[Lucky Overpowered] — I Became a Background Character Meant to Die in the Game’s Opening, But Now I’m Overpowered and Fighting to Save My All-Time Favorite Alchemist Heroine - Episode 14
“That’s it! Hey, Lise, let’s go buy a book!”
Several days had passed since we got the Alchemist Ring. While eating breakfast in the common room of the budget inn Tiger’s Den, I suddenly remembered an event.
“A book?”
Lise tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled—and unbearably cute. Honestly, she’s got the whole universe beat in charm.
“Yeah! There’s a bookstore nearby, remember? Let’s go there and buy a book on alchemy.”
Buying alchemy books from the bookstore is the easiest way to get new alchemy recipes.
Right now, we can only get a beginner-level alchemy book. Once you buy that, a basic-level book becomes available, followed by intermediate, advanced… the cycle continues as more recipes get unlocked.
And if you keep raising your favorability with the bookstore, they’ll eventually offer you a sealed forbidden tome. That’s the ultimate goal.
I mean, I already have all the recipes memorized. But if I suddenly start spouting expert-level knowledge, Lise might start getting suspicious. I want to go about this as normally as possible—just a guy helping a friend improve her alchemy.
…Someday, I’ll have to tell her everything about me. But I’m not ready yet. I know I can’t keep hiding it forever, but… I’m terrified she’ll hate me if she finds out.
“I’d like to… but we already spent so much money last time…”
Lise hesitated, clearly torn.
Both of us grew up in an orphanage, so we understand the value of money. Even if she wants the recipe book, spending hard-earned gold still feels wrong to her.
“Don’t worry about it. You’re already earning money now by making basic potions, right?”
In a city full of adventurers, potions sell like crazy. It’s simple: buy herbs at the guild, make potions, then sell them right back to the guild. Easy money.
Thanks to the Alchemist Ring, Lise’s skills have been improving fast. I think she’s ready to expand her recipe list.
“It’s the same as when we bought your gear. It’s something you’ll need eventually, so better to get it early. Besides, you should never hesitate to invest in yourself.”
“Invest…?”
“Yeah. Investing means spending money now to create a better future for yourself.”
“A better future…”
“Exactly! So let’s go. No time like the present!”
“W-wait, Gee!?”
I stood up from my chair and gently pulled Lise to her feet, giving her a light push forward as we left the Tiger’s Den.
________________________________________
◇
“Geez… You’ve been a little pushy lately, Gee.”
“Sorry, sorry. But I really do think this is something you need right now.”
We arrived at our destination—a Western-style mansion with a weathered façade. The walls were completely covered in ivy, making it look like a wall of green. This was the only bookstore in town.
“Let’s head in.”
“Ah!”
Without hesitation, I grabbed Lise’s hand and opened the door nestled in the green-covered wall.
Inside, the shop was dimly lit and damp. Bookshelves were packed tight, leaving little room to move. Books filled every visible inch of space.
“Now, where’s the shopkeeper…”
“Welcome.”
“Whoa!?”
“Eek!”
The moment I started looking for the shopkeeper, a voice came from right beside me. I jumped in surprise, and so did Lise.
Turning my head, I saw an elderly woman whose eyes gleamed like a cat’s in the gloom. She stood there silently, almost melting into the shadows.
By the way—Lise’s little squeal? So cute it should be illegal. I’m gonna fall in love all over again!
“Heeheehee. I’m Clemence, the shopkeeper of this bookstore. Got any money, you two?”
On closer inspection, she wore a black robe and a crooked pointed hat—basically a textbook witch. Same getup she had in the game, now that I think about it.
“I’m Gee, and this is…”
“Lise.”
“We’re looking for a beginner’s alchemy book for Lise. And yeah, we’ve got money.”
“Heeheehee! That so? Well, let’s see the cash first.”
“Here you go.”
Just like in the game—money-loving to the core.
With a slight sigh, I handed over a leather coin pouch.
“Ooh, heavy. You two didn’t do anything shady to get this, did you?”
Just like in the game, but man—isn’t assuming we’re criminals a bit rude?
I swallowed my annoyance and replied,
“We won it at the gambling hall. So? You gonna sell us the book or what?”
“Heeheehee. If you’ve got the gold, I’ll sell to anyone. That’s how this shop works. Alchemy book, right? Hang on.”
With that, Clemence shuffled into the back room. She was probably retrieving the book.
A short while later, she returned with a thick volume in her hands.
“Heehee. This what you’re looking for? That’ll be thirty gold coins.”
“Th-thirty!?”
Lise blurted it out, clearly shocked by the price. I mean, I get it—it is a lot. But even her surprised face is so cute I’m in danger of melting. Adorable.
Still, the price isn’t unreasonable. Roughly 1.2 million yen—about what I expected.