Chapter 69

While the shop renovation meeting was ongoing, messages from Ochazuke and the others kept coming in.

As expected, they had been exploring the dungeon but had returned because they couldn't defeat the boss on the 10th floor with just five people. Even after accounting for the "pain," the enemies on the way were quite tough.

Ochazuke: So, we used up a lot of potions, both HP and MP. Can you make more for us?

Homura: Bring the materials.

Petro: Just make them at the commission price, w

Shin: If it's a hassle, you can buy the materials from the store.

Homura: You're broke, aren't you?

I make these for them without any fee as long as they bring the materials. Initially, it was under the condition that it would only be until their levels increased, but since I'm not short on money, I do it when I have free time.

Kikuhime: There's no commission sales booth here, you know? It costs money to transfer!

Leo: Hahaha

Homura: I see.

I think the Moss Guild Master mentioned expanding the commission sales system, but it hasn't been implemented yet. He also said that you could handle commission procedures from your own shop, so it's probably still being adjusted.

...Can Leo afford the potion costs?

I cut through the street to the slum alley to check if the necessary materials were available for commission.

"Get out of the way!"

I was attacked head-on.

It was a blunt, forceful attack, more like a punch than a cut. Typical of the slums, I guess?

"Refuse"

I deflected the sword with the "Moon Shadow Blade" and swept the now exposed throat.

Initially, I planned to kick and incapacitate, but this guy was a target of the Assassin Guild. I don't have any combat skills, so the best I can do is kick Leo. Thanks to that, I have a kicking skill on my list, but it requires 5 points.

...I wonder if I could instantly judge that it was a target due to the "Insight" effect. It's strange to think about how I identified it in that instant.

"Did you defeat him?"

As I looked at the man I had cut down, someone called out to me.

"Yeah."

I felt a bit embarrassed being caught at the scene. After all, I was running with my sword drawn, so it's normal to have pursuers. I turned to look at the person who spoke.

"...Is that so?"

The man who called out to me said this and slumped down, using his sword as a cane.

"What? Did I interfere with some revenge?"

"No, I'm just hungry."

Why do I keep encountering hungry slum residents? Well, it is the slums. And how many adventurers pick up people in the slums?

"Hehe, thank you."

The man eating in front of me looked like a young man, but he had a long beard covering half his face, making him look older. His calloused hands and robust voice suggested he might be younger than his appearance.

He was eating a simple sandwich of hard bread and meat, savoring it, and after drinking tea, he thanked me. I wondered if he would get sick from suddenly eating meat on an empty stomach.

"By the way, is it really okay?"

"It's fine. He attacked first, so I just defended myself."

Liar, I decided to cut him down when I saw his face.

The man, Karl, was asking about the treatment of the man I had cut down.

He was penniless and had seen a bounty target from the Adventurer Guild and was chasing him.

"By the way, what happened to your right arm and leg?"

I noticed he was protecting his right arm and leg.

"I'm trying to act normal, but you can tell, can't you?"

He had an injury, and he admitted it. He said it made movement and prolonged battles difficult, which was fatal for a knight.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

He probably didn't want to be asked where he was from. He might have just quit being a knight recently. Despite his appearance, he wasn't rough, and his eating manners were clean.

I didn't specifically target the bounty because I knew he was a bounty from the Adventurer Guild, but I let Karl have it. During our conversation, he didn't complain that I was chasing the same target; he was even considerate.

After accepting the bounty, he said, "Thank you, I was penniless and hadn't eaten properly for days," with a smile. I wondered why he was being considerate in such a state. Later, the kill was recorded on my card, and we went to the Adventurer Guild to exchange the bounty.

The bounty exchange was handled by Emel, and when she lifted the bag of silver, a button from her chest area flew off. Her undergarment was blue, I see. The button hit a man behind us, making a loud noise.

Now, I'm being treated to a meal at the guild's cafeteria.

In this world, monsters quickly disintegrate into particles of light. Humans remain for a while before also disintegrating into light. I wonder if this difference is due to a time limit for resurrection with potions or spells.

Assuming this, there must be a recipe for resurrection potions. It would be nice if the magic for resurrection was part of sacred magic.

--- The more evil a person is in the underworld, the more good deeds they do in the upper world ---

Who wrote that?

I apparently tend to look like a good person after assassinations.

After parting with Karl, I went to the Commercial Guild to check the materials for the potions that Ochazuke and the others wanted to buy. They said they would pay the production cost whether they bought from the commission or the production facility, so I bought cheaper herbs from the commission and the rest from the production facility.

Some adventurers, knowingly or unknowingly, price items higher than the production facility, so be careful. Battle-oriented adventurers don't know the prices at the production facility, and some producers buy in bulk from the commission even if it's a bit more expensive because they find it troublesome to move.

