Trigger-Happy Potioneer

Titles and Tears

Loeta's Tear: A mystical fragment of Loeta, the forest guardian. Legend claims that collecting these pieces will ultimately lead you to the sacred forest grove.

Well, that explains why I couldn't find anything. Loeta's Tears, which basically look like little blue balls of light that float aimlessly in your hand, basically hold the map to the center. Thus, to complete whatever this is, I need more tears. I am suddenly reminded of the fifty or so samples left to process. Back to alchemy grinding, then. MP, please.

MP 200/200

It increased again, and it's full. Must be a stat. Or the purifying light. It's something, but I frankly don't care, since I need to do something else. "Alchemy, Miasma Repellent!"

Yelling in a forest was the best idea that I ever had. "Monsters" come from all directions, only to be purified, completely beside themselves in happiness, and then leave gifts and tears as they depart from my presence. My MP increases and refills with each dispel, too, so I don't worry about running low.

Several purifications later, I'm still lost in the forest. I have 98 tears, but no matter how much I yell, I just can't seem to find any more monsters to purify. Some of the ones I already cured come back with herbs and things like goblin underwear (which I avoid). I've received quite a few treasures from the animals, but I really need tears!

Oh, I found out what was going on with my status. Look:

Nio (Unidentified Class Build)

HP 100/103

MP 0/372

Stats

STR 23 VIT 20

DEX 66 EVA 83

INT 37 LUK 27

Titles

Benefactor of Ilidas Forest: Your kindness reaches beyond race and species. With each purification, regardless of the opposite party's condition, your mana will be refreshed and then increase by a random amount. Slight increase to major stats.

Current Traits (+5)

[Alchemy 14] [Throw 11] [Eagle Eye 16] [Enchant 1] [Archery 9] [Crafting 3] [Mixing 5] [Mana Control 12] [Discovery 19] [Combining 3]

Titles. Overpowered titles with obscure requirements make everything better. I should really figure out what the pluses are for, but I'll do it later. I need to find the tears.

As I thought that, the ground began to crack below me, and the ground began to round, like something was coming out. I stepped back as a large, segmented worm shot out of the ground and swallowed the air where I was standing just a moment before. It arched towards me, a gaping hole lined with thousands of serrated teeth. I dodge to the side as it dove into the ground once more.

"What the hell is that?!" I yelped as I continuously dodge the worm. I've already tried hitting it with repellent - its skin rejects it. Arrows don't get through, either. The only other option would be to make it drink it, but it doesn't stay still long enough for me to pour it into its mouth.

"?!" It got me with its skin! Pain shot through my arm as I floundered away from the worm. "Damn..." Three deep gashes were cut into my upper arm, and I could legitimately feel my HP draining. I pulled a Citron-Applet Potion and poured the contents down my throat. It tasted like orange juice, and the cuts healed immediately.

I just thought of something really stupid. It might work, but it's still extremely risky and stupid. Then again, who really cares?

I stand still as wait patiently for the worm. Every muscle in my body was tight, ready to spring at a moment's notice. I closed my eyes. Suddenly, I could see the worm - not physically, but mentally - burrowing towards me like a high-power drill. Three seconds to resurfacing. Two seconds. One.

I jumped straight up as the mound under my feet burst to life. A mass of swirling teeth appeared under me, accelerating faster than my liftoff. I uncapped a repellent, then poured it into its mouth as it approached. "Drink up, maggot."

The bluish liquid disappeared into the dark hole below me. The worm continued to rush upwards, and I was soon engulfed by the slimy intestinal walls of the worm's digestive system and a very uncomfortable darkness. Liquid dripped from all around me, and sizzling sounds grated my ears. A bright light sparkled to life below me. It expanded, and I was engulfed for the second time today. This time, at least, I was swallowed by light. The worm began to writhe and bulge, as if trying to escape the light blooming in its stomach. I bent back and forth as the worm continued to squirm in what seemed like the air. A tearing sound echoed inside the monster, and I soon saw the dark red leaves of the cursed forest once more.

I think the worm blew up. I don't really care, since it tried to eat me and burn holes in my equipment, but still. It must be horrible to die like that. I'll just check the drops.

Mole Worm Carapace

Loeta's Tear

Another tear! Yay!

The moment I touched the tear, a blue light burst out of my bag and swallowed the tear. It floated in front of me for a few seconds, then popped, revealing a fairy-like creature.

"Hi there! I'm Loeta's familiar, Eoin!" it said. It looked like a tiny girl with silver-white wings and a blue dress that matched the color of the tears. I blinked.

"Isn't Eoin a guy's name?" I asked.

Her cheeks puffed out. "Someone understands! I told Loeta that and she's like 'No, it's a wonderful name for you' and then sealed me into her fragments. Thank you, um, mister..."

"Nio. The name's Nio."

"Thanks! Well, seeing that you've collected her fragments, it must mean she's in trouble, right? If she disappears, I will too, so let's go save her. Come on!" She flitted away quickly, not even giving me time to recover. I quickly follow, but after a few minutes, Eoin stopped and then looked behind her at me. Her eyes lit up. "Hi, I'm Loeta's familiar, Eoin!"

Crap. She's the virtual Dory.