The Trash is a Fan of the Little Alchemist

Chapter 8: A Moment to Share

It was more packed than you had expected for a midday drink. You and Hilsman were lucky enough to get a table for yourselves. The food was simple enough. A roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and some bread. You weren't picky.

"I'm sorry about your boots, dongsaeng," Hilsman said. You glanced down at your now ruined boots, the damage continued to grow despite you purifying the area.

"It's fine, hyung. I can always get new ones."

"But still..."

"It's fine hyung really." You said nothing more as you took a chicken leg. Taking a bite of the soft tender meat, you zone out. You were fine with the silence but Hilsman wasn't. He had so many questions.

"So..." Hilsman starts. You nod towards him to continue.

"Where did you get that potion? It kinda just appeared..."

"It was in my pockets." You didn't want to tell Hilsman of your practically infinite inventory. It would be too much of a hassle to explain your game system to anyone.

"But it was a big bottle..."

"I have big pockets."

"Oh..." Hilsman said as awkward silence hung around again. "Dongsaeng... Do you... Will you be leaving us once you reach the capital?" The Vice Captain asks. "Cale said that there was something important at the capital related to your memories and—"

"You shouldn't worry. Even if I regain whatever memory I had lost, I still have to repay the young master for his kindness. Plus I enjoy being with everyone. I have no intention of leaving anytime soon." You say as you take a swig of beer. By the time you put the mug down, you see a teary-eyed Hilsman.

"Are you al—"

"You're the best dongsaeng!" Hilsman reaches from across the table to hug you. Your introverted instincts immediately make you lean back. The knight's face slams onto the table with a loud bang.

You jump at the sound. Trying your best to ignore everyone's stares, you ask if Hilsman is alright. The knight simply sits back up and laughs, a red bruise forming on his forehead.

"You're going to form a bruise." You said as you (discreetly this time) take a health potion from your bag. "Drink it" You give him the small vial and Hilsman looks at it with a shocked expression.

"But isn't this expensive?! What if you run out?!" Hilsman exclaims. Seems that even at a first glance, a layperson like the Vice Captain can tell it's the highest quality. Still...

"Don't worry about that. I have more than I would ever need." You say as you couldn't help but glance at your inventory. Your novel-self truly was such a hoarder.

"If you say so dongsaeng." Hilsman removed the cork and the scent of caramel apples wafted into the air. "Woah! I've never known a health potion could smell like this!" The knight quickly drank the contents and the bruise on his forehead faded away nearly instantly.

"And it's delicious!" You smile a bit at Hilsman. A health potion was the first thing you drank in your old world. A simple potion that got rid of a bruise that formed when your old mentor whacked you in the back of the head with his cane.

"I'm glad you liked it. Though shouldn't all health potions taste good? What potions have you been drinking hyung?" You say.

Hilsman pouts. "They don't taste like yours. They kinda just taste like... Water with iron in it. Maybe it's because they're low quality? Even the low-grade potions are quite expensive."

"I see."

"But our dongsaeng is so skillful! Even our young master praises your skill!" Hilsman exclaims. He had the look of a proud father in his eyes.