The Crimson Night

Walking towards Grannys Smith's store I was a little scared, I've been absent for a few days now. I hope she can understand my circumstances.

Opening the door I was prepared for a lecture.

No one was at the counter, after just a moment she appeared.

On her face was a big and cheerful smile.

"Haha, why aren't you the brave and handsome type. Thank you for saving Jroid, he was such a kind-hearted child and still is to this day" (Granny Smith)

"Granny Smith, how do you know Jroid?" (Link)

"When he was young he used to steal from my shop, I would let it happen since he looked so frail and weak. Then Finnu caught him one day, he saw that Jroid was taking care of his younger sister. Everything he stole was given to his sister. Shortly after, Finnu hired him to work at his shop, after that Jroid paid everyone he stole from. He even helps out at my store sometimes. His sweet little sister was always so kind, I wish I could've helped her" (Granny Smith)

Finnu must be the old man who hired me to save Jroid. It seems that Jroid is well known in this part of the city.

"However, that doesn't mean you'll get away with unexcused absences. The blood moon is approaching soon and I haven't processed all the materials yet. You better work your butt off these next 2 days" (Granny Smith)

2 days, this will be the first time I experience a blood moon. I was excited.

She didn't send me to help load supplies, instead she made me grind raw mushrooms like endura shrooms and rushrooms.

Streams of various powders came out of the millstone. I stored them in a dry jar, if they got wet the ingredients would be ruined she told me. Next, she gave me some razorshrooms and stamella shrooms. After that, I was tasked with preparing the ironshrooms.

"Granny Smith, how do processing ingredients and the blood moon affect the potion?" (Link)

"Well, processing increases the ingredient's potency. Let's say you process rushrooms, the raw ingredient has a potency of 2. The processed ingredient now has the potency of a level 3 ingredient. The blood moon increases that even further, making a level 3 potion into a level 4 potion" (Granny Smith)

This is new, in the game the highest potency was level 3.

"What is the highest level a potion or elixir could obtain?" (Link)

"Level 6, you can process a level 3 ingredient and turn it into an ingredient with a potency of 4. On a blood moon, you can increase that even further into level 5. Add in a star fragment and you can get a level 6 potion or elixir. There are stories of level 7, but I've never seen one with that high of a potency" (Granny Smith)

If I add in a dragon horn could I make a level 7 potion?

Iven helped out after the 2 other suppliers were paid for the day. Iven was a hard worker, he also thanked me for saving Jroid. When they were young, Jroid and Iven would always play together with Jroid's little sister.

"I miss those days" (Iven)

As much as I would love to hear the story of Jroid's sister, I didn't want to pry into other people's lives.

After working without breaks she let me go for the night.

On my way back to the inn I felt like someone was following, maybe it was just me being paranoid.

Back at the inn, I was exhausted.

I remembered that I have the phantom helmet. Wearing it gave me a feeling of power. Sadly there weren't any mirrors so I couldn't get a look at myself. I should've put this on at the castle.

The next day Granny Smith had me working at the millstone again. This time I was grinding various herbs, like blue nightshades and armoranths.

I mentioned that I would be leaving the city after the blood moon was over.

"Leaving so soon, I'll need to throw a party for the hero who saved Jroid" (Granny Smith)

"Unnecessary" (Link)

"Nonsense, young people like you love to party. If you don't like it, I'll fire you" (Granny Smith)

Quite a serious threat, taking her invitation I allowed her to throw a party for me.

"Great, we'll do it on the day of the blood moon" (Granny Smith)

After work I saw Shronia outside the store, I wondered what she was doing here.

Saving up money from work, selling the hinox parts, and gambling I had more than enough rupees to buy a horse. Going with Shronia, she helped me buy one of the best horses that Outskirt Stables had to offer me. I also bought a pouch for the Sheikah Slate so I can use it in public without displaying it.

I asked Shronia if we could stay just one more day. She allowed it.

Finally, it was the day of the blood moon. Outside the inn was Shronia. She asked if she could join me in the potion-making. I said why not, this was our last day in Outskirt City.

Wait, how does she know I work at a herbalist shop. Also, how did she know what inn I was staying at?

