Chapter 43 …
The people who saw the adventurer regain consciousness began whispering in confusion.
“Didn’t they say he was dead?”
“He’s not dead, though?”
“Was he just knocked out?”
This was my chance. I shouted loudly so everyone could hear.
“The low-grade recovery potion I made tastes bad enough to knock you out! But the effects are guaranteed! Right?”
“Hmm… well….”
The adventurer, now completely on his feet, examined his body as if checking for injuries. Then he broke into a grin and continued,
“I feel less tired than before? Apothecary, you’re the real deal.”
I proudly lifted my chin.
“Of course! I’m nothing like those frauds!”
After that, everything went smoothly.
Curious about the taste, the adventurer even bought one of the “tasty” potions and described it as having a sweet cherry juice flavor.
Hearing that, the onlookers nearby grew curious and began edging closer, buying potions for themselves.
Most of them tasted the potions on the spot.
One sip, two sips.
Everyone’s eyes widened in amazement.
“It’s real! It tastes like fruit!”
“Mine tastes like strawberry!”
“Mine’s apple….”
“They all taste different?”
“Aren’t potions supposed to be bitter? How does it taste like fruit?”
“It’s true! If you’re curious, buy one and try it!”
Driven by curiosity, people rushed toward my stall.
In an instant, my potion stand became the hot spot of the morning market.
“Everyone, line up! A line…! No cutting!”
Doing business with adventurers was as exhausting as working part-time at a kids’ café….
Notification sounds exploded inside my head.
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
Your Fame has increased!
Current Fame: 280
Ding!
Your Fame has increased!
Current Fame: 300
Fame required until Housing Upgrade Level 2: 300 / 1,500
Ding!
Congratulations! New Achievement Unlocked!
〈Accumulate 300 Fame〉 Complete!
Achievement Reward: 300 Coins
Next Achievement: Accumulate 600 Fame
“…….”
“So she’s not a scammer but a real apothecary?”
“This is a real potion! The effect’s insane!”
“How does a potion taste like fruit?”
“Where has an apothecary like this been hiding until now?”
“Miss Apothecary, are you in a guild? If not, would you consider ours—”
“Move! We’re scouting her!”
I felt like I was going to lose my mind.
The system kept spamming pop-ups like crazy, and the people around me were just as insane.
“Miss Apothecary, ten mid-grade potions…!”
“Hey! Why are you cutting in line again? I was here first!”
Are these people really adventurers?
Aren’t they more like bandits or pirates? The vibe feels about the same.
Amid the chaos and noise, Lisian raised his left hand and lightly tapped his own Adam’s apple with his fingers.
He used his index and middle fingers—an ordinary-looking gesture at first glance.
But the moment he opened his mouth, everyone—including me—was startled.
“Quiet.”
His voice boomed thunderously, as if amplified through a speaker.
At that moment, realization struck me like lightning. I stared at Lisian with wide eyes.
‘Magic?’
Now that I thought about it, Lisian’s magic stat was 891.
With such an incredible stat, it would’ve been stranger if he couldn’t use magic… but still…
‘To think he can actually use it….’
Come to think of it, earlier when he tapped his throat, he had used his left hand.
The left hand is the hand used for casting magic. For a mage, the left hand is as important as life itself—lose it, and you can no longer cast spells.
That’s why it’s also called “the mage’s hand.”
“Shut up and line up. If you don’t keep order, you won’t be buying even a single bottle.”
Whenever Lisian threatened someone in that arrogant tone, there was a pressure in the air—as if it were being crushed down.
It felt like some innate quality of someone born to rule. Not just a matter of status, but something more fundamental…
Hard to explain, but…
“T-there was a mage too?”
“A mage and an apothecary couple? That’s insane….”
“Everyone line up quietly! Unless you want to be hit with a baldness spell!”
A middle-aged man with a shiny, perfectly round bald head waved at the crowd and shouted.
Seeing his gleaming scalp, people quickly complied and formed a proper line.
The power of firsthand experience is truly great.
‘May that man’s hair grow back someday…!’
After offering a silent prayer of gratitude, I diligently continued selling potions and other goods.
With Lisian keeping everyone in check and the shiny-headed man organizing the crowd, business went smoothly afterward.
“Ughhh, I’m exhausted….”
As soon as we returned to the inn after closing up, I collapsed onto the bed.
Dealing with those colorful adventurers had been utterly draining.
‘But I made a lot of money!’
I shot upright and pulled out the money pouch from my inventory.
A crooked smile spread across my lips as I looked inside.
A whopping 3,152 rubels.
That was an incredible amount for my first day of business!
‘I only need 648 more…!’
Just one more round of selling and the mission will be cleared.
The problem was that I’d run out of potions and needed to make more.
If I went all the way back to the farm to brew them, it would take too much time.
But making them here in the inn would be difficult since the space was too cramped…
‘A place where I can borrow space to brew potions… there’s really only one option.’
…Alright. Time to move on to the next plan.
I want to rest, but the sooner I act, the better!
Climbing off the bed, I strode toward Lisian and said briskly,
“Lisian, let’s go.”
“Already? Get some rest, Muriel.”
“No! I want to finish everything I have left as soon as possible!”
I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door.
He hesitated for a moment, then let out a soft laugh and followed obediently.
“We’re going to the Veratis Guild?”
“Y-yeah.”
As expected, Lisian saw right through my intentions. That ghost-like man.
‘The master of the Veratis Guild… Lisian didn’t seem too eager to meet him.’
Feeling oddly concerned, I stole a glance at Lisian.
What if it’s someone he truly doesn’t want to see, and he’s forcing himself because of me?
The moment our eyes met, I flinched without realizing it, my eyelids twitching.
A low chuckle sounded beside me.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
“…….”
Lisian spoke lazily, as if he could read my thoughts perfectly. Seriously, he’s like a ghost…
“…Thank you.”
When I whispered softly, he smiled beautifully, his eyes curving.
We left the inn and headed toward our destination. As we walked, passersby kept sneaking glances our way.
At first I thought it was because of Lisian’s handsome face, but the stares seemed directed at me too…
‘Is it because of my pink hair? I thought it was a pretty normal color.’
I lightly touched my pale pink hair—and suddenly thought of someone else with the same color.
Sienna Castell.
Raul’s childhood friend. Despite being a princess of the Kingdom of Castell, she practically haunted Winterberg Castle like a resident ghost.
‘As for Sienna… well….’
I don’t really have any bad feelings toward her.
She only misunderstood Muriel; she wasn’t the one who directly framed her.
‘She’s just scary in a different way.’
Because Sienna is…
That… that thing.
A yandere…!
‘I’d rather not run into her if I can help it!’
“…?”
When I suddenly shuddered, Lisian tilted his head and looked at me.
I put on a bright smile, pretending nothing was wrong.
But as they say, of all days…
The moment we arrived at the Veratis Guild branch, I spotted an unexpected figure standing in front of it.
‘You’ve got to be kidding! Why is Sienna here?!’
I froze in shock, mouth hanging open. Then I snapped back to my senses and quickly grabbed Lisian, dragging him into a narrow alley to hide.
The problem was—the alley was far too narrow.
Seriously, way too narrow…
How did this even pass building inspection?!
“L-Lisian, move back a little…!”
“I can’t. It gets narrower the deeper we go.”
He was right.
This insane alley became tighter the farther in you went—so tight that even one person could barely shift sideways.
The only option was for the two of us to press our bodies together, trapped helplessly between the walls…!
