Chapter 5

Hayato was led by the man to a table in the mercenary guild's cafeteria.

From what he could tell, the man was a mercenary seeking the highest quality elixir. Regardless of whether he could prepare it or not, Hayato thought it would be worth listening to his story. Even if he didn't have the highest quality, he had plenty of three-star elixirs. He also had a strategic thought that he might be able to hire the man depending on the negotiation.

The man sat across from Hayato and smiled. He was a handsome guy in his early twenties.

If a real man like this smiled at most women, they would probably blush. Hayato was grateful that it was just a game, as he would only wish for misfortune if the man were real.

"My name is Ash Brandl. Call me Ash."

"I'm Hayato. You can call me Hayato too."

"Thanks. So, can you prepare the highest quality elixir right away?"

Ash, who had been smiling, suddenly became serious and leaned in close to Hayato. If there hadn't been a table between them, he would have been much closer.

"That's sudden. Sorry, but I don't have it. I have a few three-star ones, though."

"...I see. No, three-star won't do. It has to be the highest quality, five-star."

"Can I ask why?"

From a player's perspective, the quality of an elixir only affects cooldown reduction. A three-star elixir reduces cooldown by 30 minutes. Since clan wars last for an hour, a three-star elixir can be used twice, and the second use can be with a lower quality elixir. Therefore, there is some demand for lower quality elixirs, but Hayato wondered if it was different for NPCs.

"My sister is sick, or rather, cursed."

Ash explained the situation to Hayato.

Ash is the leader of a mercenary group called "Crescent Beast." The group mainly makes a living by hunting monsters, but about a year ago, they defeated a dragon. The curse attack from that dragon cursed his sister, who was also part of the group.

The curse weakened her and affected those around her. It was a powerful curse that halved their stats, making it impossible for the group to act together. She had to live alone in a distant house.

"Originally, my sister was a curse specialist and knew a lot about curses. After investigating, she found out that the highest quality elixir could break the curse. That's why I need it."

"I see."

（Elixirs can still restore status even at low quality, but maybe it's different for NPCs. Or maybe this is a quest?）

Just as Hayato was thinking this, Ash sighed.

"The curse isn't life-threatening, but if it continues, my sister will be alone forever. It's really pitiful. She even laughs and says, 'Isn't it funny that a curse specialist is cursed?'"

Ash said this with a laugh, but it was clearly self-deprecating.

（I don't know if I should take his story at face value, but if it's true, it's a serious situation. It's just a game, so I don't get emotionally involved, but I want to help because of the circumstances. The idea of a brother caring for his sister is somewhat enviable to me as an only child. I want to help, but the cost of materials is a problem.）

"Hayato, you look like a production class. Can you make the highest quality elixir?"

"I don't know why you think I'm a production class, but you're right. I have the alchemy skill, so I can make elixirs."

"Really!? What's your skill level? What's the chance of making the highest quality elixir?"

"Close, close. Move back a bit. My alchemy skill is 100. The chance for the highest quality is about 2%."

"2%...?"

Ash frowned at Hayato's words and looked disappointed.

"Are you really at skill level 100?"

"Of course. But why are you so disappointed?"

"Hayato, don't lie about having a skill level of 100. If you had a skill level of 100, you would know that the highest quality elixir is less than 1%. Even with various bonuses, it's between 0.1% and 1.0%. There's no way it could be 2%."

（Ah, I see. That makes sense. Normally, the maximum would be 1%. But I'm different. I have this. It's a godly item that only a few people in the game have. It's risky to show it, but I'll brag.）

A godly item refers to equipment with exceptional performance.

In this game, items with the same name can have different performance. Weapons, for example, have random performance within a certain range. Generally, the higher the quality, the stronger the weapon, but the random element means that a four-star weapon can sometimes outperform a five-star weapon.

Hayato took out a pendant made of crystal from the table.

"This is a Crystal Dragon Pendant. Can you see the item information?"

"Crystal Dragon...? I can see the item information, but what's the point?"

"Take a look. But don't tell anyone."

Ash stared at the pendant and then widened his eyes.

"The chance of making the highest quality elixir is doubled!? -- Mmm!"

"Hey! You're too loud!"

Hayato covered Ash's mouth with his hand and looked around. No one seemed to be looking at them, so he relaxed.

Godly items are often sought after, and this game has a theft skill. Under certain conditions, it's possible to steal items from others. While Hayato has taken precautions, he can't be sure if they are completely effective, so he is cautious.

After both of them calmed down, Hayato removed his hand from Ash's mouth.

"Sorry, I was just too surprised by the unbelievable effect."

"I understand. I also yelled when I made this. My clan members' eyes hurt... For some reason, they didn't seem to understand the value of this."

When creating equipment, in addition to random performance, it can have special effects. For example, a sword that is strong against undead or armor that reduces fire damage by a few percent.

Hayato's Crystal Dragon Pendant has a rare effect that increases the success rate of creation. After making it multiple times, he finally got a pendant with this effect.

Even with the doubled rate, it only increases the chance by 1% for elixirs. The value of this increase is debatable. However, in terms of making the highest quality elixir, it can be considered a significant increase.

For other potions made with the alchemy skill, the higher the quality, the shorter the cooldown. A potion that restores a small amount of HP has a cooldown of 0 when it's the highest quality, making it more valuable than a high-recovery potion if you can drink it continuously.

The success rate for the highest quality of this potion is 5%. But if it's doubled to 10%, it can be called a godly item.

"So, with this, I can make the highest quality elixir at a 2% success rate. But it's still a low probability, so it might just be a matter of luck."

"Are you saying you have bad luck after making such an item?"

"Maybe. I might have used up all my luck by making this. And I was kicked out of my clan, too," Hayato said with a self-deprecating laugh.

But Ash looked at him seriously.

"Hey, Hayato, can you make the elixir for me? I really want you to do it."

"I'd like to help, but the probability isn't high enough to guarantee success."

"Nobody can guarantee success. But I want to bet on you with that equipment."

"But I don't have the funds to gather the materials. Statistically, even if I make it fifty times, the success rate is only around 60%. It would be cheaper to wait for it to be listed on the auction."

"Don't worry about the materials. I'll provide them. I already have some prepared. You just need to make it. Even if it fails, I won't complain. What do you say?"

"Well, if that's the case... But there's still a chance it won't work even after a hundred tries."

"That's fine. Even low-quality elixirs sell well."

Just as Hayato was about to accept, he remembered why he came here.

"I can't give you the highest quality elixir right now. I can't guarantee I can make it, but Ash, would you join the clan war? We're short on members right now."

"Is that why you wanted to hire me? Sure, I don't mind. Then we have a deal?"

"Yes, we have a deal."

Hayato stood up and extended his right hand. Ash also stood up and shook his hand with a smile.

Thus, Hayato was able to welcome his first member.