The Dark Apothecary: Crafting An Empire One Potion At A Time

Ryu Yurijin, a seemingly lowly peasant in the bustling town of Sylavara, harbors a unique and powerful skill: the ability to extract and store the magical properties of items, plants, and monsters into small bottles. This rare talent has the potential to change his fate, but Ryu's journey to greatness is fraught with challenges.

After being publicly humiliated by an arrogant knight in the Crescent Willow Tavern, Ryu's resolve hardens. He dreams of rising above his station and building an empire that rivals the mightiest in the land. However, his path is anything but straightforward. With no money and only his skill to rely on, Ryu must find a way to survive and grow stronger.

His journey takes a turn when he encounters Nero Nishimiya, a B-class adventurer and skilled archer with a mysterious and slightly sinister aura. Despite his initial distrust, Ryu accepts Nero's offer to join forces and hunt goblins for bounty. Together, they venture into the dangerous Shinkai Hollow Forest.

As Ryu delves deeper into the forest and his own potential, he begins to uncover the vast possibilities of his skill. He experiments with extracting and combining magical properties, unlocking new branches and recipes in his skill tree. Each new discovery brings him closer to his ultimate goal: to amass power, wealth, and influence, and to carve out an empire of his own.

But Ryu's journey is not just one of physical battles. He must navigate the complex social dynamics of Sylavara, dealing with nobles, adventurers, and other powerful entities who may see him as a threat. Publicly, he maintains a facade of kindness and humility, but behind closed doors, his true personality emerges...