Chapter 33

The next day.

In the morning, I went to deliver the monster materials obtained from yesterday's special training. The special training involved the three of us practicing with weapons and casting magic, so we didn't go monster hunting. We only hunted for about the last 30 minutes to level up, so the amount wasn't much.

Since Naga and my brother decided to act separately, I came to the Adventurer's Guild. After discussing, we decided that I would handle the reports to the guild, and the two of them would avoid coming as much as possible.

We could claim the party's achievements as our own, but both of them said it was fine for me to take the credit for the hunts.

Almost all of it was done by the two of them, but since we didn't accept any quests, anyone can claim the reward by submitting the monster parts. The record of the submission will be under the person who submitted it.

Why do they let me take the credit for the hunts but refuse to let me hunt alone and insist on acting as a party...? If I can't hunt monsters that I can't defeat alone, I'll consider acting separately. Even without me, the two of them will be fine.

"Miss Marry, hello."

"Yes, hello. Mr. Crane, could you come to a private room for a moment?"

"Ah, yes."

The Adventurer's Guild was as sparse as usual today. While thinking that it's less crowded in the morning, I followed Miss Marry.

However, I feel like I've been meeting in private rooms a lot lately. As a new adventurer, I'm a bit worried about being noticed.

So far, there are more adventurers who are more popular with the other two, and many adventurers are friendly to me, so maybe I'm not being noticed.

"Miss Marry... what is it?"

In the private room, we sat across from each other at a table.

There are various documents on the table, but I wonder if I'm allowed to see them. I wonder how the information management works.

"First, I have a report. Regarding the eastern forest, including the damage caused by the foreigners, all confirmations have been made. We have also advised and instructed other foreigners... From now on, foreigners cannot accept delivery quests until the guild approves. Additionally, parties must include at least one active adventurer to accept quests. This is just a message for you as a new adventurer, Mr. Crane. You can still accept and deliver quests."

"Ah... Yes, thank you for your consideration."

In other words, new adventurers can only earn income from hunt rewards.

Not being able to deliver means less income. Furthermore, being led by an active adventurer, and sharing the reward with the leader, makes it quite challenging.

Although I'm not a foreigner, I need to be careful to avoid misunderstandings when delivering as a new adventurer.

"Also, I would like to request a designated quest from Mr. Crane. I would like you to deliver several types of medicine."

Delivering medicine!

This is a huge help for me. It's a stable income, and others can't complain since they can't do it.

However... Changing the delivery destination means there might be trouble with the Alchemist's Guild, as my master mentioned. I'm not surprised, but... If I want to ensure the delivery, wouldn't it be better for my master to do it?

"Is the relationship with the Alchemist's Guild really that bad?"

"Yes, that's correct. Did you hear it from someone?"

"From my master, a little bit."

From my experience with alchemy, I realized that the 'Wound Medicine' recipe is very basic. Only beginners or those without alchemy skills would fail it.

Therefore, I think it's quite malicious for the Alchemist's Guild to require double the amount of 'Sage Leaves' for 'Wound Medicine' deliveries. I understand that they are established customers, but I can't help but think it's unfair, especially since I use other herbs thanks to my master.

"As you know, the Alchemist's Guild makes a large profit from high-margin medicines, so they are reluctant to deliver low-margin medicines like Wound Medicine, or hunting necessities like poison and paralysis medicines. Therefore, we used to provide extra materials to ensure the delivery... However, due to the damage caused by the foreigners in the forest, there is now a concern about a shortage of materials."

"How much of a shortage?"

"Sage Leaves will be at least 40% less for at least 3 months... In reality, considering transportation costs, it will be 50-60% less. It takes about 3 months for new leaves to grow and fall naturally."

"Really that much?"

"Not only that, but if we consider only the eastern forest, it will be a 70% reduction. The day after your report, we caught the foreigners in the act... The damage has increased since your report."

"Really!?"

I thought Sage Leaves could be harvested year-round, but it seems it takes quite a while for new leaves to grow. The damage is too severe.

70% reduction in the eastern forest...

If we can't make Wound Medicine without Sage Leaves, it will be a significant blow... I need to report this to my master.

According to my master, only he can make medicine using 'Hundred Grass' in this town, so it's quite serious.

Well, since we can't obtain it locally, we can import it from elsewhere... but it will be expensive. Transportation costs in this world are quite high. Many adventurers take on merchant requests. There are quite a few escort requests on the quest board. Merchants rarely transport goods alone, and they either hire adventurers or have their own guards.

"The Alchemist's Guild is demanding compensation from the Adventurer's Guild for the damage, requesting 5 times the materials for each Wound Medicine, with increased prices."

"5 times!?"

"Yes, 5 times. Previously, it was at most 2 times... The guild leader couldn't agree to 5 times... As a result, we can no longer receive deliveries from the Alchemist's Guild."

"..."

5 times is understandable.

There is no chance of failing to make Wound Medicine. The Adventurer's Guild knows this. Both sides know that the materials are secured for other medicines... but 5 times is excessive.

"Fortunately, the Alchemy Guild has agreed to continue delivering potions, even though the amount of materials they receive has decreased. The guild also wants to ensure the supply of medicines, so they have decided to deliver Wound Medicine, Magic Pills, Energy Pills, Paralysis Medicine, Poison Medicine, Sleep Medicine, and Compound Medicine from the Alchemist's Guild... We would like you to make these medicines. We can provide the materials."

Looking at the list, there are some medicines I don't know.

There are about 30 types of medicines, but the ones Miss Marry mentioned have the highest delivery numbers. I need to consult with my master, as I don't have the recipes.

