Chapter 20

The loach is a profitable fish.

Today, I came to the river where loaches can be caught.

I think it's not good to catch them all, but I can't figure out the right balance, so I limit myself to five a day.

This fish is not needed outside of this season, so as long as it doesn't go extinct, it should come back.

Dealing with the ratbirds has become like a routine.

Ratbirds aren't very strong. Their movements are like those of ordinary chickens. They're not scary as long as they don't use magic.

So, when I encounter one, I just restrain it with telekinesis and cut off its head. As long as I'm careful about surprise attacks, they're no longer a threat.

After repeating the hunt for a few days, I stopped by the stone house before hunting one day. A concern had arisen.

"Will the price start to drop soon?"

When I asked the shop owner, he crossed his arms and thought for a moment.

After a moment, he grunted and answered with just one word.

"It will probably drop soon."

The reason the price will drop is that the epidemic has been going on for more than ten days. The prevention period is over, and it's now more about seeking treatment.

"This year's epidemic is milder than usual, so not much treatment will be needed."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, mostly thanks to you."

The shop owner smiled.

"Did I do something?"

"Because of you, there's no shortage of loaches this year. The supply was too much before the demand even started."

"Oh, so the profit has also decreased, hasn't it?"

"No?"

The shop owner laughed and puffed out his chest, brimming with confidence.

"I've already sold out. Up to yesterday, I made a huge profit, unlike any other year."

So, he continued,

"Coming here before hunting today was the right move. The buying price will start to drop from today."

"Good timing, then."

It wasn't because my intuition was sharp; it was just good luck.

"Do you want to try something different? Should I introduce you to another prey?"

Hmm, what should I do?

"No, I think I'll skip it today."

"That's unusual."

The shop owner sounded surprised. Lately, he seems to have more emotional ups and downs.

"Yeah."

After a cough, I added,

"I'm not feeling well today."

The shop owner looked down and thought for a moment, then said, "I see."

I bought a blanket at the stone house and returned to my bed.

I really am feeling a bit unwell today.

It's not so bad that I can't move, just a bit off, but I have chills.

Maybe I caught a cold.

I think it's the first time in my life. It feels kind of fresh.

So, I'll take a break today.

It's okay; I have savings.

As soon as I wrapped myself in the new blanket and closed my eyes, I fell asleep.

It was cold.

I woke up in the middle of the night, thirsty.

I must have been really tired; I slept from the morning until now.

I brought the water bag I filled in the morning to my mouth and drank it all. It tasted very sweet, probably because I was so thirsty.

I need to get more water.

There's a well at the edge of the slum. It's a handmade well for the residents, and there are no specific rules, but if you treat it roughly or dirty the water, you might get lynched.

Pulling the rope to draw water was very difficult.

What made it hard was that my whole body ached. It was the kind of pain people call joint pain.

I also had a fever, and my vision distorted a bit when I moved. There was always a tingling sensation at the edges of my vision.

This is serious.

I wish I could do something with magic, but my head isn't working.

There's nothing I can do. I'll buy medicine at the stone house in the morning. I should have bought it during the day.

"There's no medicine."

The shop owner said this bluntly after looking at me.

"Cough... No medicine...?"

My throat also felt strange. I managed to come to this shop, but it seems it was in vain.

"We don't keep it in stock because it doesn't sell in this slum."

And, the shop owner continued with a bewildered look.

"You catch them yourself, so why don't you eat one?"

"What are you talking about...?"

I couldn't think clearly because of the dull pain.

"What do you mean... You have a three-day fever."

"Really?"

What a disaster.

"Did you know this yesterday?"

"No, I heard you weren't feeling well yesterday, but I thought you were taking precautions. I thought it was just a regular cold."

"Oh."

Come to think of it.

"If it's a three-day fever, will you get infected, Mr. Shop Owner?"

"I'm taking precautions."

Given his line of work, it's natural for him to interact with people.

"So, can you arrange for the medicine?"

"I can, but it will take some time."

The shop owner crossed his arms and thought.

"It won't be available until tomorrow morning."

"Then, I'll take it even if it takes time..."

"No," the shop owner cut me off. He narrowed one eye and furrowed his brow.

"Wait a bit. I'll arrange a guide to take you to the clinic."

"A guide?"

And not medicine?

"Get treated at the clinic. The cost will be the same as the medicine, but you'll recover today."

"But, um..."

The clinic isn't in the slum, so I'll have to go to the city.

"I don't really want to go to the city."

"Just go."

Saying that, the shop owner went into the room and wrote something. Then, he went further in, and I heard the window open. He must have contacted someone.

It's forceful, but the shop owner is trustworthy. I might as well follow his instructions.

I sighed, leaned against the wall, and sat down.

After waiting for about twenty minutes, the shop door opened quietly.

It's natural for customers to come to a shop, but the person who entered didn't seem to be a customer.

"Here he is."

"Long time no see. What's up today?"

The man, who looked to be in his forties and was wearing a green cloak, spoke quietly.

The shop owner pointed at me and told the man, as if it were a given,

"Take this guy to the clinic. The one closest to the intersection of 12th Street and 5th Street will do."

"Understood."

The man, with his mouth covered by a scruffy beard, spoke softly and turned to me.

"Come on, boy. Follow me."

And so, I was going to be led by this man, whose identity I didn't know.

"The guide fee is on me, but you'll have to pay for the treatment yourself."

The shop owner said, then slumped into his chair.

"How much will it be?"

"About three silver coins. You won't be asked for it, but make a donation. Ask him for the details."

The shop owner nodded at the man, who nodded back.

"Understood."

Honestly, I couldn't understand the shop owner's intentions. I wanted more information. But with my head not working, that was the best I could do.

And so, I ended up going to the city again.

I really don't want to...