chapter 50 unknown recipe

With his plan in place, Raven moved swiftly to gather the necessary materials. Each of the three key ingredients posed its own challenges—some required deception, others called for black market dealings, and one demanded outright theft. But Raven wasn't concerned. He had the skills, the knowledge, and most importantly, the willingness to do whatever it took to secure them.---Acquiring the Essence Stabilizer – Exploiting the AcademyThe Essence Stabilizer was a high-tier alchemical reagent, primarily used to prevent raw essence from decaying during transmutations. Because of its value, it wasn't something just anyone could obtain. Only officially recognized alchemists or those with explicit Academy authorization could request it. Buying one was out of the question—it was simply too expensive. But Raven had another method: exploiting the authority of the Alchemy Academy Sigil.The Academy's supply depot was a vast chamber filled with labeled shelves, potion racks, and locked cabinets containing rare ingredients. At the heart of it all stood Master Jorven, the elderly quartermaster responsible for overseeing inventory. Jorven had a reputation for being strict about ingredient requests—he always checked authorization papers for students who needed expensive materials. However, Raven had noticed something interesting: those with an Academy Sigil rarely had their requests questioned. It was a shortcut most players wouldn't think to abuse.Stepping up to the counter, Raven placed the Alchemy Academy Sigil on the desk. The metal gleamed under the candlelight, drawing Jorven's attention.> "I need an Essence Stabilizer for my advanced synthesis project," Raven said confidently.Jorven gave him a sharp look, his gaze lingering on Raven's unfamiliar face. If he started asking questions, the plan would fail. But then his eyes shifted to the Academy Sigil, and just like that, his suspicion faded.> "Master Varian authorized this?" Jorven asked, already reaching for his logbook.> "Yes," Raven replied smoothly. "He said time was of the essence, so he didn't bother with the paperwork."Jorven hesitated only for a second before nodding. He turned, retrieved a small silver vial from a locked case, and placed it in front of Raven.> [Essence Stabilizer] Acquired!Raven picked it up and walked out without another word. No cost. No hassle. Just pure manipulation.---Acquiring Crimson Nightshade – Navigating the Black MarketThe Crimson Nightshade was a highly toxic herb, banned from most legal trade due to its lethal properties. Its paralyzing touch and deadly effects made it a favorite among assassins and poison makers, meaning it was not something he could find in regular alchemy shops. That left Raven with only one option—the Black Market of Viles Town.The Black Market wasn't a single location but rather an underground network of smugglers, criminals, and rogue traders who dealt in restricted goods. Finding it wasn't as simple as walking into a store—he needed a contact, someone who could lead him to a seller.Raven moved through the narrow alleyways near the docks, where rumors of illicit trade were strongest. The air was thick with the scent of damp wood and stale alcohol, and hooded figures loitered in the shadows. This was the kind of place where people spoke in whispers and did business with a knife at their back.After some searching, Raven spotted a man flipping a gold coin between his fingers, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. A Black Market broker. Raven approached him without hesitation.> "I'm looking for rare alchemical components. The kind you don't find in regular shops," Raven said, keeping his tone casual.The man smirked but didn't stop flipping his coin. "That depends. You got gold?"Raven reached into his pouch and pulled out five gold coins, letting the metal glint under the dim lantern light.> "Enough?"The smuggler chuckled. "That'll get you rumors. Nothing more."Raven flipped another two gold coins into his palm.> "Now?"The smuggler's smirk widened. "Now we're talking."He gestured for Raven to follow him into a hidden backroom behind an abandoned warehouse. The room was dimly lit, lined with crates and shelves filled with stolen goods, potion vials, and restricted herbs. The smuggler reached into a wooden chest and pulled out a bundle of dried red flowers, wrapped in cloth.> [Crimson Nightshade] – A potent, highly toxic herb. Handle with care.> "Five gold. No less."Raven handed over the money without argument—this wasn't a place to negotiate unless you wanted to end up in a ditch. As he turned to leave, the smuggler chuckled.> "Careful with that stuff, kid. It doesn't forgive mistakes."Raven slipped the Crimson Nightshade into his inventory and disappeared into the shadows. One step closer to completion.> [Gold Coins Remaining: 3]---Stealing a Moonstone Catalyst – The Academy HeistThe Moonstone Catalyst was a high-tier alchemical component, stored inside the Advanced Alchemy Lab within the Academy. Unlike the Essence Stabilizer, there was no way to trick an NPC into giving it away—he would have to steal it.Scouting the LabRaven spent the day studying the Academy's layout, mapping out the patrol routes of the guards stationed near the lab. He quickly learned a few key details:The main entrance was locked with a Level 3 Security Ward—too strong for him to bypass.Two Academy Guards patrolled the hallways, changing shifts every fifteen minutes.A ventilation shaft near the back of the room led inside the lab, but only someone small and agile could fit through it.A direct approach was impossible. A stealthy infiltration was the only option.Breaking InRaven waited until midnight, when most of the Academy staff had retired for the night. Keeping to the shadows, he made his way to the ventilation shaft. The opening was secured with a few rusty bolts—nothing a quick tool couldn't handle.> [Stealth: Level 2] Activated.With careful precision, he unscrewed the grate and slipped inside, moving slowly to avoid making noise. The shaft was narrow, the air thick with dust, but Raven pressed forward.Inside the Advanced Alchemy Lab, shelves upon shelves of rare ingredients lined the walls. Potions glowed softly under glass domes, and enchanted runes shimmered on protective cases. But Raven had one target—the Moonstone Catalyst.It was stored inside a locked glass cabinet at the far end of the room. Raven retrieved a Thin Wire, a simple but effective tool for picking basic locks.> [Dexterity Check: Success]The lock clicked open without a sound.Raven reached inside, his fingers closing around the Moonstone Catalyst—a small, glowing blue crystal pulsing with energy.> [Moonstone Catalyst] Acquired!With the catalyst safely in his inventory, Raven retraced his steps, slipped back through the vent, and disappeared into the night without triggering a single alarm.---Mission Complete – All Ingredients SecuredWith the Essence Stabilizer, Crimson Nightshade, and Moonstone Catalyst now in his possession, Raven had successfully gathered all the necessary components for his experiment. No unnecessary risks, no wasted time.Now, all that remained was to put his plan into action.

