From Alchemy Apprentice to All-Powerful God King

Inside the Hunter's Guild, in a secret room.

The piles of magic crystals had all turned into powder, which accumulated on the ground and buried the alchemy platform.

At this moment, Matthew was covered in sweat; the refining process had reached its most crucial stage.

The black cocoon in the alchemy platform kept writhing, but its magic power had already run out.

"Why is it consuming so much mana?"

Seeing this, Matthew had no choice but to pour out the remaining one or two thousand magic crystals from the Ring.

The black cocoon's movements abruptly ceased as magic surged back into the gray mist alchemy platform.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of shells shattering echoed through the secret chamber.

"Did it work?"

[Second-Tier Demonic Insect: Heavy Edge Insect]

[You have met the magic power requirements for a second-tier ability user. Do you wish to choose instant refinement?]

Looking at the Heavy-Blade Insect emerging from its cocoon in the alchemy platform, Matthew smiled. It was exactly the branch he wanted.

"Refine!"

Upon confirmation, the gray mist immediately enveloped it, and just like the previous times, it underwent a second processing, making it completely Matthew's demonic insect.

[Alchemy Maniac Lv.2: 2230/5000 experience points, success rate +20]

[Unlock New Recipe - Heavy Frost Bug]

[By concentrating magical energy to increase weight on the body surface, the user can instantly increase their own weight to achieve effects such as charging, thrusting, and slashing...]

A moment later, as the Heavy-Blooded Bug finished absorbing the gray fog, Matthew also adjusted himself to his best condition.

This time, however, it wasn't the arm that was cut open, but the abdomen.

This was something he had already thought of during the forging process. If this power were placed on a single arm, the strength and explosiveness would indeed be unparalleled.

However, my body couldn't withstand the high-intensity use.

It would be better to reduce some of the power so that the whole body can have this burst of energy, making it more balanced.

I originally intended to place it in the center of my chest, but I was worried about it conflicting with the exploding bugs, so I had to change its position.

As the second-tier Heavy-Blade Insect entered his body.

An unparalleled magical power instantly filled his body.

And it was still releasing, and Matthew's body was visibly swelling up.

"No, I have to digest this magic!"

Seeing that things were not going well, Matthew immediately activated his magic, using his internal organs to absorb magic power and continuously strengthen his physique.

He learned this move from the magic book.

In an instant, the secret room was filled with smoke.

As the magical energy fed back by the demonic insects was gradually digested, Matthew's own magical energy also increased several times over.

"Is this what it feels like to be a second-tier ability user...?"

Matthew clenched his fist, and magic quickly condensed on his skin to form a transparent fist that enveloped it. He then gently slammed the fist against the wall.

Despite not actively accelerating, the fist seemed to be moving at double speed, smashing into the wall in the blink of an eye, leaving a fist imprint.

After pulling his fist out, Matthew discovered that his magic still lingered on the fist imprint, which he could detonate at any time if he wanted.

"That strong?"

After realizing that he had become a second-tier ability user, Matthew suppressed his desire to experiment.

He was afraid that the power would be too great and blow up the secret room.

Now, the magical power within him is far greater than when he was at the first level.

"However... I guess I'd be considered half a Tier 2 in this situation."

Normally, only when all the demonic insects in one's body are raised to the second tier can one be considered a true second-tier ability user.

Someone like him, who has two first-tier demonic insects inside his body, is usually considered a half-step second-tier ability user.

"I wonder when I'll be able to refine a second-tier magical insect again."

After collecting the powder scattered on the ground, Matthew was somewhat emotional. A single Tier 2 creature had used up all the magic crystals he had painstakingly obtained by raiding the lair.

Pushing open the door to the secret room, you see Luca squatting in front of the door, constantly drawing circles on the ground with his finger.

"You've finally come out, Matthew! This is terrible!"

Seeing Luca's anxious expression, Matthew felt a chill and a bad premonition rose in his heart: "What's wrong? Don't rush, tell me slowly."

"Our alchemy workshop was set on fire last night! All the materials are gone!"

The urgency in his tone, coupled with his anxious expression, made Matthew think something terrible had happened, but it turned out to be just this?

Without even thinking, it's obvious that this is Flynn's revenge.

"Alright, why are you so anxious about such a small matter? Compared to the Alchemy Workshop, you're the luckiest that nothing happened to you."

Matthew patted Luca on the shoulder, signaling him to relax, since the Alchemy Workshop made money from the magical insects they created.

Luca was deeply moved by these words. Apart from his uncle, no one else had ever shown him such genuine concern.

He immediately opened his arms to hug Matthew, but before he could get close, he was kicked in the butt.

"Ouch."

Half a minute later, the two walked out of the Hunter's Guild, but did not see a single ability user.

"The campaign has already begun?"

"Yes, it started yesterday afternoon. For some reason, the alien beasts suddenly went berserk and attacked even before us."

After hearing Luca's account, Matthew roughly understood what had happened.

As for that roar, he knew it better than anyone else.

It is likely that after the Beast King returned to the cave, he discovered that all the magic crystals had been stolen, and went berserk, triggering the Beast Tide ahead of schedule.

"Where are Elena and Lucia? Have they crossed the border?" Matthew asked.

"Not only them, my uncle went too. Now, in the entire town of Val, including the two of us, there aren't many ability users."

Luca looked at Matthew and felt that he was somewhat different from before, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was different.

Driven by curiosity, he still asked the question.

"Matthew, what kind of magical insects are you concocting in the secret room? When I went there just now, it was filled with smoke and magic."

"Heavy front insect."

Matthew didn't hide anything, nor did he intend to. After this campaign, he would either succeed or run away; he definitely couldn't stay in Val Town any longer.

After all, having to pluck the peach from the mouth of the Imperial Goddess, he would probably have to seek refuge with the Rogers family afterwards.

"Heavy-Blade Insect... a second-tier magical insect?"

Luca took a moment to process what was happening, and was deeply shocked.

This amount of information is far more than just that of a single second-tier magical insect.

If I remember correctly, Matthew became a power user after coming into contact with the demonic insects only about half a month ago. Even if he showed the demonic book to the other party, how could his magic power have increased so quickly?

And those are second-tier magical insects! Where did he get so much magic power to refine them?

Most importantly, the recipe for the Heavy Beetle requires the Negative Beetle, meaning that Leon was actually actually manipulated by Matthew...

"Without you during this time, I really wouldn't have reached my current strength. This is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

Seeing Luca's shocked expression, Matthew put his finger to his lips and gave him all the remaining magic crystals he had.

He then took out fifty gold coins and asked him to give them to Jimmy as payment for breakfasts and dinners over the years.

Luca, seeing Matthew in front of him as if he were entrusting his son to someone or making a will, couldn't hold back any longer and grabbed his arm.

"What are you going to do? We can't go to the border, it's too chaotic there right now."

Matthew looked at Luca, who was filled with worry, and couldn't help but laugh and tell him to relax.

"I'm not going there to die, what are you worried about? Do you really want me to die that much?!"

After giving Luca a light kick, Matthew walked straight toward the border, his expression gradually turning cold.

Now, whether they continue to follow Elena or join the Rogers family...

None of this changes the fact that they are at the mercy of others.

Even if he escapes, he can't escape the Möbius Empire; it would be too easy for them to find him.

Only by becoming stronger can you avoid being at the mercy of others and refrain from being set up.

Matthew quickened his pace, moving towards the border.

"I've been given a second chance at life. If I still can't take control of my own destiny, I might as well just kill myself!"