Episode 12: "Make money from new business with a strong mentality"

Well, it cures all diseases. It cures all diseases. I can cure anything."

　The day after my tasting comparison with Ursuna, I walked around town with a homemade flag on my back.

　The banner features the seal of the Adventurer's Guild and an image of the Grim Reaper holding a scythe with a red cross and crossed out over it.

"Poison for the disease. Poison for the disease. The poison will go away and everything will be cured in no time."

　The new business model I came up with was a cure for illnesses.

　The idea is that if you transfer disease resistance and drug and poison resistance through [Influencer], you can cure any disease or poison.

　There are healers in this town who can heal even serious injuries, but healing magic can't cure illnesses or poisons. So even if I were to cure illnesses and poisons, it wouldn't be like invading their territory.

　Moreover, the initial investment was almost free. All it took was buying some scrap wood from the guild to make the flag.

　I figured I could make a profit from this no matter what, but...

"Hmm... No one's calling out to me..."

　Two hours have passed since then, but the people in the town just look at us from afar and no one comes to see us. I can feel that we are getting a lot of attention, though.

　What's wrong with that? If it can cure any disease, it's not surprising that people rush to buy it. Is it because it doesn't have enough name value? Hmm, I guess I was too naive to expect it to be a hit from the very first day.

　No, no, don't be discouraged. Let's persevere.

"Poison for illness. Poison for illness. I can cure anything."

　Just as he raised his voice and began to walk away...

"What are you doing?"

　Appearing before my eyes was a group of women I felt I had seen somewhere before. They were a trio consisting of a large, muscular female warrior with a large scar on her cheek, a magician with his face down wearing a large pointed hat, and a silent thief. Now, where did I meet them? Umm, I'm sure...

"You're a senior at the adventurer's guild, right?"

"Senpai... well, that's true. It's the second biggest party of the season. Unfortunately, we couldn't make it in time. If we'd been able to get a few more things done, we might have had a chance to turn things around..."

　Oh, I see. I think I crushed it in a drinking test six months ago. Thank you for the meal.

　Even so, what was it that didn't happen in time? Ursuna seemed a bit disappointed, so maybe there was some kind of competition going on within the adventurer's guild. To be honest, it was all a far cry from what a low-ranking adventurer like me would have expected, and I had no interest at all in what the top ranks were doing.

"So, what are you doing here?"

"I've started a healing business. I'm open for business now, so don't bother me."

"... a healer... what's that, a doctor?"

"I'm not a doctor. Do you think I have any medical background?"

　When I said that, the female warrior burst out laughing as if she had just heard a really funny joke.

"You're right! There's no way you can cure any illness! Hahahahaha!"

"Well, I'm not a doctor, but I can heal illnesses. I can also remove poison."

"Hahaha, he was a walking joke, hunting rabbits despite being a man, but it seems he's finally gone mad too. Who would believe that a guy who dredged gutters every day could actually cure illnesses?! Now, take a good look at the people around him. Everyone has a look on their face that says they can't believe it!"

　After the female warrior told me, I once again looked around at the faces of the people in the town. ...Well, now that my empathy is dead, I can't really read emotions into people's faces.

　But now that you mention it, even if a poor man who used to sewers every day suddenly appeared one day claiming to be a master doctor who can cure all diseases, I don't think I would want to be examined by him. Because there would be such a big gap between my image of him and the doctor.

　I see, I see. I guess people who are bad at cleaning drains are famous, so they don't get as many customers.

　Hmm. Should I go to a neighborhood where people don't know me? But I've been going around the city for half a year now, and I'm known in most neighborhoods. I've even been to the slums.

　And I was just wearing my everyday clothes... I probably should have bought better clothes, but I don't have the money.

　Oh no, I'm stuck. I thought it was a good idea.

　The female warrior smiled at my state and continued speaking.

"So why did you start this scam? If you're going to lie, give me a better one."

"I'm not lying. I'm actually carrying the name of the adventurer's guild."

　As I said this and showed her the Adventurer's Guild seal, the female warrior's expression twitched.

"Y-You... are you serious...? You brought the Adventurer's Guild's name up for this petty scam, who knows what kind of punishment you might get later..."

"I'm serious. I swear on the sign of the Adventurer's Guild that I can remove any disease or poison. Now, if you're getting in the way, get out of the way."

　When I said that, the female warrior let out a sigh.

