Ball of Nothing

Truen bowed respectfully after he returned to Earth with the Sage God of Medicine. The physician returned the gesture and served them bitter Chinese tea.

\"I know that you're not here to apprentice under me. Likewise, I have no intention to teach an assassin the ropes of my trade.\"

The wood elf thanked Hua Tuo. \"As expected, Hua Tuo is insightful. I'm here to thank you on Zero's behalf as well as request for a favour.\"

\"Oh?\" the physician stroked his beard with interest. From Buddha's texts, the physician pictured Truen as a wood elf with a double face and a very cruel heart. Why would someone like that ask for a favour?

\"As the founder of the Onion Union, is there something that you cannot do?\"

Truen didn't react to that light jab. He wasn't very surprised that the physician knew what he was doing behind the scenes. After all, Hua Tuo was invited to the Onion Union before. the Sage God declined Truen's invitation but promised to act individually and help out if Zero was ever in any kind of trouble.

\"It's not that I cannot do it, it is simply easier if you assisted me. I need to meet up with the villagers in Half Moon Village but without a proper cover and excuse for me to be there, it will be very hard to convince all the villagers. A few of them already know me but most of them don't. I don't want to bring the Onion Union's operation to that village if possible because that is Zero's base of operation. I do have to meet up with the dragons to make preparations before Zero graduates his magic training. We need to scout the human towns and kingdoms.\"

Hua Tuo sighed. \"Understood. You can rest here for now. I need to briefly return to the abyss to close the hospital and clinic.\"

Truen didn't question why the Sage God had a hospital and clinic in the abyss but expressed his gratitude. Hua Tuo left quickly and the wood elf decided to take a look around at the abode where Zero once lived at for a while. He smiled when there were still traces of the teen's activities in the hut. He didn't think that Hua Tuo was someone who would shape his pills into stars and hearts. That was definitely Zero's doing.

Hua Tuo returned quickly even before Truen had the chance to boil water and make tea. \"It is settled now, let us pack and travel to the village. I assume you are already acquainted with Olaf?\"

Truen nodded. \"I also happen to be in contact with Coux, Wiser, Qin Yun, Amaraline and Sekkin from Baal's faction. They told me that the Demon Lord has entered his slumber and will not be waking up for at least a few centuries.\"

As Hua Tuo packed, he nodded and filled the wood elf in about the latest news. \"You will only see Qin Yun and Olaf there at the village. The rest of them are still in the abyss, scattered around doing different things. If you want to know more about human towns, you should ask the adventurers. Vrald and Gerald will soon depart the village to embark on their journey as adventurers once more to spread the fame of Half Moon Village. There are an ex-assassin and a trained spy who have already set up operations in Smargdas Kingdom so we have basic contacts and information.\"

Truen was pleasantly surprised by the level of preparation the villagers had prepared. He was also thankful that Hua Tuo agreed to introduce Truen formally as Zero's travel buddy and unofficial guardian so that the villagers wouldn't treat him with hostility.

The first person they met at the village was Clowis who immediately pointed his spear at the wood elf. Truen didn't retaliate and allowed Hua Tuo to do the explaining. Qin Yun and Olaf had to verify Truen's identity before the villagers relaxed.

\"Sorry,\" the head warrior apologised. \"You just gave off a rather scary aura. It is hard to believe that Zero is good friends with someone like you.\"

Hua Tuo coughed awkwardly and Truen maintained his smile, not taking offence to Clowis' blunt words. The village decided to host a small feast to welcome Truen that evening and the wood elf decided to mingle with the villagers to learn more about how Zero had been coping the past year they had been apart. The stories many villagers told amused Truen. He was happy that Zero coped very well but also a little conflicted when he realised how much he had missed out on Zero's growth.

Olaf chose not to comment too much and allowed the leader of the Onion Union to blend in with the common folk. The Frost Dragon found it amazing how Truen was able to worm his way into society. The wood elf might not be very powerful in terms of combat strength but he was very manipulative and skilful in getting access to information. If such a person was not on Zero's side, Olaf would have gotten rid of them. Truen was truly a scary force to be reckoned with and definitely should not be underestimated.

Vrald and Gerlad introduced themselves briefly and Truen asked them about the adventurer's guild that he wanted to register with. After the wood elf understood Vrald and Gerald's travel plans, he decided against partying with them.

