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~Chapter 26~
The newly acquired Herb Appraisal skill seemed to have a unique rank, just like the Mushroom Appraisal skill.
Probably the usage would be the same.
I approached the nearest herb and squatted down to use the skill. I stared at the herb as if I were appraising it.
Then…
Purple Cloud Flower
A biennial legume with purification abilities. A very rare herb that purifies the surrounding area. Naturally grows in small clusters deep in the forest; cannot be cultivated artificially. Blooms a subtle purple flower in late spring.
It was an herb with purification abilities. No one would have guessed something like this grew naturally in the corrupted forest.
Someone may have tried to cultivate it in bulk to cleanse the corruption, but judging by the lack of success, it seemed impossible to grow artificially.
‘If that were possible, the corrupted lands would have already been fully purified.’
Next, I checked its effects.
If someone exposed to long-term corruption consumes the root raw, it can restore damaged skin and organs.
‘This…’
…It gave me a strange feeling.
If Muriel in the original story had consistently taken this herb, would she have avoided dying from a terminal illness?
‘…But it’s a pointless hypothetical.’
I let out a small sigh and continued reading.
The leaves, when crushed and applied broadly, act as a detoxifier and coagulant.
Its detoxifying ability is so exceptional that no poison is immune, especially effective against monster venom.
The stem, used together with the root, can be made into potions that rapidly heal deep wounds.
‘Oh…’
Minor wounds could be healed with just a few drops of potion. But deep wounds required a full bottle and still took time to heal. In some cases, multiple bottles might be needed.
This herb, however, could heal deep wounds quickly—its efficacy was remarkable.
Even the flowers were useful.
The flower should be harvested as a bud and dried in sunlight. Brewing it as a tea can alleviate migraines.
It was truly a perfect herb—nothing went to waste.
‘No wonder it’s classified as rare.’
I took a hoe from my bag. For herbs like this, using a two-foot hoe to dig was most efficient.
“Shall we start collecting?”
“Yes, this is an amazing herb. You should start collecting too.”
“Alright, I’ll dig over there. Be careful not to get hurt, Muriel.”
And so, we began serious herb collection.
For a while, all that could be heard was the rhythmic sound of digging. Some of the Purple Cloud Flowers had buds, some didn’t.
“Leave a few uncollected. They’ll naturally regenerate that way.”
“Got it.”
This was the essence of coexisting with nature… I’d seen documentaries about this before.
Come to think of it, I was really living like a naturalist now…
Herb collection finished after about thirty minutes. I had underestimated the quantity; it was more than expected.
Looking down at the two baskets full of herbs, I wiped the sweat from my forehead with satisfaction.
“Feels rewarding, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it was fun.”
When I was little, I had gone to collect herbs with the orphanage director. Other children would get bored and wander off, but I spent hours collecting without noticing the time.
I guess this kind of life suited me from the start. I would live like this forever. No way I’d ever become a lord. Hahaha!
[＼(+0ㅁ0)/]
‘Shut up.’
“Muriel, drink some water.”
“Ah, thanks.”
I took the glass bottle from Lysian and gulped down the water. Satisfying my thirst made me exhale a long, contented “Khh.”
But when I turned to return the bottle, I felt utterly embarrassed.
Lysian took it from me, hiding a smirk, and brought the opening to his lips.
He tilted his head back and drank, the Adam’s apple moving up and down noticeably.
“…….”
Something felt… weird. Wait a moment.
He was drinking from the spot where I had just drunk…!
‘Why drink from the spot I used! Aaaah!’
I stared at him in shock, mouth agape. Lysian finished the water, looked down at me, and smiled gently.
“Trying to act cute, huh…”
I trembled in disbelief.
If Ninabel were here, she’d have drenched this shameless fox in a water attack.
“The water tastes good.”
“…….”
Feigning ignorance, Lysian put the bottle back into his bag. I considered smacking his back but decided only my hand would hurt.
‘Why does he keep acting like a fox?’
My mind was unsettled.
I had been trying to keep distance from Lysian, avoid getting attached…
“Haah…”
“Why the sudden sigh, Muriel?”
“Because of you…”
I opened my eyes and looked at Lysian.
“Aaah!”
Suddenly, a scream pierced the silence.
Whoever it was sounded terrified. I froze reflexively.
Lysian also stiffened, eyes fixed on the direction of the sound. He quickly approached me, drawing his sword.
“What… what is it? A person? Must be… But this is a corrupted area. Who…”
Panicked, I grabbed his collar, and he looked at me for a moment before reaching out.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and calmly said:
“We should go check it out. It’s dangerous to be alone, so let’s go together.”
“Mm.”
We moved forward closely together, Lysian matching my pace.
“Ahhh! Help me!”
Meanwhile, the scream echoed loudly through the forest.
Pushing through the dense trees, we finally spotted a boy.
He was awkwardly swinging a sword to fend off monsters surrounding him.
Yes. This boy was trapped by over ten monsters!
“Go away! I said go away! Aaaah!”
…The monsters weren’t going to leave just because he yelled. He was only provoking them more.
Still, we couldn’t leave someone in danger. Forward, max-level character!
“Lysian, those monsters…”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
Lysian sheathed his sword, scooped me up in a princess carry, and leapt onto a tree.
Startled for a moment, he carefully placed me on a thick branch and said:
“Wait here. I’ll deal with them and come back soon.”
Without letting me respond, he jumped down like a bird.
I blinked in shock and quickly assessed the scene below.
Lysian moved nimbly between the boy and the monsters, cutting them down with lethal precision.
My body trembled. The branch he placed me on was thick and sturdy, so I wasn’t afraid of falling.
I unconsciously hugged the tree trunk, tracking Lysian’s movements with my eyes.
What kind of training does one need to move like that? Or… is it natural talent?
He moved like the wind, and the monsters were sliced like tofu with every swing.
His movements weren’t flashy or large, just smooth and flowing, yet his lethality was enormous.
The monsters attacked and were instantly cut to pieces.
I watched in awe, only realizing much later that the battle had ended.
All the monsters were lying dead on the ground. Lysian wiped the blood from his sword, sheathed it, and looked up at me.
I flinched instinctively, and he raised one eyebrow.
“…….”
After a brief self-check, he looked at me again.
Then, in a voice gentle enough to contradict the massacre he’d just carried out, he asked:
“Muriel, can I come get you now?”
