章節 14: Boon of the Ashen Witch

As Saad approached the old greenhouse with caution, he took a moment to first look at it. It was a sorry sight. While the structure was standing firm, being made from some type of special wood that felt more like some alloy rather than wood but as he checked the description, it was clearly wood.

[Your knowledge of Flora is insufficient.]

For the first time, he got the message and that surprised him. He had been thinking that he would be able to check the description of whatever he wanted, especially since it had been working while searching for herbs. He thought some more about why he was getting the message now and why did he not get this earlier. He couldn't understand the reason for now, nor did he have enough time for that. He took out the rusty key the Ashen Witch had given him and inserted it into the lock. However, it seemed that things weren't going to go his way.

[A mysterious and ominous fate is at play.]

As he turned the key, it refused to budge, stuck due to the years of neglect and rust. He wasn't sure it was supposed to happen.

A system message beeped.

[Side Quest]

A Rusty Key

The key wasn't taken care of and has gotten stuck into the keyhole. Fulfill one of the conditions to enter the greenhouse.

Find a separate Entrance: 0/1

Retrieve the stuck key: 0/1

Use the key to get inside the greenhouse: incomplete

Difficulty: D

Penalty:

In case of abandoning the key, you will lose the key permanently.

A significant familiarity decrease with Ashen Witch

Rewards:

Greenhouse Key: 1

Experience points: +15

Groaning with frustration, Saad realized that he only actually had one option and that was to find a way to get it out. He wasn't sure if he could just break the lock using force because the quest clearly meant to make him use the key to open the lock. Since this quest has been given to him, there has to be a way to get the key out. He started to look around, checking the descriptions. As he explored the surroundings, he noticed a tree with bark that seemed to glisten with oily sap and as expected, it was the right ingredient.

[Sticky Sap]

It's very sticky and greasy. Do not eat it.

Saad looked around and found a broken piece of bark and quickly collected it. It had taken him some time but he has found the right ingredient. Though as he was scrapping the sap, it did occur to him just he could read the description now when he couldn't earlier/ Perhaps he could ask Ashen Witch later since the first message did say that she was a master herbalist. But would a master herbalist know about trees?

For now, he ignored that and with a newfound determination, he applied the sap to the rusty key, working it into the lock mechanism. Slowly, the key started to loosen, and with a satisfying click, it came free.

[You have successfully retrieved the Greenhouse Key.]

He had completed the first part of the quest and now it was the part about entering the greenhouse and he had to make three to four trips to gather more and more sap until the lock was over following from the huge lock. Perhaps it was too much but he had tried to open the lock with every new pump. He was almost losing hope but then he heard that lovely click and the lock opened. He dropped down, sitting on the grass and just taking a moment as he heard the ding of the quest completion. "Yes-!"

Feeling relieved, Saad put the key back into his inventory and proceeded to open the door of the greenhouse. Inside, he was greeted with a scene of disarray. Broken pots and shattered glass lay scattered everywhere, and weeds had taken over the once beautiful garden.

Taking a deep breath, Saad got to work, rolling up his virtual sleeves. He spent the next few hours cleaning up the mess, clearing away the debris, and organizing the scattered items. The whole time, he marveled at the level of detail in the game, appreciating the effort put into creating such a realistic environment.

What he noticed by now that the greenhouse had a strangely illuminous pond in the middle but it seemed that the water supply was cut off. It was also strange that the pond was so clean and clear but he left it alone for now since his quest was more about the debris and less about the water supply though, he had a feeling that perhaps he would be soon dealing with that as well.

Once the greenhouse was in a more manageable state, Saad decided to take a short break and inspected his surroundings. In the corner, he noticed a wooden crate partially hidden under some overgrown plants. Curiosity piqued, he opened it, and inside, he found a set of gardening tools.

As he continued, he stumbled upon am uncommon plant hidden amidst the mess. It was the elusive Twila that Drusilla had mentioned in her list of herbs. Saad carefully collected it and felt a sense of accomplishment as he added it to the encyclopedia.

[Your herbal knowledge has expanded.]

With each herb he found, his knowledge grew, and he knew that he was getting closer to impressing both Drusilla and the enigmatic Ashen Witch.

After thorough cleaning and removing all the debris out of the greenhouse, the greenhouse began to look a lot less haunted and more like a greenhouse once more surely the place needed a ton of work yet but the most important parts were done. As for the vines and overgrown trees, he wasn't sure if that was the part of debris.

Saad stepped back to admire his handiwork. He had done it.

[You have completed the Quest the Abandoned Greenhouse]

[The Abandoned Greenhouse]

Quest completed

Clear the debris: 1/1

Difficulty: D

Rewards:

[Boon of the Ashen Witch]: Choose one reward of your desire

Experience points: +50

As the system message updated his quest status, Saad realized it was time to return to the Ashen Witch and let her know about his successful endeavor. He also now had 80 Experience points and only needed 20 more to gain next level. While the quest had taken him ten hours and the sun was setting, he had no regrets.

He stepped out of the greenhouse and followed the stone trail back to the mysterious old lady's garden. The Ashen Witch was waiting for him, her knowing eyes peering into his soul.

"I see you have succeeded," she said, her voice carrying a mix of approval and curiosity.

"Yes, I managed to clean up the greenhouse and restore it to its former state," Saad replied, feeling a sense of pride in his accomplishment.

[Your familiarity with Ashen Witch has increased.]

The witch nodded, her expression unreadable. "Good. You have proven your worth, and I am pleased."

"About the Boon of the Ashen Witch, what are the rewards I can choose from?" Saad inquired, eager to know what mysterious treasures awaited him.

The witch's lips curled into a small smile. "You shall have three options. Choose wisely, for each boon has its own consequences."

[Your familiarity with Ashen witch has changed the nature of rewards.]

Saad was startled by the peculiar message.

[Boon of the Witch]

1. Potion of Wisdom: Temporarily increases your experience point's gain by 25% for the next 24 hours.

2. Enchanted Amulet: Provides a small permanent boost to your magical abilities.

3. Apprenticeship of the witch: Inherit the knowledge of master herbalist of Seraphia

Saad considered each option carefully. The Potion of Wisdom would be beneficial for faster leveling up, the Enchanted Amulet could enhance his magical prowess, but the apprenticeship was something that was completely unexpected.

After a moment of contemplation, he made his choice:

"I choose the apprenticeship," Saad said, there was no hesitation in his mind. He knew that the other things were also truly important but this was perhaps a rare chance.

The witch nodded, seemingly satisfied with his decision. "So be it. I will accept you as my apprentice. I will be bestowing my knowledge on you. Be grateful young one." She looked way more pleased, as if she had wanted Saad to take that option.

[You have become the apprentice of ashen Witch.]

[You have received a new title 'Witch's Apprentice'. Please check the character window for more details.]