Subsequent crafts brought fewer and fewer points, but in total from all fifteen potions I received 630 OP. Taking into account the 50 OP I already had, the final balance reached a solid 680 OP. Tomorrow this number will be even bigger when I start on the "Beast Potion." But now—sleep. Naturally, before going to bed I spent part of my savings on "Forge the Universe" for 400 OP.
[Received Information Package (Common) - Master Gourmet (Flavor Dungeon). Unlock Cost: 200 OP]
Description: Your refined sense of culinary and alchemical delights has reached perfection. This passive skill completely neutralizes any negative effects from food, drinks, and potions... Your body extracts the maximum from each dish or elixir, enhancing their positive effects by 15%!
"Flavor Dungeon"? Is the System an anime fan? I chuckled, but immediately gave the mental command: "Unlock!" Without the slightest hesitation. A passive skill that gives immunity to poisons and toxins is invaluable in itself. But enhancing positive effects by 15%?! This is a direct upgrade to everything I do! My stimulants will become more powerful, the Potion of Intellect will be more effective. Even if this was the only effect, I would still have taken it. The remaining 80 OP may not be much, but it's something I can earn, and permanent passive enhancements are the foundation of my future power.
In a good mood, I took a shower and went to bed. But the sleep was short. At about three in the morning, I was torn from Morpheus' embrace by an annoying ringtone. Unknown number. I already guessed who it was.
"Yo, rookie! The best bloodsucker ripper on the line!" Blade's irritatingly cheerful voice for three in the morning burst into the sleepy silence.
"Yeah, I figured..." I croaked into the phone, trying to pry my eyes open.
"You sound kinda sour, didn't get enough sleep?" after a short chuckle, Blade got down to business. "I'm calling about your muscle stimulant—it's an extremely cool thing. It even works on me, and I'm already kind of super."
"That's good," indeed, it would be a shame if it didn't work on those who are already beyond human capabilities. Although something told me that on someone like Steve Rogers or the Hulk, the effect would be minimal...
"Good is an understatement! I had a great time today in a gothic hangout in Meatpacking. I ran into a couple of purebloods, they almost pinned me down. My 'Beast Potion' is a potent thing, even for me the aftereffects can be a bitch. So, I just started to run out of steam, and then your stimulant... The creatures were so surprised when I got my second wind, mortally surprised, heh-heh."
He sounded genuinely pleased. And this was the perfect moment.
"Hmm, yes... About the 'Beast Potion' by the way..." I paused, savoring the moment. "I've tweaked the recipe a bit. Now it has no side effects."
Silence reigned on the other end of the line. So sudden and deep that I even checked if the call had been disconnected.
"...Wha?!" he finally squeezed out. His voice was no longer cheerful, but stunned. "Are you kidding me, I hope? It's been less than a day, when the fuck did you have time?! A whole Vampire clan was holding onto this crap, they've been improving it for centuries, but even so the side effects are still a bitch! Are you, kid, by any chance the illegitimate son of Reed Richards and Tony Stark?!"
"I won't go into details, but this is not a joke," my voice at three in the morning sounded absolutely even and confident. "And yes, the improved 'Beast Potion' is now also available for 'sale' from my side."
I deliberately emphasized the last word. Blade on the other end of the line was silent for a second, processing the information.
"No problem, everything's fair," he finally replied, and his voice no longer had the former relaxation, but businesslike notes appeared. "But you know, at least give me a rough price list. So I know what to expect."
"It's simple. Rare ingredients, unique recipes, useful connections, information. Possibly interesting artifacts and technologies that are not publicly available. I'm not very interested in money. Although," I paused, "I can sell both, combat and muscle stimulants for it. Say, ten a piece for an injector."
"Whew," Blade whistled in surprise and respect. "So, I see you're playing the high-roller game, kid. I respect that. But why didn't you say anything about your 'knowledge-expanding' potion?"
"Because it's incomparably more valuable. It's not for sale for money."
"Woah..." he exhaled. "Now I want to take a hit of it even more. Oh well, I get you. Mass-produced stuff—for cash, exclusive stuff—for something more interesting."
"In short, yes. If you bring, say, a dozen Ghost Orchid flowers—you'll get at least one potion in return. By the way, about connections... Who can you buy a piece from in this city? Without licenses, without unnecessary questions, and at a reasonable price." A question that had been on my mind for quite some time, but I really didn't want to deal with shady, not-at-all suspicious dealers from, say, Hell's Kitchen, so I kept putting it off, but now it's time to take my safety more seriously.
"I'll throw you this info for free, consider it a bonus for the stimulant," he replied without delay. "You can contact the same Lucas. He'll get anything your sick imagination can come up with, as long as you have the money. Even a tank. But if you want to feel it first, shoot it, choose it for yourself... then you need to see my little brother, Frankie. But he's... a guy with his own principles. He chooses his clients carefully."
Frankie? Could it be Frank Castle? The Punisher? A chill ran down my spine at that thought. I wisely kept that question to myself.
"Okay, listen, Eric, I..." I yawned demonstratively into the phone.
"Got it, got it, don't fall apart. I'll come by during the day about the barter. Will you have time to make the improved 'Beast Potions'?"
"Yes. Send me Frankie's info in a text message. And I'm going to sleep."
I ended the conversation and, without wasting a second thinking about it, instantly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Sunday morning was surprisingly sunny. In high spirits, after a quick breakfast, I went down to the garage. All the ingredients, including the ones synthesized by Peter, were laid out on the clean workbench. The instructions are in my head, and thanks to "Master Clockmaker," they'll never leave. Picking up a flask, I began to work Alchemy.
First, I created the original "Beast Potion" according to Blade's recipe. Subconsciously, the process felt... rough. Unstable. Like I was assembling an engine with a sledgehammer. It's not surprising, considering that I know that this potion, for all its positive effects, is really dangerous!
[Created Potion "Beast Potion." Difficulty: Normal. Received +150 OP!]
Aha, only 150 OP. Not 200 OP, as I had expected. Now—the improved recipe from Peter. Working with it was completely different. Elegant, precise, stable. Every step felt right to my subconscious. I wonder if the System is influencing me like that, or is it the Master Clockmaker skill? But it doesn't matter, the first improved stimulant is ready!
[Created Potion "Absolute Predator Serum." Difficulty: Normal. Received +200 OP!]
The System even gave it a different name. Now everything is clear. Side effects for the System are an indicator of product imperfection, for which it cuts the final reward.
Over the next couple of hours, I created four more "Beast Potions" (purely to farm OP) and a dozen "Absolute Predator Serums"—my new flagship product. As a result, I now have 1070 OP on my balance. Enough for two spins.
I was about to open the System window, anticipating a new serving of luck or disappointment, when the silence of Sunday morning was shattered by the low, guttural roar of a powerful engine. A black 1969 Dodge Charger drove up to my house and stopped, which, despite its year of manufacture, was in perfect condition; it's clear that the car is cared for with love. The synonym of the word "Armageddon" for Vampires got out of it with lazy grace.
Okay. The spins can wait a little.
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