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A Bat Guy Without a Cave

Sage listed four related quests that he believed Eshmund could complete.

“Is this all? That’s not a lot,” Eshmund remarked.

“These are the ones that I think we can handle right now. Other tasks require us to leave the sect, which is unsuitable at the moment. Would you like to see the rest of them?” Sage asked.

“Yes, please,” Eshmund replied.

Sage then displayed a list of additional tasks, but they were far beyond Eshmund’s current capabilities. Some involved slaying demon beasts, while others required inscribing runes, refining pills, or crafting talismans.

“With our current ability, do you think we can do something about the lost tribute?” Eshmund asked.

“That’s a whopping 20,000 points, and there’s no specific time limit. It would be a waste to ignore it. At the very least, I can inform you of the task’s existence. We already have detailed reports from the survivors regarding the incident,” Sage explained.

Eshmund nodded. “Alright, after we have at least 30,000 Spy Bots, send the next 3,000 to focus on gathering intel on that task.”

“What about the Herb Collection quest? Why do you think it’s feasible?” he asked Sage.

“Aside from the fact that it has no time limit, it aligns with our research in the Herb Garden. Also, the Alchemist Hall just received a living specimen of the Silver Spotted Kasan Tuber today.”

“You mean…”

“Yes, we can try planting it ourselves,” Sage affirmed.

“The vine from the tuber will be discarded anyway since it has no use. No one has succeeded in cultivating it, so it’s considered useless. ”

“We could even use the Herb Garden Token contribution points if we get permission,” Sage added.

“That’s a great idea,” Eshmund said. He didn’t consider it misuse since the purpose aligned with the Herb Garden’s research. If successful, he would reward himself with a few tubers. The tubers would also be valuable even if the quest expired.

“I think we can complete the Squirrel Nest task and the Lost Jewelry task fairly easily. Tomorrow, we need to visit the Alchemist Hall and Daulina’s Diner. I wonder why the requester didn’t include the details directly in the task description,” Eshmund mused.

“We also need to survey the market for our base construction. Not having a secure base feels really awkward – like a bat guy without a bat cave.”

“A bat guy without a bat cave and a penniless one at that,” Eshmund sighed. “My eyes are tearing up. It’s funny and sad at the same time.”

Shaking off the thought, he turned to Sage. “Since both the Squirrel task and the Jewelry task are at Tuangran Lake, send some nanobots there in advance. It seems to be a popular location, so the Spy Bots can also collect samples while scanning the area.”

Eshmund then lay on his bed, casually browsing through the information organized by Sage. Eventually, fatigue took over, and he drifted into a deep sleep, slipping into a dream.

In this dream world, he found himself clad in a powerful Mecha suit, leading an army of robots against a horde of monsters. He fought fiercely, his mechanical forces then overwhelmed the enemy.

Then, naturally, he married the princess. As he walked down the aisle, admiring his beautiful bride, he couldn’t stop cursing that thieving crayfish that had stolen her jewelry. Conveniently, his dream skipped over all the formalities and jumped straight to the best part – just as he was about to claim the crown of the princess.. that’s when the morning rudely interrupted him.

As dawn broke, Eshmund began his usual routine, first checking on the herbs before running a few laps around the open clearing. Afterward, he performed his daily martial arts exercises with a focused mind and steady movements. The crisp morning air was invigorating, and each motion felt more refined than the last.

Soon, Muhsan arrived, just as they had promised. His presence was both commanding and calm. Eshmund gave him a respectful bow.

“Ready for today’s lesson?” Muhsan asked as he approached.

Eshmund nodded, standing to attention.

Muhsan crossed his arms and began, “In the Samang Sect, we teach martial arts so people can defend themselves. That doesn’t mean we can’t attack first when necessary.”

Eshmund listened intently.

“The best offense is the best defense. In other words, attacking is a form of protecting oneself. Do you understand how that works?” Muhsan asked.

Eshmund thought for a moment before replying, “If we attack first, the enemy will be too busy defending, to strike back.”

