Chapter 62: Man vs Bar

Chapter 62: Man vs Bar

Once upon a time, Basil Bohen had intended to work in pharmaceuticals.

The idea had formed in his mind early on. Since his family was too poor to buy him books or video games, he would often spend time in his schools library to read magazines. One of them focused on science, and its pages had awakened an interest in biology and chemistry that never truly went away.

Here, sir, Basil said as he poured a red elixir down a sick mans throat. A nurse was recording the results on an Ipad at the bedside. That should help.

Thank you, young man, the patient rasped. He was probably as old as Ren on his deathbed, with wrinkled skin and a kind smile. I already feel better.

Its nothing. Basil held the old mans hand to reassure him. He always had a soft spot for senior citizens. Most of them were starved for human warmth. Just sleep and rest for now. The doctors will take care of you.

We will pass by in a few hours to check on your health, Mr. Demesmaeker, the nurse promised with a smile. Please do not smoke or drink until then.

Oh, I healed a Belgian, Basil thought with an amused smile upon recognizing the name. May God forgive me.

The old man kindly waved at Basil as he and the nurse left him. Doctors moved from room to room like overworked ants. One almost hit Basil by accident in one of the clinics hallways, before apologizing profusely.

Basil was astonished that the French healthcare system still worked at all.

I believe we can close the trial phase, Mr. Bohen, the nurse said after reviewing her files. Your potion has a one-hundred success rate so far.

Told you it would work. After struggling to cure the new Covid variant with standard potions, Basil had found the solution in his Jekyll & Stein alchemical manual. The Van Helsings Blood Ministration potion made for an excellent remedy against the Disease ailment and it was relatively easy to manufacture.

Yes, the fact that it required fermented blood scared people at first, but it beat being sick in bed all day. The plentiful hostile monsters inhabiting the countryside would provide a near-limitless supply, and they could always find blood donors at worst

Mr. Bohen, would you mind if we made a copy of your crafting manual? the nurse asked as she led him back to the reception desk. Vasi was waiting for him there under a glamor. Our medical department would benefit from its distribution.

Sure. Basil wondered if they would end up creating flesh golems. Jekyll & Stein included a few recipes to build them, though he lacked the Alchemist levels needed to do so himself. Ive also discovered a few bomb and potion formulas, if you need those.

Of course, we always welcome new options. The nurse opened her status screen. Well share our own medicine crafting recipes in return. Weve discovered a few through trial and error.

Nurse Lila Marieme shared 10 Recipes. You can check them in your Crafting subsystem.

Basil immediately did that. The list included formulas for Cold Resistance Potions, an improved version of his Green Medicine, and a Fertility Enhancer. He would keep that one a secret from Bugsy, so as not to give the centimagma any wrong ideas.

The city council is currently developing a common crafting recipe database available to everyone, said the nurse. The army asked that you be granted access to it, Mr. Bohen. You wont be able to use all the formulas withinnot without leveling up in the right classesbut it will help in a pinch.

I would be thankful. And a common crafting database for all Players was an incredible idea in general. You know, a lifetime of watching apocalypse movies taught me civilization would collapse into a dog-eat-dog world. Instead, Im in a city with universal healthcare.

You think too little of mankind, Mr. Bohen. The nurse chuckled. Civilizations have collapsed many times in the past, but we always picked up the pieces.

Basil bade her goodbye with a lighter heart and then rejoined his girlfriend. You look happy, Vasi noted as she put her arm around his own. I hope you didnt play doctor and nurse behind my back.

Never, Basil replied. Though they offered me masks and a lab coat for cosplaying.

Oh? Vasi grinned coyly. Will you give me a private check-up, Doctor Bohen?

If she wanted to play it that way, he would bite. You will have to set an appointment if you want a thorough examination, Miss Yaga.

