#028
“Why are you doing things you never used to do and causing a fuss? When your stamina is shit too.”
The fact that my stamina was shit seemed to be something everyone in this neighborhood knew. Well, come to think of it, since she had dated and married me, she would have some understanding of who I was.
As soon as I remembered that fact, I started breaking out in a cold sweat. Wasn’t this a situation where we didn’t just break up normally, but split because I did something trashy? Thinking about it, Eira, who treated me and even prepared things like Small Fry Repellent and carrots for me despite all that, was truly an angel. Especially considering that her profession was a potionist who could poison people if she set her mind to it…
“Well, anyway, you really did come back alive.”
Eira gave my appearance a once-over. Then she made a somewhat ambiguous expression.
“But somehow you look better than I thought… no, never mind.”
Eira was about to continue saying something but stopped, then crossed her arms and took a crooked posture.
“The herbs?”
I was actually grateful that she moved straight to the main topic.
“Here.”
I placed the backpack I had carefully carried on the old wooden table. Eira’s eyes widened as if surprised.
“You really brought them back?”
What kind of reaction is that?
I wondered if I really had that little credibility, but maybe it was natural. If I hadn’t met Carlisle, not only would Muchi have taken everything from me, but I might be gasping for breath right now.
I pulled out Red Cap Mushrooms, elderberry, echinacea, and other items from Eira’s commission from my backpack in a row. Since there was much more than what she had asked for, Eira’s mouth fell open.
“Now I can make my antidote potion with this, right?”
When I asked for confirmation, Eira, who couldn’t take her eyes off the gathered materials and was picking up and examining various things, nodded without even looking at me.
“I’ll make it right away. 30 minutes is enough. But the extras – can I buy all of these too?”
“Of course. And there’s a bit more besides that, so do you want to see if you need anything?”
Eira nodded vigorously. The motion was so intense I worried her thin neck might break.
“They’re common things so nothing special…”
Since she seemed to be anticipating with such bright eyes, I subtly stepped back. It would be better to show the junk items first and gradually show the better stuff. Knowing well that all sorts of things go into potions besides herbs, I took out and laid out everything I thought Eira might be interested in.
Regular herbs as well as monster byproducts, minerals, wild mushrooms and fruits were laid out in a row. (Among them were even poisonous mushrooms and toxic plants, which would be well used as antidotes or remedies in small amounts, but since I had committed wrongs against Eira, I did hesitate slightly when taking them out.)
I thought she’d be disappointed since the first things I took out were all junk items, but through her disheveled hair, Eira’s eyes still sparkled brightly. With each item I took out, she showed joy she couldn’t contain, clasping her hands together or covering her mouth. I became increasingly bewildered. These really don’t have much value, do they? What is she so happy about?
“Wow… how long has it been since I’ve seen these? And so many of them… you’re more capable than I thought. How did you manage to get so many?”
From her words about how long it had been since she’d seen them, I could somewhat understand the situation. Things that used to be so common had disappeared or been transformed due to contamination, and even when they existed, gathering activities themselves had become dangerous because of monsters, making them rare. And actually, the more common the junk items, the more they were materials used frequently in daily life, so there would be more demand for them.
When things I’d obtained from the cave started appearing, Eira was amazed as if her eyes might pop out.
“This can only be obtained from the mine dungeon! Did you go into the mine too? No, how did… ah, you commissioned the guild. Who did you go with?”
“Well…”
It was awkward to say since I hadn’t officially commissioned anyone but had met by chance. But since there was no particular mention of it being a secret (and Muchi’s gang knew anyway), it should be okay to tell, right?
“Carlisle Lightinger.”
“Carlisle Lightinger?”
Eira’s mouth fell open once again. Seeing her freeze like that and stare at me for a moment made me wonder if I should explain the whole story. But to tell the story, wouldn’t I have to confess everything from the Muchi gang incident to the fact that I had gone alone, breaking Eira’s repeated warnings because I didn’t have money?
The story was too long. Why go that far?
