Chapter 57: Ch 57: Capture
In one corner of the cave, Zane had arranged his alchemical tools, including beakers, flasks, and tubes. After the battle, he had exhausted his supply of potions. Even his Exploding Rocks had been completely used up.
Zane's approach to alchemy revolved around the creation of recipes, involving a process of trial and error through experiments. When a recipe seemed promising, the system provided a prompt that allowed him to store the recipe for future use.
"Currently, I only have a few recipes such as healing potion, regenerative potion, anti-venom, and petrifying potion," he thought, examining his inventory.
As he sorted through his collection of alchemical herbs, he came across some that were 100 year old herbs, along with two types of herbs that were thousands of years old—something that took him by surprise.
'A hundred years Purple Calendula can create an Tier 2 Intermediate healing potions. Meanwhile, Tier 3 Purple Calendula can probably create a Tier 3 Master Healing Potion.
'This is a good thing, sadly, the regular potions we have been consuming has little to slow effect on any Awakened. Cecilia and I is in a heavy need for strong potions!'
"This is a good thing, though it's unfortunate that the Tier 1 potions we've been consuming have had little effect on Awakeneds. Both Cecilia and I are in very dire need of stronger potions."
Zane also discovered new herbs that he had never encountered before. Without hesitation, he immediately combined them with other herbs. After a while, he began to yield some results.
100 year Astragalus combined with 100 Year Calendula results results: Increases lifespan by 10 years, revitalizes bone marrow, and improves circulation.
'Keep Recipe?'
'Yes'
1,000 years Amalaki combines with 100 year Astragalus results: Ability to stimulate limb regeneration and accelerate the natural healing processes of the body.
'Keep Recipe?'
'YES!'
After more trial and errors, the last combination he was very happy about was the 100 Year Belladonna combined with 100 year Benbane results: Creates a 10 seconds induced state of heightened consciousness, where the veils between truth and illusion become blurred. Can only affect Awakened and lower tiers.
'Truth Serum?'
'Keep Recipe?' System prompts
"YES!"
By the time evening arrived, Zane had also finished crafting his healing potions and other elixirs. When Cecilia returned, she was sweating profusely, but her face radiated joy.
Zane asked, "I assumed you mastered one of the orbs?"
"One?" Cecilia smirked at Zane's low expectation. She then looked at him, "Wanna have a quick spar?"
Zane stood up and smiled, "Yeah, why not. Let's see if you can really back the tone of yours."
...
After an hour of sparring, Zane and Cecilia found themselves lying on the ground, gazing up at the sky. Zane was genuinely surprised by Cecilia's rapid learning capabilities, being able to learn the three Awakened Orbs right away. As he looked at the sky, he couldn't help but recall his own talent, which he cursed as he thought, 'Shitty Divine Talent.'
Cecilia, on the other hand, was equally amazed. Throughout their spar, she had dominated Zane, but when he activated his berserk skill, the tide of battle turned and Cecilia struggled to keep up. She was incredibly impressed by how quickly Zane had mastered such a complex skill without any training.
When the night was high, Zane threw a parchment to Cecilia. Catching the parchment, Cecilia read scroll, "Zane Slaughter Mantra" she was shocked.
"Is this the third copy?"
"Yes, now we have the complete version. Memorize it before you sleep," Zane instructed.
Cecilia nodded and began to walk away, but she suddenly paused. A sense of foreboding washed over her, and Zane noticed the change in her demeanor.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I have this bad feeling again. It's the same sensation we had back in Capricia," Cecilia replied, her tone uneasy.
"What's wrong?"
"I have this bad feeling again. But I am not sure. It is the same when we were in the Capricia."
Zane knew better than to dismiss Cecilia's premonitions. Having been chosen by the World Consciousness, he considered her instincts to be like a warning bell.
He gazed at Cecilia intently. "Take this potion. We need to leave right now!"
Cecilia began to protest, "Zane, it might be nothing..."
"No, I'm 100 percent certain it's something. We're going!"
Zane swiftly gathered all their belongings from the cave and stored them in his inventory. Without wasting any time, they embarked on their journey once again.
....
A few days passed, and a group of cloaked individuals arrived at the entrance of the cave where Zane and Cecilia had taken refuge.
"Are you certain they've been here?" A man with a deep voice asked another man who held a leash attached to a large black and red hound.
"Yes, the hounds picked up their scent here!"
"Is it truly necessary for all fifteen of us to be here?" inquired one of the hooded figures.
Another responded, "Indeed, we don't even know for sure if he's Awakened."
"Fool! He has traveled such a great distance from Capricia without stopping. Do you believe he could move that swiftly if he weren't Awakened?" The man retorted with a heavy voice.
He continued, "We're going in. Prepare for battle. Stay vigilant! And remember, we're not to kill him. Madam Jezebel wants him captured alive."
"Alive, you say? But surely we can still get rid of his limbs?" suggested one of the hooded figures with a manic gleam in his eyes.
"I don't care what you do to him. I was only told that he needed to go back alive."
The group laughed.
---
After seven days and nights of continuous travel, Zane and Cecilia had not stopped once. They relied on stamina potions to replenish their energy, refusing even the use of regular potions. Deep within the Verdant Peak forest, Zane halted, leaning against a towering brook tree that stood about 400 feet tall.
"Are you still feeling uneasy?" he inquired.
"No, it is gone."
Zane exhaled, exhausted from the all running, "Great. Let's camp here."
"How are you so sure that we are being followed?"
Exhausted from the relentless running, Zane exhaled heavily. "Good. Let's set up camp here."
Cecilia questioned, "But how can you be so certain that we're being pursued?"
Zane gazed at Cecilia intently. "You spent over two years in Capricia. Yet you still haven't grasped the pettiness of the Nobles. You've grown comfortable because I've been with you, but remember your rage and anger, and your very reason for becoming strong. Don't underestimate the cruelty of this world."
When Cecilia's heard his lecture, she remembered how her father died because of one petty noble. All the the bad memories rushed back to her head, how she was powerless to do anything. Her father saving her. And in her arms, she saw her father last smile.
Then Cecilia's aura rage in to the heavens.
Sensing the immense sword aura in the area, Zane's hairs stood on end.
He thought, 'I mean, when I said those words, I just want you to not let your guards down.'
"No need be rilled up Cecilia. Rest, and we will move again right away tomorrow."
"No need to get worked up, Cecilia. Rest for now. We'll resume our journey tomorrow."
Cecilia nodded, harnessing her aura and retreating to a corner to practice controlling her Sword Aura.
Weekly Power Status
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