End of Days Game: I'm the Only One Who Can See the Hidden Cues
Chapter 75: The Requiem of Life

Seeing Master Bard accept the desert worm's innerr, Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief.

With a sly grin, Master Bard looked at Jeremy and said, "Young man, don't get too excited just yet. While we have the main ingredient for the high-level antidote, the other auxiliary ingredients and my fee still need to be accounted for."

"Let me be clear, my services don't come cheap."

Hearing this, Jeremy first took a steady look at Bonnie in his arms, then turned to Master Bard and said, "No problem. However, could you issue me an invoice? Something akin to a receipt?"

Heber gave Jeremy a peculiar look, recalling Jeremy's earlier comment about the poisoned girl being very wealthy. Suddenly, he understood what Jeremy meant.

It seemed that Master Bard had never encountered such a request before, causing him to momentarily falter.

After a brief pause, Master Bard replied, "If it's just a receipt, that's not a problem."

Jeremy nodded and asked, "What kind of compensation do you require, Master? Would purple gold coins suffice?"

Master Bard shook his head and said, "Such items could never match the worth of my services. When it comes to crafting potions, I exclusively accept energy crystals as payment!"

Hearing this, Jeremy felt relieved. He didn't have much of other valuables, but he did have plenty of energy crystals in his storage space.

Without hesitation, Jeremy took out a handful of energy crystals from his storage.

The crystals varied in grade, ranging from third to fourth tier, and they glittered brilliantly.

For a moment, Heber and Master Bard were both mesmerized by the sight of the glowing crystals.

Heber grabbed Jeremy and exclaimed, "Bro, how do you have so many energy crystals?"

Typically, both Sinners and players alike replace energy crystals to be a scarce resource. Most people would use them immediately to enhance their power.

Someone like Jeremy, who could nonchalantly produce so many energy crystals, was a rare sight.

Jeremy shrugged and said, "Maybe I'm just lucky."

However, at that moment, Master Bard, with a sly smile, added, "Oh, I forgot to mention, the energy crystals need to be at least fifth tier. Also, to make one potion, I require ten fifth-tier energy crystals!"

Heber screamed in protest, "Bard, you old thief, that's daylight robbery!"

As he spoke, Heber tried to drag Jeremy towards the door, muttering, "Brother Jeremy, let's go. This old man is trying to fleece us. We shouldn't fall for it."

Heber's large hand gripped Jeremy's arm, but surprisingly, he couldn't budge him.

Jeremy's eyes were fixed on the increasingly fragile Bonnie in his arms, and he was about to speak.

Unexpectedly, at that very moment, Jeremy noticed Heber's beady eyes frantically winking at him. A sudden realization dawned upon him, prompting him to immediately take a step forward.

Seeing this, Bard became visibly agitated. In a manner that defied the limitations of his bulky frame, he leaped off the stool with surprising speed and positioned himself directly in front of Jeremy, blocking his path.

Bard pointed at Heber, jumping up and down as he yelled, "Robbery? What robbery? Do you think the auxiliary ingredients for a high-level antidote are free? Do you think my services as a master alchemist come cheap? Listen, you fat fool, stop slandering me!"

Heber rolled his eyes and said, "Come on, do you think I don't know the market rates? Master Mike only charges three fifth-tier energy crystals per potion, and Master Adam only requires two!"

Bard snorted disdainfully and said, "Don't compare me to those two hacks. Their success rate for high-level potions is only thirty percent, while mine is seventy! Naturally, my fees are higher."

Seeing Heber's unwavering expression, Bard's features twisted slightly. He knew just how difficult this fat man could be.

After a brief pause, Master Bard, looking reluctant and pained, said, "Fine, five crystals. Just five fifth-tier energy crystals, and I'll make the potion. That's my lowest offer."

Heber was about to argue further, but Jeremy swiftly produced five fifth-tier energy crystals and said, "Deal. Let's get started, Master."

Bard's eyes lit up at the sight of the crystals. In the blink of an eye, before Jeremy could react, Bard had snatched the five crystals from his hand.

"Choosing me, you won't regret it!"

Subsequently, Bard quickly rummaged through a small cabinet not far behind him, searching frantically for something.

As he sifted through the contents, he muttered to himself, "Wolfbane, Golden Jade Herb..."

Before long, he had extracted a handful of various medicinal herbs from the cabinet.

