Back in his hotel room, Rion took a moment to savor the silence and the comfort of a safe place. He carefully laid his weapons and gear on the table, then inspected his wounds more thoroughly. The adrenaline that had kept him sharp through the mission and the negotiations was now ebbing away, leaving him feeling every ache and bruise.
The coagulant had done its job, but he still needed proper medical attention. After a quick shower, he patched himself up using the medical supplies he'd brought with him, then collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion pulling him into a deep sleep almost instantly.
Hours later, he awoke to the sunlight streaming through the thin curtains. His body protested as he moved, but the rest had done him good. He groggily sat up and checked his phone, seeing the messages confirming the transfer of funds. True to their word, the contact had doubled the payment, making it a significant sum. The down payments from Li He and Rosa had also being delivered, temporary relieving his financial issues.
He allowed himself a moment of satisfaction before getting up and starting his training routine. Maintaining his physical and mental sharpness was crucial, especially with the ambitious plans he had in mind.
He began with some basic calisthenics to loosen his muscles and get his blood flowing. The soreness from the previous day's injuries was still there, but he pushed through it, knowing that staying active would aid in his recovery. Once he was warmed up, he moved on to more intensive exercises, focusing on strength and agility.
By mid-day, he decided to take a break. He took a shower, the cold water soothing his sore muscles and grabbed a quick lunch. Then, he sat down to plan his next steps. With the funds he had received, he could afford to purchase more advanced materials for his weapons and gadgets. The blueprint for the magnetic rifle was coming along nicely and he reasoned that it would take at most 3 weeks for it to be ready.
Nice...
The first order of business was to gather the materials needed for the custom weapons. He made a mental checklist of suppliers he could visit and contacts who might have access to the rarer components.
One name stood out on his list, Zayn, a black-market dealer who specialized in high-tech and rare materials. His prices were steep, but his inventory was unmatched.
He quickly contacted Zayn, setting up a meeting for later in the evening. With that arranged, he turned his attention to another matter: finding a workshop where he could work on his projects without interruptions. His hotel room had been fine since all he did was basic maintenance, but he now, he needed a needed a private and stable place with the right tools and equipment.
He wanted to find a suitable place to live, preferably spacious enough, with a workshop and a shooting range where he could practice. He also noticed the wierd way the receptionist looked at him when he returned all bruised and battered.
Rion's thoughts turned to the city's industrial district, where abandoned warehouses and factories often provided the kind of space he needed. He pulled up a map on his laptop and began to search for properties that fit his requirements. After an hour of searching and cross-referencing with listings, he found a few potential candidates.
The first was an old auto shop on the outskirts of town. It had a large workshop area and a small office that could serve as living quarters. The second was a disused factory with ample space and heavy-duty power supplies, but it was in a rough neighborhood. The third was a spacious warehouse with a reinforced structure that would be ideal for his work and in a more secure area, though it was pricier than the others.
Rion decided to visit the warehouse first. Located in a secure area of the industrial district, it had high ceilings, plenty of natural light, and was in good condition. The attached office space was comfortable, and there was even a small kitchenette and bathroom. The only problem was the price, but Rion felt it was worth it for the security and convenience. He made a note of the contact details and moved on to the next location.
Contrary to the nice ambience of the warehouse, the factory was as rough as he had expected. The neighborhood was filled with signs of gang activity, and the building itself needed significant repairs. While the very cheap price of the space was tempting, the risks of his privacy being intruded on were too high. He quickly crossed it off his list.
He then made his way towards the auto shop. The address led him to a rundown part of town, but the shop itself had potential. The large garage area was perfect for setting up his workshop, and the office space was more than adequate for his needs.
Mos importantly, it seemed to be off the radar, which was a huge plus for him. The fewer people who knew about his operations, the better. The rent was affordable, and with some renovations, it could become a perfect base of operations.
Satisfied with his choice, he contacted the leasing agent and arranged to sign the papers the next morning. With that settled, he remembered his appointment and noticed that evening was fast approaching. Since he was close by, he made his way to the designated meeting point.
The location was a nondescript bar in a part of town where people minded their own business. As Rion entered, the murmur of conversations and the clinking of glasses created a low hum in the background. His eyes quickly scanned the dimly lit room, settling on a familiar figure lounging in a back booth, a drink in hand and a smirk playing on his lips.
"Forger, my guy," Zayn called out as Rion approached.
Rion slid into the booth opposite Zayn, noting the man's relaxed demeanor and sharp eyes that missed nothing. Zayn, a lean figure with close-cropped hair and a penchant for dark, stylish clothing, set his drink down and leaned forward.
"So, whatchu in the market for?"
Rion pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over in reply.
Zayn took the list, scanning it quickly. "I can get most of this, but it'll be costly," he remarked, raising an eyebrow.
Rion nodded, having expected as much. "I figured. What's your price?"
Zayn scratched his chin, pretending to think. "Let's see… Neodymium magnets, 1kg aluminum, tools. That's a hefty list. I'd say 10,000 kila for the lot, assuming you want the best quality."
