Naaza looked up from her book, a flicker of amusement twitching at the corner of her lips.
Jack stood next to the counter, brow furrowed while turning that garish pink potion between his fingers, his unfocused gaze fixed at something across the room.
Cat-girl tonic? She shook her head. What silliness...
Though she had to admit, the idea was clever. Many gods were fickle creatures with more money than sense. So easy to lure with the right bait.
"Well," she arched a brow. "Aren't you going to drink it?"
"Maybe later."
"After all that big talk from earlier, I thought you'd be eager to test your concoction." She smirked, her ears perking up slightly. "Having second thoughts?"
Jack turned around, a retort ready on the tip of his tongue. He paused, heavy footsteps and the faint creak of old floorboards drawing his attention to the entrance.
"Nice."
Nice what?
Naaza looked past him. A bronze-skinned man swaggered through the door, muscles gleaming in the afternoon sun like he'd bathed in oil.
A new customer?
"Bruddah, I am here!" A thick voice boomed across the room, making her ears twitch in irritation.
Oh. Jack's party member.
"Welcome, bruddah." Jack smiled, holding out a hand. The newcomer clasped it, and they clapped each other on the back, the sharp, meaty slap echoing through the shop.
Another weirdo, huh?
"Nice place you got here." The man looked around, taking in the potion-lined shelves before his gaze settled on her, brown eyes bright with interest. "I'm Ravi."
"I'm Naaza. Welcome to Blue Pharmacy," she said, placing her book on the counter. "Would you like to buy something?"
"Yes." His expression turned grave. "Potion seller, I require your strongest potions."
She fixed him with a flat stare.
Next to Ravi, Jack's face twitched, lips pressing together as if he was barely holding in a laugh.
She didn't bother.
"I doubt you can afford our strongest potions," she said, ignoring the choked cough that came from the side.
What was even so funny about this? High potions cost forty thousand valis. Most adventurers couldn't afford that on a whim.
"Then I'll settle for potions to help me conquer the Eleventh Floor."
Naaza exhaled quietly through her nose. "You don't need anything special for that floor." Did these two even research the dungeon properly? "But I'd recommend having a High Potion, just in case."
"I see." He nodded like he'd received some great wisdom. "Do you have any scented oils for sale? My quivering abs require a gentle touch in the morning."
She blinked slowly, the urge to sigh resting on her lips. "No, we only sell medicine here."
They were a pharmacy, not a… whatever establishment that sold body oils to muscle-obsessed idiots.
Ravi's expression fell, his shoulders slumping. "Oh…"
"Don't worry, brother. I'll make you the most fragrant oil you've ever seen," Jack chimed in, voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "You'll glisten like never before. Especially when you strike a fabulous pose."
Then, as if to punctuate his words, he slid a foot back, crossing his arms above his head, muscles flexing in a smooth, practiced motion.
Ravi took one look and struck a weird pose of his own, knees slightly bent and one hand fanned in front of his face.
"Thank you, bruzzah!"
Naaza's ears twitched again at the loud volume. She watched silently, eyebrows raised, as two grown men posed at each other like peacocks.
Dear gods, there were two of them now…
"I see you've made a friend."
Their attention shifted back to her, both dropping their ridiculous poses.
"Not just any friend, miss. We are battle brothers." Ravi straightened, then gripped Jack's hand in a firm shake. "Besto friendo!"
"Besto friendo!" Jack echoed in the same obnoxious voice.
Great. The insanity was spreading.
As they pulled apart, Ravi finally noticed the potion that Jack had been holding the entire time, eyes lighting up with curiosity. "What's that?"
Jack held up the vial with a smile, the pink-colored liquid sloshing inside. "A cat-girl tonic. It gives anyone who drinks it cat ears and a tail."
Supposedly. She'd believe it when she saw it work.
Ravi perked up, leaning forward slightly. "Truly?"
"Indeed, brother." Jack nodded, a familiar glint in his eye.