--- I might end up buying from my own shop if it becomes too troublesome to move.

Now, since the Commercial Guild is close to both the production facility and the commission, it's not a big deal, but considering the time it takes to move, it might be more efficient to produce and sell items like potions, which are sold in large quantities, even if they are 1-2% more expensive.

I heard that if you contract through the Commercial Guild, they can install a commission sales terminal in your shop, but it's still in preparation.

Some people run through the city without hesitation, but the residents look visibly annoyed, so most players move at a brisk pace in the city.

There might be an announcement like "No running in the city except in emergencies!" in the future.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Tonight,

It's Homura.

I am now in a milky white space.

I was supposed to transfer to the dungeon city to give the potions made at the Jears production facility to Ochazuke and the others.

This doesn't look like the dungeon city's temple. It doesn't even look like any country. It's strange that I can stand stably without any ground.

"Is there such a thing as a failed transfer?"

What should I do? Should I try transferring again? In other games, when I moved, I ended up in a black space, and when I changed my viewpoint, there was a room on the opposite side of my feet. It was a location bug, and I logged out and re-entered.

"Sorry, sorry"

A voice came from the space in front of me, and a figure materialized.

A child with wavy blonde hair and blue eyes.

"I'll send you back to the intended transfer location, so don't worry."

A soft, pleasant boy soprano.

His soft cheeks and pink lips were smiling.

A frail boy, about 8 years old.

He looks devious.

"Is it Rusa?"

After some twisted thinking, I have a bad impression of the god Rusa, who looks like an angel. Rusa is the golden god of commerce, craftsmanship, and technology. In some books, he is also the god of thieves alongside Var.

"That's right, big brother. It's good that you used the transfer for business, making it easier to interfere. You are the one who served food to the other gods, right?"

He smiles and tilts his head, but his eyes don't seem to be smiling.

Is it because I'm not used to blue eyes in the real world? No, the eyes of other gods and friends in this world are also colorful. And is this really for business?

"Indeed, I served food to the gods."

"Except me."

No, I'm troubled if you point that out with a smile.

"I didn't meet you."

"Then will you serve me now?"

"It's fine, but..."

Why did it come to this?

It's probably due to the "Gods' Time" effect. I feel like my encounters with the gods are becoming more casual. They just come on their own or something.

When I asked what he wanted, he requested something spicy!

I thought about making a kids' meal, but his request contradicted his appearance. How about a spicy curry with naan?

I made small, deep bowls of very spicy green curry and moderately spicy mutton (sheep) curry. Both are from sheep-type monsters, but the sheep's meat is softer when cooked, while the sheepul's meat is more flavorful. For tandoori chicken, I made chili sausages. I added a salad and yogurt for a palate cleanser, and iced tea. I'll look up how to make lassi later.

"I really like this green one!"

"You must really like spicy food."

When he tore a piece of cheese naan, the cheese stretched. It's best to eat it before it cools down.

"Yeah, but I only get sweet desserts offered to me."

Good, he looks happy and innocent while eating.

Other spicy dishes include mapo tofu, but there's no tofu. Spicy pasta, maybe?

"Should I make some more spicy pasta if you're still hungry?"

"No, I can't eat that much. But can I have another plate of the green one?"

He really likes it.

Rusa was in a good mood from the start.

"Um, big brother, do you have the 'Nihonshu' that Tasha and Dull drank?"

"Yeah, I have a super inferior version. The one they drank was made from rice from Dull's field, so it's special."

Even the inferior version is precious to me, and I don't want to give it away because I don't know when I can make it again.

"Mu~"

"Well, the food I made is also an inferior version. The vegetables made by the gods are far superior to those on the ground."

"Okay, I'll bring vegetables from Dull's field next time. You know which vegetables were used, right?"

"I can make as much as you want if you bring the materials. But it will take time since Tasha isn't here, so I'll give it to you later."

In that case, I'll sneak in some onigiri for myself. I wonder if the ingredients in the gods' space are exceptional, but I'm not satisfied that my cooking level doesn't increase.

"Can't you make it right away? That's disappointing. Big brother, do you have the 'Blessing of Dull'?"

"I have it."

"Do you have the 'Blessing of Tasha' too?"

"It's 'Favor' now."

"That's more than enough."

Before I could ask what he meant, Rusa disappeared, and the milky white space dissolved into the dungeon city's temple.

It seems I'm back.

《You have obtained the title "Blessing of Rusa"》

《"Golden Magic" has changed to "Golden Magic"》

《You have obtained the title "Eye of Rusa"》

《You have obtained the skill "Alchemy Magic"》

《You have obtained the skill "F