Chapter-06 · EP-089
Episode 89: Antidote
Returning to the inn, I found the innkeeper and asked.
"Excuse me, is there a shop around here that sells Cure Potions?"
"Cure Potions? Hmm…"
The innkeeper thought for a moment, then answered apologetically.
"There used to be a shop for explorers until about twenty years ago, but it closed down. Back then, more people came to the dungeon, so shops like that could stay in business."
I was in trouble.
I'd come all this way specifically to stay overnight, but if I had to take the train back to the academy, there'd be no point in staying. Honestly, today's exploration plan was a complete failure. I'd fought the Huge Slime to try to make a Rank 4, but I realized my level wasn't high enough for repeated battles. Then, to level up, I tried to go to the fifth floor, but the fourth-floor boss was too strong to defeat. I was completely stuck.
I'd wasted the precious first day of Golden Week. What should I do from tomorrow? Should I just go back to Tokyo?
As I sat on the sofa feeling dejected, the innkeeper called out to me.
"I don't sell Cure Potions, but if you go to Yamashita-san's place, he might sell you some antidote."
"Antidote?"
"Yes. They used to make it around here, too. They'd process antidote herbs harvested from the dungeon. I don't think he makes it anymore, but Yamashita-san might still have some in stock. Why don't you ask?"
The innkeeper gave me the address of Yamashita-san's house.
"Thank you. I'll go tomorrow."
I felt a glimmer of hope.
The next morning. After breakfast, I headed to Yamashita-san's house, as the innkeeper had directed. It was an old Japanese house, about a fifteen-minute walk from the inn.
When I stood at the entrance and called out, a familiar face appeared.
"Oh, you're the young man from yesterday."
"Ah, are you Yamashita-san?"
Yamashita-san was the man who had guided me to the dungeon yesterday. Both he and I were surprised by the chance reunion.
"Well, this is a coincidence. Did your exploration go well yesterday?"
"Well, actually, I was poisoned by the fourth-floor boss and had to run back."
"What? You've already reached the fourth floor? You're quite advanced for someone so young."
Yamashita-san's eyes widened in surprise.
"I've had some training at the academy. Anyway, I asked the innkeeper if she knew where I could get an antidote, and she said you might have some."
"Ah, I see. Yes, I still have a little left. Wait a moment."
Yamashita-san went inside and returned after a while with a small bottle. Inside the bottle were five yellow balls, about one centimeter in diameter. They had a gummy texture, similar to Cure Potions.
"I made these myself, processing antidote herbs. I don't mean to brag, but I think they're about as effective as a Cure Potion. They work well against poison."
"Thank you. How much are they?"
"No charge."
"Eh, but…"
Yamashita-san shook his head gently.
"I used to process the antidote herbs that Saito-san harvested, right there in that factory."
He pointed to a prefab shed a short distance away. It was now rusted and looked unused.
"Saito-san passed away, and the antidote herbs can't be harvested anymore. My antidote-making days are over. If I can be of help to a young person like you one last time, that's all I could wish for."
I couldn't find the words; I just bowed deeply. I felt in Yamashita-san's words a mixture of resignation, loneliness, and yet joy that he could still be of use to someone.
"Thank you. I'll use them carefully."
"Yes, take care."
After that, Yamashita-san invited me inside and served me tea. Sitting on the veranda, he told me stories about making antidote.
How skilled Saito-san was as a harvester. How no one could match his eye for where antidote herbs grew in the dungeon. How the two of them used to make the antidote together. And how many explorers used to come to buy their antidote.
As I listened, I remembered something from yesterday.
"By the way, there was an inscription on the fourth floor. What was that? It said something like 'Watch out for pitfalls ahead.'"
"Hahaha, Saito-san left those warning messages. For the sake of later explorers. He was a kind man."
"I see. So that's what it was."
So it really was just a warning. Still, that inscription had saved me.
Yamashita-san looked into the distance, gazing at the garden from the veranda.
"Nostalgic. We used to work together almost every day back then."
I could feel the deep bond between Yamashita-san and Saito-san. I thanked him again, this time more formally, and left his house.
In my hand was a small bottle containing five doses of antidote. Now I could challenge the fourth-floor boss again.