Becoming the Dark Lord

[Savior Nettle (Common)]: Empowered by the ambient magical energy, this plant retains its natural toxin-fighting properties, now enhanced. Its leaves are ideal for crafting effective antidotes against mild to moderate poisons.

The next plant Luke found was especially promising. Without hesitation, he began gathering a generous handful of the nettles.

“I wonder if using more at once would boost the antidote’s potency…”

That thought lingering in his mind, he paused near a tree and used Identify on the golden resin oozing from its bark.

[Tree Sap (Common)]: A thick, golden resin extracted from old, healthy trees. Its texture is sticky and its scent faintly sweet. When added to potions, it stabilizes ingredients and enhances healing and regenerative effects.

Luke grinned. He never thought he’d be this excited to look at tree sap. He pulled out a piece of cloth and began collecting the resin carefully.

“I feel like the Indiana Jones of plants,” he murmured, satisfied.

As he continued exploring, something ahead caught his eye, a massive tree with broad, vibrant leaves. Its branches curled skyward like reaching arms. A giant willow. Luke stepped closer and placed his hand against the bark. He activated Identify.

[Willow Bark (Common)]: After years of absorbing mana-rich soil, the bark of this willow has become an excellent catalyst. When added to potions, it amplifies magical properties and increases overall stability.

“Amplifies the magic in other plants, huh…? What happens if I combine this with nettle for anti-venom?”

Without hesitation, he began peeling bark segments with care, applying his Precise Extraction technique. The bark gave off a faint, earthy scent as he slid the blade beneath it. He paused to examine the texture, rough on the outside but slightly spongy within, as if storing some hidden energy. Each strip came off with a whisper of resistance, and he mentally noted the differences in thickness depending on how deep the tree’s roots stretched into the mana-rich soil.

*Your profession [Herbalist] has reached Level 3! (Bonus attribute points acquired)*

[You have acquired a Profession Skill: Basic Potion Crafting]

Luke tapped the notification to read more.

[Basic Potion Crafting (Common)]: By mastering the natural reactions and magical interactions of ingredients, the herbalist can now combine herbs, liquids, and catalysts with precision, turning raw materials into functional potions with various effects.

He smiled. Now we’re talking. With this skill, all the materials he’d collected could finally be put to practical use. Luke touched one of the willow leaves and used Identify again.

[Willow Leaves (Common)]: Saturated with natural mana over the years, these thin leaves serve as subtle magical amplifiers, ideal for fine-tuning potion effects.

“I can’t believe it… I’m turning into a grandma who brews tea,” he sighed, half-resigned, half amused.

Then the silence broke. A noise, rustling from the underbrush. Luke froze, turning toward the sound.

Could it be… the serpent?

He’d been so immersed in the forest these past hours, he’d completely forgotten about the Beast Lord. If that creature sensed him out here, it would chase him to the ends of the zone. He stepped back quietly, retreating into cover. The brush shook hard. Then something emerged. Tall. Humanoid. Muscular. Wielding a massive axe. The creature snorted, sniffing the air.

[Forest Minotaur: Lvl 52]

Luke’s eyes went wide. Level 52?!

That thing could crush him with a sneeze. He didn’t even let his brain process the danger. He just began slipping away, each step slow, deliberate, calculated. No noise. No sudden movement. He wasn’t ready for a fight like this. Not even close. And triggering the Beast Lord? That was a death sentence. Still… something became undeniably clear. This part of the tutorial truly was territory for monsters. Dangerous ones.

***

Luke splashed river water on his face, trying to wash away the thick layer of mud caked across his skin. Over the past few hours, he had smeared himself with dirt, leaves, sap, anything remotely useful he could find. All of it for one purpose: to mask his scent.

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Thanks to his Basic Potion Crafting skill, he had managed to put together a rough but functional mixture. The forest was full of predators, and the Minotaur, who sniffed the air like a trained hound, was reason enough to take precautions. He glanced down at the blend he had created, still a bit surprised by its effectiveness.

[Green Camouflage Mud]: A combination of mud, clay, and crushed rosemary leaves used to disguise human scent and adapt the aroma to the local environment. When applied to the skin, it neutralizes body odor and replaces it with fragrances from nearby vegetation, acting as an effective scent-based camouflage in wild regions.

