Chapter 16: Frenzied Synthesis and Preparing for Sale
For other players, even those who are descendants of legendary players, they mostly have to venture forth with abilities and items of gray quality.
Even white-grade consumables had usage restrictions, requiring one to be a Registered Player.
But items synthesized by Sumir could bypass these limitations entirely!
This gave him the potential to achieve an unprecedented trial rating, and with it, rewards that would soar to unimaginable heights.
"Why did I even get the Black Card?"
Amid his excitement, Sumir couldn't help but feel a twinge of confusion. Based on what he knew, he pieced together a theory:
The Reserve Players certification process must evaluate potential. Those with higher potential could earn special newcomer cards.
"So, after consuming the Beast Flesh of the Bloodline, my potential showed a chance of awakening an A-grade innate talent?"
"That's why I got the Black Card?"
He analyzed his options.
Then, Sumir hurried home with a load of resources and quickly began the synthesis process!
He was truly eager to make some money.With enough money, he could purchase nutrient packs to enhance his physicality, pushing his potential for dual A-grade innate talents even further.
The Black Card privileges would allow him to synthesize an entire set of white-grade equipment, stockpile white-grade consumables, and synthesize and learn every available skill that could synergize with his setup.
The power he could wield would be beyond imagination!
…
Back at home, Sumir wasted no time and quickly synthesized all 128 units of Physical Enhancement Diluent in three rounds.
The synthesis cap for the diluents was gray-grade [Crystal for Physical Strength]. With an exceptional synthesis, the Crystal for Physical Strength would upgrade to physical crystal.
With a mutation synthesis, it could yield one of three attribute-specific crystals: Strength Crystal, Agility Crystal, or Constitution Crystal.
These specialized crystals sacrificed the comprehensive enhancement of the physical crystal in favor of boosting a single core attribute. However, the total enhancement remained identical to the physical crystal, making the mutation only marginally more valuable.
Sumir ended up synthesizing 12 Crystals for Physical Strength, three physical crystals, and one Strength Crystal.
From the 20 complimentary units of Physical Enhancement Diluent provided by the Association, he synthesized five Solvents for Physical Amplification, which he planned to sell.
As for where to sell them?
After some thought, Sumir decided to head to the Lone Wolf Club. The people there already knew about his recent surge in power and presumed opportunities. Selling to them would help him avoid revealing too much about himself.
His plan was simple: sell the Solvents for Physical Amplification first, then return home to consume the physical crystals to enhance his own attributes. After all, showing up at the club again with yet another jump in stats just one day after leaving would raise too many questions.
Without hesitation, Sumir left home and hailed a taxi.
...
Meanwhile, at the Lone Wolf Club, the atmosphere was tense.
Anderson stood at the head of the room, his expression dark and stormy. "Let me make this clear: I don't care if Medis values Sumir or not."
"He and I have a score to settle. If you want to associate with him, go ahead."
"But don't say I didn't warn you."
His voice dripped with menace.
The Glimmer Family, to which Anderson belonged, wielded significant influence across New Los Angeles. Many of the families present relied on business ties with the Glimmer Family to maintain their own fortunes.
Before this moment, Anderson had not spoken openly about his grudge with Sumir, leaving some wiggle room for others to approach him. But now that Anderson had issued his ultimatum, the pressure on the room's attendees was immense.
Sumir's talents might be impressive, but befriending him wouldn't provide immediate or tangible benefits. He wouldn't fight their battles or solve their problems. In contrast, losing Glimmer Family support could cause substantial financial losses.
Anderson understood this perfectly. His cold smile didn't waver as he observed the others' discomfort.
Sumir's rapid growth and Medis's interest in him suggested some kind of fortuitous encounter. Still, directly confronting him during the non-Registered Players stage would be reckless. Instead, Anderson would use his family's power to isolate Sumir socially, ensuring he couldn't find footing in the Lone Wolf Club.
Anderson's eyes gleamed with malice. Let Sumir enjoy this fleeting moment of progress. The thought of him actually awakening B-grade innate talents and impressing Medis? Impossible.
Anderson would ensure Sumir never made it to the Registered Players stage. He'd see to it that Sumir's journey ended before the trial even began.
The other young elites had no choice but to comply.
"Alright, alright, Anderson. Since you've made it clear, we'll listen."
"Consider it done. We'll distance ourselves from Sumir."
"Alright, whatever you say, we'll follow your lead."
