The Fungon herb was a common poison used for additives, and the guild had been getting flooded with requests for them since the Elemental Rift started popping out Dark Leopards.Those adorable kittens are fast and can tear your throat out, but a drop of the poison made from the herb that Bryn put into his basket would kill it instantly.With no water in the Elemental plane, the creatures that lived there had no evolutionary need to build immunity to these herbs.


    He had used the extra money they earned from the Desert Dungeon to buy it, and not only was it worth every copper, he was able to afford the extra cost of getting it in navy blue.


    Since he and Jordan had started doing their own quests, he decided to commit to growing his value in combat.The Journey Quest would be difficult if Jordan had to handle most of the combat himself, and Bryn wanted to eliminate that potential tension as soon as possible.


    Crackling with den and standing over 8 feet tall, a lightning turtle was one of the more imposing animals that roamed this forest.Rumored to be another experiment from The Guild Of Infinite Thought, these creatures resembled large sea turtles aside from the energy that constantly surrounded them.Unfortunately for Bryn, the turtle had noticed him first.Using the Lightning Dash Skill, it shot at him with unbelievable speed.


    He tumbled into the bushes on the side of the path, his face smacking into the dirt.As he got up, he looked down at the prototype on his wrist.There were more reliable ways to get out of this, but what was the point of making the Arsenal Watch if not for situations like this?


    Once Bryn was on his feet again, he looked down at the watch.The brass on the outside of it covered the delicate machinery inside.Bryn could feel the slots in the watch that the potions would be injected through, and he hoped the tubing would be fully protected by the metal shell.


    He turned the dial on his watch to the vial holding the enhance potion and pressed down, the pressure injecting the potion directly into him.He felt the effects immediately, without the usual delay that drinking a potion has.It was only about a minute, but every seconds counts when giant turtles are involved.


    It wouldn’t have been impossible to beat the turtle on his own, but his quest was already over.Fighting monsters off the clock tends to lead to a quick burnout.


    More testing needed to be done, but this investment felt like it had been worth the money and then some as far as he was concerned.The injection took effect immediately which meant the offensive capabilities were as promising as him enhancing himself.After dropping the portion of his haul owed to the guild, Bryn threw his hood up and made his way to his next destination.As he crossed the border from the Gold District, he turned his headlamp on and followed the usual route he took.


    There is a wooden door with a bright red handle in this alleyway, and a password was needed to enter.As Bryn approached he knocked 6 times on the door, as was policy.He immediately heard a gruff voice from the other side.


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    “It’s pickles by the way” he said as the door creaked open.Behind it stood a young gnome man who couldn’t have been more than 2 feet tall.He had rosy red cheeks and wore a button that had a logo of potion bottle.His bright green polo shirt and pleated khakis accompanied his large blue eyes filling with tears.


    Remembering things isn’t my thing, I work better with my hands.I’m just not an idea guy.” He said in a trembling voice.


    Carl used to live in Bryn’s dorm and had fallen on hard times.It was difficult to look at the gnome with anything but pity, so Bryn recommended Carl for a job watching the door of the Midnight Market.They hired him immediately since no one had been hired to watch the door, which seemed like a major oversight for an illegal operation as far as Bryn was concerned.


    A group of alchemists created a base in the sewer system years ago, eventually expanding it to serve as a market for alchemy ingredients.However, the shadiness of the location turned it into a popular place for illegal drugs, weapons, and experimental ingredients not approved for sale yet.


    The door he had walked through appeared on the outside to lead into one of the buildings along the alley, but in fact it led directly down to the sewers below.


    The stench of the sewer was overpowered by the strange mix of smells coming from the market stalls. Alchemists of every age and race would come to the market and set up stalls, hoping to make big deals and expand their business even further.While many of these vendors had unique items, Bryn knew exactly where he was going.


    However, Bryn had only been to one stall since he began visiting the Midnight Market.13 stalls down from the wooden door he entered through on the right stood a stall draped in blood red curtains, the rat skull on the front confirming to Bryn he had the right place.


    The suit jacket was so baggy it made the elf seem as if he were a child wearing his father’s jacket.Most might have mistaken him for a child if not for his worn, elderly face.For an elf to have visible wrinkles, they must be at least 800 years old, and Frank passed that milestone long ago.


    He handed the bag over and Frankpoured the contents on the table.As tough as his exterior seemed, Frank had welcomed Bryn the first day he had visited the market, and had earned himself a loyal customer in exchange.


    Frank was nice, but he was still a businessman who wouldn’t pass up a good deal from a naive kid.“How much are we looking at?” Bryn asked.


    Bryn knew his wrinkled friend was lowballing him, yet he didn’t want to look cheap by arguing over a couple gold.That instinct left him quickly as he remembered the quality of apartment he lived in.


    You have to do better than that” Bryn said, crossing his arms.


    “You’re annoying, but in a funny way, so I’ll work with you more than you probably deserve.Looking for trade at all?” Frank asked, standing up and showing off his spindly legs.


    Frank shambled over to a safe in the back, channeling den into the lock and causing it to pop open.He grabbed a piece of paper from it before closing the safe once again and creakily walking back to the front of the stand.“I made a recipe for exactly that a couple years ago, you can have it for all of these plus 5 gold.”He said, placing the paper on the table in front of him.


    I could get a decent amount more gold from one of the other vendors around here” Bryn said sternly.Frank looked at Bryn unfazed and chuckled slightly.


    More than that, you’re crazier about this potion crap than anyone I’ve ever met, so I know that


    After unrolling it and skimming over it, he knew he would be able to adapt the recipe fairly easily.“You’re robbing me but it’s a good quality product that you give me in exchange so I’ll forgive you.Thanks again Frank” Bryn said with a smile as he began to walk away.Before going too far, Bryn stopped and turned around.“Oh I forgot to mention, I tested the prototype today and it worked like a charm.When are you going to be able to make more?” Bryn asked as he walked back over.


    “Not for a few months, but you’ll be the first person I tell when The Dead Rat is open for business” he said excitedly.