From Alchemy Apprentice to All-Powerful God King

With all twenty magical insects sold out, those who missed out were filled with regret.

They could only place an order at the original price at the alchemy shop and pick it up a few days later.

However, just as they were about to leave, Luca brought out a stool, stepped on it, and coughed twice.

"Ahem, the previous twenty were Matthew's. I have twenty more in stock now, available this afternoon. Honest and fair, first come, first served!"

The crowd, who were all ready to leave, turned back to look at him.

"You little brat!"

Those who had already placed orders for the next two days were now gritting their teeth in frustration, but there was nothing they could do.

In less than half a day, Matthew and Luca's alchemy workshop orders were already booked until the following week.

Every now and then, someone would come to place an order. Not only that, the news also spread to other towns, attracting many outsiders with special abilities.

In the end, there were just too many, so Matthew simply set a rule that each person could only buy two.

It's not that he doesn't want to sell, it's that if he really continues like this, people will die.

......

It was late at night, and Luca had already finished training his twenty and returned to the guild.

Matthew continued to refine the demonic insects in the alchemy workshop.

Experience points: 1500/2000.....

Experience points: 1520/2000.....

Experience points: 1610/2000.....

Unbeknownst to him, he had fallen into a state of complete absorption, and the magical power within him was increasing with each alchemy session.

For the next few days, Matthew stayed at the Alchemist's Workshop.

Luca and Jimmy provided almost all of their food, drink, and other necessities.

The reputation of the swarm of exploding insects also spread widely among various ability users.

With just three gold coins, the effect is more than five times that of the exploding bug.

For a time, not only were there no strange beasts encountered outside the border of Val Town, but other towns near the border were also carrying out large-scale extermination of strange beasts.

This is all thanks to the exceptional effectiveness of swarming insects.

It is completely comparable to the full-force attack of their first-tier ability users. If used properly, it can wipe out a whole nest of alien beasts.

The benefits would naturally far exceed those of the self-destructing insects.

After refining for three consecutive days, Matthew finally stopped.

"One last one, all done!"

Just as he finished his last order of the week, the Chronicles of Another World started playing in his mind.

[Alchemy Maniac Lv.2: 2000/5000 experience points, success rate +20]

[Unlock New Recipe - Suicide Bug 3.0]

The upgraded recipe for the Swarm Bug adds automatic following and delayed detonation effects; of course, the secondary explosions that spawn from it also have the same effect.

[Magic shackles have appeared. Please increase your magic power quickly, or you will be devoured by the demonic insects.]

"Hmm? There can even be a 3.0 upgraded version."

Matthew was surprised to see the new recipe pop up in the alternate world record. He thought the swarm of exploding bugs was already powerful, but it turned out there were also tracking missiles.

However, when he saw the last improvement, he frowned slightly.

"What the hell is this magic shackle?"

Before Matthew could even wonder, blood-red lines began to appear on his arm, spreading rapidly throughout his body like blood vessels.

He could clearly sense that these patterns were all formed by the convergence of magic.

At the same time, he experienced intense pain in both his heart and spine.

Before he could react, he collapsed to the ground.

I could only feel the exploding bugs and crypt bugs trying to break out of my body.

Matthew gritted his teeth and continued to suppress the two demonic insects with his magic, while the dung beetle showed no reaction whatsoever.

He only managed to get up shakily when the sweat on his body left a human-shaped imprint on the ground.

"Damn it, nobody told me that if I don't increase my own magic power, the demonic insects will turn against me!"

Recalling what he had just felt, Matthew felt a wave of fear wash over him.

Meanwhile, through the Chronicles of Another World, we learned that while the demonic insects were feeding back their magic power, they were also constantly absorbing earth magic power to grow autonomously.

If a user's magical power can't keep up, they will suffer a backlash, just like he just experienced.

If not suppressed, the demonic insects will break out of the body, and in severe cases, they may even take over and control the user.

The reason why the magical shackles appear is because of the body's instinct to use magic to create shackles to imprison the demonic insects.

Matthew leaned against the wall and let out a long sigh: "I was so busy with alchemy that I forgot to improve myself, and I almost lost everything."

Normally, a first-tier ability user would not experience this kind of magical shackle phenomenon.

Because the ability user's magical power increases as the magical insects grow.

Matthew had three first-tier demonic insects on his body, and his own magic power was simply not enough to nurture three demonic insects.

"I need to find some time to improve my magic power."

Matthew drank a bottle of magic potion, and after it was absorbed, his face slowly regained its color.

After briefly reviewing the recipe for the Exploding Bug 3.0, I discovered that it contained many new materials, so I temporarily abandoned the idea of ​​trying it.

As the moon rose high in the sky, Matthew waited until his body had fully recovered before pushing open the door of the Alchemy Workshop.

When he opened the door, he saw Flynn standing outside, as if he had been waiting for him.

Above his head, the black mist had become so thick it was almost tangible, but only Matthew could see it.

"Professor Flynn? You're still up so late?"

Matthew looked at Flynn, who had suddenly appeared outside, and became wary. Even though they were outside the guild's gates, no one could guarantee that the other wouldn't suddenly attack.

"Haha, I couldn't sleep, so I came here for a walk to clear my head. I was just passing by."

Flynn looked uneasy, his hands behind his back, and his attitude was different from before; he seemed rather reserved.

It wasn't that he changed his ways, but rather that three days ago, after Matthew submitted the formula, the Alchemist Bishop specifically mentioned that he was a talented individual and should be given special attention, while also warning him not to have any ulterior motives.

"Um... Matthew, could you sell me some swarm bugs first, since I'm your mentor?"

Flynn looked somewhat embarrassed; the ability user who had placed an order with him a few days ago was already urging him to deliver the goods.

In order to avoid being exposed, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go to Matthew.

At this stage, before the formula is delivered to the Empire, no one except Matthew can refine it, and even if he knows the formula, he dares not speak of it.

Matthew, however, saw through his little scheme at a glance. After locking the door to the Alchemy Workshop, he said casually.

"Flynn, it's not that I don't want to sell to you, everyone's in line. If word gets out that I'm letting you cut in line, then all the guild mentors will start cutting in line too. How am I supposed to keep this business?"

"Besides, don't you have the recipe? Surely you can refine it, Master?"

Seeing Matthew's feigned ignorance, Flynn could only suppress his anger.

"Look at what you're saying. I could definitely refine it, but wouldn't that steal your business? I'm not that kind of person. Besides, there's the alchemist competition next month..."

"Alright, alright, these are three. That's all we have left. Any more and we'll be out."

Matthew interrupted Flynn's insincere act, took three magical insects out of his pocket and handed them over; he didn't want to bring up anything about match recommendations anymore.

Now, he can participate without a recommendation, so why would he need the help of a mage?

He simply doesn't have the ability to kill Flynn right now, and he really doesn't want to give this man, who killed him once, a very friendly look.

Now that he has finally escaped the alchemy workshop in the guild, it's only because he's suppressing a great deal of murderous intent that he's even seen him.

After receiving three demonic insects, Flynn felt it was a bit too few, but when he saw Matthew's face gradually turn cold, he felt a pang of fear for some reason.

After saying a few kind words, he quickly returned to the guild.

After sending Flynn away, Matthew realized that the other party seemed somewhat afraid of him. Although he didn't know exactly what had happened in the guild these past two days, it should be to his advantage.

Otherwise, given Flynn's personality, he certainly wouldn't have let go of this opportunity to make money so easily.

Just as he turned to go home, a figure suddenly appeared at the deserted street corner ahead.

Matthew's heart stopped when he saw the other person's face.

"How is that possible?!"