Chapter 6

After passing through the West Gate, I advanced, ignoring the herbivores on the plain. These herbivores seemed to be non-active—MOBs that don’t attack even when approached.

I was able to ignore them and move through the plain. Occasionally, while emitting a yellow light from the speed enchantment, I would advance. The plain was vast, so I also looked at distant MOBs and scenery to improve my Eagle Eye.

My levels were rising rapidly, to the point where I wondered what the hunting with Myu and Sei-nee was all about, as my Sensory levels were increasing so quickly.

After passing through the plain, I found myself in a mixed forest. I encountered people here and there who, like me, were gathering items, and with my Eagle Eye, I could clearly see the gathering items in slightly distant locations.

Well, let's gather, gather.

I found various items: tree branches, mushrooms, herbs, pebbles?, wild grass, and bird feathers. I collected about ten of each. There were also some items I couldn’t figure out how to collect, but I managed to gather soil from specific locations. ...Soil. The black soil was too much to handle.

I gathered a considerable variety of items. I couldn't thank Taku enough for providing this information. I was resting in the non-combat area set up in the zone.

I was looking at the system screen, checking my skills. I hadn’t obtained any combat skills, but there were sections for synthesis and alchemy. Apparently, in the case of synthesis and alchemy, the skills are called "Recipes." Alchemy had only two options: Advanced Conversion and Basic Conversion.

By the way, my Sensory levels are as follows:

【Bow Lv3】【Eagle Eye Lv5】【Magic Talent Lv4】【Mana Lv7】【Alchemy Lv1】【Enhancement Lv6】【Taming Lv1】【Synthesis Lv1】【Alchemy Lv1】【Production Sense Lv1】

Smooth, smooth. I think I'll focus on improving my alchemy and synthesis skills.

First, I took out the basic alchemy set and started. The tools were like a middle school science kit, and I boiled and simmered standard herbs.

The result was a Beginner Potion. Yeah, an item that costs 5G each. One potion from one herb. The conversion rate is better than alchemy. Production skills are indeed impressive. Well, alchemy is also classified as a production skill.

Additionally, the recipe for the Beginner Potion was added to my synthesis and alchemy skills. Using this skill, I created a potion, which consumed MP and produced one potion. I see, magic sense is always required for this reason.

The rules for alchemy and synthesis are: first, create an item yourself. Then, the recipe is added, and you can use the skill as a shortcut. This might apply to all production skills. I tried making other potions with slight variations in the process. They were all called Beginner Potions, but there were slight differences in their recovery amounts. However, the recipe remained unchanged.

"In other words, mass production through skills or handcrafted premium items."

The advantages are roughly there. When I made ten Beginner Potions, my alchemy skill level increased. I understood how to improve my skills. Next, I focused on synthesis.

Synthesis is the skill of combining materials to create new materials and combining items to create new items. This skill apparently consumes MP from the start. I decided to try all possible patterns.

The synthesis kit I took out had a sheet with a magic array, and there were designated spots for placing items on either side.

"First, I'll combine standard potions."

I placed the Beginner Potions I made earlier in the designated spots and activated the process. After a moment of white light, the two potions disappeared, and a dark, murky potion was created.

"What is this? Did it succeed?"

No, it looks like a failure. When I checked the item, it was a poison that dealt HP damage.

Well, it might be useful for something, so I put it in my inventory.

"Production failure. I heard that production skills often fail when the level is low. But apparently, I gain experience, so it's okay."

I reassured myself and placed two more Beginner Potions.

This time, a darker green potion was created, still called a potion. This time it was a success, and the recipe was added. I continued synthesizing potions until my synthesis level reached 2. I checked the remaining Beginner Potions.

"The potions we used for hunting with Myu and Sei-nee are still intact."

I bought the Beginner Potions, but the two of them, who had healing magic, took the lead in healing to improve their skills, so they were mostly untouched. I wondered what would happen if I used alchemy to convert the Beginner Potions to a higher level, as an experimental test.

The result of alchemizing ten Beginner Potions was disappointing; it turned into poison again. Alchemy failure.

"50G turned into poison."

But at that moment, my alchemy skill level increased to 2. My Magic Talent and Mana also increased by one level each. Not bad. Just the cost was painful. I didn’t give up and tried alchemizing the Beginner Potions again. This time, a potion was created, but it felt lackluster.

"Ah, what a waste. If I had converted all the Beginner Potions into potions through synthesis, my synthesis skill would have improved."

However, I confirmed that the potions created through synthesis and alchemy had slightly different performances. Synthesis potions focused on the basic performance of the potion, while alchemy potions had 10% more recovery.

In terms of performance, it seems to be: Alchemy > Synthesis > Handcrafted Alchemy > Skill Alchemy. However, in terms of efficiency, it's the opposite.

"Again, a well-balanced system. Still, I have an incredible set of skills."

If you think about it, my combination of inefficient alchemy and efficient synthesis and alchemy is unbalanced. But my current goal is to improve my skill levels.

Alchemy is mainly for drug synthesis, while material items are handled through alchemy and synthesis. I repeated gathering and synthesis until it was time to prepare dinner, and I learned a few things.

Pebbles, no matter how I tried to synthesize or alchemize them, only turned into garbage, making them inventory filler. Mushrooms, herbs, and wild grass, when processed through drying, had "Dried" added to their names and their effects doubled, which was significant. However, mushrooms are food items, so drying them didn’t result in further changes.

Finally, tree branches and bird feathers. When alchemized or synthesized, they turned into wooden arrows, a lower-tier version of iron arrows. Surprisingly, I could make two arrows from one branch, so I now have about fifty arrows. This reassured me that I wouldn’t run out of ammunition for a while.

My final skill levels are:

【Bow Lv3】【Eagle Eye Lv7】【Magic Talent Lv6】【Mana Lv9】【Alchemy Lv2】【Enhancement Lv6】【Taming Lv1】【Synthesis Lv4】【Alchemy Lv4】【Production Sense Lv3】

When my Mana reaches 10, I’ll hold off on taming and acquire a new skill. Revised and completed.