Chapter 56: Charming Derrick

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Charming Derrick

Betty Silverheart was having a great day.

For the first time in a month since she had opened her shop, a first customer came to her and bought a pill from her.

She had kept her profits to the bare minimum because ever since she had opened her shop, no local ever came to buy her pills.

But she was not disheartened and kept doing odd jobs to keep her business running.

She believed that if she was true to her dream and dedication, someone would come and buy something from her.

And someone did.

It was a young man who appeared to be around the same age as her.

She had been staring at the door of her shop, waiting for someone to come in, so she noticed him long before he even entered the shop.

Betty looked down and saw her disorganized white lab coat and adjusted it. The colorful dress she wore underneath had faded with time, but she still wore it.

She pushed the red hair away from her golden eyes and tucked them behind her ear.

Betty felt a little shy talking to someone of the opposite gender who was as young as her, but she forced herself to calm down.

She knew this was her only chance to make money and pay off the loan she had taken from those accused people.

"Welcome to Betty’s Pills and Potion." So, Betty pushed through her embarrassment and shyness for her mother and herself.

Her confidence wavered when she saw the calm yet sharp eyes of the boy meeting hers.

Those pairs of black eyes felt so enchanting and powerful. She could not help but be drawn to them.

"Um..." But her mature brain won over her youthful heart, and she controlled herself. "What can I help you with today, sir?"

With utmost respect she asked him.

She did not want her only customer to disappear because she did not speak to him right.

"What kinds of Pills and Potions do you sell here?" Derrick looked around and noticed a few herbs on display as well, but he did not pay much attention to them.

"I have all the basic Unranked healing pills. I do have PEDs if you are looking for a chance to break through and reach the Physical Strengthening Realm." She explained all the items she had in store one by one.

While she was speaking, Derrick’s eyes went to the single star badge attached to her chest with T-1 Etched before it.

On the wall behind her, he could see a certificate that proved her legitimacy.

Even while looking around, Derrick was listening to every word Betty spoke.

There were four pils she was capable of making.

Common Vigor Potion.

Effect: Removes fatigue and restores stamina. Doesn’t heal wounds, just resets exhaustion—popular with hunters pulling long shifts.

Basic Recovery Pill.

Effect: Closes shallow cuts and bruises within minutes. Ineffective on broken bones or internal injuries.

Maki had given him the same pill after his battle with Keira.

Silent Mind Potion.

Effects: Get rid of all the useless thoughts clouding the mind and helps you focus on one task. Can also be used to stay awake at night if someone is feeling sleepy.

And finally, the main attraction of the shop was...

Physical Enhancement Drug.

Effects: slowly strengthens bone and muscle density. Heals minor to moderate injuries and grants a small permanent boost to overall physical attributes. Ten pills consumed within a set window can trigger a realm breakthrough.

"Are you capable of Tier 1 pills?" Derrick casually asked, but he did not expect a sad look to appear on Betty’s innocent face.

"Ah, I am sorry if I asked something that hurt you."

Derrick carefully placed his hand over hers. "I did not mean to make you sad."

"It’s not that." Betty did not realize how unprofessionally close he was standing to her. She just lowered her head and said, "Alchemy is an expensive profession to pursue."

"Theoretically I am ready to try a Tier 1 Pill. But I don’t nearly make enough to practice freely."

Derrick nodded in understanding. "I am sure you will eventually be a great alchemist."

He gave her hand a firm squeeze, offering her a warm smile.

It was then that Betty finally realized how close he was and that her hand was in his.

She panicked and pulled her hand back with a sudden jerk, backing away. "Ah!"

"Ah, I am sorry. I should not have done that." Derrick sheepishly rubbed the back of his head and shyly apologized.

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Betty calmed down and shook her head. "You don’t have to. I was the one who should apologize. You came to buy something, and here I am ranting about myself wasting your time."

"You are definitely not wasting my time." Derrick said firmly.

"I liked talking to you, Miss Betty." He deliberately glanced at the name tag on her coat and said her name as if he were reading it for the first time. "Everyone needs to speak their heart every now and then."

Betty forced down the blush that threatened to appear on her cheeks and ears and asked, "You still haven’t told me what you want to buy?"

"Hmm..." Derrick looked around carefully and asked, "What is the purity of the pills you create?"

"Oh! There is no need to worry about that." With a weirdly cute proud smile, Betty patted her chest and claimed. "All my pills are around 40% pure, and some have even reached the 50% mark."

Fucking hell? Even though he had asked casually, Derrick did not expect an amateur like her, who had only been learning alchemy on her own for the past three months, to reach this level.

Did I find a diamond in rough?

Derrick looked at the woman before in shock.

"The truth is..." Just as he was about to get to the point, the gate of the shop opened once more and three people walked in.

The first man, who had a thick beard and short hair, walked in like he owned the place and shouted at Derrick. "Oi cunt! You have 1 minute; get out of this shop, or we will send you away in a body bog."