Chapter 16 – I Went To Gather Some Herbs

I Went To Gather Some Herbs

‘So, which way should I go?’

I asked the slimes as I left the guild.

The only thing I knew about Healia plants were the name and the general shape.

I would be relying on the slimes when it came to finding them.

‘Over there!’

As they said this…the slime that was on my shoulder turned into something like a pincushion or sea urchin.

It was like thorns were protruding from all over the place.

This was probably because the united slime was trying to point in different directions all at once.

While the slimes were united in body, they were not in mind.

‘…So, what you really mean is that I can just go in any direction?’

‘Yes! They grow everywhere!’

…I see.

Then I could just walk in a random direction.

I thought as I left the town.

And then I closed my eyes and rotated a bit before stopping randomly.

So now I would truly be choosing a spot at random.

‘So, I’ll be able to find the herbs if I go this way?’

‘Yes!’

‘Well, here we go then.’

I said as I started to walk in the forest.

…And then a few minutes passed.

‘There they are!’

The slimes had found the Healia grass.

I tried picking some up and saw that it really did look like the illustration I had seen in the guild.

So this was what I needed to collect.

‘Alright, split up and search for more! But let me know if things look dangerous!’

‘Okay!’

The slimes said as they went deeper into the forest.

However…it didn’t seem like they were finding much.

As slimes were very short, their vision was limited.

Still, I wished there was a way to get a lot at once… Oh, I know.

I was a Tamer. So I could use my power to strengthen the slimes.

And there was a perfect skill for that…yes.

“Tamer Skill. Perception Strengthen!”

I used the skill. Then I started to hear the voices of the slimes from all over the forest.

‘Woah!’

‘I can suddenly see more!’

‘I found a leaf that doesn’t taste good!’

It seemed that it had worked quite well.

…However…there was something that made me worry.

‘Hey, aren’t you guys scattering a bit too far out?’

I thought that it would be harder for them to protect themselves if they were spread out so far.

But…it seemed like the slimes didn’t sense any danger.

Actually…

‘Yuji! It’s a monster! Help!’

‘…Fine. Magic Transfer-Fireball!’

◇

‘A monster came!’

‘Right. Magic Transfer-Fireball.’

◇

‘Yuji!’

‘Magic Transfer, Fireball.’

◇

‘Yu-‘

‘Magic Transfer-‘

Like that, the slimes made no attempt to defend themselves. And they pushed all of the responsibility onto me.

Well, all I really had to do was transfer the magic, so it wasn’t exactly difficult for me.

…And then several hours passed after we started to gather the herbs.

I now had a big pile of Healia grass that the slimes had collected.

“Woah, that’s quite a lot! You guys did very well!”

‘Yay!’

I then used ‘Appraisal’ just to make sure, and saw that there were no fakes mixed in.

At the same time, I took the monsters we had hunted back with us.

‘This is quite the catch. Still, next time try to hide instead of always relying on me to protect you. I can’t use Magic Transfer in multiple locations at the same time. Also, if you encounter an enemy, let me know as soon as possible!’

‘Okay!’

Yes, yes. They were an honest bunch.

‘Alright, let’s go home for the day. You can combine now.’

‘Okay!’

And then I put the slime on my shoulder and returned to the town.

I wanted to make a report at the guild.

I knew things would be fine regarding the herbs, but I was hoping I could make some extra money with the monsters I had hunted as well.

I thought about this as I headed for the counter.

“I’d like to report the completion of the quest.”

“Oh, yes! The Healia Grass one, isn’t it? How many did you gather?”

It was the same receptionist who had given me my guild card.

It was pretty impressive that she remembered what quest I was doing.

“…Around 300, I think.”

I said as I put the Healia grass on the counter after taking it from the slime.

Slime bodies were able to store things, so I had it hold them for me.

Even though the slime stored something that was clearly larger than its body, its shape didn’t change at all. It was strange but very useful.

“Three…three hundred?”

“Yeah. I didn’t exactly count them, so it’s just an estimate.”

“…Mister Yuji, didn’t you just accept this quest in the morning?”

“Yes, the morning.”

Well, it might have actually been closer to midday.

The sun had been quite high when I visited the guild.

“…But, that is quite strange, isn’t it?”

“No, I don’t see how it is…”

I just went to the forest and gathered some herbs.

Or so I thought…had I somehow done something strange?

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