All the planning, preparation, risk, and pain were for this single notification screen.
When Chuck pressed the synthesis button, his fingers trembled slightly.
It was almost identical to the usual potion synthesis: a large mass of tiger flesh and the clay pot of Energy Essence were enveloped in light.
The one-minute countdown felt like an eternity.
When the timer hit zero, the light faded.
A plain, milky-white pill about the size of a pinky tip appeared on the workbench.
Chuck reached out, picking it up as gently as possible, and examined it in his palm.
His expression turned odd.
100kg of flesh and 1kg of essence resulted in a pistachio-sized pill?
How concentrated was this?
But his doubt vanished with the next notification.
[Essence Potion: Special Rare Item. A single-use recovery potion condensed from precious Lord-Class beast flesh and massive amounts of Energy Essence. Effective only on females. Takes effect gradually over two hours after consumption. Possesses all healing, curative, and regenerative effects except resurrection. Repairs the consumer's body completely, purifies it to 100% health, and extends lifespan by one year.]
Holy shit.
Seeing the certified effects, Chuck's excitement overflowed.
Complete repair, thorough purification.
Just the wording revealed the potion's potency.
A true miracle drug!
With this, curing Jiang Qi was guaranteed. Even if she were worse off, as long as she had a breath left, this potion could pull her back from death's door!
As expected, it was practically a resurrection coin—a safety net for his women!
Realizing this, Chuck felt a newfound awe for his workbench cheat.
If it could synthesize such absurd potions, what was its limit?
But for now, the mission was accomplished.
Estimating the remaining tiger carcass, Chuck figured he could gather another 100kg of flesh. But with his Energy Essence depleted, he stored the rest for now.
With the ballista destroyed, inventory space was free. The hundred-kilogram carcass fit perfectly.
Storing the precious Lord-Class loot, Chuck stood up slowly. Dizziness hit him; his legs went weak, nearly collapsing.
Depleted stamina, enduring back injuries, trekking through the jungle, climbing rocks, butchering a massive carcass... even with a superhuman body, he was near his limit.
Fortunately, the last task might restore his stamina... or make him even stronger.
Scanning the bushes, tree shadows, and rock crevices, he quickly found a strange clearing by the lake about 200 meters away.
A familiar feeling quickened his heart. He walked over briskly.
Two minutes later, crossing a dead log and pushing aside weeds...
A large cluster of bright flowers excited him again.
Red and blue intertwined, one intense, the other faint.
This was the largest cluster of [Other Shore Flowers] he had ever found!
Suppressing his excitement, he picked them, counting mentally.
Seven flowers!
Five red, two blue. Almost double the loot from the bear or leopard!
That wasn't all. After picking the flowers, a strange object hidden beneath them caught his eye.
His gaze froze.
An oval, orange crystal about the size of an egg, resembling glazed jade. In the late afternoon sun, it looked like transparent gold. Chuck knew instantly it wasn't an ordinary stone.
A guess formed in his mind. After hesitating, he picked up the orange crystal.
And threw it into the workbench.
When in doubt, let the synthesis prompt identify it. See if it opens doors or how much it's worth.
But the prompt was unexpected.
[Orange Crystal: An orange crystal. Looks pretty. Use unknown, but best not to throw away.]
What the fuck...
Staring at the riddle-like prompt, Chuck scratched his head blankly.
Use unknown, don't throw away?
Are you coaxing a child?
Chuck felt annoyed, but he wasn't rebellious enough to defy the prompt.
Since it appeared with the flowers, it wasn't ordinary. Even if useless, it was pretty. Storing it was fine.
Storing the crystal, he focused on the flowers.
Five red, two blue, plus the massive tiger heart. The familiar potion synthesis prompt appeared. Chuck pressed synthesis without hesitation.
Seven potions ended up in his palm.
Looking at the evening sky, he calmed himself, tossed the handful of potions into his mouth like jelly beans, chewed, and swallowed.
The most intense pleasure yet washed over him. Cool comfort in his brain, hot numbness in his body. Chuck stood trembling with ecstasy, nearly shouting in joy.
Dense notifications accompanied the pleasure.