"That's amazing, bruddah."
Poor fool. Naaza felt her lips twitch as she watched. Who thought that Jack had such a sly side to him?
"Want to test it?"
"Sure."
Jack's smile grew a little wider.
"It should last for a couple hours," he said, waggling his eyebrows. "You could go surprise Anya with it."
Anya?
Ravi's eyes widened, a flash of excitement crossing his face. "We're dropping by the Hostess again?"
A waitress, huh? Poor girl.
"Not today, I can't. I still have some work to do." Jack gestured vaguely towards the backroom.
Probably planning to make another silly thing.
Ravi's smile dimmed. "Next time then, bruddah."
"Yeah." Jack clapped a hand on the man'a shoulder. "So take this chance to make a move on her, bro."
Naaza rolled her eyes, tail swishing in exasperation. Men. Always thinking with the wrong head.
Jack handed over the potion to Ravi, and the man popped the cork with his thumb, bringing the vial to his mouth without hesitation. He downed the bright liquid in one gulp, face scrunching up at the "Mystery taste."
A heartbeat later, magical light shimmered atop his head and on his lower back. Naaza leaned forward in her seat, watching closely as the glow slowly faded, leaving a pair of dark cat ears nestled in the man's hair and a matching tail jutting from his lower back.
Huh… It actually worked.
She'd half expected it to be a dud, or just turn his hair a different color, or something equally useless—
The ears twitched.
Ravi looked over his shoulder, eyes widening as he caught sight of his tail. It swished lazily to the side before going still.
Naaza blinked slowly. Those were real appendages.
"Having a tail feels weird."
"Looks great, brother." Jack smiled while rubbing his hands like a greedy merchant.
A potion that created fully functional appendages…
Naaza's eyes widened at a sudden thought.
If Jack could make something like this… could he make a potion that restored a missing limb?
The thought lingered in her mind as Ravi reached up for his cat ears, rubbing them slowly with both hands, an intense look on his face.
"The hair is so smooth. They're just like the real thing."
Naaza scrunched up her nose. It looked so weird to see someone with two pairs of ears, and watching a grown man marvel about his cat ears was more uncomfortable than she'd thought.
Jack held out a hand, smiling at his friend. Ravi clasped it, and they shook firmly.
"Good luck."
"Thank you, bruddah." Ravi grinned and then headed for the door, his new tail swishing behind him.
"Have fun, bruzzah."
Jack waved goodbye, and Naaza gave a small wave of her own as it was polite, even if this whole meeting had bordered on the absurd.
The man stepped out of the pharmacy, pulling the door behind him with a creak.
The atmosphere turned silent as Jack propped his elbows on the counter, throwing her a smug glance from the corner of his eye.
Her gaze flickered to her book.
As she picked it up, her hand froze on the cover as a sudden thought gave her pause.
"Free advertising…"
Next to her, Jack gave a knowing smirk. "It's not much, but it's an opportunity."
Huh. That was…
"Quite clever of you."
With how that man acted, it should catch the eye of at least a few people at the tavern.
Jack quirked an amused brow. "What? You thought I was just a muscle-headed brute who likes punching things?"
"Yes," she said dryly, her tail swishing to the side.
Jack smiled, not taking even the slightest offense. "Well, I'm a clever, muscle-headed brute who likes punching things."
"And very modest."
"Wait until you hear what I've got planned for next."
She turned towards him, ears twitching in curiosity.
A beat of silence stretched between them. He kept smirking at her in that infuriating way.
"I'm listening."
"I'll tell you when it's ready."
Jack flashed her a cheeky grin before heading back inside the workshop, hands in his pockets and a spring in his step.
Or maybe he did.
__________________________________________
Jacob Brewer
Lv. 1
STR: D552 → D579
END: C618 → C648
DEX: E471 → E495
AGI: E475 → E499
MAG: I24 → I27
"Magic"
"Skills"
[Rule of Cool]
Yours is an impossible existence. Inspire awe, and the world is willing to suspend its disbelief. Act to impress. Impress when you act. It Just Works.
