4.47 - Upgrades and Adventure

4.47 - Upgrades and Adventure

Gasses bubbled up from the turgid swamp. A mixture of decaying vegetation and stagnant water that release more foul smells than Theo could identify. The trilling calls of distant insects punctuated every squelching boot within the mire. Tresk led the way, keeping out of the shadows but staying low. Alex, Theo, and Sarisa stalked behind her with a level of stealth that was completely unnecessary.

The [Swamp Dungeon] had pushed beyond level 30, but the creatures within the area werent always so lucky. [Ogre Snappers], and [Marsh Wolves] were a common sight out here. The adventuring body of Broken Tusk had long since out-leveled the area, but it represented a chance to train. And the Marshling only knew one way to do things. Through stealth. The alchemists place in any organized defense of the town would be as a back-liner, that much was true. But this is the way she wanted to train.

Tresk issued a series of sharp hand-signals. They were leftover pieces of the Qavellian army on the small swamp town. Things picked up by both Aarok and Luras, then disseminated through the adventuring folks in town. Theo didnt need to understand the signals. He felt the marshlings intent through the motion, signaling that there was a snapper up ahead. While everyone but Theo and Alex had some stealthing ability, everyone remained visible. If only for the alchemists sake.

Another quick signal. Sarisa fanned out to the right, while Tresk went to the left. A snapper was buried in the mud with the top of its shell exposed. When in position, Sarisa, with her [Baelthar Guardians Core], slammed the blunt end of her poleaxe into the creatures shell. A geyser of mud shot high into the air, painting the area in a layer of brown-green muck. The Marshling flinched, but didnt move. Her instinct to strike before a fight got out of hand was strong, but Theo felt her desire to see him work in a real-world scenario burning like a bonfire.

For all their preparation, the resulting fight was brief. Theo launched a single bone dagger with his most powerful poison at the turtle. It stuck into the monsters side like a hungry leech, sucking away its life in moments. The turtle fell in a heap, letting out a low sigh before dying.

That was anticlimactic, Alex said, honking.

How accurate are you with those things? Sarisa asked, wiping mud from her face.

Theo had placed his free point into Dexterity. But the gear was what made him precise with his throws. There was a strange interaction between his attributes and his ability to throw, though. Dexterity and Strength were the logical picks for someone going for a throwing build. But Wisdom had a measurable influence on the action. The alchemist withdrew an untreated knife from his inventory, judged its weight, then let his Wisdom guide him. He snapped his wrist and the dagger went flying toward a tree.

Fairly accurate. Theo gestured toward the tree. Pinned under the knife was a tiny Fire Salamander half-way up the massive Ogre Cypress.

Did we finally find something Theo is good at? In combat, I mean, Tresk said, not bothering to clear the muck from her face. Hes great at potions, dont get me wrong. But for a future super soldier, hes always been so wimpy.

I resemble that remark.

Sarisa and Tresk descended into a conversation about Theos abilities. Military minded as they were, they discussed the best position for him in battle and how he could best use his tossing abilities. It wasnt even a question before. He was always providing support during monster waves, but now he could make a difference. But the alchemists mind lingered on other things. The group moved through the swamp as they chatted, putting him to the test each time they encountered a monster.

The thing that occupied Theos thoughts was his Toruaun core. Every 10 levels was a segmentation of power and understanding. He reviewed the book he was working on for Salire. The secrets of Drogramathi alchemy put a firm barrier between first and second tier potions. Another layer in the process that produced more powerful potions by adding another step. For alchemy, it was a refinement technique based on applying pressure to essences. What would it be for his wards?

They spent half the day in the swamp, but it turned out to be a lure. Tresk had intended to take Theo down into the [Swamp Dungeon] that day, but he refused. The alchemist had enough materials to fight through the swamp, but when faced with enemies at a higher level than himself, he refused with no uncertain words. The Marshling was grumpy about it for a while, but opened herself to his feelings. She felt the trepidation and backed off immediately.

All in time, right? Tresk asked, patting Theo on his lower back. She simply couldnt reach any higher. Youre free for a few hours. Then Ive got more training planned.The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

Free from his combat obligations, Theo made his rounds through the town. His first stop was the Newt and Demon to check on Salire. He found her praying before the idol of Drogramath, no doubt asking for him to bestow a core onto her. He doubted it worked that way, but tried not to be judgemental.

Oh! Salire said, rising and dusting her pretty sundress off. Sorry, I was just

Theo waved her off. I get it. You have your heart set on a demon core.

Salires cheeks flushed a dark shade of maroon. She suddenly busied herself with a ream of parchment, detailing the orders for the day. There was good news on the new potions. Citizens were willing to pay a premium for the third tier attribute potions, which was no surprise. The soon-to-be-alchemist had already worked her ass off that day, creating enough liquor to get the entire town drunk ten times over. While it was dangerous, she was able to create the unrefined version of the dilution without blowing up the lab.

What were lacking, Theo said, snapping the lid of the last still closed. Is more space. More of Throks advanced stills.

