Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1141: Franz’s Legacy: Five Cryptics

Pill Master, Blue Quill, and Iron Cauldron all rushed to the garden’s edge as they could not help but be stunned by the large variety and high quality ingredients before their eyes. As Apothecaries, how could they remain still?

”That’s..! It’s a real Star Gazing Plum! I’ve been looking for this mythical fruit everywhere since I saw it in an old book but couldn’t find it!” Pill Master said excitedly as he reached out to pluck it.

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Out of nowhere, a sword appeared in front of Pill Master’s hand.

”What’s the meaning of this, Haishe brat?! Don’t tell me you want to take everything here for yourself! Do you think I’ll sit back and agree?!” Pill Master scowled as he glared at Haishe.

”A Trial Dungeon is still a dungeon. The fact that there were traps leading into this place means that we shouldn’t take anything at face value. It won’t be too late to take everything here once we clear it. Until then, make sure not to carelessly touch or take anything. If anyone breaks this rule, I won’t let them off easily.” Haishe said with a sharp gaze.

”Hmph!” Pill Master huffed as he retracted his hand.

Blue Quill and Iron Cauldron also seemed somewhat dejected.

On the other hand, Izroth had already approached one of the tables with a cauldron stationed next to it and carefully observed his surroundings.

’The cauldrons are all A-ranked paired with A-ranked fire cores. With this, there should be no problem crafting grade seven or lower pills. Still, to prepare this collection of ingredients along with four A-ranked cauldrons and fire cores, the person who made this place had to be at least a grade seven or grade eight Apothecary and a skilled herbalist.’

Since this place was called Franz’s legacy, Izroth assumed that the one responsible for creating this Trial Dungeon was an Apothecary called Franz. However, despite reading many books at the Apothecary guild and the Amaharpe Palace Library, Izroth had never come across the name Franz or anything related to Five Cryptics.

’Hm?’

All of a sudden, a heavy and dense wave of mana began to gather overhead several meters in the air within the room above the platform area. Various golden and faint silver particles danced about before quickly transforming into a string of golden text that said, ”Welcome, challengers.”

When the dense wave of mana first hit, everyone became on guard as Steel Mountain swiftly rose his shield and Pill Master, Blue Quill, and Iron Cauldron took refugee behind him. However, after seeing that there was no real danger, everyone relaxed a bit while still maintaining a small air of caution.

”What is this thing? Why does it feel alive?” Autumn Winds commented as she stepped onto the platform along with the others of the group.

”I had the same thought. I don’t know why, but this text in the sky feels like it has its own will.” Haishe said with a frown.

”If even a swordsman like you can sense it, then it must be intentional. How peculiar.” Autumn Winds stated as she looked at the floating golden text of mana.

A few moments later, the text rearranged itself and transformed once again. This time, however, it was a much longer flow of golden text that displayed, ”I am Franz Winsor. During my time, people called me a genius in the art of pill crafting. By the age of five, I created my first pill. By the age of ten, I had become a grade five Apothecary. By the age of fifteen, I crafted my first grade eight pill. And, by the age of twenty, I created a grade ten pill became the youngest grade ten Apothecary under the skies.”

”A grade ten Apothecary by the age of twenty?!” Blue Quill exclaimed.

”Even the leader of Danaharpe’s Apothecary guild is only a grade eight Apothecary. But, I heard he’s already an old man well past the years of his prime. Is this person just bragging?” Iron Cauldron commented doubtfully.

”Heh, you’ve been spending too much time in this place. In the end, isn’t it a game? If they wanted, even a newborn child could be a grade ten Apothecary from birth.” Mystic Lock stated.

”If it were any other game I would agree with you. But, everyone knows the system of RML is different from anything else in the world. There’s no way it would do something so ridiculous.” Blue Quill sighed as he shook his head.

”I’m just saying is all.” Mystic Lock shrugged.

’Franz Winsor... Even if he accomplishments turn out to be somewhat embellished, if he did step into the realm of a grade ten Apothecary, then he should have risen to be a famous figure in the Mortal Realm.’

