Chapter 138: How to Make a Simple Antidote Potion

“Umm, about that Rotten Earth you mentioned earlier…”

“Let’s talk details in the back for now. Come, come, this way please.”

“Uwawa!?”

I tried to ask about the term “Rotten Earth” the receptionist mentioned, but I was pushed forcefully from behind into the back of the Guild, so I couldn’t focus on that.

“I-I can walk by myself, so please don’t push!”

“Come, come, hurry, hurry! Let’s talk about the All-Purpose Antidote quickly!”

But the receptionist wouldn’t lend an ear to me and kept pushing my back.

Also, it’s Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote.

“Hahahaha, you seem to be having fun, Giant Eater.”

The one who called out to me, who was perplexed being pushed by the receptionist, was the Guild Master in charge of this Royal Capital’s Adventurer’s Guild.

“Heard you did something outrageous again. An All-Purpose Antidote this time?”

“It’s Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote, Guild Master.”

And I haven’t done anything yet.

“Even if low-grade, all-purpose is all-purpose. Good grief, where did you get such outrageous knowledge?”

Saying so, the Guild Master doesn’t show any sign of trying to pry too deeply.

For adventurers, probing into an individual’s past is taboo.

“Now, right this way.”

The room I was guided to was wider and more luxurious than the private negotiation rooms accessible from the Guild hall.

The walls were solid, probably thick enough to prevent eavesdropping.

“This room is a private room for conducting special business negotiations. It’s used when accepting secret requests from noble persons or, like this time, for important matters for the Guild that cannot be overheard by others.”

“Ahaha… it’s not really content worthy of being guided to such an amazing room though.”

“Not at all! Rex‘s potion knowledge is very precious knowledge! It’s information as precious as magical knowledge excavated from the depths of ancient ruins!”

It-It’s not that big a deal though.

“Then Rex! Please teach us the preparation method for the All-Purpose Antidote immediately!”

“U-Understood. Then I’ll explain while actually mixing herbs.”

I take out the herbs and tools necessary for preparing the Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote from my magic bag.

“Fumu fumu, indeed the materials themselves are nothing special. With this, even low-rank adventurers could gather them!”

The receptionist is already taking notes on the necessary items.

Thank goodness I didn’t have to be told there are materials unobtainable around here.

“By the way, thinking about it, shouldn’t I leave the room?”

Liliera suggests she should leave the room.

“I don’t mind. Liliera is a party member after all.”

“Is it okay…?”

“Then I’ll start.”

I pick up the tools and start mixing slowly so the receptionist can take notes easily.

“First, infuse this herb.”

“Fumu fumu.”

“Next, soak this herb in lukewarm water and take it out just before the leaf color turns brown. This separates the two medicinal properties into the lukewarm water and the herb respectively.”

“So there was such a preparation method!”

“Then, roast this herb in a pot to remove moisture.”

“Preparation with all different procedures, huh.”

“Then, mix this with this and let it sit in a dark place until it cools. And do this with this… and mix the earlier one…”

And putting the liquid mixed with all herbs into a bottle, I declare.

“With this, the Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote is complete!”

“Faaaast! It’s already complete!? Isn’t that too fast!?”

The Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote was completed in the blink of an eye, and the receptionist raised a voice of surprise.

“For this preparation method, freshness is important. So while it can be made faster than normal potion preparation, the work is busy.”

“I-Indeed. Once you start making it, you seem to be stuck with mixing this potion constantly. When mass-producing at the Guild, we should establish a work team specialized for this potion.”

Yeah, that would be good.

“But in that case, there will definitely be a position for the Potion Team Chief… Kufufu, undoubtedly a chance for promotion.”

…Umm, let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.

Getting involved in promotion battles brings nothing good.

“Anyway, thank you very much Rex! With this, even poor parties without money can keep antidotes for emergencies!”

The receptionist, suddenly returning to reality, said such a thing.

“Huh? Aren’t you going to set the price for Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote high?”

If I recall, you said something like that earlier, right?

Won’t poor parties without money not buy it?

“Certainly, we will set the price high, but the reason they don’t want to spend money on antidotes is because there are many types of poison. So if there is a medicine that works on any poison, they will feel like buying at least one, and as the Guild, we can strongly recommend getting at least one.”

I see, if it can be used for any poison, they can buy it with the feeling of a normal potion.

