Chapter 8: The Guild Reference Room
“You’re an apprentice. Can you read?”
Upon entering the reference room, Ren was greeted by a low, rough voice. The speaker was sitting by the window, so backlit by the sunlight that his face was hard to see—but he seemed to be an older man.
When Ren nodded, the man pointed to a corner of the room.
On a sunlit shelf, a board labeled “Basic Medicinal Herb Collection Chart” was posted. Beneath it were several identical boards stacked neatly.
When Ren pulled one out, dried plants were attached to it.
1. Heal Grass (Healing Herb)
[Description] A common three-leaf plant with serrated edges that grows everywhere.
[Locations] Plains, roadsides.
Guild Notice:
A basic ingredient for healing medicine—one of the fundamentals for adventurers. Be careful not to confuse it with “Bitter Grass,” which looks similar; applying it to wounds will cause intense itching. The real one has white veins on the underside of its leaves. Standard etiquette is to pluck only the leaves, not the roots.
2. Mana Berry Leaf
[Description] A round leaf covered in fine fuzz.
[Locations] Forest entrances, sunny thickets.
Guild Notice:
It bears sweet fruit in spring, but apprentices are tasked only with collecting the leaves. When dried and brewed as tea, it helps restore magic energy. Don’t get greedy thinking, “I can get better ones deeper in the forest.” The area near the entrance is more than enough.
3. Sleepy Poppy
[Description] Purple petals with a distinctive sweet fragrance.
[Locations] Breezy hilltops.
Guild Notice:
Used as a base for painkillers and sleeping medicine. If you gather too many, the scent may make you drowsy as well. Take regular breaks during collection and wash your face often. Falling asleep and getting attacked by monsters is not something to laugh about.
4. Blue Slime Moss
[Description] Bright green moss clinging to wet rocks.
[Locations] Riverbanks, marshy areas.
Guild Notice:
Used in fever-reducing medicine. It grows in slippery places, making falls the most common accident among collectors. Always work in pairs—one person should hold onto the other’s clothing for support. Clean off mud thoroughly before submitting.
5. Poison-Clearing Herb
[Description] Red-stemmed plant with small white flowers clustered like an umbrella.
[Locations] Well-drained grasslands, rocky gaps.
Guild Notice:
A primary ingredient for mild antidotes. Be sure to select plants with red stems. A similar variant without red stems is just a common weed. Just because it can detox poison doesn’t mean you should eat poison mushrooms and chase them with this herb—prevention is more important than cure.
6. Frosted Glass Leaf
[Description] Rough-textured leaves that sound like sand when touched.
[Locations] Damp forest edges.
Guild Notice:
Used for treating toxins from creatures like venom lizards. The leaves are extremely tough, so wear thick leather gloves when collecting. Many apprentices injure their fingers every year by trying to tear them with bare hands.
7. Smell Herb (Repellent Herb)
[Description] Long leaves with a sharp, pungent odor.
[Locations] Wastelands, shaded riverbanks.
Guild Notice:
Produces a scent that monsters with sharp noses, such as goblins, dislike. It is essential for camping—used in campfires or placed beside sleeping areas. However, it is only a deterrent, not a monster killer. Don’t let your guard down just because you have it.
8. Silver Bell Grass
[Description] Small blue flowers shaped like bells that make a faint chime when shaken.
[Locations] Slightly elevated hills, windy paths.
Guild Notice:
Contains purified magic that undead creatures dislike. When carried in a small pouch around the neck, it slightly eases work in graveyards. If the sound stops, that means its effect has ended. Leave immediately and return to town.
Medicinal Herb & Material Price List (Apprentice/Beginner)
Prices are for one bundle (approx. 10 pieces) in properly dried or processed condition. Poor-quality materials will be bought at half price or rejected.
- Heal Grass: 10G
- Mana Berry Leaf: 15G
- Sleepy Poppy: 25G
- Blue Slime Moss: 12G
- Poison-Clearing Herb: 30G
- Frosted Glass Leaf: 20G
- Smell Herb: 18G
- Silver Bell Grass: 50G
“Wow… there’s so much written here!”
Excited, Ren studied the herb reference board again and again. Since he hadn’t brought anything to take notes with, he decided he would memorize at least the characteristics of the herbs.