[Arc 3] Chapter 10: Alchemist Exam (Results) and the Hidden Gem
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After I had extracted the essence of the Pararat, I made the paralyze antidote with it and the ingredients for a regular antidote. The result? Well...

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Item Name: Pararat Paralyze Antidote +

Rank: E+

Type: Potion (Consumable)

Weight: 3

Effects:

  • Recovers Paralyze-condition [Normal]

Description: A high-grade paralyze potion made from the entrails of a Pararat monster. 

=====================================================================

I'm no potion expert, but I get that this is better than what an amateur can do. And I am, as said, no potion expert. 

Is this cause of that one title? [Medicine Master]? Nah, it can't be only that. Then... the Blessing? The Blessing I got from Skvalv so long ago? It could fit... but I won't know for sure until I've gotten 2 more rank B stuff appraised, getting good old [Appraisal] to LV10. Plus some loose change.

Anyway, moving on to the explosives. Thanks to the Manipulate Explosive Materials spell from [Gunpowder Magic], I mixed up the many explosive liquids to form my very own nitroglycerin (faux). The [Appraisal] result called it something else, but its close enough to what I want.

I siphoned small portions of the nitroglycerin (faux) and deposited it into the special clay. When the dosage was just around right, I added the clay into the containers I've made with the rest of the materials, and voila! A stick of dynamite, ready to be blown up!

=====================================================================

Item Name: Dynamite Stick (Amatuer Quality)

Rank: E-

Type: Explosives (Consumable)

Weight: 3

Effects:

  • Explosive Damage [Normal]

Description: A dynamite made from scrap materials. Is safe enough to use due to the long wake, and has enough explosive powers to crack a chunk of metal. Not recommended to be used in the middle of a battle.

=====================================================================

Ouch. Harsh reviews. It's good enough for the assignment... right? Meh, the antidote will cover for it.

The other participants kept on working on their assignments. The Jewel girl and the dwarf kept on using their furnaces to make something, but I'm not sure what. The Flugel kept on weaving something, while the owl-guy in front of me worked on what looked like a staff made of wood.

Guess I'm first then. I delivered the antidote and the dynamite to the examiners. They accepted the dynamite right then and there, and after taking a closer look at the antidote, the examiners gave me a nod and showed me towards the room that was used as a waiting room for the participants that was early finished.

The room was covered in books. It makes me get flashbacks of Skvalv's office. I was free to look at the books while waiting. It's still some hours till the time limit goes out, so why not? Let's see... "101 in How to Build a Guild"?

---

*KA-BOOOOOOM!!*

My ears! They went to the same place as the boulder that was over there! Sound exempted, the explosive was perfectly under control, only damaging the boulder it was used on. 

"A plus for the controlled explosion, but the shockwaves were too strong. Not to mention the fact that my eardrums almost went up in smoke as well. 72 points." - William Gistus

Just that?!

---

A little while later, and I left the Alchemist Guild with my license in hand. The antidote got a full score, so I barely clawed myself to a B. And looky here!

=====================================================================

Garami

Race: [Kur Kigal]   | Level: 21

Karma Value: -200 "Chaotic"

Skills: 107

Titles: 29

Skill points: 17.5

 

Main Class: Assassin LV29

Sub Class: Black Mage LV39

Sub Class: Summoner LV31

Sub Class: Archer LV14

Sub Class: Alchemist LV11Bought for 12 Skill Points

 

HP: 325/325   | MP: 700/700   | SP: 435/435

STR: 316   | VIT: 193   | MAG: 414

RES: 330   | SPD: 495 + 65  | DEX: 510 + 40

INT: 120   | LUC: 150

=====================================================================

=====================================================================

SKILL LIST

Ability Skills: [HP Enhancement (Small) LV19]   [HP Auto-Recovery LV7]   [MP Enhancement LV25]   [MP Reduced Consumption LV17]   [MP Auto-Recovery LV6]   [SP Enhancement LV11] UP1  [SP Reduced Consumption LV15] UP3  [STR Enhancement (Small) LV21]   [VIT Enhancement (Small) LV20] UP1  [MAG Enhancement LV5]   [RES Enhancement (Small) LV12]   [SPD Enhancement (Small) LV33] UP1  [DEX Enhancement LV5] 

Attack Skills: [Sword Arts LV4]   [Dagger Arts LV14]   [Katana Arts LV1]   [Bow Arts LV12]   [Assassin Arts LV31]   [Mana Burst (Darkness) LV8]   [Steal LV12]   [Bind LV12]

