Landlord World - Start with SSS talent

"However…" Noan sighed, "Where am I supposed to find 18 different restorative potion recipes?"

He glanced at Khorvath, asking softly, "Do you have 18 types of restorative potion recipes?"

Khorvath shook her head. "No, Master. But… why do you need them?"

"I can help you create the formula for a perfect restorative potion, but… I need 18 different restorative potion recipes," Noan replied.

Hearing this, Khorvath was filled with doubt.

After all, the perfect potion was something all Alchemist Masters pursued. Even if it was just the lowest-level potion, once it became a Perfect Potion, it could cause a tremendous sensation.

Yet until now, no one had ever managed to create a Perfect Potion like the legends had described.

For most, the Perfect Potion was like the moon reflected on water—something you could see, but never touch.

Although she doubted him, Khorvath still answered honestly, "I don't have that many restorative potion recipes."

"However, if Master wishes, you can go to the 'Trial Space – Herb Forest.'"

"Herb Forest? Trial Space? Where do I find that?" Noan frowned.

Khorvath did not answer right away. Instead, she took a key out of her pouch and offered it to Noan: "Master, this is the key to that 'Trial Space.'"

"Huh?!" Noan stared at the key, his brain shutting down for a few seconds as he tried to process the information.

"Wait a minute!" He held his forehead, struggling to digest what Khorvath had just said, then asked, "You… have the key to the Trial Space?"

"That's right." Khorvath nodded. "I got it a long time ago during an apprentice alchemist competition."

"Afterwards, I completely forgot about it until I…"

"Hm?!" Noan was confused as Khorvath stopped halfway through her sentence. "What do you mean?"

"It's nothing," Khorvath shook her head. "Master, if you wish, you can use this to enter that Trial Space."

"If you complete the challenge, you'll gain a lot of resources—especially potion recipes."

"Ah!" Noan held the key in his hand, feeling that it seemed just like any ordinary key.

"Why didn't you use it before?" Noan continued to ask, his expression a bit curious.

Khorvath shook her head and explained, "Although Alchemists are, in essence, mages, we actually spend most of our time researching and concocting potions, not training to level up."

"That's why the strength of Alchemists is often very weak. The Trial Space doesn't just test intelligence—it also tests strength."

"If an Alchemist recklessly enters the Trial Space without being certain of victory, they're sure to fail."

"At that point, Alchemists have to rely on others, forming a party to enter the Trial Space together."

"However, I've always had so many research projects to do that I temporarily forgot about that key."

Noan nodded lightly, feeling that Khorvath's explanation was perfectly reasonable.

He stroked his chin and said, "Would you like to come with me?"

"That… Master, I'm really quite weak," Khorvath answered softly. "If I follow you, I'm afraid I'll only be a burden."

"It's alright, I'm strong enough to protect you." Noan waved it off. "Besides, don't you want to see what the Herb Forest looks like?"

Upon hearing this, Khorvath fell into thought for a moment before nodding gently and saying, "Then… please allow me to accompany you, Master. If you find that I'm a hindrance and we encounter danger, please just leave me behind."

"You…" Noan sighed, unsure what else to say to this girl.

"Alright." He shook his head and said, "Get ready, then. I'll take you with me."

"No need, I have nothing to prepare." Khorvath replied.

"Good! Then let's begin." In his heart, Noan gave the order: "Use the key!"

🔔 Key to 'Trial Space – Herb Forest' has been used. After use, the key will disappear.

You can only leave the Trial Space after completing the mission.

Do you truly wish to open the gateway to the Trial Space – Herb Forest?

"Accept!"

🔔 Opening the spatial gate!

Right at that moment, a swirling black spatial vortex appeared in front of Noan and Khorvath.

Noan suddenly remembered something, and instantly teleported away.

Khorvath was confused for a moment, but just two seconds later, Noan immediately returned and said, "Let's go."

Khorvath nodded, and the two of them stepped into the swirling vortex together.

Once they had entered, the spatial vortex completely vanished, as if it had never existed.