With the ingredients secured, Raven made his way back to his rented room at the inn. He locked the door behind him, ensuring no one could interrupt. The dim candlelight cast flickering shadows against the walls, the scent of old parchment and alchemical residue lingering in the air.

He placed the Essence Stabilizer, Crimson Nightshade, and Moonstone Catalyst on the wooden table, his fingers tracing over them. Each of these ingredients had required deception, risk, and careful planning to acquire.

> This better be worth it.

Alchemy wasn't just about mixing random components together and hoping for the best. It was a science. A discipline. An art. A single mistake could mean wasted materials—or worse, a lethal explosion.

Raven leaned back, his mind processing the steps ahead.

> Theoretically, this should work. But theory means nothing without execution.

He had studied enough in his past life to understand that alchemy followed patterns—laws of reaction, stabilization, and enhancement. His experiment would push the limits of conventional synthesis, combining the volatile nature of the Nightshade, the raw energy of the Catalyst, and the binding properties of the Stabilizer.

> Alchemy isn't just about following formulas. It's about understanding the nature of things.

A traditional alchemist would hesitate, second-guess, or seek approval from a mentor before attempting something this dangerous. But Raven wasn't a traditional alchemist. He had no master. No restrictions. No safety nets.

He exhaled slowly.

> Let's see if my gamble pays off.

---

The Experiment Begins

He carefully measured out the Crimson Nightshade first, grinding the dried herb into a fine powder. Even in powdered form, the toxicity remained. A single mistake—breathing in too much, handling it carelessly—could paralyze him for hours.

Next, he took the Essence Stabilizer and mixed it with distilled water, watching as the liquid thickened into a translucent gel-like substance. This would serve as the medium to regulate the unstable interactions between the ingredients.

> If I add too little, the reaction won't start. Too much, and it will dilute the potency.

Finally, he retrieved the Moonstone Catalyst—the heart of the experiment. The crystal pulsed with a faint blue light, radiating a quiet hum of energy. Unlike the other two ingredients, this one wasn't just a reagent—it was the spark.

Holding his breath, Raven crushed the Moonstone Catalyst with a small mortar, grinding it into a fine dust. As soon as the crystalline powder mixed with the other ingredients, a soft glow emanated from the bowl.

> It's working.

The reaction was delicate, volatile—but not out of control.

For the next several minutes, Raven carefully adjusted the proportions, fine-tuning the mixture with precise, deliberate motions. His hands were steady, his focus absolute.

Then, finally—

A soft chime echoed through the room.

> [New Recipe Created: ???]

A small vial of deep crimson liquid rested before him, faintly glowing under the candlelight.

> Success.

Raven smirked, picking up the vial and rolling it between his fingers.

> Now, let's see what this really does.