A small smile played on Muhsan’s lips. “Good. Now, what about running away? Do you think it’s an act of cowardice?”

Eshmund hesitated, then answered, “It depends on the situation. Some people care too much about their face and feel too ashamed to retreat. That’s not very smart. I’d rather run and find a way to fight back than die needlessly.”

Muhsan nodded but countered, “In that case, you might lose people’s respect. They might look down on you and call you a coward. How can you live with that?”

Eshmund shrugged. “I’m sorry to disappoint them, teacher, but most people say, ‘Never give up, keep trying until you succeed.’ I say, ‘Give up while you can and be self-aware.’ Wasting resources on a futile fight isn’t wise. We should always look for a smarter way than ‘die trying.'”

His eyes hardened as he added, “What’s the point of having a face if it’s crushed under the enemy’s feet? I’d rather escape, regroup, and strike back when the odds are in my favor. There’s always a chance for payback as long as you stay alive.”

Muhsan pondered his words for a moment before giving a small nod of approval. “That’s not entirely unacceptable.”

He then shifted topics. “In that case, I will teach you the Phantom Steps first. This technique helps martial artists evade attacks and increase speed. It’s a common skill, but mastery depends on creativity in its application.”

Eshmund immediately straightened up, eager to learn.

“Start with the horse stance,” Muhsan instructed.

Eshmund assumed the position, his posture strong and steady. Muhsan circled him, observing carefully before nodding in satisfaction. “Good.”

Placing his hand on Eshmund’s left shoulder, Muhsan sent a surge of energy flowing through him. Eshmund felt it rush from his shoulder down his spine, through his left foot, then up to his navel, before continuing the cycle through his right foot and back again. The sensation was strange yet exhilarating.

“Memorize this energy path and keep it circulating as long as you can,” Muhsan said before withdrawing his hand. He then stepped onto the grass, demonstrating a fluid, rhythmic movement. Each time his foot lifted, a faint trail of footsteps appeared, forming a circular pattern.

“Follow these footsteps,” Muhsan instructed. “Move as fast as you can while maintaining the energy flow. We’ll move on once you master this.”

Eshmund took a deep breath and attempted to follow the steps, carefully placing his feet where Muhsan had stepped. However, after just three steps, his legs gave out, and he collapsed, panting.

“Try again. Don’t give up,” Muhsan said with a teasing smile. His sarcasm wasn’t lost on Eshmund.

“Damn, he’s never letting that go,” Eshmund thought bitterly.

Seing that Eshmund is proceeding correctly, Muhsan stepped back. “I’ll leave you to it. You need to be able to complete at least twenty laps of it before we move to the next stage.”

Without waiting for a response, he retrieved his flying tool and prepared to leave.

“Ah, teacher! Thanks for the contribution points!” Eshmund called out.

Last night, while reviewing the data collected by the nanobots, he discovered that new students received only 50 points upon registration. Yet, his token displayed 200. The only person he knew before joining the Samang Sect was Muhsan, and no one else in the sect was familiar with him. It didn’t take much thought to realize that Muhsan must have secretly added the extra points without mentioning it.

Muhsan simply waved without turning back, quickly disappearing into the sky.

Eshmund sighed. “Teacher Muhsan must be very busy.”

Determined, he spent the entire morning training his new move. He managed to complete only five laps before exhaustion took over. By noon, he could go no further, so he cleaned up and took a short rest .His muscles ached from exertion, but his mind was already calculating his next steps, he had plenty to do today.

— At the Alchemist Hall —

Eshmund entered the Alchemist Hall, where the air was thick with the scent of herbs, burning incense, and alchemical concoctions. Around him, disciples bustled about, grinding ingredients, tending to cauldrons, and carefully measuring powders.

Behind a long wooden desk, Elder Qiyang sat, engrossed in a scroll. Despite his aged features, his sharp eyes immediately noticed Eshmund’s approach.

“Ah, Eshmund. Have you settled in? Do you need anything, my boy?” Elder Qiyang asked, still focused on his reading.

