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Reading through the recipe, Kisha nearly burst out laughing. She hadn't expected potion-making to feel so much like cooking—simmering the ingredients, adding the precise amounts, and even watching for consistency.

It felt more like preparing a hearty soup than crafting a magical elixir.

She had to read it a few more times, chuckling each time, before finally accepting that, yes, this was indeed a legitimate alchemy recipe.

Whether it was actually difficult to make, though—that was something she'd have to find out for herself.

"Host, potion-making really is like making soup," 008 suddenly interrupted Kisha's train of thought. "Didn't your world often depict witches brewing potions in cauldrons? Well, alchemists aren't much different."

"The main difference is that while cauldrons are the most basic tools in alchemy, true alchemists—especially master-level ones—use advanced labs and specialized equipment.

At higher levels, cauldrons simply won't cut it anymore.

Some ingredients become too complex to process properly without tools that can separate their molecular structure. "

Kisha had only been joking in her head, but hearing 008's serious explanation actually made a lot of things make sense.

After this explanation, Kisha moved to check some other things.

It just so happened that the only requirement to attempt this recipe was being a beginner-level alchemist—which Kisha now was. The realization made her a little excited to try it out.

She quickly remembered that she already had some of the necessary ingredients in her inventory: Goblin's Tongue, Goblin's Blood, and Monster Blood.

Currently, she had Goblin's Tongue ×20, Goblin's Blood ×4, and Monster Blood ×1—items she had received from her previous 120 Gachapon draws. Who would've thought those random drops would come in handy now?

With a small, satisfied smile, Kisha opened the system mall and searched for the missing ingredient—Liliana Mushroom. While she was at it, she decided to stock up on the other ingredients as well, knowing she'd need extras for experimentation and failures.

[Liliana Mushroom x 1 = 15 system points]

[Goblin's Blood x 1 = 15 system points]

[Monster's Blood x 1 = 15 system points]

"Hmm, it's actually this cheap?" Kisha said, pleasantly surprised by how affordable the ingredients were.

"Host," 008 responded, "that's because these materials are among the easiest to gather. Goblins, for example, reproduce quickly, so components like their blood and tongue are in constant supply."

"As for Monster Blood, it can be collected from a wide variety of monsters—just as long as the blood doesn't overpower the Goblin's. And the Liliana Mushroom? In the fantasy world, it grows as commonly as grass."

"Host, you also need to purchase an alchemy cauldron, Erlenmeyer flask, beaker, Bunsen burner, balance scale, graduated cylinder, distillation set, test tube rack, test tubes, and several other tools..." 008 listed matter-of-factly, as Kisha browsed the system mall for supplies.

"Hold on—are you trying to scam me into buying more stuff again?" Kisha narrowed her eyes suspiciously, arms crossing over her chest. "Those are just regular lab tools! I can find most of them here!"

Although Kisha wasn't exactly a science expert, she still remembered enough from her high school chemistry classes to recognize the basic equipment. She'd even used some of them during simple experiments, so she wasn't entirely clueless.

"Host! You're wronging me!" 008 protested, sounding genuinely aggrieved.

"I'm only asking you to buy these items because—even though they may look and sound like Earth's lab equipment—the materials used to craft them here are entirely different!

They're far more durable and specifically designed to withstand high essence flames and Spiritual Flame! "

Kisha raised an eyebrow, still skeptical.

"High essence flame? Spiritual flame? Aren't those just fancy words for fire?

" she asked, her tone laced with doubt. After all, 008 had been trying to sell her system items ever since the beginning just to earn points, so her suspicion was more than justified.

"High Essence Flame is actually just another name for Spiritual Flame—a type of fire that only alchemists can wield.

To awaken it, an alchemist must have a strong affinity with fire, and it is also considered a Gift.

Spiritual Flames are much purer and contain a far greater concentration of fire essence, making them at least ten times hotter than ordinary flames. "

"If an alchemist can't awaken their own Spiritual Flame, they can try to obtain one from nature. Some of these flames are born in the most dangerous, remote parts of the wilderness. They're incredibly volatile—some are as hot as lava and capable of melting almost anything."

"Others may be remnants left behind by divine beasts, such as the flame of a true dragon that has long since died. These flames can survive for hundreds or even thousands of years."

"Spiritual Flames are categorized much like your spiritual equipment—ranging from Common, Uncommon, and Unique, to Legendary, Mythical, and even Heavenly grades.

The higher the quality, the more powerful and rare the flame is—and, naturally, the harder it is to obtain.

Some alchemists are even willing to kill just to acquire one. "

"Oh?! Is it really that amazing?" Kisha gasped as she listened to 008's explanation.

"Of course it is!" 008 exclaimed. "With a Spiritual Flame, you could burn and refine even the toughest materials—like the bones of a dragon infused with condensed mana.

You'd be able to extract and use their essence in alchemy!

That same flame can incinerate an awakened ability user in seconds, reducing them to ash. That's how powerful it is!"

"But because Spiritual Flames are so rare and hard to obtain, many alchemists have no choice but to rely on high-end equipment.

These tools, though expensive and less durable, help break down tough ingredients, extract the properties needed, and eliminate impurities.

However, without a Spiritual Flame, the entire process becomes ten times more complicated. "

"You'd need dozens of advanced instruments for each step, and everything must be perfectly precise.

One tiny miscalculation, and boom! The whole thing could explode.

Not only would you lose your progress, but you'd also damage your tools—then you'd either have to repair them or buy replacements," 008 finished with a dramatic sigh, as if shrugging in defeat. Kisha's face darkened at the thought.

Now that she was only at the beginner stage, Kisha didn't need to worry too much about the Spiritual Flame—at least, not yet. But then again, the recipe clearly stated that a High Essence Flame or Spiritual Flame was required.

That meant she'd eventually have to find one, because if she didn't, she'd have no choice but to rely on advanced alchemy equipment.

Just from 008's earlier explanation, she could already tell how troublesome—and expensive—that route would be.

With a sigh, she typed 'Alchemy Instruments' into the system mall's search bar.

Instantly, a wide array of tools and equipment appeared.

They all looked incredibly high-tech, intimidating, and worst of all—ridiculously expensive.

[Advanced Alchemy Essence Extractor – Cost: 3,000,000 system points]

Kisha gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. She instinctively glanced at the others, half-hoping someone would tell her she was seeing things.

[Advanced Alchemy Essence Condenser – Cost: 4,500,000 system points][Advanced Alchemy Purifier – Cost: 3,600,000 system points]

Her jaw practically dropped. Shaking her head, she quickly switched to browse beginner-level instruments and equipment.

[Old Alchemy Essence Extractor – Cost: 105,000 system points]

At least this one didn't make her heart stop.