"Well, I guess there's no other way. It's not like he's completely out of the realm of becoming my husband, so I guess it's best to stop him... Hey, then, try curing my hangover. I drank too much last night, and my head's been pounding since this morning. I asked my regular alchemist to compound an anti-hangover medicine for me, but it didn't work. I swear on the name of the guild that you carry, if you really can cure me, then try. In return, if you can't, then you'll have to kneel down and apologize to the guild."

"Okay, I get it. So, how much will they charge me for treatment? I don't really know what the going rate for medical expenses is in this world."

"Hahaha, how arrogant of a conman you are. Well, I guess it'll be about five silver coins. That's the best treatment you can give me!"

　Five silver coins. From what I can tell, that's about 700 to 1000 yen in Japanese yen. I've never had any illness since coming to this world, but the medical costs here are surprisingly cheap.

　Is that because it's a world where healing magic and potions exist? I've heard that healing magic and potions can't cure illnesses, but the cost of treating injuries is cheap, so the cost of treating illnesses is cheap too, something like that...? To begin with, I don't really understand the prices in this world because I only do low-level work.

　That being said, I feel like it's a little too cheap... Well, even if the profit per person isn't that much, they can make money by selling a small amount at a high rate.

"[Influencer] - [Drug and Poison Resistance]"

　I hold my hand in front of the female warrior and activate the skill.

　You don't even have to hold your hand over it, you can activate it just by looking. It's easier to tell that it's healed you if there's some kind of action.

　The female warrior blinked and put her hand to her forehead.

　Then her fellow thief calls out to her.

"What's the matter, Ambassa?"

"...You've got to be kidding me. The headache and nausea in my chest have completely disappeared."

"I told you it was true. Here, give me the medical expenses. Here are five silver coins."

　I hold out my hand to retrieve it before it gets trampled over.

　The female warrior then grabbed my hand and leaned forward.

"A-Are you the real deal?! You can really cure any disease?!"

"So it's true. I swear on the guild's sign that I can cure any illness. Do you still doubt me?"

"P-please! Then please heal this guy!"

　Saying this, the female warrior grabbed the magician, who had his face bowed, by the shoulders and pushed him towards me.

"Leader... I don't want to be examined by such a suspicious child..."

"That's fine! Hey, I'm begging you, Eugene. Please heal him. No healer or doctor can cure him!"

　The magician resisted, but when the female warrior forcefully ripped her magician's hat off, she closed her eyes in resignation.

　His face was covered with many red bumps, and the corners of his lips were reddish-black and rotten, making his mouth look as if it was split open.

"Now, take off your gloves. Let me examine you carefully."

"..."

　As instructed by the female warrior, the magician removed his gloves.

　His palms were covered in what appeared to be yellow warts.

　...Is it this ?measlesMeasles

　No, I think I saw a picture like this on campus. I'm sure there was a message on the campus saying to be careful because a disease with these symptoms was going around. Um, I think...

"syphilis?"

"Yes, that's it! That's what the doctor said! What's up, you're a doctor after all!"

"Well, I just happened to know, but I'm not a doctor..."

"Hey, please, Eugene. If I carry on like this I'll go crazy and die in ten years, right? I know very well that it's an incurable disease. Can't you at least try to alleviate the symptoms...?"

　Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease, isn't it? Nowadays it can be cured with antibiotics, but wasn't it an incurable disease in the past? Apparently it was introduced to Japan by missionaries during the Sengoku period and became widespread in red-light districts.

"Okay, leave it to me. I can fix this with a quick wipe."

"C-C-C-C-C-Pui-Pui? I don't really understand, but please..."

　I place my hand on the magician's forehead.

　Here you go, [Influenza] - [Disease resistance].

"Oh... ohhhh! It's a miracle...! Anole, your face is back to normal!"

"R-Really...?! Really?! Ahh, my hands are so smooth! They're my hands! My real hands have returned...! I can't believe it...!!"

　As soon as the female warrior and the thief saw the magician's face, they embraced him from both sides.

　The magician then looked at his hands, clasped them in front of his chest, and tears began to flow.

"Ah, my body doesn't hurt anymore...! The illness has really gone away! Thank you, thank you...!"

　Yes, yes, that's good. It doesn't feel bad to be thanked after all. I only fixed it quickly with a cheat, so it's a bit embarrassing to be thanked so profusely though...

　More importantly, you should take what you can get.

"Then please give me the medical expenses. It'll be 10 silver coins for both of us."

　The female warrior and the magician then looked at each other as if they had seen something strange.