Eshmund bowed slightly. “I have, Elder. Thank you for your concern. I heard that the Alchemist Hall recently acquired a fresh specimen of the Silver Spotted Kasan Tuber. I was wondering if I could get its vine.”

At this, Elder Qiyang finally looked up, studying Eshmund carefully. “That plant is stubborn. Many have tried, but it refuses to grow properly outside its natural habitat. Are you planning to try your hand at it as well?”

From his previous conversations with Muhsan, Elder Qiyang was already aware of Eshmund’s fascination with plant growth and cultivation techniques. It wasn’t hard to guess his intentions.

“That’s the plan,” Eshmund admitted. “I want to start with propagation techniques first. If I can get it to take root, I’ll gradually try to encourage tuber production. I read some old records about someone who managed to grow it before, but they never got it to bear usable tubers. I’d like to take a shot at it. If I succeed, the sect could gain a stable supply.”

Elder Qiyang stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Ambitious. But I suppose there’s no harm in letting you try.” He waved a hand, signaling an attendant to fetch the vine. “Take it. No one else has any use for it. But keep an eye on the herb garden’s budget – we can’t afford disruptions just because of one stubborn plant.”

Eshmund accepted the vine with a grateful nod. “Thank you, Elder. I’ll make sure to report any progress.”

— Daulina’s Diner —

Daulina’s Diner was lively, filled with the chatter of disciples and the enticing aroma of roasted meat and freshly baked bread. The owner, Daulina, was a young woman in her twenties. She had a beautiful appearance and a cheerful demeanor, but her sharp gaze was almost as piercing as Elder Qiyang’s. It felt as if she could size up every customer with just a glance.

“You’re Muhsan’s student, aren’t you?” Daulina asked with a smile as Eshmund approached the counter. “He told me about you.”

“I am. Are you Miss Daulina? Nice to meet you,” Eshmund replied before getting straight to the point. “I came about the task regarding a lost piece of jewelry.” He could see she was busy with customers and didn’t want to take up too much of her time.

Daulina wiped her hands on her apron and nodded. “Just call me Sister. Yes, the requester asked me to hand this over to anyone who inquired.” She passed him a small piece of paper with an address written on it.

Eshmund accepted the note. “Thank you, Sister Daulina. I’ll head there now.”

She glanced at the bustling diner and then back at him. “It’s peak hour right now, but if you have time later, come by after lunchtime – I’ll treat you to something.”

“I will. Thank you,” Eshmund said with a slight bow before leaving.

— At the Inn —

At the inn, Eshmund knocked on the door of the requester’s rented room. The young man who opened it was well-dressed and handsome, no older than fifteen. Dark circles under his eyes hinted at many sleepless nights.

“You’re here about my request?” he asked cautiously, glancing left and right outside the door before letting Eshmund in.

Eshmund nodded. “I need more details about the task.”

“Please, have a seat,” the young man said, signaling a servant, who quickly left the room.

The young man hesitated before sighing. “It’s complicated. I can’t disclose my identity or the locket’s specifics publicly. But here is a drawing of the locket along with its description.”

Eshmund studied the drawing. It was indeed a fine piece of craftsmanship. As he examined it, the servant returned, carrying a tray with tea and condiments.

“Please, don’t be shy. Help yourself,” He offered as he poured tea into both cups.

Eshmund accepted the cup as the young man finally introduced himself. “I am Silas, from the Isayu family. My family runs one of the biggest seafood supply chains in the Red Velvet Kingdom. The locket is our family heirloom, crucial for my inheritance ceremony when I turn fifteen. The ceremony is in the Lion Month, two months from now but I dropped it into Tuangran Lake during an argument.”

Silas’s voice grew bitter. “I liked a girl. She initially accepted my feelings, but after she became a cultivator, she changed. She saw me as just a mortal, unworthy of her time. We argued at Tuangran Lake, and in the heat of the moment, I pulled out the locket to prove my worth.

I’m sure it was unintentional, but she brushed my hand away, and the locket slipped from my fingers – right into the water.”

Eshmund considered his words. “So it’s still at the bottom of the lake?”