\"I think I will travel around as a solo adventurer while trying to understand more about the political situation. If possible, I want to avoid places that are engaged in war. Zero wouldn't be ready to deal with it and he might involve himself too deeply. Besides, I think Zero has a personal quest that he has to fulfil and should not linger too long in one place.\"

Vrald laughed and slung an arm around the archer. \"I know what you're talking about. A travelling doctor cannot be tied down to one place for too long. If there is a war, I'm sure Zero would want to save everyone and find a way to end it so that nobody else gets hurt. If this is the case, I think you should ask Camie if Zero can travel with her after he returns. The giantess intends to leave the village and return to her hometown. I don't know the details but there seems to be a mysterious illness that causes giants to become paralysed and bedridden.\"

The archer raised a brow and took note of the warrior called Camie. \"Understood, thank you for sharing. I might follow you to depart for Smargdas Kingdom to register as an adventurer with the guild. Does Zero need to register as an adventurer as well if he is going to travel as a doctor?\"

Olaf snorted. \"I suggest you don't do that. Adventurers have to take on guild quests in order to keep their ranks. Unless you are S ranked like these two, your adventurer license will be revoked if you are inactive. Zero might not always be on Earth. I heard that he has to run between Heaven and Hell from time to time. Who knows how long he would be here? If anything, you should look into getting a pass from Wizard God's cult. They can be found almost anywhere that has civilisation.\"

Gerald raised a bow. \"Are you talking about the church or the magician's guild?\"

Vrald rolled his eyes. \"Why would Zero register with a church?\"

The swordsman deadpanned. \"Churches are powerful. Recognised ambassadors can ignore even the orders of royalty. It depends on which God you follow. Anyone who is an ambassador of any Great God can automatically enjoy special privileges for three generations to come.\"

Truen smiled mysteriously. for someone like Zero who had the Blessings from every Great God and more, how would the churches treat him? Still, it wasn't something he should decide for Zero. The young doctor had the right to choose.

\"I will relay the message to Zero when he completes his training. Thank you for sharing. I will head to the adventurer's guild to register for my license. Also, is there a merchant organisation I can talk to? Zero would need access to finances when he arrives. I intend to create a bank account for him before he graduates.\"

Vrald looked at the wood elf strangely. \"What are you talking about? Zero already has a bank account. Half Moon Village's finances belong to Zero even if it is managed by Coux and Qin Yun. the girls have already created a separate bank account for Zero's share of the profits with Soul and Sins Bank as the guarantor.\"

Hua Tuo tried his best not to laugh at Truen's dumbfounded expression. When the archer asked the fox spirit about it, Qin Yun's answer made truen dizzy. Half Moon Trading was really making a lot of money in the abyss. Zero was also somehow the heir to Mammon's business and had more than enough money to spend. However, when it came to the currency on Earth, Zero was completely broke. Half Moon Village was barely scraping by thanks to the massive constructions and business expansion.

\"How did the village survive? We are already in the red financially!\"

Qin Yun laughed. \"Oh, it has always been this way. Nobody bothers collecting money from us thanks to our reputation. Living on Endow Hill has its benefits. Count Carrabas cannot complain about the forced contributions after attacking us first. Besides, this will soon all change after the dragon warriors make their debut. Adventurers are paid quite handsomely. Schaf has also joined a merchant guild so we shall hear very quickly about the fortune we will earn through the trade of mana stones from the abyss. Some artefacts from the abyss will be sold to auction houses all over. It won't be long before Half Moon Village establishes itself as an independent force. The Spring of Vitality flowing in the farm where we grow Zero's herb garden is also a very good source of money. Once Lovina and Cleo complete the new recovery potion, we will be swimming in money.\"

Truen didn't know how to react. He merely stared at the villagers. Were they truly normal outcasts? He didn't hear anything about this from the young doctor over their frequent calls. How could Zero neglect to mention it? The teen had everything settled. What was Truen meant to do now? He thought he would have a year to set things up behind the scenes to make the start of Zero's adventure as comfortable as he could. However, unknown to him, the villagers had already beaten him to the punch.

Dejected, the wood elf could only down his mug of ale and raise it for Tambolt to refill.