Salire rubbed her hands together, a gleam of recognition in her eyes. Are we upgrading the lab?

Theo nodded. He had enough leftover cores to get the building to 30 if he wanted. A Wisdom of the Soul notification popped up, claiming it was confident that 30 was their current cap. It left out what mechanism kept them at that level, but hed take it.

Well get two upgrades, but the space is the most important part. Ill send it north and south so I dont crush my greenhouses.

Theo chatted with his apprentice as he shoved cores into the building. While he maintained a conversation with her, his mind drifted elsewhere. Perhaps it was a combination of his Wisdom and Intelligence, but he found the act to be effortless. The thing his thoughts centered on was how to upgrade his wards. More Wisdom notifications popped up, pointing him in the right direction with every errant thought. Just before the building hit level 25, he came to a simple conclusion.

It makes sense, Theo said, cutting Salire off as she spoke. She cleared her throat, looking at him with concern. The Half-Ogre had just been talking about a suitor she had spurned. The alchemist pushed on. You can think of pressure treatment for essences as a way of reinforcing them, right?

Uh, sure? Salire asked, cheeks flushing again. Ive always thought of it as a refinement process. Getting rid of impurities.

Theo tapped his chin, then ran his hand over his horns. I wonder if Drogramath Dronon horns are a reagent.

You alright? What were you just saying?

Theo shook his head, centering his thoughts. He thought he had figured out how to get his wards to the next level, but it may have been a combination of things. Second tier is pressure refinement, and third tier is mana infusion. I think second tier wards need a circle of reinforcing Toruaun scriptsomething to bolster the nature of the ward. But now I see its more like footnotes? Something that helps the spell stabilize itself. Like removing the impurities from essence.

That implies that Toruauns magic is similar to Drogramaths alchemy. Salire and Theo sat with that thought for a long time. The alchemist let it wash over himselfa sense of recognition that he already knew.

How close are the other demon skills? Theo asked. And what does that mean? Why are they so similar?

A Wisdom of the Soul notification popped up, trying and failing to draw lines between the demon gods. He didnt have enough information to figure out their secret. But there were secrets there. And they wouldnt go uncovered forever. Salire just shrugged, gesturing to the [Monster Core] in the alchemists hand. He shoved it into the building, expanding it out yet again. The system notification popped up, presenting him with several choices for upgrades.

[Root Cellar]

A cellar for preserving reagents is housed under the lab. Reagents placed inside of the cellar decay at a slower rate.

[Experimentation Room]

A reinforced room is placed behind the lab, creating a safe place to conduct explosive experimentations.

These two upgrades had been there since the start of Theos alchemical journey. [Root Cellar] was absolutely useless with the arrival of [Dimensional Storage Crates]. While he was tempted to take [Experimentation Room] several times, it just didnt seem worth it. Not unless the room had a way to vent gasses, which wasnt described in the upgrade screen. Instead, he checked the third upgrade option.

[Internal Liquids Storage]

Adds a [Liquid Storage] attachment behind your lab. This storage method can be interfaced with your existing systems. All liquids added to the storage system will be stored separately, causing no unexpected alchemical interactions. Base capacity is 10,000 units.

Well, thats just miles better than the other ones, Theo said, selecting the [Internal Liquids Storage] option.

[Even Flow]

Liquids flow through the system at twice the normal rate.

[Suction System]

Every pipe generated by this attachment has a mote-powered vacuum.

Obvious upgrade, Salire said, laughing.

Capacity, right? Since it scales.

Yep.

Theo selected the [Expanded Capacity] option before shoving more cores into the tank. A smile hung on Salires face. A warmth spread between them, as though the feelings he shared left behind a little fire. Something to keep away the darkness. Next upgrade. Ah, kinda sucks.

[Preservation]

Liquids stored in these tanks will not rot.

Can essences go bad? Salire asked.

Theo wasnt sure. Given time, they might become unstable, but rotting? He doubted that would ever happen. Instead, he selected the [Suction System] upgrade. The Half-Ogre agreed that was the best pick between the three options. The alchemist inspected the attachment before moving on. Level 10 was plenty for now.

[Liquid Storage]

[The Newt and Demon]

Building Attachment

Owners: Theo Spencer, Tresk

Faction: [The Southlands Alliance]

Level: 10 (5%)

Capcity: 15,000 units

Expansions:

[Expanded Capacity]

[Suction System]

Good bit of upgrading today, Salire said with a nod. Theo inspected the Newt and Demon.

[Alchemy Lab] [Alchemy Shop]

[The Newt and Demon]

Owners: Theo Spencer, Tresk

Shopkeeper: Salire Hogrush

Faction: [Broken Tusk]

Level: 30 (2%)

Rent Due: 2 Days

Expansions:

[Alchemy Shop]

[Drogramath Distillation Specialty]

[Shrine to Drogramath]

[Alchemical Garden]

[Internal Liquid Storage]

[Lab Extension]

Yeah. We did good. Also, thanks for the talk. Feels like my mind is finally centering itself.

Time and good friends have a way of doing that.

Yeah. They do.