"Not bad for a workshop," Blade commented, slowly walking deeper into the garage. He moved with a predatory grace, his gaze latching onto every detail: from the soldering station to the rows of chemical reagents. "Especially considering it's just a garage. You can tell a specialist of a wide profile works here. And what's this?" he poked with genuine interest at one of my early creations. "A PVC pipe crossbow? Original."
I ignored his remark. I was in no mood for sentimentality right now. Approaching one of the unremarkable plastic boxes, I reached inside and materialized another Potion of Intellect and three Muscle Stimulator injectors from my Inventory.
"Here. This is payment for your help," I handed him the potions. "The Potion of Intellect is the most valuable, so I can't give you more for now."
Yeah, I only have four vials left myself... I'll need to find time to brew some more. It's just too useful.
"But if you can get your hands on a Ghost Orchid, part of the finished product will go towards future payment."
Blade took the vials, examined them carefully, and shook them. His movements were those of a professional evaluating new equipment.
"First, I'll check what this is and how it's used. Fortunately, with the upcoming cleanups, there will be plenty of opportunities to test your miracle drugs. I'll give you feedback, of course. And then we'll think about supplying ingredients."
"Great. You won't be disappointed by the effect," I assured him. And immediately decided to strike while the iron was hot. "By the way, do you happen to know any... interesting recipes?"
The opportunity to legally obtain a blueprint without spending OP, which the System could value at hundreds of points, was incredibly tempting.
Blade frowned:
"My entire arsenal is designed for one thing—killing Vampires."
"I don't care!" I leaned forward with almost boyish enthusiasm. "I just want to create something new. The process of creation is what matters to me!"
Well, and OP, of course. Lots of OP.
He studied me for a few seconds, and then the corner of his mouth twitched into a smirk.
"Although... there is one recipe. A combat stimulant. A killer thing, improves reaction, sharpens instincts and intuition in battle to an extreme level. True, there are withdrawal symptoms: blood pressure spikes, the heart beats like crazy, and an unprepared body can actually kick the bucket."
"Sounds like something that would perfectly complement my Muscle Stimulator!" my eyes lit up.
"I think so too," Blade nodded, and a commercial interest appeared in his eyes. "Actually, for another injector of your stimulator, I'll generously share the recipe. And for another one, I'll give you a whole list for crafting killer stuff specifically for Vampires."
"Khaaa... Robbing a poor craftsman in broad daylight! And we don't seem to be in the ghetto..." I sighed theatrically, but still reached into the box and handed Blade two more injectors.
Blade only chuckled mockingly at my remark, accepting the "payment."
"Anyway, listen up. Or better yet—write it down. Let's start with the combat stimulant, which the ghouls call 'Beast Potion.' I actually squeezed the recipe out of them."
Taking a notebook from another box, covered in my early, mostly analytical notes, I prepared to record the invaluable information.
"In short. The base is aconite extract 'Wolfsbane.' A rare but deadly thing. Temporarily suppresses logic and fear, releasing pure fighting instincts. Two milliliters per serving is enough."
"Where and how do I get it?"
"It grows in the mountainous regions of Tibet. But don't worry, Uncle Blade will share the supplier's number. Say you're from Eric. Maybe he'll even give you a discount," Blade smirked. "Although, more likely, he'll raise the price. Next. CNS activator. Syn-epiphene... damn, epinephrine complex. The eggheads can help you with this; it's synthesized in the lab. One milliliter per dose."
"I don't think there will be any problems with that," I mentally drafted the technical specifications for Peter. "I hope."
"Great. Next is purified venom from a huntsman spider, species Dolomedes tenebrosus. I breed them myself, and the process of 'milking' and purifying is a real hassle. But, anticipating your question, my sweeties stayed in Britain. So figure out how to get the venom yourself. You need half a milliliter per serving."
"Hmm, I don't think that will be a serious problem," I nodded, already considering options.
"I think so too. In America, you can find anything with enough effort. There definitely won't be problems with the solvent, namely di-me-thyl-sulf-ox-ide, the main thing is to take it with higher purity. And, in fact, the process: heat the aconite extract in a solvent to about 60 degrees. Cool, add the spider venom and mix in a centrifuge at low speed. Then, inject syn-epin-whatever-the-hell, in short, the CNS activator, into the resulting emulsion. Do all this at low temperatures to avoid decomposition. The drug is ready; you can pour it into an injector. It lasts seven to ten minutes."
After clarifying a couple of points and recording everything in the notebook with accuracy worthy of my new skill, we moved on to the killer stuff for Vampires.
The recipes here were noticeably simpler, but no less effective for it. First was the "UV Flash Potion"—in fact, an alchemical grenade. When broken, a powerful, blinding flash of concentrated ultraviolet light occurs, which burns the skin of Vampires within a radius of 5-7 meters and causes them temporary blindness.
According to the recipe, it was a relatively simple two-component mixture. The outer sphere is filled with magnesium powder and potassium perchlorate. Inside is a thin glass ampoule with a catalyst: a mixture of strontium salt and finely dispersed "Sunlight" Quartz powder. Also a rare thing that can be obtained through the same supplier. As I understood it, the strontium salt during the reaction provides additional energy and temperature, which acts as a detonator for the quartz, forcing it to release the accumulated UV radiation. Simple, brutal, and deadly. Just in Blade's style.
"The second potion is, roughly speaking, a 'Garlic Cloud,'" Blade continued, and notes of sadistic pleasure appeared in his voice. "When it breaks, it creates a dense, corrosive aerosol cloud with a radius of about ten meters. The concentration of allicin in it is such that the ghouls begin to suffocate and writhe as if acid has been poured into their lungs. It causes agonizing burns to the respiratory tract and mucous membranes. Especially effective in enclosed spaces." He grinned bloodthirstily. "You throw one of these things into the ventilation of a nightclub where a brood of bloodsuckers has settled, and you just wait outside. Very fun."
The recipe was ridiculously simple: lyophilized (freeze-dried) allicin extract in powder form is mixed with ordinary baking soda. The inner ampoule with a concentrated solution of citric acid, when broken, causes a violent reaction, and carbon dioxide sprays the garlic hell in all directions. A fun and cheap thing to produce.
"Third and final, 'Silver Potion.' Unlike the previous ones, it does not explode, but sprays a sticky, viscous liquid. In it is a suspension of silver nanoparticles. This crap causes deep, non-healing chemical burns. The gel is difficult to wipe off, and it continues to corrode their flesh for hours."
The recipe was even simpler: a colloidal solution of ultra-high concentration silver is mixed with a polymer gel based on glycerin. That's it.
"I use it as a lubricant for kunai and shuriken," he added, instinctively touching the hilt of one of the throwing knives on his belt.