Volume 9 Chapter 2 Alchemy
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The day after my dungeon date with Dietlinde, I decided to visit Aya, one of the girls who’d been transferred here from my world.
I’d been planning to drop by her shop for a while, but I just couldn’t make it happen until now. Aya was a working professional back in Japan—extremely serious and always on her guard.
She’s an Alchemist now, apprenticing under a master. My other fellow “retirees,” Rei and Manami, had already opened a maid cafe and a cat cafe respectively.
Since they’d given me invitation tickets, I’d reconnected with them pretty quickly, but Aya was still in the middle of her training.
I didn’t want to be a nuisance, so I’d held back, and before I knew it, two months had slipped by.
(To be honest, the fact that she’s so guarded made me put it off, too.)
Another big reason was that I simply stopped needing to buy potions. Since I can craft them myself, there’s no real reason to visit a shop. Still, Aya has the kind of personality where she bottles up stress, so I figured it would be nice to help her vent a little. Since we’re from the same hometown, I hoped she’d open up a bit.
Originally, I acquired Alchemy Skills¹ just to craft potions for rescuing other adventurers. Now, I’m making all sorts of things. I started with cosmetics, which I needed to produce in bulk, but making the same thing over and over is a drag. Lately, I’ve been making “joke” items just for the hell of it.
I’ve made gimmick stuff like chemicals that react to blood or fingerprints—perfect for playing “forensic investigator”—as well as everyday essentials like shampoo, body soap, laundry detergent, and even baking soda.
At home, I use magic tools to provide water, so I don’t even use well water, let alone a plumbing system. I don’t really need the cleaning agents much, but it’s the principle of the thing.
I struggled to get the materials for the Rejuvenation Potion², which could be a total game-changer for Regina, but materials are always the bottleneck.
Dragon blood, hearts, livers… that stuff is nearly impossible to get right now. Apparently, they occasionally show up in “Auctions,” so getting them isn’t totally out of the question, but it would definitely draw way too much attention.
Dragons are reportedly scattered all over the world, not just in the mountains east of the Dukedom. I’d like to travel and harvest them eventually. (I wonder how long it’ll be before I can actually win a fistfight against one…)
With Alchemy Skills, I get the basic recipes—meaning I know the ingredients and the process. The recipes I can use depend on my Skill Level, and since mine is maxed, I know every basic recipe there is. As long as I have the materials, I can make almost anything.
On the other hand, complex products like cosmetics don’t have clear-cut recipes. Even with potions, if I want to change the flavor, I have to use trial and error. Since Aya is apprenticing under a pro, she can probably learn those nuances from her master.
I could figure it out if I used my Appraisal Skill³, but that feels like technical theft, so I try to avoid it.
Besides, once you get past the sixteenth floor, you hardly ever run into other adventurers, so I haven’t had much use for potions lately. Maybe I should give some to Gale’s party of four? Or maybe they don’t need them since Meta is with them?
* * *
Along with alchemy, Blacksmithing⁴ is a staple of fantasy worlds, but I haven’t learned it yet. The main reason was the lack of equipment; I was living in inns or rented houses until recently.
Now that I’ve bought a place with a big yard, I could probably build a forge using magic, but I’m not exactly hurting for gear. Ralph, the dwarf blacksmith Mercedes introduced me to, is top-tier. He can even craft magic swords to an extent. Even when I hit A-Rank or S-Rank, the gear he makes should be more than enough.
However, if I get so strong that magic or holy swords become “consumables” that I break every other fight, I’ll have no choice but to make my own. I should probably pick up Blacksmithing eventually.
* * *
The Alchemist Aya is apprenticing under has a shop where you can buy potions and such. Not all Alchemists do this; some only wholesale to larger stores.
Elmer—the guy who briefly took in Ilse—runs a shop that handles consignment sales for those types of craftsmen.
Aya’s shop is tucked away in a back alley off the main street. It isn’t deserted, but it’s quiet. It has a “calm” atmosphere, you could say. Camilla wanted to come along, but since I have an appointment with Regina later, I asked her to stay home.
”Hello?” I called out.
”Welcome… wait, Daisuke-san?” Aya asked.
”Hey, Aya. It’s been a while.”
”It really has,” Aya replied.
We haven’t met in a while, but her attitude was as stiff as ever. (I guess my Favorability⁵ isn’t high enough yet.) As Aya bowed her head, I couldn’t help but notice she was as flat as a washboard. (…Hang in there, girl.)
