There was this brief silence settling in between Bear and the goblin, as Bear stared at the goblin in mild confusion, while the goblin—its green eyes sparkled with expectation—anticipated Bear to answer it.

Yet the answer didn’t come.

“Oh, come on.” The goblin shot up; its tone now lathered with frustration. “Only a high-rank potion can cure an injury like this. Don’t tell me that you made this, goop, without knowing it.”

Bear frowned a bit.

“Bear’s medicine is not goop.”

The goblin smacked its forehead.

“So, you can talk…” It then heaved a conflicted sigh, didn’t know what to feel about it. After that, the goblin stood up, while brushing off the goop from its abdomen and some part of its limbs. Its pointy ears perked up a bit upon smelling the goop—which—smells surprisingly good. It is a smell of several herbs mixed together, and this sweet smell, was there raspberries mixed too, perhaps?

“Anyways, thank you for your help. I ought to pay you for this goop. It seems to be a high-quality item, so I’ll pay you generously.” While the goblin spoke, Bear stood back up. His figure towered over the goblin by three-fold, yet the goblin calmly looked up, fully knowing the difference in size.

Bear said to the goblin once again. “Bear’s medicine is not goop.”

The goblin chuckled for some reason, amused about an assumption that that was probably the only thing that Bear knew how to speak. Suddenly, clarity struck it.

“Wait, medicine?” The goblin immediately dove its nose fully into the goop—which was still on its hand, to take a huge whiff. Why didn’t it think deeper about it? All this time, Bear had been pointing out that this mushy thing that he put on the goblin is a medicine, despite the difference in its appearance compared to the usual, over the counter, potions.

“I am an idiot.” The goblin retreated before it amusingly chuckled, whilst belittling itself. “I’m sorry. You’re right. This thing on my hand is not a goop, but a medicine.” Its irises slid down towards its hand. “…And a highly pure one, at that.”

Bear tilted his head sideways, wondering what the goblin was talking about. The goblin was still for a few moments after that, seemingly looking at both of its hands; its right one holding the goop, while the left one is empty. The goblin extended its left hand towards Bear.

“The name’s Gantz. Nice to meet you.” Gantz cracked a friendly smile.

Bear’s beady eyes sparkled in response. Does that mean he’s making a new friend? Despite the stereotypical fact that bears prefer solitude, Bear likes making new friends. He accepted Gantz’s left hand with both of his paws, and happily shook it.

Gantz felt his heart skips a beat. Bear’s paws are rough yet somewhat pleasant to the touch. Probably due to its volume, his hands felt like it was shrouded by something soft, given that Bear squeezed his hand with both of his own.

“So, what’s your name?” Gantz asked. Bear slowly withdraw his paws as he replied. “Bear.”

“So, Bear…” Gantz raised the herbal goop into view. “Want to try striking a business deal with me?”