Grade ten Apothecaries were all legendary figures throughout the Mortal Realm’s history. The power and influence they had was enough to cause even the kings and emperors to treat them with respect.

Not long after, the next string of golden text appeared, ”I tell you these things not of hubris, but as a way of encouragement. I have designed this place in such a way that it will remain undiscovered for at least a thousand years. By that time, I will have long since left this world. That is why, for those of you who have discovered this place, I wish to grant an opportunity.”

Rmmmmble...!

The moment the text formed its last word, the platform started to tremble. The following moment, one of the scrolls on the table in front of Izroth levitated as a light blue aura encompassed it. Then, without warning, the scroll opened and revealed a list of golden text.

This same phenomenon happened at the other three tables as a singular scroll containing a list of golden text opened and hovered above the table.

At the top of the scroll was the word, ”Rules” and beneath it was exactly that.

The rules were simple. Upon entering the Trial Dungeon, various resistances, items, stats, and other outer forces would be severely limited. Additionally, only one person was allowed per table and cauldron. This person had to have the Apothecary profession, or they would be immediately disqualified from participating in the trial. Others who were not Apothecaries were allowed to participate in the trial in a limited fashion and only when given permission to do so. One was only allowed to take what they need to craft the necessary pills for the trial from the garden. If one broke this rule, they would have to face severe consequences. And, most importantly, once the trial started, it would not end until one succeeded or decided to give up.

’The rules are straightforward.’

Izroth did not find anything on the list of rules to be overbearing or unfair. Regardless, even if they turned out to be so, in the end, it was up to the will of its creator.

”It’s a good thing the leader stopped us from taking those resources earlier. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened to us?” Blue Quill sighed as he had moved over in front of one of the tables and cauldrons.

Iron Cauldron and Pill Master also took their spot at one of the tables.

As soon as there was a person behind each table, the scroll of rules gently floated down and imprinted itself into the table itself. At the same time, the golden text in the sky transformed one last time with the words, ”May good fortune be upon you.” before scattering and vanishing in the air.

〈System Alert: The first trial «Sea of Cryptic Flames» will start in 10 seconds!〉

As the countdown for the trial began, Pill Master glanced over at Izroth as a smirk appeared on his face.

”I’ll let you see the insurmountable gap that exists between us with your own eyes. Be grateful, brat.” Pill Master thought to himself as he returned his gaze to the table before him.

〈System Alert: The first trial «Sea of Cryptic Flames» has started!〉

〈System Alert: Craft a «Spiraling Flames Pill» and repel the attack of the Lava Beasts that will occur in 30 minutes!〉

〈System Alert: You may now gather the required materials from «Franz’s Garden»!〉

Woosh! Woosh! Woosh!

One of the scrolls on each of the tables unfurled itself, revealing a pill recipe along with detailed steps at the bottom on how the crafting process.

”This is a grade two pill recipe...!” Blue Quill said as his eyes widened in shock while he grabbed a hold of the pill recipe.

He then continued, ”I’ve never seen such a detailed pill recipe in all my time as an Apothecary..!”

”Is this really a grade two pill recipe? Why do I feel like it could easily rival some grade three pills?” Iron Cauldron furrowed his brows as he took some time to study the pill recipe.

”What are you lot wasting time for? Hurry up and go gather the ingredients and return!” Pill Master scolded.

”Ah, yes, Elder Pill Master! We’ll get on it right away!” Blue Quill said as he quickly scurried off along with Iron Cauldron to gather the materials from the garden.

Pill Master, on the other hand, continued to study the pill recipe. As a grade three Apothecary, he had no intention of going out of the way to gather his own materials.

”Hm? Where did that other brat go without even taking a moment to study the recipe? Ha, I guess that brat went to hide until it’s all over so that he doesn’t embarrass himself in front of everyone.” Pill Master said to himself as he looked up and noticed that Izroth was nowhere to be seen.