The Fallen Dumbass

Galan pondered to himself, developing a considerable interest in his fellow traveler.

Since this guy was able to save someone who was practically on the verge of death, it means he definitely has something special about him. The potion's effects are probably no less than the one I made with Purple Moon Dragon Grass before...

As expected of [Äußerst], I really want to meet Apothecary of this caliber.

However, seeing the persistent flow of people in the store, he figured he wouldn't have a chance to go in anytime soon, so he decided to try his luck again later.

"Fitz! All the potions I prepared for the shop yesterday are sold out. Can you make another batch today? Many people have already pre-ordered the next batch of finished products from me."

A well-dressed, middle-aged man with a large belly and gold-rimmed glasses walked into the inner room of the shop, pushed open a door, and looked at the young man who was fast asleep amidst a pile of alchemy equipment, asking,

Although the boy's hair was extremely messy, like a steel wool ball, his face beneath the thick strands was very handsome, and he looked to be no more than twenty years old.

I thought he was just taking a short nap on the ground and that my shout would wake him up.

After a long while, the middle-aged man was still standing in the same spot, and the boy was still lying on the ground. A subtle atmosphere filled the air, along with discordant snoring. His question seemed to have sunk without a trace, and he received no answer.

The boy seemed to be fast asleep, sprawled out on the ground without any regard for his appearance, and did not open his eyes because of what he said.

His lips opened and closed rhythmically, occasionally letting out comfortable humming sounds, as if he were fast asleep.

1

Fitz! Didn't I wake you up this morning? It's already noon, why are you still sleeping! And you can't just keep sleeping on the floor, can you? You promised to work hard today!"

Seeing this, the middle-aged man couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward, putting his mouth close to the ear of the boy called Fitz, and shouted loudly,

This time the volume was just right, and the other person was finally woken up. Anyone would find it hard to get a good night's sleep if they were being yelled at like that, with their ear being pulled up and used as a megaphone.

Fitz opened his eyes groggily, a clear naiveté in them. He straightened his hands, which were supporting him on the ground, and slowly rose to his feet, his robes billowing as he moved. "Oh... it's the boss... up so early..."

... Hey, you've finally woken up, kid. I spent a fortune putting on this whole show just to make you famous.

You can't just work sporadically like this, can you?

Seeing Fitz still looking listless, the boss couldn't help but feel a mix of exasperation and a sense of disappointment.

I spent so much effort building up his reputation a few days ago, but this guy only showed some interest at first, saying he was going to show off his skills. But now he's still lukewarm, what a waste of his alchemy skills.

You know, even in [Äußerst], Apothecary is someone who could live a very comfortable life, someone whom all the merchant guilds would treat as an honored guest. But Fitz has no interest in commercialization, and has let himself fall to this state. Besides, business is booming right now, we should take this opportunity to make a killing! Didn't we agree before that we'd split the profits 50/50? This is not only for me, but also for you!"

"You need to understand, those are all Shtrel Silver Coins. With that money, you can continue your... research, right?"

After his the boss's impassioned speech, Fitz, like a cow that had just woken up in the barn, didn't react much, much less "repent" as the middle-aged man had expected, and didn't immediately put his full effort into the potion-making business in order to make money.

Instead, he simply stood up, casually twisted his stiff waist, and walked towards the cabinet piled with equipment.

His robes swayed freely behind him, giving him an air of otherworldly wisdom.

"The boss, you don't understand. People in our line of work all have aspirations. Simply producing these defective products won't achieve my grand goals..."

"But the defective product you mentioned earned me nearly 1,200 Shtrel Silver Coins today."

"No, my dreams cannot be measured by silver coins; my goal is the stars and the sea."

He stretched out his hand towards the window in the small room, striking an exaggerated pose like Roger preparing to set sail for the New World, intending to carve out his own territory and eventually be crowned the "Pirate King" by the world.

I'm determined to be the King of Medicine!

Seeing this idiot having an epileptic seizure right after waking up, the boss felt goosebumps rise on his back, as if someone was poking him in the spine.

I couldn't help but pick at my toes inside the shoe.

Damn, why does listening to him talk make me feel so awkward? And why am I the only one feeling awkward? How can he keep such a straight face while saying things like that?

Was this guy born like this?

Thinking about this, the boss couldn't help but feel sorry for this genius's miserable fate. Heaven was afraid to see you in your whole self, so it molded you into an idiot.

"I don't know if you can become the 'Medicine King,' but if you don't brew a pot of medicine for me today, I'm not bringing you food."

Before he could react, the boss took a step back and slammed the door shut.

"Hey! You can't do this! The boss, you can't be this heartless! I'm your most loyal employee!"

Then go and concoct some medicine for me!

After leaving those words behind, the boss's footsteps faded into the distance, ignoring the fool he had locked behind him.

To be honest, he didn't want to do this either. He didn't want to keep Fitz locked in the back room of the shop all day, but if he put this idiot on the table, people probably wouldn't want to buy his medicine, fearing that they would become like him after drinking it.

"This is really... a real headache..."

The boss wasn't a heartless person, nor did he have any morbid curiosity. Ever since he found Fitz, who looked like a homeless person, in a corner of the city last week, he couldn't bear it and brought him back.

After the meal, the other person said they wanted to work for him and were willing to work for him without pay, as long as he provided three meals and accommodation.