The group of young elites quickly agreed.
But just as they finished speaking, a door clicked open.
Suddenly, the faces of the rich young men turned awkward.
It was Sumir!
They had just spoken about distancing themselves from him, and now he had shown up?
The group couldn't help but resent it internally.
Why was he here so early?
Normally, Sumir would come to the Lone Wolf Club only after his training sessions in the afternoon, but now it was barely noon!
They didn't want to offend Anderson, so their gazes toward Sumir slowly turned hostile.
Anderson, seeing their reaction, couldn't help but feel good. His smile widened as he immediately laid his cards on the table.
"Sumir, is it?"
"I know you've had some sort of fortuitous encounter."
"Since you've heard what we said, you might as well leave now."
"Don't think Medis will protect you, unless you've really awakened B-grade innate talents."
"I can't be bothered with you right now."
"Once you're a Registered Player, you won't be able to touch the foundation of our family. You're just a commoner, and you'll never be able to comprehend it."
He didn't care about showing any grace, his words sharp and full of venom.
Anderson knew that with Medis's cold nature, even if Sumir were insulted, she wouldn't care.
At this point, Anderson was deliberately making his stance clear, as if to show he would confront Sumir at the Registered Players stage, but in reality, he was trying to distance himself from the situation.
The family's assassin had already been dispatched.
As Anderson spoke, all eyes turned to the young man who had just stepped through the door.
Sumir's gaze remained calm. He didn't get angry; instead, he wore a look that seemed to be waiting for the drama to unfold.
"I did have a fortuitous encounter."
"I found a master who helped me craft some resources to enhance my body."
The crowd murmured, confused. Why was he saying this now?
Sumir continued, "My master said after crafting the resources, he needed funds to buy base materials, so he asked me to sell some of the enhancement potions."
"I was thinking of giving back to the Lone Wolf Club since it's helped me survive all these years, but it looks like that's not going to happen now."
He deliberately made a show of it, taking out a bottle of Solvent for Physical Amplification from his bag. As soon as he opened the valve on the bottle, a fragrant aroma filled the room.
Even Anderson, whose expression was usually cold and grim, couldn't help but soften slightly. Just one breath of the scent that wafted through the air, and Anderson felt his muscles being nourished by the rich, invigorating energy.
There was no doubt—this was an extraordinarily precious resource!
The potency of the effect was far beyond anything he had ever experienced.
At that moment, Sumir turned to leave.
Click.
Click.
His steps were neither hurried nor slow, but each one seemed to strike directly at the hearts of everyone in the room.
"Wait!"
"Don't leave!"
A young man, not far from Sumir and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, grabbed his arm.
"Sumir, don't you remember? We agreed to go out for dinner yesterday."
"I didn't side with Anderson earlier."
"That idiot was just talking nonsense!"
At these words, the expressions of everyone in the room changed drastically!
Anderson, who had already sensed something was off, immediately turned a deep shade of anger.
This...
He was being publicly humiliated in front of everyone, and even worse, the words used were so harsh!
His fury was overwhelming.
The other young elites looked on with a mix of surprise and disbelief.
The young man in gold-rimmed glasses hadn't agreed with Anderson's words—was that because Anderson had spoken first, and the young man hadn't had a chance to respond?
What a shameless person!
How dare he speak out first?
The other rich young men began to panic!
They had agreed to follow Anderson because Sumir didn't seem to have much to offer.
But now, everything had changed!
The five enhancement resources, just the scent of which had such an intense effect. What would happen if they actually consumed it?
"Wait, Sumir, don't forget—I gave you 200,000 dollars yesterday. Our relationship is stronger than anything Anderson can say to stir things up!"
"We're friendss!"
"Yeah, I was just messing with Anderson earlier!"
The rich young men exchanged words, each one pushing forward, their eyes gleaming with greed.
These sons of wealthy families had all used Physical Enhancement Diluent before, and even more advanced enhancement resources were familiar to them.
But none of those compared to what Sumir had just presented!
The radiant liquid in front of them looked nothing short of exquisite.
For these eager young men, who were desperate to boost their attributes, it was like a drug!
As they moved closer, the scent of the solvent grew stronger, and the second-generation heirs could feel their muscles surging with power, making them even more excited.
But no one seemed to notice how Anderson's face grew darker and more terrifying by the second.
Each word spoken by the young men felt like a dagger being driven into his heart.