Chapter 1-18 : New Possibilities (part 2)
「Guys, let’s take a break for now. I think it’s safe around here.」(Izack)
After walking around the forest while fighting monsters, we decided to take a break in an open area.
「Ahhh~… I’m tired…」(Kako)
「Kako, you can rest for now I’ll prepare lunch for you.」(Maitena)
「Thank you, Master.」(Kako)
I sat down on a boulder and stretched my legs.
Fighting monsters while walking around the forest is really tiring.
Being an adventurer doesn’t seem easy at all. I even think that I’m lucky to become a merchant thanks to my Synthesis Skill.
However, I learned a lot today. I even got myself so many magic stones.
Well, they don’t seem to have much value since they came from Ball Slimes which are the weakest monsters in this forest.
Rather than selling them to the Adventurer Guild, I think they are more useful if I use them as synthesis materials.
I can’t wait to use my Synthesis Skill on them. I wonder what will I get~
Now that I think about it, this forest really is a treasure trove of materials… If I have the capability to defeat all the monsters here, of course…
Oh, right. Since I’m here in the forest, maybe I can find herbs here.
I don’t have herbs since I sold all the herbs I had to the Merchant Guild, so I think I should use this opportunity to gather some.
After sitting down for a few minutes, I stood up and approached Maitena-san who was making a campfire.
「Master, can I go collect some herbs around here?」(Kako)
「Herbs…? Umm… You might not be able to find any, you know?」(Maitena)
「Eh? But why? Don’t herbs grow in the forest?」(Kako)
「They do, but you know that the number of monsters in this territory keeps increasing, right? Some monsters eat herbs, so the number of herbs that can be collected is decreasing.」(Maitena)
「That’s right. Since the number of monsters is increasing, the number of herb collectors and new adventurers who usually collect herbs in this forest has decreased because they are afraid of being killed by monsters. As a result, the town doesn’t get enough supply of herbs.」(Palfi)
While I was talking with Maitena-san, Palfi-san who was preparing the food ingredients joined the conversation.
「I see… So that’s why the price of potions has gone up.」(Kako)
「Exactly.」(Palfi)
「You understand now? Collecting herbs in this forest is not a good idea. It’s dangerous.」(Maitena)
「Uhh… But…」(Kako)
I really want to collect some herbs for my experiment…
「If you still want to try, I’ll come with you-nya.」(Nyat)
Suddenly, Nyat approached us and raised his paw.
「Mr. Catto?」(Maitena)
「I’m her bodyguard-nya. I can protect her while she’s looking for herb-nya.」(Nyat)
「Hmm, if you go with her, then she will be fine… Alright, Kako, you may go but don’t get depressed if you can’t find any.」(Maitena)
「Understood, Master!」(Kako)
As she said, I might not be able to find any herbs, but that’s fine since I have a better idea.
「Don’t go too far~!」(Maitena)
「Okaay~」(Kako)
Nyat and I left Maitena-san and the others and went a bit deeper into the forest.
When we could no longer see them, Nyat turned to me and asked.
「So? What are you planning this time-nya?」(Nyat)
「Hmm~? What are you talking about~?」(Kako)
「Oh, come on. I know you are planning something-nya. You look somewhat excited like when you are about to do some experiment with your Synthesis Skill-nya.」(Nyat)
「Is that so? Well, you’re right. I’m wondering if I can make herbs by synthesizing random weeds.」(Kako)
「Making herbs-nya!?」(Nyat)
He was surprised. His whiskers stiffened all of a sudden.
「You know that I can combine multiple different types of materials to create a completely different material with my Synthesis Skill, right? I’m thinking if I can make herbs by combining random weeds.」(Kako)
「I see-nya. That’s probably not impossible with your miraculous skill-nya.」(Nyat)
「Right? The town is in trouble because of an herb shortage. If it went well, I might be able to solve this problem.」(Kako)
「That would be awesome-nya! Alright, I will patrol around here to make sure there are no monsters nearby-nya. Don’t worry, my ability to detect monsters’ presence is the best in the world-nya. I promise you no monsters can get close to you-nya.」(Nyat)
「Alright. I’m counting on you.」(Kako)
Nyat went deeper and started looking for monsters.
I can trust him, right…?
Anyway, I should leave the monsters to him and start the experiment!
「Yosh! It’s synthesis time!」(Kako)
I took out my gloves from my magic bag and put them on. It’s for safety purposes. Some weeds might be poisonous after all.
After putting my gloves on, I picked two pieces of grass with different shapes, held them with both hands, and used my Synthesis Skill.
「Synthesis!」(Kako)
I got a piece of grass with a different shape as a result.
〈Moiton Grass : An edible grass that tastes refreshing in the mouth. It can be used as a cooking ingredient. It grows quickly in the forest.〉
「Hee… Is it really edible?」(Kako)
While wondering, I put it in my mouth.
It tastes like mint.
「I see, I see… Now it’s time to appraise the two grasses I just used.」(Kako)
I picked two grasses with the same shape as the ones I just used to make Moiton Grass and appraised them.
〈Zuku Grass : A grass that has tremendous fecundity. It has no particular use.〉
〈Levuka Grass : A grass that can cause a rash on human skin. You better not to touch it with bare hands.〉
Uwahh… I’m so glad I’m wearing gloves…
While thinking that, I took out my notebook and wrote down my discovery as usual.
「Alright. Next!」(Kako)
I picked random grasses, synthesized them with my Synthesis Skill, appraised them, took notes, repeat.
As I kept repeating the process again and again, the list of grasses in my notebook increased at a tremendous rate.
「The grasses in this forest are much more varied than I thought…」(Kako)
Just when I thought it might take an entire day, I got a surprising result.
〈Sukri Grass : A medical herb that can be used as an ingredient for potions. It can also be used as a medicine for external wounds.〉
「Th, There it is!!」(Kako)
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