63. Stupid Monkeys & Their Many Uses

Jake shifts focus to elixirs, noting their permanence and need for ingredient harmony unlike his earlier poisons and potions. Leveraging Eagle Eye insights and experience from prior materials—including bananas—he iterates rapidly, accepting failures to learn. After two weeks of experimentation, three profession levels, and two race levels, he refines a stable Agility-focused recipe centered on Tri-Lighttail Monkey beastcores.

He melts a core, then blends minor Agility-aspected botanicals to realign residual energies without overpowering them. The attempt succeeds: Celerita Elixir (Common), granting +3 Agility but requiring D-grade. He recognizes sub-D-grade elixirs remain beyond him and sets a path to uncommon and rare elixirs before the Treasure Hunt, aiming later for a rare Vitality elixir using the Lifecore and Lifevines.

Aboveground, Jake relocates to his porch as underground construction resumes. Hank returns after evolving into General Foreman of Haven, greatly boosting building speed. Jake offers minimal design input, monitors progress remotely, and tallies eleven preserved bananas via Mystie’s retrieval system. Sylphie roams the forest, nearing full D-grade maturity.

Elsewhere, Tri-Lighttail Monkeys attempt to rebuild after their leader’s fall. Sylphie ambushes a D-grade Tri-Lighttail, using wind magic and Green Shield to negate weight effects. She disables its escape routes, overpowers it with speed and empowered talons, and finishes it by crushing its skull against trees.

Sylphie joyfully collects the beastcore and returns home, intent on sharing it with Jake. Her successful hunt underscores her growing strength and dedication to protecting Jake while he advances his alchemical goals.