#Saw that at the apothecary when getting my meds today

[helshollowhalls]

Warmies® Fledermaus Wärmestofftier mit Hirsekern-Lavendel Füllung

[EN: Warmies® Bat Warming Cushion, filled with millet and lavender]

heatable in microwave or oven ¦ filling not removable ¦ not washable ¦ height circa 25 cm ¦ weight circa 520g

[joaniscruzing]

echoes in the elixirs

WOOHOOOO yay this fic is finally done! i had so much fun writing this! thank you to everyone who supported the last fic i did, i was so happy to see so much interest! special shoutout to @joj0-thesimp for requesting and proofreading beforehand! per usual, requests are ALWAYS welcome! I write for jinx, vi and caitlyn, and do take smut requests.

also, i did my research on the herbs. a good amount of people predict that Jinx struggles with schizophrenia, which its symptoms can be alleviated with ginkgo. please let me know if my research is wrong, that way i can fix this :)

summary: jinx, looking rather off, enters your apothecary, to which you take care of her for the night.

warnings: mention of jinx's mental health issues, mention of seizures, lots of fluff, herbs are basically meds for jinx, jinx needs a hug, one-bed trope, cuddling

“Have a great day!” you called as you gave your product to your client. In the Undercity, every day in the apothecary was quite a busy one. Hundreds of people would file in every day, as they would trade in for your elixirs and remedies that would cure their pain and suffering, even if it was just for a while. The atmosphere was always loud and bustling, making you struggle to keep up.

However, when Jinx would arrive in your shop, things would usually calm down for the amount of time she was there. Business would slow down, and it was usually just you and her alone in the store. Or maybe it wasn’t, and you were just so enamored by Jinx to even notice. Either way, Jinx was your one time to stop and take a breather during the day, which was ironic, considering her electrifying, energetic presence. 

“So, do you have my order, sugar?” Jinx would ask when she would enter.

“Sure do! Right here,” you’d always answer. However, today, there was something different. Jinx seemed like there was some sort of hole inside her. She hadn’t shown up for a while, since Silco had died, Piltover had been attacked, and she had had to hide to stay alive.

Today, however, she entered the store, a hood over her head, and her head low. Not to your surprise, instead of greeting you with those words, she browsed the store first, looking around, and generally not communicating with anyone. Understandable. However, you saw she was shaking as if winter’s frost had bitten her, and she had been without a coat. Trying not to overthink it too much, you went on with your business, packing up and giving your orders and occasionally convincing customers to buy more. When your final order was given, you left your table to check up on Jinx.

“Hey Jinx, are you okay?”

She seemed startled by your words, as if she didn’t expect you to come up to her and ask her that. She immediately tried to leave the store, ultimately avoiding your question.

“Jinx!” you called after her, grabbing her arm. “Do you need anything?”

“Yeah,” Jinx admitted, choked up in tone, “I need a shit ton of ginkgo biloba. More than you usually give.” Your stomach drops. Fortunately, now you know exactly what’s going on, and what you can do to help her.

“Is it getting worse?” you ask, turning Jinx around, and holding her shoulder. Her face was all you needed as an answer. Tear streaks lined her face, black and mixed up with her makeup. Her fingernails were unpainted and outlined with her blood from picking at the skin around it so much. The only distinct features that stayed were her two long braids, still hanging off her head and cascading past her waist to her ankles.

“With Silco dead, I just… don’t feel important anymore. They’re getting louder. I can’t sleep, or work, or do anything, I-” Jinx divulges, her head in her hands. You remove her hands from her face and replace them with your own.

“Jinx, do you need to stay here tonight? I can make you some food, and make you a nice tea with the ginkgo, as well as some lavender to calm you down. Whatever you need.”

“How much ginkgo?”

“The usual dosage I give you. Any more could make things a lot worse. Plus, the lavender will calm you down, help you sleep.”

“How much worse? Like what, I pass out for a week or something?”

“Jinx, have you ever heard of a seizure?”

