Multiverse: Deathstroke-Chapter 524: Win-Win

The night’s unexpected interruption passed like a breeze. Geralt couldn’t count how many times his pendant’s vibrations had woken him. This encounter was just another day in a witcher’s life.

Werewolves weren’t tough.

Here in Velen’s wilds, poverty bred death and chaos. Scavengers ruled—swamps, forests, caves, all the same. Recent jobs around Velen usually involved ghouls or specters.

Some stories were grim, but a witcher’s life meant keeping emotions at arm’s length. Do the job, take the coin, move on.

Ciri traveling with him meant splitting one reward. After food and drink, they camped outdoors year-round.

Kaer Morhen needed funds for upkeep. Snowmelt exposed damage yearly, requiring repairs.

When Vesemir was alive, the Wolf School gathered there annually. Geralt hoped that tradition would hold.

A stranger joining them? Fine, as long as they showed no hostility. Geralt didn’t care how many tagged along.

The Wolf School was an outlier among witchers—more human than most. Other schools didn’t befriend vampires or trolls.

This stranger, a human, was friendly, even played Gwent. Geralt saw no issue.

Over the next few days, the group traveled slowly. Trouble always found Geralt.

Drowners popped up by water, ghouls swarmed over hills, and forests held leshens or noonwraiths.

Geralt didn’t notice—or was used to it. He solved village problems, handed the coin to Ciri, who counted it with a grin.

Su Ming pitched in, earning goodwill. His Nightfall sword, though not ideal, worked with the right oil, cutting monsters effectively.

Fighting side by side warmed their rapport.

Ciri envied Su Ming’s strength, pestering him for training tips.

She was sure he was human, but cleaving a seven-meter leshen in half with one swing was unforgettable.

Su Ming considered, then turned to Geralt.

"Kaer Morhen stopped training witchers?" he asked, keeping pace with Roach.

Geralt, riding and eating bread, replied, "Why ask?"

"About Ciri," Su Ming said, removing his helmet to fix his hair. "Without the Trial of the Grasses, her lifespan’s just human."

Geralt handed him cheese sprinkled with raisins. "Talking to you feels like facing another witcher. You know too much. My friend Dandelion would love you."

"I know a way to extend her life, so she’s not mistaken for your aunt when you’re out together," Su Ming said, popping raisins into his mouth, using the cheese as a plate.

Geralt mulled it over. "Safe? The Trial’s stopped. No school’s training new witchers, far as I know."

Su Ming tried feeding the cheese to Roach, but the horse gave him a disdainful look. He rubbed his nose awkwardly.

"Yeah, back home, there’s a potion—Leech Serum. Extends life, keeps you young."

"Just for that? No combat boost or poison resistance?"

"Well, longevity’s a goal for some. Life’s valuable, right?"

"What’s the catch? What do you want in return?" Geralt knew nothing came free.

Su Ming stroked his beard, grinning. "Not much of a catch. I run a school back home with girls younger than Ciri. I’d like her to join them."

Geralt sighed, patting Roach’s neck. "Ciri’s special. Dangerous things hunt her. She needs skills to fight monsters."

"I know. The Wild Hunt. But they’re not a problem for me."

Su Ming planned to bait the Wild Hunt, keeping Ciri close to monitor their moves.

In the Marvel world, she’d be safer. With Ancient One’s protection, no hunt could touch her.

He wasn’t sure if the Wild Hunt had gods, but a trip to Marvel would make them remember the Vishanti.

Geralt caught a hint, gripping his reins. "You want to use Ciri as bait for something the Wild Hunt has?"

"Bait’s harsh. I’m offering a deal. I guarantee her safety and give her the serum. I’ll take my payment from the Wild Hunt. Win-win, right?"

Su Ming gestured for calm, noting Geralt’s Aard sign was useless against him.

The roadside scenery rolled on, but Geralt exhaled, thinking.

Ciri had few peers, raised mostly in Kaer Morhen. A safe place to learn might be good.

"I’d have to come too," he said.

"Tricky. Getting there relies on Ciri’s or my abilities. But if you get sorceresses to mimic a Conjunction, maybe we could open a path."

Su Ming rubbed his chin. Geralt visiting wasn’t impossible, but he’d need to clear it with Ancient One, and the logistics were uncertain.

"You’re from another world?" Geralt caught on. The last Conjunction brought monsters like vampires to this world.

"Thought you’d guess when we drank. Our brewing’s better, no?"

"I can’t decide this. Ask Ciri. And we’d need to go to Kaer Morhen to talk it over with others," Geralt said after a long pause, still wary.

Su Ming nodded, tearing into the cheese. "You want sorceresses to vet me, make sure Ciri’s safe. I get it. But her powers let her return anytime. She could study there by day, be back with you by night. What’s to worry about?"

"That’s for later. Don’t assume I’ve agreed," Geralt said, shaking his head. He needed his family’s input.

"Fair. But think about the serum. Think about growing old alone. Think win-win," Su Ming said, grinning as he donned his helmet.