The Dreamer's POV

Chapter 121: Elixir

[00 Months: 12 Days: 17 Hours]

With a final glance at the pale figure of the Duke, I turned away and began to silently rummage through the inventory of my <Personal Space+ (Custom)>.

My mind raced as I considered my options.

Among the many items stored in there were three Holy Elixirs (Mid).

I had procured them from the Treasure Chests obtained from the various Dungeons I had conquered.

'I've avoided using them for a long time now because they're freaking rare and expensive… even in <Shop>.'

However, now that the situation called for it, I had no choice but to use my most potent potion.

'Still, using them here is a risk.'

I had no certainty that these elixirs could neutralize the poison afflicting the Duke.

The elixirs had the power to heal even fatal injuries, according to the Item Desciption, but this was (Mid) for a reason. Higher-tier Elixirs could bring someone from the brink of death, and the one that stood at the peak could raise the dead.

'But I only have the (Mid) version…'

A poison like this one, so potent that it mimicked a curse... it was unknown territory.

The anxiety clawed at me. The risk of wasting one of these precious resources was significant.

On the other hand, if I did nothing, the Duke's life was as good as over.

As I looked at the expectant faces of Seraphina and her siblings, I realized the decision wasn't as difficult as it seemed.

'Wasn't the reason I held onto these elixirs to use them in a dire situation?' I asked myself.

And what situation could be more dire than the imminent death of a Duke, and the potential collapse of an entire family?

I sighed, brushing a hand through my hair as I braced myself for what I was about to do.

Yes, it was a gamble. But it was a gamble I was willing to take.

'Alright then…'

The cool glass of the Elixir vial felt weighty in my hand as I drew it out from the infinite depths of my <Personal Space+ (Custom)>.

Its golden contents shimmered like sunlight, filling the room with a strange ethereal light that made everyone pause and gasp in awe.

"Is that... a Holy Elixir?" Seraphina stammered, her eyes wide in disbelief. The others echoed her shock, murmuring their surprise and amazement.

"How did you get that? Those are exclusively made in the Eastern Theocracy!" Theo exclaimed, clearly baffled. I shrugged nonchalantly, taking some enjoyment in their astonishment.

"Let's just say, I have my ways," I responded, winking at them. Turning my attention back to the Duke, I gently opened his mouth and poured the Elixir in. The golden liquid flowed into his mouth, seeping down his throat as his body started to glow with a warm light.

As the radiance spread through his body, I could see his complexion improve. The sickly pallor faded away, replaced by a healthier hue. His breathing became more even, his pulse steady, and his body started to regain some of its vitality.

The room fell silent as everyone held their breath, watching in disbelief as the Duke's condition improved before their very eyes. Seraphina let out a soft sob, tears streaming down her face. Theo and the others were stunned, their eyes wide with amazement and disbelief.

Relief washed over me as I watched the changes take place. The gamble had paid off. The Elixir had worked its magic.

I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. It felt good to defy the odds, to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

"W-why isn't he waking up?"

'A-ah…?' Hearing the Duchess's concerned tone, I took one look at the Duke.

It was indeed curious.

Why wasn't he waking? Also, even though his complexion and everything else seemed better, his breathing was still haphazard.

'Almost as if… no way!'

My eyes widened as I stared at the <Absolute Appraisal> window before me, my heart sinking as I read the detailed report.

'<Absolute Appraisal>'

[Native Information]

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- Name: Damien Von Lyma

- Race: Human

- Affiliation: The Southern Kingdom/The Lyma Region

- Level of Danger: Extremely Low

- Life Force: 15% (Extremely Weakened)

- Energy Level: 0% (Completely empty due to severe body degeneration)

- Combat Ability: 0% (Completely empty due to severe body degeneration)

- Assets: Extremely High

- Role: Head Of The Lyma Family

- Titles: <The Duke>

- Abilities: <Deactivated due to severe body degeneration>

- Items Equipped: <None recognized by System>

- Alignment: Neutral Good

Current Status: Extremely Weakened

[Additional Information]

As the head of the Lyma Family, he is a man of great influence in the Southern Kingdom. Unfortunately, while the poison has been purged, the severe body degeneration has left him extremely weakened. His life is still in great danger.

[End Of Information]

The air of relief in the room was quickly replaced by a palpable tension. All eyes were on me again, their faces a mix of hope and desperation.

"Luke, what's happening?" Theo asked, his voice tense. I glanced at him, letting out a deep sigh as I closed the Appraisal window.

"The poison is gone," I began, my voice steady despite the unease welling up in me. "But... his body has already suffered too much damage. He's still in danger."

The room fell silent, their eyes wide in shock. The air was heavy, and I could feel the weight of their stares pressing down on me.

It was clear to them now, as it was to me - we were still far from out of the woods.

'Fuck! I guess I have no choice…'

I had to use another Elixir!

From the corner of my eye, I noticed the flicker of hope lighting up their faces as I pulled out a second Holy Elixir.

The golden glow of the potion seemed to lighten up the somber room, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as I held it up.

"This... You have another one?" Drius asked, his voice filled with surprise.

His eyes widened at the sight of the Elixir, and I could see the shock on the faces of the others as well.

"That... The Eastern Theocracy treats those as sacred. They wouldn't even trade them with the Southern Kingdom!" Seraphina exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief.

I couldn't help but chuckle at their reactions. They had no idea how many things I had accumulated in my travels.

I stepped forward, moving towards the Duke's bedside once again. His eyes were closed, his face healthy but lifeless. I uncorked the potion, watching as the golden liquid glistened in the dim light.

I gently tilted the bottle, pouring the Elixir into the Duke's mouth.

The room was immediately filled with a bright light, so intense that we had to shield our eyes.

I could feel the energy coursing through the room, seeping into every nook and cranny. It was a powerful and overwhelming sensation, and I could only imagine what the Duke was going through.

As the light began to fade, we all opened our eyes.

The sight that greeted us left us all in shock.

The Duke's eyes were open, his face healthy and vibrant. It was as if he had been reborn, a stark contrast to the frail man we had seen just moments ago.

"W-what's happening…?" He muttered, his voice and tone lacking no form of weakness whatsoever.

The room erupted into cheers and cries of joy.

The Duchess swiftly lunged at her husband, and the Lyma siblings were making shouts of joy.

The Duke was alive and well.

We had managed to pull him back from the brink of death.

But more importantly, the hope that had been dwindling in the hearts of the Lyma family was now ablaze.

I couldn't help but smile, knowing that I had played a part in this miraculous recovery.

'You better thank me well, old man…'

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[A/N]

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