25. This Chapter Contains Alchemy

Jake sends Sylphie away to focus on alchemy, determined to craft his first uncommon Necrotic Poison after multiple near-misses. Nearly a month after the World Congress, he has pushed profession to 105 and improved stats via rare Celerita Bananas from a time-distorted tree, letting him dump free points into Perception.

He details the bananas’ time-anchoring quirks and his limited storage via Palate of the Malefic Viper, settling for eating them and gaining significant Agility. His current status shows strong Perception growth and minor skill upgrades.

Beginning the brew, Jake uses his blood and Purified Water as a base, then integrates Uncommon Black Moss, mediating violent necrotic reactions. He stabilizes the mixture with Sense and Touch of the Malefic Viper, plus arcane constructs that don’t interfere with energies.

He adds an Aged Bluebright Mushroom whole to extract its necrotic light before drawing out its toxic liquids. By carefully preventing the moss and mushroom energies from canceling each other, he guides them into synergy and completes the concoction.

Jake succeeds: Potent Necrotic Poison (Uncommon) is created. The fumes wither nearby vegetation, convincing him he needs a proper lab. He gains two profession levels (to 107) and a race level (to 111), bottles two doses, notes the poison’s necrotic light property, and decides to wait for Miranda to discuss renovating a basement lab and to finally get a proper meal.