"Dantalion," it's time to close up~
In the jungle, "Botis" gently shook the soundly sleeping maid to wake her.
"Ah, sorry." Hexia suddenly looked up, hastily checking the time.
"It's okay, no worries." Botis waved her hand, telling Hexia not to panic.
"You did your job well today."
She walked over to check the reserves of venom in the refrigerator, then turned around.
"Do you know what these venoms are extracted for, 'Dantalion'?"
"This... is it for making medicine?" Hexia remembered Botis mentioning it in passing.
"Partly, but not entirely." 'Botis' had Hexia sit beside her.
"Some of the venom is further extracted and used to create special potions, such as the Spiritual Medicines needed for certain profession advancements."
When practicing the Transcendent Sequence to Sequence 4-5, one would need special resources. It might be a certain Fruit, a type of metal, or various potions, and so on.
"Also, while some venoms can't be directly used as medicines, they have other uses, like in certain rituals, etching, perfumes, poisons, and so on."
"So they really are turned into poison." Although Botis had mentioned it before, she hadn't been as detailed as today.
"Yes, the control of poisons is strict, but they are indeed needed on special occasions, such as dealing with some troublesome creatures. You'll gradually learn about this."
"Okay, let's not talk about this now. Are you free the day after tomorrow? There's some extra work, and we need your help."
"What kind of work?" Hexia asked, curious.
"A junior of mine, or rather, a protégé, is holding a small concert the day after tomorrow, and needs some people to help out. Check tickets, sell some merchandise, maintain order, that kind of thing."
"Right, she's not very old, around 17-18? She's currently in high school, and the band members are all her classmates."
"High schoolers?" Hexia was a little surprised. It was unusual enough to see students in a band, let alone around these parts, and even more rare for them to hold their own concerts.
"The time is from 8 PM to 10 PM, will 'Dantalion' come?"
"I guess I could." Hexia thought it over briefly. Although she wasn't used to being in environments with too many strangers, if it was just for work...
"Yeah, no problem." The girl nodded earnestly.
"Then I'll be counting on you." Botis smiled back at her, her smile causing Hexia to feel slightly uneasy, as if she had overlooked something.
But since she had agreed, it wouldn't be good to go back on her word now, and 'Sister Botis' wouldn't trick her, right?
After work, since the next day was a day off, Hexia went to the supermarket to buy some ingredients, planning to try cooking at home. Grandma He would also teach her some tips.
Carefully walking in the corridor with her shopping bags, Hexia looked at the familiar walkway, the passers-by, and the children by the roadside, and her mind raced with thoughts.
Although only half a month had passed, it felt as if her life had completely changed.
Arriving at Grandma He's house, Hexia took off her shoes, put on slippers, and put the groceries in the fridge.
"Cough cough..." she heard a hacking cough from upstairs.
Hexia went up and gently knocked on the door to Grandma He's bedroom before entering.
The elderly woman was propped up in her sickbed, a nightlight casting her silhouette while most of her body remained in shadow.
"You're back, Hexia."
"I am back. How are you feeling today, Grandma?" Hexia knew that Grandma He's chronic illness had flared up again, which seemed to happen every May to June.
"I'm feeling a bit better." Her voice carried a hint of weariness.
Seeing that worry still filled Hexia's eyes, she beckoned Hexia to come closer.
"Sit with me for a while."
"Did you just get off work?"
"How's work going? I've been unwell lately and haven't asked you properly."
"The work is good, everyone is really nice to me." The girl nodded her head.
Grandma He clasped Hexia's hand, and the girl could feel the frailty of the old woman's wrist and the clear outline of the bones beneath her skin.
"That's good..." Grandma He slowly nodded.
"Actually, with the first job, earning money isn't the goal—being able just to make ends meet is already good. It's mainly about getting used to the working environment."
"I had many jobs when I was young. Worked in restaurants, did sales, and even took care of children for others."
"I used to be so anxious, wondering why I could only earn so little, why it seemed so easy for others around me, and when such days would end..." She sighed.
"Apart from the few born into very wealthy families, life is not easy for most ordinary people. Sometimes they can save some money, but then it's easily spent because of various emergencies."
"Whether it's themselves, family, or friends, they consistently face unforeseen hardships that require money. If you happen to have some and you don't lend it, it can make you seem cold-hearted and lead to gossip."
"But lending money is painful; you know it's unlikely to be repaid, and you're well aware of how much time and how many injustices and hardships it took to save that money."
"Life is ; ordinary people face too many difficulties and can't live as peacefully and comfortably as those in the upper echelons."
"I used to teach children to be kind and caring when I was a teacher, but I gradually stopped because I was afraid it would cause them to be taken advantage of and hurt..."