Mayor Magnus sighed in relief after hearing Aster's concern.
"What... so you're worried about that?" He snickered. "Although we can't cure your disease, we at least have a way to halt its progress. Have you heard of Magic Tools?"
"..."
Of course, Aster had no idea about such objects. He just woke up a day ago inside a dilapidated laboratory, so there's no way for him to learn about such objects unless he was told about them.
"Well, I guess you don't." He shrugged. "Basically, it's something that can help you keep your disease in check... but not completely fix it."
Aster stood up in surprise, leaning forward as he shouted. "Something like that exists?!"
"Yes, of course! Though it's not easy to get your hands on one that can cater to your needs..."
"I see..." Aster was a little deflated but still hopeful.
If he can get a Magic Tool that can stop his disease even temporarily, then that would make it a lot easier for him to search for the panacea! However, nothing comes for free, of course.
"In exchange, you want me to accept your initial offer, right?" He guessed.
A quest to share his bloodline with as many girls as possible. Although it didn't feel too bad to have such a task, Aster was worried. He was but a lone individual, without any backing in the current world.
In short, if the government leveraged that to order him around, he couldn't refuse!
'I can't be a dog of the government nor become their puppet!' He thought.
If he relied too much on them, it would backfire. However, if he pushed them forcefully, it would backfire on him too. He needed to maintain a delicate balance so he could still become independent while gaining their backing.
"..."
Aster went silent for a few minutes, in deep thought. Mayor Magnus and his wife, Geneviv, stayed quiet, giving him enough time to think it through.
*Huff!*
Then, after five minutes passed, he finally raised his head with a firm expression.
"I understand. I'll accept your task, but I want to have the deed limited to once a year." He started negotiating.
Mayor Magnus smiled, as if anticipating him to rebut one way or another, but "reducing" the frequency was not in his consideration. Rather, he thought Aster would increase it, taking advantage of his having 100% human DNA.
"You got me, you brat! Alright!" He growled before pulling the table knife out and placing a hand over Aster's.
Then he began to mouth words that Aster heard for the first time, as if from an unknown language. "Tertie Sirreo Cura! Great Heal!"
"...!"
Aster was slightly surprised. The pain in his neck vanished in a flash, replaced by a gentle warmth. Not only that, but even the blood he'd lost was returned!
"To think you'd seriously try to take your life." Mayor Magnus sighed, a hand on his face.
"You've got guts, kid. However, once a month is just too long. Twice a month. If you accept this, then I'd even give you your starting funds for your adventures."
Aster, upon hearing this, smiled weakly. "I don't need too much money, as I want to earn it myself. Just enough for registration fees or such. Then, it's a deal."
"..."
Magnus, seeing the smile on Aster's face, couldn't help but wonder if he had planned all this. Faking suicide and letting the mayor use magic to heal him. However, asking such a thing would be like admitting his loss, so he refrained.
"You've got yourself a deal, brave young man."
After that, with Aster leaning weakly against the armrest of the sofa, he listened to what Mayor Magnus had to say, mostly scolding him for his foolish actions. After a while, the two signed a document that his secretary prepared before Aster went back on his way.
As they watched the young man's back go through the door, Magnus sighed.
"What a guy!" He exclaimed. "He knew he had the advantage in negotiating, but he didn't force me into a bad position. Even once a month is acceptable to me."
If Aster refused his last offer, leveraging his life once more, then Magnus would have no other choice but to agree. That's just how precious his life was!
"Fufu, aren't you happy, though? At least you now know he's quite a schemer." Geneviv chuckled as she leaned closer to her husband. "At least he wouldn't be tricked and left naked and half-dead on a random alley, with how cautious he is."
"Too cautious... but at the same time, he regards his own life too little." He sighed. "I fear for his future if he goes into a dungeon."
A panacea can only be found on the 1,000th floor. It only has a shelf life of 1 hour. As such, other than finding one for yourself, it was practically impossible to get your hands on one.
"Well, I think you should prepare your heart first, dear." Geneviv smiled while licking her lips. "I'll become his first partner, after all."
"I know..." The man leaned back against the sofa as if he were feeling heavy-hearted. "I know." He repeated.
As if craving her warmth, Mayor Magnus pulled Geneviv closer to him. The two leaned against each other, staying quiet inside the room for a while.