“Well… I thought that might happen. It’s none of my business.”
But fortunately, Eira muttered something to herself and then lost interest.
“And this too, if you need it.”
I finally took out my secret weapon that I had set aside separately. Since she was so amazed by worthless junk items, wouldn’t she be so surprised seeing this that she’d fall over? This was definitely a high-grade item even in the game.
I triumphantly took out the Melbrain. And with a “how about this?” feeling, I observed Eira’s face. But unexpectedly, there was no particular expression on Eira’s face. She just lowered her head slightly and quietly looked at the Melbrain, and I couldn’t even make out her expression behind her long bangs. She didn’t even seem to think about touching it.
“Ah… you don’t need this?”
‘Doesn’t Eira need it? What, then where am I supposed to sell this?’
I was inwardly disappointed. Since I wanted to help Eira, I had hoped to see her happy. Can’t help it. I hid my disappointment and reached out to put the Melbrain back in my inventory.
“Wait.”
Eira grabbed my wrist to stop me.
“Just a moment. Can’t I just look at it for a bit? I won’t touch it.”
Eira said quietly in a subdued voice. I was bewildered by the sudden change in atmosphere.
“Huh? No, I don’t mind… but you don’t need it?”
“It’s not that I don’t need it…”
Eira’s voice became even more gloomy.
“Well… I don’t have money to buy it either.”
“Ah…”
I thought I understood. Hadn’t I been causing a ruckus for the past two days because I didn’t have money to pay for treatment? I knew that feeling better than anyone. Somehow it felt like our positions had reversed, and I felt sorry for Eira.
After we were both wrapped in gloom like that for a moment, Eira finally sighed deeply enough to make the ground cave in and started gathering some herbs.
“First, since your detox is urgent, I’ll make the potion first. And don’t put away the remaining medicinal materials, wait. I’ll calculate later.”
Then she muttered “Put the Melbrain away. I can’t buy it anyway” and disappeared into the inner room.
So I was left alone in Eira’s house reception room.
‘Hmm… then should I look for a separate sales route for the Melbrain?’
I pulled my backpack closer and fell into thought. Originally in the game, all these medicinal materials were either handed over to Eira the potionist or to the Farmers Market run by the system. But now that function didn’t exist. I didn’t know if it had disappeared with the reality patch or if it wasn’t activated yet because conditions weren’t met.
Thinking of Eira’s depressed face made me want to just give it to her as a gift. I owed her a lot anyway. But right now I was also desperate. Money was urgent. I had to buy food every day to replenish my stamina, and above all, I needed to get proper weapons and armor as soon as possible.
‘And I have debts to repay to Elmer… and Carlisle too.’
Recalling Muchi’s words, it was certain that separate sales routes existed. But I couldn’t ask that bastard who had tried to half-kill me to make a slave contract. Should I ask Elmer? Carlisle would probably know better, but… I had decided to avoid that human for a while.
My head became complicated and I sighed.
‘I’ll decide to get some separately for Eira when her situation improves a bit…’
“Oh, right.”
Being lost in thought and rummaging through my inventory reminded me that I hadn’t properly checked the rewards I received after completing the quest in the cave. Come to think of it, there was also Eira’s quest reward.
Ding!
A completion window appeared at just the right time.
[Potionist Eira Wintum’s commission has been completed. Please receive your reward.]
[Reward: 2 bottles of Tranquility Potion, 10,000 Rual]
Finally, Tranquility Potions had come in. Money was money, but when I was swallowed by the mushroom mob, how anxious I was without Tranquility Potions. Two bottles made me anxious, but it was still better than having none at all. Even now my mental state was a bit precarious, but I had to save them for the next battle. Who knew when I could get them again?
‘And…’
I took out the tree branch I had obtained from the hidden dungeon and examined it from various angles. No matter how I looked at it, it was just an ordinary dry branch you could find in winter.
‘What am I supposed to do with this?’
Ding!
The moment I had that question, as if answering, a new quest window appeared.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
