138-Episode 138: How to Make a Simple Detoxifying Potion

Well, that corroded earth you just saw is...

Let's talk about it in the back for now. Come on, come on, this way.

''Wow!''

I was about to ask the receptionist about the word "corrosive earth" that she mentioned, but she pushed me so hard on my back that I couldn't do anything about it as she forced me into the back of the guild.

''Jeez, I can walk by myself, don't push me!

Come on, come on, come on!　Quickly, let's talk about the all-purpose poisoner!

But the receptionist doesn't listen to us and pushes back more and more.

Also, it's a low-grade universal poisoner.

''Hahaha, you look like you're having a lot of fun, big game eater.

The person who called out to me, who was confused by the receptionist's giggles, was the head of the guild that unites the adventurer's guild in this royal capital.

''I hear you've done something outrageous again. This time, I hear you're an all-purpose poisoner?

It's a low-level all-purpose poisoner, Guild Master.

And I haven't done anything else yet.

''Even at the lower levels, all things are all things to all people. d*mn it, I don't know where you got that kind of ridiculous knowledge.

However, the guild leader doesn't show any signs of wanting to find out the deeper details.

For adventurers, probing into a person's past is not allowed.

''Come on, over here.

The room we were shown was larger and more luxurious than the private negotiation room we could enter from the guild hall.

The walls were solid, probably so thick that you couldn't hear them even if you listened.

''This room is a private room for holding special business meetings. It's a room we use when we receive a secret request from a nobleman, or for important matters for the guild that we can't let others hear, like this one.

''Haha it's not like I'm going to have to be shown to such an awesome room.

'No way!　Lex's knowledge of potions is invaluable!　That's exactly the kind of information that's as valuable as the magical knowledge that can be unearthed from the depths of ancient ruins!

I mean, it's not that big of a deal.

So, Mr. Lex!　Right off the bat, please tell me how to formulate an all-purpose poison remover!

Okay, I understand. I'll explain it to you while I'm mixing the actual herbs.

I take out the herbs and tools needed to concoct a low-grade universal poison extinguisher from my magic bag.

''Hmmm, it's true that the materials themselves aren't anything special. With this, even low ranked adventurers should be able to collect them!

The receptionist is quickly taking notes on the items I need.

'Good, I didn't have to be told that there are materials I can't get around here.

'By the way, on second thought, shouldn't I be out of my seat too?

'I don't know,' says Liliera, 'but you might want to leave the room.

'That's fine. Liliera-san is part of the party, and you're part of the party.

Is it okay...?

Then let's get started.

I pick up my tools and slowly begin to mix them so that the receptionist can easily take notes.

'I'll decoct this herb first,'

"Mmm-hmm.

The next herb is soaked in lukewarm water and taken out just before the leaves turn brown. This will separate the two medicinal properties of the herb from the lukewarm water.

'I didn't know there was a way to formulate it that way!

So I'm going to roast these herbs in a pot to dry them out.

I see you're prepping everything in a different way.

So I'm going to mix this one with this one and let it sit in the dark until it's cold. Then we'll mix this one like this... and then we'll mix the one from earlier...

Then I put the liquid with all the herbs concocted into a bottle and I declare.

'This completes the low grade all-purpose poison remover!

'Hurry!　Are you finished?　Isn't that too fast!

In the blink of an eye, the receptionist exclaimed in amazement as the low-grade Universal Poison Eraser was completed in the blink of an eye.

''This concoction method is all about freshness. That's why it's so much busier to work on it as it can be made faster than normal potion concoctions.

'Ta, sure. Once I start making it, I'm going to spend all my time mixing this potion. We should set up a working group dedicated to this potion when we mass-produce it in the guild.

Yeah, that would be good.

'But then you'll definitely get a position of chief dedicated to the potion squad......Kuhu, definitely a chance to move up.

...hmmm, let's pretend I didn't say that.

It's never a good idea to get involved in a career battle, you know.

'Anyway, thank you, Mr. Lex!　Now even a poor party with no money can always have a poisoner on hand just in case!

And then the receptionist suddenly came back to reality and said something like that.

'Huh?　Aren't the lower level universal poison erasers going to be priced higher?

Didn't I say something like that earlier?

You don't buy a poor party with no money, do you?

''We will certainly set the price high, but the reason they don't want to spend money on a poison remover is because there are so many different kinds of poisons. So if there is a potion that works for all the poisons, they will be more inclined to buy at least one of them, and we as a guild can strongly recommend at least one of them.

I see, if you can use it for any poison, you can buy it in the mood for a normal potion.

