Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully-Chapter 82: First Healing Session

The next morning, the small common room of "The Respite" was abuzz with a nervous energy. Riku had gathered Elder Borin, Elder Thrain, Durnik, a few other sturdy-looking Dwarves, and three quiet but observant humans from the Underbelly whom Borin had vouched for. Elara, her face set with determination, stood beside Riku.

On the table lay the ten glowing copper talismans.

"Alright, everyone," Riku began, his voice calm but firm. "Today, we begin. But this is not just about offering relief; it’s about how we offer it. The city is fearful, and the church is watching. We must be discreet, respectful, and above all, we must ensure that the other people understand and feel the relief, which would automatically turn into gratefulness."

He picked up a talisman. "When you approach a household, introduce yourselves as volunteers, individuals who have found a small way to alleviate the suffering of the Crimson Creep. Explain that this talisman offers temporary relief, a moment of peace, for a very small fee – just enough to help us continue this work. We are not selling a cure; we are offering a service of comfort."

He looked at each of them. "The fifteen-minute session is crucial. Be firm but gentle when it’s time to retrieve the talisman. Emphasize that this allows us to help many more people."

"Now, the most important part," Riku continued, his gaze serious. "If they are grateful and offer more money, ask them only for two things: one is to spread the word of this miraculous talisman, and two, to give a simple thanks to the creator of this talisman. This would be enough "

The Dwarves and humans nodded. They did not quite understand all of it, but they had a very favourable impression of Riku when he can come to the undercity, so everybody agreed to help him.

"Good," Riku said. "We’ll go out in small teams of two. Be patient. Expect rejection. But also, expect to make a difference."

"Aye, aye, master."

The group left with enthusiasm. They fanned out into the poorer residential districts, the ones less patrolled but heavily afflicted.

However, the first few hours were a harsh lesson in the city’s fear.

At the first door, a weathered wooden shack, Elder Borin, paired with a younger human woman named Eva from the Underbelly, knocked gently. A gaunt face peered through a crack. "Volunteers, offering a new relief for the Creep," Borin began, holding up a talisman. The door slammed shut. "Scammers! Preying on the sick! Begone, or I call the Guard!" a muffled voice shouted from within.

At another, Durnik and another sturdy Dwarf were met with a broom. "Get away from my house, you ghouls! Trying to sell false hope, are ye?" an old woman shrieked.

Team after team reported similar encounters. Doors slammed. Accusations of fraud were common. Threats to call the City Guard were frequent. The pervasive fear of the Crimson Creep had made the populace deeply suspicious of anything unfamiliar, especially offers of help that seemed too good to be true or came from unexpected quarters.

Elara, paired with Riku, felt her initial determination waver. "Riku," she whispered after their fifth rejection in a row, "Why don’t we just force this on one of them? That should stop their skepticism?"

"Patience, Elara," Riku said softly, though his own frustration was growing. "Fear and suspicion cannot close all the doors. We just need to find the right one."

Soon, however, their chance came. Riku and Elara arrived at a small, dilapidated tenement building, its windows dark save for one, from which faint, pained whimpers could be heard.

Riku knocked. The door opened a sliver, revealing a young man, his face hollowed by sleeplessness and despair. Behind him, on a small cot, a young woman lay weakly on the bed, her skin marred by angry crimson patches, and beside her, a tiny child slept who was also severely afflicted.

"What do you want?" the young man asked, his voice hoarse. "If it’s coin for the Church, we have none left."

"We’re not from the Church, friend," Riku said gently, his disguised voice calm and soothing. "We are simple volunteers. We have something that might offer your wife and child a little comfort from the Creep. It’s not a cure, but it can ease the pain, even for a short while." He held up a glowing talisman.

The young man stared at it, then at Riku, then back at his suffering family. Hope and suspicion warred in his eyes. "What... what is it? More false promises? We have already tried multiple doses of the church’s medicine. Though it worked initially and provided some relief, now they no longer help us as much."

"It is a token of mercy," Riku said. "It costs only two coppers for a brief session of relief. If it doesn’t help, you owe us nothing."

The young man hesitated. He looked at his wife, who looked at her husband weakly. The child coughed, a dry, racking sound. His shoulders slumped. "We... we’ve tried everything. The Church’s Draught did nothing. We have nothing left to lose." He opened the door wider. "Please... come in."

Riku entered, Elara following quietly. He approached the young woman, his demeanor gentle.

"May I?" he asked, indicating the talisman.

The woman nodded weakly, tears in her eyes.

Riku carefully placed the talisman on a cord around her neck, so it rested against her chest. This time, though the effect was not immediate, it was still palpable.

The pained lines on her face softened. Her breathing, though still shallow, became less ragged. A sigh, almost of pleasure, escaped her lips. "The burning..." she whispered, her eyes fluttering open and focusing on her husband. "It’s... it’s less. I can... breathe."

The young man rushed to her side, taking her hand. "Elina? Are you feeling better?"

"Much better. This is much better. This really works!" She nodded, her face breaking into a slightly comfortable expression. However, she suddenly remembered something and started to remove the talisman.

"My child, I must give it to my child,"