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Kyle had gotten Keith to use the remaining extra cash to buy them, with the one hurting the most being the arctech stoves. Something to dabble into in the future, perhaps…

“You, you’re number one. You weigh each of the ingredients before putting them into separate bowls.”

Two weighing scales were on the table, the counterweight already perfectly calculated. Kyle had gotten Keith to write labels on parchment onto the weighing scales, indicating which ingredient they were for.

“Next, number two.” Kyle motioned to another one. “You take each of the ingredients and put them into the same flask, and fill up to the brim with water.”

“Finally, number three. You boil the flasks, each for exactly three minutes. No more, no less.”

Kyle then moved over to the other table, where there were only Euria Seeds and a few mortar and pestles.

“You, number four. You grind as many Euria Seeds as you can. Pour the oil out into a flask.”

“Number five. You boil the flask as long as possible until you see a dark yellow residue like this.” Kyle showed an example. “Then, for every other flask the group makes, you drip just a pinch in.”

“Number six. You then pack the normal flasks separately from the ones that have received the Euria Seeds. Everybody clear?”

They all nodded except for one who raised his hand. “Sir, sorry to ask, but what exactly are we making?”

“Stamina Recovery potions. A stark reminder – anyone, associate or even vipers, caught drinking the Euria-infused potions will immediately be punished heavily and imprisoned for a while. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Start now.”

The operation began, with the associates slightly fumbling about as they got used to handling the equipment. However, they went slow and steady, afraid of being chided by Kyle, who watched over them like a hawk.

Soon, after ten minutes of repetitive action, the muscle memory began to be engraved into them, making the job faster and similar to a factory line. Kyle nodded in approval before leaving the room.

The associates felt a sense of belonging and as though they were part of a greater whole. They might have had more passion for the job if they didn’t realize that they were basically performing menial labour, just like a factory worker. “Didn’t I join the gangs so I didn’t have to do this kind of thing…?”

Kyle returned to his office, checking a list of all businesses owned by Seven Snakes, sorting them out by revenue. It wasn’t so much of a list, seeing there were only two external businesses – a pub and a brothel. The brothel was performing very well, providing the majority of the revenue.

He had been learning to read and write from Keith every night for the past few days. As he could already ‘speak’ the language, reading was easy, though writing still needed a bit of work.

He called Damian in. “In three hours’ time, we’ll visit the highest-performing brothel that the Seven Snakes own.”

“You mean the Lusty Arcian?”

“… Yes. Once the potion production has completed a crate, we will bring it over with us, got it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“One more thing. I want you to give Riker three Euria-infused potions in a single day. Follow the recommended dosage of eight hours. After that day, don’t give him any more, even if he asks for it.”

“…What? Why are we giving him our product?”

“Just do it. Make sure to feed him still and provide water. I’ll check in four days later.”

Damian was uncertain about what Kyle wanted to do this time but agreed instantly, having lost all hope of trying to understand his mind.

The brothel was very well hidden, as prostitution was illegal in the city. It was nested on the second floor, right above a reputable restaurant, but only accessed via a hidden side entrance.

It was narrow and cramped, the carpeted floor on the hallways stained with bodily fluids from years ago or even recently. A dense fog of Euria smoke hovered permanently just under the arctech bulbs that flickered white against the blue hue.

Kyle entered through the main entrance, noticing the décor to be extremely feminine in every sense, the flowery impression permeating the entire lobby area while a sensual tune wafted in through the perfumed air.

“Oh my dear Damian, did you bring a new customer today? It’s a bit too early for any sort of action, no?” A toned muscular man was resting his head on his arm against the countertop, smiling at the two of them. He wore a pink formal shirt with black pants and sported a slick haircut.

Kyle was mildly impressed by how well the man carried himself. “Good afternoon. I’m here to meet Slavin Tudor.”

“That’s me!” The man said cheerfully before taking a closer look at Kyle. “Hmm, I think I remember seeing you before in the Seven Snakes…”

“He is the new gang leader of the Seven Snakes, Kyle…” Damian glanced back at Kyle.

“Just Kyle is fine.”

“Oh my, Ulon is dead? Finally! That fat pig deserved it; I never really took a liking to him. So, to what do I owe the pleasure? Perhaps you come to sample some of our products?”

