Chapter 37: This Lorin Is Overly Prepared

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: This Lorin Is Overly Prepared

"Herbs? This is a potion shop, so of course I take all kinds of herbs. Fresh Hemostatic Grass and Calendula are five copper coins a stalk. Calming Flower, Sage, and Mugwort are one Silver Coin each.

"If you’re lucky, you might even find some Silver Leaf Grass. Just remember, whatever you do, don’t pull it out by the roots. Plucking the leaves is enough. I’ll buy them for two Silver Coins per leaf."

The gnome rocked back and forth on his recliner, rattling off the information in a peculiar tone.

"Could you show us what these herbs look like?" Lorin asked.

The gnome shot him a glance, yawned, and sluggishly stood up from his recliner.

"Wait here," he said.

The two waited patiently by the door.

Having just stuffed himself with food, watching the gnome’s lethargic demeanor made Lorin feel a bit drowsy as well.

Not long after, the gnome emerged from the back room of the general store, clutching a Scroll.

"Look for yourselves. They’re all on there. Give it back once you’ve memorized them."

He tossed the Scroll into Pip’s arms, then sank back into his recliner with his eyes half-closed.

"What a weird old guy," Lorin thought to himself. He squatted down to inspect the Scroll carefully.

It featured detailed, colorful illustrations of various herbs, accompanied by corresponding descriptions. Memorizing these simple patterns was hardly a challenge for someone like Lorin, who had survived the grueling test-oriented education of his past life. It didn’t take him long to commit them all to memory.

"Thanks. We still need to prep some gear—do you have any recommendations?"

Tactfully, he placed the Scroll back on the shop counter so the Old Gnome wouldn’t have to get up again.

"There aren’t many bugs in the winter. Just make sure to stay warm. The rest depends entirely on your own skills."

The Old Gnome cracked an eye open. Seeing Lorin’s considerate gesture, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Go inside and grab a Roll-up Tent, then swap that bag out for a bigger one. And remember to bring plenty of torches."

Lorin quickly found the Roll-up Tent the Old Gnome had mentioned. It was a cylindrical canvas tent with a few buckles attached, designed to be strapped onto a backpack.

"One gold and ten Silver Coins? Why is this piece of junk so expensive?"

He smacked his lips, suspecting the Old Gnome was ripping him off.

"Pip thinks things are expensive for a reason."

The shorty leaned in, stood on his tiptoes to check the price tag, and clicked his tongue.

Lorin felt like Pip was subtly insulting him. Back when they went to the mines, he had forgotten to buy a tent, forcing the two of them to huddle in a tree hollow for the night, freezing like stray dogs.

"Alright, fair point."

He then turned to the other side of the shelves and picked out a Medicinal Herb Gathering Knife and an Oilcloth Bag for storing herbs. He recalled his water skin had also been ruined by a Kobold arrow last time, meaning he needed a new one, along with some rations and dried meat...

Carrying the pile of items back to the counter, Lorin realized he definitely needed a new backpack; his old one couldn’t possibly fit all this gear. So, he turned back and grabbed the largest travel backpack off the shelf—one big enough that he could probably stuff Pip inside. It cost a hefty fifteen Silver Coins.

The shorty also wandered over carrying six torches. In his hand was a small, light-green vial—clearly the same weak Antitoxic Potion Lorin had bought before.

"There’s probably a lot of poisonous stuff in the forest. We should bring another bottle just in case. If we don’t use it, no harm done."

He shook the small vial in his hand.

"Bro... potions have expiration dates, you know!" Lorin thought.

Still, he had to admit the shorty was right. It was better to be safe than sorry.

"How much is that in total?" Pip frowned, counting vigorously on his fingers.

"Seven gold, eleven Silver Coins, and eight copper," Lorin said in exasperation.

"Ooh, human math is so impressive."

After paying, Lorin packed their purchases one by one into the new backpack, stacking everything neatly. The Medicinal Herb Gathering Knife was tucked into the side pocket, the Oilcloth Bag sat right on top, and the torches were wedged in the gap between the backpack and the tent, easily accessible with a quick reach. Finally, he strapped the Roll-up Tent to the top, pulled the buckles tight, and lifted the bag to test its weight.

It felt like it weighed a little over ten pounds, but it wouldn’t hinder his movements in the slightest. With his Master Level Weight Carrying, Lorin could probably haul more than a mule.

"I need to go back and catch up on some sleep. I’ll practice my Sword Skills when I wake up. What are we having for dinner...?" Lorin yawned. Between practicing his Sword Skills and running errands these past few days, he was completely exhausted.

"Pip thinks a roast leg of lamb would be an excellent choice, paired with fresh-baked bread and meat gravy. And it absolutely must be washed down with some ice-cold ale..."

"That’s a brilliant idea."

The next morning.

Lorin double-checked their gear and supplies. Once he confirmed everything was in order, the two left Shallow Beach Town. Following the directions marked on the Old Gnome’s map, they headed straight toward the Mist Forest.

The sun had only just risen, so the light wasn’t harsh yet, and the air still carried a hint of moisture drifting in from the river. Not long after leaving the town, the paved roads gave way to frozen wasteland dotted with scattered patches of weeds.

Lorin stopped in his tracks and held the map up to his face.

"This should be northwest, right?"

He squinted, comparing their surroundings before turning around to double-check their position relative to Shallow Beach Town.

Pip glanced at the compass in his hand, carefully compared it with the map, and gave him a thumbs up. "Yep, this is exactly the spot on the map."

"How can you even read this thing?" Lorin was astounded. This guy could actually decipher such an abstract map? Did things look different when you were two feet shorter?

He squatted halfway down to take another look. It didn’t change a thing; it was still just a circle with two crosses.

"Isn’t it obvious? Using our current location as the starting point, the outline of the forest Mr. Tom drew is super clear. We need to enter right here"—he pointed at a spot on the squiggly circle—"and then keep heading northwest..."

Pip tapped on the parchment, explaining it all with perfect logic. Lorin stared at the crude doodle on the rough paper. The longer he looked, the more he felt like an idiot for actually believing the shorty could understand it.

"I see..." he muttered, folding the map and stuffing it back into his bag, completely giving up the struggle.

"Whatever. We’re just searching blindly anyway, so any direction works..." he consoled himself.

Shallow Beach Town wasn’t particularly close to the Mist Forest. Based on his previous experience escorting the merchant caravan, this trip would take at least two days on foot. Fortunately, Pip was never one to stay quiet. Listening to his constant chatter as they walked kept Lorin from getting bored.

"Lorin, what do you want to do in the future?"

"Maybe travel around and see different parts of the world," he replied, not entirely sure himself. "If possible, become a Great Mage?"

"Pip wants to become a Barbarian."

"I know... you’ve mentioned that before."

"Do you think there will be more goblins coming to raid us on the way?"

Lorin rested his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, his thumb rubbing against the rough scabbard as he let out a soft chuckle.

"I’m looking forward to it."