Brand New Life Online: Rise Of The Goddess Of Harvest Chapter 5 Meeting The Squirrel-Folk Alchemist

Phew, that was a narrowly avoided disaster; we barely escaped. I expended nearly all my Mana to defeat that creature! Using Plant Manipulations repeatedly is certainly taxing… Perhaps I’ll need to resort to other abilities if my Mana runs dry.

For the moment, I possess twenty Mana Potions and an equal number of Health Potions in my inventory. Upon inspection, each shows a recovery of 200 HP and MP respectively, meaning a single potion could restore all my depleted Mana…

However, the crucial issue is… I have no idea where to purchase more Mana Potions! I only acquired twenty of each; there don’t appear to be any vendors in the vicinity selling them… Wait, could this village possibly offer them?

Given their scarcity, I am reluctant to use them now unless in a truly desperate situation. The guide spirit mentioned that Mana regenerates slightly each second, with natural regeneration increasing based on my INT and WIS stats.

"T-Thank you so much for vanquishing that monster, Lady Dryad…" the diminutive squirrel-folk boy stammered.

"Do not fret; it is my obligation as the forest's spirit to aid those within its bounds! …Or so the Tree decreed," I replied. "In any case, what is your name?"

"M-My name? Ah… My name is Acorn, a pleasure to meet you, Lady Dryad! And may I know your name?" he inquired.

"Acorn?! Is that genuinely your name? Oh my goodness, it suits you perfectly!" I exclaimed. "My name is Elay— I mean, Planta…"

"Oh, Lady Planta then! Were you truly dispatched by the Tree of the Beginning? This is significant news… A Dryad could undoubtedly assist us in overcoming this malady…" the boy stated.

"Indeed, I am here for that very purpose… So… What is required of me?" I pondered aloud. "Should I employ my Green Magic?"

"G-Green Magic? I am uncertain if that would be effective… Regardless, allow me to escort you to the Elder; he somehow persists, even as many of our kin have already succumbed… He claims to possess knowledge of a cure, but there is no one available to help gather the necessary components…" the boy sighed mournfully.

"And what of you? You appear quite healthy," I observed.

"B-But I am frail…" he replied with a sigh.

"Ah… Very well then, kindly lead the way, my dear," I conceded.

"Understood!"

The small, meter-tall squirrel guided me through the arboreal pathways, with me walking at a slower pace behind him. En route, I made a point to examine every humble dwelling I passed. Inside, the squirrel-folk slumbered in their beds, many afflicted with severe fevers and wracked by coughs; their conditions were dire.

Are they truly mere NPCs? Because I genuinely feel a pang of sympathy for them now… Why would the developers create beings destined for such suffering?

"They all seem gravely ill, with many possibly on the brink of death… We must act with utmost urgency…" the guide spirit urged.

"Geez, I might not be able to log out for a considerable while…" I sighed. "Ah! H-How much time has elapsed?"

"This is not analogous to those peculiar fictional narratives about VR games; time flows concurrently in the real world and within the game. Thus, an hour outside equates to an hour within this realm, and you have been playing for… approximately three hours and twenty minutes," the guide spirit informed me.

"Oh no! T-That is a substantial duration! I commenced playing around 2 PM, so it must be nearly 5 PM now? Goodness… I suppose I've forgone lunch," I lamented with a sigh.

"Hm, well, prolonged gaming sessions are not advisable; perhaps you should log out, procure sustenance, and then re-enter the game," the guide suggested. "It is detrimental to overexert yourself."

"Alright… I shall do so after my meeting with the Elder; thank you for your concern, I initially perceived you as merely a stern guide, but you are quite kind," I expressed, gently stroking the small luminous entity.

"T-That's… Well, it is my obligation…" he responded shyly.

"Here we are, Lady Dryad!"

Acorn navigated me to a dwelling larger than the average structure. Upon entering, I discovered a series of small steps ascending. Acorn began to climb these with agility, while I had to ascend slowly, as the steps were disproportionately small for my stature.

Reaching the upper level, I encountered an ancient-looking squirrel individual clad in a long blue cap, reclining on a bed. Most of his fur had turned gray, his eyes appeared frail, and his breathing was shallow.

