Chapter 36

After reading the system message, I was left speechless.

This is a potion. If it tastes bad enough to kill you…that’s a problem, isn’t it?

‘Then again… medicine’s always bitter.’

For reference, the effects of this Low-Grade Recovery Potion were as follows:

1. When applied to the skin, it can heal shallow wounds. It has slight effectiveness against dermatitis as well.

2. When ingested, it restores a small amount of stamina.

I was already feeling short on stamina as it was, so I figured I might as well test it myself and drink it.

First, I transferred 10ml each of the finished potion into small crystal vials. I’d used a lot of ingredients, but the final yield wasn’t even ten bottles.

Another lesson learned about apothecary crafting. This was incredibly inefficient….

‘Make the slightest mistake and you have to throw the whole batch out….’

No wonder apothecaries made good money—and yet so few people wanted to become one.

“Muriel… are you going to drink that?”

I hadn’t corked the crystal vial I’d set aside for myself. As I lifted it to my lips, Lycian sidled closer and asked.

I lowered the bottle slightly and gave him an awkward smile.

“Yeah…. Why?”

“If you’re testing it to see if it works, I’ll drink it instead.”

There he went again—worrying about me. Lycian seemed to do that by default.

“You think it’s dangerous? Don’t worry, I made it properly.”

“Still….”

“It’s really fine. What’s the worst that could happen?”

It was only a low-grade potion. And the system had officially certified it as properly made.

Tilting my head back, I poured the entire contents into my mouth. Instantly, a flavor so intense it felt like it might numb my senses slammed into my tongue.

“…!”

I staggered without meaning to, and Lycian rushed forward to catch me.

“Muriel!”

Coughing, I let out a few small hacks—then gagged twice. My head rang. My tongue felt scorched and numb all at once.

What the hell is this taste…?

In my entire life, I’ve never eaten anything like this….

“Muriel, are you okay? Did you make it wrong after all—”

“N-No. I made it right. It’s just the taste….”

“Master! Water! Please, drink some water!”

I grabbed the water Ninabel hurriedly thrust at me and gulped it down, then let out a long breath.

“It’s disgustingly bad.”

“…….”

“I’m serious…. I’ve never tasted anything like this. Want to try?”

Curiosity piqued, I suddenly wondered how Lycian would react.

He gave me an awkward smile and shook his head, but I refused to let it go.

“Just once! Come on? I want to see your reaction.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I’ll pass.”

“What do you mean you’ll pass? You can’t leave me suffering alone. If I drink it, you drink it too—that’s only fair!”

“…….”

Lycian gazed at me solemnly as I spouted utter nonsense.

When I kept insisting that he had to try it too, he finally gave in and took the crystal vial from me.

“Haah….”

“What’s with the sigh? If you’re going to drink it, at least enjoy it.”

“…….”

He shot me a sidelong glare—then let out a faint snort of laughter. Before I could even react, he tossed the potion back in one gulp.

“…!”

I flinched, eyes going wide.

Gulp— Not even a full mouthful slid down his throat.

There was no immediate reaction. I watched him nervously and asked,

“S-So? How is it?”

“…….”

Lycian carefully set the crystal vial down on the table—

Then slowly tipped sideways.

“Lycian!”

He collapsed to the floor with a dull thud, his eyes fluttering shut.

Horrified, I dropped to my knees beside him and checked his condition. He seemed to have fainted.

No way. Was it really that bad?

‘F-First, get him some water!’

I was about to start yelling at Ninabel—who seemed more like a bystander at a spectacle than someone worried about whether Lycian lived or died—when suddenly, a hand shot out and grabbed my arm.

Startled, my eyes flew wide.

I was yanked forward, my body colliding against a solid chest. And then—

“Wh—hic—hah, ahaha, wh-what is this—!”

Merciless hands attacked my sides and lower stomach, tickling me like he’d lost his mind.

Lycian tormented me with relentless precision. I squirmed, trying to escape, laughing so hard I could barely breathe. My lungs actually started to hurt.

“S-Stop—hah, ahaha—!”

“…….”

“W-Why are you doing this all of a sudden—!”

Just when I thought he might finally stop, he wrapped both arms tightly around me and leaned in close to whisper by my ear.

“No idea. Maybe that awful potion drove me insane.”

“So it’s my fault?”

“You’re the one who made me drink it.”

“Oh, seriously…. Hahaha….”

It was absurd—but I wasn’t angry. After all, I’d brought this on myself.

I stayed in Lycian’s arms for a while, catching my breath. Once I finally calmed down, I spoke.

“I won’t make you drink it next time. Let me go. I need to brew more.”

“Take a break. I’m worried you’ll wear yourself out.”

“I’m not pushing myself that ha—”

Without warning, he stood and scooped me up in his arms. Then he strode out of the storage room and carefully set me down on the bench beneath the eaves.

“I’ll make you a snack, so rest here for a bit.”

“Okay….”

I watched his retreating back as he headed toward the kitchen, a gentle smile lingering on his face.

…Something felt strange.

Without realizing it, I clutched at the left side of my chest and curled in on myself. An oblivious little water droplet approached and asked,

“What’s wrong, Master? Are you unwell? H-Hold on, don’t tell me it’s arrhythmia again?!”

“…It’s not that.”

Letting out a deep sigh, I curled up completely and buried my face in my knees.

At this rate… this could turn into something serious.

No—maybe it’s already too late to turn back….

---

Two days later.

“I did itttt!!”

As usual, I’d been holed up in the storage room all day. I threw both hands into the air and roared.

I’d finally hit 100 proficiency!

One mountain after another…. To raise my apothecary skill to Level 3, I’d need to fill another 200 proficiency points. Still, I’d succeeded in becoming a ‘Beginner Apothecary.’

‘And most importantly—this!’

The 5,000-coin reward!

‘Obviously I’m opening it!’

I quickly tapped ‘YES.’

In an instant, a brilliant light burst forth—and a massive door materialized in midair.

It was a pure white, arched double door adorned with intricate gold detailing. It looked like something straight out of heaven.

‘Whoa…. What is this?’

As I stared, entranced, 5,000 coins were deducted in a flash, and a golden key appeared before me, radiating a warm glow.

The key moved on its own, sliding perfectly into the keyhole. With a soft click, the door began to open slowly.

Blinding light poured out, obscuring whatever lay beyond.

‘Of course I’m entering!’

My heart pounded wildly. Brimming with anticipation, I took a step forward—

Then froze at the sensation of someone watching me and turned around.

“…….”

Lycian and Ninabel were staring at me, both looking utterly confused.

I immediately understood.

‘They can’t see this.’

The door to the Hidden Shop radiated an overwhelming presence—but it was visible only to me.

Offering a composed smile to the two of them, who clearly wanted an explanation, I said,

“I… think I need to step out for a moment.”

Lycian strode over at once and grabbed my arm.

“Where?”

His voice, tinged with urgency, didn’t suit him at all.