"Um, well... the amount I mentioned earlier was just a guess..."

"I'm really sorry. Our leader got a little belligerent..."

　Hmm? Maybe he's trying to bargain?

"No, no, I won't give you a penny. It's already cheap. Here, five silver coins per person! No more, no less, only five per person!"

"...Ah, yeah. If you say so..."

　Cha-cha-cha.

　Alright, I got my first reward! I have to give 20% to the guild, so my profit is 8 silver coins. Still, it'll be enough to cover tonight's dinner bill.

　I want to keep making money like this.

"But you have to be careful, you know? You can't catch syphilis."

　I'm not particularly interested in other people's love lives, but I got paid, so I'll give you a word of advice.

　The magician then looked embarrassed and bowed his head, while the female warrior gave a wry smile.

"Well, you can say that. I usually go to a proper brothel, but one day my favorite girl happened to be booked up, so I went to a lower-class establishment and ended up getting her there. Well, a woman's sexual desire is something you can't hold back. Especially after coming back from an adventure I get horny, hahaha!"princeMale prostitute

　Um, hold on a second, I've come across something I can't just ignore.

"...Do all adventurers go to brothels?"

"That's obvious. There are no men who want to become our husbands, so the only way to release our sexual desires and have children is to go to a brothel! Well, it's a different story if there are men who want to become our husbands..."

　The three number two female adventurers were casting a lewd gaze at me. I don't know why, but it gave me a strange chill...

　Well, I guess I'll pass. I'd rather avoid women who hang out with men in establishments where STDs are rampant. I have [disease resistance] so I probably won't get a STD, but still... I wouldn't call it a bad idea, but I feel like I want to avoid it.

Let me explain!

　This is the feeling that an ordinary girl has when she looks down on an old man who brags, "Going to the brothel is a man's duty, huh, haha!"

　If I were to date someone, I'd want a girl with strong morals. I don't think there are any girls like that in this world. So I guess I'll be a virgin in this world too. But I'd be okay with that if I could get bonus coins for being a virgin in the next life.

"Well, thanks, Yuji! I'll ask you again if anything comes up!"

"Okay, okay, you should stop going to stores where you might catch a disease."

　After being patted on the shoulder by the female warrior, bowed deeply by the female magician, and given a silent bow by the taciturn thief with a solemn gesture, the first and second customers left.

　At least I've earned enough money for dinner tonight, so I think I'll take a break...

　Just as I started walking with that thought in mind, a girl in her late teens came rushing out in a panic from the crowd that had been watching the situation.

　He was wearing very simple patchwork clothing and was coughing heavily while holding his mouth.

"Cough, cough... I'm so sorry! Um, is it true that you can cure illnesses? I've had a cold for a long time and it won't go away, so could you take a look at me too...?"

"Hmm? I don't mind."

"So, um... about the medical expenses... I guess those people were in the guild so that's why it cost that much, right? I don't have much money on me though…"

"Oh, five silver coins will be fine."

"R-Really?! I-Please, I beg of you!"

　As we were having this conversation, the people on the street started to get noisy and soon several of them came running up to me.

"I-Is it ok for me to do that too?"

"I'm sorry, please check me too!"

"Hey, don't push me! I'll go first!"

"Please, please take care of this baby! He's only a newborn, but he's already sick and doesn't even cry..."

"Double, double! I'll pay you ten coins if you examine me first! My rheumatism is in so much pain I can't stand it!"

"What the hell, just ten coins?! I'll pay three times as much... no, ten times as much! Please, just take a look at me! I'm hungover and my head hurts so much I feel like I'm going to die!"

"Hey, don't interrupt me just because you're drunk! What will you do if I run out of magic?"

　More and more people rushed over, and before I knew it a crowd had formed around me. People were shoving and shouting, and fighting began.

　Oh my? What is this?

　Maybe it's my turn already?

　I coughed exaggeratedly and the people in the town all looked my way.

　I smiled at them and repeated my sales pitch.

"Yes, yes, anyone who wants to be healed please line up in a single line. Anyone who cuts in line will have to line up at the end. We can heal any number of people, so please obediently keep to your queue. The fee, under the banner of the Adventurer's Guild, is five silver coins for everyone. No matter how minor or serious the injury, whether you're poor or rich, young or old, male or female, everyone will pay exactly five coins equally!"

　Alright, let's heal a lot and make a lot of money!

If you wonder why the MC is usually stupid or that acts without a planned thought, it is due to its mental resistance