“Oh. I guess I could stay the night. It’s not like I have anything better to do at home or anything.” With that, you closed up your shop, locking the doors, and covering the windows, that way no one knew you were secretly housing Piltover’s most wanted criminal.

You took the time to make Jinx a nice meal, as you knew she already didn’t eat enough, let alone whatever her eating habits were during this tough time of hers. As the meal cooked, you also ground up some lavender and ginkgo, which you then put into a bag in order to prepare her tea. After that, you left the kitchen in the back of your shop real quick to check on Jinx.

“Shut up! She wants to help me, I know it!” you heard her shouting, pacing around the room. Before you knew what you were doing, you ran up to her and hugged her as tightly as you could, making sure she knew that you did care. You heard her breathing slow down, and her body unwind as her tense state left her.

“You good, Jinx?” you asked. She pulled away to look at you, surprised.

“Why do you even care this much?”

“Look, you’ve told me a few things about yourself here and there. And it sucks. Other than the herbs I know you need to calm down, I know you need to be taken care of right now. You need someone to be there for you. And I want to be there for you right now.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re nice to be around.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re funny, and caring, and innovative, and your presence always brightens my day.” With this, Jinx’s round, purple eyes widen.

“I brighten your day?”

“Yes, Jinx. You brighten my day. I look forward to seeing you on the days you’re to come pick up your herbs just so I can see you, even if it’s for a few minutes. Jinx, everyone here is so down to business, and you’re the one who always lingers. Well, sometimes. Other times you were afraid of getting caught for sneaking out, so you were in and out.”

Jinx hugs you this time, burying her face in your chest.

“You’re a good person, don’t ever forget that,” Jinx discloses, tightening her grip.

“Okay, hate to let you go, but I do need to check in on the food and tea.” Jinx holds on as you struggle your way to the kitchen, making sure the food didn’t burn during the moment between the two of you. Luckily, everything was ready, and in about five minutes, dinner had been served for you both. Jinx’s tea helped her greatly, calming her down. The sense of calmness in her eyes brought relief to yours, as you were glad to know that Jinx’s head would slow down for a bit. She was also happy to eat the meal you cooked, which, per your prediction, was the first proper meal she had had in a very long time. After your scrumptious meal, you both prepared for bed. However, there was one small kink in the works of your plan to take care of Jinx; there was only one bed.

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” you assured, “I can sleep on the floor.”

“Are you sure? I can sleep there too,” Jinx replied. You put your foot down though, insisting that she needed a proper sleep. It truly didn’t worry you at all. You began to lay down on the ground, preparing for your sleep. Just as you were about to close your eyes, you heard Jinx’s voice from the corner.

“Could you maybe sleep in the bed with me?”

“Yeah, is everything okay?”

“I just, haven’t slept in a new place that wasn’t where I was holed up in for a long time. Plus, you’re comforting to be around.” You get up, pillows and blankets in your arms, and settle into the bed with Jinx. She clutches onto your waist, her legs wrapping around yours. It takes every fiber in you to not turn around and spoon Jinx right there and then. However, your bountiful dinner, Jinx’s tea, and the calming atmosphere put both of you right to sleep.

so. i originally was going to make this some sort of a love story, but i felt like i couldn't considering jinx's mental state in this fic. shall i draft a part 2/ time jump where they get together?

taglist: @ananas26t @stupendousbananasharkcop @sarcasm-is-my-form-of-attack @t-wylia @emiliaisdead @ihatethis222 @west-c0ast-00 @shootingc @iliterallyhavenoideawhattosay @sweetstarfalls @klerns-birdie

(btw, this is the largest taglist i've had per explicit requests. thank yall so much for supporting <3)

[osmw1]

Poison-Wielding Fugitive   Chapter 15

“I’m actually more worried about you and your store, seeing how you buy poisonous herbs at such a high price.”

I answered Arleaf’s dad while changing the topic.

“Well, obviously, it’s ‘cause this sorta medicine is a local specialty of our village. Oh, yeah, and don’t you go entering our fields either. I won’t forgive you if you do that.”

