Chapter 701 Training Technique and New Serum
Erik stepped into the sterile, white-walled lab of the guild's new Alchemy and Pharmaceutical department.
The air was tinged with the scent of chemicals and mana-infused solutions. Rows of glass beakers, vials, and high-tech machinery lined the counters.
Lab technicians in white coats moved about, engrossed in their tasks. At the center of it all was Jabir, the Chief of the department, hunched over a table scribbling notes.
Erik approached him, a sealed envelope in hand. "Jabir," he said, capturing the man's attention.
Jabir looked up, his eyes meeting Erik's masked gaze. "Ah, Master Kay, what brings you here?"
Erik extended the envelope toward him. "Read this."
Curiosity piqued, Jabir took the envelope and opened it. As his eyes scanned the first few lines, his expression shifted from curiosity to shock.
His eyes widened behind his glasses, and he looked up at Erik, who stood there with an amused smirk.
"Is this... real? Does it work?" Jabir said. His voice stammered frequently.
"It works," Erik said, his voice steady and confident. "But it still needs to be tested."
Jabir nodded, his mind racing with the implications of what he'd just read. The product Erik was describing to him through the paper could revolutionize their entire market; no the entire world, catapulting their guild to unprecedented heights.
Erik's tone shifted, becoming more serious, almost threatening. "Noah will supervise the production process. No one will know the full formula and the manufacturing process. Not even you." Of course, Erik had no way of knowing what this man could infer from hearing the others or while supervising the process with Noah. "I trust this won't find its way outside these walls."
The tone of the guild master was filled with seriousness. Jabir, who had been an important part of the Haven Market, was aware that there was also a veiled threat in those statements.
If he were to anger this man, the consequences for him would be severe and he would face retaliation.
The fear in Jabir's eyes was unmistakable as he faced the much younger man, who possessed a superior power, clear from the noticeable ripples in the mana surrounding him.
"It won't," he said.
Erik leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "Make sure the employees working on this don't understand the entire manufacturing process. I don't want any leaks."
Jabir felt a chill run down his spine at Erik's words. That was an enormous responsibility. "Understood, Master Kay. I'll handle it personally."
Erik nodded, satisfied with Jabir's response. "If you need anything, contact Noah as usual."
In that moment, Noah, who had been standing in silence next to Erik, took a step forward. Similar to Erik, he also donned a mask, making it impossible to decipher his emotions. But his posture, rigid and alert, signaled his readiness to act on any command.
"Let's go," Erik said, turning toward the exit.
They walked out of the lab together, with Noah matching his steps, and the door closed behind them, producing a gentle hiss.
While they were leaving, Jabir experienced a mix of emotions, feeling both exhilarated and burdened.
According to the results presented in the paper, it was showed that the product desired by Erik has the ability to replicate the effects of the brain stimulating serum, albeit with minimal side effects and a slightly reduced level of potency.
Erik made a promise to him. He would create a flagship product, something that no other guild would be able to create, and he fulfilled that promise. Jabir hadn't been given a formula, but a complete report of the serum's effect had already been given. That meant the formula existed.
"I wonder who is the genius that made this thing. He didn't say who he was," Jabir said to himself, referring to Erik, "But I'm sure he won't be able to keep his identity a secret for long. When the product comes out, everyone will be on the search."
…
…
…
As Erik and Noah exited the alchemy lab, the sterile white walls giving way to the more subdued tones of the guild's main corridor, Erik turned to his clone. "How's the progress with the new neural link-establishing technique? Are Mira, Aiden, Kael, and Lila learning it well?"
Noah, walking in step with Erik, considered the question. "They're learning, Master, but it's not as straightforward for them as it was for you. However, they're on the right track. Once they've mastered the technique, we can roll it out to the rest of the guild after some more testing."
Erik nodded, satisfied. "Good. And what about the training courses I asked you to set up for the other guild members?"
"The courses have started, and the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Many guild members are showing promise in mastering specific weapon styles. They're also training in vehicle and artillery operation."
"Excellent work, Noah. Thank you."
Just as they were about to reach the exit, Noah directed his attention towards Erik, his voice filled with a trace of excitement.
"Don't forget, Master, the party is tonight. We've rented a venue nearby, and I've invited some influential figures from Testrovsc's Rest high society."
Erik sighed inwardly. Social gatherings were not his forte, but he understood their importance. "How did you get all these people to come?" the young man asked his clone.
Noah chuckled. "It wasn't difficult, Master. Word got out that you were hosting a party, and the requests to attend started flooding in."
Erik raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Noah looked at Erik and nodded, his eyes invisible because of his mask. "You underestimate your fame, Master. Your reputation has soared, especially after completing that quest in the White Desert. Many turned it down, but you succeeded. People are intrigued by you, and they aspire to be part of your circle."
Noah's words lingered in Erik's mind as he pondered their meaning. His dedication to his projects and the development of the guild had consumed him to the point he was left out by the city's situation.
It was clear he had not fully comprehended the magnitude of his increasing popularity.
The quest that took place in the White Desert proved to be extremely dangerous and challenging for the members of his guild, but it also marked a poignant moment in the guild's journey, establishing both his personal influence and the guild's reputation as formidable entities.
"Very well," Erik finally said. "I'll be there."
Noah nodded, pleased. "I thought you'd see the importance. It's not just a party; it's a strategic gathering. We can take our chance to meet and know important people. We can upscale our operations, make deals, and hoard the best quest in the city if we play this well."