Magic Skills: [Light Magic LV29]   [Darkness Magic LV31]   [Shadow Magic LV34]   [Illusion Magic LV7]   [Holy Magic LV0]   [Ash Magic LV13] UP1  [Gunpowder Magic LV15] UP1  [Basic Magic]   [Enfeebling Magic LV6]   [Summoning LV33] UP12  [Sigil Creation LV29] UP15

Crafting Skills: [Item Creation LV1] NEW2Bought for 5 Skill Points.  [Thief Tool Creation LV23] UP1  [Assassin Tool Creation LV15]   [Weaving LV16]   [Alchemic Recipe LV1] NEW  [Synthesis LV1] NEW  [Poison Synthesis LV30]   [Medicine Synthesis LV30]   [Thread Synthesis LV30]

Active Skills: [Stealth LV23] UP1  [Silence LV19] UP2  [Shooting LV29]   [Super Acceleration LV3]   [Aerial Movement LV8]   [Taming LV17]   [Sandstorm LV2]   [Poltergeist LV18] UP3  [Ghost Step LV17]   [Bloodlust LV8]   [Thread Control LV50]   [Ultima Thread LV28]   [Thought Acceleration LV46] UP3

Passive Skills: [Swordsmanship LV9]   [Daggersmanship LV19]   [Archery LV17]   [Dual Weapon]   [Demon's Weapons LV1]   [Disarm Trap LV4]   [Surprise Attack LV42]   [Acrobatic LV29]   [Demonic Movements LV1]   [Riding LV18]   [Climbing LV7]   [Lockpicking LV1]   [Excavation LV1]   [Demon's Fingers LV4] UP3  [Magic Talent LV39] UP7  [Swift Cast LV9]   [Black Magic Enhancement LV3] UP1  [Reduced Summoning Consumption LV2] NEW  [Demonic Knowledge LV5] UP4  [Battle Continuation LV6]   [Instinct LV3]   [Dismantling LV37]   [Gutting LV11]   [Parallel Minds LV4] UP1  [Auto-Mapping LV2]   [Golden Rule LV6] UP1  [Golden Ratio]   [Language Adaption]

Resistance Skills: [Light Resistance LV1]   [Darkness Resistance LV13]   [Paralyze Resistance LV25]   [Charm Resistance LV12]   [Pain Resistance LV20]   [Faint Resistance LV14] UP3  [Heretic Immunity]

Perception Skills: [Magic Sense LV27]   [Appraisal LV9]   [Appraisal Blocking LV2]   [Detect Presence LV9]   [Detect Foe LV2]   [Detect Trap LV8]   [Detect Treasure LV2]   [Judging Eye] 

Leadership Skills: [Tamer's Command]  [Commander LV12]   [Party LV7]   [Teaching LV4]   [Cooperation LV12] UP2  [Collaboration LV6] UP2

Racial Skills: [Albino]   [Kin Creation LV12]   [Kin Promotion LV18]   [Demonic Vault LV8]   [Lewd Demon LV16] UP2  [Transformation LV20] UP1  [Body Replica LV6] UP2  [Demon of Gremory] 

Unique Skills: [Hydra, Dragon of Poison LV5] 

Elements: [Light Element LV3]   [Darkness Divinity]   [Shadow Element LV23]   [Holy Element LV0]   [Ash Element LV10]   [Poison Element LV21]   [Gunpowder Element LV16] 

=====================================================================

And there you go. The Alchemist class! Where's the fanfare?

Seriously though, I wasn't that hyped about the class as with the one I'm planning on getting with combining Summoner and Black Mage. But after the death march with the Summoning Tags, I'm feeling a little proud over having it.

I even celebrated the occasion by buying the [Item Creation] skill. You can only buy it when you have the Alchemist class, and it lets you make any item that you want. Swords, armors, anything! You still need to know how to build the stuff on your own, unlike the specialized Creation-skills that comes with recipes as you level up. Still, it's a skill worthy of the class, and I've already gotten an idea for it. Kukukuku...

Well, gotta go back to the gang and tell them that I found that place-

"Excuse me, miss Garami!" - Arpiggo

Ugh, I forgot about this guy.

"What is it? The stuff you wanted to talk about before." - Garami

"Ah yes. Just give me a sec. *Wheeze*, *wheeze*" - Arpiggo

Some jogging will help this guy. Owls are supposed to be the forest assassin, so why are you acting like a broken bagpipe?

"So-sorry about that. Phew. Let me introduce my-["Arpiggo Archelop, archeologist, adventurer, and now, Alchemist?" - Garami]-self... yes. Exactly. This isn't the place to be talking business. Mind if I treat you to dinner?" - Arpiggo

"Then you gonna need to feed the dragon too," I said while pointing towards Levi who was walking behind me.