It looked like Aya was the only one there watching the shop. I wondered if her master was out.
”Are you looking for something today?” Aya asked.
”Yeah, something like that. Do you have any B-Rank potions?”
”Yes. Please wait a moment,” Aya said.
She disappeared into the back. B-Rank potions are pretty expensive, so they probably don’t keep them on the storefront. Her polite but cold service reminded me of Dietlinde.
Of course, I didn’t actually need the potion, but it would look suspicious if I just showed up for no reason. (This is probably just going to rot in my Item Box…)
”Sorry to keep you waiting. Here you go,” Aya said.
”Thanks.”
Now that I’d bought the “excuse” potion, I tried to start some small talk. Luckily, there were no other customers.
”You doing okay, Aya? Getting the hang of alchemy?”
”Yes, I’m doing well, thank you. My training is progressing smoothly so far,” Aya replied.
”I see. So, what’s your master like?”
”My master is a gnome, and, how should I put this…” Aya trailed off.
She looked like the words were stuck in her throat. (Do they not get along?)
”Sorry, if it’s hard to talk about, you don’t have to,” I said.
”It’s not that… It’s just that he’s got… wandering hands. He’s a difficult person, but his skills are the real deal. I respect him for that,” Aya explained.
”Huh. Wandering hands, you say?”
(Is he the kind of old man who pilfers change, or something worse? That’s definitely an awkward thing to bring up. I feel like I asked something I shouldn’t have.)
”Aya, the master’s calling for you! …Wait, Daisuke?”
”Oh, Magda?” I asked.
The person who walked out from the back was Magda, a former member of the Mirage Party that Meta used to be in. She was a short gnome woman, and I’d heard she was going to apprentice under an Alchemy Master after our last job. I didn’t realize it was the same one Aya was with.
”You’re apprenticing here too?” I asked.
”I am! This master is one of the best in the country. But I didn’t know you were friends with Aya. Well, I guess it makes sense since you’re both Transferees,” Magda said.
”Daisuke-san, you knew Magda?” Aya asked.
”Yeah, we worked a request together recently.”
”I see. Was Magda actually working, or just slacking off?” Aya asked.
”Probably working… I think,” I said.
”Hey! I do my job properly!” Magda shouted.
”Don’t you spend half your time tripping out on your own delusions?” Aya asked.
”That is a necessary ritual to maintain my motivation!” Magda replied.
”Good grief…” Aya sighed.
Aya and Magda seemed to be on good terms. Aya looked exasperated, but she didn’t seem to actually dislike her.
”So, what are you here to buy?” Magda asked.
”A potion, and I was hoping to find something interesting.”
”I already gave him the potion, Magda,” Aya said.
”Something interesting? Well, I heard a Rejuvenation Potion was found in the dungeon recently, but obviously we don’t have anything like that here,” Magda said.
”No, no, I’m not looking for that. I’m still young,” I said.
(I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by it, but I get a little twitchy whenever the stuff I’ve made comes up in conversation.)
”Hmm. Well then, how about an aphrodisiac? You’ve got other lovers besides Meta, don’t you?” Magda asked.
”I’m good on that front, too. Thanks for the offer, though,” I said.
”Ho ho, so your stamina is legendary, is it? Hehehe, night after night with Meta, doing this and that…” Magda teased.
”L-Legendary…?” Aya stammered.
Magda was lost in her own little world, while Aya stood there, speechless and blushing. She wasn’t so innocent that she’d have a total meltdown, but she clearly didn’t have much experience in that department.
”Heh-heh… Guffaw!“
”Eek!” Aya shrieked.
I was about to call out to Magda to snap her out of it when both of them suddenly jumped. What the hell?
”Master! Stop the sexual harassment!” Aya yelled.
”Yeah! I was just getting to the good part! You ruined it!” Magda shouted.
”Ho-ho! You two are certainly energetic today,” a voice said.
I hadn’t seen him because he was hidden in their shadows, but it turned out the master was there the whole time. Just like Aya said, he was a small gnome old man with a bushy beard and eyebrows.
It looked like he’d just pinched both of their butts. Aya was bright red and furious, but Magda’s complaint was… a bit weird. You’re okay with the groping, but mad about the timing? (Maybe the sense of “sexual harassment” is just different in this world.)
”Sigh… So, what do you want, Master?” Aya asked.
”Magda didn’t come back after I sent her to get you, so I just came myself,” the master said.
”Ah, right. Sorry, Master,” Magda said.
