Chapter 558 - 557: Alchemical Equipment

Chapter 558: Chapter 557: Alchemical Equipment

"So this is the magic item made from that Aboleth’s body?" Colin picked up the lens and examined it carefully against the firelight.

"That’s right. But the creature destroyed part of its own brain before it died, so this lens doesn’t work as well as it could. Still, it’s barely usable," Donkexes said. "As we agreed last time, this is free. You can take it now."

"Well, this’ll do." Colin casually stuffed the item into his coin purse.

"Also, here are five Underwater Breathing Potions. Making this kind of potion with Aboleth materials is very simple. You just need to add some preservatives to the mucus," Donkexes said, taking out five potions and placing them on the table.

Although it sounded great, Donkexes’s description made Colin feel a bit nauseous... ’Doesn’t that just mean I’ll be drinking the Aboleth’s mucus directly?’

Of course, after adventuring for so long, Colin wasn’t going to be too fussy about it, even though it was genuinely a bit disgusting.

He reached out and collected the potions Donkexes had put out.

As he was putting his things away, Colin suddenly noticed a strange expression on Donkexes’s face.

He asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Well... didn’t you mention before that we’d get a discount on raw materials from the Weston Clan?" Donkexes scratched his chin, hesitating before he continued, "They said they want to discuss a partnership with us. Specifically... about retaking the Undercity."

’Retaking the Undercity?’

Colin thought, ’Looks like Albert wasn’t just giving them a discount to be generous. He must have his own designs on the Undercity.’

That wasn’t particularly surprising.

The value of the Undercity went far beyond just the magic items within. The Magic Net Nodes, special materials, and Dwarf Ruins inside were priceless treasures. Of course, after retaking the Undercity, the magic items inside would be theirs for the taking.

If any faction was actually capable of conquering the Undercity right now, why hadn’t anyone done it?

Put that way, the answer was obvious: no one could do it.

This was one of the reasons Colin wasn’t optimistic about Donkexes and his people’s expedition. If even Thousand Masts City couldn’t accomplish it, a lost Dwarf Clan certainly couldn’t.

Colin asked, "So what’s your take on it?"

"If humans or Elves get involved in this, they’re definitely coming in for a cut of the profits. I don’t need to spell that out," Donkexes said with some hesitation.

"Is the gold they invest any different from the gold other Dwarf Clans invest?"

"Well..." Donkexes’s voice grew quieter. "No."

"Do the other Dwarf Clans who sponsor you expect nothing in return?"

"Not exactly."

"Then you should at least try talking with the Weston Clan. If their demands are too outrageous, you can always refuse. But if the terms are good, accepting will be helpful for you," Colin countered. "Isn’t that right?"

Donkexes was silent for a moment. His salt-and-pepper beard trembled, and he forced a smile.

He said, "Your views are identical to Durkin’s, Colin."

"That’s undoubtedly good news," Colin said, sighing in relief. "At least he can get you stubborn Dwarves to listen."

"I agree with your point. Now all we need to do is convince Langgrin." Donkexes rubbed his forehead, as if already getting a headache just thinking about convincing Langgrin.

"By the way, I also wanted to ask about that Dragonbone Greatsword. What’s the budget you need? I can leave the money here now."

"No need to worry about the budget for now. We received a very generous sponsorship, which should be more than enough to cover your Great Sword," Donkexes said.

Colin then said, "Alright, I’ll be going then."

"Wait a moment, there’s this too." After speaking, Donkexes pulled out a large, dark object from behind the counter, tied up with some Hemp Rope.

"Is this salted fish made from the Aboleth?"

"Yes. You can eat it on the road; this stuff basically never spoils." Donkexes held up the salted fish and said, "Have a safe journey, Colin."

"Alright then." Colin took the slab of salted fish.

He left the sewers and ordered lunch at a roadside Halfling restaurant—mainly a sizzling piece of roast meat and a freshly baked loaf of bread, along with a mug of beer.

The crispy bread paired with the greasy roast meat was a perfect match.

After he finished eating, Colin returned to the apartment where they were staying.

Although the others were all training in different places, they usually returned to the apartment in the evening. That would be the perfect time to tell them about their next departure.

But it was still noon, so he’d probably have to wait a while.

Colin picked up some of the white ash logs stacked by the fireplace, arranged them inside, and then lit them with a Flaming Arrow. Only then did he plop down on the bench in front of the hearth.

He first directed the little owl to fly in front of him, then took out the Historical Lens and looked closely at his Familiar.

After staring for a while, a line of small text appeared on the lens: [A companion to Murmurers. Appears to be a creature from the Upper Planes. They seem to be able to merge with creatures of the Mortal World to obtain a more stable form.]

’Now that’s some useful information,’ Colin thought.

’So what does "merge with creatures of the Mortal World" mean? Thinking in game terms, it probably means letting the little owl attach itself to another creature.’

Colin thought about it carefully.

’Normal Familiars can change their form. Perhaps this is how the little owl does it. If the need arises, I might have to catch a rat or something for it to possess.’

After he was done with all that, Colin leaned back silently against the backrest.

Now that he was idle, a sense of aimlessness suddenly washed over him.

’There are no cell phones or anything like that in this world. Being alone in a room with basically no entertainment is just too boring.’

He felt that the main reason he usually liked to train and read was simply to have something to do, to avoid being tormented by aimlessness and emptiness when alone.

After a little while, he looked at the salted Aboleth fish on his table. It had probably been air-drying for some time, as it was much harder than when he’d eaten it before—it felt like a block of oak.

’Honestly, eating this thing directly would be a bit of a waste.’

’Wait, could I grind this thing into a powder and use it as a seasoning?’

The moment he had this thought, Colin picked up his Spellbook, recited a Spell, and cast Invisible Servant, creating a servant made of a Force Field.

[Go grind that salted Aboleth fish into powder.]

The salted Aboleth fish immediately floated into the air. Colin offered his Dagger, and it too began to float, slowly scraping the surface of the salted fish, grinding it into a yellowish-black powder.