82

Agility Potion

"One hundred and eighty years, and I've finally caught the four-horned goat!" Tialfi exclaimed excitedly, momentarily forgetting the pain from his wound.

Forseti continued to tend to him and asked, "Will you be joining the hunting festival?"

"Of course! Catching a four-horned goat means I must participate, and not just participate—I aim to win!" Tialfi declared.

Forseti interjected, "I should warn you, though. The upcoming hunting festival will feature Princesses Hela and Skadi, and their hunting parties are likely formidable. Your chances might be slim."

"What?" Tialfi was taken aback. "How do you know?"

Forseti explained, "I heard it from reliable sources. It seems the contest at this hunting festival will be between the two princesses."

Tialfi stood stunned for a moment, muttering to himself, "How could this be? I've waited one hundred and eighty years... only to find myself in a competition where winning is nearly impossible!"

Forseti tried to reassure him, "Not necessarily. Perhaps you'll be fortunate enough to encounter three young dragons orphaned in a row during the festival."

He added with a grin, "If that happens, remember to send one my way."

Tialfi replied, "All three will be yours."

Forseti chuckled, "Actually, you might consider joining Princess Hela's hunting party. She won first place previously, and her group is highly respected."

"Why would I choose Princess Hela's group?" Tialfi questioned. "I believe Princess Skadi's team will be stronger."

Forseti revealed, "I'm actually in Princess Hela's hunting party. If you join Skadi's, we'd end up as rivals."

Tialfi was astonished. "You? Since when did you capture the four-horned goat?"

Forseti coughed twice, "I didn't actually catch it. I was recommended by Princess Hela."

Tialfi was taken aback. "Why?"

"For my dashing good looks, perhaps. But honestly, I'm not entirely sure myself," Forseti sighed.

Tialfi paused, then remarked, "..."

After scrutinizing Forseti's expression for a while, he waved dismissively, "Alright, enough joking. Truthfully, my exploits in Jotunheim impressed Princess Hela, so she recommended me."

"And yes, being handsome probably helped," he added with a smirk.

"So, what will it be? Will you join Princess Hela's group?"

Tialfi fell silent for a moment, then shook his head firmly and clenched his fists, "No. I've waited one hundred and eighty years—do you know what these years have meant to me?"

"In any case... I'm participating in this hunting festival for myself, even if the chances of winning are slim."

Seeing Tialfi's resolve, Forseti nodded understandingly and said, "Alright, I wish you the best in encountering those three young dragons."

With Tialfi's injury now healed, the two returned immediately to Landvety Town with the four-horned goat, drawing curious gazes from passersby.

"Tialfi caught the four-horned goat!"

This phrase echoed along their route at least twenty times, each delivery identical in tone.

Forseti returned home, rested briefly, then opened the Sacred Scroll.

**Alchemy Formula: Agility Potion**

**Standard Item Level: Level 4**

**Primary Ingredients: Golden Thorn Grass, Sun Grass**

This alchemy formula was the reward Forseti received for slaying Lord Skrins—a Level 4 potion, an excellent reward indeed.

While similar in name to the Swiftness Potion, the Agility Potion offered distinctly different effects.

The Swiftness Potion enhanced running speed, a trait that could be improved with persistent training over time.

Agility, however, relied heavily on innate talent for reaction speed. No amount of training could substitute for natural aptitude in this regard.

In close combat, improved reaction speed meant a significant increase in combat effectiveness.

Over the next few days, Forseti's main task involved studying this formula and seeking alternative ingredients.

Golden Thorn Grass, having been one of the first materials he identified for the Talent Mixture, was already being cultivated in his medicinal garden.

Sun Grass, however, still needed to be located.

Unfortunately, the search for Sun Grass proved challenging. Despite his efforts over the next few days, every potential substitute was either inadequate or simply unattainable.

That night, Forseti retrieved an herb for identification using the Sacred Scroll.

**Replacement for Sun Grass: 22%**

In other words, not suitable.

A 22% substitution was practically no substitution at all. Even if concocted, the resulting potion would likely be of poor quality and ineffective.

This outcome suggested that none of the herbs currently in Forseti's possession could replace Sun Grass.

Feeling somewhat disheartened, Forseti realized he needed more time.

...

Few years later.

Early morning.

Forseti stood before a mirror, washing up with a lump of snow-white viscous liquid he'd rubbed between his hands, then applied to his face as if using a facial cleanser.

This was an alchemy formula he'd acquired from Shengqi( holy time)—a straightforward and practical cleansing potion suitable for bathing, shampooing, hand washing, face washing, and other applications. Despite its convenience, the potion remained costly and had limited appeal even in a place like Asgard.

The Protoss found it pricey, let alone other intelligent beings.

After washing up, Forseti grasped the Fist of Verrigan, opened the Sanctuary, and entered Hogg's training arena.

Over the years, Forseti had grown confident of defeating Hogg. However, Hogg remained a formidable opponent, so Forseti occasionally allowed himself to lose to Hogg to gain more training opportunities.

Today, however, with the Asgard Hunting Festival looming, Forseti felt it was time to bid farewell to Uncle Hogg.

The experience arena remained familiar—a scene of Elwynn Forest and Hogg's Mountain.

The five gnolls stood together, simultaneously turning to face Forseti.

To humans, the five gnolls appeared nearly identical, but after years of combat, Forseti could discern which was Hogg from subtle cues.

"Ahhh... fresh meat!" one gnoll howled, charging toward him.

Just an ordinary gnoll.

Forseti remained composed, tightening his grip on the Fist of Verrigan. As the gnoll drew near, he dispatched it with a single hammer blow.

Hogg, observing from the sidelines, was on alert.

At the same time, another gnoll charged at him, wielding a hatchet and shouting, "Go to hell!"

Forseti swiftly evaded the blow, then countered with a swing of his warhammer, knocking the hatchet from the gnoll's hand with a resounding "clang."

Following up with another strike, he swiftly ended the gnoll's life.

In that moment, Hogg made his move!