"More than your identity as an [Alchemist], it’s your genuine devotion to the scientific research of Pharmacy that I admire and revere most."
"For example... your recent research into extracting Life Essence from whale oil has opened my eyes to a completely new Chapter of life..."
"And... your findings on the properties of Magic Potions are equally admirable..."
As Zorn earnestly discussed professional knowledge and information about Pharmacy with the [Alchemist],
Vladimir quickly let down his guard.
As a professional Pharmacist, and a Transcendent of the [Alchemist] Sequence at that, he could easily tell.
This young nobleman wasn’t just talking big.
He possessed a wealth of knowledge in Pharmacy and Magic Potion Science.
He even had many unique insights when it ca to potions.
In other words... they were kindred spirits.
Soon, in the midst of their discussion, the [Alchemist] felt a sense of resonance, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
"The power of steam industrialization is driving the world forward."
"Mysterious, strange, and grotesque Extraordinary Powers are reawakening, and growing ever more intense."
"And potions are the catalysts, the lubricants for these Extraordinary Powers."
"And Magic Potions are the crucial steps on the ladder of Sequence advancent."
"Harnessing the power of steam to drive the developnt of industrialized potions."
"This is crucial for every Transcendent of this era. It’s also a key path of catalysis and advancent for many Sequences, such as [Pharmacist] and [Alchemist]."
"In the rising tide of this Extraordinary Steam Era, this will compose a new epic and etch a vital Sacred Mark upon history."
As the magnificent and vast tapestry Zorn described unfolded before Vladimir’s eyes,
his very soul trembled.
In that instant, it was as if a fog that had long plagued him had been swept away.
He glimpsed a path fraught with thorns and hardship, rugged and uneven, but it was the very path to truth he so desperately craved.
’Am I just going to fool around with noble widows, lost in the emptiness brought by Joy and potions?’
’No!’
Deep in his soul, Vladimir fiercely rebuked himself.
’I will use my own two hands to develop potions and concoct Magic Potions.’
’I’ll use my formulas to add a little sothing extra to this world, to make this mysterious, grotesque Extraordinary World co to a boil!’
’Hey, friend! Care for a potion? It’ll let you swim in the deepest oceans of mystery and the grotesque!’
’I’d sell a bottle even to a Demon.’
’In the grand epic of potions and Magic Potions, I will write my own verse and leave my own Sacred Mark!’
’This... this is the true Extraordinary path for —to master Magic Potions and glimpse the arcane.’
...
As a [Player], Zorn naturally understood the importance of potions and Magic Potions in the grand epic of history.
He was even more aware of how potions and Magic Potions could propel Extraordinary Power forward.
By etching his own Sacred Mark into the [Magic Potion Chapter], Zorn could better absorb potions, digest Magic Potions, and purge their negative side effects.
It would also accelerate his digestion of Essence, quickening his growth.
Furthermore, Zorn would help Vladimir accelerate the successful developnt of more potion and Magic Potion formulas.
He would make him a trailblazing [Alchemist] riding the crest of the roaring wave in the age of steam.
Zorn wasn’t worried about Vladimir betraying him.
He would slowly influence Vladimir over ti.
As long as they were friends, he would bring Vladimir no harm.
But if that day ever ca,
Zorn’s [Evil Spirit Authority] would be the fuse to his aberrant transformation!
After a long while, Vladimir slowly ca back to himself.
By this ti, the sky had already begun to grow dim.
"I’m sorry to have kept you waiting."
A warm smile spread across his face.
"So, about our collaboration?"
Zorn asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I think we could discuss this in greater detail over dinner, don’t you?"
Vladimir said with a teasing smile.
"Oh! My dear Alchemist Vladimir, I have already prepared a lavish dinner for you!"
Zorn, greatly pleased, rose to his feet and extended an invitation to Alchemist Vladimir.
In the dining culture of the Ostanton Republic,
a willingness to discuss matters in detail over dinner signified a strong desire to cooperate.
It signified a close, amicable partnership between friends.
And this was exactly what Zorn had hoped for.
It was late into the night, the streetlamps glowing brightly, by the ti Vladimir finished dinner. He departed from Zorn’s study, two detailed potion formulas in hand, completely satisfied.
After seeing Vladimir off in his carriage and giving instructions to Old Nero, Zorn watched until the carriage vanished into the lamplit darkness before turning back toward the manor.
The collaboration with the future [Legendary Alchemist] had gone exceptionally smoothly.
This "angel investnt" wasn’t just about capital; more importantly, it laid the foundation for their friendship, which was the crucial part.
With the Alchemist secured, all he needed was to get the Steam Factory running, and a steady stream of gold pounds would start flowing in.
"How are the Steam Factory talks going?"
Upon entering the main hall, Zorn turned to the old butler, Glangk, who followed behind him.
