Chapter 24: Potion and skill
When Hector finished making the potion he took a few breaths before taking the cauldron into his hands.
Then he started to drink it in big gulps.
He felt as a lukewarm liquid that was boiling flowed through his mount to his stomach leaving a sweet aftertaste. When the potion entered his stomach he could feel it starting to infuse through his stomach lining to the rest of his body.
Then he felt his blood slowing down and a cold sensation overtook his mind. As if he poured a bucket of ice water on himself.
His body started to shake as he could feel his arms and legs elongated, his nails prolonging into the claws, and his mouth splitting open. But then it stopped and he felt a new sensation.
Feeling of freedom overtook him, as he no longer was held back by the weight of conscience. He was free to follow his desires and impulses no matter how deprived, cruel, or evil, but then he remembered his convictions and his chosen purpose. He was able to focus his mind and he saw his body being on verge of transforming into that of a monster.
He saw as his body was returning to its normal state, and his face flushed red.
Then he felt like his spirit and mind were extracted while the potion was fusing with himself drop by drop as it stabbed into his cells and psyche.
Hector's eyes started to return to normal color and after some time had passed, his mind reflected his figure.
He grew taller and his nails became harder and sharper but still looked normal. The color of his eyes became deeper and his teeth became slightly sharper.
At that moment he knew that his advancement was successful. He became Sequence 8 Unwinged Angel.
Hector started to familiarize himself with changes in his body, and to find the core powers that were given by the potion.
When he moved he felt stronger, after he punched forward he heard the crisp sound of his fist breaking the air.
After a few more attempts he felt that his body went through a change, becoming stronger and more durable. From what he remembered his body should also become more inhuman. But there were only minor changes his teeth still looked normal even if sharper, and his nails were harder but by the look there were normal, and his height was the biggest indication of the change. Now he was around 182cm.
But there were other changes, and those were much more important as they influence his mind.
His thinking was clearer unburdened by guilt. He still felt happiness, sadness, and anger so he was content.
"Who needs guilt when they have so much to achieve? It is only a burden that can cloud our judgment in important moments of our lives."
And it was not all, he also felt a wave of knowledge entering his mind. He knew how what they were and how to use them. He was overjoyed that finally he has some special powers, strength and knowledge are cool but special powers are just so much more.
He then raised his hand and an explosion of poisonous flames came from his palm.
"So I can conjure poisonous flames, pity that I can not launch a poisonous fireball yet, but still this will come in use in close combat. And I can also use a weaker corruptive curse with the touch of my hand. Ordinary humans should not be able to resist the curse."
Hector could not stay at home and try them in secret. He needed to experience them in combat, for battle is the best teacher.
When he prepared his weapons and clothes he left for the East borough.
While he walked he thought about how he wanted to take a break from there. But now he is returning not even weak later. He did plan to return after becoming sequence 8 but still, he thought it would take longer.
When he came to the East borough he had hidden his suitcase with his ordinary clothes in one of the alleys and put clothes that were more appropriate for fighting, there was looser so they didn't hinder his movement. Then he took a black leather coat on himself. After then he had hidden suitcase and walked out of the alley
"So where should I start?" He thought as he walked the street in Street rat's territory. He knew that they are on edge from his previous actions, so there should be no problem finding someone to break.
"You need to pay a fare for using this street boy. There are many unsavory people here, and because I'm a generous person it will be only one soli." Hector could hear a man's voice from the street on his right. He became curious so he followed its source.
"One soli!? That's too much, I don't have much money." Then Hector could hear a different voice belonging to someone much younger.
When he entered the street he could see middle age man standing in the middle talking to a boy who was by Hector's guess around 16 or 17.
"Well then, you will not pass this street. Do you think our protection is free? Do you think that we don't need to eat and sleep?" The man smirked with a crooked smile.
"B-But one soli is too much?" The boy looked upset at the man.
'Let's test my strength first.' Hector decided and started to walk towards the man.
When he got closer the boy saw him and when their eyes meet the boy automatically took a step back. He saw something in his eyes that made him experience a feeling of dread.
After that, the man too saw Hector coming closer, and started to speak "Ah, good day sir. Fare for passing this street is only... " Man could not finish before Hector punched him in the face, the boy could hear the cracking sound of breaking bone.
When the man fell to the ground he looked at the boy "Do not move!"
Hector didn't feel like chasing him as he had a few questions for him. Then he smiled and continued "Now you can pass for free."
The boy felt terrified and even more so when Hector took him by the shoulder and dragged him to the alley. He thought he will get killed, but then he heard questions.
The man before him asked about the Street rats gang and their recent actions.
He didn't dare to lie so he told him everything he knew. How there are rumors of new gangs attacking their people, and Street rats started to be more violent and take their frustration on the people. Barging to their homes with the reason of looking for any clues.
"What is your name boy." Man asked him
"Conor sir, my name is Conor." He answered still shaking as he didn't know what will happen next.
"Let's go Conor I will take you home." He heard man speak. Conor felt a chill run down his spine and was overwhelmed by a strong desire to run away but then he felt a raising force on his shoulder, the man before him was still holding him.
After a few moments of deliberation, Conor started to walk in the direction of his home while the man stood at his side.
He thought about guiding him to a false place but when he looked into the man's eyes he didn't dare to try.
When he finally stood before his home he took out the key and unlocked the door.
"Now that will be enough, you see I have a proposition for you." Conor heard man speak.
"I want you to gather information on the comings and goings of Street rats and people's opinions on them. And if you will do a good job I will compensate you quite handsomely." He saw the mand take out 10 soli and put them in his hand.
Conor became speechless, he never saw so much money in his life. But then his logic kicked in and he wanted to say no, but then he thought about what happened not too long ago to that gangster.
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After finishing the final detail of their deal Hector left Conor alone. He was satisfied that he now has an informant in the East borough, and hopefully he will do a good job. He will meet him next week and speak about all that he found out.
"Now it is time to test my abilities. I wonder how much it will take to cook someone's head with poisonous flames before they turn to charcoal.
"It is time to test my barbecue skills on gangsters." Hector said with a smile.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone