[Seven Sins: Greed Triggered]
[Plundered Skill: Elven Language LV1 → LV2]
[Plundered Skill: Nature Magic LV2 → LV3]
In the elven graveyard, small, unremarkable mushrooms had quietly sprouted.
Lin Jun didn’t spread the Mycelial Network openly. All operations were handled through hidden underground tunnels.
After the elves’ burial rites, Digging Puffshrooms tunneled to the graves, breaking down bodies to mere skeletons.
Then, the temporary mycelium was quickly absorbed, and the tunnels carefully backfilled, leaving no obvious traces.
So far, no one had noticed anything odd.
It felt like waiting for the elves to feed him.
But elven funerals were rare—only two this week.
No rush, though. Lin Jun was patient.
Meanwhile, Airaven lounged at home, bored out of her mind.
After her last solo adventure nearly killed her, her brother Salian issued a strict no-travel order, banning her from Godwood Dungeon unless she found reliable teammates.
He even tipped off the forest patrol sentries, cutting off any chance of her sneaking out.
Join a group of strangers to adventure?
She’d rather die!
“Why don’t animal companions count as teammates?” Airaven grumbled, face buried in Furball’s soft fur. “You guys are way more reliable than strangers! Right, Furball?”
The parrot on her shoulder squawked in agreement.
The cabin felt empty now. With winter here, Beanie and Bubbles had retreated to their caves to hibernate.
Zippy, ever restless, flitted about daily, only popping back briefly. Now, only Furball and Feathers kept her company.
She slumped her chin on the cold windowsill, staring at the gray sky. “When’s Zippy coming back?”
Outside the potion shop, familiar wing-flapping sounded.
Riel, engrossed in watching her grandfather brew potions at the counter, perked up, her long ears twitching. She sprang to her feet!
She dashed to the window, gripping the frame, her small body blocking it entirely.
Last time, she hadn’t expected a Puffshroom’s strength. It had pushed past her window-blocking attempts with its tendrils. Not this time!
The Scout Puffshroom landed on the empty herb rack outside, not immediately barging in as usual.
“Hmph!” Riel flashed a triumphant grin.
The Puffshroom dropped to the ground, stretched a tendril, hooked the door handle, and pulled.
Creak—
The door swung open.
It strolled in, hopped twice, and plopped onto its usual counter spot, settling in to watch the old elf brew as if nothing happened.
Riel’s lips quivered as she walked over, fighting back frustrated tears.
The old elf watched it all, his wrinkled face showing a mix of helplessness and affection. He shook his head slightly.
Suddenly—
Cough, cough—!
The old elf hunched, his frail hands gripping the counter’s edge to stay upright.
“Grandpa! Are you sick?” Riel’s face paled, rushing to steady his trembling arm.
The nearby Puffshroom saw clearly. Not sickness—just age.
[Extreme Senescence (All Base Attributes Reduced by 80%)]
The same debuff as the old bat once had.
Difference was, the bat had a Sunstone to cling to life. The old elf didn’t.
Lin Jun recalled that when he first saw him, the debuff was 78%. In days, it had climbed to the max.
The old elf’s time was shorter than expected—likely not lasting the winter.
After nearly thirty agonizing seconds of coughing, he caught his breath, chest heaving.
Shaking, he reached for the unfinished potion.
“Grandpa, rest! I’ll do it!” Riel’s voice cracked, pulling his hand back.
A faint light flickered in his cloudy eyes. Gasping, he asked, “Riel… do you remember… how to make the hair-growth potion?”
Riel glanced at the half-done brew and nodded firmly. “I do! First, process the Moonlight Grass, remove the roots…” She recited her grandfather’s steps, fumbling through the motions.
“Then… add…” Riel stared at the pale green liquid, brow furrowed, racking her brain for the next step.
Was it Morning Dew Petals?
No, that’s for refining… Stoneheart Powder?
No, that wasn’t right either… Grandpa had told her so many times!
Sweat beaded on her forehead. The harder she thought, the blanker her mind went.
Just as she panicked, on the verge of tears—
Plop!
A small clump of earthy, dried roots was tossed into the bubbling crucible by the Scout Puffshroom’s tendril!
“What are you doing?!” Riel yelped, furious, reaching to fish it out.
But she froze.
The unremarkable roots dissolved fast in the pale green liquid.
The color deepened visibly, infused with vibrant life, turning a rich, successful green in moments!
The Puffshroom had picked the right ingredient—and the exact amount!
“You… you…” Riel pointed at the Scout Puffshroom, disbelief all over her face. “Did you actually learn potion-making?!”
She glanced at the perfect green potion, then at the Puffshroom, casually swinging its legs like it didn’t care. “A Puffshroom… knows more about potions than me… Grandpa taught me so long, and I still forgot…”
It wasn’t true. In just over a week, Lin Jun had only learned a few recipes, including this hair-growth potion by chance.
The old elf, resting in a wicker chair, was surprised too.
But only surprised.
Puffshrooms had a master, likely modified familiars.
Some familiars being clever made sense. He brewed potions, not studied familiars.
He reached out, gently ruffling Riel’s hair.
“Riel,” his voice raspy but warm, “don’t feel bad. Grandpa has so many potion recipes and methods… I haven’t had time to teach you properly.”
Leaning forward, his wrinkled face showed an encouraging smile. “In the days ahead, I’ll teach you everything, bit by bit. You’re so smart, Riel—you’ll learn it all.”
Riel sniffled hard, nodding fiercely. “Okay!”
The Puffshroom, not understanding their tender moment and seeing no more brewing, flapped off to the next shop.
Godwood Dungeon.
A bound minotaur volunteer’s fur grew wildly, turning him into a shaggy beast.
Lin Jun was pleased with the results.
“Norris, come try something good!”
(End of Chapter)
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