''Then about the price and Lex-san's share, the general price range for a poisonous eraser is from 30 silver coins for the cheapest ones, so this one is considered to be 70 silver coins, taking the cost of materials into account.

Can you really sell for that much money?

What?　In a previous life, they were like 60 coppers?

Almost double.

But Liliera-san didn't seem too surprised.

I wonder if Liliera-san is satisfied with this price?

''If it's too high, buyers will shy away from it, and if it's any lower, the sales of other poisonous erasers will drop significantly. Considering Lex's opinion that he wants to spread the word, this is a reasonable price. We also have to pay for the materials, and since it works against multiple poisons, I think it would actually be twice as cheap.

I see, in the previous life, everyone gathered materials on their own to make them, but with a guild, you have to consider the commission for purchasing.

''So, as for the income to Lex-san, how about 7 silver coins per bottle, with the idea of paying 10% of the sales?　I can still raise the price per potion now, though?

No, no!　It's only to spread the word for everyone's safety, so please don't raise the price!

'I understand. Then we'll settle on a price of 70 pieces of silver and a payment to Mr. Lex for 7 pieces of silver. You will sign this contract.

To roughly summarize the contract that the receptionist offered me, it was something like I would be paid a portion of the proceeds for teaching the adventurer's guild the recipe for the potion.

''Yes....

After I finished writing my signature, I held out the contract to the receptionist.

''Yes, you have now completed the contract for the lower level universal poison eradication potion, thanks to the help of S-rank adventurer Lex,''

Thus, the potion consignment contract with the Adventurer's Guild was successfully completed........but I'm kind of tired.

I didn't think I'd end up signing a contract with a mere low-grade all-purpose poisonous eraser with such an exaggerated contract.

Well, I'm just a low-level all-purpose poisonous eraser, so it won't be much income for me.

◆Receptionist ◆

It happened right after Lex-san left after finishing his contract for a lower level universal poison eraser.

''Oh, my God!''

Just when I thought the door had been violently opened, a pair of bloody men jumped into the guild.

As I recall, these guys are D-rank adventurers, Lot-san and Jean-san.

Not exactly skilled, but they are a promising duo.

Anyway, we have to give them first aid first.

We'll get up from the reception desk to treat them.

Did we miss our appointment?　Or did you get into some kind of trouble?

But just as we were getting up to tend to them, Mr. Lotto said.

"I've been bitten by an inferno spider, my friend!　Does anyone have an antidote for that?

""Inferno spiders!"

The moment I heard that name, the entire guild was in an uproar.

As it should be, the Inferno Spider is a powerful B-ranked demon.

The spider silk attacks that were emitted from its massive body, which was no bigger than a large dog, were very troublesome, but what was most frightening was the scorching venom that dripped from its fangs.

Those affected by this venom would die over the course of several days, suffering as if their entire body was being burned by flames.

'Hey, hey, an inferno spider?　That's the guy who lives in the backcountry over there, isn't it!　Why didn't you get a poison zapper to go to that place?

I didn't go there!　I was working in the West Woods near King's Landing when I was attacked!　At first I thought it was just a regular giant spider, but I didn't think it was an inferno spider because my poisoned companions wouldn't be able to drink the poisoner and it wouldn't work!

"Inferno spiders in the West Woods?　How is that possible?

It doesn't matter. Doesn't somebody have any medicine?　I'll give you money!

".........

It's no wonder that everyone is silent.

The materials used to eliminate poison for the Inferno Spider are precious, so you'll have to either collect the materials yourself or pay a lot of money to prepare them for them to be mixed.

''No, we don't have it in our guild's inventory!

''I've asked the apothecary in King's City, and he says it will take three days to mix it now!

That's not going to make it!　It's already been a day since we left the West Woods here!

Yes, to make matters worse, the poison remover for the Inferno Spider doesn't last long.

That's why we basically left right after the medicine was completed and returned before it became useless, but what a misfortune to encounter it in a place we weren't supposed to encounter it.

''Guaaaah!

"Get a grip, Gene!

There's nothing more we can do but watch.

Yeah, yeah!　That thing!　

Seeing Jean-san in pain, I couldn't stand still, so I unintentionally held out the low-grade universal poisonous eraser in my hand to Lot-san.

''What's this?''

''This is a low-grade universal poison eraser. It's not a poison eraser exclusively for the Inferno Spider, but it might be able to at least ease the pain...

However, Lex also said that this potion would only be effective against weak poisons.

I don't think it can counter the poison of a B-ranked Inferno Spider, but it's still better than nothing.

Besides, if we're lucky, we might be able to slow down the progression of the poison.

