Molting

I dragged my exhausted body step by step out of the dense forest. The sun had not risen yet, but there was a glimmer of light on the horizon. I could already see the vague outline ahead, which was Neerstan, the place where I live, the place I protect, and the home of both her and me.

I found the delicate footprint of a maid's boot at the entrance and thought the young lady must have safely returned to town. The forest was still very dangerous for a newcomer, just like me when I entered the forest...

Looking back, the dark and hateful forest behind me seemed to have countless monsters staring at me, wanting to devour me completely. Thinking about this, I couldn't help shivering all over and quickened my pace.

I am weak, which I should have known long ago.

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When I first arrived in Neerstan, I was also proud and arrogant (a common problem for young people), thinking that there was nothing I couldn't do. After all, she was with me, and I could do anything for her. Her smile was the best encouragement for me because we were the closest partners in this world. So I started working in Neerstan, hoping to become a priest and then go on adventures, looking forward to the feeling of adventure.

Working days were tough, often rewarded for hard work, but also beaten sometimes...

Gradually, I saved enough silver coins to become a priest in the church in the city. A Bishop baptized me, and after praying, I received my staff and priest robes.

A strong desire for adventure and arrogance made me restless. After learning about Holy Protection, I went straight to the adventurer's guild. The guild was bustling, people coming and going, and I walked proudly among them. After registering, an uncle at the entrance asked me, "Young man, where are you going?"

"Forest."

"That's not a place for you." The uncle stood in front of the door.

"You're not strong enough," he said seriously.

I looked around the entire guild hall, people staring at me with expressions that meant: overestimating oneself. I understood what they meant, but at that time, my enthusiasm and arrogance for adventure did not care.

"Whether I am strong or not is not for you to decide," I stared at him with hostile eyes and pushed him out of the way.

It seemed that the uncle wanted to chase after me, but he was held back by his companion with a bow on his back. His companion shook his head, the uncle shook off his hand, and realized that I had already disappeared. The two of them quarreled after a few words.

"Aunt Aley, get me a grilled fish!" I sat down excitedly at the inn, and Aley, the proprietress, was said to have been an adventurer too.

"I heard you're going on an adventure?" Aley asked with concern as she placed a grilled fish in front of me.

"Auntie, your news is really well-informed." As soon as I said that, I realized Sisi had also come downstairs and asked Aley to get her a dragon's saliva fruit.

"Sisi, I became a priest! We can live a good life from now on!" I excitedly shared my plan with Sisi.

But I found that Sisi didn't move her dragon's saliva fruit and looked worriedly at me, writing on the table: Don't go, the forest is very dangerous.

Even Sisi knew? I hadn't said anything when Aley interrupted: "Auntie knows I can't persuade you, but be careful and don't go too deep. There are powerful monsters there, especially goblins. They often act in groups and are no less intelligent than humans, but they shouldn't appear on the periphery."

"I know, I know." I waved my hand at Aley and gently touched Sisi's head to comfort her. To my surprise, she didn't avoid me like she usually did. I left two silver coins and set off!

At first, the exploration in the forest didn't encounter any monsters, only small animals and strange fruits. The desire to explore made me go deeper and deeper. I gradually entered the gloomy inner part of the forest, but I didn't notice the broken wooden sign on the tree: Extremely dangerous ahead in the deep forest!

During my exploration in the forest for a day, I encountered gray bears and red wolves more than once. Although I defeated them, I was slightly injured. However, they were all external injuries. Holy protection made my body much stronger, and healing magic could easily brush away these wounds.

PS: I really can't write about fighting...Afterward, I discovered a stray goblin wandering by the creek, carefully cleaning its short blade. Judging by its material, it seemed to have been snatched from another adventurer, which made it quite valuable. I threw Aunt Ellie’s advice to the back of my mind, sneaked up behind the goblin, and was about to knock it out. I hadn't considered the possibility of a trap at all.

Unexpectedly, the goblin turned around and blocked my staff with its short knife, immediately letting out a unpleasant, shrill cry. Its small eyes emanated a gleeful light, as seven more goblins jumped out from the bushes, holding homemade bone spikes and began to surround me.

I realized something was wrong, but it was too late to retreat. The goblins charged at me, and in the chaos, I could only try to dodge their attacks. However, I was caught off guard by the first goblin who stabbed me in the lower back - it hurt so much!

Bang! In pain, I grabbed its neck, swung it up, and hit it with my staff, but my strength was weakened. As it struggled, it slashed my arm, creating a wound.

I tried to fend off the other goblins while retreating, but the pain from my lower back wound made it difficult to parry their attacks and caused me to lose focus.

One goblin leaped towards me with a sharp, gleaming bone spike, aiming for my throat! I thrust my staff into its belly, sending it flying away, but in doing so, I also fell to the ground, unable to move because of the pain in my lower back.