"Hmm… Ah… A-Acorn?"

The elder squirrel regarded Acorn with a weakened gaze; he seemed to possess very limited vision. Was this a consequence of his advanced age or the affliction plaguing his kin?

"E-Elder! The Tree of the Beginning has dispatched a Forest Spirit, a Dryad! She stated she was sent to aid our recovery…" Acorn announced.

The Elder's eyes widened considerably, revealing irises that were entirely white, devoid of pupils… Was he blind? He could not perceive me at all.

"Ah! R-Really? Lady… Lady Dryad… where might you be?" he inquired. He tentatively wielded a staff, moving it vaguely in the air, accidentally striking Acorn on the head.

"Ouch! Elder, please refrain from using that ancient stick; she is right here!" Acorn exclaimed, gesturing towards me.

Approaching the Elder, I clasped his small, gray, furry squirrel hand. "I am here, Elder… Do not worry," I reassured him. "Please, instruct me on what must be done to aid your people."

"Ah… Such a comforting voice, my Lady Dryad… I… I truly believed Goddess Gaia had forsaken us… To learn that she dispatched one of her daughters here… I am overcome with joy… Please, lend us your aid…" he wept.

"I shall… Do not weep, lift your spirits, I will exert every effort," I vowed. "Acorn mentioned you possessed knowledge that could cure this affliction… is that correct?"

"Y-Yes… Hahhh… I had devised the formula some time ago, but was unable to prepare the potion as I succumbed to illness," he sighed. "My body lacks the necessary strength…"

"What is this recipe?" I inquired.

"I-It rests upon that small table… A potion designated the 'Miasma Cleansing Potion'…" he stated. "Retrieve that recipe, gather the required materials, and then, utilizing an Alchemy Pot located on the first floor below, combine the ingredients to concoct the potion."

"T-That sounds simpler than I anticipated!" I exclaimed. "So, Green Magic is insufficient?"

"While Green Magic excels in healing, the issue persists…" he sighed. "The miasma affliction is not something Green Magic can eradicate. The natural forces are repelled by the miasma; only a unique toxin derived from the very beasts spawned by the miasma can counteract the disease's effects… I have dedicated considerable research to this, please, place your trust in me."

"I will. Very well, then, leave the matter to me," I affirmed.

"Thank you…. I am deeply indebted…" he sighed again.

I moved toward the table, leaving Acorn to hold the Elder's hand.

"Grandpa… We will do everything in our power to heal you and our people…" he cried. "So, please, do not pass away before then, alright?"

"O-Okay… My dear Acorn… I-I shall not shuffle off this mortal coil just yet! I-I still have some time before… I am to be reunited with your grandma…" he managed a sigh.

"I miss her…" Acorn wailed.

"As… do I…" the Elder echoed softly.

It appeared Acorn was the grandson of the village Elder, and the grandmother Acorn missed had indeed been the Elder's wife… A somber realization.

Glancing at the parchment, I noted it even included illustrations of the necessary materials…

For this specific concoction, the following were required:

[Dark Essence] x10

[Black Core] x10

[Morning Flower Dew] x5

[Spiky Purple Mushroom] x5

[Leaf of Youth] x5

And… [Golden Sap] x5

Acquiring these components seemed quite challenging! How was I to obtain them?

Ah! I had already secured the initial two ingredients, obtaining one of each by vanquishing a Dark Beast.

Wait… I needed to defeat nine more to complete the recipe?!

Ugh… They were already formidable opponents. I was uncertain if a battle against one, even with an advantage, would prove easy.

"Hmm… I can guide you toward these materials. If you examine their descriptions, you will discover their locations and origins," the Spirit Guide offered. "This entire forest is segmented into distinct regions, each possessing its own name and unique inhabitants… We must proceed sequentially, collecting each item from various points throughout the forest; it will not be a brief expedition…"

"I-I understand… Let us commence then, we cannot afford to waste any time; every lost moment means increased suffering for these people…" I urged.

"Hold on! Wait a moment, weren't you planning to have lunch? Come now, Planta, this is a game, after all. Go and eat first," the guide insisted.

