The Second Life of Adam Cosmos

[Lorikan Republic, System Announcement: Adam has crafted a new Exquisite-Grade Potion. Congratulations!]

The announcement was something Adam had forgotten entirely about amidst his intense focus. The achievement of creating an Exquisite-Grade potion was no small feat and underscored the significance of his recent work.

There was a time when Adam might have been concerned about drawing attention to himself, but after months of working in isolation, he had steeled himself for such moments. He understood that achievements in the World of Pangea would inevitably attract notice.

So, brushing off the notification with a sense of calm, he refocused on his work, determined to push forward with his tasks.

Just as Adam was about to resume work, Jennifer’s voice broke through his concentration.

“Adam, I just got a notification that you crafted a new Exquisite-Grade potion! That’s incredible! I wanted to congratulate you,” she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Adam looked up briefly, fully recalling his earlier request for solitude. “Thanks, Jennifer. But I need to focus on my work, so please do not disturb me,” he replied, polite but firm.

Jennifer’s smile faltered slightly, and she nodded, hurt by the dismissal but understanding the situation. Recognizing that she was there because of Adam’s generosity, she decided not to push her luck and returned to her work, grateful for the opportunity he had afforded her.

Adam's focus shifted as he prepared to craft a specific type of poison. His next task required a poison specifically designed to be used against poisonous monsters.

To deal with monsters capable of producing toxins, he needed a strategy to turn their defenses against them. The poison he intended to create would first introduce an antidotal element into the monster's system, only for the deadly poison to follow, overwhelming the creature’s defenses.

First, Adam carefully prepared the Verdant Serpent's Scales. He used a specialized grinding apparatus, precision mortars, and pestles designed for the lab's most intricate work. The scales, known for their natural resistance to toxins, had to be crushed to a fine powder. Adam worked meticulously, ensuring that the scales were ground to the consistency needed to integrate seamlessly into the potion. The grinding process was slow and laborious, but he took his time to ensure accuracy.

Next, Adam turned his attention to the Glimmering Toadstool. With its unique detoxifying effects, this bioluminescent mushroom must be carefully handled. He used a high-precision slicer to cut the toadstool into thin, uniform slices, ensuring that each piece would be uniformly extracted. The delicate slices were placed in a specialized infusion chamber with a controlled heat source. This process extracted the toadstool’s unique properties, essential for the poison’s effectiveness.

The preparation of these ingredients was just the beginning. Adam had to combine them in a specific ratio to create the poison. He carefully measured the powdered scales and the concentrated extract from the toadstool using an advanced analytical balance, ensuring each component was added in the precise amount needed. The combination was added to a large, calibrated beaker, where he used a magnetic stirrer to blend the ingredients thoroughly.

As he worked, the lab's equipment hummed and whirred, each device playing its part in creating the poison. The solution began to take on a sickly purple hue as the components mixed, the color shifting from a muted green to a vibrant, unsettling shade. The process was complex and required constant vigilance, as any deviation could affect the poison's potency.

Finally, after several hours of careful preparation and monitoring, Adam completed the poison. The sickly purple solution was now ready, designed to infiltrate and overwhelm the toxins of the creatures it was intended for.

[You have created a new poison! You have gained 90,000 Essence.]

[Please name your poison.]

[Alchemy proficiency has not increased. Please undergo the Paradigm Trial of Alchemy to progress further.]

Once again, Adam decided to name the poison as to what it was called in his previous life.

"Violet Death."

Name: Violet Death

Grade: Exquisite

Description: A potent and insidious poison crafted from two antidotal ingredients. Explicitly designed to counteract and overwhelm the toxic defenses of poisonous monsters, Violet Death inflicts severe poison damage upon such targets. However, its effectiveness is significantly reduced when used against non-poisonous creatures, with its potency halved.

[Lorikan Republic, System Announcement: Adam has crafted a new Exquisite-Grade Poison. Congratulations!]

Adam leaned back and took a moment to appreciate his work. The successful creation of the Opal Purity Solution and Violet Death filled him with a sense of satisfaction. Crafting a potent antidote and a targeted poison required meticulous preparation and strategic thinking.

With these tools, Adam knew he had effectively positioned himself to make significant strides. These items will open a new way for him to complete the Troll Hunting Quest. More importantly, this dual achievement promised to save him valuable time and effort while simultaneously boosting his favor with a particular faction he will visit very soon.

Adam reviewed his progress and felt a renewed sense of purpose.

With the crucial antidote and poison securely crafted, Adam focused on the other essentials he needed for his journey. His stock ran low on various items crucial for his survival and effectiveness in the World of Pangea. The dense forest ahead and the unpredictable challenges it posed demanded thorough preparation.

Adam set to work, dedicating the next ten hours to replenishing his stock. His first task was to brew a batch of Healing Potions. He meticulously measured and mixed each component using a combination of vibrant herbs and high-quality ingredients. The potions were designed to rapidly restore health, which was necessary for surviving the harsh battles and traps that awaited him.

Next on his list were Stamina Potions, vital for sustaining prolonged physical exertion. Adam used a blend of invigorating roots and energizing extracts, carefully adjusting the ratios to ensure maximum efficacy. Each potion was a shimmering green, brimming with the promise of renewed vitality.

For his magical needs, Adam prepared a series of Mana Potions. These were essential for maintaining his spellcasting abilities. He combined mystical essences with enchanted waters, resulting in a sparkling blue solution that would replenish his magical reserves in critical moments.

