Isadora's silence came as a result of a few matters. First, although Kieran promised to repay whatever she used to complete this elixir, her heart clenched at the thought of losing some of her most precious treasures. Like a blacksmith treasured metals and their masterpieces, an Alchemist cherished the key components to produce their elixirs.
Second, the elements present inside the current elixir were more potent than Isadora had previously expected. In fact, it surpassed what she witnessed from Scar. Thus, her initial judgment regarding how many of her cherished elixirs would be sacrificed was incorrect.
'It took me countless years just to procure ten droplets… yet here I am sacrificing almost half of it to help this boy,' Isadora thought. Although she displayed some regret internally, her face remained neutral. Her hands moved swiftly across the space before her, assisting the newly created barrier.
The subtle vibrations stopped as the barrier began condensing until the chaotic aura was confined to the large cauldron. As a result, the bloody liquid inside seethed like a pit found in the deepest depths of the Netherworld.
Once the contents inside the cauldron was stabilized, Isadora then switched her attention to the portion extracted earlier. Steadily, she added the remaining drop of blood and bone powder to a flask that contained the purified Blood Essence.
To ensure the potion's stability, she then added a crystalline droplet that exuded a subtle chilling nature as well as unmatched purity. When the brew displayed signs of success, she released a sigh of relief.
"As long as your power is alive… I'll never be able to catch a break," Isadora groaned in frustration. Controlling the diabolical nature of these two elixirs required so many rare solutions that Isadora could only shake her head in regret.
Kieran grimaced at Isadora's comment. He felt as if Scar had set him up for some ungodly task. After all, he had warned him that Isadora could become quite difficult if irritated. And, by the looks of her expression, it was safe to say that she was suffering from some mild irritation.
"Come here," Isadora beckoned.
"Hm?" Kieran raised his eyebrow and took a step closer.
"That's good enough," Isadora suddenly said before extending her arm. Her soft palm pressed against Kieran's forehead as she closed her eyes as if sensing something. Because of how much of her items were sacrificed, she needed to judge whether Kieran could accomplish the task she wanted to hand to him.
"Are you aware of something known as a Pure Heart?" Isadora asked while slowly retracting her hand.
Kieran's expression became somewhat odd because purity was a multifaceted notion. To be pure meant to be free of contaminants; however, anyone could be "pure" in their unique sense.
"Don't hurt yourself trying to think of some profound answer," Isadora said with a light giggle. One that made Kieran scratch his cheek with a light cough. It was true that he was looking for an answer that Isadora would approve of. After all, Alchemists tended to travel the path of knowledge as per their experiments and seek the unknown.
Isadora only giggled for a few seconds before stopping completely. "A pure heart is simply one that has chosen a cause and abides by that cause. Neither good nor evil, the heart seeks what it desires. Righteousness is not to be confused with purity. Even the righteous can become corrupt, so that is false purity. True purity is obtained when the heart can no longer be swayed from its original path."
"I don't know," Kieran shook his head. Things like fate and destiny were matters that eluded Kieran's knowledge. Even if Isadora asked a simple question to understand the state of his heart, he didn't know.
"I only ask because I can sense the madness found in the potion in my hand and the solution in that cauldron. It would be a shame if someone with such a strong spirit and mind gained a corrupt heart after consuming that power. Should that happen, you'll never be able to reach the place I'd like you to," Isadora muttered. There was a slight worry in her watery eyes as she looked at Kieran.
Part of her was conflicted because she wanted him to obtain something that not even she could get her hands on since it required the individual to meet with a race that generally loathed humans!
If Kieran were to become a human that bordered on turning into a tyrant, then the chances of him succeeding were zero with no room for changes.
Rather than answer, Kieran's gaze shifted to the cauldron filled with the bubbling liquid that gave off a sinister sensation. 'Can an item from in the game truly sway one's decisions? While I know it's possible to gain combat knowledge from this game due to its special interaction with our mind… is it potent to alter our personalities?'
Kieran couldn't confirm or deny his questions because this would be his first time interacting with an Ancient or even Mythic material. However, he also had no intentions of backing down. He had come too far to give up on the quest now.
Thus, he looked at Isadora and shook his head. "I'll succeed, and I'll remain who I am."
"If that is true, then I ask that you visit the Eternal Oasis on my behalf," Isadora said with a charming smile. At the same time, a notification appeared before Kieran.
〈System: The contents for the quest «Isadora's Repayment» have been decided!〉
「 Isadora's Repayment (Special Quest)
Quest Rank: SSS
Recommended Party Size: N/A
Recommended Party Level: N/A
Objectives: Asking one of Xenith's most famed Alchemists to create an elixir for you came at no small price. Not only did she exhaust material to balance the stability of your essential elixir, but they were exceptionally rare. Therefore, you must honor Isadora's request to adhere to the laws of equivalent exchange. However, the task may prove difficult because of ancient transgressions.
