I began to pluck various plants listed on the sheet I held, not just leaves and roots, but also some poisonous mushrooms went into my basket, knowing that if properly processed, the toxins could become a potent cure.
In the medical world, it might be described as 'fighting poison with poison.'
I would rather imagine being struck by lightning only to discover a black stone that, upon dipping into water, provides a healing drink to the infirm, restoring their health.
Wouldn't that be simpler?
Lost in these fanciful thoughts in my head, I heard a woman's scream from beyond the bushes.
How daring for someone to engage in lewd acts while I am nearby, I thought, I'll teach this person a lesson.
Leaping through the undergrowth, I saw a large bear attacking four adventurers consisting of three women and one man.
Rather than adventurers, they looked more like some sort of harem troupe.
The bear delivered a swipe of its claw that gashed the man's shoulder, causing severe bleeding.
"You three run, I'll hold it off... I can't let my valuable comrades die."
His words were gallant, but his next statement filled me with disgust.
"Your chests are valuable, hurry away from here."
The thought crossed my mind to bury this man so that only his head remained above ground, but I refrained.
"I suppose I should help."
While the three women cried out in hysteria, the worthless man used his body to block the bear's assault, its claws sharpened like swords raised high ready to tear into the tender and brittle human flesh.
Before the bear could strike, I stood before him creating an invisible barrier.
Loud thuds resonated as the bear's relentless attacks were met with brutal force.
"Who are you?"
"A passing hero," I replied lightly.
"Why won't you attack the bear?"
"Fool, look closely by that tree."
"A bear cub."
Three little bear cubs were yowling for their mother. If I killed this bear, I would be killing her offspring as well. After a moment, the bear retreated and I released my magic.
"You should've killed it. Look what it did to me."
"It was only protecting its young, and besides, the wound isn't deep."
"Tch..."
The three women quickly cast healing spells. This man should not forget to thank me.
Eventually, I directed the four to leave the area and continued on to the Dungeon to harvest luminescent mushrooms which thrive in the absence of sunlight, hence their proliferation here, mostly on the third floor downward. These fungi also serve as a source of light for adventurers delving into the dungeon.
"What's wrong with that person?"
"Just ignore him, he's collecting luminescent mushrooms."
"I suppose so."
Adventurers walked past, casting irrelevant comments as my basket filled to the brim. I exited the dungeon and walked towards home.
Before I could take another step, a large bear lay in front of me, blood oozing from its body, soaking the earth beneath, and the three cubs I had seen were also dead, slashed across their bodies.
"What happened?"
Turning my gaze, I saw a group of male adventurers standing there, smug-faced, including the man I had saved.
The three women ran towards me.
"Forgive him, Master Wizard. He couldn't bear the defeat by the bear and asked others to help him."
I pushed the three women away with a gust of wind.
"So this is what my teacher meant; I shouldn't have saved you in the first place."
A whirlwind infused with fire swirled around me as I allowed my magic to fade and tears streamed down my cheeks.
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