I see a window of opportunity. Her hand brushed against his chest ever so slightly. Bugsy is knocked out cold and your baby plant is sleeping in a greenhouse. My dear Shellgirl is busy trading with local merchants for new supplies

And Plato? Basil asked with a coy grin of his own. Have you considered my cats well-being?

He is still sulking about sabertooth tigers. His cat would never change. Which means he wont bother us. Will you take me on a date, Mr. Bohen? I would like to weigh my options a bit more before the operation.

But of course, Basil replied softly. Do you have a location in mind?

Yes. Vasi grinned wickedly. And since Im the one who won the bodycount competition, youll pay for it.

Do your worst, Basil replied defiantly. I have sworn an oath, and I shall keep it.

So dramatic. Well then, lets hit the bar.

The bar? Basils enthusiasm immediately deflated. I dont drink alcohol.

She laughed at him. Then youll thank the gods for inventing non-alcoholic beverages. Come on, itll be fun.

Vasi all but dragged Basil outside the clinic, much to his annoyance.

As far as French cities went, Limoges was rather picturesque. The old center in which the clinic was located took inspiration from XVIIIth century architecture, with narrow, snow-covered streets and small brick houses. If anything, the buildings were the most normal part of the city.

Nothing screamed little French town like a giant sloth using street lights to jump from one roof to another.

The smilodon and mammoth that Basils party encountered outside the city were not an exception, but the norm. Megafauna-themed monsters could be seen in every corner of Limoges. Wooly rhinos pulled wagons full of supplies through the snow. Almost every adventurer party went shopping with a cave bear pet in towmuch to Vasis joyand nearly all pet cats had shapeshifted into sabertooth tigers; not that dogs were left behind, as most had embraced their wolf ancestry. As Patrick had warned the Bohens, the citys people had quickly tamed and befriended the local monsters.

Of course, the moose wasnt among them. The moose was too powerful, too wild, to be bound by mortal hands.

What surprised Basil the most, however, was the occasional presence of humanoids other than humans in the city. He and Vasi passed by several shops managed by orcs, and one city watch patrol included a skeletal knight in full plate armor. Yet none of them disturbed the locals. They had become part of the landscape.

It surprised Basil that Vasi had decided to hide her true nature behind an illusion spell after seeing this. If a walking corpse wouldnt disturb Limoges citizens, he doubted her horns would.

Vasi led him to a tavern whose outside walls were painted like a castles defenses and its door shaped like a drawbridge. The name Bar Gayard was written above the door in an ancient medieval style. Basil could hear the sound of laughter coming from it. Clearly the city had voted against a confinement.

I missed these places, Vasi whispered. We should dance later.

Im not good at it, Basil pointed out.

Ill teach you. She pulled him past the doors and into the establishment. The tavern was surprisingly bigger than it looked from the outside, with dozens of wooden tables and enough space to house a hundred people within its walls. The owner, Patrick, worked to make cocktails for adventurers from behind a counter alongside an orc assistant. A waitress dressed like a medieval tavern wench took orders from parties of mages, gunslingers, and swordsmen.

The place had been specifically decorated to mimic a fantasy pub. Coats of arms and swords covered the walls, alongside stuffed head trophies of goblins, ogres, wyverns, and other creatures. The fur of a giant lion slightly smaller than Rosemarine made for a comfy carpet.

On a second thought, Basil might learn to appreciate the place. An establishment with so many trophies had to include a hunters lodge society of some kind, and he always liked those.

Oi, Basil! Welcome! Patrick waved a hand at the couple as they approached the counter, his eyes setting on Vasi. He seemed to recognize her, even with the glamor spell on. Is that your witch girl?

Under disguise, Vasi replied.

You dont have to wear one. In case you havent noticed, were a pretty open community. Patrick whistled at the waitress. VIP seats for these two!

Thank you, but I would rather not take unnecessary risks, Vasi said as the bars staff brought the couple two stools to sit on. I've had bad experiences in the past.

Basil frowned. What kind?

The witch hunter kind, his girlfriend replied evasively as she claimed her seat. I dont want to talk about it now.