This played right into the goblins' hands, as the one I had knocked away got up, sneering and stabbing its knife into my abdomen while I was down. Intense pain made me spit blood onto the goblin, but it kept twisting the knife, and in agony, I managed to smash its skull, but I could barely stand.

Pain, so much pain! My body felt like there was a hole in it, my blood frantically spilling out.

The remaining goblins cheered, surrounding me even more. One of them picked up the short knife and pointed the blade at my neck...

The pain made it hard for me to concentrate, and my vision began to darken…

Am… am I going to die?

Whoosh! Arrows quickly shot and killed the goblin.

"Right on target! Always having to save you…"

In a haze, I seemed to hear some voices: "Are we too late?" "He's still alive! Hurry!" "Thank heavens." It was noisy.

A group of people fought off the goblins in an organized manner, and one of them tried to staunch my wound but couldn't stop the blood loss. They shouted something.

Will I not see Sisi anymore?

…

…

…

…

The endless fear of never seeing Sisi again compared to death was even more terrifying.

"Quick! Take him back to town!"

"You really are a lousy do-gooder."

"Instead of mocking, why not help?" Someone lifted me up.

I don't want to! I don't want to! I don't want to!

At that moment, regret and fear were all that filled my heart.

"With this wound… I don’t think he'll last long."

"Shut up!"

Although my consciousness struggled to shout, all that came out was more bloody foam.

My body felt endlessly cold.

My world inevitably darkened, and at the last moment, I seemed to see a small figure with silvery hair and a wrist reaching towards my mouth. Something flowed into my throat…

Who is it? Is it Sisi?

…

A burst of flame entered my dark consciousness and spread throughout my body, warming me up.

"Sisi! Cough cough!" I suddenly opened my eyes, feeling as if something had been poured down my throat, and started coughing. I saw Sisi's worried face, filled with boundless joy as she threw herself into my arms, and I tightly hugged her. The memory of endless fear still lingered, so I covered my eyes with my hand, not wanting Sisi to see my distressed appearance, but tears just kept flowing.

Afterward, I learned that it was the uncle leaning against the wall who had saved me with his team. I was grateful to him, but I was too ashamed to talk to him, because I hadn't listened to his advice.

But no one knew how my terrible wound had healed. I only had a vague memory of what happened, and everything else was unknown.

Sisi's face turned pale, and the lively girl had become quiet, always looking at me with worry in her eyes. I thought it was because she was too concerned about me, so I didn't ask anything.It was then that I realized: I was very weak.

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The sun began to rise, and I leaned on my scepter, the image of her face emerging in my mind. Was she still asleep in the warm inn? Thinking of her sleeping position, a faint smile appeared in my heart. However, when I reached the city gate, I found a small figure standing under the gate.

Sisi! I hurriedly walked over, but it was winter! My body reached its limit, and I slipped and almost fell.

Sisi quickly caught me, her face flushed red from the cold. She was wrapped in a blanket, wearing only a dress, which I had given to her. I hurriedly wrapped her in the priest's robe, and she looked at me happily, simply because I had returned safely.

Back at the inn, Aunt Ailei glared at me and gave both Sisi and me a cup of hot tea.

"Today is the festival, be careful not to catch a cold and miss it."

Has time passed so quickly? I looked at Sisi, who was excitedly staring at me, her eyes sparkling like stars. I had promised to spend the entire day with her at the festival.

"Did you go to the forest again today?" Ailei asked casually.

"Yes," I replied, somewhat silent. I was now a bishop, proficient in divine protection and elven guardianship, and had even learned a powerful divine spell: Holy Punishment. My wooden scepter had been replaced with a cleric's staff, and my off hand held a cleric's book for assistance. Such a powerful cleric wandering in the forest was simply unimaginable.

I knew what Aunt Ailei meant, but I had no choice, after all, I was...

My fellow adventurers were already exploring mines, even daring to venture into the second level, while I was a laughingstock. I knew many people looked down on me in secret.

But I didn't care. This was me, the current me, the weak me.

It's worth mentioning that my reputation among the newcomers seemed quite good, as I often rescued those who needed help in the forest, like the maid I met today, just like the uncle who once saved me...

Speaking of my uncle, it was a long time before I wanted to thank him, but I learned that he and his team had gone to the frontline. Perhaps I would meet him again when I truly became stronger.

"You... sigh." Ailei wanted to say something but held back.

All I could do was smile bitterly.

------------------------

The delicious grilled fish restored my energy, and Sisi and I prepared ourselves a little, selling the spoils of last night's battle to the merchants and heading towards the commercial street. PS: I never considered the commercial street an adventure, nor did I have any buffs...

As the bells of the church rang, the merchants set up their stalls, people came out of their houses, and the noisy festive atmosphere spread from afar. The commercial street festival was officially open!