”It’s fine, it’s fine. I got a little show out of it. Though, I’d prefer if Aya had a bit more meat on her bones,” the master added.
”Master! Honestly!” Aya cried.
It’s true, Aya is pretty skinny. I felt bad for her, but for some reason, the grinning old man was hard to hate. He reminded me of a certain “Great Sage” in sunglasses from back home.
”By the way, young man, are you a friend of Aya’s? An adventurer?” the master asked.
”Yeah, we’re from the same place. I’m a B-Rank adventurer,” I said.
”I thought so,” the master replied.
The master—well, he’s not my master—looked like he was deep in thought for a second. (A request?)
”Since you’re a B-Rank, can I ask you to fetch some materials? The Martial Arts Tournament is coming up, and the demand for potions is skyrocketing,” the master said.
”I don’t usually take private requests like that…” I said.
Normally, adventurers turn monster materials into the Guild. Dealing directly with shops isn’t common. I only do it occasionally for people like Elmer or Ralph. The Guild will look the other way for small stuff, but if you do it too much, they’ll start breathing down your neck.
”I know that, but I can’t secure enough materials through the usual channels. Besides, the commission fees at the Guild have been getting ridiculous lately,” the master explained.
”Is that so?” I asked.
”Aye. It seems some strange receptionist has been setting the fees sky-high, and for some reason, they’re just being pushed through. It’s a real pain in the neck,” the master complained.
Dietlinde would never do something like that, so it’s not her. I had a feeling I knew who it might be, but since I didn’t have proof, I kept my mouth shut.
”If that’s how it is, fine. I’ll do what I can,” I said.
”Oh! That’s a huge help! By the way, what’s your name?” the master asked.
”I’m Daisuke. And you?”
”The name’s Clemens. Glad to have you on board,” Clemens said.
We shook hands, and the deal was made. It was just a verbal agreement, but I figured it would be fine. He seemed like he’d at least do his job properly.
—
Summary:
Daisuke visits Aya’s alchemy shop after a long delay and discovers Magda is also apprenticing there under a master named Clemens.
The group engages in crude banter regarding alchemy and sexual prowess until the master himself appears and gropes the apprentices. Daisuke agrees to bypass the guild to provide materials directly to Clemens due to suspicious fee inflation within the Guild
—
Trivia:
- The mention of citric acid being used for cleaning but being unnecessary due to the magic water system
- Daisuke’s internal comparison of Clemens to a sunglasses-wearing sage (Master Roshi reference)
- The specific detail about ‘Auctions’ being the source of rare materials like dragon organs
- The fact that Daisuke avoids using Appraisal on others’ work to prevent ‘technical theft
—
Character Insight:
Aya maintains a professional distance but shows genuine annoyance toward her master’s behavior, while Magda uses her vivid imagination as a specific motivational tool for her work.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Dietlinde – Slender sheep-beastwoman with fluffy white curls, tiny spiraling horns, and subtle ears, wears crisp Adventurer’s Guild receptionist uniform and low heels in Maultasche Royal Capital. Cool-headed and professionally competent, she wields Water Magic and hides a surprising sweet tooth—recently charmed by Daisuke’s Fatigue Recovery Set and sweets, her stoic demeanor softens into quiet care, drawn to his recovery magic, calming scents, and gentle gestures, nurturing secret affection and dreams of cosmetics.
• Aya – A slender, long‑haired, flat‑chested woman in simple, armor‑free attire, she is a serious alchemist apprentice training under a gnome master in a quiet back‑alley shop. Former pharmacist and Working Women/Leemans Party member who handles store‑location data, she appears in the protagonist’s delusions as his lover.
• Manami – Leemans, an around-thirty former Earth adventurer and ex–Working Women Party member, now runs a cat café with elegant poise; though retired, her sharp eyes and cool demeanor betray her disciplined past. She appears younger than her years, radiating a proactive yet gentle presence, bonding deeply with former party allies and regular patrons alike while tending to her cats with quiet grace—her transformation from warrior to caregiver complete, yet never forgotten.
• Rei – 155 cm Earth‑born adventurer with twin‑tails, thick chest armor and a bright, high‑energy aura. Reincarnated corporate veteran who runs Maid Café Rei Shop No. 1, leads “Yamato Nadeshiko”, and wields Rainbow Raiment. Cheerful, proactive, loves cosplay—especially sailor uniforms—acts as a dominant yet nurturing older‑sister figure, close advisor to the protagonist and intimate with Daisuke.