---

One meal later

Satisfying. There's no better meal than a free one.

The shop that the owl guy took us to was an open-air Chinese restaurant so that Levi also could get some servings. The place is nice, but the winds are a downside. It's good on hot days like this though.

The owl guy looked like he was gonna cry when both I and Levi ordered the Challenge item of the menu. A ginormous portion of Mapo Doufu that no one had finished before the time-limit, and had to pay up 80 silvers each if one failed. That challenge was cleared today. And twice at that.

Still, this owl guy's shrewder than I first gave him credit for. Most of the customers in the building are related to him. Either that or this place is the obligatory waterhole for all the high-leveled adventurers that have Archeologist or similar classes under their belt. I'm betting on the first one. There's even that Jewel girl from the exam, sitting in a corner all by her lonesome. 

It may be unneeded, but I had Blitz make copies of himself on standby in the Archeologist adventurers' shadows, having them ready to strike in case things got ugly.

"Then, what's the request?" I asked the owl guy, who was still in a stupor. 

"Huh? Oh, right. Ehem. Miss Garami, the reason why I called out to you today is this: you own a high-level [Appraisal] skill, right?" - Arpiggo

"...? Yes, of course. It's even written on my profile on the Adventurers Guild. Just check that if you don't believe me." - Garami

In fact, why go all the way to confirm that? While I was tilting my head in confusion, the Archeologist adventurers started to get rowdy. But not in a bad way. They look more... excited?

"So, it is true!? Then, miss Garami, may I ask you to appraise a certain item I have?" - Arpiggo

"? Sure, why not?" - Garami

"Great! Guys, take it out!" - Arpiggo

One of the Archeologist adventurers went to our table and retrieved something from a storage skill of his. The thing made a loud *thump* when it was placed on the table. The other customers leaned over to get a better look at what was presented in front of me. 

...A big piece of rock? There's something that looks like it is metal, pointing out of the rock, like with crystals that are attached to rocks. Most of the other costumers lost interest in the apparently ordinary piece of rock and metal. Only Jewel girl kept on looking with interest, but towards me. Owl guy did the same. Ah, right. [Appraisal].

=====================================================================

Item Name: Ore of the Ancient

Rank: B

Type: Metal Ore 

Durability: 470/900

Weight: 150

Effects: 

  • Blessings of the Ancient
    • Grants a special ability of the Ancient series to the item that uses this item as material.
  • Grand Construction
    • Buildings that use this item as a material is granted a high increase in durability.
  • Metal/Earth Properties

Description: An ore that has taken generations to take form. Due to the long time it took to be created, the ore is blessed with the powers of the world of old. Any buildings that are made using this rock is stated to last forever, similar to the ore itself.

=====================================================================

...I want this. This is just what the architect ordered. 

How much do I want to have an appraisal-result-faker skill than now? I showed the result to the owl guy, who started to go crazy when they saw the result. All of the Archeologist adventurers were almost dancing in joy as well.

When I asked the reason for their behavior, it turned out that the owl guy was part of a small-scale Archeologist Guild made of adventurers. They had excavated the ore during their last expedition, but they lacked the means of getting it appraised. Their Guild had been in the red for some time now.

Having the owl becoming an Alchemist was so that they could craft items that would sell for more, but when the owl guy discovered an expert appraiser (me), they tried their luck, and here we are.

"Now, onward to our final request. We wish to sell this ore, but we lack the connections to someone important enough to sell it. Some of our Guild saw miss Garami in the Merchant Guild, so we also hoped that you could introduce us to some buyers..." - Arpiggo

"I'll buy it." - Garami

My sudden declaration dumbfounded the owl guy and his group. But why shouldn't I? This thing's just what I wanted for my Dungeon. Not only can it be used for the buildings, but it will also allow me to generate ancient ores in the Dungeon. Carion's gonna go crazy when he gets to know that. This stuff's perfect for golem construction after all.

"What's wrong? Name your price." - Garami

"Eh? Ah, right. What was the market price for this again?" - Arpiggo

"500.000 sols." - Shula Amerla

The one who answered us was the Jewel girl that was staring at the ore. Or, I think she does? It's difficult to know where she puts her sight when she wears that hood. Speaking of which, why does the owl guy even let her be so close?

"Ehm, miss Shula? We are in the middle of something..." - Arpiggo

"But you guys are no good at anything except for digging stuff up. Seriously, change your jobs to miners already. This was the third time you took the exam, get it into your head that you're better suited with the pickaxe than anything else." - Shula

Ouch. That shut the owl guy up, along with the rest of his guild. Some of them looked awkwardly away. She must have hit their sore spot.