This village grows some questionable herbs… According to Arleaf, it’s some sort of ingredient for anesthesia, but let’s not get too deep into that subject.

‘Hmm? That field? The herbs I saw growing there were not poisonous ones but a kind that is very effective as an antidote.’

Doubts of Veno’s knowledge on medicinal herbs pass through my mind, but it’s likely to be some other field.

“… is that right?” “It’s just that I post requests for adventurers for the stuff that grows in places a li’l dangerous.”

I don’t really want to know too much about this topic. Well, with three days and the help of a map, I’ve got a pretty good grasp of the villages and the area around here. I wonder if I’m running around a little too carelessly. Actually, I wonder if why Arleaf’s dad is being so hospitable to me is because I’m a regular customer. Or maybe it’s because I seem like I’m also fond of dangerous meds.

“Aren’t you actually here to stock up? I know some guys who can help you out.”

Ugh. Totally suspicious. I don’t wanna delve into anything too shady. I hope Arleaf’s alright. It sucks how she has to go peddle such dangerous medicine when she’s got such a cute face.

‘They do say that every rose has its thorn.’

Veno, if you could, I’d like you to disagree.

‘Is it not quite the cliché for a hero to fall into such trickery? Humans are but foolish beings after all.’

It’s not that I don’t get you, but I’d like for you to think of Arleaf as just beautiful. Anyway, I’ll reject her dad’s proposition.

“I don’t really need to, no. I’m just here to complete whatever quest that’s convenient for me.” “You’re downright cold. You know, if you get wrapped up in our business a little more, you can learn what’s behind that beautiful face of hers.” “Aren’t you treating your daughter like some kind of public hazard? What’s really going on with her?” “Can’t tell secrets. Heh heh heh heh.”

With that, I take my pay as is routine by now, and leave the apothecary.

From this point… I head to the tavern to enjoy a late lunch. As I entered the place, the owner of the tavern was just placing a new bounty list on the wall. I’d like to go bounty hunting too. It’s pretty good money if you have proof of the work you did.

It really gets your blood pumping, like fighting a boss. But right now, my priority is to get stronger. It would be foolish for me to plunge myself into something that dangerous. But like Veno says, even sighting a wanted person is important information, so I should keep an eye out. With a tankard in one hand, I scan over the bounty list.

“Hmm? Ah, aren’t you… Cohgray of the Swamps?”

What, am I famous already? Did the proprietress of the inn talk about me? But rather, Cohgray of the Swamps…

“What is Cohgray of the Swamps?” “Ah, you’ve been going to the swamp ever since you’ve arrived here, haven’t you? Because you’re Cohray and you go to the swamp every day, you’re Cohgray of the Swamps.”

That’s an awful nickname. You couldn’t have picked anything cooler for me? I mean, in fantasy or superhero settings, the characters always have some sort of nickname. So maybe it’s normal for a nickname to come from something so simple.

“…” “Hey, don’t worry about it. Being famous is good. Work gets easier too. Since you’re so familiar with the ins and outs of the swamp, you might get invited by other people to guide them.”

Huh? You mean it might be possible for me to make friends with other adventurers and to be invited for things? That gets me kinda excited. I guess it’s fine, but I’m also interested in what the owner of the tavern posted just now.

“Is that a new bounty list?” “That’s right. They’ve sent this one as a special delivery even to a village like this. Probably means that their country is desperate.”

I had to restrain myself from yelling out after reading what it said.

Human metamorphosed from a dragon, 30,000,000 lag reward Engaged in battle with the joint forces of crusaders from Saint Yggdra and a dragonslayer on the △th day of the ○th month. Be wary of its ability to breathe flames like hellfire and to call down thunder. It is believed to be a Fire Dragon or Thunder Dragon. The dragonslayer weakened the dragon by placing a curse on the dragon to transform it into human. Right as the dragonslayer was about to finish it off, the dragon used cunning magics to flee. This dragon is hiding in the form of a human, aiming to recover strength, and extremely dangerous. We request neighboring nations to aid in the suppression of this dragon. The dragonslayer is in hot pursuit. We wish for any helpful information regarding this matter!