Erik experienced a mixture of both excitement and nervousness as he and his clone left the building, with the late morning sun stretching their shadows across the ground.
The party was more than just a celebration; it was an opportunity for him to solidify his influence and expand his network.
Although he wasn't particularly eager about the idea, he understood it was an essential part of the bigger plan.
"Let's make it a night to remember," Erik said, more to himself than to Noah.
Noah grinned, even though it was hidden behind his mask. "Oh, it will be, Master. It will be."
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[Host Information]
NAME: Erik Romano
AGE: 18
POWER LEVEL: 380
SYSTEM LEVEL: 46
EXPERIENCE: 95660/115600
DNA POINTS: 20850
HEALTH: 3440/3440
MANA: 3370/3370
[Attributes]
STRENGTH: 179
INTELLIGENCE: 221
DEXTERITY: 159
ENERGY: 167
Available Attributes points: 0
[Powers]
[Biological Super Computer Powers]
-Brain Crystal Manipulation
-Brain Crystal Power Extraction (Allows the absorbtion of the brain crystal , making the host able to acquire the power contained within. Notice: the DNA must be changed in order to allow the body to use the power. See DNA extraction.)
-Brain Crystal power Merging (Allows to merge two powers birthing a new one. It requires the merging of the DNA to work)
-Brain Crystal Power Analysis (Allows to Analyse the target brain crystal without the need to know the creature.)
- (LOCKED)
- Brain Crystal Power Strengthening (Allows the gaining of the energy attribute points)
-(LOCKED)
-DNA Manipulation
-DNA Extraction (Allows the absorbtion of foreign DNA, making the host able to replicate it inside his own body. Notice: Changing the DNA is a slow process and it is required to use new brain crystal powers.)
-DNA Merging (Allows to merge two DNAs, birthing a new one. Required to accomodate merged powers.)
-DNA Analysis (Allows to Analyse the enemy DNA from the distance for a better understanding of the target's stats.)
- (LOCKED)
- DNA Strengthening (Allows the gaining of the Strength, Intelligence, and Dexterity attribute points)
-(LOCKED)
- Analysis (Gives the host information about his surroundings, plants, creatures, and ores.)
-Brain Information Injector (It allows the injection of information directly to the brain. Based on touch)
-Device Manipulation (Allows the Host to manipulate electrical and mana-driven devices. Based on touch)
[Host's Powers]
POISONOUS MANA DARTS: Cσ3D-RANKED (Conjure poisonous mana darts whose lethality depends on the mana injected)
POISONOUS ASTRAL WOLF BITE: Cσ2D-RANKED (Conjure an astral but solid projection of a Leylarhad's head whose only aim is to bite at whatever target the host is aiming. Its teeth have a poisonous element whose Toxicity depends on the mana used. Notice: the target must be close to the projection)
FORCE MANIPULATION: Cν1B-RANKED (Manipulate a mana-
driven force to produce powerful shockwaves that can change in intensity, radius, speed, and power. It is also possible to use the power differently as to generate force shields.)
PARALLEL WILLS: Cν1C-RANKED (Allows the user to passively increase Intelligence based on the number of neural links. It also allows the construction of a mana brain that allows independent thoughts and can be used for multiple purposes)
ICE SWORD: Cσ1E-RANKED (Allows the creation of a powerful ice blade, but needs a real weapon to be used as a base)
STRENGTH ENHANCER: Cρ2D-RANKED (Depending on the amount of mana used, the amount of strength increases)
PLANT MASTER: Cπ1B-RANKED (Allows to grow and control plant based organism. The usage depends on the plant and the user's will.)
CHAMELEON VEIL: Cρ2C-RANKED (Allows to turn totally transparent and to project what is behind you, making it almost impossible to be seen. The user can move while using this Brain Crystal power. However, notice that the ripples in light the power creates while moving decrease the power's hiding abilities increasing the chance of being seen.)
BESTIAL ROAR: Cσ2C-RANKED (Allows to emit a roar that can instill fear into the surrounding creatures. It does affect all but the user.)
TARGET LOCK: Cσ3D-RANKED (Allows the user to lock onto the mana signature of a target in order to always find it.)
CHIMERIC BIOMETAL SOLDIER: Cο2A-RANKED (This power allows the user to create a human-worms hybrid with 50% of the user's physical stats. The clones are permanent, but to make them, a lot of mana is necessary; moreover, they can't use brain crystal powers. The clone is born from an egg, and it takes a month for them to reach maturity after having hatched two weeks after the eggs were made. Before that, their physical stats are lower than 50% of the original's body. The clones are half as intelligent as the main body but know everything the main body knows when he created them. They also have several biological abilities.)
THELEPATHY: Cρ1C-RANKED (It allows Telepathic talk with creatures of the same species or similar DNA)
SOLIDIFYING SLIME: Cσ1D-RANKED (It allows to produce a slimy substance whose viscosity, stickiness and quantity depends on the amount of mana used. The Slime can solidify and its hardness depends again on the mana used)
AEROKYNESIS: Cσ3A-RANKED (This innate ability grants the wielder precise control over wind generation and manipulation. The potential of this power is intricately linked to the proficiency of the user, affording them the capacity for both offensive and defensive maneuvers, as well as the versatility to engage targets both near and far.)
[Skills]
Kyokar hand-to-hand style (ADVANCED) (A military fighting style developed in Frant)
Crypt of the Desert Style (ADVANCED) (Flyssa fighting style developed by Master Nieminen)
Etrium's sword style (INTERMEDIATE) (Basic Sword Style developed in Etrium.)
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