Chapter 170
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Chapter 170: So You Refuse?
Lin Yu presented her Adventurer ID to Manfel.
After examining it briefly, the shopkeeper nodded. "An E-class adventurer, I see. That means you’re only permitted to purchase Inferior Magic Recovery Potions, with a monthly limit of five bottles."
"…"
So I’m restricted to Inferior Magic Recovery Potions for now…
She proceeded to inquire about the various grades, quantities, and effects of the Magic Recovery Potions available in Manfel’s establishment.
Like all other apothecaries in town, his shop carried just three quality tiers – Inferior, Lower, and Medium Magic Recovery Potions. In fact, all magical potions followed this three-tier system, with no Higher or Supreme grade options available.
Rumors suggested the higher grade potions commanded prices far exceeding their Medium quality counterparts.
Manfel’s current inventory consisted of approximately fifty Inferior Magic Recovery Potions, thirty-some Lower grade variants, and merely ten Medium quality potions. The stock was evenly divided between instant-recovery and sustained-recovery formulations.
Regarding efficacy:
The instant-recovery Inferior potions restored a meager 8-10 Magic Value points per use, while their sustained counterparts provided 20-30 points over thirty minutes.
Lower grade potions offered two to three times this potency – either 16-30 points instantly or 40-90 points gradually.
Medium quality potions tripled to quintupled the Inferior baseline.
Higher grades supposedly reached five to ten times Inferior potency, with Extreme versions exceeding tenfold effectiveness – though neither was available in town apothecaries.
While potions certainly accelerated Magic Value recovery compared to natural regeneration…
Lin Yu checked her current status: 11/1350 Magic Value Limit.
Fully replenishing her reserves would require at least forty sustained-recovery Inferior potions. Yet the shop stocked barely twenty such vials, the remainder being instant-use variants.
Even exhausting their entire Inferior inventory wouldn’t suffice.
And that’s without considering the purchase restrictions.
But hadn’t he mentioned…?
"What exactly did you mean by ‘flexibility’?"
"Simple economics," Manfel replied smoothly. "Pay double the standard price, and I’ll extend your purchasing allowance."
His pricing structure broke down thus:
– Inferior instant-recovery: 3 silver (6 at double)
– Inferior sustained-recovery: 4 silver (8 at double)
– Lower instant-recovery: 10 silver
– Lower sustained-recovery: 12 silver
– The scarce Medium potions commanded premium rates:
* Instant: 30 silver
* Sustained: 33 silver
Lin Yu’s purse contained… merely 25 silver remaining.
The young woman exhaled softly.
Manfel’s eyes gleamed as he noted her financial constraint. "Ahem. Should funds prove insufficient… there exists an alternative arrangement."
"What’s the method?"
"Well…"
The man glanced toward the three youths nearby. Assured they weren’t paying attention, he leaned closer to Lin Yu and lowered his voice.
…
"So? Just once would suffice. I might even gift you a few potions – though naturally, this requires discretion."
"Not interested."
Lin Yu’s gaze turned icy.
"Hey… what’s with that look? It’s merely a transaction. Decline if you wish."
Manfel instinctively retreated two steps.
"We’re in town proper…"
"Are you familiar with Wings of Freedom?"
"Of course… why mention them suddenly?"
"I defeated all four members yesterday."
"What?! You’re responsible for Sylvestre and Martina’s condition?!"
Manfel’s carefully maintained composure shattered, his face twisting in disbelief.
"But… you’re a novice adventurer!"
"Eh? What’s this about Wings of Freedom losing yesterday?"
Just then, the three youngsters finally selected some inferior Life Recovery Potions from the shelves. Sally, leading the group, caught fragments of their conversation and piped up curiously.
Manfel hastily sought confirmation from the trio.
Their nods confirmed the truth.
"Remarkable for a newcomer, heh…"
Manfel forced a strained smile.
"And you mention this because…?"
"Consider it a warning."
A warning? About what?
The golden-haired girl remained silent, her frosty stare speaking volumes.
Her wordless scrutiny made Manfel’s skin crawl.
The three youths exchanged confused glances between the tense pair.
"I’ve accepted your commission."
"Eh? Oh, the red fruit gathering? Splendid! Ha… With someone of your caliber, success is practically guaranteed."
The man’s initial surprise gave way to nervous laughter.
"Your posting states: 1-3 small silver coins per red fruit, price varying by quality. No quantity limit, provided the fruits aren’t spoiled."
"Precisely. With the Adventurer’s Guild’s combat commissions increasing, demand for Life Recovery Potions has surged. Local Apothecaries face shortages – red fruit being the primary ingredient."
"Then procuring substantial quantities would significantly aid you?"
"Undoubtedly."
Where was she going with this…?
Manfel studied the girl warily.
"Let’s establish another bargain: I supply abundant red fruit, you lift my Magic Recovery Potion purchase restrictions."
After all, his commission specified no minimum quantity.
Technically, delivering a single fruit would fulfill the contract.
Though this lecherous creep repulsed her, she’d likely encounter more like him. Individually confronting each would prove exhausting.
And truthfully, his earlier proposition was merely transactional – distasteful, but not unprecedented…
"Purchase limits exist due to material scarcity. Abundant supplies could warrant lifting restrictions, but… red fruit produces Life Recovery Potions, not Magic Recovery ones. Therefore…"
"So you refuse?"
Lin Yu repeated her earlier maneuver, materializing the massive greatsword from dimensional storage. Swinging it single-handedly, the resulting gust tousled Manfel’s hair as he gaped.
"I wonder… had I employed this blade against Wings of Freedom yesterday, what might the outcome have been?"
"The consequences would’ve…"
Manfel gulped audibly.
"Do we have an accord? Accidental shelf collisions resulting in broken potions surely wouldn’t incur guild or lordly reprimands."
"Quite so. How uncharacteristically careless of me, haha…"
Manfel mopped his sweating brow with a trembling hand.
