Chrysalis Chapter 1761 - Elixir of Life

Waggling her antennae in high spirits, Merchant drifted between tables, meticulously inspecting every item. She carried a suite of professional instruments: a sophisticated looking glass for evaluating gemstones and an enchanted apparatus for measuring brilliance, along with several other implements that Enid had insisted were essential for any merchant. Given how Skills and mana allowed frauds to fabricate convincing replicas, a prudent trader had to be a master investigator. With the guidance of her mentor, her specialized kit, and her own unique mutations, Merchant had become truly formidable.

She checked weight, consistency, and structural integrity, alongside a dozen mana-sensitive metrics, as she moved from object to object. Yet, she soon encountered unforeseen challenges.

Despite her youth, she had handled an array of treasures from the Dungeon. However, these materials were entirely alien to her.

The rigidity of these metals was abysmal—positively spongy. They felt like bundles of fleshy fibers rather than metal, damp to the touch. When prodded, they released a fluid that pooled on the platter, only to be reabsorbed moments later.

They were also visually unappealing. She had hoped for the shimmering gems or ores that usually fetched a high price, but these specimens were simply ugly.

Interestingly, their properties were superb. They possessed immense tensile strength, far exceeding the Colony’s best steel. But they were notoriously difficult to work with and required a constant supply of that strange fluid to maintain their structural integrity.

Further study was clearly necessary.

Moving to the next station, her eyes caught a glimmer. Sparkles! She pressed her face against the protective glass dome to get a better look at the bounty beneath.

It was a gem, thank the Eldest. A deep, blood-red stone that played with the light, glowing with such intensity at its periphery it was like gazing into a light orb. Quivering with excitement, she brought out her tools to measure its luminosity and examine its inner facets.

It was breathtaking.

“May I touch it?” she inquired eagerly.

“You are welcome to,” a nearby carver replied.

“Excellent!”

“If you intend to perish.”

“So… that would be a ‘no’, then.”

“Ah. Yes. Come to think of it, we ought to keep this away from the Immortals until it is properly purified.”

“Purified?”

“Indeed. We suspect this gem was saturated with mana that was cleared by immersion in purified energy. Yet, a core of contamination remains. It resists the penetration of mana into its center, making it a unique subject for study.”

“How long until it is safe to handle?” And, more importantly, to sell!

“I cannot say,” the carver answered, shrugging her antennae. “We have yet to find a way to remove the deep-seated contamination.”

Another dead end. Dejected, Merchant abandoned the gem and moved to the next table. It featured a dish under a glass dome containing a small amount of swirling, vibrant red liquid.

“What is this?” she queried the nearby researcher.

“That? As far as our data suggests, it is a liquid with zero effect on monsters.”

“That is quite vague.”

“Well, we haven’t tested it on anything else yet,” the carver retorted. “We cannot simply pour mysterious liquids on people without permission.”

“Do you have any theories on its function?” Merchant asked, her hope beginning to fade.

“Our initial tests on organic matter show it removes defects in tissue caused by aging. Extremely interesting.”

Merchant froze. Merchant stared. Merchant slowly clacked her mandibles.

“It reverses… aging?” she asked for confirmation.

“Essentially. Monsters do not suffer those same cellular errors, so it does nothing for us. Our limited trials show it removing defects and regenerating tissue—bone, muscle, even teeth. It is quite versatile.”

Merchant nodded, reaching into her pouch to produce a match. Striking it against her carapace, she lit her cigar and took a long, contemplative drag.

“Holy moly,” she murmured.