…

Noan frowned as a strange scent assaulted his nose.

He slowly opened his eyes and was immediately taken aback by the scene before him.

This place resembled a land of death.

Withered trees, barren earth, a gloomy sky occasionally split by flashes of lightning striking the ground.

In the distance, a fire was still burning, consuming a massive tree.

The smoke that Noan smelled likely came from that tree. However, the smell was not unpleasant; on the contrary, it carried a strong herbal aroma.

"Is this… the Herb Forest?" Noan murmured.

Khorvath stood beside him, looking around in confusion, as if she could hardly believe what was happening.

Noan frowned, muttering, "Did the System send us to the wrong place?"

"No, this is indeed the Herb Forest," Khorvath suddenly spoke up.

She stepped up to a tree that had been burned to charcoal, reached out, and touched it.

Ash stuck to her gloves, but she didn't mind the dirt. She lifted her hand to her nose and inhaled.

"This is a rare medicinal tree. Its leaves can stop bleeding, and if brewed as tea, can help the drinker stay alert and reduce pain."

"Its trunk, if used to make candles, can soothe the nerves and promote restful sleep."

"But… it's dead, burned to ash."

Noan frowned, looking around before asking, "If this is the Herb Forest, why is it like this?"

"I…" Khorvath stammered, "I don't know either."

She spoke as she gently stroked the tree trunk, as if mourning its loss.

GRAOO!!!

Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed throughout the entire space.

"What the hell?!" Noan started, looking toward the source of the sound.

There, a shadow was flying across the sky. Noan narrowed his eyes and realized—it was a dragon.

Its body resembled that of a giant lizard, two massive wings outstretched, scales as hard as metal, and a crown of spikes hovering above its head.

GRAOO!!!

It roared again. From its mouth, a blue flame was unleashed, forming a massive fireball.

Whoosh!

BAM!

The fireball plummeted, crashing into the ground like a meteorite, causing the earth to shake violently and igniting everything in its path—turning the barren earth into a sea of flames.

"That is…" Noan frowned, staring in confusion at the dragon.

However, the beast didn't seem to notice Noan and Khorvath. It continued spewing countless fireballs, burning everything in its path.

A while later, after it seemed satisfied, the dragon soared away toward a distant mountain.

Noan watched the creature, then looked into the distance.

There, an inferno was devouring everything. The trees, already charred, now glowed red as the dragon's devastating fire washed over them.

The searing heat was so intense that, even from afar, Noan had to frown.

"It seems we've figured out the reason this place has become a land of death," Noan shrugged.

He opened the System information panel—there was no data, no quest available.

In other words, this challenge space was dead; with no quest, it meant he couldn't leave.

Noan frowned, attempting to use the 'Anchor Point' to teleport away.

Immediately, a system notification appeared before him.

🔔 [This area exists in a completely separate world. You cannot teleport to the 'Anchor Point' you have set.]

"What?!" Noan's eyes widened at the notice. He clutched his forehead, feeling a tinge of exhaustion.

He had come here too hastily, thinking he could return at any time via the 'Anchor Point.'

But everything was out of his control now. This place was an independent world; he couldn't leave through the 'Anchor Point' he'd set.

Suddenly, Khorvath closed her eyes, as if sensing something, then said, "Master, I seem to smell some fresh herbs."

"Heh?!" Noan quickly asked, "Where?"

"Over there!" Khorvath replied, pointing into the distance. It was the direction opposite to where the dragon had flown.

It was a canyon, more than a thousand meters wide and several thousand meters deep.

Noan glanced at Khorvath, puzzled: "Khorvath, what's the significance of that herbal scent?"

"Master, fresh herbs mean the area hasn't been destroyed yet. There might be clues or even survivors there."

"Ah!" Noan immediately understood her meaning. "Then we should—"

GRAOO!!!!

Suddenly, another roar thundered, making them both jump.

From afar, a blue fireball shot toward them at a terrifying speed.

BAM!