The ground wobbled underneath Layla's feet, and she provided magic in her feet to jump out of that attack.

It caused the monster to fall into his hole, and Layla quickly used her magic to form sharp rocks and to rain them down.

It killed the monster in an instant, but Layla felt winded.

Her legs, weary from the fourth kill in as many hours, threatened to buckle. The most challenging part was yet to come, and Layla couldn't help but groan in pain and frustration, knowing that the battle was far from over.

"Let's see. I need the heart and the gallbladder of this species. How much will I have to dig around for it?"

Layla jumped into the hole the beast had fallen into and took out her knife.

Professor Ragnarock had given her a special knife made for her small size but was sharp enough to cut bones.

According to the professor, this was a one-of-a-kind knife that cost a fortune. But as grateful as Layla was for this gift, it made her sick to see what it was used for.

'Let's get this over with. The sooner I can get all the parts, the quicker I can return and bathe.'

The sharp knife cut through the skin and fur of the dead beast with ease, and Layla grabbed the shining parts that contained the magical ingredients for the potion she was about to learn.

Once she had secured her last bounty for the day, it was time for her to start heading back and preparing the potion.

The professor had finally started teaching Layla the art of potion-making, but she was already down with the basics.

Since this art did not require the brewer to have innate magical talent, anyone could learn it.

But the reason only the wealthy and those who had magically learned it was simple - cultivating herbs and gathering monster materials for the potions required extensive labor and magic. For a normal person, it was an impossible task.

That was why this art was so revered in this world.

"Rearing magical herbs is easier to do compared to getting monster parts. Luckily, if I find it, I can substitute most of the monster parts with the right combination of plants. The system was really helpful in that regard."

Once Layla had mastered the basic art of potion-making, the system rewarded her with a rare skill- the analysis skill.

It helped Layla break down information of anything she wanted, provided that she had enough understanding of the topic first.

For example, if she used it on the potions, it broke down their ingredients for her as molecular formula. But none of that formula or the components made sense to Layla.

She had to study basic alchemy in her free time to understand what she was looking at.

Unfortunately, her skill was limited, and Layla could only see the ingredients of the basic potions she had brewed before.

'I should think of this as a blessing rather than a downside. As long as I can brew a potion once, I can look at its ingredient list.'

That kick-started Layla's research to create a potion that helped with basic hygiene.

In simpler words, she was trying to create soap and shampoo. But the difference in ingredients of this world compared to her previous world made things a little difficult.

The sun was already starting to go down when Layla saw the barrier. She knew she needed to hurry up, or she would get chewed out by the local monsters.

Layla had powered up a lot in the last few days. But there was a barrier she could still not overcome: her physical age.

'I need a potion or a skill that would allow my body to become an adult for small intervals. This small body is going to be a hindrance soon.'

Layla was already an adult but understood that forcing her body to grow prematurely could be harmful.

That was why she wanted a temporary solution to her problem.

'Here it comes.'

The vibrating ground told Layla that the first monster was nearby. And she dodged the attack, but she kept running. She had no time to counter these monsters if she wanted to get to the safety of the barrier.

Her sharp eyes noticed the slight dip in the ground before her, and Layla pushed magic toward her legs and feet to take a jump.

A hand immediately shot out of the ground to grab Layla's leg, but she was too fast and high for it to reach her.

'Just a little bit more-'

One of the monsters jumped her too close to the barrier, and Layla knew it was too late to dodge it.

She was ready to fight when an axe chopped down that monster.

"Little miss, are you alright? See! This is why I told you I should accompany you when you head out. You might die and leave me alone at this rate. Then who will entertain me like you do?"

Mary asked as she grabbed the axe and pulled it out. Monster blood splattered everywhere, and Mary's presence caused the other monsters to cower away from her.

But Mary did not seem to care or show that she had noticed anything. She kept smiling, but the scent of danger thickened the air.

"If I take you with me, professor Ragnarock would complain about it. Besides, I need you to test my new potions about volunteers. Did it work?"

Layla asked as she entered the lab to see the rat on which she had used her hair potion.

"Work? Ah, yes, it did work…. a little too well. I don't even think we can call it a rat anymore."

Mary pointed to the rat, which had more hair than the body. Layla could not even see its paws under all the silky fur.

"Good! I think we perfect this formula using herbs. Now, we only need to secure a supply of these herbs, and we are set to start our business."