Ding! You have earned 10,000 Skull Coins!
Ding! You have earned 10,000 Skull Coins!
Ding! You have triggered the achievement: "All Potions Are the Same Shade of Black," earning 500 basic experience!
Achievement: "All Potions Are the Same Shade of Black": A special achievement. Earned by selling the same type of potion that brings in over 300,000 Skull Coins in a single sale. You have earned permanent bonuses: Income from potion sales increases by 1, Intelligence +1, Charisma +1.
Inside the shop, Lynn sat amidst a pile of Skull Coins, counting them one by one.
“Ugh, my conscience... but I swear, I didn’t deceive anyone. As long as the battle power increases by twice as much, then the battle effectiveness will definitely increase exponentially in all aspects, right?”
“Our reputation at Bloodsaw Apothecary is impeccable. If anyone has hair loss issues, I’ll make a batch of hair growth potions tomorrow, and I’ll keep the price cheap! tt”
...
Meanwhile, on a desolate plain in the Dark World...
A group of fully armed Dark Elves stood in formation, their eyes stern as they gazed into the black mist ahead.
The leading Dark Elf, gripping a spear, looked ready for battle.
This was the fifth day since the Elven Court had been defending against the Abyssal Bug Swarm, and today was the decisive day. If they could hold the line against this vicious counterattack, they would be able to wait for reinforcements to arrive.
The roars from the darkness continued, and faint red eyes glowed ominously in the black void.
"Has our supply shipment arrived yet?!" the Elf captain turned to ask his subordinate.
Their situation was dire. All the supply routes had been cut off, and now their only hope was the Vision Realm to transmit supplies. However, their supply of Vision Stones was running low.
If they couldn’t withstand this next wave of bugs, their defense line would surely fall tomorrow.
"Captain!"
A Dark Elf ran over urgently, panting as he came to a stop before him.
"I’ve established contact with the Elven Court through the Vision Realm. They’ve managed to send us some emergency supplies, but due to limitations in transmission, only a little over 100 bottles of battle potions were sent!"
"Hopefully, it will help us!"
He quickly set down a box and opened it. Inside were neatly arranged rows of various composite potions.
"Half of these are emergency healing potions, two-thirds are strength-enhancing potions, and the rest are high-grade combat potions the Elven Court urgently purchased!"
The elf quickly pulled out a bottle of dark yellowish potion, its appearance unappealing.
"Captain, here!"
The captain furrowed his brows and took the potion, looking at the murky liquid inside. "What is this potion? It looks like... urine?"
The elf nodded seriously. "The pressure on the supply lines is immense. The Elven Court’s stock is almost depleted, so the newly procured potions are of mixed quality. But this particular potion is said to increase combat strength by almost double. It’s extremely potent!"
"Double?!"
At those words, every elf around them looked at each other, astonished.
They knew well that potions that could significantly boost strength in such a short time were rare, and any that could double one’s strength were considered life-saving, trump card potions!
But...
Such potions usually came with severe side effects. Some could leave the user weak for days after consumption. But even so, these potions were extremely valuable.
"Any side effects?" the captain asked.
"In this urgent situation, we don’t know yet," the elf replied.
"How many bottles were sent?"
"Five bottles."
The captain’s expression hardened. "Distribute the potions. If this really increases combat strength by double, I’m confident we can defeat the aberration!"
If they could take down the Queen Bug, their defense line would be relieved of its greatest threat.
Just then, a terrifying roar echoed from the darkness.
Suddenly, massive insects burst from the ground, their foul-smelling mandibles screeching as they advanced toward the elves.
In the distance, the gigantic form of the aberrant Queen Bug appeared, its body towering over the swarm.
"It’s here!"
The captain’s gaze sharpened as he roared, "Prepare for defense!"
The swarm surged forward like a tidal wave. The captain charged into the fray, swinging his spear with ferocity, shredding insect after insect.
His eyes locked onto the massive aberrant Queen deep within the swarm.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
If this potion really could double his strength, he was confident he could cut through the swarming insects and take down that abomination once and for all.
Pop—
He twisted open the cap of the potion, gritting his teeth as he downed the entire contents in one gulp.
The moment the liquid touched his throat, an indescribable wave of heat surged from his stomach, rapidly spreading throughout his entire body.
His pupils dilated as the sensation hit him. "This... this power..."
His eyes widened in shock as he felt his strength growing exponentially. It was as if his very blood was boiling, and the potion acted like a powerful catalyst, amplifying his strength in an instant!
In the next moment, he threw his head back and roared.
His armor exploded off him with a deafening crash, revealing his muscles bulging and throbbing like rocks in motion.
"Captain?!" His subordinates gasped in awe and disbelief, watching as their captain’s aura suddenly spiked.
But just as they marveled at the change, there was another explosive sound.
The captain’s previously glorious black hair flew off in a blast, revealing a gleaming scalp.
Ding!
A bright flash shot from the captain’s shiny forehead, blinding everyone’s eyes.
The elves gasped in unison: "ΩΔΩ!!"
"Wow! It’s so shiny! But... why did his hair blow off?!"
Simultaneously...
Boom—
Boom—
Another explosion rang out from the distance. The other four elves who had taken the potion experienced the same dramatic transformation.
Their muscles bulged, and their armor exploded off their bodies. Their hair too flew off in a chaotic display.
Flashes of light reflected off their shiny scalps, making them the most dazzling figures on the battlefield.
"They went bald too?!" The elves couldn’t help but shout in unison, eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
The Dark Elves were stunned.
Despite their bald heads and exposed rear ends, it seemed like they had become immensely stronger! Was this really the side effect of the powerful potion?
At that moment, their captain, roaring with fury, pointed his spear toward the depths of the bug swarm and shouted, "Prepare to charge!"