I looked at her but felt no malicious intentions, maybe I just smell like herds. Perhaps she asked Clair where I worked. Yeah, that's probably it. I hope.

Once we got there Granny Smith pulled me aside.

"If you were going to bring your girlfriend you should've told me, the place is a mess" (Granny Smith)

I explained to her that she was just a friend.

Today we filled the cauldrons. Shronia's figure was misleading, for a slender person she had remarkable strength. After every cauldron was full Granny Smith poured a lavender liquid into every cauldron.

"What's that for?" (Link)

"This will ensure that the water is disinfected" (Granny Smith)

They know about bacteria?!

"Where did you learn this technique?" (Link)

"When I was young I ventured into Gerudo Town. There I met a herbalist who inspired me to become one. She taught me many techniques that were native to her people. Since the town was full of women they like to keep clean, so over the years, they perfected the treatment of water. She taught me the recipe to create this liquid that disinfected water" (Granny Smith)

Gerudo Town seemed a much more interesting place now.

Since the blood moon was happening later that night we had nothing else to do.

The bell from the door rang, I was expecting customers. Instead, Finnu, Jroid, and a few other people I've never met before came in. Granny Smith told everyone about me leaving the city after the blood moon so she invited everyone that wanted to thank me.

I met with Jroid and chatted with him, well I tried to at least.

"Link, thank you for saving me. I wish I could repay you somehow but I don't have a lot of money" (Jroid)

"Not needed, the Hinox parts sold for a lot" (Link)

"Still, I must repay the favor somehow" (Jroid)

I had an idea, reaching into my pouch I pulled out the amiibo.

"Have you seen figures like this?" (Link)

"No, is that some sort of doll? I've never seen craftsmanship like it before" (Jroid)

"It's some art created by an unknown but skilled sculpture, I wish to collect every piece" (Link)

"I see, if I do see something like that I'll let you know" (Jroid)

Jroid was a friendly and sincere person, no wonder everyone likes him.

"Also Link, when did you get a girlfriend?" (Jroid)

He must be referring to Shronia, does she look like my girlfriend?

"Um, we're just friends. That's all" (Shronia)

She blushed a little while saying that.

After that Jroid went around and introduced me to everyone, they each gave me gifts like nice clothing and liquor. One gentleman gave me 3 ancient arrows.

I was quite surprised, I didn't want to accept something as valuable as ancient arrows from him. He insisted, saying that Jroid was the one who made the journey to the Northern Akkala Region every year to acquire a few of these arrows. If I hadn't saved him he wouldn't have any more ancient arrows in stock.

Thanking him, I accepted his gift.

It was getting late and everyone went to their shops to create their goods for the blood moon.

By 9 p.m. the sky turned crimson red. It was time to get to work, immediately we dumped the powders into the cauldrons. Attack up powders go in one cauldron, speed-boosting powders go in another, and so on. We used a thermometer, each potion had a different temperature range.

After getting them to the correct temperature we let it simmer until it would become a thick soup.

While waiting for the potions to reduce I thought of a question.

"Shronia, do monsters respawn after a blood moon?" (Link)

"Respawn, what does that mean?" (Shronia)

I need to word that differently.

"Are there more monsters after a blood moon?" (Link)

"No, I don't believe so" (Shronia)

Well, it's not like a blood moon increases monster count, it just resets all monsters in the world. Still, how do monsters appear?

Before I could ask that Granny Smith yelled at us.

"Hey you 2, stop lollygagging. If you don't watch the thermometers the potions will burn" (Granny Smith)

"Sorry Granny Smith, we won't be distracted again" (Shronia)

"What a sweet young girl, if OnLy someone could see that" (Granny Smith)

She looked at me emphasizing the 'only' part.

Shronia looked a little uneasy, probably from the teasing from Granny Smith.

Looking at the cauldrons I took a stick and dipped it into the solution, it was thick but not sticky. This potion is ready. Opening a valve on the bottom of the cauldron I filled small vials with the potion, we did that for the whole night. By morning we were exhausted, I had to down an energizing elixir to keep going. How does Granny Smith do this?

