As part of an experiment, I had asked Roya and the others to fetch water from three different locations along the river in the forest.

"Why would you need river water, though?"
"You do know you can’t drink it as is, right?"

"Yeah, I know. Don’t worry, I’m not planning to drink it straight."

After my outdoor shop reached Level 3, I gained access to new items, including a water purifier.

When I first arrived in this world and got lost in the forest, I was forced to drink a bit of river water when my supply ran out. Even though the water looked clear, it likely contained invisible bacteria and pathogens. Drinking untreated river water can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, or worse.

But with this purifier, even water from rivers, springs, or rain puddles can be made relatively safe to drink without boiling.

Since testing is crucial, I couldn’t risk anyone else trying it first. So, with Roya’s help, I gathered the water to test it myself.

"Once I’m sure it’s safe, I’ll let you guys know."
"Testing, huh? Well, alright then."

"Anyway, there’s something else I want you all to try," I said, pulling out a wooden container from my pouch.

"What's this?"

"It’s a spice blend from my homeland. Try adding it to your food and let me know what you think. Don’t worry, I already got permission from the owner here."

The new products from the Level 3 shop included Outdoor Spice, a versatile seasoning blend that complements meats, fish, and vegetables. The taste matched my favorite spice blend back home.

However, the spice itself didn’t come with a container, so I bought a wooden jar from this world to store it, as glass containers are rare and expensive here.

Sprinkling the spice over the stew, skewers, and grilled fish, I invited everyone to dig in.

"This smells amazing! Let’s give it a try," Roya said, taking a bite.

"Whoa! It makes the food so much better!"
"Yeah, this adds a nice kick and removes the gamey taste!"
"The fish is delicious now, too!"

Even the innkeeper, a muscular but skilled chef, took an interest.

"This smells great. Let me try some," he said.

After tasting it, he exclaimed, "This is incredible! It’s got pepper, herbs, heat, and even a slight sweetness. The balance is perfect!"

Curious, I asked, "How much do you think this amount could sell for?"

"Hmm… with this quality? Probably around three gold coins, or more if there’s no competition."

I decided not to sell the spice commercially, but as a token of appreciation, I left the remaining jar with the innkeeper.

"Really? Are you sure about this?"
"Of course. Thanks for all the great meals!"

In return, the innkeeper waived our dinner bill for the night. Given how much the five of us ate, this small gesture saved me at least one or two gold coins.

Between testing the purifier and introducing the spice, the night turned out to be both productive and rewarding.