As the green liquid entered Bel's throat, everyone held their breath—except the beggar, who was confident in its effectiveness. Apollo had been poisoned by Arke before and believed he'd endured a stronger dose than what Bel currently suffered. Yet, one drink of this basic antidote, which cost him three Alm Points, had been enough to counter it.
"Don't give us false hope, kid," Nathan warned, his gaze fixed on the beggar with a sharp glint in his eyes. "You don't want to taste our wrath."
"I'm not," Apollo replied with a smile.
"I trust Mr. Yoma, Father, so don't scare him," Filly said from the side.
"He's not scaring me at all," Apollo shrugged. "Unless I'm facing death itself."
"Big words for someone without cultivation," Nathan smirked. "I don't see any concealing artifact on you. Why call yourself a Wanderer?"
"Father!" Filly snapped, glaring at him. She knew her father well—if he disliked someone, he'd pick them apart, looking for faults. And currently, he seemed to be showing that attitude toward Mr. Yoma. "He's an esteemed guest! I gave him the token."
"What?! Are you serious?" Nathan looked at his daughter in surprise. The tokens he'd given his children were valuable, representing his willingness to grant them a favor, though it still depended on whether he found the request reasonable.
"I'm serious," Filly replied, letting out a sigh. "I'll explain later. For now, please show some respect."
Meanwhile, as Nathan and Apollo sized each other up, Mathias's gaze remained fixed on his daughter.
"It's done," June muttered, placing Bel's head gently back on the pillow as he stepped away, holding the empty bottle.
"So, what now?" Nathan asked.
"We wait," Apollo replied.
The tension in the room rose as they waited, with Filly and Gail clenching their fists as Bel's time drew near. They didn't know if the potion would work and could only watch.
But Mathias, who had worn a solemn expression moments ago, now wore a small smile. He could feel it—his daughter's condition was rapidly improving. The poison that had plagued her for weeks was succumbing to the green liquid she'd just taken.
It was like a polluted stream being cleansed by holy water. The aura of death that had surrounded her vanished, her pale complexion turned rosy, and her labored breaths grew calm.
In just a minute, the poison was completely gone.
Mathias approached the beggar, his towering figure looming above Apollo. With a broad smile, he extended his hand. "I'm Mathias Kleinford. I owe you my daughter's life."
"Nah, I'm just helping because I want something," Apollo replied, shaking Mathias's hand. "Name's Yoma."
Apollo had grown so accustomed to introducing himself as Yoma that it felt natural, almost as if it were truly his name. For a moment, he found himself missing his other persona—Can Deez.
Ah, I wonder when I'll get to use that name again.
"Yoma, I'll fulfill your request, as long as it's reasonable and within our means," Mathias said, locking eyes with him.
"Oh, trust me, you'll like it," Apollo nodded.
When the others in the room realized Bel's condition was improving, their faces lit up with relief. Nathan was the second to notice, after Mathias, and could only scoff at this supposedly "Wanderer" kid. "It better be something we can do."
Filly and Gail exchanged excited, relieved glances. When they turned back to the bed, they saw Bel looking at them.
"Bel! You're awake!" Filly rushed to her friend's side, with Gail close behind, while June let out a smile.
"What… happened?" Bel asked, still a bit disoriented. Though free from the poison that had been killing her, her body was weak, drained of energy.
"You're safe!" Filly exclaimed, holding Bel's hands. "Mr. Yoma saved you!"
"He gave you medicine," Gail added.
"Mr… Yoma?" Bel murmured. She didn't remember her last struggle but gathered that the kid was the person they were talking about. She looked over at him—he was picking his nose, casually looking back at them—and managed a smile. "Thank… you…"
"Don't worry about it. I'm just your friendly neighborhood beggar, helping people in need in exchange for something I want," Apollo puffed up his chest, adding, "Not a philanthropist, just doing a trade." Unlike a certain spider-themed superhero from his previous life, he helped people based on his own reasons—either for pleasure or because he wanted something out of it.
"Haha," Bel let out her first laugh in ages, tears welling in her eyes.
Seeing her , Filly and Gail burst into tears while also laughing.
"What did I do?" Apollo muttered, confused by their reaction.
"They're just happy," Mathias said. "Bel will need at least three days to fully recover. Let's leave them be and talk elsewhere."
"Alright," Apollo shrugged. "But aren't you going to celebrate your daughter's recovery?"
"I will—after I kill someone," Mathias replied, his eyes flashing coldly.
Apollo had a good guess who Mathias was referring to. He then turned to Nathan, who had suddenly grown quiet, and was surprised to see him fighting back tears. "You can cry, old man. Don't hold it back—it's bad for your health."
"I'm not crying!" Nathan shot back angrily, though he wiped his eyes first.
"If you say so," Apollo smirked, then turned to Mathias. "Shall we?"
Mathias nodded, and the two left Bel's room, leaving June, Filly, and Gail behind.
"Do… you… still have… my favorite?" Bel asked softly after she'd regained some composure.
Hearing this, Filly and Gail exchanged smiles before chuckling. "We brought plenty."
Filly waved her hand, and three or four baskets appeared. She handed one to June, who stayed by Bel's side, then opened another basket for her friend.
"By the way, this basket is our newest product," Filly explained. "People can now buy food from my restaurant and take it with them to eat wherever they like."
"That's… a good… idea," Bel said, opening her mouth as Filly began to feed her.
"And do you know how we were able to make your favorite?" Filly smiled. "It's all thanks to him, Mr. Yoma. He provided us with the ingredients and helped save my restaurant."
When Bel heard this, her admiration for the beggar grew. She had been saved yet again by a kid… wait?! Her eyes sparkled as realization dawned on her.
Just then, a slurping sound came from behind them. When they turned, they saw June eating happily, lost in his food.