Thren looked down on himself, aside from the towel on his head, he was in his birthday suit. His face flushed red with embarrassment.
Sullivan sighed: "Look kid, I don't know why you summoned me but I'm not having a conversation with a naked person."
Thren quickly deactivated the voice.
Right, he awkwardly coughed, still feeling as if someone was spying on him. He quickly reached for the brown shopping bag and pulled out fresh clothes.
Even though he wasted a few essence, summoning Sullivan just now was not a waste. For one he now knew that somehow Sullivan could see through his eyes, but at the same time he couldn't read his thoughts, unlike what he thought before.
And that was quite a relief. Considering future voices, after all even though Sullivan seemed quite normal, although always tired for a ghost. It didn't look like he wanted something else, but would that be same with future voices. Not to mention privacy.
I wouldn't want some creep going around poking into my head.
Thren took a look at his reflection, now dressed in a black fitted trouser with one too many pockets, a black vest over a black shirt with harness straps.
He did not look like a noble, but he didn't look like a commoner either. He looked more like a mercenary, which was exactly what he was going for.
Thren stretched, trying to get a feel for the fabric. It didn't tear, but at the same time it didn't restrict his movement. Those artisans definitely knew what they were doing.
Although.
He looked down, the trouser was a bit too small, rising a bit above his ankle.
"But overall I can't complain," he nodded in satisfaction.
«Sullivan the mad alchemist
Job: Alchemist
Activated»
Thren felt smug as he waited for the inevitable compliment from Sullivan, he even stood in front of the mirror.
But after three seconds and the loss of three essence, there was nothing.
Bastard.
Thren had a little time left, so rather than making small talk or berating Sullivan for not acknowledging his outfit—as satisfying as that would be. He went straight to the point.
"Is it possible to make a portion that increases Aberrants bloodlust towards Humans?"
For a few seconds, there was no response. Thren almost thought the activation had failed if not for the declining essence.
[38/46]
"You there?"
Sullivan's voice sounded reluctant as he answered, "It's not..."
Thren bit his lips, but before he could say anything else.
"At least for the current you, it's suicide."
Thren's eyes lit up, a smile finding it's way to his lips.
Either way I'm dead, so why not try. That was what was in his mind, and with that thought, he asked.
"What do I need to do?"
"Did you not hear me?" Sullivan's voice sounded slightly annoyed, or at least that's what Thren thought.
"I did, but I'm dead either way. So why not try?"
Sullivan did not answer. So Thren repeated his question.
"What do I need?"
For a few seconds more Sullivan did not reply, then finally his tired voice sounded in Thren's head.
"The ingredients for a taming portion and..."
Thren felt his heart rate increase as he waited for the reveal that would determine if he lived or died.
"Bloodred Kelp."
Thren sucked in air and sat on the soft bed as he heard those words.
Why did it have to be that.
Bloodred Kelp, a rare plant which appeared after the fall. The arrival of aberrants changed not just humanity but the entire planet seemed to evolve as well.
Multiple new and fantastical plants started growing everywhere. From those that would outright eat you alive, to those that healed injuries when eaten, anything was possible.
And bloodred Kelp was a particularly dangerous one. It was not carnivorous, no far from it. From the little Thren knew, it was used as a booster.
No, that wasn't quite right. It removed all limiters on a person, and by limiters that meant conscious control, boosting adrenaline, pushing them beyond there subconscious limit. Essentially turning that being into a mindless murder machine.
But that was not so bad. The issue was bloodred Kelp was an aquatic plant, and Thren hated water bodies due to past history.
But the worst of it all, was that, anywhere a bloodred Kelp was found, you'd undoubtedly find it's guard, the only aberrant immune to its mindbreaking ability, but keeps the other buffs. The Red skin berserker crocodile.
Terrible creatures with horrible biting force, incredibly fast in water and worst of all their scales were practically impregnable, at least for his level.
Ah, I see what he meant by suicide. But unexpectedly Thren grinned.
"Well it wouldn't be fun if it was that easy, a bit of challenge is expected."
But Sullivan wasn't done talking.
[20/46]
"Finally, you need Alynd blood, the higher the amount, the more effective it is."
Hmm, unexpectedly, that would be the easiest to procure. With the panic and all, finding or killing a person shouldn't be too hard. Although, Thren's lips twisted to form an evil smile.
I already have a target in mind.
Sullivan's voice drew him out of his evil fantasy.
"Most importantly, you don't know how to refine the portion."
Thren shrugged, "How hard can it be, I just mix them right?"
"Idiot," Sullivan's tired voice had a hint of annoyance, but also a bit of energy this time. "Listen, Alchemy isn't something you just do, it is an intricate art, you need to know wh..."
«Essence below threshold»
«Voice deactivated»
Thren cupped his ear, then with a mocking voice he said aloud, "Know what?"
He chuckled as he went over the information.
Getting the ingredients for a basic taming portion shouldn't be too hard in Gunlag, as long as he had the money of course.
He could even hire a mercenary team to get him the bloodred Kelp, but even if he sold the coat and the rifle. He wouldn't be able to afford a team or issue a quest for that.
So I have to do it myself.
Luckily, bloodred Kelp were found around Gunlag. Unfortunately it was in an aberrant zone.
So, Thren stood up and put on a black hooded duster coat with the hood over his head. He wrapped a scarf around the lower half of his face and strapped googles over his eyes, he couldn't afford anyone recognizing him by mistake. In any other city, he'd draw attention dressed like this, but not Gunlag.
Satisfied with how he looked, Thren nodded as his eyes moved down to the quest tab.
[First Domino: Destroy Gunlag
Time Limit: 19 days :16 hours: 15 minutes: 30 seconds
Description: Prove your worth
Reward: B tier voic, Will fragments
Penalty: Death]
He took a deep breath. It was insane how he wasn't really fazed by this. Perhaps he had really gone insane, but who isn't.
"Let's get started shall we."
He moved towards the door, each step in sync with the ticking seconds of the quest.
19days: 16hours: 15minutes: 15 seconds left.