A heavy silence filled the examination room.

Eunha, who had been silent by the side all along, silently picked up the paper and checked its contents.

It was undoubtedly an absurd story.

All the contents densely written on one side of the paper were ingredients for combining a single medicine.

x5

x15

x1

x1

…

Even a cursory glance indicated that the types exceeded a hundredfold. Some items were unheard of even for Junhwan, who had been a hunter for 11 years.

Although there were occasionally items that could be easily found anywhere.

x700

x1500

x9999

The required quantities surpassed imagination.

Even if the entire guild warehouse were emptied right now, such quantities would not be obtained.

“To personally conquer gates and obtain items, or to knock on guild doors with the items through inquiries, it will take at least two months just to obtain most materials. For items that can only be acquired in specific gates, it might take a year or even longer to get them.”

No, that would be too late.

The medicine needed to be obtained as soon as possible. Even now, Minju might be wandering in a perilous situation.

…

…

Amidst the prolonged silence with no one uttering a word, Rose, who had maintained her silence for a long time, slowly moistened her lips.

“There’s only one way that’s the fastest and most effective.”

Junhwan raised his head abruptly. However, Rose’s face was as heavy as ever.

“Pixie Powder.”

With an expression as stern as her words, Rose quietly added.

“An artifact-level item that can erase curses, chaos, petrification, or any abnormal state in one go.”

Just as there were hunter ranks, items also had grades: common, rare, heroic, artifact, and legendary, in that order.

As expected, the international Hunter Association had set these standards, which were universally accepted worldwide.

Naturally, as the grade increased, the effects of the item also became more potent, and the probability of obtaining it became extremely low.

‘Pixie Powder…’

Eunha, who had been walking, abruptly stopped in her tracks.

Pixie Powder mentioned by Rose was of the artifact grade. In other words, it was the most difficult grade to obtain, excluding legendary.

Suddenly, the lifeless image of Minju lying on the bed came vividly to Eunha’s mind.

“Sister, since I’ll be back in a moment, can’t you come visit again in a few days?”

“Yeah, did everyone hear? We promised, sister! Definitely!”

Minju, who used to run around like a squirrel, giggling, would now be in a state where she couldn’t breathe without medical equipment for a few days.

Pixie Powder. If they had that, could they truly return to the way things were?

[The divine beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ expresses doubt about why the little one’s situation is bothering you so much.] Suddenly, a message window appeared in front of Eunha. She looked at it for a moment and then, as if she suddenly remembered something, she spoke.

“Hey, do you happen to have Pixie Powder?”

[ [Dash] [Dash] [Dash] Loading [Dash] [Dash] [Dash] ]

Then, a small hourglass appeared in front of her, rotating round and round. It seemed like a cat pawing at its fur. After a moment.

Ding.

[Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ says it seems like it might have left it somewhere, or maybe not.]

“Check properly.”

[Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ asks why? Even if it does, isn’t it for the sister, not for that little one?] [Stating that handing over such a valuable item for the sake of someone else doesn’t suit its taste, it firmly turns its head away.]

Eunha furrowed her brow faintly, unable to understand. Talking about Suzi Tasan when someone might be dying.

In that moment, she suddenly realized.

[Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ yawns as if bored.]

The rectangular message window that appeared. Inside it, a cat whose appearance couldn’t be seen was debating human nature.

Yes, a cat was a divine beast.

While not a monster that attacked humans, it couldn’t be called a human either.

The fact that the cat was helping Eunha, or being friendly, was purely because of the contract they had made. Perhaps it was because of the accumulated friendship over time, or maybe it was just the cat’s simple whim, she didn’t know.

“Please. Check properly. I need Pixie Powder for that kid.”

[Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ stares at you intently.] [Expressing doubt about why the annoying and detestable little one is making such a request, it questions why a complete stranger like the sister is even bothering.]

“Because we’re friends.”

[…….]

“Like you and me, and that kid too.”

Eunha raised her head and looked at the message window.

Back in the apartment, Eunha, sitting on the bed, remained motionless like a statue for a long time.