With a solemn expression, Bard then picked up the desert worm's inner membrane that belonged to Jeremy. Right in front of Jeremy and Heber, he began to meticulously craft the high-level antidote.

After tossing all the prepared ingredients into a fresh cauldron, Bard exhaled deeply.

Facing the expectant gazes of Heber and Jeremy, Bard said, "Alright, the hardest part is done. Now we just wait an hour, and the high-level antidote will be ready!"

Upon hearing this, Jeremy finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Taking advantage of having such a skilled alchemist on hand, Jeremy began pulling out various high-grade materials from his storage space, one after another, for Master Bard to inspect and see if any could be made into potions.

Bard, delighted to see such a rare big spender, patiently examined each item Jeremy produced, even though most of them were unsuitable for alchemy.

However, when Jeremy took out a heart the size of a regular person's half-head, Bard jumped up from his chair.

With trembling fingers and a voice full of disbelief, Bard exclaimed, "An... an orange boss material?!"

What Jeremy had taken out was the heart of the Tyrant, the first boss he had ever defeated.

[Item]: Heart of the Tyrant

[Type]: Material

[Quality]: Orange (Rare)

[Description]: The heart of the Tyrant, a rare material. High-level alchemists and blacksmiths have a chance to forge it into a diamond-tier item, imbued with some of the Tyrant's traits.

Reading the item's description, Jeremy remembered he still had this treasure.

Jeremy asked, "Master Bard, can this [Heart of the Tyrant] be used to create a high-level potion?"

With an almost reverent demeanor, Bard carefully accepted the Heart of the Tyrant and said, "Why wouldn't it be possible? With a material of this caliber, I could potentially concoct an ultra-tier potion!"

Fearing that Jeremy might hesitate to let him use the Heart of the Tyrant, Bard's face lit up with a nearly obsequious grin. "Mr. Jeremy, what kind of potion would you like to craft with this orange-tier material?"

Jeremy inquired, "What kinds of potions can be crafted from this material?"

While caressing the Heart of the Tyrant with almost nauseating affection, Bard explained, "Materials dropped by bosses of this level have a vast range of applications. This Heart of the Tyrant, for instance, is suitable for any potion related to health."

"Potions such as the [Hymn of Life], which permanently increases health points; [Light of Redemption], which instantly restores all health; and [Elixir of Immortality], which significantly boosts temporary health and recovery rate--these can all be crafted using the Heart of the Tyrant as the primary ingredient."

The more Jeremy listened, the brighter his eyes shone. He was eager to have all of these incredibly potent-sounding potions made.

Regrettably, the Heart of the Tyrant was a singular item, and Jeremy had to choose one potion to craft.

After a moment's contemplation, Jeremy decided on the [Hymn of Life], after all, one can never have too much health points.

However, just as Jeremy was about to voice his decision, Bard, with a sly smile, interjected, "Of course, these potions are excellent, but I would recommend crafting the [Requiem of Life]."

Jeremy, filled with anticipation, repeated, "[Requiem of Life]? What does it do?"

Bard, with an air of mystery, said, "The [Requiem of Life] has a singular effect: bloodlocking."

"No matter the attack, as long as [Requiem of Life] is consumed an hour prior, it will forcibly retain a single drop of health."

"Of course, this effect can only be triggered once."

Instantly, Jeremy's eyes turned red with excitement. Without any hesitation, he said, "Master, please craft the [Requiem of Life]!"

Bard, rubbing his hands together, asked, "And the payment?"

Jeremy, brimming with generosity, pulled out five more fifth-tier energy crystals from his storage space.

Bard, beaming with joy, accepted the five fifth-tier energy crystals.

After receiving the Heart of the Tyrant, Bard's demeanor shifted abruptly. He coldly ushered Heber and Jeremy out of his alchemy room.

Clearly, Bard intended to get serious this time, and having Jeremy and Heber around would be inappropriate.

With a parting remark to return in three hours, Bard firmly shut the door.

Heber shrugged and then invited Jeremy and Bonnie to stay at his trading company.

Jeremy thought it over but ultimately declined. Not wanting to get too entangled with Heber's caravan, he decided to maintain some distance.

Finding a nearby inn, Jeremy settled Bonnie in and then stepped outside.

Earlier, he had noticed a large open-air market just a street away, bustling with countless people setting up stalls.