• Regina – Late‑twenties Onee‑san with blue‑purple hair, green eyes, marine‑blue thigh‑split dress, thigh‑high socks, and a large‑breasted, top‑tier figure. She runs Daydream (BSS), mentors Nora and Rita, is a respected senior Beastman and elite courtesan famed for her Masterpiece body. Insecure about her age, she’s targeted by the protagonist’s revenge and hopes to retire with Daisuke, offering a gentle, maternal smile.
• Meta – A 160 cm tall, curvy human priestess in her mid‑20s with straight blonde hair and a warm pink aura. Once a man‑hating duchess, she now loves Daisuke, her fellow adventurer, and radiates devotion. She plays the cute, loyal hostage to Moritz, plans to move into his house, and shares intimate knowledge of Daisuke’s preferences.
• Mercedes – Mercedes (Mel), a brown‑haired noblewoman and Home Secretary of Maultasche, is a highly‑leveled knight called the “Disappointing Beauty” in a white frilled gown. She travels with Daisuke as his intel‑snacking companion, is energetic, has a massive sweet tooth and worries about her weight, fears Vice‑Captain Cassandra, despises goblins, sees dungeons as divine trials, loves sweets, seeks a Reincarnator boyfriend, and is the devoted mother of Patrizia, once a proxy for Cassandra.
• Ralph – Ralph-san, a dwarf blacksmith and shop owner, runs his workshop with pride, values rest days, and holds the rank of Captain. He is Milliam’s father and Miryam’s employer/associate.
• Elmer – Portly merchant in his 40s, owner of a Royal Capital shop with an Intuition Skill who travels frequently for trade. He employs slaves for labor, serves as Daisuke’s master and grants permission for Ilse’s rewards. Also a Benemünde guild merchant, formerly Ilse’s owner, now her current master; he is friendly, observant, and maintains a sunny disposition.
• Ilse – A 17-year-old tiger-kin archer with a petite, boyish frame, medium-short gold-and-black hair, pointed ears, and a thick, expressive tail that wags when happy. Former bandit turned loyal party member at level 18, she was taken in by Daisuke and now works for the Beunemünde Merchant Guild. Energetic, cheeky, and stubborn, she teases Daisuke like a close guy-friend, flirts for sweets, and mixes sharp common sense with perverted humor—hates fighting Sheep, loves candy, and possesses Faint Resistance and Mind skill. Unwaveringly devoted, her antics mask deep loyalty and a heart that beats for her found family.
• Camilla – Fourteen‑year‑old fox‑beastkin, ~140 cm, thin, brown short hair, fluffy tail that thumps when excited, ears twitch when nervous, slave‑marked ear, simple accessories. Illusionist/fire mage, slave porter for Gerta. Deeply attached to Daisuke as lover, craving his scent, headpats and approval; clingy, attaches to his arm, melts at his touch, helps chores, stands up to Yumiko, rescued from duel. Camilla is Daisuke’s lover and slave, noted for clinginess.
• Daisuke – Mid‑40s Japanese reincarnate with a youthful green‑god‑blessed face, short hair, lean build under 170 cm, in modest armor wielding a one‑handed sword and buckler. Gale Party leader, B‑Rank adventurer, high DEX, Sense Malice, Onanist class, alchemy & healing magic; hides dragon‑slaying feats. Mentors a polyamorous harem (Ines, Regina, Dietlinde, Cassandra, Rin, Meta, Camilla, Clarissa) while balancing dungeon quests, power‑leveling and tender post‑mission care.
• Magda – A petite green‑skinned gnome in a patched alchemist’s coat, former Mirage Party member and current alchemy apprentice. She once travels with Daisuke, sharing his penchant for vivid, often lewd delusions that fuel her ambitions.
• Rin – Tall, long‑black‑haired B‑rank adventurer with massive breasts and a stoic, blunt demeanor. Cool‑beauty façade hides a passionate heart; she’s a brilliant drafter and ice‑magic healer, keenly sensitive to slave abuse. Leader of Yamato Nadeshiko, she dominates Daisuke’s group, shields rescued beast‑man Camilla fiercely, visits weekly, and subtly flirts with Daisuke via chopstick exchanges, planning a home visit.
• Clemens – An elderly gnome man with a bushy beard and eyebrows who is a master Alchemist. Known for having wandering hands and a penchant for groping his apprentices, he is nevertheless highly respected for his top-tier crafting skills.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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