"B-But…"

"No 'buts'!"

"Alright…"

Although I received a gentle reprimand from the guide spirit, just as I was about to log off, Acorn hurried to my side.

"I-I will help! Even if I am small… Lady Dryad can protect me… I possess other abilities that could prove useful, so please, allow me to accompany you. I know the areas where Dark Beasts tend to congregate," he declared. "And I am also aware of the locations of the other ingredients…"

"Ah… But Acorn, my dear, you are still too young…" I demurred. "I cannot, in good conscience, place you in harm's way…"

"P-Please! I wish to contribute…" he pleaded. "I… I have always felt like a burden to others. I simply desire to be helpful…"

"Sigh… Very well… But you must remain close to me at all times!" I conceded. "I will do my utmost to shield you, but do not venture into trouble yourself… Understood?"

"O-Okay…" the young squirrel-folk agreed.

Suddenly, several system notifications appeared.

Ding!

[You have befriended the NPC: [Acorn, the Timid Squirrel-folk Boy]!]

[Your Bond Level with Acorn has increased!]

[You can now bring Acorn with you as a Party Member!]

Eh? I had befriended him? Oh, right… The possibility of forming bonds with NPCs existed! I had nearly forgotten… So, he possessed his own helpful skills? He had mentioned something to that effect…

I looked at the boy standing before me.

"S-So, are we departing?" he inquired.

"Erm… Let us delay for just a moment longer…" I suggested.

"Alright…"

As Acorn settled down to examine the recipe, the sight of his Status window filled me with surprise. He actually possessed one!

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[NPC Name]: [Acorn]

[Race]: [Squirrel Folk: Lv3/30]

[Race EXP]: [230/3000]

[Job Class]: [Apothecary: Lv6/20]

[Job Class EXP]: [172/6000]

[Satiation]: [74/100]

[HP]: [60/60]

[MP]: [330/330]

[STR]: [26]

[VIT]: [35]

[DEX]: [45]

[AGI]: [55]

[INT]: [30]

[WIS]: [30]

[LUC]: [40]

[Race Skills: 4/10]

[Beast-folk: Squirrel-kin: Lv2], [Acrobatics: Lv3], [Fur Production: Lv3], [Acorn Shooting: Lv2]

[Job Class Skills: 6/10]

[Alchemy: Lv4], [Synthesis: Lv3], [Appraisal: Lv3], [DEX UP: Lv2], [AGI UP: Lv2], [Crafting: Lv3]

[Equipment]

[Squirrel-folk Tribal Clothes]

[Wood Bracelet]

[Wooden Staff]

[Item Bag]

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His status was quite impressive for such a small, adorable creature. I even suspected he might be physically stronger than me, despite my greater height! He boasted more HP than I did, alongside some rather peculiar skills. Who knew Squirrel-kin could even launch acorns? How fascinating.

"Acorn, I'm going to log out for a short while," I announced. "Could you possibly wait for my return? I promise it won't be long."

"Log… out? What is that?" the squirrel inquired, a look of confusion on his face.

"Um… Ah… It's like…" I stumbled, surprised that an NPC wouldn't know such a basic concept. "How can an NPC not know that?"

"NPC?" the squirrel echoed, tilting his head.

"Wait, Guide, these individuals…" I turned to the glowing orb, seeking clarification.

"NPCs are not aware of their status as NPCs, so please refrain from bringing it up. They will never understand what you are referring to," the Guide whispered into my ear. "Simply tell him you are returning home for a bit; he will comprehend that."

"O-Okay," I replied, adjusting my approach. "I am going home for a short period, so I may disappear momentarily. I will return swiftly once a task is completed."

"Very well. Please take good care, Lady Dryad," the squirrel responded warmly.

"Aw, you are so endearing…" I cooed, gently petting Acorn's head and bestowing a small kiss upon his forehead.

"You take care as well," I added.

"A-Are all Dryads this demonstrative?" he asked, appearing slightly embarrassed.

"Perhaps," I mused.

With a swift click on the "Log Out" button, I vanished from that place.

Upon opening my eyes, I found myself back in reality.

Phew… That experience was truly something else.

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