It is without a doubt that the testimonial level of the Scavenger members was not discernible from that of the common population. However, it was unwise to underestimate its value on certain occasions. Thus, Jordan displayed his ingenuity by creating a backdoor into the Scavengers' network. Even though the testimony of the members was not remarkable, it held significant importance.
"Wow…"
As Jenny replayed the brief 3-second video, she couldn't help but be amazed. The footage captured a rare spectacle of the dry sky splitting apart and being consumed by blazing lightning. It was a sight that not many had been privileged to witness.
Dryly chuckling, Jenny asked, "So, this is the handiwork of that fellow?"
"He claimed to be a wizard of the lightning element himself. It's highly likely," replied Jordan.
Though they both lacked practical magic skills, knowledge of it was a prerequisite in their field of expertise. They both knew the difficulty of summoning lightning from the dry sky.
The elemental magic system is unique in the sense that it is purely manipulated by thoughts and mana, without requiring a specific medium. This aspect of the system has made it renowned for its difficulty. Unlike modern magic, which has been developed for user convenience, the elemental magic system takes a significant amount of time to master, resembling the traditional magic that has been utilized for centuries.
Releasing mana into the air and summoning lightning requires extensive time, effort, and talent. Jenny muttered as she continued to observe the video, "Even if I underrate it, it appears to be at least Level 4."
A Level 4 magic user is a wizard who has gone beyond the mere learning and application of magic, reaching a complete understanding through rigorous practice. Wizards of this caliber are capable of fulfilling their roles without compromising on modern firepower and are widely regarded as researchers in addition to being wizards. This level represents the minimum hierarchy required to study and master the self-taught magical system, with immense potential for growth.
Furthermore, Level 4 or higher wizards under the purview of the Vulcan City Hall can claim the city's pension at any time and receive rewards for their research accomplishments.
"It's possible that he's Level 5 or higher," Jordan mused.
"It doesn't make sense. Why would someone as talented as him work here and settle for a bounty? If he showcased his abilities elsewhere, he'd have no shortage of job offers."
As Jenny spoke, Jordan shook his head.
“Perhaps not in other factions, but it's possible if he belonged to that faction."
Jenny's mind raced as she considered the possibility. "Could he be a member of the ‘Thorben' faction?" she wondered aloud, immediately dismissing the thought as if it were a mere passing shower.
"Perhaps," Jordan responded thoughtfully, hoisting Taylor Evans' lifeless body into a bag and slinging it over his shoulder.
His eyes glinted with a faint light as he peered toward the underground incinerator.
"If he truly is a member of those war entrepreneurs… he could make an excellent partner."
⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩
Lennok wasted no time in leaving Jenny's bar and making his way toward the orchard she had mentioned. Along the way, he recalled Jenny’s words about the city's districts, which piqued his curiosity.
As the city expanded, each district had a distinct atmosphere, depending on its creation order. The 0-9 districts were responsible for the city's core operation and economy. The 10s districts were a forest of various businesses, including big corporations, while the 20s districts were where most of the citizens lived and worked. The 30s districts were home to large city facilities, such as amusement parks and harbors. The 40s districts were notorious for being utilized by unauthorized organizations, and the 50s districts were filled with undeveloped areas and criminals.
The orchard that Jenny mentioned was located in District 31, which was also home to the largest botanical garden in Vulcan. The garden was one of the many citizen facilities in the low-numbered areas of the 30s district. After buying a ticket, Lennok entered the garden.
Despite the hefty ticket price of 10,000 cells, Lennok had just received a substantial bounty and had a well-lined wallet, making the cost insignificant.
Once inside the botanical garden, Lennok was met with a vast jungle composed entirely of plants, illuminated by an artificial sun shining down. He was immediately captivated by the unique and stunning plants and flowers that surrounded him, such as the giant peaks capable of harvesting human shadows and the flowers with a myriad of colors that momentarily stopped him in awe.
Lennok also noticed trees that walked like living animals on the plains and seedlings that resembled umbrellas with thin membranes floating in the air. However, he quickly regained his composure and headed toward the direction that Jenny had given him.
As he walked, a wave of fatigue began to weigh heavily on his body, making it increasingly difficult to continue.
On his way out of the sprawling botanical garden, Lennok stumbled upon a souvenir shop selling dolls, keychains, and glass crystals filled with preserved flower petals that symbolize good luck. Behind the display shelves, he noticed a small door marked "restricted access for non-staff." Without hesitation, Lennok opened the door and descended a long staircase leading to the lower level. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he was hit by a pungent smell that was entirely different from the fragrant air in the shop.
Turning his head, Lennok noticed a faint purple smoke filling the air. Rather than walking through the smoke, he stood before the stairs and opened his mouth, "I'm here on Jenny's recommendation."
"Jenny?"
As the answer came, the purple smoke dissipated, revealing what was hidden beyond. A vast room, dominated by a wooden cabinet that occupied an entire wall, with drawers spilling over and numbering well over a thousand.
Lennok noticed an old man standing before the cabinet, scrutinizing him through his spectacles with squinted eyes.