“Then regarding the price and Rex‘s share, general antidote prices start from 30 silver coins for cheap ones, so considering material costs, we are thinking of 70 silver coins for this.”

“Will it sell being that expensive!?”

Ehh!? In the life before my previous one, it was about 60 copper coins!?

“Almost double, huh.”

Saying so, Liliera didn’t seem very surprised.

Is Liliera convinced by this price?

“If it’s too expensive, buyers will hesitate, and if it’s cheaper than this, sales of other antidotes will drop significantly. Considering Rex‘s opinion of wanting to spread it to the world, this price seems appropriate. There are also costs for procuring materials, and since it is effective against multiple poisons, honestly I think even double is cheap.”

I see-, in the life before my previous one, everyone gathered materials and made it themselves, but at the Guild, procurement fees must also be considered.

“And regarding income for Rex, paying 10% of sales means 7 silver coins per bottle; how about that? Even now, we can still raise the unit price of the potion?”

“N-No! It is strictly to spread for everyone’s safety, so please do not raise the price!”

“Understood. Then the price is decided at 70 silver coins, and payment to Rex is 7 silver coins. Please sign this contract.”

Summarizing roughly the contract the receptionist presented, the content was like paying me a part of the sales by teaching the medicine recipe to the Adventurer’s Guild.

“…Yes.”

Finishing the signature, I hand the contract to the receptionist.

“Yes, with this, the contract for Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote Potion is complete. We thank S-rank adventurer Rex for your cooperation.”

Thus, the potion consignment contract with the Adventurer’s Guild was completed safely, but… somehow I’m exhausted.

I never thought I’d sign such an exaggerated contract for just a Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote.

Well, but it’s just a Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote after all, so it probably won’t be much income.

◆ Receptionist ◆

It happened immediately after Rex finished the contract for Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote and left.

“I-It’s terrible!”

Just when I thought the door opened violently, a blood-covered duo rushed into the Guild.

If I recall, these people are D-rank adventurers Rot and Gene.

Not veterans, but a promising pair for the future.

Anyway, first aid comes first.

We stand up from the reception desk for their treatment.

Did they fail a request? Or did they get involved in some trouble?

However, the moment we stood up to treat them, Rot said this.

“My partner got bitten by an Inferno Spider!! Does anyone have an antidote!?”

“AN INFERNO SPIDER!?”

The moment that name was heard, the Guild went into an uproar.

It’s no wonder; speaking of the Inferno Spider, it’s a powerful B-rank monster.

Attacks using spider silk released from its large dog-sized body are very troublesome, but what is most terrifying is the scorching heat poison dripping from its fangs.

Those afflicted by this poison die while suffering agony as if their whole body is being burned by fire over several days.

“Hey hey, Inferno Spider you say!? That guy lives in the depths over there, right!? Why didn’t you prepare an antidote when going to such a place!?”

“We didn’t go there! We were attacked while working in the West Forest near the Royal Capital! At first we thought it was a normal Giant Spider, but when the antidote didn’t work on my partner who got poisoned, I wondered and realized it was an Inferno Spider!”

“An Inferno Spider in the West Forest!? That’s impossible!?”

“More importantly, doesn’t anyone have medicine!? I’ll pay!”

“…”

It can’t be helped that everyone falls silent.

Ingredients used for Inferno Spider antidotes are precious, so one needs to gather materials oneself to have it mixed or pay a high price to prepare it.

“No good, not in Guild stock!”

“I asked the Royal Capital pharmacy, but they say it takes three days to mix from now!”

“Then we won’t make it! A day has already passed from the West Forest to here!”

Yes, to make matters worse, antidotes for Inferno Spiders don’t last long.

So it was basic to depart immediately after the medicine was completed and return before the medicine became useless, but to encounter it in a place where they shouldn’t encounter it, what misfortune.

“Guaaaa!!”

“Hang in there, Gene!”

There’s nothing we can do anymore, everyone can only watch…

“R-Right! Umm, this!”

Unable to bear watching the suffering Gene, I instinctively hold out the Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote I had in hand to Rot.

“This is?”

“This is a Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote. It’s not an antidote specialized for Inferno Spiders, but maybe it can alleviate the pain…”

Though, Rex also said this medicine is only effective on weak poisons.

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

Besides, if lucky, it might delay the poison’s progression.

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

“Low-Grade? …No, it helps. I’ll definitely pay later. Hey Gene! Medicine! This will save you! Here, drink!!”

