Chapter 18: New Expansion Plans

With the other four captured moonshiners hauled off to a holding cell, Eric was manhandled to another room. “Let go of me! I can walk myself, thank you very much.” He tried to shake off the two guards’ grip.

Kyle nodded his head as a signal, with the two guards letting go of Eric. They walked through the common area, Eric noticing the gang members training hard against dummy figures or sparring with each other. A mountain of Stamina Recovery Potions was stacked in wooden crates along the side, causing Eric’s jaw to drop in astonishment.

“I did not expect the scale of your production to be so huge,” Eric was astonished, estimating close to a thousand potions stacked there alone. “I was under the impression that you were only supplying less than fifty per day or so.”

Kyle didn’t reply, still walking towards an unmarked door. They entered a separate room, and this time Eric’s jaw completely collapsed. Forgetting his predicament as a captured moonshiner, he instead ran forward, ogling at the large pristine distillation stills that were far more advanced than anything he had ever seen, even at the university.

“My god, who made this for you? It can’t be the Alchemist Guild, can it? I don’t even think they would let you have such a device; this is only reserved for the best of the best!” Eric was like an excited fanboy, jumping up and down as he examined the intricate details of the setup.

Kyle had implemented a factory-style distillation process, something he reverse-engineered from his memories. Alcohol in the Galactic Era was produced much more efficiently, but at least the basic principles remained the same.

Eric suddenly let out a loud gasp. “This condenser is extremely unique! What is the jagged surface on the exterior of the condensation arm? This enchantment on the barrel, what does it do? Is it powered by arcia as well to give special effects?” He ran around a series of kegs, noticing they had unique enchantments on them as well that seemed to speed up the fermentation.

Kyle motioned for one of the guards to provide three samples in small cups. Eric was a bit hesitant, knowing there was a chance it could be poison or some sort.

“Professor Dicar, if I wanted you dead, I would have had you killed there and then, making it look like an accident.”

Eric finally relented and tried the first sample. It was a high-proof moonshine whiskey, clear of any impurities and smooth to the throat. “My god, it’s even better than anything I have tasted!”

[SYSTEM MESSAGE]

Item

[Moonshine Whiskey]

A high-proof moonshine whiskey distilled with precision and factory-level quality. None of that rugged taste

-5 INT, +3 STR

Temporary Stat Effect

Duration: Depends on Race

He quickly drank the next sample, a bubbling sensation with a sweet aromatic taste. “This is wine... but not one made from the usual ingredients... Grain wine? The sparkling sensation is not unique, but the combination is...”

[SYSTEM MESSAGE]

Item

[Cherry Sparkling Sake]

A sparkling rice wine made from polished grains, distilled with precision and factory-level quality. Smooth taste with a posh feeling

-5 INT, +3 STR

Temporary Stat Effect

Duration: Depends on RaceThe source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Eric then tried the last one. “Another grain wine, but this time with a burned sensation, highly distilled. The addition of the lemon taste gives it a secondary kick. Amazing! Where are all these recipes coming from?! I’ve spent my life studying alcohol, but I have never come across any of these!”

[SYSTEM MESSAGE]

Item

[Lemon-Flavoured Soju]

A mixture of grains fermented, distilled with precision and factory-level quality. Mixed with a dash of lemon. Great with beer or yoghurt

-2 INT, +1 STR

Temporary Stat Effect

Duration: Depends on Race

You’ll probably lose your mind in the Galactic Era, then... “Do you want to know?” Kyle asked with a knowing expression.

Eric’s excitement suddenly plummeted, the circumstances of his current plight coming back to him. “Cut to the chase. What do you want?”

“Work for me, and you’ll have this entire room plus more where those recipes came from.”

“And my crew?”

“They’ll be part of the gang. I’m counting on you to convince them.”

“What if I say no?”

“You already know what happens.” Kyle smiled.

Eric weighed the benefits in his head. For years, he had been a professor researching new methods of alcohol production. He had been expelled for no reason due to the sudden and rapid ban on alcohol, forcing him onto the streets in order to make a living.

Too many gangs have tried to recruit him, even with the threat of force, but a simple bribe and a few drops of moonshine were always enough to get the guards to go against their bosses. That was how he met his current crew, anyway.

However, Kyle had shown him a new path, a chance to regain his old life. The new recipes lured him tantalizingly, and he couldn’t stop thinking about all the types of alcohol he could make with the set up in front of him.

“You have a deal. Let me talk to them.”

[A Treatise on Arcia by Theorin] [Arcia Engraver (Basic)]

Level 9

Max HP: 34(+0)(+0)

Max MP: 5(+0)(+5)

Max STA: 34(+0)(+0)

[Status Effects]

NONE

[STATS]

Race Human Class ??? STR 48(+22)(+0) DEX 45(+19)(+0) INT 69(+40)(+3) VIT 33(+0)(+3) CHA 21(+10)(+1) Free Points 40 [EQUIPMENT]

[Necklace of Healing (Basic)]

+3 INT, +3 VIT, +1 CHA. Active Skill: Heal (Basic) – Restore a tiny amount of health. Cooldown: Ten seconds.

[Magus Ring of Theorin (Intermediate)]

+5 MAX MP, +25% Increased MP Recovery Rate.

[SKILLS] NONE [TITLES] [Former Crime Lord]

A bigshot in your previous life, so much for that, huh?

+10 INT, +10 CHA

[Martial Arts Training]

The best things between you and death are your fists

+10 STR, +10 DEX

[Murderer]

Everyone has to start somewhere

+2 STR, +10% Increased Damage to Humans

[Usurper (Basic)]

So, climbing the ranks huh?

+5 STR, +3 DEX, + 10% damage to those of higher authority

[Potion Inspector (Intermediate)]

It seems that you are somewhat of a scientist yourself.

+10 INT, Increased description of potions examined.

[Potion Crafter (Intermediate)]

This title was supposed to be handed on successful potions, but the failures are pretty hard to watch.

+10 INT, Increased description of potions examined, +10% chance to craft an intermediate potion when using basic materials. 5% increased chance of discovering basic potion recipes per attempt, stacking. Resets on discovery.

[Healer (Basic)]

This doesn’t seem like the right way to use healing...

+5 INT, +10% healing effectiveness

[Martial Arts Instructor (Basic)]

With great power comes great muscular bodies.

+5 STR, +3 DEX, +10% teaching effectiveness

[Arcia Engraver (Basic)]

Those scribbles look like they might blow up anytime soon.

+5 INT, +3 DEX, +10% chance at improving quality of final Arctech Equipment.