Chapter 3.19: A Treat

Theo returned to his lab, dodging the crowd that formed to marvel at the new town hall. He had a sense that his stills were done cooking, and his reserve tanks were full of [Refined Healing Essence]. In his mind, he always considered a good run to have at least 1,000 units of any essence. With the expansion on his garden, he could make one full run, and half of another with a different reagent. While he considered which plant was the most valuable to cultivate, excluding the small patch of [Mages Bane] in the corner of his greenhouse, he inspected a few leftover ingredients.

Monsters often had parts that could be used for alchemy. Fades had their carapaces, Falds had their eyeballs, and so on. But there were a few ingredients that seemed completely useless on the surface. [Ogre Snapper Spleens] provided the [Poison] property, but there were easier ways to get that one. Theo laid out a bottle of [Troll Blood] and a pile of [Goblin Tongue]. He already explored everything possible with the blood, but he considered the tongues for a moment, inspecting the item.

[Goblin Tongue]

[Alchemy Ingredient]

Common

The tongue of a goblin. Its disgusting.

Properties:

[Insatiable Hunger] [????] [????]

[Insatiable Hunger] didnt seem like a useful property. Aside from its use as a modifier. And there was no way he was going to take a bite out of the short, slimy thing to discover a new property. Even after having a single session with Xolsa, he was confident enough that he could decompose reagents without exploding himself, but Zarali still hadnt told him how to discover properties without eating them. Theo took a tongue over to his shrine, making an offering with no effect. He cut the tongue open, probing at the insides and learning nothing. With a heavy sigh, he sat down near the window and considered his options.

Zarali wanted him to take [Reagent Deconstruction] for his level 15 skill, but he wouldnt. [Alchemy Constructs] was too tempting. As hed practiced in the Dreamwalk, Theo pulled mana from his [Drogramath Alchemy Core] and let it dance in his palm. Thats where the mana was, hed learned. Resting in a physical location in his chest, spread over his cores that could handle mana. In his minds eye, he could see two purple stars glowing, flames bursting out and licking his insides. The mana in his hand was like burning water, glittering with the power of Drogramath.

It obeyed his commands as though it was an extension of him, but that came with practice. This was a wild energy that wanted to join the power of Drogramath in the air. Willpower was the only thing that battered it into a usable shape, but still it pulled against his consciousness. Theo tipped his hand, letting the liquid flow over the [Goblin Tongue]. It consumed the reagent in purple flames, flaring up and fading out in an instant. The only thing remaining was a pile of unusable ash.

Theo took mental notes on how the sensation felt, withdrawing more tongues and cleaning his stills out. If he couldnt discover the second property, he could at least figure out what kind of potion the first one made. He started a small, 100 unit run for testing. Anything less than that risked burning the mash, which would cause a low-quality potion. The alchemist waited by the window, whittling the time away by practicing with his mana in the real world, and prodding at his constructs.

His problem with constructs was worse than reagent deconstruction. Theo had alchemically treated a copper cage, scooped mud from the swamp, rolled a monster core from a [Marsh Wolf] in that mud, then inserted it into the construct. Nothing happened, but he felt a twinge in his mind as though he were on the right track. Shoving a [Reveal Construct] into the mix caused his chest to swell with intuition. It worked. It should have worked, but nothing happened. The last piece of the puzzle was the skill.

Theos personal level was on the verge of tipping to 14. Hed put one last point into [Intelligence], then grind for the remaining experience to hit 15 in both his Drogramath cores. His [Tarahek Core] was at 16. That core always needed to be higher than both his Drogramath cores, unless he wanted to give in to the Demon Lord completely. The afternoon was winding down and someone came knocking on his door. He didnt even hear the bell jingle downstairs.

I felt a flash of Drogramaths power, Zarali said, smiling. She always wore a soft smile when she talked about her patron.

Im almost there, Theo said, nodding to the stack of [Goblin Tongues] on his table.