[Hissatsu Waza]
Increased odds of achieving a Limit Off. Allows the user to unleash the entire power of a Limit Off as a single strike. Active trigger.
[Alchemy]
The user can create Magic Potions and alchemical effects. While practicing alchemy, the user gains the development abilities Mixing, Mystery, and Alchemy, depending on their level.
__________________________________________
"I never thought that pantry sap could work as an alchemy reagent."
I looked up from the status sheet, a wide smile plastered on my face. Coming up with all these crazy new potions gave me high quality excelia.
Absolutely nuts.
Maybe I could even level up like this. That'd be insane.
Miach placed the vial back on the table, the neon pink liquid sloshing inside. I hadn't done it on purpose, but it looked positively radioactive. It was amazing.
Maybe I could even make it glow in the dark?
"Me neither." I shrugged, crumpling the paper and shoving it inside my pouch. "I just mixed and matched it until something happened."
"I can see the logic, but it's still so outlandish." Miach gave a shake of his head, a tiny, disbelieving curl to his lips. "Others have tested it before, and the sap did not react with anything."
I shrugged again. "Magic potions."
Miach's gaze shifted back to the table, lingering on the potion. "Indeed," he said after a moment, accepting my insanity with a smile as usual.
Truly best dad.
"Though I must say," Miach spoke as I stood up and slipped my shirt back on. "I've never thought about selling something purely cosmetic."
"I think it'll work well."
"I can see the potential in the novelty," he nodded, "but first, you'd have to make people aware of such a potion."
Hmm.
Is it wrong to employ aggressive marketing tactics in the dungeon?
My lips twitched as the answer echoed through my head.
"I've been thinking of how to promote this cat-girl tonic, but I need to talk to Naaza about it."
We were going to make so much bank. We'd have people lining up around the block and gods making it rain in no time.
Miach fixed me with a strange look. "Cat-girl tonic?" he said, as if tasting the words. "Are you… certain?" His voice wavered, just a breath above a whisper.
My brow furrowed. What was this about—
Ahh. Was he worried about the name?
"Yeah." I gave him a reassuring smile. "The gods will love it."
Miach sighed, a slight twitch bordering on a grimace at the corner of his mouth.
"You're right."
Of course I was right. Most gods were shameless degenerates. They'd take one look at this potion and never go back.
And the cat-girl transmog was just the first step on the road to fortune.
Elves. Hobbits. More furries. Monster girls.
Amazons.
A jolt like electricity shot through me at the thought. I glanced at the worktable, my hands itching to get back to Alchemy.
The recipes should be the same, aside from the hair.
Elf tonics should sell like hot cakes too, but getting the hair though…
I couldn't just walk up to some random elf and ask like with that cat guy. They'd just punch me.
I chewed at my lip in thought.
Maybe I should switch tracks for now?
I had so many ideas I wanted to try. More stat boosters. Some quality-of-life stuff. Maybe some bombs, too?
I could get back to the transmog stuff once we had the business up and running.
My gaze drifted again to the table, idly cataloguing the jars and reagents as we lapsed into silence.
I still had a couple hours before dinner. I should focus on something more practical for now—
A sudden thought gave me pause, and I could feel an eager smile pulling at my face as I looked back at Miach.
"Do you know any reagents with illusory properties?"
I could probably get a piece of light quartz from the Guild. Tomorrow, though. Misha's shift must've ended by now, and none of the other clerks were half as fun to talk to.
Miach followed me with his gaze, brow creased a fraction and lips parted faintly. "What for?"
Good question.
I returned to my seat, the chair creaking under my weight, and crossed my legs, hands folded in my lap as I began telling Miach about my idea.
__________________________________________
I walked amidst the busy street, one hand in my pocket, gaze drifting from one passer-by to another. In my other hand, I turned a small purple crystal idly between my fingers. The facets caught the dying sunlight, throwing tiny rainbow flecks across my knuckles.
