chapter 44 ALCHEMY ACADEMY

A Familiar Threat Returns

Mark stood still for a moment, his mind racing.

Dark Solution is already at the top?

In his past life, he had been just another struggling player, watching as guilds like Dark Solution dominated early-game territories. But this time, he had used K—a walking storm of vengeance—to tear them apart before they could establish themselves.

Yet despite that… they were thriving.

His fingers curled into a fist.

How?

He had set the pieces in motion perfectly. K was systematically hunting Dark Solution members, turning their leveling spots into warzones. By all logic, they should have been in disarray. But instead, they had adapted—no, someone had adapted for them.

And there was only one person who could have done that.

Sophie.

Mark's jaw tightened. He hadn't planned for this. In his past life, Sophie had been a background figure until much later, but now, she had recognized the threat and maneuvered around it.

She wasn't just surviving K's onslaught—she was using it to her advantage.

Damn it…

Mark didn't know exactly how she had turned the situation around, but one thing was clear—Dark Solution wasn't collapsing. They were consolidating.

If they kept this momentum, it wouldn't be long before they became even stronger than in his past life.

He exhaled sharply.

Fine. If she wants to play, I'll play.

This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

But first—Poison Cave.

Without wasting another second, he pulled up his party menu and sent out invitations.

Mark: "Log in. We need to move."

The game had changed. Now, it was his turn to adapt.

Raven strode through the crowded streets of Viles Town, his steps steady as he approached the Alchemy Academy. The towering structure stood in stark contrast to the rest of the town—its massive stone pillars, intricate golden inlays, and glowing alchemical runes gave it an aura of mystique. Smoke curled from chimneys atop the academy, carrying the scent of burnt herbs, bubbling concoctions, and magical reagents.

Even before he reached the entrance, he heard the frustrated voices of players gathered outside.

> "One gold coin per attempt? That's ridiculous!"

> "I barely have five silver to my name. How the hell am I supposed to afford this?"

> "Alchemy is a scam, man. Even if you pass, the ingredients cost a fortune. It's not worth it."

> "It's too damn hard. They expect us to identify rare herbs, mix potions perfectly, and solve puzzles. This isn't a game—it's a university degree!"

Raven's gaze swept across the crowd. Players slumped on benches, some shaking their heads in disbelief. A few paced back and forth, their faces twisted in frustration. One man clutched his hair and muttered to himself, clearly having failed multiple times.

A player clad in leather armor—likely a rogue class—leaned against a nearby wall, arms crossed. His tone was bitter as he spoke to his friend.

> "I went in, man. Thought I had a chance. First part seemed easy—just identify some ingredients. But they threw in fakes, and I got tricked. Failed instantly."

> "So, you lost a whole gold coin just like that?" his friend asked, wide-eyed.

> "Yeah. And guess what? No retries without another gold."

His friend let out a low whistle. "Damn. That's brutal."

A female player, dressed in mage robes, groaned and buried her face in her hands. "I got to the potion-making part. I thought I followed the recipe correctly, but the moment I stirred the cauldron—it exploded! Trial over, one gold gone."

Raven barely reacted to their complaints. If anything, he found their defeatist attitude pathetic.

> They're so short-sighted.

Most of these players were still thinking like casual gamers—expecting instant rewards, unwilling to invest in skills that didn't offer immediate payoffs. Alchemy wasn't about quick profits. It was about control. A powerful alchemist could manipulate the economy, craft rare potions, and hold power over others.

And power was what Raven sought.

Without slowing his pace, he walked past the dejected players, ignoring the ones who looked at him with pity.

> "Poor guy's about to waste a gold coin."

> "Bet he doesn't last five minutes."

> "Maybe he's rich. Or just stupid."

Their words meant nothing. Raven didn't care for their opinions.

He stepped toward the massive stone entrance, where an ornate announcement board stood tall. Carved into the board in elegant runes was the official message:

Alchemy Apprentice Trials – 1 Gold Coin per Attempt. No Refunds.

No tricks. No sugarcoating. One attempt. One shot. No safety net.

Raven reached into his inventory, pulled out a shimmering gold coin, and flicked it between his fingers as he entered the academy.

---

Inside the Alchemy Academy

The transition from the noisy streets to the academy's interior was almost jarring.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of herbs and alchemical smoke. The polished marble floor reflected the glow of enchanted lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Bookshelves stretched high, filled with ancient alchemical texts, some bound in leather, others glowing with mysterious energy.

Along the walls, large cauldrons bubbled, each brewing a different concoction. NPC apprentices moved between them, carefully stirring the mixtures while murmuring incantations.

At the center of the room, behind a grand oak desk, stood Head Alchemist Varian.

Varian was an elderly man, tall and imposing despite his age. His long silver hair was tied neatly behind his back, and his sharp emerald eyes held a piercing intelligence. He wore deep green robes, embroidered with golden runes that pulsed faintly. Unlike most NPCs, there was a presence about him—something more than just a scripted character.

The moment Raven entered, Varian's gaze snapped toward him. He didn't speak immediately. He simply watched.

Raven walked forward, his pace unhurried, until he reached the desk.

Varian finally sighed, shaking his head.

> "Another one?" he muttered. His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable hint of annoyance.

He leaned forward, resting both hands on the desk. His eyes analyzed Raven, as if trying to see through him.

> "You don't look like an alchemist," Varian said flatly.

Raven met his gaze without hesitation. "Looks are deceiving."

Varian arched an eyebrow, amused. "Are they now?"

There was something different in the way he looked at Raven. Not dismissive, like he had been with the others. Curiosity flickered in his expression.

> Does he sense something? Raven wondered.

The old alchemist glanced toward the entrance, where he could still hear the murmurs of failed players outside. He exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

> "I've seen more 'apprentices' than I care to count today," Varian muttered. "All of them eager, all of them convinced they could pass. None of them did."

Raven didn't respond.

Varian eyed the gold coin in Raven's hand, then looked back up at him.

> "You understand the terms?" he asked. "One gold coin. One attempt. No second chances."

Raven didn't hesitate. He placed the gold coin onto the oak counter between them.

The moment the coin touched the wood, it vanished, absorbed into the academy's system.

Varian studied Raven again, his emerald eyes narrowing slightly.

> "Hmph." A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Interesting."

Raven felt it then—the shift in atmosphere.

Varian had been disinterested before. Dismissive.

Now, he was intrigued.

The head alchemist straightened, brushing a hand over his robe. His posture had changed. He was no longer treating Raven like a random nobody walking in off the streets.

> "Very well," Varian said. "Let's see if you have what it takes."

A golden rune appeared beneath Raven's feet. The trial had begun.