Chapter 22

Today is my first day as an adventurer. I need to issue a request later to go beyond the border and fetch Anna, so I must try not to deplete my current funds as much as possible while also focusing on improving my guild evaluation by completing requests.

After checking a few requests posted on the bulletin board according to recommended ranks, I took the number tag for a task I thought I could handle and went through the acceptance procedures. Of course, I confirmed with the receptionist whether a beginner like me, who had just completed the beginner's training yesterday, could take on this level of request and what precautions to take.

By chance, Darria, who was free, gave me advice and praised me for being well-prepared. "I wish everyone was as cautious as Reina," she said, which made me a bit embarrassed.

"Collect medicinal herbs and clay soil in the Kebroa Forest..."

At first, I only intended to collect medicinal herbs, but I was also asked to collect "clay soil" since it could be easily gathered in the same place. This is probably due to the magic bag I received as a 15th birthday gift from an old hunter. It's heavy and not very valuable, so it's not popular. However, participating in such requests helps improve my guild evaluation.

The request issuer is the Alchemy Association of Lindemen City. I guessed they would use the herbs for research on artificial cultivation. I have read several papers on this topic by alchemists affiliated with Lindemen. Medicinal herbs and other materials used in alchemy often lose their medicinal properties or fail to grow properly when cultivated by humans. The supply of medicinal herbs does not meet the demand, and artificial cultivation is one of the long-standing challenges humanity faces. This is why requests for collecting medicinal herbs never cease. While it is known that reproducing natural reproduction is essential for cultivation, it is difficult to achieve.

Thinking that this soil would contribute to someone's research, I felt a sense of mission.

I put the simplified request form for my trip in my bag and started walking towards the forest, visualizing the map of the area I learned about yesterday. The request form included key points for distinguishing the herbs from weeds and detailed illustrations, likely to help those who cannot read. The areas where these herbs are distributed near Lindemen City were also roughly indicated.

The Rumatsugumi herb can only grow in spaces with miasma outside human living areas, but it is difficult to cultivate in areas with too much miasma. Although it does not grow naturally in my home country, I learned about it in my studies of herbalism, so I don't think there will be any problems with collecting it. However, I am a bit anxious because I don't have detailed references at hand. But, while entertainment books are one thing, professional books are expensive due to their color illustrations and limited print runs. It would be unnatural for a novice adventurer to own a large number of them, so I should avoid drawing attention by visiting bookstores.

I have brought a few essential items, including a dictionary in several languages, so I should be fine for a while.

"Rumatsugumi herb... In this season, it has small white flowers, yellow stamens, and bright green round leaves... Ah, there it is."

I walked along the outer edge of the forest near the city, carefully searching for my target while paying attention to my surroundings and being vigilant against monsters.

The Rumatsugumi herb is used as a material for both external and internal wound medications. The medicinal components are mainly concentrated in the red roots, but the entire plant can be boiled or crushed to make folk remedies for inflammation. It has healing properties even when used as is, but for alchemy, the roots are dried until they turn dark red. It is primarily used as a raw material for wound medications made by pharmacists and in low-level healing potions.

I couldn't recall the scientific name or the components. Since it only grows in foreign countries, I had never handled it before, so I only remembered this much. The ingredients for low-level potions can vary depending on the region because the available herbs change. In this country, it is relatively easy to obtain as a raw material for wound medications, but in other places, different herbs are used. Since it is not an irreplaceable material, it is not worth the effort to import it. If I had known this, I would have memorized it more thoroughly, but it's too late now for regrets about my impulsive decision to run away from home.

The request form stated, "Please try to dig up the roots as long as possible without damaging them." Using the life magic that ordinary people use for farming, I carefully dug up the roots to keep them as intact as possible. The Rumatsugumi plant does not grow very tall, but its main root extends deeper underground than a person's height. I had to achieve my goal using the minimum necessary means.

After gently cleaning the mud from the roots I had dug up, I carefully wrapped them in paper to avoid damaging them. The active ingredients of this herb are water-soluble, so scrubbing them to remove mud is strictly prohibited. It would also cut the side roots and cause the components to leak out.

After confirming that the processing was done correctly, I started looking for the next Rumatsugumi herb. Finding five more would cover today's meals and lodging, but I wanted to collect a bit more to have some extra for the future.

