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HC: Handyman | Ch. 122 - Synergy
🕑 Added 2024-11-22 11:48:50 +0000 UTCJack raced up the stairs.
I shouldn’t have gone for that last lap around the block. The mead finished aging 10 minutes ago!
On the one hand, he had never been as sedentary as he was now. On the other hand, he had never enjoyed physical activity as much as he did now. Every bone, joint, and muscle in his body screamed thanks every time he did something physical.
I should go for a run later, he noted to himself. It would all depend on how busy it would be at the Breach today. Despite Amari’s explanations, he still couldn’t quite visualize the challenges that being at a Breach would entail.
He ran over to the bed, put on the helmet, and logged back in.
The familiar rush of light and sensation filled him as he transitioned into the game. It was always a jarring experience, the sudden shift from his room's quiet hum to the game's vibrant world. The faint scent of virtual wood and honey greeted him. Forty minutes had elapsed, and Gretchen was already in the shed, waiting for him.
“Oh! Look who’s back! Did the mead not sit well with you?”
“Uh? What do you mean?”
“Weren’t you gone because you went to the bathroom? You were taking so long that I was starting to get worried.”
Jack coughed, embarrassed. “Bathroom?”
“Well, yes?!” Gretchen said, her cheeks also reddening. “I assumed that’s where you were.”
Jack blinked in disbelief. Is this what the developers program the NPCs believe? That when a player mysteriously disappears and reappears, they’re going or returning from the toilet?
He wasn’t against bathroom humor, but whoever had managed to get this snarky programming into these NPCs had really pushed it. Really? Did someone on the development team think this was the pinnacle of immersion?
He coughed away his embarrassment and tried to regain his composure. “Anyway, the important thing is that I’m here!” Jack said.
“Of course. Let’s see how your mead turned out.”
Gretchen took the small casket from the shelf and removed the cork. A faint aroma wafted out, disappointing in its subtlety. Compared to the richer, more enticing scents Jack had experienced with other meads, this one barely made an impression. It carried a hint of sweetness like someone had whispered “flowers” into a barrel of water.
She poured a glass for herself and another for Jack. The mead glimmered faintly in the glasses, a pale golden hue that looked more promising than it smelled.
“Let’s have a taste, shall we?”
Jack nodded and took a sip. The mead was gentle, flowery even—pleasant but unremarkable. The floral notes hinted at potential but lacked the complexity he’d tasted in Gretchen’s aged batch. It was drinkable, even refreshing, but it felt unfinished, like a story missing its final chapters.
He glanced at the item’s details.
Mead I (Common)
An amateur brewer’s first attempt. Simple, sweet, and unrefined.
Effects: +1% attack for 10 minutes.
Ah, yes, he thought, the legendary 1% buff. Fear me, world, for my enemies will tremble before this mighty brew.
It was a pitiful buff, especially after seeing what was out there. He didn’t know how high Amari’s attack was, but he doubted that even he, the one with the strongest raw power in the party, would gain a single attack point from drinking this. Amari couldn’t have more than 100 attack already. Unless there was a pity system that rounded the attack boost up. In that situation, he would gain one single attack point. It was little.
“Very well! I approve!” Gretchen said, landing her glass on the table as if she were a judge using a hammer to issue a verdict. She beamed at him. “Congratulations on your first batch, my friend. Every master brewer starts with something like this.”
Despite himself, Jack felt a small flicker of pride. Sure, it wasn’t much, but it was a beginning. And beginnings had power. “Thanks, Gretchen.”
She took a step forward and stretched out her hand. Jack shook it.
“Welcome to the family of brewers, Jack.”
Congratulations! You’ve become a brewer!
You’ve learned a new skill: [Brew].
You’ve learned a new skill: [Brewmaster’s Insight].
You’ve learned a new skill: [Spirits Aging].
Jack held his breath, waiting for synergies to activate. For a second, nothing happened, but sure enough, the notifications rolled in, and they didn’t disappoint.
[Pottery] and [Brewing] synergize.
You’ve learned a new recipe: [Stoneware Amphora].
[Pottery], [Bushcraft], and [Brewing] synergize.
You’ve learned a new recipe: [Fermentation Bomb].
[Bushcraft] and [Brewing] synergize.
You’ve learned a new recipe: [Molotov Cocktail].
[Bard] and [Brewing] synergize.
You’ve learned a new melody: [Jolly Good Fellow].
Jack felt like dancing. Four new gifts in one go! The list of possibilities with these synergies made his head spin, but he forced himself to focus.
