Chapter Forty-Nine: The Tower of Medicine

With the information provided by the dog master, Dawn had already learned the location of the Tower of Medicine, and the map now had a new destination.

Dawn returned to his room, letting the Shadow Soul knead his shoulders to relieve the fatigue from studying runes, while he launched the New Day game.

He opened the map and clicked on the Tower of Medicine.

Depart!

[You hurriedly close the book in your hands and look out the window.]

[From the moment you had memories, you have been a night watchman here, laboring each day like a walking corpse.]

[You have felt too much cold and solitude in this place, learned only numbness here, and the gloomy atmosphere leaves you lonely.]

[Perhaps it is time to leave this place!]

[You have been trapped in your cramped room for too long and yearn to explore the wider world. You eagerly call your little donkey.]

[The longing for a new world fills you with energy. Humming a cheerful tune, you set out for the Tower of Medicine.]

[The Tower of Medicine lies not far east of Black River Main Prison. You have heard other night watchmen mention it.]

[It is a thirty-story tower, the most beautiful building in District 8 of New City, filled everywhere with fragrant blossoms.]

[Excitedly, you move forward...]

Moments later,

Dawn took a sip of water.

[A bright ray of sunlight falls upon your face.]

[Daytime begins to blaze, and New City returns to the light.]

[Excitement flashes in your eyes as you reach a high vantage point and gaze ahead.]

[As the sunlight spreads, you see a lush green medicinal garden and a sea of colorful flowers. Rising tall at the center stands the Tower of Medicine.]

[You can hardly believe that such beauty exists in District 8, a place meant to confine prisoners.]

[On the road to the Tower of Medicine are merchants seeking herbs, apprentice alchemists taking their tests, patients seeking cures, and more.]

[You pat the back of your little donkey, urging it faster toward the Tower of Medicine.]

[The fragrance of the flowers makes even your donkey grin with a silly, dazed smile.]

[As you approach the Tower of Medicine, a gatekeeper wearing several keys calls out to you, demanding an item.]

[Please choose an item to hand over.]

This was the contact arranged for him by the dog master.

Dawn chose to hand over the "Apprentice Alchemist" card.

[You hand over the Apprentice Alchemist card.]

[After confirming your identity, the gatekeeper says, you are now an apprentice alchemist. Once you enter the medicinal garden and wait for the apprentice alchemist assessment and the Flower Witch’s disciple test, an alchemist will select you. You may also chat with any teacher you fancy.]

So now I’m an apprentice alchemist? That was fast.

Dawn chose to enter the medicinal garden.

[Before you leave, the gatekeeper reminds you that it’s best to dismount your little donkey—neither the Flower Witch nor the other alchemists care for such ugly, clumsy creatures.]

"…"

Dawn was speechless; were these alchemists recruiting apprentices based on appearances?

But to avoid trouble, he dismounted for now.

[You get off your little donkey and head toward the medicinal garden.]

[Upon entering, you hear the crowd’s voices and see many enormous blossoms. Beneath each flower, an alchemist is conducting assessments.]

At this moment, several options popped up—Dawn could choose to approach any of these flowers.

Compared to other alchemists, Dawn much preferred the idea of selecting the Flower Witch as his mentor.

According to the dog master’s description, the Flower Witch, both Flower Aspect and Lamp Aspect, was a typical hands-off mentor who loved adventure. This would give him more time for exploration.

Although she had flowers growing on her head, Dawn’s impression of her in the Land of Gluttony was favorable.

A new text appeared.

[You feel the soil beneath your feet making sounds!]

"???"

[Bang!]

[A tiny yellow flower sprouts from the earth.]

[Bang! The soil splits open!]

["Wahoo!"]

[Elegant, mysterious, and powerful, the Flower Witch bursts forth from the ground!]

["Night watchman!?" The Flower Witch notices you, showing off her carefully devised graceful entrance.]

[Upon seeing the Flower Witch, all the alchemists present bow slightly in respect, striving to solemnly praise her elegance.]

"???"

What bizarre entrance was this? They called this "land god" style graceful?

Dawn kept his composure, refusing to be distracted.

He had previously given the Flower Witch a corroded flower core, but she had yet to provide the promised potion.

["You're here for the potion, aren't you? Night watchman, apologies, I’ve been busy."]

The Flower Witch took a potion out from her bag.

"As an apology, I’ll give you a gift for our reunion."

[You receive a bottle of Corrosive Splash Potion.]

[You receive a head wreath.]

Dawn examined both items.

[Corrosive Splash Potion:

Effect: Upon contact with an enemy, deals 30 direct damage, blocks their regeneration, and applies ongoing corrosive and weakening effects.

Usage: Smash the potion bottle forcefully at your target! (The scent and color of this potion are extremely conspicuous—not recommended for poisoning.)

Special: The Flower Witch added many fragrant flowers, but this only made the smell even more unpleasant.]

Thirty points of direct damage! Not bad, plus it blocks regeneration and applies two debuffs.

Good stuff—Dawn accepted it and looked at the next item.

[Head Wreath:

Description: A special wreath woven from various petals by alchemists, exuding a floral fragrance.

Equipment effect: Charm +4 and a slight boost to mental resistance.

Current durability: 89% (decreases gradually as the flowers rot.)]

Charm +4. Is charm useful? This game doesn’t seem to allow attracting others with charm.

And it will rot, meaning it’ll soon be useless.

Still, a free gift—good enough.

Dawn read the following text.

["Let’s chat later, brave night watchman who dares explore the Luminous Land."]

The Flower Witch strode gracefully before her blossom, passing her assessment content to a senior alchemist examiner.

[Moments later, the alchemist announces the start of the Flower Witch’s assessment. Many long-prepared apprentice alchemists flock to the test site, seeking deeper knowledge and greater freedom.]

[Watching the exam unfold, though you’ve only recently learned the New City language, a bold idea suddenly occurs to you.]

[Perhaps you could take the Flower Witch’s assessment directly?]

[Please make your choice.]

[One: Participate. Two: Do not participate. Three: Observe the exam first.]

If he passed the Flower Witch’s exam, he would gain access to better resources.

Even if he didn’t participate, he would just be waiting idly.

[Three: Observe the exam first.]

[With a spirit of curiosity, you squeeze to the front of the crowd, taking a preliminary look at the assessment.]

[Excitement flashes in your eyes. This exam, specially designed for apprentice alchemists, might just be within your grasp.]