“Ugu… Gulp.”

Rot forcibly makes Gene drink the Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote.

Ah God, please let Rex‘s Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote work even a little!

“U, uu…”

“H-How is it?”

“…”

Then suddenly Gene‘s groans stopped.

Did it… have an effect?

“Hey, what’s wrong Gene!?”

Rot calls out worriedly to Gene who suddenly stopped saying anything.

Could it be the medicine didn’t make it in time…

“GENE!!”

When Rot raised a grief-stricken voice, Gene‘s mouth moved slowly.

“It doesn’t… hurt anymore.”

“Eh?”

Looking closely, Gene, who was suffering until just now, is standing up on his own feet.

Redness is returning to his face that was pale dripping with greasy sweat, showing a refreshed expression unbelievable for someone who was on the verge of death moments ago.

“It doesn’t hurt at all anymore!”

Furthermore, Gene started moving his body to check his condition!

“Ooh, my whole body was painful like burning until just now, but now it doesn’t hurt at all! Far from that, I feel lighter than before receiving the poison!”

“Ehh!? Wh-What does that mean!?”

“S-Seriously!?”

Not just me, but Rot also widens his eyes unable to believe the event happening in front of him.

“Yeah! Seriously serious! Like all the bad stuff in my body disappeared!”

“U, Uoooooh! Thank goodness Gene!!”

“Yeah! Sorry for making you worry, partner!”

The two hug each other tightly rejoicing in recovery.

“Ooh, don’t really get it but good for you.”

“Yeah, wondered what would happen for a moment.”

“Good for you guys.”

With Gene‘s recovery, other adventurers in the Guild also bless his recovery.

It’s a very touching scene but…

“Even so, I’m surprised you really had an Inferno Spider antidote.”

“Eh!? Ah, well…”

No, that’s not it, but…

“Ah, really saved us! I’ll pay for the antidote properly! How much?”

Wh-What shall I do… this situation.

“…Umm, 70 silver coins.”

I decided to answer honestly, giving up.

“Huh?”

The two tilt their heads and raise their voices.

Yes, you’d react like that.

“No no, that can’t be right. It’s B-rank monster poison, you know? Can’t be just 70 silver coins?”

“That’s right, no need to hold back for us, tell us the regular price. For Inferno Spider poison, aren’t you mistaking gold coins? Sure it hurts the wallet quite a bit, but just being saved is a profit.”

I understand you two are speaking seriously, but I’m also speaking seriously.

“Umm you see, the selling price of this medicine really is 70 silver coins.”

“Like I said, that can’t be right.”

“It’s true. As I said earlier, this medicine is called Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote, an antidote effective on any poison if it’s weak. I don’t know why it worked on Inferno Spider poison though…”

“Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote? Never heard of that medicine?”

“In the first place, is there a medicine effective on any poison?”

“B-But, Gene is actually cured…”

“…”

Gene and the other look at each other making indescribable expressions.

“Umm, was Gene really cured by that medicine?”

“Yes, undoubtedly. I was watching from the mixing of this medicine, but herbs used for Inferno Spider antidotes were not used.”

“That is… 70 silver coins?”

“Yes. We have a contract to sell at that price…”

“…”

Just when I thought Gene and the other were staring at my face, they faced each other again and nodded slowly.

“THAT MEDICINE! CAN YOU SELL US MORE!?”

“Eh? Ah, yes. Production is entrusted to the Guild, but herbs aren’t ready yet, so sales are scheduled for around the day after tomorrow.”

“ALRIGHT BOUGHT IIIIIT!! Order 5 more separate from this one!”

Saying so, an excited Gene forcibly pressed 4 gold coins and 20 silver coins into my hand.

“Wait, the medicine isn’t made yet…”

“You guys are unfair! We’ll buy too! If it’s an antidote that cures Inferno Spider class poison, having too many is never a problem! Sell us 10!”

“Sell to us too!”

“Awawa, umm…”

Where did the funeral-like atmosphere from moments ago go? A scramble for Low-Grade All-Purpose Antidote by suddenly energetic adventurers began in no time.

“ORAAA! You guys! Don’t make noise inside the Guild!”

Furthermore, with the Guild Master appearing hearing the commotion, the turmoil heated up.

In the end, even the Military Police came hearing of the trouble, and the Guild was wrapped in unprecedented clamor…

But, an Inferno Spider appearing in the West Forest…

What on earth is happening in this country?