They haggled over the prices for a while, with Rion enjoying the back-and-forth a bit too much for Zayn's taste. Eventually, they settled on a price that, while steep, was fair given the rarity of the components.
"Alright, I'll have everything ready for pickup in a few days," Zayn promised, tucking the list into his jacket pocket.
"Perfect," Rion said, standing up to leave.
Leaving the bar, he checked his watch. There was still time before he needed to return to his hotel, and Rosa's tip about the Origin techniques shop came to mind. Curiosity piqued, he decided to follow up on it.
The shop was located in the lower quarter. The area was a bustling maze of narrow streets and crowded markets, a stark contrast to the more affluent parts of the city. Following Rosa's directions, he found the shop tucked away in a dimly lit alley.
As he stepped into inside, his senses immediately became assaulted by the mix of incense and the musty scent of old paper. The shop was a treasure trove of curiosities: shelves crammed with ancient scrolls, dusty tomes, and peculiar gizmos. An old man with a grizzled beard and sharp eyes stood behind the counter, watching Rion with a keen interest.
"Welcome," the man, Malik said, his voice gravelly but warm. "What brings you to my humble establishment?"
"I'm looking for something special," Rion replied, moving closer to the counter. "
"Oh. We've got all sorts of items here; books, artifacts, supplies—"
"Origin techniques," Rion cut him off.
Malik's expression shifted instantly, the warmth replaced by a mask of confusion. "Origin techniques?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow. He shook his head, his demeanor growing more guarded. "The trade of origin techniques is highly illegal, man. I run a legitimate business here. Perhaps you're mistaken."
Rion gave him a knowing smile, one that hinted he was aware of more than he let on. "Rosa said you might have some things I'm interested in," he said, dropping the name strategically.
The old man glanced around nervously, then leaned closer to Rion. "Keep your voice down," he hissed. "Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you could bring to my shop?"
He then glanced around the shop, ensuring no one else was within earshot. "Follow me."
He led Rion through the narrow aisles, the musty scent of old paper and incense thickening with every step. They reached a small room at the back of the shop, cluttered with curiosities and lit by a single dim bulb. Malik gestured for him to sit on a worn-out leather chair while he rummaged through a drawer.
Finally, he pulled out a sleek, black tablet and handed it to Rion. "Here," he said in a soft tone. "This is a secure database of the origin techniques and components I have. Although it's not much, browse through and see if anything matches what you're looking for."
Rion took the tablet, grateful for the seat as his muscles still ached from the previous day's exertions. He began scrolling through the extensive list of items, each entry accompanied by detailed descriptions, specifications, and historical notes. Malik watched him intently, ready to answer any questions.
As he navigated the database, he noted that all the techniques were Low-grade. It didn't really surprise him as he knew the rarity of Mid-grade and above origin techniques. About fifteen minutes later, Rion had chosen the origin techniques that he wanted.
"Alright," he said, looking up at the old man. "I'll take the [Enhanced Perception] technique and the [Resilient Body] technique."
As a cultivator, there was a limit on how much origin energy he possessed. Even if he had numerous abilities, it didn't guarantee he'll be able to use all of it well.
This time, he had selected one attribute boosting technique and one attribute enhancing technique. [Enhanced Perception], the attribute boosting technique would enhance his sensory perception once activated, allowing him to detect movements and shifts in the environment with greater accuracy.
As for [Resilient Body], just like it's name suggested, it was an attribute enhancing technique that would increase his body's endurance and resilience each time it was successfully practiced.
He had chosen both techniques as they would complement his mode of combat moving forward.
Although Low-grade, the effect of [Enhanced Perception] gave him a slight edge when scouting targets and avoiding detection. If he used it conjunction with his [Combat Frenzy II], he would be able to amplify his reaction time during combat.
[Resilient Body] on the other hand would not only bolster his physical stamina and recovery time from injuries but according to the description, it also offered slight natural protection against the elements. Coupled with his body which had been forged through months of intense training, he would be able to stay in good condition even under the most challenging circumstances.
Malik nodded and began the process of transferring the data on the origin techniques to a secure device that Rion could take with him.
"One more thing," Rion said, leaning forward. "Do you have the gene solution for the [Lesser Focus] technique on hand?"
Malik's eyes lit up. "Yes, I do. It's quite common."
"Good," Rion replied. "I'd like ten sets of the gene solution for both [Lesser Focus] and [Resilient Body]."
Malik's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise at the size of the order, but he nodded. "That can be arranged. It'll take me some time to prepare everything, but I can have it ready for you by tomorrow."
"Perfect," Rion said, rising from his seat. "Could you please let me know the total cost?"
"It varies. [Enhanced Perception] is priced at 9 thousand kila, while [Resilient Body] costs 7 thousand kila. Regarding the gene solutions, the primary material for [Resilient Body] is unilateral. Do you have any preferences for the type?"
"Huh?" Rion blinked, puzzled by Malik's terminology.