Gurgle—Gurgle—
As Minori poured magic power into the alchemical solution again, the once-clear liquid rapidly turned turbid.Moments later, it began to boil, frothing violently as if set atop an invisible flame.
Minori's eyes sharpened.Without hesitation, he tossed aside the waterskin containing the unstable solution.
Bang!
The waterskin exploded mid-air.The sound echoed sharply through the jungle, scattering flocks of startled birds into the sky, their shrill cries filling the canopy.
—
In the jungle, hundreds of meters away—
Agu, accompanied by two larger goblins carrying heavy baskets, froze in place.
"W-what...was that?"One of the larger goblins stuttered, his nervous gaze sweeping the dense foliage.
"Not far," the other muttered, glancing toward the direction of the explosion with wary eyes.
Agu tilted his head, studying the sky and listening to the lingering echoes."This wasn't the roar of a beast. It must be that human."
His tone betrayed a mixture of tension and excitement.
"Hurry!" Agu urged.
The two large goblins exchanged worried glances but could only obey, tightening their grips on their loads as they followed him deeper into the forest.
—
Elsewhere—
"Huff... huff..."
A small evil hound limped through the undergrowth.Its once-sleek black fur was matted with debris, and thin lines of blood marked its scratched body.
Every trembling step showed its exhaustion.Even so, when the explosion's sound rippled through the jungle, the little creature's ears pricked up sharply.
Its dull, listless eyes lit up once more.
In the chaotic scents of the forest, it had long lost the clear trail of its target.But now, the sudden noise gave it new direction.
The little evil hound barked weakly, forcing its battered body forward again.
It didn't understand why it insisted on following that terrifying human.
It simply knew—
Without the shelter of a strong protector, it would not survive the merciless jungle.
And survival was the most basic instinct.
—
Crash—
The remains of the exploded waterskin and the spilled alchemical solution splattered across the ground.
Nearby, Brother Muguo—a goblin with broken legs—squealed and instinctively curled up, covering his head with trembling arms.Yet even in his panic, he stubbornly kept a half-eaten roasted rabbit clamped between his teeth.
Minori paid him no mind.
Instead, he crouched beside the shattered waterskin, his brows drawing into a frown.
"So even a reinforced waterskin couldn't withstand the magic infusion..."
He recalled the behavior of the alchemical solution just before the explosion.
"Five points of magic power is the current limit," he muttered."No—this isn't about the amount of magic. It's a material issue."
He straightened, thinking deeply.
The venom sacs he'd harvested from hanged spiders—common monsters near the forest's edges—weren't high-grade alchemical ingredients.Despite their abundance, the raw materials were simply too unstable.
In contrast to traditional herbalism, which demanded delicate balancing of various plants, alchemy focused purely on the qualities of materials.
It was simpler in principle—but entirely dependent on the right ingredients.
That was why Minori had prioritized learning alchemy early on.Its potential for crafting high-tier tools was immense—if he could master it.
His crimson gaze gleamed.
"If the poison sac can be used..."
"Then other monster parts might be usable too."
The idea sent a surge of excitement through him.
Of course, not everything was suitable.
For example, the bone chains he'd collected from the evil dogs he'd slain were magical materials as well, but clearly unsuited for liquid alchemy.
Maybe someday, with higher-level skills, he could find ways to utilize even such exotic components.For now, though, he had to work with what he understood.
Minori's thoughts turned to ancient memories—both from YGGDRASIL and from scattered New World knowledge.There had been countless potions: not just healing potions, but brews that enhanced strength, agility, and even granted magical abilities.
YGGDRASIL had pharmacists who could embed sixth-tier spells into potions.
And surely—
An alchemist could do the same.
He withdrew his gaze from the ruined waterskin without a flicker of regret.
Originally, Minori had seen the Magic Swordsman class as merely a stat-boosting advancement—a stepping stone that allowed limited spellcasting.
Even the skill "Magic Slash" had seemed unimpressive: merely a way to add a mid-range attack option.
But now—The passive skill "Magic Infusion" revealed a hidden treasure trove of possibilities.
Unintended, unexpected.
Minori pulled himself from his reverie and glanced toward Brother Muguo, still lying in the grass clutching his roasted rabbit.
"Finished eating?" Minori asked calmly.
Hearing the human's voice, the goblin stiffened, then slowly raised his head from the bushes.His fearful gaze swept around before he relaxed slightly.
He understood now—
The explosion hadn't been some monster attack.
It had been caused by the terrifying human who, in the goblin's eyes, constantly performed incomprehensible feats.
"I-I'm done..."Muguo answered timidly."Big brother... are we moving again?"
The goblin's tone was cautious but expectant.Normally, after resting, they would resume their hunting.
Minori simply nodded, sword in hand.
But as he approached, Muguo—perhaps numbed by fear and familiarity—failed to notice the subtle shift in Minori's aura.
Two steps.
Minori paused.
He turned his head sharply, looking toward the dense brush beyond the clearing.
Rustle—Rustle—
Faint, barely audible sounds.
The crunching of leaves, the brushing of bodies against branches.
Minori's eyes narrowed slightly.
At least two medium-sized creatures approached.No—three.One was smaller, its movements nearly drowned out by the other two.
Living in the jungle for weeks had honed Minori's senses.
Or perhaps, as his power grew, so did the sharpness of his perception.
Either way, his hearing was now acute enough to catch such minute details.
"Interesting."Minori smiled faintly.
It had been some time since any creature dared approach him.His mere presence seemed to drive away weaker monsters.
Even insects had begun avoiding his camp.
But now—
Something was bold enough—or desperate enough—to come near.
He gripped his sword lightly.
The bushes parted.
A goblin, roughly the size of a human child, cautiously poked his green-skinned head through the leaves.
The instant his eyes met Minori's—
The goblin froze, trembling uncontrollably.
"Lo-look...!"The goblin's voice cracked with terror.
Behind him, Brother Muguo stirred.
Hearing the familiar voice, he twisted toward the sound and gasped:"Agu!"
Recognition flashed between them.
Agu, shaking visibly, quickly turned his eyes toward the wounded goblin lying beside the terrifying human.
"Brother Muguo...!"
His voice quivered.