There’s no facial composite or description about appearance on the wanted poster. But judging by the traits and skills, that’s got to be Veno. Funnily enough, they called their own Forced Possession Summoning a curse.

‘It is natural for humans to falsify things so that it sounds better, is it not?’ “A dragon that dangerous is hiding in one of the countries next door, eh? Even then… that reward would really strain the coffers. An eager adventurer looking to get rich quick would go searching for this, eh? Too bad he’s not here.”

For some reason, the owner exasperatedly grumbled.

‘I cannot believe they released a wanted bulletin in a mere three days. You ought to be real careful of this, aye?’

With the reward being a whole 30 million lag, isn’t that actually a monumental amount? Arms and armor are expensive, but even then, it doesn’t cost that much. Killing a dragon weakened and in the form a human pays 30 million… any adventurer blinded by greed will definitely get wind of this and come looking.

… yikes. They still don’t know what kind of dragon Veno is exactly, but if they knew that he’s a Poison Dragon, they might suspect me, a Poison-Wielder. We’ve got to try our best to peacefully and quietly release this spell.

‘It is possible that they could have magic that can detect our whereabouts. You ought to tread forward carefully.’

Whose fault do you think it is that I’m in this predicament? is what I wanted to say, but I guess it’s not entirely Veno’s fault. We’re the victims here, having been forcefully brought together by those bastards. Because of all that, I was feeling pretty anxious. I played it cool, finished my meal, and headed back to the inn.

Back at the inn, I look around in my room. It’s my fourth day in this alternate world… for some reason, coming back to this room already calms me down. It’s beginning to feel like my home. Do people usually get this attached just by staying for a few nights? When I look over at my mixing machine in the corner, I really do mistake this room as my own. Even though I keep telling myself to be ready to escape at any given moment… well, no point in kicking myself over it. I check my status to see what I’ve accomplished with the past three days.

Kogure Yukihisa Poison-Wielder Level 17 Acquired skills: Spirit Link, Poison Absorption, Poison Release, Synthesize Poison, Detect Poison, Poison Enchantment, Hunting Sense, Hunting Mastery I, Aiming Shot, Trap Mastery I, Call Fungus

No other skills were added from what I remember. However, there are more poisons I can make by Synthesize Poison.

Like Moderate Paralysis and Moderate Anesthesia. That, and also Weak Acid, Weak Silencing Poison, and Weak Hallucinogen. By applying the poison to my bolts with Poison Enchantment, I know that Paralysis and Hallucinogen have an effect. Paralysis is as the name suggests, it numbs my target. It makes them sluggish, numb, and prevents them from moving. It takes some time for the poison to kick in and it doesn’t change with condensed poison either.

The other one is the hallucinogen. It kicks in almost immediately, making the target dizzy and hallucinate. The hallucination scares them and—depending on the monster—causes them to run away or go berserk. Veno thinks it’s stupid ‘cause you can’t tailor it to do anything specifically.

Besides balls of poison, I can also make poisonous mist with Poison Release now. If I release it upwind, it should spread pretty far, but I have yet to test it out. It’d be dangerous if I carelessly use it though; it might even spread to the village.

Right now, I’ve been meaning to try out my Weak Mollifying Poison. It softens up the hide or scales of a monster’s protective layer. Unfortunately, as it is, it doesn’t do anything even if you dump it right on them. Furthermore, it doesn’t cope well with heat. One of its weak points is that it disappears once it heats up. I don’t have enough levels to condense it either, so it seems like it’s out of my reach at the moment. While it doesn’t take all that much time to create, I made quite a bit of it, so I gathered it in a bucket. I took some of the inedibly tough meat that they sell here in this village and marinated it for a bit in this mollifying poison. I plan to borrow the inn’s kitchen tonight for this experiment in poisoned steak grilling.