[Potions Consumed: Red x5, Blue x2] [Congratulations! Your physical stats increased by 50%! Total bonus: 170%!] [Red Potions consumed reached standard. Evolution Upgrade!] [Red Potion Exclusive Evolution — Bloodlust Control (LV.3): Your body has surpassed human limits. With qi and blood far exceeding normal humans, you can control blood flow to boost strength. Gathering blood in a specific part increases muscle and bone strength. Boost adjustable, maxing at 30%. Next level requires Red Potion x1/4.] [Congratulations! Your mental stats increased by 20%! Total bonus: 150%!] [Blue Potions consumed reached standard. Evolution Upgrade!] [Blue Potion Exclusive Evolution — Perception Mastery (LV.2): Boost adjustable, maxing at 20%. Next level requires Blue Potion x2/3.]
The burning pain in his back faded. Depleted stamina recovered instantly. Power and explosiveness surged beyond his previous peak. Perception and thinking became clearer.
Though stat bonuses halved after 100%, the increasing quantity of potions compensated.
Swallowing a handful like candy...
This double evolution pushed Chuck's physical body toward true monster status.
If he raced the tiger again now, fully recovered and rested, he believed he wouldn't lose.
Sadly, the enemy was dead. Its flesh, like the leopard and bear before it, became fuel for Chuck's strength. The vast lake plains were now his territory.
With this, all western and southern areas were conquered.
Only land areas, of course.
To go further, only...
A shadow covering the sky appeared in his mind. He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
Too early for that.
Tasks weren't finished yet.
By the time Chuck finished, Valentina had cleaned the tiger skin. Holding the dripping roll, she stared at the blood and discarded organs, then at Chuck, stunned.
"Why do you suddenly look energetic? And... where's the tiger?"
"Processed. Let's go back. It's getting dark."
Chuck didn't explain further. Waving his hand, he headed back.
Valentina watched him, eyes flickering, then shook her head helplessly and followed.
Chuck had many secrets, some unbelievable. But Valentina knew one thing clearly.
He was a man.
A man who could be lewd by nature, but also risk his life for his women.
Being by his side, sharing his burden, was her only wish.
...
Returning to the stone platform, the sunset left only a faint glow.
"My god, I'm exhausted."
Sitting on the bench under the awning, Valentina went limp, visibly comfortable.
Chuck patted her shoulder in thanks and comfort, then ignored her and rushed into the house.
The scene inside stunned him.
By the flickering firelight, Janet, Kaede, Kaoru, and Momo sat at the empty dining table. Their expressions were stiff.
Seeing Chuck enter, they looked at him with surprise, but fell into a weird silence.
Chuck scratched his chin, puzzled. Just as he was about to ask, hurried footsteps came from the storage room.
"I heard the door! Is Darling back?!"
A familiar golden figure ran out. Seeing Chuck, Julia's blue eyes reddened instantly.
"It's bad! Darling!"
Chuck's heart sank. Ignoring questions, he rushed into the storage room.
Herbal scent hit him. By the bed, Yitong wiped a pale arm with a towel. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, her beautiful face filled with intense grief.
"Hubby, come quick. Jiang Qi... she waited for you until now. She can't hold on much longer."
"Give me half a bowl of warm water."
Chuck focused on the bed. Jiang Qi's face was paper-white, her eyes unfocused, trembling as she looked at him.
The tight string in his heart loosened.
Still alive. Good.
He took the water from Yitong, reached under the bedding, and propped up the extremely weak Jiang Qi. She forced a smile, about to speak her last words.
But Chuck stuffed a milky-white pill into her mouth.
"Don't talk. Eat."
His tone allowed no refusal, even to a dying ex-girlfriend holding on by sheer will just to see him one last time.
Jiang Qi's eyes were full of sorrow. Prepared for death, she had drafted her final words, only to be interrupted...
And gagged by a round object...
But seeing Chuck's determined expression, her sentimental farewell stuck in her throat. Helpless, she used her last strength to open her mouth.
The pill slid down with warm water. Jiang Qi's straining consciousness finally scattered, and her eyes closed.
Chuck lowered her gently, adjusting the pillow. He felt her cool neck.
Detecting a weak, chaotic, but recovering pulse...
The last stone in his heart dropped.
Essence Potion, you didn't lie to me.
But unexpectedly, while he sighed in relief, the others thought differently.
"WAAAAH!—"
A loud wail erupted behind him, making Chuck jump.