Before the eyes of his astonished troops, the five warriors who had consumed the potion surged forward with unimaginable speed, charging like primal beasts. Their weapons cleaved through the swarm of insects effortlessly.
"Wow! The captain and the others became incredibly strong!"
"Just how potent is that potion? It boosted their combat power this much in such a short time!"
"But captain! Put on your armor, at least! Don’t charge in with your buttocks exposed!"
"Captain!!"
The five bald-headed, bare-bottomed warriors, now seemingly possessed by the spirit of war gods, tore through the insect horde with the force of bulldozers.
Meanwhile, in other areas of the Dark World, similar "bald warrior" phenomena were unfolding.
News Flash:
Breaking News: The Blood Demon Tribe’s ten-year-old boy suddenly went bald, but his power skyrocketed, single-handedly defeating fifteen Tentacle Demons and breaking the Blood Tribe’s century-old record!
Breaking News: The doomed ship fleet of the Unicorn Demon Tribe, stranded in the Desolate Sea, was rescued after a high-frequency flash of light emitted from a deputy’s scalp, which was mistaken for a lighthouse by passing ships, leading them to the fleet’s location!
Breaking News: A werewolf in Sinful City, cornered by the Blood Tribe, transformed into his wolf form and suddenly went bald, gaining explosive strength to defeat over a dozen vampires and escape the pursuit!
Back in the Apothecary:
Ding! Your reputation in Sinful City +10
Ding! Your reputation in the Dark Elf Court +5
Ding! Your reputation with the Succubi +10
As Lynn stood at his counter, focusing intently on brewing a Flesh Growth Potion, the system notifications kept pouring in. His reputation had soared thanks to the sales of those 30 Critical Hit Potions. But Lynn was far too preoccupied with the task at hand to pay them much mind.
He stood over a large cauldron, his face serious as he carefully added ingredients.
Gurgle—
Bubbles rose from the thick, red liquid inside.
“Add 1 Blood Demon Meat Chunk.”
“1 liter of Compound Slime Mucus.”
“1 Devil Gecko Tail.”
“1 gram of Dark Bat Droppings.”
“Stir thoroughly, then add a tiny bit of Head Hunter’s Tartar…”
Lynn put on his mask and proceeded with the meticulous process of brewing the Flesh Growth Potion, following the formula with precision.
Ding! Alchemy Experience +1
Ding! Alchemy Experience +1
Ding! You have mastered Intermediate Alchemy, earning Intelligence +1, Basic Experience +200
Half an hour later, Lynn bottled up the freshly brewed potions, a smile creeping onto his face.
"Mission accomplished!"
This was one of the two recipes the system had rewarded him with. Unlike the Critical Hit Potions, the Flesh Growth Potion was a recovery-type aid. As the name suggested, it rapidly accelerated the regeneration of flesh and limbs, though it came with a few potential side effects.
Flesh Growth Potion: A top-tier potion that rapidly heals external injuries and even regenerates severed limbs, though it may come with minor side effects…
Lynn had crafted 17 bottles. He could have made more, but the rare, essential material—monster tissue—had been exhausted.
Now, he was ready to wait for a customer to test it out. After all, after the shocking effects of the Critical Hit Potion, he was curious what kind of side effects this new concoction might cause.
The door suddenly knocked.
Lynn immediately stood up, smiling professionally as he greeted, "Welcome to the Bloodsaw Apothecary. We are at your service."
The door swung open to reveal a tiny, black-winged fairy, no taller than fifty centimeters, wearing full black knight armor. Her left side was covered in blood, with her arm appearing as if it had been torn off by something.
The fairy raised her helmet’s faceplate, revealing her dark, curious eyes, and asked in a high-pitched voice, "Need surgery, please?"
Lynn’s mind raced as he saw her status panel:
Black Moth Fairy
Level: 88
Age: 99
Race: Fairy
Faction: Chaotic Good
Combat Ability: Small but agile, concentrated strength.
Her history revealed that she had originally been from the surface world but had been exiled to the Dark World long ago, evolving to adapt to the new environment. While fast and capable of night vision, her combat prowess was lacking compared to other species, leading her to often be kept as a pet.
Lynn blinked. This was the first time he had encountered this race.
Ding! You have triggered a new quest: Limb Regeneration. Quest Rewards: 200 Skull Coins, 200 Basic Experience, Special Reward x1
"Please, come in!" Lynn gestured her forward, his eyes naturally drawn to her mutilated arm.
The tiny fairy fluttered onto a chair behind the counter, but since she was so short, she had to stand on the chair just to meet Lynn’s gaze.
"My arm got eaten by a monster!" she pointed at her disfigured left arm and pushed her faceplate back up, her black eyes staring up at him seriously.
"I need healing, or I’ll die. It’s so hard to find a potion shop, will you heal me?" she asked earnestly, looking very innocent and easy to deceive.
Lynn smiled, adjusting his glasses, and replied warmly, "Don’t worry, our Bloodsaw Apothecary is the best potion shop in this Soul Alley. We have a solid reputation, not to mention, if I couldn’t heal you, I’d even be able to bring you back from the dead if you turned to ash!"
The Black Moth Fairy looked at him suspiciously.
"Really?"
Though she wanted to trust him, there was something about his seemingly kind smile that made her feel something might be off.
"You’re not planning to drug me, tie me up, and hide me in your attic for... unpleasant activities, are you?" she asked bluntly.
Lynn was caught completely off guard. What kind of culture was this? How could she ask that so openly?
"Of course not," he replied seriously, a little confused.
"Well, that’s good," the Black Moth Fairy sighed in relief, seemingly relieved.
Ding! The Black Moth Fairy’s affection for you increased by 10.
Lynn: "???"