- Visit the «Forest of Gardenia». 0/1
- Gain entry to the «Eternal Oasis». 0/1
- Collect two «Heart of Nature». 0/2
- Collect droplets from the «Peripheral Aether Pool». 0/10
Rewards:
- 3x Alchemic Recipes. [10 copies each](Below Rank Ⅴ)
- 100,000 Gold
- Max Favorability with Isadora.
- Special slot in the Alchemist's Circle.
Failure Penalty:
- Forbidden from entering Isadora's Abode.
- Favorability with Isadora locked at Estranged.
- Hero's Sanctuary Reputation -1,000.
- Merchant Association Reputation -5,000.
- Alchemist's Circle Reputation -10,000.
Time Limit: Until the Trial of Inheritors commences.
*Special Notes: Gaining Max Favorability with the Head of the Alchemist's Circle is an opportunity most could only plead for. 」
Kieran's eyes widened at the sight of this quest. 'The Forest of Gardenia?! No, even worse… the Eternal Oasis. That would mean I'd have to meet with the Emplenan Few.'
The Forest of Gardenia was a special place because it was the home of the Elven Race. However, the Eternal Oasis was even more special because it accommodated the royalty of the Elven Race as well as their most vital Elders—the Emplenan Few. Walking into that place with brutish thoughts would be suicide since the forest and oasis were linked to the Elves' lifeblood, empowering them greatly when inside their home.
"You wish for me to go to the Elves who detest humans?!" Kieran exclaimed with a bitter smile. Even the weakest of the Emplenan Few was as strong as Scar when in his prime. Aside from the leaders of the human race, it'd be challenging to find a match for them.
Isadora patted his shoulder with a radiant smile when she saw Kieran's dismay. "If you are truly as spirited as you claim, I'm sure you'll find a way to prove your trustworthiness to the elves. Just find a way."
'That damned Scar! The lady really is a minx. What is this smile while sentencing me to death?' Kieran cursed in his mind. Despite how riveting Isadora was, her sweet smile was truly dangerous. Like an aphrodisiac that could serve as the most efficacious medicine or the deadliest poison.
However, one thing Kieran didn't understand was the quest's time limit. It wasn't definitive. Instead, it was based on something known as the Trial of Inheritors, which Kieran knew nothing about.
Be that as it may, Kieran didn't ask about it because if it involved the status of an inheritor, then Scar should be familiar with what this was.
A few short minutes later, Kieran finally received the alert he was waiting for.
"It is ready, but I advise that you exercise caution. But, even in the worst of events, I'll be here by your side. You can by no means perish until I am repaid, is that clear?" Isadora said with a smile that felt almost like a death sentence.
'Note to self: Alchemists are most likely lunatics,' Kieran noted.
"Understood," Kieran nodded. Although Kieran could revive like any other regular player, one of the penalties was a character wipe, which was treated as a total death for players. Hence, NPCs viewed it as a player dying.
This term had many names, True Death, Full Death, etc.
Suddenly, Isadora grasped his shoulder just before Kieran could walk to the cauldron full of roiling liquid. "Strip. You aren't thinking of getting in there fully clothed, are you?"
"Uh.." Kieran blinked wordlessly. "Say what now? You want me to strip? And you're going to be in here with me?"
"Yes. What's the issue? It's not as if I've never seen the male body before. Besides, I don't want molten metal or burnt fabrics contaminating my item… Strip!" Isadora said in a forceful tone.
Kieran glared at her briefly before grunting and stripping to his bare body while consciously covering his manly parts. Even though he was admittedly inside a game, his body was perfectly replicated, so he felt as if he was being looked at in reality.
"Mm hmm~" Isadora smiled with a slight wink before motioning to her cauldron. "Now swallow this and get in."
Kieran took the small flask in Isadora's hand and gulped it before slowly getting in the cauldron. As soon as the liquid reached his stomach, his eyes widened in indescribable pain. It was as if both sides of the potion were reacting to each other and became increasingly volatile.
"Don't stop now, silly boy. Plunge yourself into it—head and all," Isadora shook her head.
After a decisive grunt, Kieran inhaled deeply and submerged his entire body. The top of the elixir hardened, forming a crystallized blood barrier when he did this. It wasn't something that allowed retreat.
Afterward, the potion began to destructively rebirth his body on all fronts—blood, muscle, viscera, bone—it was all tended to. The process was painful and felt like an eternity as Kieran's fingers dug into his legs while subconsciously adopting a fetal position.
His veins writhed throughout the process like gruesome snakes.
While this happened, Isadora's eyes lit up with an unusual glow, allowing her to peer inside the cauldron. "How cruel of you, Scar. To think he'd have his successor go through this ungodly pain. I wonder if he was subject to this as well? Anyhow, it seems like he'll succeed since there have been zero mishaps so far."
Minutes passed, soon turning into an hour before the roiling gradually dissipated. Numerous splits opened on Kieran's body that ravenously devoured the solution until there was no more. Following this event, Kieran's body healed instantly, and the barrier atop the cauldron began to crack.
"Huuu.." A deep exhale sounded from within the cauldron.