Disgusting. I never explained these to you, Zarali said, crossing the room and running her fingers along the fermentation barrels. The script of Drogramathi was scrawled all over them, but he still didnt know how they functioned.

If you wouldnt mind, Theo said, gesturing to the barrels. Ive been too busy to figure it out on my own.

They require power, Zarali said. Do you see this series of enchantments?

Theo saw them, and could read them, but they were nonsense. Drogramathi magic usually came as flowery poetry the alchemist had no interest in understanding.

I see them, Theo said flatly.

[Siphon Power], Zarali said, tapping the runes. Then, [Distribute Power], she gestured to another series of runes. And then all the other enchantments are powered. [Crafting Speed], [Crafting Effectiveness].

I need one of those power-grabbers like in your building, Theo said.

Power-grabbers, Zarali said, nodding sage-like. Thats what you need.

Of course, Zarali had one of those devices on her. With great effort, she set it on the table and patted the top as though it were her favorite pet. Theo inspected the device.

[Power Siphon]

[Specialty Artifice]

Epic

Created by [????]

Converts raw power into usable mana. Depending on the density of power in an area, the rate that mana is accumulated varies.

The description provided by the system was simple enough to understand. Theo already knew that Drogramaths power soaked the air in Broken Tusk, and it seemed like a waste not to use it. His mind spun at the possibilities, not only for his mint, but for other uses. But the possibilities answered themselves through logic. Coins were the standard way to store mana, so thats how hed have to do it. Still, it wouldnt hurt to press Zarali on a few issues.

What storage mediums are there for raw mana? Theo asked.

Coins are the easiest, Zarali said. Dont think I didnt see you snag the [Power Core] from that Elven Guardian. Thats another way to do it.

Theo still had the [Power Core] in his inventory. But that wasnt storing mana, it was storing raw power. Youre mistaken, he said, withdrawing the large [Power Core] from his inventory. This only stores power, not mana.

My mistake, Zarali said, running her fingers over the device. Ive never seen one.

Is this a product of an alchemist, or an artificer? Theo asked.

Both, I think, Zarali said, stepping back from the core.

Theo smiled. I was right. There are other powerful alchemists out there.

Want to grab dinner? Theo asked.

I usually dine with Xolsa, Zarali said.

Im sure you love dried meat and wine, but Xam cooks, Theo said.

Dinner time! Tresk shouted into Theos mind.

Alright. Lets go, Zarali said. I enjoy eating outside.

There were even more people than normal around the Marsh Wolf Tavern. Theo didnt know where Xam got the extra tables, but the entire street was blocked by rows of tables and chairs, all lit with lanterns to fight the fading sun. Tresk joined with Zarali and Theo, jumping from the shadows and shouting. She was covered in seaweed and still wet from swimming down to the [Ocean Dungeon]. The alchemist tipped a few drops of [Cleansing Scrub] on her head, washing away the filth.

Xams meal tonight was a rehash of an old favorite. Wolf meat stew. Compared to the original version, this was amazing. It had just enough spice to make it interesting, but nothing to offend foreign palettes. Broken Tuskers seemed to like their food on the spicy side. Theo admitted to himself that he felt disappointment that there wasnt anything new. When he was preparing to leave, with all the tables cleared away and the good cheer dying down in the darkness, the servers brought something else out.

What is this? Tresk asked, her eyes going wide. Bread? Sticky bread? Puffy sticky bread!?

Theo wanted to temper his expectations, but that would not happen. Xam let everyone take their fill from the serving trays before clearing her throat and gaining the attention of all in attendance. The alchemists eyes darted between the Half-Ogre woman and the pastry on his plate. A pastry. It was made of flaky bread, likely Zee, but not her normal flatbread. A white drizzle of something sweet-smelling rested artfully on top. He tore his attention away to listen to Xam speak.

A treat! she shouted, loud enough for everyone to hear. The Pozwa are finally making eggs, and I couldnt be happier.

