They all call me Great Master

The box contained a 10-milliliter test tube, and due to the test tube being laid flat, the volume of the liquid inside could not be read accurately; however, Arthur estimated that it contained about 5-6 milliliters.

Of course, this was not the point.

The point was the potion inside—

[Death Soldier Potion (Optimized)]!

Arthur was surprised by the [Optimized] suffix on the [Death Soldier Potion].

But what surprised Arthur even more was that at this moment, Bob radiated a fluctuation of [Spirituality].

It was a friendly, wholeheartedly submissive fluctuation, and under this oscillation, the [Death Soldier Potion (Optimized)] revealed more remarks—

[Death Soldier Potion (Optimized): During the 'Seven Years' War', Bob gradually came into prominence in Daredevil Camp. He not only won the appreciation of his superiors but also the respect of his comrades. He saved his superiors and comrades' lives more than once, especially when he took the 'Death Soldier Potion' a second time and emerged unscathed. His superior immediately appointed him captain of the first squad of Daredevil Camp. Some individuals proficient in 'Potion-making' took a great interest in Bob, hoping to obtain some of his blood. Bob cooperated fully, exchanging it for some 'Mystic Side knowledge.' In an unexpected raid, Bob also inherited a 'Potion Master's' legacy, including some basic and advanced potion formulas. But most importantly, it contained the 'Death Soldier Potion'...

After the war, Bob and a few comrades lived in North County for a while, but as his comrades passed away one by one, Bob was reminded of the pain of his mother's death, which made him choose to leave. Over the next thirty years, Bob wandered, honing his killing skills while mastering the legacy left by the 'Potion Master', making some modifications to it.

Effect: When someone under your gaze takes this potion, they will become a Death Soldier loyal to you.]

(Remark 1: Even an optimized [Death Soldier Potion] still has a risk of failure, and if it fails, the consumer will die.)

(Remark 2: The physical and psychological state of the consumer will affect the success rate of the [Death Soldier Potion].)

(Remark 3: The [Death Soldier Potion] is ineffective on those who already possess or have awakened to be a [Spiritualist].)

(Remark 4: After surviving the potion, the Death Soldier's [Physique] will greatly increase, and they will be fearless of pain, with a certain resistance to soul-affecting secret techniques.)

(Remark 5: The optimized [Death Soldier Potion] significantly reduces the impact on the lifespan of the Death Soldiers, but they remain infertile.)

...

Arthur looked at the [Death Soldier Potion (Optimized)] before him and a smile appeared on his face.

The young 'Spirit Medium' was surprised by the suffix following [Death Soldier Potion] and also surprised that Bob had become a Mystic Side Person, but Arthur was not at all surprised that Bob would offer the [Death Soldier Potion].

Arthur was quite certain that after receiving Malz's letter, the other party had already arrived in South Los.

Why not appear directly? Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

The other party was observing him.

Observing to see if he was worth appearing for.

And it was for this reason that the other party appreciated everything he did for Cotton and Nicole.

Similarly, it was also because of Cotton and Nicole that the other party chose to appear and to be candid.

Just as Malz had said, Bob was a very pure person.

In the face of such a pure person, Arthur would not conceal—

"How much does it cost to make one?"

Arthur asked directly.

"Around 500 gold coins, with a certain failure rate. In my refinement, one out of two is successful," Bob replied.

"And the success rate of consuming it?"

Arthur continued to inquire about the key point.

"If the consumer is in good enough condition, there is a one in five chance—this was the success rate during the 'Seven Years' War'!

After consuming the optimized potion, the chance is roughly between one-half and one-third, but the exact success rate still depends on the consumer's condition."

Bob stated candidly.

Arthur immediately began calculating—

A 50% success rate for the potion?

That means creating one [Death Soldier Potion (Optimized)] would cost 1000 gold coins!

Plus the success rate of consumption, calculating at one-third…

3000 gold coins!

And this was the optimized version!

If it was not optimized, it would cost 5000 gold coins each!

'No wonder with the way those nobles operate, they haven't organized a large 'Daredevil Camp'—with the wealth of Old Lion and Mother Tigress, a thousand-man team would be a breeze, but losing half of them in a battle would be something both could hardly bear, surely leaving them breathless with heartache!'

Arthur could clearly imagine the love-hate relationship those Great Nobles had with the 'Death Soldiers'.

Love, for their loyalty and ability.

Hate, a costly price.

Of course, there's the most important point—

Lifespan!

After taking the "Death Soldier Potion," one's lifespan is affected.

Power does not come from nothing!

Either possess talent or overdraw life.

The former are the minority, the latter the majority.

And the most common?

Is still mediocrity.

Whether by active choice or passive circumstance, this is the life most people lead.

After all, 5000 gold coins is an amount the vast majority in South Los will never earn in a lifetime.

And with a 5000 gold coin investment and 'the effect lasting only a few years' as a premise, even the great nobles would consider it carefully.

Similarly, when it came to Arthur, the investment was reduced to 3000 gold coins, but he also needed to consider this issue.

Therefore, Arthur was very concerned about [Remark 5], as the optimized "Death Soldier Potion" significantly reduced its impact on the potion-taker's lifespan.

By how much was it weakened?

Arthur immediately inquired this of Bob.

"Those who take the unoptimized 'Death Soldier Potion' can live at most for 5-10 years. I have taken the 'Death Soldier Potion' twice and have broken this shackle.

But I am the only one who has taken two doses of the 'Death Soldier Potion' and still survived."

No need for "Eagle Eye" or "Insight," Arthur could clearly see the memories and pain that surfaced in Bob's eyes as he spoke.

'Was the initial intent of the optimized potion for the sake of comrades-in-arms?'

Arthur speculated.

After the "Seven Years' War" ended, those soldiers who left with Bob probably also took the 'Death Soldier Potion.'

As their lives reached their end, these few soldiers might have all tried taking a second dose of the 'Death Soldier Potion,' but failed.

Arthur thought this to himself, while Bob's voice continued—

"Those who take the optimized 'Death Soldier Potion' can live for at least 25 years!"

Arthur didn't ask Bob how he came up with such precise data.

But upon learning that each 'Death Warrior' could live for over 25 years, Arthur knew his 'Miss Qiu's Security Company' could be launched.

3000 gold coins each?

Then he would start with 30!

With the 'contribution of 100k Black Gold' from Harris, Arthur was not worried about the initial construction of the 'Death Soldiers;' all of these people would become members of his Black Cat Faction.

And with coastal trade set to begin, especially with 'tax exemption' as a premise, Arthur believed the number of 'Death Warriors' under his command would surely grow steadily.

30 Death Warriors secured.

Would 3000 Death Warriors be far behind?

10000 Death Warriors is not a dream either!

A slight smile played at the corners of Arthur's mouth as he anticipated that day's arrival.

And now?

It was time to select the initial members.

The necessary criteria were to be parentless, spouseless, childless, and in good health.

None of which required Arthur's worry.

There were too many in Rat Street who met similar requirements, Wiggins could handle everything.

In fact, as soon as Bob had shown up, Fujin had already gone to notify Wiggins.

Wiggins would be able to arrive shortly.

However, before Wiggins arrived, Arthur had another matter to take care of—

Come out, my 'Bandage Swordsman'!