The commercial street was crowded with people, and the constant influx of crowds even swept Sisi and me along. I held Sisi's hand and shielded her in front of me.

"Candied hawthorn! Delicious candied hawthorn!" "Don't miss out on this great deal! If you can't buy it, it's a loss, and if you can't buy it, it's a scam. Milhouse's artificial magic crystals satisfy your desire for magic power!" "Hair growth liquid! Hair growth liquid! Only 998!" The merchants enthusiastically called out their wares, seemingly ready to slaughter these adventurers during the festival. Thinking that I was one of them, I cursed in my heart: profiteers.

Sisi excitedly walked between the stalls, as this was our first time out since arriving in Neresistan. Soon, her eyes fixed on the candied hawthorn, and I asked the price: 1 silver coin. No doubt, the festival prices were high, but I bought them since Sisi wanted them.

"Kind cleric, and this beautiful little girl! Fortune-telling? Predicting fate, predicting the future! Guaranteed to be accurate or no money! You're my first customer, only 10 silver!" Just as I was about to brush him off, a heavily armored warrior squeezed through us, almost knocking my candied hawthorn sticks down. Wearing such thick armor at a festival, what a strange person.

"No, thanks!" I took the opportunity to quickly pull Sisi away.

Ahead, a fishing competition was being held, which seemed fun. The fish caught could be taken away, and there were prizes for the winners. Sisi was eager to try it out as well.

Roar, it was time to show off my skills! Just as I confidently tinkered with my fishing rod, Sisi had already caught a fish...Why is Sisi so skilled at this? I feel a bit embarrassed. As the number of fish in the pool decreases, Sisi actually gets first place. Seeing her happy expression, I can't help but smile as well.

"Let's go." I called out to Sisi, who returned to my side and quietly stuffed the prize money into my waist pouch.

As we passed by an alchemy shop, the enthusiastic shop assistant stopped me, "Sir! Try my latest developed potion, which prolongs life! It's free!" I pushed back the potion with a strange color and thanked the assistant. They dare to use adventurers as guinea pigs for testing?

Just as we were about to leave, Sisi tugged at my sleeve and pointed to a small stall nearby. The stall displayed many old toys, broken magic devices, and impure magic crystals.

Following Sisi's direction, I found a small blood-red impure magic crystal that looked more like a broken piece with blood-colored impurities inside.

I squatted down, playing with the old toys and taking a look at this and that. I carelessly picked up the blood crystal, looked at it, and put it back down.

"Sir, is there anything you'd like? These are all very cheap." The stall owner said casually as he saw someone leaving.

"Where did you get these things?"

"Hehe, these were brought over from the front line battlefield by someone, and the magic crystals were taken from the mine. They're all good stuff!" He had an expression that said, "you'll be making a profit if you buy these."

Good stuff? Those soldiers wouldn't leave anything valuable on the battlefield. Anything that could be used would have been taken away already. These must be useless junk. No wonder he's a swindler.

I seemingly picked a few of the old toys and an old pocket watch without a hand.

"How much for these?" I asked as I played with the pocket watch.

"Hehe, not expensive, let me count...10 silver coins." The peddler said.

"10 silver coins? Are you trying to take advantage of me? Most of the things you have are broken. Even if I want to use them, I would have to repair them." I knocked the ground heavily with my staff.

The peddler glanced at the pocket watch and acted as if he was very sure of himself: "6 silver coins is the lowest I can go. If you're not willing to take it, there's nothing I can do." He pretended to take back the pocket watch.

"6 silver coins?" I put away the pocket watch, threw back a few of the antiques, and grabbed several other magic crystals, including the blood crystal.

"4 silver coins."

"Deal!" The peddler seemed very excited, afraid that I would change my mind. He must be thrilled to sell this pile of rubbish for 4 silver coins. PS: I would be excited too if I could sell a blood crystal fragment for 4 silver coins!

I turned around and put the pocket watch in my waist pouch and handed the magic crystals to Sisi. Sisi took the blood crystal, sniffed it, and put it in her mouth.

I was surprised to see the crystal quickly become transparent, then dissolve into energy and enter Sisi's body. Sisi's pale face seemed to be a little more rosy, and she seemed not to want to tell me what it was. However, I didn't ask further, as I believed that Sisi would tell me sooner or later.

Suddenly, the crowd began to surge, and I was bumped by someone and fell to the ground. In an instant, I was trampled on by several people. I couldn't imagine falling in such a situation. I tried to get up, but before I could, a heavily-armored warrior stepped on my back with his foot. My body made close contact with the stone floor. Due to the festival, I had no buffs on my body, and the thin priest's robe provided no protection. The huge force impacted my delicate organs, and a mouthful of blood rushed up my throat.

Sisi shouted in horror, but was pushed away by the crowd. I lay on the ground, trampled by countless people, in so much pain that I couldn't move. Just then, another warrior stepped on me. Crack! Everything went black, and I lost consciousness.