The crowd cheered, and Miana blushed.

This day marks a very important occasion, Xam continued. 100 citizens is impressivethank you, Theobut theres something more exciting! The Marsh Wolf Bathhouse is now operational! Thanks to Throk and his boys for working so hard to get the water treatment system operationno thanks to Theoand putting in those long hours!

I was paid! Throk shouted, his next words coming as annoyed mumbles. Just doing my job.

That got a chorus of laughter from the crowd.

The big room is open for free to all citizens and anyone can rent one of 20 private rooms, Xam continued. I think youll be pleasantly surprised with what weve created here. Enjoy!

Theo knew better than to rush the bathhouse. Tresk was itching to get in there and try it out, but he held her back.

I could use a bath, Zarali said, nodding.

Xam came over, smiling the entire way. She was brimming with excitement. The best room is reserved for you, Theo.

Theo looked up in shock, not expecting any special treatment. Ill still pay, he said.

Its always the same with you, Xam said, sighing. Here, take my money. Oh, I got a problem. Let me just throw gold at it until Im purple in the face. Yeah, thats you.

Theo wasnt happy with how spot on her impression of him was, either in tone or content. He felt his cheeks sting with blush. He ate his pastry, and while it was delicious, he couldnt spare the space in his mind. The idea of the bathhouse was too much.

Sorry about the delay, Theo said. I needed to make sure the water system could survive if anything happened.

And we have a new ugly building to show for it, Xam said, nodding. Just messing with you. Go check out the bath. I labeled your room. I guarantee its better than that [Cleansing Scrub] youve been using.

Lets go! Tresk shouted.

Theo, Tresk, and Zarali cut the line to the bathhouse. Xam already hired attendants to work the place. They stood in the front, taking money from people renting rooms and checking a list to weed out visitors. Broken Tuskers got the first crack at the new bathhouse. The interior of the building was already warmer than the night air outside. It was a wide entrance with potted plants lining the walls, a stone floor, and wooden walls. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting yellow light over every surface. An attendant led the trio down a series of hallways, finally coming to the back of the building and a door labeled Theos Room.

Fancy, Tresk said.

The room was large and square, with natural rocks bordering a circular pool at the center. Benches rested on the walls, and a window sat high up giving a few of the nights sky. Spigots poked from the walls, and there were drains scattered along the floor. Steam rose from the surface and the scent of minerals hung in the air. The attendant handed them towels, bowed out, and closed the door.

This is very nice, Zarali said.

Theo had learned early on that this world had a different view of modesty than Earth. His time working in close quarters with others had dulled his sense of embarrassment while naked, so he was the first to strip down. Tresk was the first to discover that the spigots coming from the wall were meant for washing up before going into the large pool, and the bathhouse provided powdered soap for the job. The water that came from the walls was ice cold, sending a chill down the alchemists spine. His skin was gooseflesh by the time he lowered himself into the deep pool.

Now this was made for Half-Ogres, Theo said, finding a smooth rock to sit on.

He leaned his head back as the others got into the pool. There was a section shallow enough for Tresk to soak with her head barely poking out of the warm water. A sense of relaxation spread through his body immediately, even as the Marshling took to swimming in the massive pool.

Oh, this is nice, Zarali said, letting out a long sigh.

Time passed, but no one seemed to notice. They sat in silence until their fingers pruned. Using the [Cleansing Scrub] was one way to clean himself, but this was completely different. The cold shower outside primed his body for the soak, and it felt as though the minerals from the water were soaking into his skin, washing away every bit of stress that accumulated in his muscles. The alchemist couldnt remember the last time hed felt this relaxed.

Only when a system message popped into Theos vision did he snap out of his relaxed stupor.

[Bathhouse Buff!] Youve soaked long enough in an enriched pool of water, provided by a bathhouse.

+1 to All Stats for 1 Day.

Actions taken use reduced [Stamina] for 1 Day.

Well, I guess were coming here every night, Tresk said, laughing.