The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick up Trash - Volume 1 - Chapter 23

Chapter 23:

Waiting for Potions

I GAVE UP ON snake traps. Instead, I focused on making a ton of field mouse traps. Trying to catch snakes meant missing sleep. The day I’d sold them, my fatigue had left my mind foggy for the rest of the day. And that was dangerous in the forest. I’d have to give that one up till I improved my traps.

I went around looking at the traps I’d rigged up the day before. Field mouse escape routes were scattered thanks to the snakes, so nothing was coming in. On top of that, four of my traps had been crushed—the work of snakes, maybe? Still, it seemed like making a lot was the right idea—I’d secured three field mice in my fifteen traps. I cleaned and dressed them quickly and went back to the village.

When I entered, something seemed off. The adventurers were all bustling about. Had something happened? I eavesdropped on conversations as I made my way to the butcher. It sounded like some adventurers had gotten a request from the village to defeat the snakes that had appeared, and now they were busy preparing for their assault.

Huh. Maybe culling the snakes would be more profitable than selling them to the drugstore…not that I could join in, no matter how much money I might make. I was already traveling alone as a child, so I didn’t want to stand out any more than I already did.

What I really needed to know was when they’d start the hunt. If adventurers were going to flood the forest, it would be safer to stay out that day. Angry monsters might show up. I didn’t want to get caught up in that.

When I went into the butcher shop, a woman was there instead of the man I’d sold to before. I’d never seen her, so it really took me by surprise. Then again, it was careless of me to think that the owner would always be there.

“Oh my, welcome!” she said.

“Umm, I’d like to sell some field mice.”

“Huh? Oh, my hubby told me about you. You’re the little boy who sells him field mice?” She was his wife, then. I took a steadying breath before handing her the bana leaf-wrapped meat. “Ah, they’re very well butchered. This is a huge help. Y’know, those adventurers just hack them up without a care in the world.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Three mice, 330 dal. Is that enough?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said.

“By the way, I hear they’re finally going to deal with those snakes,” she went on. “The chief has really been taking his sweet time.”

“Looks like.”

“Are you going to join in?”

“N-no, ma’am.”

“Oh, you’re not?”

“I’m not.” What do I do? Is she one of those people who likes to chat? I can’t escape… She just talks and talks…

It took around ten minutes for me to finally get away, and that was only because the owner came back and saved me from more circular conversation.

Thank goodness for him. I breathed a sigh of relief as I left. I had no idea what she was going on about near the end, but at least now I knew when the snake hunt would be. For now, I just wanted to put a ton of distance between me and that shop.

If they were going to hunt the snakes, maybe leaving for the next village would be a good idea.

No, I can’t. Not without a stock of blue potions.

And the three I had on hand weren’t exactly a stock. I’d have liked ten, but I’d settle for six at the very least. And if I wanted to feed Sora, I might even need fifty! Either way, not happening. What could I do? Would Sora eat nothing but blue potions? I decided to head to the dump.

There, I was blessed with two blue potions. Add them to what I already had, and I had five. Five beautiful potions, which still wasn’t nearly enough.

Before taking Sora out of its bag, I transferred the potions I’d found into my designated potions bag. Sora would undoubtedly want them if it saw them, so I had to get them out of sight stat. Next, I took Sora out of its bag and lined up different-colored potions in front of it.

“Wanna try these?” I offered.

Nope. It wouldn’t even look at them. Should I stay in this village until they throw away more blue potions? I’d have to change my plans, but there’s nothing else I can do without a secure source. Please, anyone…just throw away a whole heap of blue potions for me, won’t you?