He smiled, satisfied. The mixture had been entirely handmade, nothing but dirt and mashed leaves, but it worked. Still, Luke already knew: if he wanted to brew stronger, more precise potions, he’d need real equipment. He began mentally listing the tools he’d need. The knowledge was already in his head but also carefully noted in the book he carried.

Beside him, Princess Charlie stood guard, sword at the ready, eyes scanning the trees with sharp focus.

Luke glanced at her, suspicious. “No peeking while I’m washing up, Charlie.”

She flinched slightly and shook her head as if to say: ”I’m not watching you. I’m just… watching the area.”

“Artemis was a terrible influence on you,” he muttered.

Returning to the book, Luke began studying the list of essential Herbalist tools. It was longer than he’d expected.

“Mortar and pestle... obviously. That’ll help me grind herbs, seeds, roots...”

He turned the page carefully.

“Glass vials. Of course. I’ll need those to store potions and mixtures.”

A few pages later, he found mentions of specialized cloths for filtering liquids, extracting sap, and separating solids from mixtures.

“Spoon and spatula... definitely better than stirring with my finger.”

The list went on: bowls, funnels, measuring jars, and to his surprise.

“A cauldron?” He let out a quiet laugh. “I’m seriously turning into a fairy tale witch.”

He closed Mother Freya’s book and tucked it away. Now he knew what he needed. More importantly, he realized he’d have to create his own field journal, a place to record discoveries, like the recipe for Green Camouflage Mud.

“If I ever make it back to Earth, I’ll be a hit at retirement homes,” he said with a grin. “Selling ointments for back pain... I’ll be a grandma’s hero.”

***

Luke followed the trail back toward the cave. Night had already fallen, and the forest was beginning to shift. Shadows stretched longer, and the sounds around him grew either quieter or more threatening. He had reached Level 4 in his Herbalist profession, and his pack was stuffed with plants, roots, sap, and a dozen other wild ingredients.

I need bottles, he thought. Honey, sap... all this stuff needs better containers.

He was beginning to understand the logistical side of the job. So much gathered, and now he had to sort out what was actually worth carrying. And in that process, he found himself missing something he’d never say aloud.

“I hope Artemis never finds out I thought this,” he muttered. “But... yeah, I miss having a storage item.”

He kept walking until a patch of leaves caught his attention, their coloration standing out from the rest.

He used Identify.

[Energizing Catuaba (Common)]: A plant strengthened by mana-infused soil, known for its invigorating properties. Ideal for brewing stamina-recovery potions and mixtures intended to stimulate libido.

“…What?” Luke frowned, staring at the plant in his hand. “Libido?”

He picked another. Examined it more closely. Grabbed two more.

“…I think I just discovered a very... interesting side of being an Herbalist.”

He started harvesting more of the plant.

“For stamina potions, obviously.”

He placed them carefully in his already-overstuffed backpack.

“Strictly medicinal.”

Then he paused.

…Why am I justifying myself out loud?

***

As he neared the cave, Luke sensed something different in the air. A fresh, minty scent… familiar.

“Mint?”

He frowned. The smell was far stronger than usual.

Wait, can I identify plants by scent now?

That caught him off guard. Maybe it was another perk of the profession, a growing affinity with the elements of nature. Following the trail, he found what he was looking for. An entire field of it.

[Green Mint (Common)]: Often called nature’s plague for its absurd ease of spreading, this plant proliferates rapidly in most environments. Over time, the mana in the atmosphere and rain-soaked soil has infused its leaves, making it one of the most essential ingredients for health potions.

Luke crouched and studied the leaves. A mischievous grin crept onto his face.

“Looks like I’ve found something... very valuable.”

He began harvesting quickly, but with practiced precision. He was so thrilled he even released Charlie from his soulbound form to help carry the load. She didn’t complain, just silently gathered the mint with disciplined focus. Then the notifications started pouring in.

*Your profession [Herbalist] has reached Level 5! (Bonus attribute points acquired)*

**[You have reached Level 16! Half-Demon (Rank F)] (+1 bonus point to all attributes, +1 free point)**

Luke’s eyes widened. I leveled up my race… just from harvesting plants? That was new.

But it was the final notification that truly made him stop.

[You have acquired a new Profession Skill]