Trigger-Happy Potioneer

Why NPCs are Better than People

The man pushed me outside as he threw open the door. "Go. If the Chief's doing something for you, she'll be done in about three days." I luckily was able to re-equip myself with my outdoor attire, since they were so eager to guide me out.

"Alright." I guess it's too much to ask for etiquette from a buff blacksmith.

"Oh, and thanks for helping us out. We're back in business thanks to you."

Never mind my last comment. "You're welcome."

He gave me a long look. "By the way, missy, you were muttering something when you came in. Something on your mind?"

I looked at him blankly. "What-" I suddenly remembered. [Enchant]! "Oh! No, nothing's wrong. But thank you, you reminded me that I need to do something."

"Alright, then. Go then, move." I was lightly pushed away from the door.

As I walked back to Winter's shop, I heard the man yell out his message. The ground seemed to tremble as adventurers of all classes made a beeline for the small door to the smithy. I laughed at the sight.

I continued to mutter enchants under my breath. Suddenly, I felt a tug at the back of my head, as if someone was trying to pull off my hood. I made a 180 degree turn on the balls of my foot. A girl had her hand out as if she was grabbing something.

"Oh! Hi there. I just saw you walking and was wondering why you were wearing a hood." She smiled, winked, and put her hands together. This girl obviously had watched too much school life romcom anime.

"Well, it would be rude to take it off for someone else against their will!" I snapped. My hood hides my identity with a false name. I didn't want to be recognized by my friends in case they try to drag me somewhere... but the guy I blinded earlier recognized me on sight, so maybe the hood's bonus effect is useless.

"I'm sorry. It just looked weird. My name's Jalia, as you can see. Yours is... Giro?"

That's what it says? Well, whatever. "Yes. What do you want from me?"

She shoved her face into mine. I backed away instinctively. What's with her? Doesn't she understand what personal space is?

"You're cute. I've decided. I want you to join my guild!"

"Your guild?"

"Yep! I'm the leader of Muse Mistresses. I want to create an idol group in my third life. You should be honored to be invited to my group! You'll be-"

"I refuse."

"Excuse me?"

"I said no. I decline your offer. So excuse me, but I have somewhere to go." Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against her goals. My biggest issue is her attitude and character. She forces her dreams onto others and expects them to accept just because she's herself.

I tried to walk away, but she grabbed my left wrist.

"Wait! What do you mean, 'no'? Do you really think you have a choice?"

I rest my case. "Yes, I do have a choice. I have no desire for fame or popularity. I don't want to be known by thousands of people. I want to enjoy my third life in peace."

"Well, my third life sounds better!"

"Well, I think that I have the choice to decide that. I'm a person with free will. So sorry, but I don't want to be a part of all that." I enlarged my wrist to loosen her grip, then shrunk it to quickly slip out of her grasp. How did I do that, you say? Remember, people: my left arm is made of magic wood!

...Which now makes me realize that 1. I need to drink some more tree water at some point and 2. I could have enhanced my left arm with wood magic to lift the cauldron. Oh well, no waste in effort since I was able to level Enchant.

I began to walk away, leaving her to wrap her mind around my answer.

"I'll find you again, and make you join! I promise!" she yelled after me after several moments.

That was pitiful. I merged into the crowd, and Jalia disappeared from sight. Well, back to the apothecary, I guess. I don't know what she's up to.

"Hey, Winter!" I called as I walked into the apothecary. Despite the fact that I've only been here one other time, the apothecary almost feels like home to me.

"Hey, there, Nio! Finished the little errand I asked of ya?" The dwarven herbalist pushed himself into sight, squeezing between two boxes of dried plants.

"Yep."

"Good to know. Here's a little something or other for yer troubles." He took my hand and palmed me a small, weighted bag.

"What-" I was about to ask a question when a message came up in my face.

Ellie's Shipment Run has been completed!

300 gold received.

You are now good friends with Winter!

1 trait point has been awarded.

Wait, a trait point? Seriously? I checked my traits, just to be sure.

Current Traits (+12)

[Alchemy 23] [Throw 15] [Eagle Eye 28] [Enchant 11] [Archery 20] [Crafting 13] [Mixing 16] [Mana Control 35] [Discovery 24] [Combining 8] [Wood Element Inheritor 19]

Congratulations! You are now able to choose one additional trait! One new trait can be learned starting at +10. After this trait, the plus count requirement increases by 2 points for each new trait.
Search traits: [_ ]

Oh, it did. Which reminds me, I should pick up a new trait soon. Hmm, I'll do it later.

"I can't accept this much!" I gasped. 300 gold is three times my current gold stash. A delivery run isn't worth that much!

"Boy, if you think that was too much, you'll fall on your bum when ya the next bit!" He placed a standard sized cauldron next to the large one. "On the house. You saved me an awkward meetin' with ol' Ellie. You deserve just as much."

I couldn't believe it - it just seemed excessive. However, I also felt that there's some unspoken business between Winter and Ms. Onna, so this reward is kind of like a "don't ask about it" bribe or something. I'll take it, since I don't intend to ask about it. I quickly placed the small cauldron in my inventory, then faced the larger one. "<Wood Weave, Strength Enchant x2>" I felt my left arm tremble and clench my shoulder as mana coursed through its length. I gripped the side of the large cauldron and lifted it easily, swiftly placing into the same small inventory window, where I watched it automatically disappear. It was strange, since most of the items I put into it are smaller than the window itself. Oh, I'm going on a tangent again. My bad.

"You've gotten mighty powerful in your time away." Winter observed.

"No, it's just one of my spells. Enchant lets me strengthen myself for a short time." I responded.

"Yes, but at the right times, that can change everything, can't it?" he returned.

I looked at him for a moment, again realizing that even though he's an NPC, he's a dwarf. He's got decades of experience. So wisdom is like second nature, maybe. "I guess you're right. Well I have business to take care of, so I'll see you later."

"Yes, don't let me get in the way of your endless quest for the perfect potion!" He chuckled. "Just visit occasionally, I'd like to try some warm tea next time." He waved at me as I walked back into the blinding light of the outside.

As I walked out, a new message appeared on my screen.

Dialsia, Melly, and Azreal have joined the Tarantella Subjugation Unit.

Well, crap.