episode_0046

“Let go of this! It needs to be washed off with water!”

“Captain! Please snap out of it!”

“Aaargh!”

Two mercenaries tangled up in a brawl at a depth barely reaching their ankles.

While watching that, the administrative officer snatched the healing potion from my hand and dashed into the riverside shower room.

“Ahh… Ahhh…. Ahhhh…. Ah, refreshing….”

Upon hearing the sound of a middle-aged man entering the hot spring inside, Brasha, curious, approached and pushed his head forward.

“Jack. The administrative officer is doing something strange. Why is he just sprinkling the potion there?”

“No need to explain everything.”

“Oh, so refreshing….”

“Captain! Please get up! Don’t take off your pants!”

“Aaargh! I told you to back off!”

Oh my, goodness. Goodness. Goodness!!

* * * * *

Since that day, no one has touched my underwear.

It seems like no one dares to touch my underwear after the incident at the bathhouse.

Alright, that issue is resolved. Let’s focus on city promotion again now.

The starting ship for canal trade will probably return around tomorrow or the day after.

All fortifications are set up, and delaying defenses are possible at key entry points.

The task of enclosing the entire village within fortifications will be completed by next month at the latest.

Construction of buildings in the commercial district where artisans will settle is progressing smoothly.

Just then, the search party sent to Mestophin’s landfill returned.

They brought various items, which I should take to the store for appraisal.

In the afternoon, the teams that had been searching the outskirts of the village returned.

They found what seemed to be a suspected ore vein and sent residents with mining experience to investigate, and it turned out to be a mine.

“A mine?”

“Yes, Jack. A mine. We saw signs of collapse and found a vague outline resembling a mine entrance. It seems to be a mine.”

What on earth is happening? A mine?

There was a mine in the starting village?!

“Excuse me, do you know what kind of mineral is buried there?”

“We’ll have to dig to find out.”

Immediately, with the cooperation of the knights, dozens of armed members with picks and shovels were dispatched to the location.

After sending the members, I searched for skilled craftsmen to gather for smelting.

“Please list the necessary equipment here. We will prepare them right away.”

We will make what we can in the village, and when the starting ship returns, we will send a second convoy to purchase what we need.

It doesn’t matter what mineral it is. Anything will do as long as it comes out.

Iron is good, copper is good, and if we’re really lucky and gold or other gems come out, it will be the cherry on top.

Things are really falling into place.

As long as nothing goes wrong, we will have all the conditions to upgrade to a city in just a few months.

Great. Let’s keep going like this, Jack.

Embarking on the village development quest by possessing a weak potion shop NPC, the end is in sight for the town’s advancement itself.

Returning to the store humming a tune, I found a letter placed at the door.

Oh, could this be from Alaina? I rushed to pick up the envelope.

“To Mister Potion.”

Seeing the round handwriting, it was definitely from Alaina.

I quickly tore open the envelope and began reading the letter.

* * * * *

Hello, Mister Potion.

This is Alaina. It’s been so long since I received a letter, I’m afraid you might have forgotten me.

I’ve wrapped up everything in Predegrund County and am now in the Entana Kingdom.

I’m preparing to conquer the dragon’s nest you told me about.

It’s taking a while because it’s the Scarlet Dragon known for its nasty temperament.

But I’m not scared. I have the strategy book you gave me.

Recently, the strategy book started to tear, so I copied it onto a new notebook.

I could feel your warmth while copying it.

Every time I defeat a strong enemy, I think about it.

Why did you give me this incredible prophecy?

It’s for the young adventurer who I met for the first time in the shop.

If you are a god, am I a disciple chosen by God?

Is it a human being with a heavy responsibility to realize God’s will on earth?

I can’t hear the answer right now.

Please let me know when I finish everything and return someday.

Why did you give everything to me?

Oh, and a few days ago, you appeared in my dream.

At that potion shop where we first met.

You were focused on writing strategy guides, and I was looking at you like that.

I was happy.

Because I could meet you in the midst of a lonely and difficult adventure.

Even if it’s just a dream.

Sir, I miss you. Really.

