Evolution begins with an ant colony

As John, Mina, and Chris walked along the cobblestone streets of the village, they couldn't help but notice that all eyes were on them, particularly on Mina. Her vibrant, rainbow-colored hair flowed gracefully in the breeze, and the way her presence seemed to radiate an otherworldly charm left the villagers in awe.

John couldn't help but remark on the attention Mina was receiving. He turned to her with a playful smile and said, "Seems you've become a celebrity."

Chris, always eager for compliments, misinterpreted John's words and instantly became smug. "Can you blame them?" he chimed in, his chest puffing out slightly. "I am amazing, after all. I'm sure they're charmed by how handsome I am."

However, John swiftly burst Chris's bubble, his tone turning cold as he clarified his earlier statement. "I was not talking about you," he said matter-of-factly. "I was talking about Mina." Find adventures on empire

The realization washed over Chris, and he couldn't help but laugh off his earlier assumption, albeit somewhat sheepishly. "Oh," he replied, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "Well, yeah, I guess it's hard not to notice her."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Mina, reveling in the attention and the unexpected compliment, couldn't help but flash a smug grin at Chris. "Looks like my magical charm is irresistible," she quipped, her tone playful as she continued to walk with her head held high.

Halting both Chris and Mina, John stepped forward, standing before the building with the distinctive red roof and a potion sign, just as Lucas had described. He gazed at it for a moment, confirming that they had indeed arrived at their destination.

The quaint structure had glass windows displaying various potions of different colors and sizes, their labels hinting at the magical properties contained within.

Chris, eager to complete their quest, chimed in impatiently. "Let's just head in and get this thing over with."

With a determined nod, John pushed open the door, causing a small bell to chime overhead, signaling their arrival to the shop. The interior of the store was a treasure trove of elixirs, with multiple racks displaying potions stored in bottles of various shapes and sizes. As they entered, a peculiar aroma filled the air, a mix of herbs and unique scents the heroes had never encountered before.

Their attention was drawn to a woman behind a wooden counter. She looked weary, her tone lethargic as she greeted them, "What can I help you with?" Her voice hinted at exhaustion, as if she had been through a long day.

Approaching the counter where the woman sat, her legs propped up on it with a towel covering her eyes, John couldn't help but notice her unique clothing. She wore a alchemist's attire, a robe of deep indigo adorned with intricate golden embroidery. The robe, although elegant, bore stains of various potions, signs of the alchemical work she had been tirelessly conducting.

Her long, flowing purple hair was tied back in a messy bun, giving her an air of whimsical disarray.

With a confident tone, John introduced their purpose. "We are adventurers, and we're here to deliver Gunshin flowers."

The woman's reaction was swift and energetic. She removed the towel from her face, revealing piercing blue eyes brimming with vitality. Her demeanor shifted from lethargic to spirited in an instant as she eagerly responded, "Really? Where is it? Give it to me already!" Her anticipation was palpable as she awaited the delivery of the precious flowers.

John carefully retrieved the Gunshin flowers from a pouch on his belt, their vibrant petals gleaming with an otherworldly radiance. "Here they are," he announced, placing the delicate blooms gently on the counter before the eager alchemist.

The woman's hands moved with swift precision as she picked up a magnifying glass, her curiosity evident in her movements. She examined the Gunshin flowers closely, inspecting every intricate detail. "Seems that they are in good shape," she commented, her gaze still fixed on the flowers.

"Alright, off you go now." Her tone abruptly shifted to one of nonchalance as she seemed to dismiss the adventurers.

John furrowed his brow in confusion, taken back by her sudden change in demeanor. "Huh?" he uttered, unsure of what had just transpired.

The alchemist leaned back in her chair, her expression now one of indifference. "If you're done here, you should go," she said, her words laced with indifference. "After all, it's not like you're buying anything. Adventurers tend to get handsy when they spend too much time in a potion shop." She shrugged lightly. "So please, be on your way.

Honestly, I'm tired from all the brewing and would like some rest."

John exchanged a puzzled glance with Chris and Mina, wondering if they had just stumbled upon one of the quirkiest alchemists in their world.

John's brows furrowed once more as he raised an important matter. "What about the quest completion confirmation token?" he inquired, his voice tinged with concern.

The alchemist's response was swift as she began rummaging through the assorted items stored in the counter's drawers. Papers shuffled and glass bottles clinked together as she muttered to herself, clearly in search of something crucial.

"I could have sworn I put it here," she mumbled, frustration evident in her voice as she continued her frantic search.

Finally, her diligent efforts bore fruit as she pulled out a small, crimson star-shaped object. Her eyes brightened with triumph, and she held it out to John. "Here," she declared, "you can submit it to the guild building down the road."

Taking the quest completion token in his hand, John led Chris and Mina out of the unique potion shop. As they stepped outside into the village, the frustration on Chris's face was palpable.

"What's her problem?" Chris vented, his irritation evident in his tone. "She was treating us like we were pests or something."

Mina, sharing in Chris's vexation, chimed in with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Yeah, it was starting to feel like I should just blow her store away," she said, her temper flaring.

John, however, maintained his composure. He placed a calming hand on Chris's shoulder and offered words of reason. "Don't let her get to you," he advised, his voice steady. "Let's just submit this token so we can complete the quest."

Just as they were discussing their encounter with the alchemist, the village erupted into panic once more. Horns blared, and the villagers hurriedly retreated into their homes, stalls, closing doors and windows as they sought refuge.

Chris, puzzled by the sudden chaos, couldn't help but voice his concern. "What's going on?" he asked, glancing at John and Mina for answers.

Amidst the turmoil, one of the guards sprinted toward the heroes, panting heavily from his effort to reach them. His breathless words spilled out as he approached, "You need to come quickly."

Amidst the escalating panic in the village, John, Chris, and Mina exchanged alarmed glances. John, always the one to seek answers, approached the breathless guard and inquired, "What's with the panic? Why is everyone retreating into their homes?"

Struggling to catch his breath, the guard managed to speak between pants, "Undead... There's a huge horde of undead that suddenly appeared around the village." His words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of impending danger.