"Besides, can any of you even figure out the real value of this ore without someone else's help? Be thankful that I even took the time to help you out here instead of getting some much-needed sleep." - Shula

While stifling a yawn, the Jewel girl's hood fell off, showing her face. She had golden hair and eyes of light purple, giving her a somewhat royal atmosphere. But that was broken due to her messy hair and the dark circles under her eyes. Did she do all-nighters or something?

"Then, according to what I know, your Guild, the 'Diggers of the Past', are in dire need of both money and resources. Your goal was probably asking for Garami here to buy this ore from the beginning, for then asking for loads of the paper her party has obtained from somewhere. After that, you would probably start reproducing that paper for then selling it for large amounts of money to finance your archaeological expeditions, right?" - Shula

The owl-gang paled after hearing detective Shula's deduction. So she was spot-on there.

"That's fine with me." - Garami

"Huh!?"

"What? I only need the ore here, and those sheets of paper were something we randomly found. It's nothing that we can keep on selling, and the literacy rate of the different countries would go up if there was decent paper available." - Garami

The owl guy's face lit up after hearing my reason. But it felt apart after hearing my next line.

"And since you were plotting to do that without telling me, every single piece of paper is gonna cost you 1.5oo sols each. Pay up." - Garami

---

After the negotiations were finished, the owl guy and his Guild left the shop, with a somewhat dissatisfied expression painted on their faces. The transaction will take place the next day, before the Crafter's Tournament that Marc's gonna participate in. The owl guy's Guild will get 334 sheets of Earth-quality paper, and I'll get the Ore of the Ancient that I'll use for my Dungeon.

And those only costs 100 sol for a bunch of 10! I got an ore worth 500.000 sols for 3.400! Wahoo!

"Ehm, excuse me, I think I too will take my leave-" - Shula

"Don't be so shy. Stay for a while." I said, keeping Shula from leaving the shop.

"And there was something funny about what you said before." - Garami

"I-I-I don't know what you are talking about." - Shula

"Oh really? Not that you knew that our party could produce more paper than what we needed, nor that we were in search of items like that ore?" - Garami

"*Gulp!* That's... that's..." - Shula

She suddenly turned pale. But, this looks more like an adult busting a kid doing pranks than unrevealing a criminal.

"This is why I didn't want to do this. That stupid *murmur* *murmur" - Shula

She started to talk about someone under her breath. This is... quite a different reaction than Lily or Mira. This girl is way timider than the rest of them.

Ah, is that why she looks like she's been at that Death March Quest I read about? Didn't she have enough confidence in her succeeding at the exam that she used every waking hour to train? How diligent. I don't dislike people like that. Hope she doesn't get tricked by some like... like...

There is someone like that. Someone that knows my goals of making a Dungeon, of how I can get as much paper as I want for a small amount of cash, and that I was going to enter the Alchemist exam. Someone that could plant the idea of selling a material that works 

"Hey, what's your relationship with Mira?" - Garami

"!? N-n-nothing. Wh-who's Mira?" - Shula

"Stop the bad acting. Was it Mira Aureola who told you to bust the plot of those guys, including how to do it?" - Garami

"...Yes." - Shula

I knew it. Bet that Mira found out about the owl guy somehow, then tricked them to start a deal with me. The guys that initiate a deal will have it worse to refuse it after all. Then she made Shula here bust the owl & co for some reason, which resulted in me getting a Dungeon Material at a bargain price.

I sometimes forget that she has a high INT along with the Spy class. The only thing I can't figure out is why involving this girl? 

"Back to my first question. What's the relationship between you and Mira?" - Garami

"Nothing! Or, I helped her repairing an accessory and a sword as a thank you for saving me from some thugs a year ago..." - Shula

That's it alright. Mira's dead set on having this girl on our team. She could have just told us that, geez. Anyway, before anything else, is this girl any good?

=====================================================================

Shula Amerla

Race: [Jewel People]   | Level: 26

Karma Value: 112

Skills: 28

Titles: 5

Skill points: 0.5

 

Main Class: Smith LV49

Sub Class: Lancer LV37

Sub Class: Engraver LV4

Sub Class: none

 

HP: 110/110   | MP: 130/130   | SP: 55/185

STR: 222   | VIT: 92   | MAG: 45

RES: 165   | SPD: 79   | DEX: 240

INT: 95   | LUC: 95

=====================================================================

=====================================================================

SKILL LIST

Ability Skill: [STR Enhancement (Small) LV50 (MAX)]   [DEX Enhancement (Small) LV50 (MAX)]

