Chapter 10

"Well, for you to freely enjoy my body, there are still many things lacking, you know."

"Huh?"

"This new training isn't just for Noem. You're a newbie too, right! Don't fall behind that girl and quickly gather the herbs!!"

"I've already finished picking the herbs."

"My body isn't so cheap that I'd let just anyone touch it... What!?"

She holds out the basket.

It was filled to the brim with green.

Londait seemed genuinely surprised, her eyes widening.

"Since when... I didn't notice at all. ...No, maybe you just picked some random weeds around here!?"

You really don't trust me.

Londait spreads a blanket on the grass and carefully lays out the herbs from the basket.

"The shape of the leaves... the color... the texture... they are indeed herbs. All of them, really!?"

"Can't be wrong, right?"

"Why!? You're a newbie, right!? You just heard the explanation about the herbs, right!? Even experienced people usually mix in ten weeds per basket!?"

"Maybe it's because of my experience."

During my training with the Azure Dragon.

Even then, as a human, I would get thirsty and hungry.

However, the monsters and beasts in the forest would flee from the Azure Dragon's aura, so the food I relied on was mostly the grass that grew on the ground or the fruits on the trees.

"Gradually, I started to understand which grass was edible and which wasn't."

Most of this knowledge was gained through trial and error, often involving stomachaches and rolling around in pain.

"Among them, this grass was memorable because it was not only edible but also good for the body. Today, after hearing Londait's explanation, I realized it was a medicinal herb."

"This wild child!!"

"That's a harsh way to put it."

Anyway, there's no way I would mistake the grass that has kept me alive for so long. That's why I was able to gather it without any mistakes.

"Your training is really impressive. You're more reliable than a level 17 with a mediocre skill."

"That's not true."

I'm not even a real level 17.

"Anyway, I've finished gathering the herbs..."

Noem returned at that moment.

"You guys seem to be having fun...!?"

"No, no, not at all!?"

Noem's eyes, which were glaring at us, clearly had a feminine quality.

Londait might be right. She might indeed be a young woman.

I'll treat her with respect, keeping that in mind.

"I've also finished gathering the herbs. I asked Londait to check them."

"Wow, really! Luya, you're so quick!"

"Quick!?"

No, I understand.

I know you don't mean it that way.

"Still, Noem, your speed is also extraordinary. Let's check if there are any non-herbs mixed in."

With that, she spreads out the contents of Noem's basket on the blanket.

"Hmm, not a single mistake, as expected. Your speed and accuracy surpass even veterans. And both of you together. What are you guys, really?"

"Um, about that, Londait..."

Noem speaks hesitantly.

"This isn't related to the quest, but I found some impressive-looking grass, so I picked it too."

"Huh?"

"I don't know what it is, but it felt really impressive, so can you tell me what this grass is!?"

The grass she holds out is indeed different from the herbs.

I recognize it... or rather, I remember eating it. It's more nutritious than herbs.

"This... is it a higher-grade herb?"

Londait's voice trembles as she says it.

"It's a high-end item with even better effects than herbs. But, this plain shouldn't have higher-grade herbs! How did you find it!?"

"What!? I don't know! It was just there in front of me!?"

Noem cowers under Londait's intense questioning.

However, Londait's excitement is understandable.

The higher-grade herb is clearly a high-end item, likely with healing effects superior to herbs and highly sought after.

However, such higher-grade herbs are not found in this area, and if a new source were discovered, it would be big news for the guild.

"Um, I have a thought...?"

"What is it!?"

"Could this be an effect of the <Alchemist King> skill?"

"Huh?"

The <Alchemist King> skill, which is the ultimate aid in alchemy.

And alchemy requires ingredients for any task.

If the <Alchemist King> skill had an effect that made it easier to obtain the necessary ingredients...

"Could it make the land produce ingredients that don't naturally grow there...!?"

If it has such an effect, the <Alchemist King> skill is truly terrifying.

Of course, there are limits...

"Higher-grade herbs are just a higher rank of herbs, right? Maybe the effect is to upgrade the natural ingredients of the land by one rank..."

As I speculate, Londait clutches her head and crouches down.

"Ah, are you okay!? Do you have a headache!?"

"I'm just struggling to accept the facts!"

"Would you like me to make a headache remedy from the herbs here? I think I can do it!"

"No! It might just give me more headaches!!"

Londait was really overworking herself.

However, I was once again impressed by Noem.

The <Alchemist King> skill is indeed a powerful skill that can stir things up, but seeing its actual effects with my own eyes, I could truly appreciate its power.

Even before performing any alchemy, the skill's impact was already this significant.

What other amazing things will it show in the future?

"But Luya is even more impressive! To finish gathering herbs faster than me!"

"I'm not a complete novice. I had some knowledge, which gave me a head start."

"That's impressive! Being able to do anything without relying on skills is even more impressive! I admire you!!"

...

Noem's admiring gaze is so direct that it's a bit scary.

Why does she look up to me so much, a <Skillless> person?

Especially since she has the genuine high-level skill <Alchemist King>. With a good skill, life should be easier.

In fact, there were people who, after receiving good skills, immediately cut ties with me.

What's the difference between them and her?

◆

"Well, the herb-gathering quest ended much faster than expected..."

Londait says with an indescribable expression.

Both Noem and I, as newbies, completed the task at an unprecedented speed, leaving us with a lot of extra time.

So...

"Early dismissal!? Are we getting off early!?"

"Yay!"

There's nothing more delightful than finishing work early.

Let's make a detour somewhere with the extra time!!

"Using extra time effectively is what adults do. So, we'll take on an emergency additional quest now!"

"What!?"

This black-hearted guild!

"Don't complain and just follow along!"

"What are we going to do?"

"Let's call it... an observation, I guess?"

Observation.

"There are areas in this plain that you must not enter. If you wander in by mistake, it could cost you your life. Today, we'll clearly identify those boundaries."

"An observation for that purpose?"

"We were planning to do this at least once before the training period ends. It just happened to be today. Even if it weren't, it's a matter of life and death, so the sooner, the better."

Londait, despite her tough appearance, seemed genuinely afraid of the area they were about to visit.

Her face was pale.

The area designated by the Adventurer's Guild as absolutely off-limits.

Its name is the "Evil Spirit Zone."