So, we've made it to the potion maker's shop, didn't exactly take a while considering Ai, unlike me, has a great sense of direction. Oh yeah, this should be obvious, but the woman gave directions to it on the request.
Now, since we're here, I knock on the door, to be greeted with...
"Ah, You two must be the kind adventurers who accepted my request! It's so nice to see youngsters these days who would help an old woman out!"
I mean, I don't know what I expected, but this is a bit cliche, isn't it? An old woman who runs a potion selling shop... Oh, I should probably respond, a whole five seconds have gone by.
"Yeah... we are, so why did you make us come all this way first?" I added that question in there wholly to satiate my curiosity. I mean, it didn't bother me that much coming here, but I was still a bit confused about why we had to.
"Oh! Please come inside, I'll tell you all about that when we are," And such, she went back inside.
All I could do was let out a sigh as I and Ai followed.
Inside was what you would expect of a potion shop, there were a whole lot of potions of numerous variety... Hm, maybe I should come back here later since I can only get lesser healing potions from The Shop. There also seemed to be some strange blue potions, though I'm not sure what those were for... However, if I had to guess, maybe some sort of mana-recovery potion? Not like those would be much of use for me, considering the way I have to get mana.
"Alright, so could you tell us now? Not to be rude, but we don't have all day, you know!"
"Right, right! I'm quite sorry for delaying you, please, both of you take a seat!" She spoke in a raspy voice that could only be described as the sound of dead leaves crinkling, she pointed at a couple of chairs laying around a table that she was already standing by.
She sat down, so did I and Ai.
"So, really, what's with us having to come here first? Usually, from what I know, we wouldn't even have to interact with you once."
"Well, you see, I actually didn't put all the details into that paper... I actually need to come with you!"
"Huh? Why would that be?" Seriously? Come on! Give me a break, lady, it'll take so much extra time doing that!
"The specific herbs I need for my potions are located in this very particular part of the Eran Forest that only I know how to get to!" Just so you know, the Eran Forest is the forest right by The Capital, the one we went to for the last couple of requests, "So, for you to get there, I need to lead the way! However, there's the underlying problem, I can't protect myself from all the monsters there."
"... Seriously? Lady, I'm pretty new to the Guild, but I'm pretty sure you should have issued for a bodyguard type request. Also, I'm pretty sure having to protect you and go way deep into the forest would bump up the difficulty rating to at least E-tier!"
"Ah... Well, I'm sorry kiddo, but I don't know much about the Adventurer's Guild, it's only about seven years old in these parts!" She replied, and that was honestly a pretty good point, why should a humble potion-maker take time to learn all about the Guild? Though, I could probably take advantage of that...
"Hmph, well, I'll still accept the request, but you'll have to pay us double for this! A pretty good deal considering the Guild would never let you post another request after making a mistake such as this."
Me? Manipulating this nice old woman? No, I would never, I'm simply... taking advantage of a profitable situation! I'm a good person, I'd never commit such a heinous act!
"Oh deary me..." She thought for a bit, weighing her options before speaking once again, "Alright, kiddo, you've got yourself a deal, however, you'll have to help me get double the amount I'd usually have you help me get!"
Hearing this, Ai sent her a sort of death glare, obviously not enjoying the thought of the extra work... and honestly, neither did I.
The woman noticed, a bit frightened, "Or... maybe just twenty-five percent more...?"
"I think we can both settle for that, thank you very much."
An eerie deafening silence filled the room after my words, such, I attempted to break this awkwardness by continuing the conversation.
"Oh, so, shall we get going? We're not going to get anywhere just standing here."
"Right you are, my apologies!"
"Great, then let's get going."
[Chapter 28, end.]