As dusk approached, after using seven Spicy Leaves herbs, Saelran finally stabilized the alchemical solution into a woody yellow liquid.
He tested its healing effect on his wounds, which far surpassed the result of simply covering the wound with powder.
Seeing this, Saelran did not show joy. Instead, he frowned slightly.
After thinking for a moment, he once again spent his already limited mana and used "Item Appraisal" on the alchemical solution he had created.
Buzz–
Item: Inferior Alchemical Solution
Effect: A solution made using the herb "Spicy Leaf," which has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. When consumed, it restores a small amount of health, 1 point.
(Cannot be stored for long; its effects will completely disappear within one hour.)
…
After seeing the appraisal information, the frown on Saelran's brow deepened.
With an Alchemist level higher than Eidar's, could the potion he made only be considered inferior?
Saelran had originally obtained the Alchemist class from Eidar so that he could make his own potions to improve his survivability in battle.
In addition, he had also planned to advance potion-making technology.
However, it now seemed that he had oversimplified many things.
His understanding of herbs and alchemical materials was far too limited. The properties of various herbs, the compatibility of alchemical materials, the correct dosages, and so on were all still open questions.
Mastering this knowledge alone required time. It was not something that could be created simply by activating a skill.
And time.
That was what he lacked the most.
The alchemical solution he had created at present was merely a clever way to fully utilize the medicinal effects of herbs.
It was not even a low-grade potion.
Potions in this other world and those in the game "Oblivion Gate" were fundamentally different.
Or rather, the potion-making technology of this world had not yet caught up to that of the game.
Based on production processes and materials used, potions could be divided into three main categories.
First, potions made from herbs and alchemical materials.
Second, potions made from herbal ingredients, alchemical materials, and magic.
Third, potions made purely with magic.
The first method was the most common in this other world and was very cheap, making it a cost-effective potion for ordinary people and low-level adventurers.
The second method produced potions with superior effects, allowing adventurers to use them in combat, and naturally, they were more expensive.
As for the third method, it did not exist in this other world. It could only be achieved by high-level players with specific class systems.
In fact, the second and third methods were the commonly used potion-making methods in "Oblivion Gate," but the second method had a problem.
No pioneer had yet managed to make large-scale production using the second method more affordable. After all, that method was supposed to be discovered in the future by Eidar.
There were many kinds of potions in Oblivion Gate, ranging from simple healing potions to potions that provided specific buffs.
Among these potions, there were various rare and unique grades, and there were even types of potions that existed in extremely limited quantities.
For example, there was a potion called "Elixir." This potion could remove any negative status, including death itself, and even grant an immunity buff for three minutes.
Unfortunately, there were only seven of these potions in existence, and to obtain them, one had to retrieve them from the lair of a specific dragon.
Generally speaking, potions like this were relics left behind by the Outer Gods.
The reason why alchemists of this world could not make such potions had already been speculated by Saelran.
There were only three possibilities.
First, the knowledge passed down from the Outer Gods who descended upon this world had been lost over time.
Second, alchemists like Eidar were completely unaware that such potions existed in other countries, or even in places untouched by humanity.
Third, the potions brought by the Outer Gods could only be made using materials from the place those Outer Gods originated from.
However, materials from the game clearly did not exist in this other world, and the method for making "Elixirs" had certainly been lost.
Among these three possibilities, Saelran clearly leaned toward the third.
In the future, after the threats of the Gurath Goat Covenant and the Nine Gate of Helldusk descended upon this world, Eidar succeeded in mass-producing various potions.
Thanks to Eidar's research, far fewer materials were required to produce expensive potions.
For example, the "Red Drop" potion, which had been produced by the entire Sacred Kingdom for two or three hundred years at an astronomical cost, was completely surpassed by Eidar in less than a year. It was truly unimaginable.
After coming back to his senses, Saelran realized that he had neither the time nor anyone to teach him about potions and alchemy. He also could not obtain relevant skills simply by leveling up the class like in the game.
Even if there were magic that allowed him to brew potions simply by rubbing his hands together, he would not be able to learn it.
"Now it seems," Saelran sighed helplessly, "that the idea of making my own potions to increase my resources is somewhat unrealistic."
What about the Alchemist class?
He had learned from Eidar that, in the minds of most people, alchemists were more of a support class used to make potions.
In reality, alchemists occupied a much broader position than just potion makers among the many production classes in "Oblivion Gate."
When paired with classes such as Craftsman, Puppeteer, Blacksmith, and Golem Crafter, alchemy could produce devastating effects.
Advanced classes like "Master Alchemist" and "Master Blacksmith" even allowed alchemy to surpass other crafting classes in terms of combat effectiveness.
And it was rumored that there existed a special class that required an alchemy job as a prerequisite.
Unfortunately, Saelran could not waste his limited opportunities to learn advanced or compatible alchemy classes.
Without the specialization bonuses of advanced classes, learning only basic crafting classes in the game did not hold much meaning.
So, was the Alchemist job useless to him?
Hmm.
Saelran pondered.
He could not completely apply the situation of the game to the real world, nor could he do the reverse.
"The purpose of alchemy is to create alchemical solutions with simpler and more direct effects. It might not necessarily have to be an additional process for making potions."
Saelran's face showed a contemplative expression as he thought in silence.
For example, he could create alchemical solutions with various effects for temporary use.
The only drawback was that alchemical solutions were not easy to preserve. They would quickly deteriorate and lose their effects over time.
However, this was not a problem.
Eidar's grandfather, Maray, possessed a spell called "Preservation," which could maintain the effects of potions for up to one year.
Moreover, all potions made in this other world showed a gradual decline in effectiveness over time.
Mastering the "Preservation" spell was extremely important for alchemists in this world.
With this thought, Saelran's mood improved significantly. He glanced at the darkening sky and decided to set up camp right by the small river.
Beside him, the hobgoblin Mugo obediently lay on the ground, only occasionally glancing at Saelran's small movements with a frightening yet reverent gaze to prove that he was still alive.
All of this had been witnessed over this period of time.
Hobgoblin Mugo had seen far too many unexpected things from Saelran, such as how the goblin corpses on the ground could vanish completely with nothing more than a wave of his hand.