NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: Potions
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What is a Witcher? Signs, steel swords, silver swords, alchemical bombs, potions, Gwent cards, and sorceresses...ah, best to forget about the last one.
Clay had already grown quite proficient in using Signs. Though his level was still relatively low, making their effectiveness somewhat unsatisfactory, at least he had learned to wield them properly. With time, he could refine their use further.
The silver sword—a weapon crafted specifically to hunt certain monsters—was an iconic tool in a Witcher's arsenal. However, unless some catastrophic cosmic event disrupted this world's natural order, he wouldn't have to worry about forging a silver sword and carrying it on his back.
As for the steel sword, for now, the standard-issue weapons from White Harbor are sufficient for him. His long-term goal, however, was to acquire a Valyrian steel sword. Most of these legendary weapons were already in the hands of powerful families and individuals, but there was always a way to get one—if he played his cards right.
Speaking of legendary swords, Clay recalled that, as a Targaryen, the famed "Dark Sister" was currently in the possession of Lord Bloodraven. If he could find a way to claim it… well, that would be quite the windfall.
Alchemical bombs... Well, the difficulty doesn't lie in the formula itself, but rather in how to make the detonators. If he could figure out how to make them, then, essentially, he'd have gunpowder at his disposal. In a low-magic world like this, that would be a game-changer—almost unfair, really.
And the Gwent cards... such a wicked thing, really. Anyone who wasn't immune to its allure—like a certain white-haired monster slayer—would inevitably find themselves drawn into a match with him. No matter the cost.
Sorceresses... Forget it, forget it, best not to think about them. The more one thought about them, the more complicated things got.
Looking at the bigger picture, Clay decides to focus his time and energy on potions for now.
After finalizing his plan with the old man—who was always one for swift action—there was no need for excessive words. The elder simply nodded and left the training grounds without delay.
He had already taken note of the materials Clay required. Now, it was time to mobilize the family's procurement team to gather the necessary ingredients—whether from the South or the North.
As for how to choose among the 42 people who had been dismissed, the task was handed over to Ser Marlon. Since he was the one who had originally recruited them, he knew well enough who could be trusted and who couldn't.
Lord Wyman's instructions to Ser Marlon were clear: "You need to weed out at least half of them. Raise the standards. Make sure to guarantee their loyalty. Anyone who was the sole member of their family should be excluded."
Once Lord Wyman left the training grounds, the guards stationed outside finally stepped in. Clay beckoned them over and, as they looked around at the wrecked scene, he instructed them to clean up the wood fragments and attend to the injured horses.
As they watched their young lord leave, confusion flickered in their eyes. Glancing at the chaotic scene, they couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Did… did the young master just fight with the old master?" one murmured.
"It sure looked intense," another replied, shaking his head.
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On his way through the castle, Clay was greeted by the steady chorus of "Lord Clay." He acknowledged them with brief nods, but his mind was already elsewhere.
Upon reaching his chamber in the central tower, he locked the door behind him. Only here could he truly be undisturbed.
With a single thought, a dark blue system interface materialized before his eyes.
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◇◆────────────────◆◇
Witcher System (Level 2)
Potions (Click to expand)
Bombs (Click to expand)
Equipment (Click to expand)
Mana Pool: 120
Unlocked Signs: Quen (Level 1), Yrden (Level 1) Aard (Level 1), Igni (Level 1), Axii (Level 1)
Items (Click to expand)
◇◆────────────────◆◇
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This time, his focus was on potions!
As one of the most important components of a Witcher's combat strength, the right potion at the right time could turn the tide of any fight.
For instance, even though Witchers like Clay didn't have a health bar, certain potions that aid in recovery can activate his cells, speeding up their division, and allowing his wounds to heal rapidly.
Opening the Potion Tab, Clay examined the four recipes he had unlocked:
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Thunderbolt Potion Recipe:
Dwarven Spirit → Firewine
Cortinarius → Grey mushroom
Endrega Embryo → Black-Spotted Locust Larvae
Effect: Enhances muscle strength, increasing the damage dealt by attacks.
Side Effects: Muscle fibers become more prone to tearing, which can be counteracted with Swallow Potion.
Notes: Tastes like Cordyceps wine. Just think of it that way. Don't give it to others unless you want them dead.
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Swallow Potion Recipe:
Dwarven Spirit → Firewine
Celandine → White Rose
Drowner Brain → Spider Crab Intestines
Effect: Accelerates cell division, hastening wound healing and stamina recovery.
Side Effects: None
Notes: It's quite common. You should take a sip whenever you have the chance. Yes, exactly that.
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Cat Potion Recipe:
Dwarven Spirit → Firewine
Berbercane Fruit → Lowbush Blueberry
Water Essence → Silver Trout Bone Marrow
Effect: Allows a Witcher to see in complete darkness, preventing surprise attacks from nighttime enemies.
Side Effects: Slight impact on perception—not much, but noticeable. Can be countered with Rook Potion.
Notes: A must-have for any Night Stalker. Whether you're planning to raid Widow's Village... no, wait, whether you want to walk in the dark or ambush an opponent, this potion is a must-have.
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Blizzard Potion Recipe:
Dwarven Spirit → Firewine
White Myrtle Petals → Frostfires
Golem's Heart → Shadow Mountain Cat Heart
Effect: Slows perceived time in battle, enhancing reaction speed and agility.
Side Effects: Increases physical strain, causing fatigue and making muscles more susceptible to injury.
Notes: Love bullet time? I know you do. Drink this Blizzard Potion and you'll feel invincible, ready to take on anything!
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Ignoring the complex ingredients and snarky notes that made him want to sigh, Instead, Clay carefully analyzed the potions before him.
Clearly, these potions were all extremely practical. Clay could even drink them all at once, stacking buffs for enhanced damage, healing, night vision, and heightened reflexes. In a night attack, he would truly be unstoppable, an unstoppable force capable of taking out anyone.
But the drawback of this method was obvious. Given Clay's current level of poison resistance, even if he stayed indoors, the toxic accumulation from multiple potions could kill him outright. After all, even an ordinary person could die from just a sip of these elixirs.
Still, despite the difficulty of brewing each potion and the high cost of ingredients, the real benefit was that these weren't single-use. Once crafted, their base components could be reused—only requiring Firewine to activate them again. Over time, he could build a stockpile without constantly draining resources.
With these potions, and using them wisely, Clay's combat capabilities would rise to the next level. Once he had all the necessary equipment, he could confidently stand with his hands on his hips and shout, "I can take on ten at once!"
But at the moment, these matters weren't urgent. They ranked far below Witcher potions in priority, and besides, he didn't need them yet. Even if he had them, he couldn't just drink them like an ordinary beverage.
For now, he intended to gather the ingredients himself. If he couldn't find everything, only then would he turn to his grandfather, leveraging the family's resources as a last resort.
With so many things to consider, Clay wasn't in a rush. He remained calm, because in this coming chaotic era, strength, strength, and more strength were the only solutions. As long as he worked towards that goal, he knew he would succeed.
His fingers tapped rhythmically against the polished wooden desk. In that moment, no one could fathom what the young Lord of House Manderly was contemplating—except him.
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[IMAGE]
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[Chapter End's]
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