Chapter 10: Collecting Valuable Herbs

Inside the adventurer’s guild.

Shion and Haku were looking at the E-rank wooden tags hung on the billboard.

They could only go on quests that matched their rank so they were all lackluster to them.

“I guess we could go collect herbs and mushrooms.”

‘Let’s do this goblin exterminating one too.’

“I guess we could.”

They took the quest of acquiring two goblin wrists on top of collecting Yual herbs and striped mushrooms.

The receptionist frowned, even though they were easy quests.

“I don’t recommend going into the mountain right now. A dangerous monster called a tri-serpent had started dwelling in the mountain since a week ago. One of our B-rank parties departed this morning.”

Some capable adventurers had gone out because the villages and towns would be in danger if it ever came down.

“Then we’ll be careful not to encounter it.”

“…So you’re still going. I had a feeling you would say that…”

“I have Haku with me, so we’ll manage.”

“I don’t think you would have a problem with the mushrooms and goblins, but Yual herbs look very similar to poisonous herbs. We have a contract with the botanist* so it’s okay to bring whatever you find.”

“Got it.”

Other adventurers did so most of the time as well. There weren’t many that were knowledgeable about herbs.

After they exited the guild, Shion checked how much money he had on hand and counted one hundred fifty thousand Gowns. It wouldn’t be enough for two months even if they were frugal.

“Having a weapon seems like a dream.”

‘But you have me.’

“You don’t have a weapon either, though.”

‘Of course I do. My heart will always be holding a sword.’

“I’ll admit that wanting-to-say-cool-things spirit of yours.”

‘Mufufu’

Mt. Kinos, a mountain famous for having an abundant amount of herbs, was a few hours away by foot, but it was different for the strong legs of a magical beast.

Shion entered the mountain while on top of Haku, and darted up the mountain. They soon found goblins fighting over territory in the middle of the animal trail.

‘Was it two wrists?’

“Yeah.”

‘Then those will do.’

“Giii? Gaaaaaa!”

The goblins, noticing Haku running towards them, starting attacking him from both sides. But they weren’t a match for a white fox, and were torn to shreds by a swipe of his claws.

Out of the dispersing pieces of flesh flying through the air, Shion caught four wrists and stored them in his darkness bag.

‘Nice catch Shion~’

“Nice attack. We can leave the goblins alone now.”

‘Then let’s head to a river.’

They left the other parts since they couldn’t be sold, and started moving towards a river. Their goal wasn’t the river, but the striped mushrooms that grew near rivers. There weren’t any poisonous mushrooms that looked similar, so Shion gathered a bunch while Haku bathed in the river.

‘Kya kya, Shion~! The water feels so good~’

“Hey Haku, there’s a tri-serpent in this mountain. I don’t think you should make so much noise.”

‘But it feels so good, see~’

Although Shion tried to act mature, as Haku used his tail and legs to splash water on him, it triggered Shion’s childishness.

“You’ve really done it now~! Take this~”

‘Ohhh!? You’re pretty good~’

“I’m pretty good at water tag, you know.”

‘Fufufu, try to catch me~’

“What the!?”

Haku’s swimming speed was incredible. How could he be so fast when he’s dog paddling?

There wasn’t anyone to announce the start, but the game had already started, with Haku and Shion swimming with all their might.

—Three hours later.

The team, completely soaked, remembered their goal and continued their climb.

“Achoo!”

‘Achoo!’

“…”

‘…’

“We played too much…”

‘You’re right…’

Slightly regretting doing so without even remembering to eat, they reached a large patch of herbs.

The whole area was covered in similar looking herbs. Looking like the same herb, even when looked at carefully, was a nuisance. Mixed in there with the Yual herbs were many poisonous herbs.

‘You want to pick some randomly?’

“That’s inefficient, and there’s a chance that all of them are poisonous herbs. I’ll tell them apart.”

Shion gripped one of the leaves and started rubbing it. He was telling them apart by the slight roughness of the leaves.

Shion could utilize this method because of his delicate senses.

“This should be enough.”

‘As expected of a former hero, being an expert on herbs as well.’

“It’s not my knowledge. It’s knowledge I took from a bandit with magic called >”

‘You can take knowledge?’

The thugs at the inn the other day could only take mana, but Shion could steal his opponent’s knowledge as well.

But it consumed a large portion of his mana, and his head would become weird if the opponent had an extensive amount of knowledge. He could also be attacked by illness, so it wasn’t a spell that he could use often.

“I can’t use it with my current powers though.”

‘But it’s still quite versatile. Could you take memories as well?’

“Never tried, but probably.”

‘Then could you take all my painful memories.’

“No way. I already have too many of my own.”

‘That’s true~’

After sharing a laugh, Shion turned to climb back down the mountain.

But Haku was facing in a different direction.

‘Can you go on without me? I’ve got something to do.’

“I can help you know?”

‘No, there’s no need for that. It’s about earning my keep, anyway~’

“…? I’m not too sure what you mean, but be careful.”

‘Of course. I’ll see you later.’

After seeing off Haku run up towards the peak, Shion attempted to use a certain spell.

“…Looks like it doesn’t work.”

It was a darkness spell called > which let him leap through space, but it was currently lost, so he gave up and walked back to Organ.

When he reached the guild, he submitted goblin’s wrist x4, striped mushroom x12, and Yual herb x4. But the receptionist had a bad reaction when she saw the herbs.

“Umm, mister Shion? With only four, there’s a high chance of all of them being poisonous…”

“It’s probably fine.”

“I’ll hand them over to the expert just in case.”

The expert was visiting right then so it wasn’t long before the appraisal results came back. The receptionist was talking to the expert with a surprised look on her face, then returned to the counter where Shion was.

“T-they were all Yual herbs!”

“I’m glad.”

“You know a lot about herbs as well!?”

“Just a little bit.”

“That’s so cool…A darkness magic user, strong, and completing quests perfectly. A super excellent adventurer! My name is Lily, and I’m looking forward to working with you for many years to come!”

Slightly baffled at Lily, who suddenly got closer, Shion managed to make a smile.

But the smile crumbled when he heard the words- just like Master Axe.