"Here are the addresses for three Steam Factories, along with their asking prices. You can go and inspect them in detail tomorrow."
Glangk handed Zorn the docunts he had already prepared.
Zorn gave it a quick glance.
dium-sized Steam Factories that originally would have cost between eight and ten thousand gold pounds were now going for only four to six thousand.
Although the price might drop even lower if he waited, ti was more important than gold pounds right now.
Zorn had to get the Steam Factory established before his ascension as an [Evil Spirit Wizard].
The ascension for a high-level [Evil Spirit Wizard] was nothing like that of an ordinary Sequence.
There would be terrifying fluctuations of Evil Energy.
Resonance with an Evil God from the Calamity Origin Land.
Cataclysmic phenona triggered by one’s own imnse power.
All of this would occur during Zorn’s ascension.
If he were to ascend without any cover,
he would inevitably attract the attention of Ogrande City’s top-tier noble powerhouses,
the Bishop and Vice Bishop of the Holy Fierce Sun Temple,
as well as masters from other Evil God Esoteric Sects and the covetous gazes of lurking Evil Spirits.
’Back when he was a [Player], Zorn had actually done it himself—launching a Surprise Attack on an [Evil Spirit] during its ascension, hitting it where it hurt, and making it drop a ton of Gold Coins.’
’And not just once or twice, either.’
Now that it was his turn to be the Evil Spirit, there was no way he would give anyone that kind of opportunity.
His [Star Trace Fighter] Sequence could conceal so of it.
The roar and clamor of the Steam Factory, along with the "corporate culture"—or rather, "Evil God worship"—collectively woven by the workers would provide an even stronger cover.
During that ti, Zorn would also perform a ritual to enhance the effect.
And if... the outbreak of the terrifying Rat Plague drew even more attention,
that would be the perfect mont for Zorn’s ascension.
After a mont of thought, Zorn said,
"Glangk, I’ll negotiate a price with the factory owners in the next couple of days. The factory should be able to open soon."
"Go to the public university district in Ogrande City and recruit workers according to the standards I gave you."
Glangk nodded quickly.
"Understood, Young Master Zorn. I’ll go tomorrow."
"Also, the manor’s underground corridors and several rooms need to be repaired. The Rat Catcher, Isaac, has marked them all."
"Vanessa already told . I’ll find soone to make the repairs tomorrow."
Glangk’s replies always put Zorn at ease.
...
Before he knew it, dusk had deepened into night!
Even Geluo Long Street, once bustling with endless carriages, was now nearly deserted.
A blurred figure darted across the street and vanished into the dense greenery of a roadside thicket.
The figure then expertly lifted a manhole cover, slipped inside, and silently closed it.
Moving under the cover of darkness.
This was one of Zorn’s favorite activities. The darkness was a perfect disguise.
As he adapted and grew stronger during this ti, Zorn began to truly appreciate the imnse benefits of his Dual Sequence.
His [Fighting Master] Sequence gave his body unparalleled stability, balance, and agility.
His [Evil Spirit Wizard] Sequence, on the other hand, granted him extrely powerful Perception and Insight, along with formidable Extraordinary Magic from the sides of both the arcane and the Evil Gods.
The combination of the two allowed him to engage in close-quarters combat and cast spells from a distance.
It made operating in the dead of night incredibly convenient.
As he was Climbing down the sewer ladder, Zorn could feel faint, strange whispers echoing in his ears.
Corruption was squirming through the sewers. This place... was not safe.
But for an Evil Spirit, that made it all the safer!
An area rife with corruption was the most suitable environnt for an [Evil Spirit Wizard] to grow.
Digesting offerings here was far more effective than doing so in his study.
An Evil Spirit Wizard actually needed to create such a calamitous environnt of Death and mutation.
’No sense in letting a perfectly good one go to waste.’
Zorn had entered the sewers this ti for two reasons. The first was to set up a ritual trap.
The second was to get a better understanding of the squirming, mutated [Rat Plague] and see how far it had progressed.
"Hm?"
The mont he landed, Zorn’s brow furrowed.
He looked toward the walkway on the right side of the sewer tunnel.
On the ground were ritual Runes and sinister patterns drawn in what looked like fresh blood.
The corpses of twenty or thirty gray rats were piled up, forming a small mound.
’This is so kind of sinister ritual, and it’s currently active. Soone else... is here!’
Just as Zorn’s mind stirred,
HISS...
A sharp hissing sound, like a steel needle piercing through Zorn’s ears and into the depths of his soul.
At the sa ti, a hazy gray figure burst from the darkness, lunging at Zorn with incredible speed.
In an instant, its sharp fangs were almost at Zorn’s neck.
It seed!
In just a fraction of a second,
the terrifying monster would end the young nobleman’s life.
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