chapter 49 forbidden knowledge
Raven twirled the Alchemy Academy Sigil between his fingers, considering Varian's words. The room was silent except for the faint crackle of an alchemical burner in the corner, its blue flame casting flickering shadows across the shelves.
Most players wouldn't hesitate. A high-ranking alchemist NPC offering personal training? That was a golden opportunity. But Raven wasn't like most players.
He didn't need a mentor to tell him what to do.
Yet… there was value in knowledge.
> "I'm listening," Raven said finally.
Varian's smirk deepened.
> "Good."
He turned and moved toward a cabinet, unlocking it with a small metallic key. As the doors swung open, rows of meticulously labeled vials, scrolls, and strange artifacts gleamed under the dim light.
> "Alchemy isn't just about mixing ingredients and hoping for the best."
Varian reached inside, pulling out a small glass bottle filled with a swirling, dark green liquid. He held it up, the substance within shifting almost as if it were alive.
> "This is a poison that can kill a man in seconds—or heal him, depending on how it's prepared."
Raven's eyes narrowed.
> "A dual-effect potion?"
Varian nodded.
> "Most alchemists focus on the result—damage, healing, resistance. But true mastery lies in the foundation: understanding the essence of ingredients and how they interact on a deeper level."
He set the vial down and turned to face Raven fully.
> "You want power, don't you?"
Raven didn't respond immediately.
Power wasn't the goal—control was. If he wanted to manipulate the chaos in Viles Town, he needed to understand alchemy beyond simple crafting recipes. He needed to create things no one else could.
> "What's the catch?" he asked.
Varian chuckled.
> "Smart. There's always a catch."
He gestured toward a large iron-bound book resting on the desk. Its cover was engraved with alchemical symbols, and a faint, pulsing glow radiated from its pages.
> "Alchemy at this level isn't safe. The deeper you go, the more dangerous it becomes. The Academy only teaches the basics—harmless potions and simple transmutations. But if you want to learn the real secrets, you'll be stepping into forbidden territory."
He tapped the book's cover.
> "This contains knowledge on unstable formulas, volatile reactions, and the manipulation of life itself."
Raven raised an eyebrow.
> "And the Academy allows this?"
Varian's smirk turned razor-sharp.
> "The Academy doesn't know."
A beat of silence.
Raven stared at him, considering.
If Varian was hiding knowledge from the Academy, then this wasn't just some in-game tutorial. This was a path few players would ever access.
It was a risk—but one that could pay off immensely.
> "What do you need me to do?"
Varian pushed the book toward him.
> "For now, study this."
Raven placed a hand on the cover. Immediately, a system notification appeared.
---
[Quest Received: The Forbidden Path of Alchemy]
Difficulty: ???
Description: Varian has offered to teach you alchemy beyond the Academy's limits. This path will grant you access to powerful but dangerous knowledge. Proceed with caution.
Objective: Read the first chapter of Varian's book and perform the initial experiment.
Reward: Unknown.
---
Raven accepted without hesitation.
As soon as he did, the book's pages flipped open on their own, revealing dense text written in an ancient script. But his interface automatically translated it.
> "Alchemy is the art of deconstruction and reconstruction. To truly understand a substance, one must first break it down to its essence."
At the bottom of the page, an experiment was listed:
---
Experiment: Essence Extraction
Objective: Extract the true essence of an alchemical ingredient without destroying its properties.
Materials Required:
Essence Stabilizer (Rare)
Crimson Nightshade (Toxic Herb)
Lunar Water (Purified by Moonlight)
---
Varian watched as Raven skimmed the instructions.
> "The Academy doesn't teach this because it's dangerous. If done incorrectly, the reaction will destroy the ingredient—or worse, harm the alchemist."
> "How much worse?" Raven asked.
Varian grinned.
> "Worst case? You might explode."
Raven exhaled through his nose.
> "Sounds fun."
Varian laughed.
> "Good. Then let's see if you survive your first real lesson."
Raven ran a finger over the ancient text, absorbing the details of the experiment. Essence Extraction. It wasn't something the game's public guides ever mentioned—likely because it was too unstable for casual alchemists to attempt.
His eyes flicked to the list of ingredients.
Essence Stabilizer (Rare) – Likely something expensive or difficult to obtain.
Crimson Nightshade (Toxic Herb) – A common but dangerous plant. Mishandling it could lead to poisoning.
Lunar Water (Purified by Moonlight) – This could be time-sensitive; he might need to collect it at night.
