Alex retraced his memory, trying to recall exactly where the herbalist's shop was located while he walked through the town streets.
But as it turned out, he didn't need to remember. The shop practically announced itself.
A large wooden sign hung proudly above the entrance, carved with the words Cynthia's Herbs. Beneath the lettering was the engraving of a leaf, simple yet eye-catching. The building itself looked cozy—like the kind of rustic cottage you'd imagine in a fairy tale.
Alex chuckled under his breath. "Talk about an effective sign."
He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The air was immediately filled with the earthy, refreshing scent of plants. Rows of shelves stood tall, packed full of herbs, flowers, and even stranger plants that gave off faint glows or twitched ever so slightly. Some vines seemed so lively that Alex half-expected them to slither off the shelves and choke someone in their sleep if they weren't watered enough.
The thought alone made his spine shiver.
'Jeez… that's creepy.'
At the center of the store sat a counter, and behind it stood a young woman with jet-black hair and striking green eyes. She was locked in an argument with a customer who clearly didn't want to take no for an answer.
"I told you already, old man, I don't have anything that can cure… whatever that is." The woman—Cynthia—spoke with obvious irritation.
Her outfit was simple, the kind of classic tunic that matched this medieval era. But her beauty stood out, delicate yet sharp, making her look attractive even by modern standards.
"Oh, come on. Surely you have something to help slow bleeding, right?" the customer pressed, frustration edging his voice.
Alex's eyes widened slightly at the word. Bleeding? That was exactly the kind of thing he was interested in.
Cynthia sighed and plucked a flower from a basket on the counter. "I mean, we do have some things for that… but not to the extent you're asking for." She held up the blossom, turning it in her fingers. "This one helps with small cuts, but endless bleeding? Not a chance."
The man slammed his hand on the counter, rattling the jars nearby. "Come on! You must have something! I'll pay a fortune if I have to!"
He wasn't exaggerating. His appearance screamed wealth. He wore clothes embroidered with gold and blue accents, overly flashy to the point of cliché. His golden hair only reinforced the impression—he looked like he had walked right out of some noble stereotype.
Alex stepped forward, placing one hand on the counter near the man. "Mind if I join this conversation?"
Cynthia raised an eyebrow at him, her gaze sweeping over his ragged clothes. Her expression clearly said she didn't expect much from him. "Sure, but I doubt you can help…" she muttered, arms crossed.
The nobleman shot Alex a glare, then sighed. "Normally, I'd tell you to get lost. But right now, I'm desperate."
"Then explain the symptoms more clearly," Alex said calmly.
The nobleman pinched the bridge of his nose. "My son… he's been bleeding profusely ever since he was a child. Even the smallest scratch leaves him half-dead." His voice faltered. "He's managed to live until thirteen thanks to constant healing magic, but…" He clenched his jaw. "He suffered a deep wound on his shoulder in an accident. And no matter how many healers we bring, their magic can't close it."
"Which means it's an illness, or a curse," Cynthia added grimly.
Alex's thoughts churned quickly. Healing magic not working on illnesses… it made sense. Healing magic restored tissue, but if the body itself had a deeper problem, magic couldn't fix it.
So how did the boy even survive until now? The answer was simple.
'Because his body was still young,' Alex realized. A child's body was simple—healing magic could temporarily cover up the issue. But now that he was hitting adolescence, with hormones and extra bodily functions complicating things, the magic wasn't enough. And with a major wound, it was only worse.
Cynthia looked back at Alex with an almost defeated expression. "See? There's nothing I can do. If even healing magic fails, I'm helpless."
Alex leaned closer to the counter.
[Eye of Ophiuchus: Ability]
[Completing Diagnosis…]
[Detected: Hemophilia]
'Hemophilia…?' Alex's jaw tightened. That was far worse than he had expected. Rabies had been simple—he only needed to fight off the disease, and with luck and the right herbs, he managed.
But hemophilia? That was genetic. It wasn't something you could just "cure" with a potion. It would require advanced, constant treatment.
"Give me a second," Alex muttered.
His Eye of Ophiuchus activated again, scanning the herbs around him. The glowing texts confirmed his fears: no matter what combination he tried, nothing would be a permanent solution. At best, he could make temporary medicine—something that would need to be taken regularly.
Finally, Alex straightened and spoke. "I could help."
"What!?" Both Cynthia and the nobleman turned to him, stunned.
Alex hesitated, then added carefully, "But…"
"Out with it," the noble snapped, eyes burning with urgency.
Alex's mind raced. He knew what was at stake. If he gave this man false hope and failed, he could be punished—or worse.
"It won't be a one-time cure," Alex said at last. "It would require constant treatment. I'd have to monitor him and provide medicine every few weeks."
The nobleman froze. For a long moment, he said nothing. But his clenched fists trembled.
At first, Alex thought he'd refuse. After all, why would a rich man believe someone dressed like a beggar? But then Alex remembered—the man wasn't just bargaining. He was desperate. His son was bleeding right now. Surviving only by healers pouring mana into him endlessly.
That wasn't life. That was torture. And the moment the healers' mana ran dry, the boy would die.
The nobleman's eyes hardened with resolve. "Do it. What's your price?"
Cynthia's mouth fell open in shock. She couldn't believe he was agreeing so easily. But she didn't interfere. The man's back was against the wall, and any lifeline—no matter how fragile—was worth grabbing.
"I'll provide the herbs you need," Cynthia added quickly. She wasn't about to miss a chance to secure business.
Alex hid a smirk, lowering his head slightly so the noble couldn't see. 'A rich patron and a good first impression with the herbalist I wanted to make a deal with anyway… Two birds with one stone.'
He made sure to keep his expression calm and serious. Showing satisfaction now would only get him punched in the face.