"Are you referring to the lady who peddles booze in District 49?"
Lennok confirmed, and the old man's face twisted in disgust.
"I don't recall bestowing that young one with the authority to recommend guests," he retorted.
"…"
Lennok was momentarily at a loss for words, but the old man chuckled and shook his head.
"Well, never mind that. I'm not picky about my guests; I only accept money from those who need something from me. So, what brings you to my orchard?" he inquired.
Lennok pondered for a moment whether to be respectful or not, but he decided to press on.
"Why is there an orchard in a botanical garden?" he asked.
Despite the fact that the items sold at the orchard were closer to drugs than fruit, the store was named "Orchard" and located inside the city's most extensive botanical garden, making for an ironic situation.
The old man bared his yellow teeth as he chuckled. "The fruits that grow here are used to cook those plants. They are the fruits that will send us to paradise," he responded, giving an answer that seemed both irrelevant and fitting at the same time.
Lennok swiftly emptied the remaining cigarettes from his pocket and placed them before the old man.
"I'm looking for items with similar effects to these. Can I find them here?" he inquired.
"Let me see…"
The old man slipped on his magnifying glasses and began to scrutinize the cigarettes Lennok had given him.
"I hope they have fewer side effects, even if they are a bit pricey," Lennok added.
The old man nodded, "It's inhaled through the smoke. It works faster than taking a pill but slower than getting a shot. However, it's the safest, and its flavor is so delightful that it's hard to resist."
As he mumbled to himself, the old man took out a knife and cut the cigarette vertically.
He removed the packaging, revealing the contents inside.
The old man held a pair of tongs and visually inspected it, then shook his head in disappointment.
"Hmm… I don't know who made it, but it's complete rubbish."
"…"
"I can't find anything to like about it, from the ingredients inside to the refining, drying, and packaging. Why on earth were you using this?"
Upon hearing the old man's critical analysis of the cigarettes, Lennok replied glumly, having already heard the same from Jenny.
"…I had no other option," he explained.
"To lower costs, impurities are intentionally added to create a low-quality product that is highly addictive. Although it appears to have a decent antipsychotic effect, it's only to give the impression that it's effective. It's not a product that can be recommended for long-term use," the old man explained, tossing the finely chopped cigarette into a nearby trash can.
"So, you're looking for something with fewer side effects, even if it's more expensive. How much are you willing to pay?" he inquired.
Lennok pondered for a moment, considering the drug he was seeking as a minimum investment for his future plans.
He needed something that would alleviate his pain and fatigue while working, at least until he could move his weak body like a normal person.
However, reducing side effects while using such a product was crucial. If he experienced intense side effects every time he used the drug, his body would not be able to endure it for long.
It was not the time to be frugal.
"…Two million cells," he responded firmly.
He had just received a bounty of 2.7 million cells and planned to invest all of it in buying better quality medicine, leaving only enough for living expenses.
"Hmm."
The old man nodded, got up from his seat, and started rummaging through the shelves behind him. After a while, he came with a sealed pack in his hand, and when he opened the pack, something elongated inside poured out. It had the shape of a cigarette and was a bit thicker and longer than the ones Lennok used to smoke.
As he weighed them one by one, the old man spoke, "If you were simply looking for narcotics, your budget wouldn't have allowed for anything worthwhile," the old man explained, gesturing towards the cigarettes in his hand. "But if you're after something with pharmaceutical benefits, I have just the thing within your price range."
He placed thirty neatly packaged cigarettes on the counter, labeled "Cash Burn-C107."
"It offers powerful pain relief, boosts energy and mental clarity for up to six hours, with a slight stimulant effect. The initial intake may cause paralysis and dizziness, and the subsequent side effects may include headaches, seizures, and vomiting."
The side effect didn't appear favorable to Lennok, but the old man continued explaining.
“However, it's a relatively safe product with low addiction potential and minimal long-term accumulation in the body due to its pharmaceutical modifications.”
“Is that a small side effect?”
"It's the least side effect you can buy with the money you have."
The old man emphasized, "Reducing the drug's side effects raises the price significantly. If you want to find something better than this, it will be difficult to buy even 20 with that money. And just so you know, I don't sell less than ten at a time."
In other words, there were items that cost from hundreds of thousands to millions of cells per cigarette.
Lennok shook his head with mixed feelings and picked up the Cashburn cigarette that he had just purchased.
By simple calculation, a single cigarette was a little less than 70,000 cells. In terms of price, it wasn't too bad either.
For Lennok, who had never bought a pack of cigarettes on Earth, the price made his hands tremble.
In the end, Lennok knew he had no choice but to invest in the Cash Burn-C107 cigarettes, even though the price was steep. This was a necessary step to ensure his future success. He paid the two million cells and took the cigarettes the old man gave him.
"Come again. All the people who use my orchard end up coming back," the old man said as he nodded his head and quickly disappeared into the smoke.
Lennok quickly left the botanical garden and headed back to his hotel. He had obtained thirty cigarettes, but he couldn't use them in real situations without testing their effectiveness firsthand. He needed to be sure that the side effects were manageable and that the drug would have the desired effects.