Sure, I wont push it. Basil sat close to the counter next to his girlfriend and quickly changed the subject. Im surprised you have both so many monsters around and a functioning community, Patrick. How did it happen?

Limoges dungeon produces megafauna monsters and the occasional undead, Patrick explained. But thankfully most of them are weak to Fire and the local glass industry produced a lot of Pyromancers. We killed the Boss in the early days and quickly stabilized the city.

Who is the new Boss now? Basil asked.

The mayor. And when he dies in his post, his replacement will take over the dungeon too. Its a pretty good set-up. The bartender put his hands on the counter. What do I serve you?

Something sweet, please, Vasi said.

Milk, Basil ordered with a stern expression. Like a real man.

[Milk Mojito] boosted your Strength and Vitality for two hours; your bones cannot be [Crippled] for that duration.[All for One] has shared the effect with your team!Elsa DupontinLevel 20 Humanoid (Berserker 17/Bard 3)Party: BuzzBand.Roxanne Roxie LeclairLevel 19 Humanoid (Samurai 5/ Gunslinger 5/Gunblade 9)Party: BuzzBand.

Oh, yes he did. The brats class had insane Vitality. I think he even liked the flight course. The samurai shrugged. He and his dad kinda split from our group afterwards though, and I couldnt blame them.

The names Elsa. Nice to meet you. The berserker shook hands with Basil and Vasi, clearly eager to change the subject. The doubter next to me is Roxie.

Basil Bohen, Basil introduced himself. And the princess next to me is called Vasi.

I forgot my crown in the carriage, Vasi mused.

Anyway, whats up? Roxanne asked Patrick. Why did you call us, P?

These twos party will leave for Paris tomorrow, the bartender explained. Do you have any pointers to give them?

Dont, the samurai said immediately, a scowl forming on her face. You dont wanna go there. We were lucky to make it out alive.

Her teammate nodded. Paris is a monster-infested ruin, and not the fun kind. I dont recommend approaching it even with your high level.

Are you natives from the city? Vasi asked cautiously.

No, but we were in its suburbs when the world went crazy, Elsa said. Have you ever heard of the Japan Expo?

The anime convention? Basil asked with a grin. I used to go there before Covid confinments canceled it.

Wow, really? Elsa gave Basil a gentle fist bump, and her teammate quickly did the same. The brotherhood bond of anime fanaticism united them. So glad to meet a fellow weeb.

A weeb? Vasi frowned. What is that, a secret society?

Its something like a cult and guilty pleasure, Basil joked.

Dont feel guilty, Roxie said with a faint smile. All the hours spent watching Isekai anime and playing video games paid off big time. Its half the reason why we made it out of Paris alive. That, and the katanas.

If you really want to know, we were an indie rock band before the whole System shitshow, Elsa explained with a smirk. That explained the partys name. We were so happy to play for Japan Expo after the post-Covid reopening and then bam! The whole world turns into a manga!

The Seinen kind, Roxie added with a sigh. We didnt even get legendary weapons for our troubles.

Seinen? Vasi raised an eyebrow at her boyfriend. I have the feeling you are all speaking in code.

Ill explain later, Basil reassured her. Wasnt the Japan Expo taking place in the Parc des Expos this year?

Yeah, it was supposed to, Roxie confirmed. And thats why were still alive. We were in Paris periphery.

Most cities have one dungeon because they dont have too many monuments, her teammate said with a scowl. Paris opened the apocalypse show with six of them.

Six?! Basil choked in astonishment. One dungeon was trouble enough, but six on the first day meant a relentless barrage of monsters unleashed on an unprepared population.

Yeah, you can imagine the disaster. Elsa nodded sadly. The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Notre Dame, the UNESCO building they all transformed into dungeons at once and their power immediately rebranded the place.

Basils eyes widened at the mention of the UNESCO HQ, but he let the two finish their tale.

