Chapter 217: New main quest released
Charlotte went out and headed straight for Harry's general store.
Insulin production couldn't be rushed. The first important step was to use an acidic ethanol extractant to extract insulin, which meant he needed to first obtain acidic ethanol.
Manufacturing alcohol was relatively easy, and the required knowledge was within his grasp.
Besides producing insulin, he also had to improve the stamina potion, which was also one of his priorities.
"How's business, old Harry?" Charlotte walked into the general store and greeted Harry, who was behind the counter, organizing the goods.
"Oh, Dr. Charlotte is here," Harry turned around and looked at Charlotte, who entered the store and said with a smile, "It's alright. The loathing potion is selling like hotcakes at one million copper coins per bottle. Although I don't make much money from each bottle, it's satisfying to collect that money."
"And how's it selling in the Abyss?" Charlotte asked, somewhat surprised.
Harry shook his head and said, "It's not selling a lot. After all, the price is right there. They sell about three to five bottles a day. Some people come specifically from Calva to buy them. Calva was quite crazy for a while, basically selling out as soon as they arrived. The supply has increased in the past few days, so not many people are coming to the Abyss to find goods."
Charlotte nodded. This was in line with the market situation in the Abyss. There were only a few who could afford a bottle that cost one million copper coins.
"But, the price will be reduced starting tomorrow," Harry lowered his voice and said mysteriously.
"Oh? It's selling well, so you're reducing the price?" Charlotte showed a hint of surprise.
"Well, most of the rich idiots have bought them already. This stuff isn't a magic potion after all. Drinking one bottle will make them quit using magic potions. It's a one-time deal," Harry laughed and said, "By reducing the price to one hundred thousand per bottle, the middle-class addicts to magic potions will be the main customers. How many poor people can afford magic potions?"
Charlotte agreed with Harry's point of view. Except for a few ignorant young people, those who dared to drink magic potions costing several thousand copper coins per bottle were mostly middle-class people with some spare money.
As for those currently looking miserable due to addiction, most of them were middle-class people whose wealth had been drained by magic potions.
Were they pitiful?
Not necessarily.
"But if you reduce the price tenfold all at once, aren't you afraid that those who bought it before will cause trouble?" Charlotte asked casually.
"Afraid? Do you know who holds the power over the loathing potion?" Harry looked at him and asked.
"I don't know."
However, his grocery store sold everything, and potions were not their main product. The sales volume was not as high as magic consumables, so there wasn't much bitterness.
Charlotte chuckled. He didn't know how to respond to that remark, so he changed the topic. "Do you have any cheap and strong alcohol? I need it for soaking, not for drinking."
"Cheap and strong alcohol?"
Harry pondered for a moment, then went into the warehouse and soon came out with a large wooden cask, which he placed on the ground with a heavy thud. It seemed to be filled with something.
Harry took a small bowl, pulled out the cork of the cask, tilted it slightly, and poured a small bowlful before handing it to Charlotte.
A strong smell of alcohol wafted up, and just by smelling it, one could tell it was spicy and strong.
"What is this made of?" Charlotte asked, looking at the slightly yellowish liquid.
"This is called 'Knife.' It's produced in the mining area of my hometown. It's made from a tuber called Seven-Leaf Gourd. It cuts like a knife going down your throat.
Most people can't drink it. Even those who claim to have a good tolerance for alcohol will be knocked out after a bowlful.
The strength is there, but the taste and flavor are lacking. So, usually only the poor workers in the mine like to drink it. Drinking it warms up your whole body."
Harry took a flint from the nearby shelf, struck it lightly, and sparks flew, igniting the flame in the bowl. The alcohol in the bowl began to burn.
Charlotte's eyes lit up. This was a good thing. The alcohol content was not low. Suppressing his excitement, he casually asked, "It looks good. How much for this cask?"
"If you want it, I can give it to you for five hundred copper coins. The price of this stuff isn't expensive. It's brought over from my hometown, and transportation costs are the biggest expense."
"Okay, I'll take it." Charlotte nodded. This cask should weigh at least a hundred pounds, and the price of five hundred copper coins was not expensive.
In addition, Charlotte also purchased materials worth thirty thousand copper coins, all used for refining cleansing, and hemostatic potions.
The popularity of first aid kits also meant that a large amount of refining materials were being consumed. Every time he purchased materials, it made him feel a pinch.
"Don't rush off. I'll arrange for a cart to deliver the goods to you. You can just hitch a ride." Harry asked the warehouse boy to arrange for the delivery of the goods and said to Charlotte.
Charlotte didn't refuse either. Taking a ride in a cart would be more comfortable than walking back.
While waiting for the materials to be loaded onto the cart, Charlotte also found two iron barrels from Harry's shelves. After making some modifications, he could use them as distillation devices.
With a little processing of this high-concentration Knife alcohol, he would have ethanol, which was much faster than trying to obtain it bit by bit on his own.