I feel like giving up everything and going back to the starting village right now.

But I’ve decided not to do that.

After finishing everything with the strategy guide you gave me, I’ll go back then.

Please don’t forget me and wait for me.

And let’s talk about our story when we meet again.

I’ll tell you how much I missed you and how earnestly I longed for you.

I’ll send another letter after defeating the Scarlet Dragon.

Goodbye, sir.

Alaina, who misses you so much.

Alaina, who put the final period, sighed and neatly folded the letter.

Several letters sent to the Potion Master in the starting village.

So far, there has never been a reply from the Master.

Naturally. The Master stays in one place, but Alaina keeps wandering.

Still, Alaina kept writing letters.

If she didn’t do this, she felt like the connection with the Master would be completely severed.

The adventure that started in the starting village has been over half a year now.

Alaina is now in a place where she has to cross a sea, getting farther away from the starting village.

Just the fact that this letter reaches the Master is almost miraculous.

Alaina, who firmly sealed the envelope, looked at the tattered strategy guide sitting next to her.

The strategy guide that had become almost a rag from being checked several times a day.

Even though she could have transferred everything to a new notebook, Alaina couldn’t bring herself to do it.

The Master wrote it for me personally. I have to give it back to him later.

Alaina’s left hand, touching the cover of the strategy guide, is pitch black.

Since being affected by the wicked dark magic of the Lich before, although she survived, her skin color hasn’t returned.

Still, she must find solace in the fact that she didn’t die and her arms are intact.

I fought exactly as the Master’s strategy guide instructed, but the creature was too fast, and I couldn’t deal with it properly.

It’s my fault for not meeting the Master’s expectations. I need to get stronger.

“Hero.”

A soldier entered and saluted.

“All preparations you mentioned are complete.”

“Understood.”

Alaina stood up and handed the envelope to the soldier.

“If you don’t mind, please deliver this. It’s an important letter.”

“Don’t worry.”

As the soldier took the letter, Alaina passed by him and went outside.

In front of the inn’s carriage, there were many things that Alaina had asked for.

Tools to hunt the Scarlet Dragon, which will soon awaken and bring disaster to the east.

Sitting on a stone bench, Alaina rummaged through the strategy guide and reread the tactics for the Scarlet Dragon.

1. Necessary Equipment:

The Scarlet Dragon is vulnerable to ice elements. Make active use of Frostlore obtained by dealing with Ice Golems in the Ice Fortress.

It is best to have armor with fire resistance, and Flame Ward Shield obtained by killing the Fire Mage Incendius is the best.

Always have consumables with fire immunity and instant mass healing potions.

Mass Recovery Potions can be purchased in Level 5 cities, and Flame Immunity Potions can be purchased from Alchemist Hester in the Bottom Market.

2. Battle Strategy:

Scarlet Dragon uses area attacks instead of targeting, so when you see signs of an attack, always move to a place like a valley where you can take cover.

The attack timing comes every time. The dragon goes into mana recovery after the area attack, so make sure to land effective hits at that time.

However, do not get too close. For the tail, stay at least 10 meters away, and for the claws, stay 6 meters away to survive.

3. Attack Patterns:

When flames spurt between the dragon’s teeth, evade sideways as Flame Breath will come after 3 seconds.

If the dragon suddenly spreads its wings left and right, pressurizing the air with flapping, you must retreat backward.

If the hind legs suddenly stand firm, it’s a charging attack, so evade without fail. Never confront it head-on.

4. Weaknesses:

There are no weaknesses to exploit in the dragon. However, continuously dealing sustained damage to the head and neck during mana recovery will gradually weaken it.

If you can dodge the final desperate attack pattern four times, your chance will come.

If you have prepared enough potions and elixirs, time is on your side. Endure and keep fighting until you defeat the creature, Alaina.

* * * * *

Alaina, who closed the strategy book, nodded resolutely.

I understand, sir. I will try my best.

I will kill the insane Scarlet Dragon and bring peace to the East.

So, after everything is finished, I will return to you.

When the time comes, sir.

Please accept me.