessly and broke his legs and arms,” Kyle said, pointing a finger at Daniel.

“And you believed him?” Daniel replied, his tone steady.

Kyle’s face fell, his expression darkening as if recalling Krin’s words. Daniel’s words pierced his thoughts, but he didn’t allow the silence to settle between them.

“You said I broke his legs and arms… but is that really true?” Daniel asked without pause, maintaining the pressure.

’Wait… now that I think about it, he was fine after all,’ Kyle thought, recalling the scene — Krin walking and holding a glass of water as if nothing had happened. ’Does that mean… he lied to me?’

“What happened, Kyle?” Daniel asked, stepping forward.

“No, no… he wouldn’t lie to me, he shouldn’t lie to me. You must have done something to him,” Kyle said, his tone shaky and uncertain.

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