“May your journey on the brewing road—” Gretchen was still going on, wishing him the best, but her words faded into the background as Jack zeroed in on the new recipes. The first one was a new type of ceramic vessel.
Recipe for: [Stoneware Amphora]
Ingredients:
Stoneware Clay
Instructions:
Shape the [Stoneware Clay] into a large vessel with a wide body and narrow neck, ensuring enough room for liquid storage.
Attach handles to the sides and smooth the surface carefully to prevent weak points in the structure.
Fire the shaped vessel in a kiln at high temperatures until it hardens into durable [Stoneware].
Requirements:
[Brew]
[Clay Molding], lvl. 2
Jack scanned the recipe, his excitement cooling a little. It wasn’t that the recipe was bad—ceramic vessels seemed practical enough—but the thought of spending even more time gathering clay, molding it, and firing it felt exhausting. He already had his hands full learning songs, making tools, and now aging spirits.
How much time am I going to spend prepping instead of playing? he wondered.
His eyes drifted to the elaborate barrel from which Gretchen had poured the aged mead. The craftsmanship was exquisite, a piece that spoke of more than utility. Maybe containers come with special effects, he thought, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his initial disappointment.
To test his theory, he opened the auction site and searched for aging containers. The very first listing made him freeze.
Charred Oak Barrel (Rare)
A work of art made by an expert carpenter, it is perfect for storing wine while imparting flavor to the drink.
Durability: 121
Effects:
Passive. Spirits age 15% faster in this container.
+1% success rate when aging. Bonus doubled when aging wine.
Price: 400 gold
Jack’s breath hitched. 400 gold? For a barrel?
He clicked on other listings, only to find that even the most basic containers cost several gold each. His earlier disinterest evaporated as the staggering cost of brewing dawned on him.
Brewing might be profitable, but it’s not cheap, he realized. Tools and ingredients were one thing, but barrels were a long-term investment—and one that didn’t last forever. He scrolled down to the barrel’s durability and frowned. Wear and tear would eventually force replacements, chipping away at his profits.
Then there was the matter of cellars. He hadn’t even looked into those yet, but he could already imagine the cost. Rent, upkeep, or even buying one outright—it all sounded like yet another expense.
Jack gulped hard. How much is this profession going to bleed me dry?
“It’s OK to cry,” Gretchen said, her voice cutting through his thoughts.
“Uh?” Jack looked up, startled, and found Gretchen wiping a tear from her eye.
“A-are you OK?” he asked hesitantly.
“Yes… It’s just that this poem about beer always gets to me. My teacher also told me about it when I became a brewer, you know? If you like poems, let me tell you one about wine pressing.”
Jack blinked, his mind catching up. Gretchen thought he was emotional because of her poem. That wasn’t it—he felt like crying because of how expensive brewing was promising to be.
With a sigh, he tuned Gretchen out again and glanced back at the [Stoneware Amphora] recipe.
His earlier impression of the recipe shifted. This isn’t just another craft—it’s a lifeline. If barrels were this expensive, making his own containers could save him hundreds of gold. The amphora recipe wasn’t just practical; it was a game-changer. It gave him control over an otherwise costly bottleneck in the brewing process.
And then another thought struck him. What if I sell these? Most brewers would be stuck buying barrels from the auction site. If he could produce amphorae, he’d not only save money but potentially make a profit.
A grin spread across Jack’s face. The recipe now felt less like a chore and more like an opportunity. Not bad. Not bad at all.
He turned to the next recipe, his spirits rekindled.
Recipe for: [Fermentation Bomb]
Ingredients:
5x [Stoneware Clay]
10x [Broken Vase Shards]
3x [Honey]
3x [Water]
5x [Sugar]
Instructions:
Make a pot with a narrow neck, ensuring it can hold pressure.
Add the broken vase shards for shrapnel.
Mix [Honey], [Water], and [Sugar] inside the pot, leaving minimal headspace to encourage rapid fermentation.
Seal the pot securely using clay or wax, and place it in a warm environment to allow fermentation gases to build up.
Requirements:
[Bushcraft]
[Brewing]
[Pottery]
A mix of fascination and disbelief washing over Jack. Explosives? In a brewing profession? He hadn’t expected this turn of events.
The concept was crude yet brilliant: a combination of fermentation gases and shrapnel to create a devastatingly simple bomb. He couldn’t help but recall Gretchen’s story about the unfortunate farmer whose house exploded due to overfermented barrels. If there was even a shred of truth to her tale, this recipe could become a potent tool for dealing damage.