Silas nodded. “I tried everything to retrieve it, but the water’s deep. And everyone who tried so far has failed to find it. Not many are willing to make a second attempt. I suppose it’s because underwater breathing and fish-vision talismans are expensive. It defeats the purpose of taking on the quest. Fewer and fewer people are showing up to try, and I’m running out of time. Please help me.”

Eshmund folded his arms. “It’s good that it fell and wasn’t stolen, like I initially thought. That actually makes things easier.”

Silas’s eyes brightened, hope returning to his face. “If you can retrieve it, I’ll pay extra. In fact, I can offer you five times the contribution points listed in the request. But I can’t put a high bounty on it, otherwise, the wrong people might get involved. But if you bring it back, I’ll make it worth your while.”

Eshmund nodded. “Understood. I’ll see what I can do.”

— At the Market —

Eshmund strolled through the bustling marketplace, weaving past vendors selling everything from spirit herbs to enchanted weapons. The scent of incense mixed with sizzling street food, and the lively chatter of merchants haggling with customers filled the air.

He approached a stall displaying various construction materials – timber infused with spirit energy, stone slabs inscribed with minor reinforcement runes, and protective formation components. The vendor, a stocky man with a thick beard, gave him a nod.

“Looking for something specific, young master?” the vendor asked, rubbing his hands together.

“I’m planning to build a small workspace for crafting and need to estimate the cost of materials,” Eshmund replied.

“Ah, you came to the right place. What kind of structure are you aiming for? Defensive? Aesthetic? Mobile?”

“Just the essentials – sturdy, functional, and secure. No unnecessary decorations,” Eshmund clarified.

The vendor chuckled. “Good thinking! Too many young ones waste their contribution points on fancy embellishments. Here, take a look at these spirit-reinforced wood planks. Resistant to weathering and moderate attacks.”

Eshmund ran his fingers over the polished surface. “What about stone? Something durable but cost-effective?”

“Spirit-tempered stone is a solid choice, though pricier than wood. If you’re on a budget, I’d recommend a wood-stone hybrid structure – wood for the main framework, stone for the foundation and reinforcement.”

Eshmund nodded and jotted down the prices before moving on to other vendors to inquire about formation materials, security enhancements, and necessary furnishings. While some formations could be carved into the walls, others required specialized components, which increased the cost significantly.

After gathering enough information, he realized that individual purchases might not be the most cost-effective approach. He decided to visit the Construction Department to compare prices and check if getting everything from one place would be cheaper.

— At the Construction Department —

Eshmund stepped into the Construction Department, where cultivators and clerks bustled about, managing various building projects within the sect. The scent of ink and paper filled the air as clerks flipped through blueprints and checked request forms.

He approached the front desk, where a lean man in simple robes glanced up from his documents. “State your business,” the clerk said in a monotonous voice.

“I’m looking to construct a small building for crafting and need a quotation based on essential requirements – functionality over aesthetics,” Eshmund explained.

The clerk nodded and pulled out a standard request form. “Specify the dimensions and features.”

“Ten square meters. Basic durability enchantments. A simple defensive formation to deter intruders. Standard furnishings, nothing excessive. I have the schematic drawn,” Eshmund said.

The clerk examined the drawing. “This is pretty well drawn. Are you studying construction?” he asked, scribbling down details and making quick calculations with his abacus.

“No, not really. I’m building this workshop in the sect’s herb garden with permission from the Alchemist Hall to research herbs,” Eshmund replied.

“Oh, I see” The clerk’s enthusiasm dimmed slightly, but he continued, “For a fully furnished ten-meter-square structure with protection formations, the cost would be 15,000 contribution points.”

Eshmund noticed the shift in the clerk’s tone but didn’t comment. Instead, he said, “That’s way over budget. If I strip away all non-essentials, how much would it be?”

The clerk adjusted the calculations, crossing out decorative features and luxury furnishings. “The bare minimum setup comes to 9,877 contribution points.”

Eshmund let out a sigh. It was still expensive, but at least it was more manageable. “Alright, I’ll think it over. Thanks for the information.”