Varian leaned against the desk, watching him with interest.
> "What's your approach?"
Raven considered.
He could attempt the experiment immediately, relying on his past knowledge and instincts. But alchemy wasn't just about speed—it was about precision. Rushing could mean failure… or worse.
He closed the book.
> "I need to confirm a few things first."
Varian's lips curled into a smirk.
> "Good. Impatience kills more alchemists than poison."
Raven knew that jumping straight into the experiment without a thorough understanding would be a rookie mistake. Alchemy wasn't just about throwing ingredients together—it was about understanding their properties, interactions, and potential risks.
A failed experiment could result in wasted materials, explosions, or even status debuffs.
So, before he even thought about collecting the ingredients, he needed information.
---
1. The Essence Stabilizer – A Rare Commodity
Raven's first stop was the Academy's ingredient archives, a vast chamber lined with wooden shelves filled with dusty tomes, ingredient ledgers, and handwritten notes from past alchemists.
He ran his fingers along the book spines, searching for anything on Essence Stabilizers. Eventually, he pulled out a thick, leather-bound volume titled "Advanced Alchemical Binders and Stabilizers."
> [Essence Stabilizer]
A rare alchemical component designed to prevent the dissipation of raw essence. Used in high-level transmutation and extraction techniques. Typically synthesized using high-purity minerals. Its value makes it a heavily restricted item.
Raven's brow furrowed.
Key takeaways:
It was a rare and expensive component.
It prevented extracted essence from breaking down, making it essential for his experiment.
It was likely not sold in normal alchemy shops due to its value.
That meant he had only a few ways to get it:
1. Buy it (unlikely, since it was expensive).
2. Steal it from the Academy.
3. Find a substitute (which required research).
Raven tucked that thought away for later. He had more ingredients to investigate.
---
2. The Crimson Nightshade – A Deadly Poison
This time, Raven pulled out a thinner book titled "Forbidden Flora of the Continent." He flipped through the pages until he found a deep red sketch of a flower labeled "Crimson Nightshade."
> [Crimson Nightshade]
A highly toxic herb. Contact with bare skin causes paralysis. Ingestion results in rapid organ failure. Its primary use is in poisons and high-level alchemical brews. Due to its lethal nature, it is banned in most trade hubs and alchemy shops.
Raven's eyes narrowed.
Key takeaways:
Dangerous to handle – Direct contact could lead to paralysis.
Not legally sold – Meaning he had to harvest it in the wild or buy it on the black market.
Used in poisons – Meaning assassins or shady merchants might have it.
He checked the growth locations listed in the book:
The Deepwood Forest – A high-level monster zone outside Viles Town.
The Black Market – Risky, but a guaranteed source.
> I don't have time to hunt through a monster-infested forest. The Black Market is the better option.
But he would need contacts to find a dealer.
---
3. The Lunar Water – A Time-Sensitive Ingredient
For this one, Raven pulled out a more technical alchemy book, "The Study of Celestial Liquids."
> [Lunar Water]
A liquid purified under moonlight. Its potency is strongest during a full moon, making it a critical component in light-based elixirs and stabilizing potions.
Raven checked the in-game date:
Current Day: 3
Next Full Moon: Day 7
> Four days? That's too long. I need a workaround.
He flipped through the book, scanning for alternatives.
> "Lunar Water can be artificially enhanced using a Moonstone Catalyst, mimicking the effects of full moon purification."
His eyes sharpened.
Key takeaways:
Waiting for a full moon wasn't an option.
Moonstone Catalysts could create Lunar Water instantly.
He had to find a Moonstone Catalyst.
This led to another problem: Moonstone Catalysts were high-tier materials—likely stored in restricted sections of the Academy.
> Looks like I'll have to steal one.
---
Conclusion – The Plan Moving Forward
With all the information gathered, Raven now had a clear roadmap:
1. Get the Essence Stabilizer – He would use his Alchemy Academy Sigil to trick an NPC into giving it to him.
2. Acquire Crimson Nightshade – The Black Market was his best bet, but he needed to find the right contact.
3. Steal a Moonstone Catalyst – He would sneak into the Advanced Alchemy Lab and take one without being caught.
> No wasted time. No unnecessary risks.
His preparations were complete.
It was time to execute the plan.
Note :this is game launched 1 day 3 hours
Raven completed trail in 4 hours most players are struggling to lvl 3 because k is restriction on town leaving without tax so many are having struggle to level up many are lvl 2 no one is lvl 3 except raven in viles town