Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 89: The Devs Strike Again - Potions & the Healer Class

Daisuke sneezed and shivered as he walked down the busy avenue. "Now that I think about it, my birthday was just last month in October," he muttered to himself. "Which means we're only a month away from winter. Thankfully, it doesn't snow in these parts, but I still need to come up with a plan before it gets unbearably cold. Sleeping outside won't be an option anymore if I can't afford lodgings. Ah, the struggles of poverty."

Daisuke was jolted back to reality by the sharp clatter of something striking the cobblestone street behind him. At the very last second, he managed to nimbly sidestep an incoming rickshaw taxi—a makeshift vehicle drawn by hand with two wheels.

In that suspended moment, time seemed to slow as his gaze locked with the woman seated in the passenger's seat. Her captivating jade green eyes and refined features peeked out from beneath the folds of her hooded cloak. Beside her, a man exuded an icy demeanor, his cloak veiling extravagant armor and a gleaming sword at his side.

Disregarding the driver's disgruntled scowl as they passed, Daisuke pressed on toward the apothecary. Outside, a foldable wooden sign nestled amidst a charming garden beckoned passerby.

Instead of a door, a pair of curtains partially obscured the interior. The air was rich with the fragrance of herbs, spices, and floral incense, a stark contrast to the sterile scent of hospitals.

Speechless, Daisuke entered the shop, his eyes aglow with wonder as he absorbed the surreal atmosphere. Sunbeams poured in through glass windows, casting a golden hue that danced upon an array of glass bottles and vials, each containing a unique spectrum of colors.

Wooden shelves, stretching tall, proudly showcased potions, plants, and trinkets of all kinds. Above, shrubbery adorned the ceiling like celestial clouds, while scattered mana crystals sparkled like stars in a distant galaxy.

Mesmerized, Daisuke approached the counter, his gaze darting around the shop like a child in an amusement park. A patient old woman with snow-white hair glanced up from returning a book to its shelf, offering him a warm greeting.

"Ohyah?" she exclaimed softly, her eyes flickering open slightly as she observed him. "A new face—you must be a fresh adventurer."

"How could you tell?" Daisuke asked, intrigued.

The woman's smile deepened. "In Wonderelle, there are only four apothecaries, all owned by my siblings and me. We share the medical histories of our customers, ensuring any one of us can respond in the event of an emergency."

"That explains it. But still, remembering everyone's faces..."

The woman chuckled lightly. "After years in medicine, you pick up a few tricks to enhance memory."

"Makes sense," Daisuke nodded, impressed.

"Now, how may I be of assistance today?"

Daisuke was about to respond when a holographic menu materialized before him. Like your typical RPG, it displayed the familiar options to buy or sell and a comprehensive list of all the items available for purchase, along with their respective prices.

He couldn't help but feel conflicted about the sudden shift from a conventional social interaction to a streamlined, self-regulated process. Yet, he couldn't deny the efficiency it brought to the transaction.

He had a strong feeling he could choose between this method and having the woman aid him personally. But since the menu was already opened...

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[Vitaberry] - $3 Gold | Owned: 12

[Gathered from the Vitality Tree, Vitaberries serve as the key ingredient in crafting health recovery potions.