Adventurer of Many Professions-Chapter 172: Selling Potions!

After Raymond left the house, he found a secluded alley, applied his disguise, and then stepped out into the street.

He headed straight to the tavern where Manik usually sold his potions.

Approaching the counter, Raymond asked the tavern owner directly, "I'm looking for Manik."

The owner gave him a quick glance and responded bluntly, "Manik's not selling today. He's not taking in any materials either. Try again tomorrow."

"I know," Raymond said in a low, hoarse voice. "Just tell him he can collect the materials now. We'll meet at the usual spot this evening."

The moment the tavern owner heard that voice, he recognized Raymond, Manik had already given him instructions for such a case.

"Got it. I'll send someone to notify him right away," the owner said with a nod.

Raymond gave a small nod in return and left the tavern.

…

When he returned home, Arya had just come back from shopping.

"Beef stew tonight!" she said cheerfully, holding up the fresh beef and spices she'd bought.

This world was incredibly abundant in materials, far more so than the world Raymond had lived in before. Yet, due to the constant threat of monsters, many goods remained in short supply.

…

By dusk, Arya was in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

"Ever since I awakened as an Archer, chopping things has become so much easier!" she said with a chuckle as she sliced the beef.

"That's to be expected," Raymond replied with a smile, sitting at the guest table. "Your arm strength improved a lot after awakening. Cutting meat should be no trouble now."

In the past, Raymond had always helped with tough meats or bones. But now…

"Well, that and the fact that you reforged all our kitchen knives!" Arya added, raising the knife and playfully swinging it through the air.

Raymond had taken the knives to Pierre's Blacksmith Shop and upgraded them in his spare time. He didn't even use his "Forging" skill, yet still managed to improve their quality several levels, making them razor-sharp.

In fact, their kitchen knives now rivaled the ones Raymond crafted and sold at the smithy. Even novice adventurers, those barely at the "white porcelain level" could use them to fight monsters, assuming they knew how to wield a kitchen knife.

"If they're useful to you, then all the effort was worth it," Raymond said, clearly pleased.

For any craftsman, few things are more satisfying than having their work appreciated, though Raymond was far more than just a craftsman.

Half an hour later, dinner was ready. The two sat together, chatting casually over the meal.

Raymond seized the moment to ask, "So, your first day on a mission with the team, how did it feel?"

"Hm…" Arya tilted her head in thought, tapping her chin with a finger.

Raymond watched her with amusement, finding the sight adorable. He didn't rush her.

After a pause, Arya began, "At first, I was super nervous. There were so many people watching, whispering… I'd be lying if I said it didn't get to me."

"But honestly? I was also happy. I'd heard about your team before, just bits and pieces from people at the temple or in town, but I didn't expect you all to be so well-known."

"And the fact that I got to join such a powerful team right away, just because of you… I was really happy."

"Is that so?" Raymond smiled, touched.

Arya nodded. "Even if your team wasn't famous, I'd still be thrilled just to be with you, Raymond. That's what really matters to me."

Raymond was momentarily stunned by her honesty.

Seeing his reaction, Arya blushed and quickly continued.

"Anyway… when we started the mission and I saw the group of Red-Eyed Crows, I was terrified! Especially when you had to sneak inside alone, and Sylph, Lorene, and I were left to handle the rest outside…"

"You assumed we'd be fine, but I didn't know how strong Sylph and Lorene really were. You didn't go into details, and I'd only heard vague things. So yeah, I was scared. And worried about you."

"But then I saw how calm and confident they were. And the way you explained the plan gave me a lot of reassurance. Slowly, I stopped feeling so nervous."

"Lorene's Blessing of Courage helped a lot too. I really felt it working, it was like the fear just melted away."

"And when Sylph used her Explosion Magic, and I shot down a Red-Eyed Crow with one hit… that rush! I felt amazing, like I could really do this."

"Sylph's magic wiped out all the crows in the square at once. I'd heard about Explosion Magic, but seeing it with my own eyes? It was incredible."

"But then one crow flew toward us and dodged my arrow. I panicked. Sylph had just cast her spell and couldn't move. Lorene was feeding her a recovery potion. If that crow reached them…"

"I was terrified again. But then you; Raymond, you didn't kill the crow leader outright. Its scream threw the whole flock into disarray, and that one got distracted long enough for me to land my shot."

"We rushed in to help you, but by the time we got there, you'd already taken care of everything."

"Looking back now, I get why Sylph and Lorene trust your judgment so much. You really did plan for everything."

Arya laughed softly. "Overall, I'd say the mission was thrilling. Even though there was that close call, I think with Lorene's blessing, we would've been okay. Still… I'm really glad it turned out the way it did."

Raymond was slightly surprised by how thoroughly Arya recounted each stage of the mission. Still, he smiled and said, "Sounds like your first mission was relatively safe and not too intense."

"Exactly! Most of the 'Red-Eyed Crows' were taken care of by you and Sylph," Arya replied with shining eyes. "This mission really gave me a lasting impression of the 'Explosion Magician' profession. Now I understand why it's so highly regarded!"

Clearly, seeing the power of Explosion Magic up close had left a deep impact on her, and not just her. The villagers of Budak were just as stunned. When they arrived at the central square and saw the massive crater left by Sylph's spell, the awe in their eyes turned to fear. While they'd already respected Raymond and his companions as awakened professionals, Sylph's terrifying magic instilled a new level of dread.

Afterward, the villagers kept their distance from Sylph. Only the village chief had the courage to approach and speak with her. No one dared mention the hole in the square, not out of courtesy, but fear.

"When I first saw Sylph cast Explosion Magic," Raymond added with a wry smile, "I was just as shocked. Honestly, if she hadn't used it back during our first mission, I would've died in that sewer, devoured by mutant rats."

It was true. Without Sylph or more specifically, without her devastating magic, Raymond wouldn't have escaped. He had been cornered by hundreds of mutant rats, and if their leader had reached him, he'd have been torn apart on the spot. Even now, despite his increased strength, Raymond wouldn't dare say he could take on such a swarm alone. Once surrounded, even the strongest adventurer could become nothing but bones.

That's why the Adventurers' Guild had categorized that encounter as a Bronze-level incident. The mutant rats weren't especially strong, but their overwhelming numbers made them deadly and Explosion Magic, with its wide-area damage, was their perfect counter.

From Porcelain-level to Bronze-level commissions, most monsters encountered were social creatures, weak alone, but dangerous in packs. It wasn't until the Silver level that adventurers typically faced stronger, solitary monsters. But Raymond and his team weren't ready for that yet.

"Thinking about it," Arya said with a shake of her head, "you and Sylph really had it rough on your first commission. Compared to that, I had three experienced Black Iron teammates protecting me."

Raymond nodded with a faint smile. "Yeah, after that sewer mission, everything else felt easier by comparison. It also taught me to be extra cautious when planning any commission."

Like someone bitten by a snake who fears even ropes, Raymond never took risks lightly again. Before every mission, he meticulously considered each possible outcome.

"Alright, that's enough talk. I should go meet the buyer and deliver the Primary Magic Recovery Potions," Raymond said, getting up to clear the dishes. "Time's tight, and I'm not sure how much material he's gathered."

"I'll take care of the rest, go ahead," Arya said quickly.