Ten thousand for a tiny pebble made me feel like I got ripped off, but it wasn't that much in the grand scheme of things. I'd grind it into powder, and it should last me for a good while. I wasn't hurting for money anymore either. Even without my brilliant get rich plan, just killing stuff on the tenth floor made us more than a five-man team of level ones earned in a day of work.
The stat gains on the other hand, though…
A frown pulled at my lips.
Yeah, we should move to the eleventh floor soon, and—
"Jack!"
My pulse sped up as a familiar voice drew my attention up ahead.
"How nice to see you again!"
Syr had just stepped out of the Hostess, a broom in hand and a warm, dazzling smile on her lips. A gust of wind brushed through her ash-colored hair, sending it dancing across her cheek.
Really camping that door, huh?
It was a little endearing, though. A lovestruck yandere had a strange charm.
"Hey Syr." I smiled back as I walked up to her, pocketing the crystal. "Busy as usual, I see."
The street noise faded to background murmur as our gazes met.
"Not that much." She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, fluttering her lashes. "I was about to take a short break."
Uh-huh. For sure.
"That's good to hear. I'd rather not anger Mia."
"Oh?" Syr's cheeks dimpled, lips parting to show a glimpse of pearly teeth. "Is the big, strong adventurer afraid of an old woman?"
"She looks like she could break me in half," I said dryly. "I've seen her break a table in half."
With a friggin' love-tap. Level sixes were nuts.
I couldn't wait to get there too. The kind of cool shit I could pull off at that level…
"You'll be fine as long as you don't give her a reason," she said, eyes crinkling at the corners.
I shook my head at her joke. Knowing about their history only made it sound ominous.
I glanced at the pub, taking in the commotion and loud voices coming from inside. Barely evening, yet people already filled the place, laughter spilling through the open doors.
Good food and cute waitresses were a strong selling point.
"If anyone asks, we were talking about today's menu."
Syr nodded, an excited gleam flashing in her eyes. She shifted her weight, the broom handle resting on her shoulder. "You're coming later for dinner?"
Her question felt like an ice cube dragged along my spine. Crap.
"Sorry, but I have some work to do tonight," I said with an apologetic smile, lifting my shoulders in a half-shrug. "I'll come tomorrow or the next day."
Her smile dimmed, brows furrowing slightly as she looked away for a heartbeat before meeting my eyes again.
C'mon, Freya. It'd barely been three days since I pulled that stunt. Gimme a break.
A beat of silence stretched between us. Some people walked past, their conversation washing over my ears like white noise.
"Working hard on your potions again?" she asked with a curious tilt of her head, as if she didn't know already.
"Yeah, I had another idea, and I really want to test it."
"Be careful though," she said. "I'd hate to hear you hurt yourself like last time."
"I won't." I gave her a knowing smile, gesturing vaguely with a hand. "In fact, I'm working on something precisely to help with that."
"Oh?" Syr leaned closer, the smile returning to her lips, though not quite reaching her eyes. "Like what?"
"A new type of potion."
As if I'd spoil the surprise.
Her lips pressed together. She looked away, puffing her cheeks like a kid denied dessert, the motion so over-the-top it made my mouth twitch.
"Fine. Keep your secrets."
My chest shook with a suppressed laugh, the sound catching in my throat.
As if she didn't know most of them already. I'd bet this voyeur goddess watched me every time I went to the murder pit. The only place I was safe—maybe—was at home, and that only because Miach might notice her scrying mirror bullshit.
"You'll be among the first to know," I said, flashing her a smirk.
Her face lit up like a lantern in the dark.
"Is that so?" Her voice dipped, lips curling in a half-smile. She leaned forward, hugging that broom to her chest, just at the right angle to fit snugly between her breasts, outlining their ample form in the white fabric of her apron.
The air between us grew thicker.
I forced my wandering eyes back to her face, my pulse kicking up a notch. Heat crawled up the back of my neck.
