He tapped the notification and compared the old skill to the new one.

  [Basic Potion Crafting (Common)]: By mastering the natural reactions and magical interactions of ingredients, the herbalist can now combine herbs, liquids, and catalysts with precision, turning raw materials into functional potions with various effects.

  Beneath it, the upgraded version appeared.

  [Advanced Potion Crafting (Uncommon)]: With a refined understanding of alchemical balance and the precise flow of mana, the botanist can manipulate ingredient volatility, enhancing both the potency and purity of mixtures. Mana now becomes part of the brewing process: by channeling it during preparation, the loss of quality is greatly reduced and potions are significantly strengthened. Complex reactions can be stabilized, allowing the creation of multi-effect potions and enhanced versions of basic formulas. The botanist also learns to adjust concentration, diluting or condensing potions as needed.

  “So? Did it work or not?” Artemis asked.

  “It worked really well. I even evolved one of my potion-making skills.”

  “That’s the power of sex,” she replied.

  “I am not making that potion, idiot.”

  Luke studied the cauldrons as the last wisps of vapor drifted away. The liquid inside each one had boiled down, condensed, and finally settled. Days of work… and all he had to show for it were three small potion vials. But each of them was absurdly powerful.

  [Verdant Vitality Potion (Rare): A healing potion infused with the invigorating essence of the Energizing Luminous Mushroom, stimulating the body’s tissues and accelerating their natural recovery. The potion enhances regenerative processes and can even aid in the minor restoration of damaged limbs, bones, or tissue, mimicking the growth patterns of plants. As the body is revitalized and re-energized, stamina, resilience, and endurance increase. Restores 1550 HP and, due to intense physical activation, may cause a slight rise in libido.]

  “Oh, you lying bastard. You said you weren’t making your ‘legendary potion.’”

  “I wasn’t, Artemis. I just… ended up following a similar process by coincidence. And even if I were recreating that potion, it would be purely for the advancement of magical science, alright? Let that be clear.”

  “Sure. Do you want a medal, Mister Sharp Sword?”

  “Weak healing potions can’t help me regenerate a broken bone or a severed limb. I have to push past the limit, and look, I finally managed it.”

  “Yes, you made something that heals you and gives you an erection. Incredible. In your next battles you’ll be fighting with three swords. No one will be ready for your new weapon.”

  He ignored her taunting voice. The potion did have a small side effect that might do exactly what Artemis was mocking him for, but he had still crafted a masterpiece in terms of regeneration. With a Rank F body, he normally wouldn’t be able to handle anything that restored more than a thousand HP, let alone a potion this strong. Now, with a Rank E body, he could drink it safely.

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  “There are only three, and it’ll be hard to make more anytime soon. These are my trump cards.”

  “Right, and if your enemy is a hole, then he’s doomed.”

  “Laugh all you want. If I break a leg, that’s it. I can’t regenerate easily. If my heart takes a serious hit, I’m finished. Dark Blood might buy me a few extra minutes, but with this, I actually have a backup option.”

  He turned back to the cauldrons. They lifted into the air under telekinetic control, water pouring into them from a hovering bucket as the tools scrubbed themselves clean.

  “I really do love telekinesis.”

  Lulie was curled up on his bed, fast asleep, the tiny bat snoring loudly for something her size. A moment later, the door scraped open.

  “Why is the rat in your den, human?” a voice muttered as it entered.

  Franky.

  “Hello to you too,” Luke replied.

  While he finished packing his things, Franky stared at the bed, then at Luke.

  “The winged rat can’t stay here,” Franky said. “I sleep in this den.”

  “There are too many people in this den who aren’t supposed to be here,” Luke answered.

  “I agree.”

  “You’re included in that,” Luke added.

  ***

  Luke stopped at Charlie’s door. She was sitting on the bed with a book in her hands, inspired by Angie’s example and now trying to awaken a profession of her own.

  “Charlie, can I come in?”

  “Yes, Master Luke.”

  He stepped inside.

  “Are we leaving soon?”

  “In a few hours.”

  His next objective was clear: travel from temple to temple, copy the remaining maps, and gather the last pieces. With them, he hoped to uncover at least one clue leading to the Hidden Temple. And if nothing came of it, at the very least he would walk away with a full map of the dimension, something that would help him eventually find the place one way or another.

  “You asked me for help earlier, and after a week of you thinking about this… yeah. I really do need to help you. It’s an important decision.”

  Luke hadn’t wanted to influence her. When Charlie reached level fifty-five in her race, she unlocked a new vampire skill. Two options appeared, but she could only choose one, exactly as Samael had warned in his letter. Her bloodline, strengthened by Path of the Vampiric Beast, had altered one of the choices.

  Charlie now stood at a crossroads: the Path of the Vampire, or the Path of the Vampiric Beast.

  She opened her system interface.

  “I already made my decision, Master Luke. But I want you to tell me… if it’s a good one.”

  He looked at the two available skills.

  [Vampiric Bite II (Ancient)]: Your Vampiric Bite grows stronger. When you sink your fangs into a living target, the bite stabilizes with predatory precision: the fangs pierce more easily, allowing you to drain blood faster and more efficiently while simultaneously converting it into vitality to restore your body. The enhanced bite also allows you to absorb 10% more Blood Energy than the previous version.

  (Warning: This skill advances you along the Path of the Vampire.)

  [Vampiric Beast Devour (Ancient)]: The Beast within you begins to awaken, granting the power of Beast Devouring. Your Bloodline expands your capacity to feed. Now, when you drain the blood of Magical Beasts, that vital fluid is converted into Blood Energy, strengthening your Blood Core and easing your Vampiric Hunger even more efficiently than Vampiric Bite.

  In addition, the ferocity inside you answers the call. By devouring parts of living enemies, your Beast extracts fragments of vitality and essence, which also generate Blood Energy. Beast Devour not only nourishes your body, it sharpens your instincts, fuels your predatory nature, and pushes your Vampiric Bloodline into a wilder state.

  Let the Beast within you grow stronger. Answer the call of your blood and walk the path of ferocity.

  (Warning: This skill is required to advance along the Path of the Vampiric Beast.)

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