Since it was barrels—or rather, fermentation pots—doing the exploding and not him fighting directly, this just might work.
Wait! Am I actually going to start joining the fights? Jack’s heart raced with excitement at the thought. The idea of contributing to combat, even from the relative safety of the backlines, thrilled him.
Jack then recalled how expensive containers to age spirits were, and his mood soured.
Wait… This isn’t a fermentation bomb. It’s a money bomb! For a moment, he envisioned a crazy millionaire buying this casket, turning it into a bomb, and sending it into a pack of ornithopods to explode. It was essentially a 300-credit attack. He shuddered at the waste but then allowed himself a small smile. If it’s this expensive, it probably deals a lot of damage, then!
Still buzzing from the potential of the [Fermentation Bomb], he moved on to the next recipe.
Recipe for: [Molotov Cocktail]
Ingredients:
1x Container
1x Alcohol Beverage
1x [Cloth Scrap]
Instructions:
Fill the [Container] with [Alcohol], leaving enough space at the top for air.
Insert the [Cloth Scrap] into the bottleneck, ensuring it is securely in place and partially exposed.
Soak the exposed portion of the [Cloth Scrap] in the [High-Proof Alcohol] to create a wick.
Requirements:
[Bushcraft]
[Brewing]
The simplicity of the [Molotov Cocktail] recipe was almost charming. A container, alcohol, and cloth. With these two recipes, Jack could envision himself standing alongside Marie in the backlines, finally helping the party deal damage. The thought was empowering. He wasn’t just a support player anymore—he could become a hybrid, lending buffs while dishing out fiery chaos.
Still, his excitement dimmed slightly as he considered the practicalities. Both recipes required a significant amount of prep work. Gathering materials, ensuring proper fermentation, and crafting everything meticulously would take time—time he wouldn’t have in the heat of battle. Not to speak of the costs.
Was it even worth it? He frowned, drumming his fingers on the table as he pondered. The damage potential of these items wasn’t clear yet. If they turned out to be lackluster, all that prep might be wasted effort. On the other hand, if they packed a punch, they could be game-changing tools for the party.
Jack glanced back at both recipes. He wasn’t convinced, but he was intrigued.
Jack turned to the last reward. It was a new melody.
Jolly Good Fellow (Melody)
Difficulty: Beginner
Melody Description: A lively and uplifting tune that inspires camaraderie and boosts the spirits of all who hear it. Perfect for rallying the team and fostering unity in even the direst situations.
Melody Type: Joyful
It was a new song! Jack’s face lit up. It wasn’t an intermediate-level melody, which suited him just fine. He liked how manageable the beginner songs were—less room for error, more time to focus on their effects.
I’ve got to add this to my list, he thought, mentally stacking it alongside his other priorities. Between learning [Jolly Good Fellow], practicing [Clay Dome], and perfecting [Dance of the Turtles], he had plenty of rehearsing to do. He could almost hear the hours of plinking notes on his ocarina ahead, but he didn’t mind.
In the meantime, Gretchen had finished her epic speech. Jack turned back to her with a smile.
“Thank you, Gretchen. I learned a lot from you,” he said earnestly.
“Don’t mention it, my friend,” Gretchen replied, her warm grin as steady as ever. “When you come to visit, make sure you bring some of the stuff you brew in the future. Deal?”
“Deal,” Jack said, nodding firmly.
With their pact sealed, Jack left the shed and stepped outside, where the moon had risen, casting a pale glow over the surroundings. He summoned Snowy. The sloth yawned as it was called to serve him yet again.
Hopping onto Snowy’s back, Jack guided her toward the city. His thoughts turned to his friends. Everyone was already at the pyramid, waiting for him.
Comments
Coleman
I view it as entirely different specializations. It’s clear, even by the description, that handyman is supposed to be a trailblazer class that shows others how the system can work. Since there isn’t an update every time the MC unlock’s something in the game it must have existed since the beginning. The real joke is that anybody who thought outside the box would have realized that the job that makes containers might go well with the jobs that need you to store things.
Ender419
I agree but the really threat is Jack’s secret getting out that that pottery & brewery are synergistic with each other creating these insane explosives at the fraction of the cost a blacksmith or weaponry specialist could make.
Coleman
I think grenaders are going to get jealous. Pottery seems to have a long list of all purpose battle items that are not class locked.
