Chapter 7

The next morning.

It was a clear and refreshing morning.

The weather was perfect for gathering.

I prepared and headed to the Adventurer's Guild.

"Good morning, Crane. You're early."

"Good morning, Marry. Early? The bell rang a little while ago, it's 9 o'clock."

"Yes. The guild starts accepting requests at 8, but most people come in the afternoon."

I see. Adventurers drink late into the night and wake up late, I guess.

Adventurers seem to be loose with time and money.

When I asked Marry, it turned out that the guild didn't post new quests at 8 a.m. Urgent requests were issued immediately, regardless of the time. Non-urgent requests were posted around noon or in the evening, after the guild master's approval. It depended on the guild master of the day.

In other words, the current requests are leftovers from the previous day, and the good ones have already been taken. For newcomers like me, it's common to take ongoing quests, so it doesn't matter.

"Please accept this herb gathering request. And... add the slime extermination request."

"Sure. I understand. This herb gathering quest is always available, but for other quests, you need to take the request paper from the bulletin board. Requests are on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's best to check carefully."

The bulletin board... but there are hardly any posted in the F-rank area.

There are a lot in the C and B ranks. Hmm. It seems that the quests in demand are in these ranks.

Escort quests have a significant difference in pay between D and C ranks, so they are posted in both. Monster extermination quests are mostly C rank and above.

"I understand. Also, I'll be taking Leonis's training today, so please handle the payment."

"Yes, I know. Is it for two sessions?"

"Well, if it extends, I'll come back to pay. I feel bad for monopolizing such an excellent instructor."

"It's fine. We have other staff, and we have the system in place. Just be careful, Leonis is married."

What should I be careful about?

Not to fall for Leonis? I'm not his type.

Diana didn't seem like the jealous type. What's going on?

When I looked puzzled, she chuckled, "He's popular with the ladies."

"He's kind to new female adventurers, and they fall for him. Being protected by a tank is romantic, especially in a crisis."

"I see. Is it because he used to be an adventurer and has many trainees? I met his wife yesterday and had a meal with her. Is Diana young because of that?"

"Well... they were in the same party. I don't know the details."

Hmm?

It seems like she doesn't want to talk about it.

She's smiling, but there's a hint of reluctance.

"I'm getting advice from both Leonis and Diana, so I want to thank them properly... when I start earning money."

"Sure. Then you need to work hard."

"Yes."

Marry processed the quest acceptance for me, and I walked to the meeting place.

I didn't ask, but there were fewer adventurers today compared to yesterday afternoon. The atmosphere wasn't hectic, so the guild must be doing something about it.

Well, no need to stir up trouble. I'll act like I'm not involved. I don't know anything about the foreigner.

When I arrived at the meeting place, there was still time.

I took out the paper and pen I received yesterday and started writing down the names of the herbs from the quest acceptance paper Marry gave me. Completing the quest requires submitting a certain amount of these herbs.

I don't know what I can gather, but Leonis said it would be fine, so I'll manage. If the amount is insufficient, I can go again the next day. There's still time before the deadline.

"Are you Crane?"

"Yes, I'm Crane. Are you the instructor for today, ma'am?"

The person who called out was an elderly woman. She looked quite old, but her legs seemed strong. She was walking steadily.

Since she knew my name, she must be the herbalist Leonis mentioned. She has a herbalist vibe, or rather, she looks like a witch in her black robe?

"I heard you're from Leonis, but you look quite inexperienced. Can you handle this?"

"I'm a new adventurer, but I'll do my best to repay the kindness I've received. Please take care of me."

I straightened my posture and greeted her politely. If I'm going to gather herbs, I might become a regular customer. First impressions are important. I need to provide courteous service to gain her trust.

"You don't look like an adventurer."

"Well... I plan to become the type of adventurer who earns daily wages by gathering herbs."

"That's odd. Can you fight?"

"I have some skills."