Not stopping there, Adam crafted an assortment of Alchemical Grenades. Each grenade was designed to unleash potent effects- whether for offensive, defensive, or utility purposes. He filled them with carefully measured alchemical compounds that would cause explosions, create smoke screens, or deliver debilitating effects to enemies.

In addition, Adam created various Poison Grenades, each tailored for specific scenarios. Some were designed to weaken or incapacitate enemies, while others were more lethal and intended to deal with formidable threats. The grenades were marked with different colors to indicate their effects: a deep green for toxic, a sickly yellow for debilitating, and a dark purple for lethal poison.

Adam mixed a range of other useful mixtures to round out his preparation. These included antidotes for common poisons, elixirs to boost agility and strength, and compounds that could provide temporary effects like invisibility or haste. He utilized every inch of the lab’s vast equipment, from finely tuned scales to intricate distillation apparatuses.

As the hours ticked by, the lab was filled with the various scents and sounds of alchemy at work- the bubbling of potions, the crackling of reactions, and the occasional puff of colored smoke. The air grew thick with the complex aroma of combined ingredients, a testament to Adam's intense and focused effort in his work.

Adam’s stock was replenished and meticulously organized by the end of the ten hours. Each potion, grenade, and mixture was stored securely, ready for the challenges ahead. With his preparations complete, Adam took a moment to review his supplies, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment and readiness for the journey through the perilous forest and beyond.

The Alchemy Lab, now quieter and filled with the faint scent of his efforts, stood as a testament to Adam’s dedication and skill. With everything in place, he was ready to tackle the Troll Hunting Quest.

***

While Adam immersed himself in his work, meticulously replenishing his stock, Jennifer wrestled with her Alchemy Promotion Trial in a small corner of the lab. Despite her initial enthusiasm and the hope that her researched formula would suffice, the reality of the trial proved far more challenging than she had anticipated.

The task was to craft a Perception-Enhancing Potion, a complex concoction designed to heighten the senses. Jennifer had poured over her notes and prepared her ingredients, but the potion she initially produced fell short of the required quality. Determined, she had to scrap her first attempt and begin anew.

As hours ticked by, Jennifer’s frustration mounted. She worked tirelessly, her focus sharpened by the desire to pass her trial and prove herself. Her efforts, however, seemed to yield little progress. The potion's effects were inconsistent, and the quality remained unsatisfactory.

In a moment of distraction, Jennifer glanced towards Adam’s workstation. There, she observed him moving with practiced ease, crafting potion after potion with apparent mastery. The steady rhythm of his work and the impressive array of concoctions he produced made her acutely aware of the skill gap between them. Each potion he made seemed to be of a caliber well beyond what she could achieve.

Jennifer’s heart sank as she watched Adam’s skilled hands at work. Each potion he crafted seemed to mock her struggles, deepening her sense of inadequacy. From her vantage point, it seemed clear that Adam had reached the Expert rank, a level she aspired to but had not yet attained. Despite her efforts, the gap between her and Adam's achievements felt insurmountable.

Pushing aside her hurt from being dismissed earlier and the second congratulatory message she saw that showed Adam successfully creating two new mixtures in a row worthy of a system-wide notification, Jennifer channeled her frustration into renewed determination. She knew she needed to refine her approach and improve her potion’s quality to succeed in her trial and advance to the next rank.

Jennifer was so absorbed in developing a new formula that she didn’t notice Adam approaching her.

“I'm done with my work and about to head out,” Adam said, breaking the silence. “How’s your trial going?”

Startled, Jennifer jumped at the sound of his voice.

She quickly turned to face him, her cheeks flushed with surprise and embarrassment. “Oh, sorry, Adam. I didn’t realize you were there. I’ve been so engrossed in my work that I didn’t hear you coming.”

“No, it’s okay,” Adam said. Although Jennifer couldn't see his face, she could sense a more pleasant tone in his voice this time.

“Is it alright if you share the details of your trial?” Adam asked. “I might be able to offer some advice.”

Jennifer sighed and nodded. “Sure. The trial is to create a perception-enhancing potion. I’ve tried several combinations and formulas and even bought rare and unique ingredients with the traits I need. But nothing seems to be working. I’m really at a loss here.”

Adam took note of Jennifer's struggles and said thoughtfully, “Rare and unique ingredients don’t always guarantee the best results, even in Alchemy Trials.”

Jennifer, eager for advice, listened intently, though she wasn’t sure what Adam meant.

“Have you tried more common ingredients?” Adam asked.

Jennifer shook her head. “I didn’t find any common ingredients with the traits that could yield a perception-enhancing effect.”

Adam nodded in agreement but gave her a hint, “A single common ingredient might not have it, but a combination of ingredients might.”

Without further explanation, Adam conjured a pen and paper and scribbled down a list of a few dozen ingredients. He also wrote a recommendation for a couple of stabilizing agents. After twenty minutes of writing, he handed the list to Jennifer.

“Here you go,” Adam said. “This should suffice to get you through the trial. Now, I must go. Good luck, and you can use the room for the rest of the day.”

Jennifer thanked him profusely and immediately began checking the notes Adam had given her.

Five minutes later, she let out a yelp. “I never thought of mixing the ingredients in this way! This approach is completely different from what I’ve been trying. It might work!”

Then, she said to the empty Alchemy Lab, "Using a hallucinogenic compound combined with a stimulant, then adding an ingredient with antidotal properties as a stabilizing factor- this might indeed achieve a perception-enhancing mixture!”

She quickly went to the supplies store to buy some of the ingredients Adam recommended and immediately went to work.

Six hours later, there was another system announcement.

[Lorikan Republic, System Announcement: Jennifer has crafted a new Superb-Grade Potion. Congratulations!]