Staring out at the cauldron in front of me, I can’t help but grin widely, as I think of all the people this will help. Specifically, the thoughts of overturning his system, where people don’t normally help each other gives me a strange form of delight.

Of course, I know that this really isn’t overturning anything. The test after this one will probably be just as selfish and competitive as the others were.

But at the very least, I will have made a difference within this one, potentially bringing into the public consciousness that you don’t have to focus only on yourself.

Several people working together could achieve the same thing. How well I do here will determine whether future applicants will even want to emulate this.

With everything made, now I have to figure out how to move this around.

Since this concoction is not meant for the start of a journey but someone’s end, to keep them going, it would be better if I had a way to carry it around.

With that said, it can still be used at the start of a journey and will provide a small boost to strength. It just wouldn’t be as effective. With the amount I have, I have enough to do that today and provide additional ones for those who fall behind. It’s likely that tomorrow morning, I’m going to have to do the same thing.

I begin by looking around at the nearby trees. What I’m looking for is a tree with bark that would be waterproof if prepared correctly. Besides that, I look for another tree that has a thick and strong enough would to create a giant container I could carry around.

With my night vision and scan, it’s trivial to find these. I end up cutting two large trees and using as much of them as I can.

For the tree that’s going to be acting as the container, I clear out most of the inside, while leaving a base of wood in place and securing the outside of it with stone clamps, among other things. The goal for this was to create something that’ll be sturdy and big enough to contain a large amount of liquid. Something that I could attach a Wood lid to and secure it down.

This idea came from some things made back on earth, where bamboo trees would be stripped down and turned into containers. Just on a much larger scale, because I could handle the weight. The actual size of this container ended up being around four oil barrels worth.

Regarding the tree with the waterproof bark, I stripped down, and I used the bark to create an inner lining of the tree container. Because of the large size of the container, as well as the amount and types of fluids that will be in it, there need to be many layers of the prepared bark. Which is why I needed entire large tree to make this work.

Once again, this idea was taken from another concept back on earth when used with birchbark for waterproof containers.

The only bad thing about this is that there will be some reactions over time between the concoction and the bark.

It should last the whole day though, and if it has not run out by that time, I can just add in a few other ingredients to ‘refresh it’.

This actually takes a bit of time, since there’s several layers of preparation involved outside my ability. With the time the hero group bought me back, though, I’ve plenty of time to get it done.

I finish around morning, when everyone’s getting up to move.

When me and my team emerged from the Fort, the first thing everyone’s eyes seemed to land on was me with my giant container backpack.

I tied enormous rope cord to the container, turning it into a backpack. The rope burn is real. If I didn’t have the strength I do, to both lift this and carry it, everything on me would be broken. It weighs just under the same amount that four oil barrels would actually weigh, besides the weight of the wood.

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If anyone was really looking to take revenge for yesterday, they removed that notion from their minds at this point.

Since everyone’s eyes are already on me, I take advantage of the situation by making a declaration.

“I am an alchemist. One that is seeking to join the sect for cultivation purposes, like many of you. For those of you who already know, yes, I have done some work for other groups in the past.”

I fall silent, as mummers start erupting almost immediately after that statement. These go all the way up the line, as my scan picks up most of the words. The general consensus, seems to be that the information brokers of the group, had found out recently about my escapades, with the yellow sashes. As I had suspected, the information had gotten out.

Now it’s time to turn it in my favor.

“As some of you might have heard, I’m looking for people to join me as we grow together in this sect. Together, we can help each other in much deeper and profound ways. Case in point.”

I sling the container to the ground in front of me. On it, I’ve made a small little spout, like one of those giant Gatorade containers they have at sporting events.

On the side of this giant container is one of those tube cup holder things, with a huge number of waterproof bark cups. All the size of a shot glass.

… I had a little too much fun with the crafting side of things.

The sound of sloshing liquid catches the people close to me’s attention. It’s safely contained by the lid secured on the top of it.

I’m pretty proud of how well it’s built.

“Within this container, is a concoction I’ve made that has a primary purpose and a secondary purpose. The primary purpose, is that if you have expended all your energy during this trek, you will be able to regain your energy and more, to potentially finish it. Depending on your strength, of course.”

I pause for dramatic effect.

Gears begin clicking several people's minds as they look at the nobles and merchants with their pills. That this essentially works the same as them.

I continue to keep them engaged.

“It’s secondary purpose is to be used as a booster before you begin your run. Letting you go farther. Do note that the effectiveness of this way is far less than the primary one.”

A voice from one merchant rings out.

“That can’t be true! How will someone’s body handle the surplus of energy?”

This is easy to answer.

“One ingredient within this concoction, the three-star leaf, has a regulating effect on the human body. When prepared in a certain way, it allows the concoction to store part of the energy as reserves and release extra amounts safely from the body.”

I wave my hand in their direction, although they were hidden behind other people when they had spoken out.

“Because of your status as part of a merchant group, you likely will recognize that name, as caravan staff typically chews it after needing to use too many energy pills when attempting to make deadlines.”

The person in question falls silent in shock and then contemplation. They then nod their head in affirmation and step back even deeper into the crowd.

After that comment, it seems part of the crowd has been convinced by this.

One person steps up, cautiously. It’s a young man with what is basically rags for clothes. They look desperate and extremely tired.

I actually recognized them from the Fort I had created quite a distance down the stairs. They must have climbed up here during the night to make even a little more progress. It doesn’t look like he could go any farther than this by his own energy.

A perfect test subjec… example.

He cuts straight to the heart of the issue.

“What do I have to do to get some of this concoction?”

His face is turned towards me, but his eyes are locked on that container.

With his lips being heavily chapped, he dryly licks them. I can see his bloodshot eyes lock back onto me before continuing.

“I’ll do anything.”

…

He’s giving off huge crackhead vibes, right now. Willing to do anything to get this.

Anything.

It’s a little scary, even if I know I could stop him if needed.

However, this is only for my benefit. For what he’s saying outright, it's clear many people are thinking right now themselves.

How I handle this will determine how these people view me in the future. I need to deescalate the situation and establish a report.

But, more important than that, I need to help his mind.

I can’t imagine the things these people must have to do regularly to survive. I’ve been in a good situation since I’ve come here. Adding to this is all my abilities, which smoothed things over.

Maybe I would have been like him, if pushed enough.

I walk over to him and, as he is hunched over, I kneel to match his current height.

I reassuringly place a hand on his shoulder, to which he flinches slightly. I look him in the eyes before stating something in a calming voice to him.

“You don’t need to do that. We are both people attempting to join the same sect. We should try to help each other, as long as we are of the same mind and spirit.”

Rather than just using words, I lift my hand and head back to the container, drawing out a cup of the liquid. After it pours into the bark cup, I hand it back to his shaking hands.

“Here, take this.” It’s dangerous to go alone.

I continue with, “Drink it slowly and begin running as soon as you feel the effects for the greatest effectiveness. Good luck.”

He follows the instructions and takes a drink.

Everyone watches with bated breath, to see what will happen.