Chapter 17
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: 2. The Generous Healer (7)
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Those were potions of a different kind from the ones made by healers.
Very rarely, among the drop items obtained by killing monsters in certain dungeons, there were potions mixed in.
Such potions were ones that healers couldn't create, including utterly ridiculous ones like hair-growth potions, and they were so precious that whatever price was asked was worth it.
'M-Me? I made a dungeon potion?'
[Who knows. It's just overlapping with one of your traits. Though to my nose, it smells extraordinarily fragrant, so it's definitely not ordinary. Especially for Awakeners sensitive to mana, the effects will be even better.]
Only then did Erich explain in his usual listless tone.
'You said I'd learn it from Yoo Hee, huh? What made you decide to spill the beans this time?'
[Tch. Up close, she doesn't seem like the type to spill it easily.]
'Yoo Hee's words?'
I glanced at Yoo Hee as I asked, and she met my eyes as if she'd been waiting for it.
She really looks like an angel...
That only made the disconnect feel even stronger.
[Yeah. That one's got a pitch-black heart.]
'Huh? No, she's not like that.'
I recalled her from the original story.
Being an assassin in itself was intimidating, enough to make an F-rank like me tense up, but her personality alone was that of a pacifist. And the contrast between her pacifist inner self and her assassin instincts was what made Yoo Hee so appealing.
After joining Yoo Han-seong's party in the original, she was incredibly devoted to the team, too.
But Erich, unaware of all that, just snorted.
"I heard you were in front of the infirmary all morning, Hari."
"Yeah, I was."
"Handing out potions...?"
Her tone was so sweet and friendly that I almost thought, Are we actually close?
"You even gave some to our class earlier. Thanks."
"Nah, no big deal. I was planning to sell them in a week anyway. So try them out, and if they're good, buy a bunch then."
I said it playfully, and Yoo Hee let out a soft chuckle.
As we walked down the hallway together, passing students greeted Yoo Hee and sneakily glanced at me.
It was a different kind of look from before.
'What's that girl doing with Yoo Hee?'
That kind of vibe!
I let out a silent scream inside.
Oh no.
I don't need this kind of attention!
Being seen as close to Yoo Hee, who was popular across all ages and genders, was actually a minus. She had a style that attracted extreme fans.
I tried to subtly slip my arm free, but somehow she noticed and tightened her grip on my arm.
With my pathetic F-rank strength, I couldn't win against strength nearing A-rank...
"Of course."
Yoo Hee said quietly.
"I'll buy them all."
I blinked.
"...All of them?"
"Yeah."
So, like a regular customer?
[Hah.]
Yoo Hee pointed lightly near my cheek with her fingertip and let out a small laugh.
"Oh my god, you're thrilled, aren't you?"
I managed a calm expression and smiled.
"Ah, well, yeah, I'm happy. But buying all of them is no good..."
Ugh.
I fought to keep my lips from twitching upward and spoke in a resigned tone.
One of my goals in selling potions was to get the student body, centered around Yoo Han-seong's party, to trust and use my potions.
"I'll sell just a few so others who need them can buy some too."
"Why."
For a split second, the air seemed to chill.
But looking again, Yoo Hee just had a sulky expression.
Our angel pouting!
But there was no helping it.
"I'll try my best to make as many as possible so I can sell more to everyone!"
I clenched my fist and declared it, and Yoo Hee blinked for a moment.
She even looked a bit dazed.
That lasted only briefly before her expression turned a little odd, and she suddenly burst into short laughter.
"Ahaha, what?"
"If I make a lot, then even one person can buy more!"
"Oh my god, Hari."
"Yeah?"
"Nothing. Hmm..."
She seemed somehow deflated.
But her mood didn't look bad.
As I tilted my head, Yoo Hee led me forward.
And she hummed as she spoke.
"Fine. I'll hold back then. And I'll wait patiently, so don't overdo it just because you're making a lot. Got it?"
Oh, that's how she responds?
[Damn... As expected.]
I tuned out Erich's muttering like background noise and admired her myself.
Yoo Hee sometimes put on a sweet front for people outside her circle.
'She's not as black-hearted as Erich says, but she can be pretty cold inside.'
Those words seemed to emphasize "don't overdo it" on the surface, but to my ears, knowing her personality, they meant something else.
'I'll be waiting, so hustle your ass off, potion slave... That's it.'
[Rarely, you and I agree!]
'Hehe, nice.'
[What?]
Nice, perfect.
This meant that to Yoo Hee, I was worth nothing more than my potions.
My potions seemed unusually special, but it didn't hinder my goals much.
Good.
I'd been so anxious that the unique traits of my potions might make me worth more than a simple F-rank!
If I wasn't just a plain F-rank, Yoo Han-seong would work me to the bone... and I'd end up dying without ever stabbing a monster once.
'I'm glad she sees me for who I am.'
[......]
Just then, Yoo Hee's steps paused.
We had arrived at the cafeteria before I knew it.
We ordered sandwiches—ham, veggies, and bacon stuffed between tiger-shaped bread—and two drinks.
A moment later.
We sat facing each other, finished our sandwiches, and sipped our drinks as we calmly started talking.
"What I wanted to tell you was actually a contract proposal."
I just parted my lips slightly and stared at her.
"I've never seen an F-rank potion with such immediate effects. And if it's not just mine, that means consistent quality too. I heard you practiced really hard."
"Who said that?"
"Yoo Han-seong overheard Lee Hae-sol talking about it."
Eavesdropping, huh...
"Are you close with Han-seong?"
Yoo Hee tilted her head slightly, fluttering her eyelids as she asked.
"Hmm, we know each other a bit."
Yeah, that sounds about right.
"I see. Hmm. Anyway, if you're passionate about brewing practice, your skills will improve. Then you could make potions of even higher grades, right?"
"Ah?"
"I want this too, but higher-grade ones seem incredibly valuable."
"Ah, aah."
I got it, but it felt off somehow.
"Since you didn't just give to our class, people who haven't realized your worth yet because you're F-rank will soon swarm you."
Yoo Hee continued in her gentle tone.
Her golden eyes sparkled like sunlight.
"By then it'll be too late. So I wanted an exclusive contract with you."
"Oh, ooh."
"But if that's not what you want, I won't push. We're classmates anyway. Rather than a stiff contract, I'd prefer to be friends."
She finished with a beaming smile.
It was a truly beautiful, holy, soft smile. Even her voice was lovely.
So...
'I get that you don't want to be my slave yet, and you'll wait nearby for me to become more useful... Right, Erich?'
[Spot on.]
'I love Yoo Hee so much.'
[...Spot on, indeed.]
The ideal relationship I'd wanted had rolled right in without any effort.
I nodded vigorously, eyes even misting up a little.
Yoo Hee's smiling face froze.
As if to say, 'Even now, you smile?'
"Thank you!"
"...For what?"
"Everything!"
"...Specifically, I'm curious what you're thankful for. Haha."
"For believing my skills will improve, for becoming friends, for praising my no-big-deal F-rank potions, and even buying me lunch today. My god. Hee-ya, aren't you an angel?"
Yoo Hee blinked.
The smile on her lips faded slightly.
Just for a moment.
"...Ahh."
She laughed even deeper.
"I heard you said something like you work harder because you're weak. I thought that was pretty cool."
"Han-seong must be really close with Hae-sol. He told him everything we talked about!"
"...Did he really say that?"
"Yeah?"
"No, um. Yeah, seems like it. You two seem really close..."
You eavesdropped on their conversation too, huh!
All to snag one slave!
Yoo Hee is too cute.
[Are you sane?]
This was the perfect way to handle an F-rank healer.