"Why! Why won't you save my father?!" yelled a green-haired teenage boy, slamming his palms on the desk in Mr. Golden's office.
"It's not that we can't save Sir Fredrin," said a man in his forties with a troubled look, "but to enter the Poison Wood, one needs a powerful magician or alchemist. And our guild branch doesn't have anyone of that level."
"Grrrr…" The green-haired boy gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Fine! Then I'll enter it all by myself!" he declared, his voice filled with determination.
Mr. Golden raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair. "Hmm… if you really want to save Sir Fredrin, I might be able to introduce you to an excellent alchemist."
"Really?!" the boy's eyes lit up with hope.
"But she won't be easy to persuade," the older man added.
"Just tell me where she is. I'll convince her to help me!" the boy insisted, his urgency showing.
"Alright. She lives in Fern Village, to the northwest," Mr. Golden said, standing up and walking to the map pinned on his office wall. He pointed at the village's location.
"Alright! I'll head there now! Thank you, Mr. Golden!" the boy said gratefully, memorizing the location before rushing out of the room.
---
Thus began his journey to seek the help of the mysterious alchemist.
Fern Village was a peaceful, picturesque place nestled among rolling hills and dense woods. Stone houses with mossy roofs lined its winding cobblestone paths, surrounded by ferns and blooming flowers. Tall ferns swayed gently in the forest wind, hiding the elusive Fern Flower, a mystical plant that glowed faintly under moonlight. The air smelled of moss and flowers, filled with birdsong and the soft rustle of leaves—an enchanted calm unlike anywhere else.
At the village's edge stood a young boy.
He was Asphalt Luke, the son of Fredrin Luke. With short green hair, bright green eyes, an old adventurer's outfit, and a cheap iron sword strapped to his waist, he took his first steps into the village.
"Hmm… if the information is right, her house should be at the westernmost part of the village," Asphalt muttered as he walked.
Passing flower gardens and mossy cottages, he soon arrived at a small, stone cottage. Its roof was weathered and dark, thick with moss. Small glowing windows flickered softly. A narrow path lined with herbs led to a wooden door.
knock knock knock
Asphalt knocked three times.
"Hello? Is there anybody home?" he called out.
The wooden door creaked open, revealing a tall woman with messy blonde hair. Her eyes were sharp, but her expression was disinterested.
"…Who are you?" the woman asked bluntly.
"I'm Asphalt Luke, an adventurer! I came with a request for help from Alchemist Mira! Are you Miss Mira?" Asphalt asked, hopeful.
"…I am Mira. A request, you say? What is it?" she replied with a faint trace of curiosity.
"It's personal… Please, help me save my father!" Asphalt said, bowing his head earnestly.
"…Is that it? I'm not interested. Please take your leave." Mira said coldly before slamming the door shut.
Bang
"Please save my father! He's trapped in Lavender Forest, and I need a high-tier alchemist to guide me through the poison fog!" he shouted at the closed door.
But there was no answer.
Determined, Asphalt went to the village and asked the locals about Mira. After talking to a few villagers close to her, he learned that she was currently in desperate need of a Fern Flower—a rare, glowing plant found deep within the nearby forest. It bloomed only once a year under the full moon. Its shimmering, silvery-green petals were highly magical, and Mira, being an alchemist, valued it greatly.
That night, Asphalt ventured into the woods alone.
Hours passed as he searched under the full moon's light. Thorns scratched his arms, mud caked his boots, and exhaustion pulled at him, but he didn't stop. At last, standing on a forest cliff, he spotted a silvery glow beneath a tree.
"I found it!" he cried, holding the Fern Flower in his dirt-stained hands. "With this, I can convince her to help me!"
---
At dawn, Asphalt stood once more in front of Mira's cottage.
knock knock knock
"Miss Mira! I found the Fern Flower! Please help me get through the Lavender Forest in exchange!" he shouted.
The door creaked open slightly. Behind it stood Mira, now wearing a white alchemist robe. Her hair was still messy, but her eyes opened slightly wider.
"You… found the Fern Flower?" Mira asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Yes! I heard you needed it. Can you help me now?" Asphalt replied with a bright, exhausted smile. His clothes were filthy, his green hair tangled.
(Did he search the forest all night?) Mira wondered silently, impressed despite herself.
(I do need the flower…) she thought, hesitating briefly before opening the door fully. The cold morning air spilled into the room.
"So…?" Asphalt asked again, his voice eager.
Mira sighed and ruffled her already wild hair. "Alright. I'll help you with the poison fog."
Then, glancing at the state of the boy, she added with a flat expression:
"But first… you seriously need a bath."
"T-thank you!!" Asphalt exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.
---
Lavender Forest is a dark woodland filled with a purple, poisonous mist carrying the scent of lavender. Purple trees grow in abundance, and lavender flowers bloom in scattered patches across the forest floor.
Walking through the purple fog are two people—Mira and Asphalt.
"Thank you again, Miss Mira. With your potion neutralizing the poison, we can reach my father," Asphalt said, holding a silver compass, his cheap iron sword clattering at his waist.
"…No need to thank me. You paid your payment, and I do my job. It's mutual benefit," Mira replied, expressionlessly, as they walked beneath the canopy of purple trees.
"O-Okay…" Asphalt muttered, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Never mind that! I think this is where my father is," he said, stopping in front of a small cave.
"This cave doesn't look big, but we should still be careful," Mira said thoughtfully.
"Don't worry, Miss Mira. You just prepare the potions and I'll fight the monsters. I might be young, but I'm a full-fledged C-rank adventurer," Asphalt declared with confidence.
"Alright," Mira replied, a barely discernible smile flickering on her lips.
They ventured into the dark cave, Mira pulling out a softly glowing lamp orb to light the way.
After some twists and turns, they reached a small underground reservoir.
Looking around, they spotted Asphalt's father slumped behind a rock, his back resting against the cave wall, barely holding on—his body covered in purple veins.
"That's my father!" Asphalt shouted, rushing to his side.
"Can you save him, Miss Mira?" he asked worriedly.
Mira took out a clear potion from her bag and carefully helped Fredrin drink it.
Groan
With a low groan, color slowly returned to Fredrin's skin. He opened his eyes and looked up at Mira and Asphalt.
"Did… Did you two save me?" Fredrin asked in a quiet voice.
"Father! I heard you were trapped inside Lavender Forest, so I hired Miss Mira to help us get through the poisonous mist," Asphalt said, tears welling in his bright green eyes as he hugged his father tightly.
"I'm so glad you're safe, Father!"
"Haha! Don't cry, Asphalt. Aren't you a man?" Fredrin chuckled, ruffling his son's green hair.
"Thank you, Miss Mira, for helping my son," Fredrin said gratefully, glancing at her.
"…You're welcome," Mira said, her face as unreadable as ever.
The three of them then left the cave. With Mira's potions shielding them from the toxic air, they safely made their way out of Lavender Forest without any trouble.
After one last thank-you, Fredrin and Asphalt parted ways with Mira, and she began her journey back to Fern Village.
(Mother… are you watching?) Mira thought, gazing up at the clear blue sky.
It seems… being an adventurer isn't as bad as I thought.
---