Ah, this familiar darkness. I'm really useless. Am I on the verge of death again? Being trampled to death is such a ridiculous end. In my hazy consciousness, I felt a little self-mockery.

Sisi is nearby, and she must be heartbroken. I'm sorry, I may not be able to accompany you anymore...

I felt someone dragging me. Is it Sisi? It must be Sisi.

It seemed that Sisi was desperately pulling me and trying to drag me to the side of the road. She cried and shook me forcefully, but no sound came out.

I thought of Sisi's desperate appearance, and my heart ached terribly. It was all my fault that I was not careful and too weak.

Something flowed into my throat in the darkness, giving new life to my body. A strong life energy spread out from within me, repairing my internal organs and bones.This feeling...so familiar... The memory of that near-death experience deep in my heart suddenly sprang to life, and the hazy feeling as if separated by a veil became clear:

A tiny figure, silvery-white hair, it was SiSi!

SiSi looked at me sadly with her severe injuries, the horrifying wound on her abdomen continuously gushed blood. She seemed to have made some decision, her eyes gentle and firm as she looked at me. Biting her wrist, the bright red blood infused with life energy flowed into my throat, the wound began to rejuvenate, countless granulations grew and the wound stitched itself. After that, I woke up.

It was SiSi who saved me with her blood!?

I suddenly remembered SiSi's pale face afterward, it must not have been only blood, but also her life essence!

The darkness in front of me disappeared, and I could see SiSi's wilting figure. Her face was terribly pale, her body shaking like she was about to collapse. I quickly held her in my arms; SiSi's body was as light as a snowflake, seemingly to vanish if I exerted even a bit of force.

"Build a tombstone for the filthy disease and pain, offer sweet spring water to the loving healing goddess, your servant humbly asks for the gospel to descend with mercy, and wash away all the pain for the person in front of me!"

Golden light emerged from my body, slowly merging into SiSi's body. But there was no improvement in SiSi's condition. How could healing magic possibly work when the life essence was lacking!

I slammed my staff onto the ground in anger. It was all my fault; if only she hadn't been trying to save me… The pain and regret silenced me as tears flowed down.

SiSi's delicate little face showed a relieved smile, her eyes tired and gentle. Her small hand gently brushed my face, wiping away the tears, as if she didn't care about anything as long as I was fine.

Then she gently closed her eyes, as if falling asleep.

"SiSi!" For a moment, I really felt like the world plunged into darkness, and nothing mattered if SiSi wasn't there. Fortunately, the contract had not disappeared, I sensed that she was just in a deep sleep.

I sent SiSi back to the inn and knelt by the bed with a chaotic mind.

What should I do? How can I save SiSi? Should I seek the help of the bishop in red? It's useless! Healing spells can't replenish life essence; what's the use of even more advanced healing spells?! What to do, what to do?! I hysterically grabbed my hair.

That's right! The blood crystal! SiSi's complexion improved noticeably after eating the blood crystal. I remember that the merchant said it was brought back from the cave! That thing can definitely save SiSi! I have to go to the cave!

I suddenly stood up and walked toward the door, but stopped dead in my tracks. The cave was extremely dangerous; could I really go there, being so weak...

"Am I weak?"

Of course, I'm very weak. I can't even defeat a goblin.

"Am I really weak?"

Definitely!

"Am I really weak?"

I…I…

"Am I really weak?"

"…"

I'm not weak at all! I'm just afraid of dying, afraid, and cowardly!

I was just deceiving myself…

I just used weakness as an excuse to wrap myself up tightly, stuck in my ways, and seek peace of mind…

I just built a solid shell to protect myself from the ridicule of others…

But I never paid attention to the fact that the protective shell was made of SiSi's life…

What kind of contractor am I? How can I treat SiSi, who saved me, like this? How can I use such an excuse?!

I'm a terrible person!

I slapped myself hard, then slowly returned to the bedside:

"Maybe I don't deserve to be your contractor, I'm arrogant, cowardly, and a scaredy-cat. I'm a terrible person." I looked at her delicate face.

"But you saved me, even twice, and gently accompanied me." Thinking back to the memories of living with SiSi, I couldn't help but show a slight smile at the corners of my mouth.

"I guess the debt I owe you can never be repaid, right?" I put my staff down, knelt on one knee, a faint holy light ignited, and spoke gently with the most solemn gesture of a cleric.

"It's okay. Maybe I am not qualified to say this, but the debt I owe you, I will repay with my life, absolutely without breach of faith!" I stood up.

"So, wait for me to come back."

--------------------That night.

Entrance to the Nierstan underground mine.

The invisible shell around the clergyman silently fell away, replaced by a barrier of layered runes. He held his scepter and stepped into the mine one step at a time.

All for Silk.