I repeated the same process and secured a satisfactory amount of Rumatsugumi herbs. Before the sun set, I decided to collect the clay soil and return to the city.

"Excuse me, I would like to submit my request."

I called out to the back of the guild from the unmanned submission window. It was still early, so the guild was not yet crowded with adventurers completing their requests. (I had returned early to avoid the rush.)

One of the friendly young men, who had been chatting in the back, came to the counter with a cane.

"Oh, a new adventurer? How was your first request?"

"Collecting the herbs wasn't a problem because I had done it before in my hometown."

"Wow, you're Reina, right? It's impressive that a young and cute girl like you was already working before becoming an adventurer."

"Um... thank you...?"

The male staff member, who seemed to be an employee, glanced at the Rumatsugumi herbs wrapped in paper and the clay soil in the burlap bag. After confirming that the items were correct, he started looking at the request form I had submitted without a detailed inspection. Perhaps he was an expert and could evaluate them with just a glance.

"Reina, you can use a bow. But going deeper into the forest might require a bit of courage. I'm currently recovering from an injury and helping out at the guild, but I plan to return soon. How about I take you on a hunt with our party? It would be a good learning experience. You could even join our group."

"Um..."

"Don't be shy. It's part of a senior's duty to train new adventurers."

"...Thank you, but I'm sorry. I only know hunting techniques and am not suited for large-scale battles."

After bowing in apology, the man's smile faded, and he muttered, "Oh, I see."

I hadn't done anything wrong, but I felt a lingering unease in my chest.

"Eight Rumatsugumi herbs and 15 tan of soil. Here's your reward. Please confirm."

"Um, yes, it's correct."

I visually confirmed the coins placed on the tray and put them in my wallet. I mentally calculated the amount and quantity listed on the request form to ensure there was no shortage or excess.

The clearly displeased man stamped the request form as completed and wrote the evaluation. When I received it back, my name and a "Pass" evaluation were written on it. I was relieved that I had completed the task and received a standard evaluation. The purchase price would be higher if the collected materials were in good condition, but I didn't expect that from the start.

As proof of receiving the reward, I signed the bottom half of the form and returned it, saying, "Thank you."

"Good job, Reina. Are you heading home now?"

"No, I just finished submitting my request. Mr. Fred, you just got back?"

"Yeah, the guild master is really tough on us."

I chuckled at Fred's exaggerated complaint about being tired. Despite his words, he seemed to trust the guild master.

"Reina, do you want to have dinner with me again today?"

"I'm happy to have someone to eat with, but is it okay with the others you received the request with today?"

"They all have bad drinking habits. Whenever I join them for dinner, I end up with a hangover and in a bad situation. Think of it as helping me!"

I knew it was an excuse, and he was still worried about how I was doing. He was subtly looking out for me. I was secretly pleased and accepted his dinner invitation.

"Ah! Is this the junior disciple you were talking about?"

"She's cute."

"Stop it, stop it! Reina's dad is really strict! He asked me to keep an eye on her so she doesn't attract the wrong kind of attention."

Before I could greet them, Fred chased them away like bugs and said, "The reward will be transferred to your account as usual!" as he led me out of the guild, which was starting to get crowded.

It was like a storm. I was swept along with it.

"Shall we go to the same place as yesterday? As a celebration for completing your first request."

"Um, let's eat at a food stall. I'd like to try a good one!"

Feeling a sense of crisis that I would be treated again, I suggested this before he could. Even if it wasn't a high-end restaurant, eating out for three consecutive days would be too luxurious with my current income. In this area, it's common for adventurers to buy food from stalls and take it home to eat. Many stalls are open in the early morning and late at night.

"Food stalls... Hmm, I had something I wanted to ask you, so I preferred a private room. Otherwise, it would have to be my house."

"Then, can we go to your house, Mr. Fred?"

"Da...! It's not that I mind, but... Are you really okay with that...?"

"Um, if it's not a bother, can I come to your place?"

"Reina, it's better not to go to a man's house, especially if you live alone... No, you absolutely shouldn't. If someone invites you, let me know. I'll give them a strong talking to."

Fred said this seriously, scratching his head in confusion. I have enough sense to know better and wouldn't go to a stranger's house. But to avoid sounding like an excuse, I simply replied, "I understand."