Still, the Alchemy Guild is reliable.

It's a difficult decision to continue as usual, knowing there will be a shortage. I think it would have been better for the Alchemist's Guild to work together in times of trouble.

"Still, there are many I can't make yet..."

"Yes, I understand. We know there is a possibility of failure, so we would like you to keep records of the materials we provide. We are currently confirming the recipes, but we will do our best to prepare them..."

"I understand. I'll consult with my master about the recipes. He might be able to prepare them. Also, I have 300 Wound Medicines ready, as I heard the stock was low. I also have 30 Magic Pills and 30 Energy Pills. Can I deliver them now?"

I shouldn't say that I don't think the Alchemist's Guild can prepare the recipes.

I think my master will help because he dislikes the Alchemist's Guild, but I don't know yet, so I won't say anything unnecessary.

"Thank you!! Wound Medicines are 30G each, so 9,000G. Magic Pills and Energy Pills are usually 150G each, but let's make it 180G this time. That's 10,800G, so the total is 19,800G. I'm making it a bit more expensive because we're using Sage Leaves."

"Ah, yes. I'll do that."

Miss Marry took the Wound Medicines with a big smile.

I can't do the math without a calculator, but I'm surprised at how quickly she can calculate.

Mental arithmetic is fast... I want a calculator for two-digit multiplication.

"Mr. Crane, are you not good at negotiating prices?"

"Not really... I haven't done it much. My master told me to 'sell favors to the guild as a new adventurer, but don't sell Magic Pills for less than 150G'... So 180G is fine, I think."

"I see. You have a good master. By the way, what is your success rate in alchemy?"

"Well, I don't fail Wound Medicines. For Magic Pills... it was about 1 in 3, but it has become more stable, about 1 in 2, after leveling up."

"Really? That's a high success rate! You must have studied alchemy. Of course, it's normal to fail more than 50% of the time. Can you continue to deliver regularly?"

"Well, I need to gather materials myself... so I can only deliver every two days."

Even if I make a lot, Magic Pills and Energy Pills can be made with Hundred Grass, so it's not that difficult... but I won't say that.

Still... is my success rate high? My master only told me to make them even if I fail... Wound Medicines are too easy to improve my skill level, and failing doesn't increase my skill level, but Magic Pills are good for practice... I'll ask my master for more details.

From Miss Marry's reaction, she thinks my success rate is high. If I don't understand this, it will be a problem in the future.

"I understand. That's fine. The Adventurer's Guild will support you fully! By the way, did you gather the materials yourself?"

"Yes. My master said I could use some of his materials. So, I can consult with him and get the necessary materials from him."

"Of course. You don't need to keep records for the materials you didn't provide. Just let us know what you need."

The necessary materials... I only know Wound Medicines, Magic Pills, and Energy Pills from the delivery request list. I need to consider not only preparing the recipes but also the material issues... which means more training with my brother and the others...

Oh, I remember my brother and the others!

I'll ask Miss Marry.

"Also... I have a request..."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Well... I want a magic storage bag. I have a 'Tiny' one from Leonis's lecture... but I want to increase the capacity if I have the funds... I heard it's difficult to buy without an introduction..."

"I understand. The guild will prepare the introduction. Do you know the prices?"

"Well, I only know that the number of zeros increases... the 'Tiny' one was 100G..."

"Yes. 'Small' is 1,000G, 'Medium' is 10,000G. 'Large' requires an order and costs 130,000G. 'Extra Large' and 'Huge' are usually auctioned, so the price varies. The capacity is 1 cubic meter for 'Tiny' (1m on each side), 8 cubic meters for 'Small' (2m on each side), 64 cubic meters for 'Medium' (4m on each side), and 4,096 cubic meters for 'Large' (16m on each side)."

The capacity increases by 8 times, so 'Small' is enough.

1,000G is not a big deal, so I'll buy a few.

"Let's start with 'Small'..."

"No, Mr. Crane, let's go for 'Medium'. You will need to gather a lot of materials in the future."

"Ah, if possible, I'd like 2 or 3... but I don't have enough money for 'Medium'."

"2 'Medium' bags can be covered by the G you just delivered. The guild can lend you money. If you keep delivering Wound Medicines at this rate, you can earn enough for a 'Large' bag soon."

"Well... even if I deliver, I heard that more than half of the money goes to the materials..."

"As I mentioned, for guild-designated requests, we provide the materials. In exchange, you must keep records. The guild covers the material costs, so you only receive the technical fee, which is about 20% of the usual purchase price."

20% technical fee... so 30G Wound Medicine becomes 6G. No, the original price was 25G... too cheap!

I understand why the Alchemist's Guild makes a profit from high-margin medicines. Even if I deliver 100 units of Wound Medicine... it's too cheap.

Making them myself is definitely more profitable! This is what they mean by unprofitable work...

"Ah, it's more profitable to gather the materials myself."

"That's understandable. However, it's a great deal for a new adventurer. F-rank adventurers can't defeat strong monsters and don't have permission for dungeons."

"That's true... I'll go to my master's place and discuss the future, then come back. It will probably be in the evening after my master's class."

"Understood."

Hmm. 20% technical fee for medicines.

100% if I gather the materials myself. Moreover, the guild adds a markup to the buyback price and sells it... I can understand why the Alchemist's Guild demands a lot of materials.

It seems to be a deep-rooted issue... I'm just an adventurer guild member, so I don't know about the Alchemist's Guild.

I'll ask my master for help to complete the requests without worrying about it.