A knowing smirk met my gaze, those smoky grey eyes glittering like polished silver.
"It should make for a good story," I said with a half shrug as the temptress arched a delicate brow.
"Better than your friend strutting in with cat ears and a tail?"
My eyes widened a fraction. That madlad followed through.
Amazing.
A shame I couldn't be there in person to see it.
"Can't say for sure until I'm done."
"A surprise, then." Her tongue poked out, wetting her lips in a slow, deliberate lick.
One quick step, and I could get a taste—
I smiled as we lapsed into silence, the street noise filtering back in. The sun hung to my left, painting the buildings in shades of amber and rust.
"Well, it's been fun, but I gotta go," I spoke up after a moment, waving her goodbye. "See you around, Syr."
Her lips drew a thin line, eyes flickering away before she quickly smoothed her expression.
"Don't keep me waiting." She hugged that broom to her chest again, flashing me one last smile as I left.
This girl…
My gaze settled on the crowded street up ahead, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.
We were both playing with fire.
__________________________________________
I held up the vial to my face and gave it a little shake, the violet liquid within shimmering in the dim light.
This might be it.
Part of me wanted to just chug it down and see what happened, but the smarter part of my brain insisted that I waited for Miach. I was pretty confident in my Skill, but he had that super sixth sense to make sure I wouldn't accidentally poison myself.
Or worse.
Sighing, I placed the hopefully finished potion on the table and leaned back in my seat, the old wood groaning under my weight. My gaze drifted across the room, taking in the cluttered shelves and the dozens of jars strewn about.
It was getting kinda late, but…
I should still have another hour or two until I had to hit the hay. Plenty of time to tinker around with another project.
Which one, though?
A frown worked its way onto my face as I drummed my fingers against my thigh.
Maybe another ability boost elixi—
A harsh breath escaped through my nose.
Right.
My Magic stat was fucking abysmal.
I shouldn't really complain, considering everything else, but I'd never catch up at this rate.
I've been waiting for that stupid Grimoire, but Freya was taking her sweet time. Like, come on. I'd hit C and D on most of my stats, and my Magic was still crawling at the bottom.
Unacceptable. This couldn't stand any longer.
I had to fix this and catch up yesterday.
I crossed my legs, mouth drawing a tight line.
A magic potion should do the trick, but... how?
Something like a permanent stat booster would've been amazing, but the falna was not that easy to cheat even with a bullshit Skill like Alchemy. It could be that I simply had to level my Mystery a bit more, but I wouldn't cross my fingers on that one.
I had to raise my Magic stat the old-fashioned way.
Sadly, the only thing I could do was cast bomb, and I was always in the splash zone. Even a five hundred boost to my Endurance wouldn't help much at this point—
A sudden thought gave me pause.
Wait. That's it.
I snapped my fingers, the sharp sound echoing in the quiet room. My gaze lingered on the Killer Ant shells, lips pursing.
I just needed more defense.
So, what if I coupled these with something else with a similar property?
Minotaur hor—no, that was more of a strength, raw power thing. Not what I needed right now.
Minotaur hide?
I scanned through the lined-up jars, frowning as my eyes moved from label to label. We didn't have any minotaur hide.
Hmm…
What else? Some other shell or carapace? Those crazy tough crystal monsters on the middle floors—
My eyes flew wide, jaw going slack as an idea hit me like lightning.
Metal.
What if I added some powdered Mithril ore, too?
It worked in WoW Alchemy, and that had carried me pretty well so far.
Well, I've never heard about infusing metals into potions around here, but there was a first for everything. Mithril was a good magic conductor, too. That should help, and Alchemy did the heavy lifting anyway.
I nodded to myself, drumming my fingers on my leg again. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.
I couldn't reliably grind my Magic stat without blowing myself up, but… what if I just made it harder to blow myself up?
My lips peeled back in a wide grin, a warm rush bubbling in my chest.
Sometimes, my genius was almost frightening.
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