“I’m here to observe the operations if possible. You two,” Kyle motioned to the other two gang members outside carrying a few bags of potions. “Leave them here and return.”

Slavin watched intently as Kyle ordered them. “Great charisma, leadership qualities, everything Ulon didn’t have. Am I about to see a rise of a new shining star, Damian?”

“I believe so.” Damian nodded in agreement.

“Hmm, operations won’t begin till two hours later or so.” Slavin ran his hand over his beard, scratching it slightly.

“No matter, let’s go through your finances first.”

“Ooo, a business-type leader as well! I like you even more now. Sure, go ahead. You own the majority of this place anyway. I just run it.” Slavin retrieved his account book and passed it to Kyle.

Kyle quickly glanced through the book, his eyes rapidly reading and looking out for discrepancies. “I note that most of the workers here usually take off days quite frequently?”

“Everyone in this line of work does. It is fairly exhausting, you know? Even our customers get tired as well.” Slavin explained. “We just run out of stamina faster, which is why we have to rotate our workers regularly. You can see this in our expenditures.”

“Indeed. Which is why I have a special proposition for you.”

The nightlife was roaring across the district, with hundreds of factory workers returning from their day job and trying to relax. Many sat at the various cheap food stalls at the markets, eating voraciously to compensate for the gruelling exertion of their jobs.

The reputable restaurant was booming as well, serving dishes to well-off families who ran farms, fishing trawlers and forestry companies or did administrative work. Even the enforcers of the Sanctum were having a break, simply enjoying the meal and laughing heartily.

At the side of the restaurant in the dark alleyway, two men were squabbling right outside an inconspicuous entrance leading to a stairwell.

“Come on, man, just follow me! It’s going to be okay!” An older man slapped the younger one on the back.

“I don’t know… I haven’t done it before, and I don’t know what to do! To be honest, I’m pretty tired after today…”

“That’s exactly why you got to get it done today, Niko! Let out all that frustration at the job and have at it. Listen, I know the owner of this place, so just trust me, okay?”

Niko hesitated before nodding slightly. The older man immediately led him up the stairs, entering the brothel.

“Oh my, weren’t you just here three days ago?” Slavin smiled at the older man. “Already back for more? Won’t your wife miss you?”

“Ah fuck her; she’s probably out as well screwing around. She’s still in, right?”

“Madison? Of course. In fact, we’ve recently received some additional products, so her schedule will be changed from every three days to every two days now.”

“Really? That’s fucking amazing!” The older man was extremely excited, but his mood was suddenly dampened. “Don’t think my body can keep up with it, I don’t have enough grit or stamina to do it that often.”

“Ah, for that we have a special gift for you. And for your newcomer friend as well.” Slavin retrieved two potions from behind the counter.

“What’s this?” Niko asked curiously, looking at the darkish-yellow potion. He had never ingested a potion before in his life, the cost always being far above his pay and his family’s means.

“Stamina Recovery Potions, on the house.”

“On the house!?” The older man nearly choked on his own tongue as he heard that. “Slavin, you must be rolling in the money now to be able to afford such expensive potions. The cost of this would be almost the same as two weeks of pay for me at the factory!”

“Haha, you are all our dear customers!” Slavin laughed it off.

Niko’s eyes’ bulged. A potion of this cost, for free? It sounded too good to be true, but before he could question it any further, the older man grabbed the stamina recovery potion from Slavin, popping the cork and immediately downing it.

Niko could visibly see the strength and vitality return to the old man. Both of them had been working in the factories. “Ohhh, that hits the spot! Niko, come on and try it!” The older man urged Niko on.

“Don’t worry boy, I’ll give you one more after you’re satisfied here.” Slavin winked at Niko, who steeled his body and drank the potion thoroughly.

He could feel the cold liquid rush into his stomach before a hot surging force raged through his muscles, relieving the aches and sores he had to endure on his factory job. It felt as though he had just woken up after a restful sleep, ready to start the day anew. “This is awesome!”

Slavin assigned the two to their rooms, already with the girls waiting inside. Niko was still a bit hesitant, worried about what was about to happen. “Sorry, I’ve never done anything like this before… It’s my first time.” Niko confessed to Slavin.

Slavin patted his shoulder with a slight smile on his face. “Don’t worry, dear boy. You’ll be a regular with us in no time.”