The whole citys unrecognizable, mate, said Roxie. The dungeons changed the geography and turned it into a new and improved Sahara desert. With mummies and scorpions and sphinxes

As Roxie said, we were in the periphery so we had it less bad than people in the city center but only barely so. Her teammate sighed sadly. We and other parties had to fight our way out of the Parc des Expos. Few made it out alive.

Im sorry to hear that, Vasi whispered with sincerity. Weve lost people too.

Roxie looked away. We were lucky. Our whole band made it to Limoges in one piece.

Are you really sure you want to go to Paris? Elsa shook her head. Its suicide.

We have to, Basil insisted. We must rescue a friend.

The two adventurers exchanged a silent glance, before acquiescing to their request. Your loss, but I can respect the sentiment, Roxie said. What do you wanna know?

Our target is the UNESCO HQ, Basil explained. But really, any info will help.

Considering the danger ahead, they should gather as much information as possible.

The UNESCO building? Elsa smiled sadly. Youre too late. Its already gone.

Basils jaw clenched. What do you mean, its gone?

You know the Louvre? The museum with the Joconde painting? Elsa asked. Basil nodded in confirmation, recognizing the Joconde as the French term for the Mona Lisa. It turned into an actual Egyptian pyramid dungeon. When the Incursion happened, it grew in power and swallowed the UNESCO building? Not sure how to put it into words.

The dungeons fused, her teammate cut in. The Louvre Pyramid absorbed the UNESCO building into itself and started spawning more powerful monsters afterward. Thats probably why Pluto did it.

Pluto? Vasi asked.

The Boss of the Louvre Pyramid. He controls most of Paris except for the Eiffel Tower dungeon, since some psycho murderhobo cult managed to beat him to the prize. Roxie scratched her cheek. The Apocalypse Punks or something?

The Apocalypse Force, Roxie, Elsa corrected. Apocalypse Force.

This is just getting better and better, Basil thought darkly. Pluto was the Roman name of the Greek god Hades, and considering that person targeted the UNESCO HQ, he was almost certainly Benjamin Leroys godlike avatar. At least our enemies are fighting each other as much as they target us.

His distaste must have shown on his face, for Elsa immediately picked up on his animosity. Youve met them?

We had that displeasure, Vasi confirmed. They are bad news.

No kidding. Roxie snickered. They kill everyone who isnt part of their group. At least Pluto spares the kids he abducts.

Basil clenched his empty glass so tightly that it shattered in his hands. Shards bounced off his hardy skin and showered the counter, much to his annoyance. Sorry, Patrick.

Its okay, Im used to it. Patrick grabbed the shards and they magically reformed into a complete glass. Bartender Perk.

Neat, Basil commented before turning his attention back to the Parisian party. Hes abducting kids?

Yeah. Elsa put her hand in her hair, her gaze distant. His monsters kill all the humans they encounter, except for children under ten years of age. They capture and bring them to the Louvre Pyramid instead.

For what purpose? Vasi asked with a dark look. Does he intend to sacrifice them?

I dont know, Elsa said sorrowfully. The few adventurers who managed to infiltrate the Pyramid and came back to tell the tale said the children were well-treated, but they couldnt rescue anyone.

Basil clenched his jaw as he remembered the information in Benjamin Leroys file. His daughter had died a little over seven years ago in a terrorist attack, so taking on the guise of a death god like Hades made sense if he intended to revive her. And if Hypathia was to be believed, then he administered a soul-harvesting device of some kind

Bartender? Basil turned to Patrick. Do you know if Hindus believe in an afterlife?

What does it have to do with abducted children? Roxie asked with a frown.

Everything, Basil replied dryly.

I think the Hindu mostly believe in reincarnation, Patrick replied absentmindedly as he poured a drink, confirming Basils suspicions. Like, you die and youre reborn as somebody else.

A man with power over souls and who had lost his daughter seven years ago was kidnapping any child within that age range.

What were the odds?