Potion Completion 2

Of course, basic potions sold steadily too. There were far more combat hunters than potion makers, so even the basics had consistent demand. Plus, in the real world, potions were the ultimate emergency medicine for civilians. Every ambulance was required to stock basic healing potions.

The reason they stocked basic ones instead of superior healing potions was the mana infused in them. The better the potion, the stronger the mana—and to ordinary people, mana was basically poison. Even basic potions were only for emergencies, not routine use on regular patients.

Either way, with so many uses, I had no worries about sales even if my potions were just basic ones. Still, I couldn't shake a twinge of regret.

If I'm selling anyway, it'd be nice if they were something better than basic.

Yeah, basic is still something. Compared to those days of utter despair with nothing, this is on another level. And this isn't the end for me anyway.

When I first learned I couldn't enter dungeons, I'd cursed and resented the world. Compared to that, this was paradise. And potions weren't even the end for me. I didn't know what abilities would unlock next or how, but the future felt full of promise, washing away the lingering disappointment.

Once I finished with Decman, I moved right on to the other herbs. Arnia, Noni, Graviola—three more types processed.

And then.

"This next herb is Clorell, and it's the last one."

"Pardon?"

Last one, all of a sudden? What was this about?

"Suho, how long have you been with our workshop?"

"Uh... let's see. About two and a half months."

"Right. Once we finish this Clorell batch, your three-month contract ends."

"Whoa."

I'd totally forgotten. That I'd come to Origin Potion Workshop on a three-month contract. And that those three months were now up.

Phew, at least it's lucky. If I understand Clorell too, then healing potions are complete.

Processing Arnia, Noni, and Graviola had all clicked into place, registering under Ingredients. I'd registered five herb types so far, but none had reached 100% potion completion. At least Clorell—the final ingredient for the standard healing potion recipe—was up last. The basic healing potion used four herbs: Ker cardia, Decman, Graviola, and Clorell. I'd understood everything but Clorell, and now it was finally time.

It was a relief to complete at least one potion before leaving Origin Potion Workshop, but I also felt a pang of regret at not maxing out the others too.

It's fine. Now that I have the Dexterity stat, getting hired elsewhere won't be an issue. I can just apply to another potion workshop or apothecary.

The issue was whether anywhere else would let me handle as many varied herbs hands-on... Well, if worst came to worst, I could always job-hop. No need to worry.

No more unemployed Kim Suho. With Dexterity at 40, anywhere will snap me up.

Dexterity had stalled at Decman but jumped 10 each with Arnia and Graviola, hitting 40. At this level, job hunting was a non-issue. With my future secure, my mind eased.

So I turned to Seo Taeju with a relaxed smile.

"Thanks so much for everything. I've earned good money and learned a ton. I'll work hard till the end."

I'd said it out of gratitude for the contract wrapping up, but Seo Taeju's face flushed red.

Wait, you're quitting? You wanted to try all sorts of herbs, and you're bailing already? Did some scout poach you? Where? Who the hell would pull that shady shit without honor. You can't just—

I could practically hear his thoughts, so I cut in before he spiraled.

"Wait, hold on. Isn't this me getting cut now that the contract's over?"

Seo Taeju blinked in shock.

"Who said you're fired? Did that moneygrubbing witch tell you to quit? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'll deal with that greedy hag."

He stormed toward the workshop door, face furious. Now I knew who the "moneygrubbing witch" was—the boss of Origin Potion Workshop and his older sister, whom I'd once mistaken for an employee. She was also the workshop's potion maker.

"No, no. You just said the contract's ending."

Seo Taeju let out a hollow laugh.

"What? Listen to the end next time, you ridiculous guy. Haha, when did I say quit? I was gonna say let's renew the contract now that it's up, and you're jumping to conclusions."

"Haha, hahaha."

I laughed awkwardly, embarrassed.

For me, there was zero downside. Even if I'd left, I wasn't rushing into something new. My goal was maxing out all my potions to 100% first. This familiar place was ideal. Seo Taeju was great, and his sister Seo Taehee was too.

"You don't seem like the type for a lifetime gig, so let's keep doing three-month contracts like this. You'll get to handle ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠all the new herbs you want."

"Yes! I'll do it."

Perfect terms for me. I had zero intention of doing this forever, so a full-time offer would've made me hesitate. Whether he knew that or not, Seo Taeju's short-term renewal eased my mind, and I accepted without a second thought.

"And once Clorell's done, I'll give you a month off. We'll close the workshop too. Raid dungeons or vacation, up to you."

"Got it."

I didn't mention I couldn't enter dungeons.

With everything settled, he explained Clorell processing, and I got to work. A few days later, the moment I'd awaited finally arrived.

Yes! Finally!

My heart pounded as the Clorell understanding alert appeared. I barely held back a cheer when the Healing Potion purchase unlock popped up.

Then another alert.

"Cough, hack!"

This time, I couldn't stifle the cough.

Higher grade...? Totally unexpected. Who knew a superior potion would unlock here.

'Why are you coming out there, bro?'—potion edition.

I immediately opened the Potion Shop.

The shop had changed. Divided into Basic Potions and Advanced Potions, with the new Advanced Healing Potion slotted in at 70% understanding right away. I figured it used some new herb on top of the basics.

The regular Healing Potion had no percentage left, just a green background—probably the purchasable indicator.

Tapping it brought up the buy screen.

So that's how buying works.

I hit [No] to close it. No need for a potion popping out randomly right now.

With the updated shop confirmed, a thrilling rush filled me.

An Advanced Healing Potion existing? What a shock.

I had a hunch: max the advanced one to 100%, and an even higher tier might unlock. If the others had advanced versions too... Ugh, just thinking about it sent shivers down my spine.

My potions don't have to match basic ones exactly in effect, right?

The sudden thought hit. Mine used the standard recipe herbs, but the production method was fundamentally different. So performance could differ too.

Wait, it won't underperform compared to basics, will it? Nah... no way.

I shoved the bad vibe aside. No point souring a done deal.

Next targets: Antidote, Strength, Speed... Oh, but I can't even find their recipes.

By percentages alone, one or two more herbs might max them. But recipes were nowhere to be found. Asking a potion maker might work, but none would share.

Healing Potion ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was basic, taught to all makers. The other three weren't, so no easy ingredient reveals.

Eh, nothing urgent. Sticking here should fill them in eventually.

Feeling like I'd busted through a wall, I had more breathing room. Finally, I checked my status window.

From Decman to Clorell—five herbs—each gave Intelligence +3 and Mana +5, pushing them to 45 and 85. Concentration rose 2 during Noni, hitting 5. Raising it was brutally hard. Even maxing concentration, entering Flow State was near-miraculous. Never hitting it again since the first time explained Seo Taeju's envy.

But what's this Status Check skill even for?

I still didn't know what Status Check—gained on awakening—did. It had to mean something, tied to my NPC class somehow. Still a mystery.

Whatever, I'll figure it out eventually. For now, let's finish this Clorell.

With newfound calm, the vibe shifted. I reached for the Clorell again.

To be continued in the next chapter...