After talking to the head engineer for a little bit longer, deciding to use the motorbike. He was given access for a simple G-H, though some 10 years out of military use. It’s a rugged, low-maintenance MK.3 Arcana engine that ensures a persistent and continuous speed and high durability. Its outdated manual corruption disposal system would also need to be taken into account.
It was not until mid-day that he was allowed to leave, going to the second location on his list. Link Brewers Pharmacy, a subsidiary of the E-wild corporation, specialized in the research of medicine and combat stimulant.
Looking at the seven stories high square building, he made his way inside through the sliding doors. The receptionist already standing by, waiting for his arrival.
“Right away sir, he should still be in the lab on floor 3,” David nodded at the receptionist, making his way to the elevator. Letting out a sigh as he waited for the lift to reach its destination, rubbing his temple with a sense of reluctance.
He really didn’t want to meet this “person” if he could help it. As the lift door opened, the smell of chemicals and burnt hair lingered throughout the floor, causing a slight irritation in his nose. Following the scent, he made it through the hallway, leading to a big sliding door. Upon entering the lab, he found the “person” he was looking for.
Dressed in an oversized lab cloak, light gray fur covering the exposed part of its body. Red eyes filled with a maniacal and shrewd gleam, a pair of yellow front teeth sticking out from his mouth. Sharp clawed fingers holding onto a few vials of unknown liquids. Standing at the table at the center, pouring some strange liquid into a beaker. A long prehensile tail swaying by the side, grasping another vial. Its ears twitching and orienting themselves in different directions.
A series of shelves lined the walls of the lab, some opened while others are locked. Strange and unknown plants and animal parts place orderly on some of the shelves, who knows what uses those things have? He didn’t dare to imagine.
Standing roughly just over 2 meters tall hunched, this lumbering figure turned its head to look at him, a smile appearing that sent shivers down his back, revealing jagged, but clean teeth. This is a Rat-ling, not like the other races that evolved from human primogeniture, but a proper Mana beast race that originated from old-world rats and mice, grown gigantic and maniacal. David could accept the fact that Temy, in spite of his giant descent, still looked ‘human’ enough.
But this ‘thing’… he could remember when they came out from the underground, a near-endless cascade of slaughter, pain, and suffering. What was once a terrifying horde had evolved into an entirely new and ‘intelligent’ race, further cementing the idea that humans are no longer the sole master of Earth. Or should he say, Foia, as they call it now.
“Well, hello David. It’s good to see you again. I assume that you’re here for the reverie pills? ” Said the hunched rat-ling ‘thing’, his voice ratty and rasp. Placing down the vial into one of the holders on the table. It walked to the sink by the wall to clean its hand.
“…yes, I assumed that you have my share ready for purchase?” said David, trying his best to keep his speech as neutral as he can.
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The rat-ling, clearly aware of David’s inherent unfriendliness, smiled in response as he walked to one of the medical cabinets by the walls. Reaching out to grab a box, opening them to reveal 2 bottles, each of them labeled with about 30 pills.
“Yes. I have about 2 bottles ready for purchase, I assume this payment will be via the E-wild corporation sponsorship program?”
“Correct, I also need some other things. Mainly of the [Tsunami] class.” David placed a black card on the table at the center of the lab, Asha’s personal card that he had been given. Every time he used this card he felt like selling his own soul, and every time that bastard would use this against him.
“I see, off the record is it?” the rat-ling spoke, this was not the first time David had done these kinds of purchases, but the [Tsunami] class medicines are something else entirely.
“[Tsunami] class combat stimulants are powerful drugs, capable of allowing heightened senses and reflexes, enabling an extreme proficiency in combat, and other scenarios. You know this already, but they are highly regulated… making them difficult for… unregulated deals.” The rat-ling in turn frowned, causing David to tense up, a memory of the mad horde resurfacing in his mind.
“It is a non-issue, you and everyone know my relationship with the E-wild corporation, considering their connections with the many faculty of the city. No one will pressure you, not in this city.”
“One box, and a favor. Where will you be going on this next trip?” asked the Rat-ling after some time, going to one of the locked cabinets and retrieving a small box the size of a fist. Putting it on the table, his eyes carefully observe David’s expression.
“Berton, got some business needs doing there, I would also like some Bezoar and Lift if you have any.” Answered David perfunctorily, reaching his hand out to grab the bottles of pills.
“Berton…” the rat-ling lets out a low growl, pulling on his whiskers gently, his hand reaching to one of the shelves to grab two other boxes. David on the other had been watching the rat-ling’s every move, his hand laid on the pistol holster at all times.
“Yes… I think I do have some work for you.” Locking his eye with David’s, a smile on his pointy face, this time more vicious and vile, “If I remember correctly, you also do assassinations, yes?”
The silence was all that was left, as the two locked eyes for a split second before David responded, his eyes sharp as a knife.
“Depends on who it is…”
———————
David finally left the hospital. Letting out a sigh of relief, shaking his head in exasperation. “What kind of mess have I gotten myself into this time?!”
As he muttered to himself like a madman, he noticed a car was driving by him on the road, the man driving it was looking at him with a smile. Salt and pepper hair tied into a bun, an old yet healthy glow face. There was no doubt that he was augmented and dangerous, causing David’s scalp to tingle. He was none other than Evra Darvora, the lord of [Pitreres] city.
“Mister David, please, if you don’t mind.” Said Evra as a door on the side of the car opened, beckoning him to enter.
“Lord Evra… I appreciate your hospitality, but I don’t dare to intrude.” David bowed his head, planning to flee the area as quickly as possible. The last thing he needs right now was getting pulled into the city power struggle, can’t these people leave him alone for fuck’s sake.
“Come now, it’s just a quick drive. Nothing too complicated, where are you headed now… you don’t want things to escalate do you?” said the lord of the city, his face smiling a charming smile.
Mother fucker, what do you mean escalate…
“Hold on one moment sir,” said another voice, causing both him and David to turn their head at the source. An auburn-haired woman, one can tell just by looking at her to know she was also augmented. A smile on her freckled face.
“Mr. David has business with me, and he is needed quite urgently.”