I know I'm clinging to a convenient hope, but I still can't help but pray.

''Lower class?　...no, thank you. I'll pay for it, I promise. Hey, Gene!　Drugs!　That's going to help!　Drink!　

Ug.....

Mr. Lotto forces Mr. Jean to drink the lower-level universal poisonous eraser.

Oh God, please may Lex-san's lower-grade universal poisonous eraser work a little better!

Uh-uh...

How's that?

....

Then suddenly Jean's moans stopped.

Was it....effective...was it?

'Hey, what's the matter with you, Gene!

Mr. Lott calls out to Gene, who suddenly stopped saying anything, looking worried.

Could it be that the medicine didn't get here in time...?

''Jean!''

Jean's mouth moved slowly as Mr. Lott screamed in grief.

''It's...painful...gone.''

"What?

If you look closely, you can see that Jean, who had been suffering just now, is getting up on her own feet.

His face, which had been pale and pale with oily sweat all over, was beginning to turn red and he looked so refreshed that it was hard to believe that he had been dying not long ago.

'I'm not suffering at all anymore!

Furthermore, Gene started to move around and check his condition!

'Ooh, I was in burning pain all over my body just now, and now I'm not in pain at all!　On the contrary, I feel lighter than I was before I was poisoned!

What?　What does that mean?

Jesus Christ!

I'm not the only one who's rolling my eyes as I can't believe what's happening right in front of me.

'Oh!　I'm serious too!　It's as if all the bad stuff in my body is gone!

'Whoa, whoa, whoa!　Good for you, Gene!

Hey!　Thanks for the concern, buddy!

They hug each other and rejoice in their recovery.

"Oh, I don't know what it is, but it's good.

Yeah, I don't know what happened to you for a while.

Good for you, boys!

As Jean recovered, the other adventurers in the guild congratulated him on his recovery.

It's a very touching sight...

I'm surprised you actually had the Inferno Spider poisoner.

What?　Oh, I mean.....

No, I'm not saying that, but...

Yeah, you've been very helpful!　You're going to pay for that poisoning!　How much do I owe you?

What am I going to do about this situation?

...well, 70 pieces of silver.

Giving up, I decided to answer honestly.

"...What?

They nod their heads and raise their voices.

Yeah, that's how you'd react, right?

''No, no, no, no, no, not that kind of thing, it's a B-grade demon poison, okay?　How can a mere 70 pieces of silver be enough?

'Yeah, don't hold back on us, just make sure you give us the right price. If it's inferno spider venom, you must have mistaken it for gold.　That's a pretty big pain in the wallet, but it's still a big profit for us.

I know that both of you are serious about this, but I'm serious too.

"Well, you see, the selling price of this medicine is really 70 silver coins.

So it can't be true.

''It's true. As I said before, this potion is called a lower level universal poison eraser, and it's a poison eraser that is effective against any weak poison. I don't know why it worked on the Inferno Spider's poison...

'A low-level all-purpose poisoner?　Never heard of that drug before, have you?

Is there such a thing as a potion that works against any poison in the first place?

But, but, in fact, Mr. Gene is healing and...

"...and...

Gene and his friends look at each other and have an indescribable look on their faces.

'You know what, did that drug really cure Gene?

'Yes, definitely. I was watching from the point of preparing this potion, and no herbs were used to counteract the poisoning of the Inferno Spider.

That's ... 70 pieces of silver?

''Yes. We have an agreement to sell them at that price...

"...and...

I thought Jean and the others were staring at me, and then they nodded at each other again, facing each other again.

''Those pills!''　Can you sell me more?

Huh?　Ah, yes. The production of the medicine has been outsourced to the guild, but the herbs aren't ready yet, so we plan to sell them around the day after tomorrow.

"Okay, I bought it!　I'll have five more for this one, please!

And then an excited Jean forcibly put four gold coins and twenty silver coins in my hand.

'Wait, I haven't finished the pills yet...'

"You're cheating!　We're buying one!　There's no amount of poisonous erasers that can cure the poison of the Inferno Spider Class!　Sell me ten of them!

Sell it to us!

"Wow, uh...

The funeral-like atmosphere from earlier was nowhere to be seen, and in the blink of an eye, the battle for the lower level universal poison eraser by the energized adventurers had begun.

''Oraaah!　Go to hell!　Don't make a scene in the guild!

Furthermore, the guild leader heard the commotion and came to the guild, and the commotion heated up.

In the end, even the military police heard of the trouble and arrived, and the guild was enveloped in a hubbub like never before...

But I can't believe the Inferno Spider is out in the West Woods...

What on earth is going on in this country?