Putting all this poison talk behind us, I’ve gained the skill Hunting Mastery. Thanks to Veno and his advice, I earned this skill by practicing with my crossbow. Well, I’m pretty familiar with how the crossbow works now as well. Maybe because of that, I also have Aiming Shot… I focus on aiming and the bolt strikes with a little more power. This definitely seems like an active skill.

This skill uses a bit of mana. I thought a good way to fight a monster would be to dig a hole in the swamp, trap it, and kill. When I tried that out, I gained Trap Mastery. Did I try that out today? Once the poison kicks in, they quickly die. The condensed poison made with Poison Release seems to work well enough.

Ah, obviously, I haven’t poisoned any human beings yet. Actually, I’ve been fighting monsters deep in the swamp upfront and it was kinda tough. I retreated many times thanks to Veno warning me. Some monsters don’t care about the pools of poison and they charge straight in for me. I don’t think I’d be able to fight ones that can shoot me with magic. I still don’t feel like I’ve fully mastered the crossbow.

That’s why I use traps to fight. Just in case I need them, I tend to store up my spoils with storage magic… but Veno almost always deliciously feasts on them. I’ve still got a lot to work on, but it’s going pretty well, eh? As well, I tried theorizing the difference between Masteries and poison creation. You can practice your Masteries but I can create poisons without practice. This is the difference between something gained from training and something that’s inborn. Veno had said before: no matter how hard a snake works, a venomous bite is not something that can be learned. Since it’s something I’m inherently capable of, it has nothing to do with hard work. It’s likely something to do with me being a Poison-Wielder that I can wield poison. Not only is it convenient, it’s nothing to scoff at either.

‘Surprisingly, you have grown accustomed to it.’

Well, yeah. I was originally a basic code monkey. I thought I’d hate a job as physically demanding as an adventurer. I didn’t think I’d be as good as I am. With that said though, there are still many monsters that are above me and levelling in the dungeon and fighting monsters there seems tough. Not only because of that, I also have people hunting me down, so I want to get stronger… I realize that it’s considerably difficult fighting alone.

Veno’s protection has helped me out a lot, but when I encounter a bunch of monsters together, I still have to withdraw. A real-life example would be the pack of Zombie Dogs. My poison ineffective against them, so I had no hope of beating them head-on. I’m not strong; there are limits to what I can do alone. Even with me power levelling, it’s rough to fight in the pools of poison.

Hmm… it might be dangerous, but should I be a little braver and join a party? They even call me Cohgray of the Swamps. It shouldn’t be weird for me to find some adventuring buddies, fight monsters in the area, and to take a tiny share of the experience. It’s just that I’m 26 years old and I somehow feel like I should be an experienced adventure already. I worry that others will refuse to join me because of that.

Arleaf’s dad is probably… I dare say, in his thirties. And he’s got a daughter that old already. I’m afraid marriageable age here is different than the one in Japan. I don’t think I look that old, but… well, whatever. I think I’ll head to the swamp after a quick rest. Since I’m going to the swamp again today, I suddenly I realized that I have to dry my robe in the shade.

“There’s mold on it… what’s worse, there’s even mushrooms growing…”

I didn’t realize that there were mushrooms with red caps growing on the lining of my robe! It’s only been three days since I got it from Veno! I didn’t think it’d grow mold that quickly. It’s a huge shock to me, but… that can only mean that I’m filthy.

‘It is because you do not often air it out, is it not?’

I know. It’s because I jump into swamp water so much and hanging it out to dry is a pain. I’m also often in a damp place. It doesn’t matter how much of a Poison-Wielder I am, my clothes won’t be resistant to poison too, eh?

previously: /ch001/ /ch002/ /ch003/ /ch004/ /ch005/ /ch006/ /ch007/ /ch008/ /ch009/ /ch010/ /ch011/ /ch012/ /ch013/ /ch014/ /next/ (full list of translated chapters) (discussion thread) (support Average Translations on Patreon or Paypal)