Beast Slayer Online: Initialization
Copyright© 2026 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 129: Knives Behind Silk Curtains
Berengar himself was still testing the recovery of his body with one astonished movement after another.
The horrifying black toxin buildup on his face gradually receded after Lannor helped him back to his feet.
In less than two minutes, he had gone from the limp weakness of first drinking the potion to feeling fully restored.
“You said it ‘worked’? Then why did you look like the toxicity had exceeded your limit just now?”
Lannor screwed the cap back onto the White Honey in his hand and returned it to the alchemy sack, confusion flickering across his face.
Berengar continued savoring the sensation brought by the “new potion,” replying with his eyes still closed.
“It wasn’t because the toxicity exceeded my tolerance. Your improved version activates far too quickly, at least seventy percent faster than normal Maribor Forest. The total toxicity hasn’t changed, but it flooded through my body all at once. Caught me off guard.”
“Faster activation ... sounds like a good thing. What about the potion’s actual effects?”
“Vitality recovery speed feels about the same as the standard version. But the side effects really are weaker.”
“What symptoms does the original Maribor Forest cause?”
Lannor questioned him point by point, treating the entire exchange as experimental data collection.
Witcher potions carried not only toxicity potent enough to kill ordinary humans, but also side effects even witchers could not ignore.
Thunderbolt, for example, dramatically strengthened muscle tissue. But weaker muscle fibers could not endure the strain exerted by neighboring enhanced fibers and would tear during movement.
“The original Maribor Forest causes mild spasms after ingestion. Fine motor precision drops, makes delicate movements clumsy. But right now...”
Berengar stared at his own hands in disbelief.
“My hands feel steady as ever.”
Lannor nodded and consulted the biological intelligence core within his mind.
“Mentos. Summarize the recorded information.”
Recording Analysis — Subject: Berengar Status: Completed
Consumption Log: Item: potion Onset Time: 2.3s
Effect Assessment: Biological Activity: +36% Stability: Maintained Side Effects: None Detected
The cogitator-like intelligence delivered its experimental report with brutal brevity before adding Lannor’s revised formula into the database.
Nearby, Berengar looked at Lannor with a complicated expression after personally experiencing the improved potion’s effects.
A formula refined and passed down by witchers for centuries ... had been improved in the hands of a beginner?
“What’s with that look?”
Lannor raised a brow under the old witcher’s stare and casually waved the White Honey bottle again.
“Need to clear the toxicity?”
Berengar looked at him for a long moment before slowly shaking his head.
Instead, he spoke quietly.
“The idea of adding a ‘water’ attribute material into Maribor Forest isn’t new. There have been at least seventeen hundred recorded attempts in the archives, maybe more. Nobody ever saw the slightest hope of success. But in your hands...”
He exhaled slowly.
“You didn’t even use measuring equipment. You judged the quantities and timing entirely by feel and sight, and somehow grasped ratios the rest of us couldn’t even perceive.”
“Lannor, with your alchemical talent ... you should go to Kaer Morhen.”
“You should search through Alzur and Malaspina’s alchemical manuscripts there, instead of listening to a witcher from the ‘Pragmatic Alchemy School’ lecture you.”
“The Pragmatic Alchemy School only cares about how to use alchemical products. But with your talent, you should be asking why.”
Lannor showed immediate interest in Berengar’s suggestion.
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