Chapter 53

Chapter 53 I Next

This is it.

Raciels hand clenched instinctively. Ideas flowed into his mind like a rushing river.

At the center of it all was Botox.

Botox.

A term known to anyone living in the modern 21st century. The moment you notice crows feet forming around your once-smooth eyes. The moment smile lines start to etch themselves onto your once-youthful face. Its the injection that crosses everyones mind at least once.

Botox injection. I could use that.

Raciels thoughts raced. What happens when Botox is injected into muscles? The muscles relax. Wrinkles smooth out.

Or when calf muscles are too large for your liking? You can reduce their size by paralyzing parts of the muscle through injection. Its similar to how muscles atrophy after being in a cast for a few months. The same principle can create slimmer legs. Sometimes, its even used to reduce the muscles of a square jawline to create a V-line.

And the secret?

Its incredible toxicity.

In fact, Botox is an incredibly potent paralyzing poison.

Botox.

Its full name is Botulinum toxin. Its not just any toxic substance; its undeniably the most toxic substance ever discovered or developed by mankind.

The venom of a cobra or a black mamba? Theyre like a mild broth compared to the nuclear hot chicken that is Botulinum toxin. The deadly venom of a pufferfish? Its like a novice boxer trying to challenge Mike Tyson.

Compared to Botulinum toxin, pufferfish venom is at least 10,000 times weaker.

The median lethal dose (LD50) of Botulinum toxin? If inhaled, its around 10 nanograms per kilogram. So, for a 60-kilogram adult? Only 600 nanograms. 0.6 micrograms. In other words, inhaling just 0.0006 grams is enough to earn a spot in the career counseling classroom of the king of hell.

In fact, thats an overestimate. When inhaled through the mucous membrane, the quantity required to kill an adult male is about 0.0000005 grams.

Its an astonishingly small amount.

Pufferfish venom, on the other hand, requires about 0.15 grams to have the same effect. That famous and dreaded radioactive tea? Youd need at least 0.01 grams to kill a person.

So, in a simple calculation, if you have around 400 grams of pure concentrated Botulinum toxin? Thats enough to wipe out all of humanity. Thats how deadly Botulinum toxin is.

But humans use it for cosmetic purposes like reducing wrinkles. Where is the limit of mankind?

Thinking about it made Raciel feel slightly dizzy. He shook his head.

Anyway, its time to apply the principles of Botox injection. I can do it. Even if its not as potent as Botox, if I use a substance that causes muscle paralysis through a similar mechanism, and apply it through acupuncture

Its plausible.

The unruly tail of the werewolf clan that caused so many issues on its own. He should be able to induce a localized paralysis effect on the tails muscles. It would fulfill 100% of Anises requirements.

I happen to have the perfect poison for it.

Raciel lifted his head.

He addressed Gardin.nove(l)bi(n.)com

I just remembered something. I need you to fetch something for me.

Yes? What do you need?

Kusmans lethal capsules.

Ah, do you mean the promoter we arrested during our last raid on the underground arena?

Yes. The lethal capsules we confiscated during that arrest. Are they still securely stored in the safe?

Yes. Of course, Your Highness.

Gardin nodded.

That was a relief.

Then bring them. Immediately.

Yes? If I may ask, what are you planning to use such dangerous capsules for

Im going to use them for a good cause.

Gardin, concerned for Raciels safety, worried that he might be endangering himself with the poison. He seemed genuinely concerned.

But Raciel gave him a meaningful look. Eventually, Gardin reluctantly left and returned with 30 lethal capsules. Meanwhile, Raciel organized his plan.

Now that I have the idea, I need to utilize the paralyzing poison in Kusmans capsules. Inject it into the muscles to induce localized paralysis. But to do that

There were two problems that needed solving.

The first issue is the injection site.

He couldnt just inject the poison anywhere.

Im sorry.

So, you cant speak because the structure of your mouth changes? Now, give me your hand.

Clap.

When Anise offered her hand, or rather, her forepaw, it shot up reflexively. She seemed to realize her own reaction a moment later.

Grrrrr!

Her gaze became considerably fiercer as she glared at him. Raciel shrugged his shoulders with a laugh.

Sorry. I was just curious to see if it would actually work.

Grrrr!

I apologize. Lets continue the examination now.

Anise nodded obediently. Raciel resumed examining her body, now in its transformed wolf form. This allowed him to understand the changes in her meridian configuration after the transformation.

After completing the examination, he sent her back. Alone in the bedroom, Raciel reviewed the results of the precise diagnosis.

Its a relief. There arent many differences. The basic human-like body structure seems to have helped.

He had determined where to apply the Botox acupuncture. However, there were still lingering problems.

Ive solved the first task of determining the treatment area. But the second task is a bit tricky.

Raciel found himself consumed by worries. The second task for Botox acupuncture was determining the appropriate amount of paralytic toxin to use.

This is just as crucial as determining the treatment area, if not more important.

Indeed, it was.

This treatment involved using poison, not medicine, and required injecting a powerful toxin that caused muscle paralysis. A rough estimate of the amount could lead to dangerous side effects, something that must be avoided at all costs.

I need to fully understand it: the composition of this deadly poison created by Kusman and the safe and appropriate amount needed to induce a localized paralysis effect while minimizing side effects.

It was a necessary process. But figuring out how to acquire this understanding proved daunting.

Should I ask Kusman, the one who made it? It shouldnt be too difficult.

Kusman, the promoter from the fighting arena, was imprisoned in the royal palace. He could simply approach him and ask. However, Raciel quickly dismissed the idea.

No. I cant trust that guy.

Kusman was never a trustworthy individual, to begin with. Moreover, he likely harbored animosity towards Raciel, making it difficult to expect a truthful answer.

He might deliberately provide incorrect information. That would be highly dangerous.

Thus, questioning Kusman was not a viable option. Raciel furrowed his brow in thought.

Should I try it myself?

He considered ingesting the poison and storing it within his mana circle. Then, he could experiment with the components by circulating an extremely small amount within his body. However, as soon as he entertained the idea, a loud message appeared before his eyes.

Ding dong!

[Your Five Viscera and Six Bowels are alarmed by your dangerous idea.]

[Heart: Did you all hear that? He wants to try the poison himself!]

[Liver: Oh hahaha!]

[Lungs: Self-experimentation, is it? What a noble pursuit.]

[Spleen: If you consume it, Ill have to detoxify and process it all Why dont you feed it to a Phantom Beast instead? Are you crazy?]

The Five Viscera and Six Bowels made a commotion, voicing their complaints and adding some sharp words. Raciel rolled his eyes and addressed the most vocal of them, the spleen.

Feeding the poison to a Phantom Beast? Isnt that a bit harsh? Theyre not lab rats.

Almost immediately, a rebuttal came.

[Spleen: There are Phantom Beasts specialized in testing poisonous ingredients, you know?]

What?

A frown formed on Raciels forehead. At that moment, as if waiting for the opportunity, Spleen chimed in with an explanation.

(To be Continued)

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