Her words stung a bit. I've been told I don't look like an adventurer since yesterday.

Am I that unimpressive? I must not look like an adventurer if I'm called inexperienced.

Her reaction to my skills was quite skeptical. I need to work hard to become capable and earn her trust.

There were almost no female adventurers in the guild, so I understand why they are rare. But Diana used to be an adventurer. If she could do it, I should be able to too.

Hmm. Is it because I'm small?

But I read that you can become an adventurer at 13, so there must be younger ones.

I look around 15 or 16, and I think I'm mature... What's wrong with me?

"Well, if you think it's too hard, you can quit."

"Um, can I ask your name, ma'am?"

"I'm Pamela. Call me whatever you like."

"Ma'am... Pamela... Pamela-sama... I'll call you Pamela-sama."

Calling her "ma'am" seems rude. She feels like a "famous herbalist."

I'm impressed that Leonis can call her "ma'am." I guess they're close.

"Okay... So, what were you doing?"

"I was writing down the names of the herbs. I thought it would be good to write down the names and then add the characteristics when I see them."

Writing them down will make it easier to remember later.

I don't know much about plants, but if it's knowledge I'll need, I want to learn it properly.

"Hmm... I'll teach you one by one. First, I assume you want to make healing potions. The main herbs used are three, with one exception. You can make the same potion with any of these herbs, but each has its own characteristics and requires different effort. The herbs are Hundred Grass, Sage Leaves, and Lagora Root. Among these, Hundred Grass is a bit troublesome. It's a common herb found outside the town, but it spoils quickly. You need to bring the roots and store them properly; they might last three days. The leaves alone last only a day, so you need to process them quickly. Because of this, the skill has fallen out of use. It's useless to submit it to the guild, but if you need to make it yourself, you can gather it."

I see.

But if it's easy to find, why not use it... Moreover, if this person can make it, it's a lost skill.

The key might be making it on the same day. If you can find it nearby, you can gather it on the same day. If you can make healing potions from common weeds, it could be a quick way to earn high income.

"Hundred Grass... Yes. If I gather it and plant it in the garden, will it last longer?"

"It's useless. Bringing soil from outside won't help. Plants need water, but the town's water doesn't work, and they wither. The roots might last a bit longer, depending on their vitality."

"I see..."

I took notes of what she said.

It spoils quickly, but if it's usable, it's not a problem... The key is that it only lasts a day. If you submit it to the guild and then to the client, it might be too late to use.

"Sage Leaves, you should gather as many as possible. Sage Leaves are the easiest to handle. They last a long time and can be dried for use in other potions. When it comes to herb gathering, this is the first thing to think about. The guild pays 10G for five leaves. It's not much, but since trees have many leaves, you can gather a lot. However, you can't use young leaves from the tree; you need to gather fallen leaves."

"Sage Leaves... Yes. I've written it down. Thank you."

I took notes of what she said. I'll ask her to show me the actual herbs when I find them.

Her perspective as a maker makes the instructions clear and helpful. Considering the future, this is not just a necessary expense but a bargain!

"Next is Lagora Root..."

"Hey, Crane. Are you done yet?"

Leonis had arrived without me noticing. He must have been there for a while.

"What is it, Leonis? I'm in the middle of explaining."

"I know, but it's better to see them in action."

"You're cheeky, aren't you? You were a snot-nosed kid not long ago."

"Whatever! Let's go."

Leonis's words were casual, but he naturally put Pamela's belongings in his magic bag and offered her a hand when standing up. It seems he's quite used to it.

It feels more like taking care of an elderly person than a guard. You can tell he cares for her deeply.

"Good morning, Leonis."

"Hey. Good morning. The weather looks good today, perfect for gathering. Follow me closely."

"Yes. Thank you."

"Ah, there are monsters outside the town. I'll protect the old lady, so you need to fight them on your own."

"I'll do my best."

With renewed determination, I headed out of town.

This is where my first monster hunt and material gathering begin!