"Granny Smith, what is the cost of level 1 spicy potions?" (Link)

"For regular customers, I charge 50 rupees per bottle. For you, I will charge 25 rupees" (Granny Smith)

I need the potions so I can climb Mount Lanayru, I don't know how long it will take me.

Taking out 200 rupees I gave it to her.

"Give me 8 level 1 spicy potions" (Link)

This might be overkill, but better safe than sorry.

She gave me a wooden box with the potions inside.

I saw Shronia sleeping in a corner, she looked so innocent and cute.

Don't get distracted, Zelda is probably watching you.

I turned around facing Granny Smith.

"Well boy, are you going to let her sleep in the corner. Take her home" (Granny Smith)

"Um, I don't know where she lives" (Link)

"That's not my problem. I have an idea, take her to your place" (Granny Smith)

What is wrong with this old lady, still I can't just leave Shronia here. With Granny Smith's help, she positioned Shronia on my back. Walking to the inn I heard her talking in her sleep.

"Impa I found the Hylian Champion Link, our people don't have to live in secrecy anymore" (Shronia)

Secrecy? What did she mean by that?

I arrived at the front desk, the innkeeper was there.

"Welcome back. I see you're bringing the fun home" (Innkeeper)

He started laughing, giving me the key I went to my room. Laying her down I had nothing else to do, the energizing elixir was still active so I didn't feel tired. Since it was morning I used the amiibo.

'What to do, I could go shopping but do I need anything? I could sell some of the weaker weapons and bows' (Link)

Then I remembered the offering system that Clair explained to me. I asked the innkeeper the directions of the nearest church and a trustworthy arms shop. He joked about leaving the fun upstairs, then he told me the directions.

"Walk 5 blocks north and then take a left, walk 3 blocks and the church should be on your left. From the church, there should be a weapons shop down the street that is reliable" (Innkeeper)

I thanked him and left, I arrived at the church in 20 minutes. The church was pristine and well cleaned, I asked one of the brothers if I could do an offering. He led me to a special room, probably for those that wish to get stronger. I didn't really know the rules so I asked him. He was a little shocked that I came here without knowing what to do, actually, he just realized that I wasn't carrying any offerings.

From now on I have the Sheikah Slate in a pouch so people will think I pull it out of there and not the Sheikah Slate. I pulled out bokoblin horns one by one and showed him. He said I needed a minimum of 10 parts for an offering. Kneeling before the Goddess Hylia statue I laid down the bokoblin horns.

Then I heard a voice, it sounded a little different compared to the time in the ruined Temple of Time.

'You who have offered me gifts, I shall bestow you with great power. What is it that you desire'

It worked.

I asked the voice to give me more stamina, the horns slowly faded away and a golden container just like in the Temple of Time slowly descended down. Now my 2nd stamina gauge was 2/5 complete. I had a lot of fangs and quite a number of guts. Offering them I was able to increase my stamina gauge to 4/5th completion.

Next, I left for the weapons shop. Before entering I went down an alleyway and took out all the things I wanted to sell. I kept all the lynel gear and the traveler's shield and soldiers bow.

The shop wasn't musty and the clerk looked like he has been working in this business for years.

"Hello, how can I help you today?" (Clerk)

"I'm here to sell" (Link)

"Okay, let me see the quality of your equipment" (Clerk)

I went over to him and laid the stuff down.

"Hmm, this claymore is a little rusty but the structure is sound. This traveler's sword isn't in demand so it won't sell for much. You have dragonbone clubs, an adventurer aye. This feathered edge is exotic, where did you get it? The bows aren't very well made. In total, I can offer you 900 rupees for everything" (Clerk)

"Deal" (Link)

Pocketing the rupees I left for the inn.

Shronia was awake when I got back.

"Link where are we" (Shronia)

"We're in the inn I'm staying at, anyways if you're ready let's go to Kakariko" (Link)

Leaving the inn we made our way to Outskirt Stables, my new horse was there. I named him Lucas, that was the name of my only friend back in my previous life. Shronia also bought a new horse, she named him Nimba.

Like that our trip to Kakariko village began.