Attack Skills: [Spear Arts LV39]   [Magic Spear Arts LV1]

Crafting Skills: [Smithing LV50 (MAX)]   [Weapon Smithing LV42]   [Mana Smithing LV32] [Scrap Remaking LV44]   [Engraving LV42]   [Weaving LV11]  [Metal Synthesis LV30 (MAX)]   [Gem Synthesis LV30 (MAX)]   [Explosive Synthesis LV30 (MAX)]

Passive Skills: [Spearsmanship LV42]   [Halberdsmanship LV32]   [Dextrious Fingers LV6]   [Crafting Enhancement LV50 (MAX)]  [Metalwork Enhancement LV45]   [Lancer's Knowledge LV34]   [Artisan's Knowledge LV50 (MAX)]   [Mining LV50]   [Concentration LV11]

Resistance Skills: [Fire Resistance LV14]   [Vision Reduction Resistance LV21]

Racial Skills: [Mana Jewel LV50 (MAX)]

Elements: [Lesser Fire Element LV17]   [Lesser Metal Element LV20]   [Crystal Element LV6]

=====================================================================

=====================================================================

[Title Page]

[Metal Crafter]   [Giant Killer]   [Monster Slayer]   [Grand Crafter]   [Beast Slayer]

=====================================================================

Wow. That's something. Can't be that mad at Mira for wanting to scout this girl. Oh well, I'll still punish her when I get back. And this girl, she hasn't the points to evolve her skills, not to mention getting Alchemist!

"Ain't you taking more skills than you can afford?" - Garami

"How did you... ah. [Appraisal]. What can you expect from someone like me? There are tons of other artisans that are better than me in this city..." - Shula

This girl got some confidence issues. Not my problem, but this is a potential candidate for our party's crafter position. I should test her if anything. Hmm...

"Still wanna join our party? That's why you went along with Mira's nonsense, right?" - Garami

"I do want to leave this city... But someone like me will not be of much use..." - Shula

"Aw come on! You don't know before you've tried! Here, take this." - Garami

"What is this?" - Shula

"A dagger of mine that's made with crystalized blood as a core. It broke on my way to the city, and I need it fixed. Do that, then I'll agree on letting you in on the party." - Garami

What I gave her was one of my blood daggers, which had gotten damaged during the fight with the Baphomet. If Shula here can fix that, then she's good enough to join at a trial basis, meaning she won't get any Kin power-up yet. 

"...I can finish something like this by tomorrow. Where shall I deliver it?" - Shula

"Take it to the place where I'm supposed to meet the Archeologists tomorrow. We'll discuss your enrollment after that." - Garami

"That will work. See you tomorrow then." - Shula

"See you then. Ah, and make sure to sleep already!" - Garami

After Shula left the store, I figured out that there was no reason to postpone my return any longer. The rest of the gang must be worried. Also...

=====================================================================

SYSTEM MESSAGE:

Garami has obtained the skill

[Whipsmanship LV1]

from the skill shop.

=====================================================================

Only one skill point, and it's perfect for my threads! Why did I never think about this before? Just you wait, Mira!

Kigal-Note/Class/Artisan Class: Smith

Class: Smith

Unlock requirements:

  • Having the [Smithing] skill at LV5 or higher.
  • STR stats at 50 or more.
  • DEX stats at 50 or more.

Effect:

  • Unlocks skills related to working with metal
  • Improved smithing abilities.
  • +correction to STR and DEX stats

The Smith class is the beginner class for those who want to learn the art of crafting metal equipment and items. At this point, the artisan can only work with the metal to reform it, but the higher-leveled class owners can start on training themselves to become real Blacksmiths, which can forge the metal for real.

A Smith can make metal items to a certain degree and can even form ingots, but they lack the real skills of a Blacksmith. However, this class is only the first step for a Blacksmith, Goldsmith, or other specialized Smith-line classes.

One can obtain the following items with the Smith class:

  1. Random Smithing Crafting Skill.
  2. [STR Enhancement (Small) LV1]
  3. [Scrap Remaking LV1]
  4. [Metalwork Enhancement LV1]
  5. Random Smithing Crafting Skill
  6. [Fire Resistance LV1]
  7. [Lesser Fire Element LV1] and [Lesser Metal Element LV1]
  8. [Blacksmith Element LV1]

Each entry on the list is available when reaching a class level of a tenfold. The first two items are received the moment one obtains the class. In the case of Smith being selected as the Main class, one will get the three first items instead. The final item is therefore only obtainable for those with Smith as the Main class.

Garami's comment: If it is working with metals, then even I can do that. Making lockpicks and daggers are damn difficult though. 

70