Chapter 43: Everyone Likes Money

Chapter 43: Everyone Likes Money

This was Theos first big distillation run since he filled Fenians order. He looked at the 3,000 reagents in his inventory and smiled. He improved the process, thanks to the artifices and his new still, to a point where he was confident he could process 2,000 units in a single day. The labor that he removed was the grinding of reagents, a step in the brewing process he would never miss. The [Alchemical Grinder Artifices] removed that stage entirely, easily chewing through hundreds of units of reagents in a heartbeat.

Theo positioned his grinder over the [Drogramath Still], feeding 500 units of the [Spiny Swamp Thistle Root] in and listening to the satisfying whirring sound. He topped it off with [Purified Water], set the [Flame Artifice] to the lowest setting, and moved on to his two smaller stills. The alchemist repeated the same process on the 200 unit stills, setting them all to the lowest setting on the artifice and turning his attention to the [Healing Essence] he had stored in his inventory.

The bell rang downstairs, followed closely by Azrugs booming voice. His new confidence was an inspiration, spurring Theo on to process as many [Lesser Healing Potions] as he could. He noted another step of inefficiency in his process as he generated several hundred flat-bottomed vials. His [Glassware Artifice] would deposit the vials directly into his inventory, but he had to remove them and set up the reaction by hand. The part of the reaction that he cheated on was the reaction itself. His intuition told him this was something specific to Drogramath alchemy, where he could set off a large-scale reaction in a big flask.

Theo set off a series of 100-unit reactions, creating five flasks of bubbling red healing potions. He dispensed all 500 units of the excellent quality [Lesser Healing Potions] into individual vials. During the process, which the alchemist estimated to have taken half an hour, the bell rang several times downstairs. Each time, Azrugs voice carried up the stairs for a few minutes before the bell rang again. He swapped the flasks from the stills condenser before going downstairs to hand over the new potions.

Ive made a few more sales, Azrug said, beaming from behind the counter.

Theo noticed that the young man didnt have his book out today. There was an aura around him that exuded excitement.

Out of towners? Theo asked.

Yeah, adventurers, Azrug said. Theyre mostly interested in restoration potionstheyre all very surprised we have lesser potions.

Right. I have a few more to add to your stock, Theo said, crowding the shelves with the 500 [Lesser Healing Potions].

Just a few, Azrug said, scoffing.

Theo took a moment to think about the flood of new adventurers. He looked back on his memory, finding that at least four of them came to the shop today. It was a good thing he bought the rights to the [Swamp Dungeon]. He was uncertain about the implications of someone coming in and buying it from under his nose, although he suspected they needed to be the mayor of an adjoining town to do that. His thoughts on the matter concluded with the inevitability of it all. Broken Tusk had at least three dungeons nearby. The information was finally spreading wide enough to see that flood of adventurers they expected.

How long should I run the shop each day? Azrug asked, breaking Theo out of his thoughts.

Thats up to you, now, Theo said. The alchemist summoned the interface for the Newt and Demon, flicking through the menus until he found something hed missed before. Buried in the ownership tab, he found a section where he could assign a shopkeeper. He mentally gave Azrug that position and the building shifted under their feet. A small key appeared in the Half-Ogres hands and the door at the top of the stairs rattled. When he went to inspect the upstairs door, it now had a lock and key.

That works, Azrug said. Youre giving a kid a lot of responsibility.

Is it a responsibility you dont want? Theo asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Its a bit much, Azrug said. The excited sheen on his face faded a little.

Theo clapped his hand over the shopkeepers shoulder and smiled. His tail swept the floor, the excitement of possibility building. Im here to support you, but the shop is yours to run. Youre already better at dealing with customers, so it just makes sense. The cores you got seal the dealI was told you only get specific cores if youre really driven to do something.

Thats true, Azrug said, brightening up.

Keep your old hours, or change them depending on how busy things are, Theo said. Youll get an inventory power, eventually. Carry some potions around with you and go looking for the adventurers. Just play it by ear and know theres no wrong move.

Azrug smiled sheepishly. Thanks, Theo.

What? No more boss? Theo asked.

Maybe mayor, Azrug said. But not boss.

Theo nodded, then something tingled in his mind. He waved to the shopkeeper and darted upstairs in time to find his flasks almost overflowing. He swapped them out and took a seat near the window, withdrawing a parchment he hadnt looked at in a while. It was the basis of the alchemy book he intended to write, something to distill the confusing Drogramath alchemy book that Fenian gave him. His concentration broke after the bell rang downstairs, joined by no boisterous speeches from Azrug. The Half-Ogre came up the stairs, poking his head up and grimacing.

Theo withdrew 6 silver coins from his inventory, handing it over to the shopkeeper. Just a little more than your usual two copper, huh?

Azrugs eyes lit up. He took the coins, the light in his eyes fading. What am I going to do with all this money? This is more money than Ive seen in one place at one time.

Well, you have cores now, Theo said. So youll be trying to buy other cores to upgrade yours. Theres also your seed core house, which Ill buy the next time Fenian is in town. It would be nice if those who could afford to help did so.

Right more expenses, Azrug said.

Tresk returned shortly after Azrug departed for the day. She hit level 11 in both her cores, something that surprised Theo. She explained that when she was sneaking through the dungeon, she employed her tracking cores abilities to find enemies. This constant use of her skill made it shoot up so much. Compared to the alchemists herbalism core, it was very easy to get experience with.

What are those? Theo asked, pointing at her boots. They were new and carried a shimmer that he hadnt seen before.

Oh yeah! Tresk said, posing with her new boots. I got them from the dungeon. Tenth level boss finally dropped something decent. Leather boots that make me better at sneaking.

Theo inspected them closer, nodding his approval. He looked at his own tattered clothes, something hed put by the wayside for a long time. Every turn he took led him away from getting decent gear for himself, but he didnt mind. Where Tresks life depended on decent gear, his equipment didnt. He could brew potions all day in his underwear and it wouldnt matter.

[Marsh Stompers]

[Leather Boots]

Rare

Enchanted leather boots.

Effect:

Increases the effectiveness of stealth abilities.

[Effect Locked]

[Effect Locked]

Why does it have two locked effects? Theo asked.

That happens sometimes, Tresk said, waving a dismissive hand. Equipment generated by a dungeon can come with a locked effect. You need a [Loremaster] to identify the effectstheres usually some story behind the boots that unlocks.

Theo scratched his chin, tilting his head. That sounds like a business opportunity.

Speaking of, I still need to figure out what my third core is going to be, Tresk said. I need to talk with those foreign adventures. Theyll have some good pairings.

They settled in for a quiet night, eating their food and discussing small topics. Tresk was confident she could solo the fifteenth floor, but Theo was unsure. He knew little about adventuring, but it seemed like a risky thing for a sneaking class to do solo. He would defer to her judgment, even if he complained about it.

Despite taking a [Lesser Stamina Potion], Tresk fell asleep quickly. Theo was left with his thoughts for a while, replaying the day in his head and making plans for the future. His immediate goals were centered on upgrading the town to level 15 and getting the new defenses, but he couldnt stop thinking about level 10. Once he reached 10 in his [Drogramath Alchemy Core], he knew things would change. The alchemist would have access to more powerful potions, but his superior intuition told him it would come at a cost. Recipes were going to be more complex than the simple mashes hed been doing.

Sleep found him, after a while, and he drifted off. The comfort of his absurdly luxurious bed helped a lot.