Ben picked up the RC cell injection from the briefcase, turned it over a few times, and asked, "How do you use this thing?"
"Just stab it into your kidney and inject it," Franke explained. Then, after a brief hesitation, added, "But I've never actually seen anyone use it myself. You'd better not try it lightly."
"Afraid I'll eat you or something?" Ben grinned.
But in truth, even without Franke's warning, Ben wasn't planning to inject it. Maybe before he ate the Dark-Dark Fruit, he might have considered it—but now, with more power at his fingertips, there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
That said, the injection wasn't entirely worthless. He could bring it to the pirate world and find someone else to test it on. If the effects turned out to be solid and the side effects manageable, then maybe it'd be worth revisiting.
After putting the injector back into the case, Ben casually asked, "How many more of these do you have?"
"How many? You think this is some common street drug? This is a stable supernatural enhancement from another world! Sure, there might be some side effects, but on the black market, there are plenty of people willing to gamble on that," Franke replied, clearly thinking Ben was joking.
To be fair, Franke had a point. Even if the serum had side effects like cannibalism, there were always desperate types who would still go for it.
Ben didn't respond, just tapped the ash from his cigar and asked again, "So… how many?"
Franke sighed. "Three. Want 'em?"
"How much?" Ben asked.
"Ahem… I paid a high price for these myself. I won't even mark them up. 800,000 per shot," Franke said with a smile, rubbing his hands together.
"Alright. Including the one you just said you'd 'gift' me, that's three shots for 1.6 million pesos. Deal!" Ben said without hesitation.
Franke blinked. Then cried out, "Pesos? I said Imperial silver coins! Not pesos!"
"There's no silver coinage in this dump. And even if there was, you think folks like us would have access to that many?" Ben said with a shrug, playing the rascal.
Speaking of pesos and silver coins, it's worth explaining the empire's situation.
This continent once housed two mighty empires—Sodis in the west, and Cerys in the east. Both had centuries of history. But over 300 years ago, Sodis was rocked by a brutal civil war among its royal factions. Cerys took advantage, stirring the pot behind the scenes and dragging the conflict out across generations—lasting over 60 years.
That long, bloody period drained Sodis to the brink of collapse. Sensing the opportunity, the Cerys Empire launched a full-scale war. After more than two decades of fighting, Sodis was practically shattered.
Half its territory was conquered. The remaining land splintered into various "kingdoms" and "duchies." And just like that, only one true empire remained on the continent—Cerys.
Over the past two centuries, the empire has focused on absorbing and stabilizing its newly conquered lands. As they say, conquering is easy—ruling is hard. The process was slow and costly, draining national resources.
About twenty years ago, the empire was ready to resume its western campaign and finish off the last remnants of Sodis. But just as the war resumed, interdimensional gates began appearing all over the world. Chaos erupted. The empire, unable to maintain focus, had to abandon its near-victory.
Since then, the war effort has transformed. Instead of being led entirely by the Imperial Army, the empire launched the "Westward Expansion Movement"—a state-sanctioned push that encouraged private individuals and factions to advance into the western territories.
Those who performed well were rewarded with titles, land, and official recognition.
It was also a clever way to redirect internal unrest—channeling ambitious or dangerous individuals westward to conquer on behalf of the empire. And it worked. Ben's current home, Newdal City, was established during this westward push.
Because Newdal is a frontline zone, far from the empire's core, order here is fragile and imperial control is weak. That's why the city is so chaotic.
Recently, another territory fell to the movement. Once that area becomes the new front, Newdal will likely shift into a supply hub, and its security should improve.
Despite the movement's success, rebellion within the empire hasn't ceased—especially in the western regions that once belonged to Sodis.
Three years ago, a mysterious figure named Tornis emerged in the west, claiming to be a noble descendant of Sodis. He gained control of an interdimensional gate and sparked the Bloody Uprising, turning many citizens into vampires and founding the so-called "Eternal Night Empire."
Most considered it a joke, and the empire quickly crushed his forces—but remnants of his vampire army still cause trouble now and then.
There have been many such cases. Which is why Ben originally thought this empire was even shakier than it looked—maybe even close to collapse.
Right now, the empire is busy suppressing rebellions while ambitious factions either resist or push the expansion westward. It's not quite on the brink of collapse, but definitely unstable.
As for the peso, it's the local currency in the westward movement zone. Since the empire loosened regulation here, it can't compare to officially minted silver or gold coins.
After some haggling, Ben bought all three doses of the RC cell serum for 2.6 million pesos—completely draining his savings without having to sell his house. Franke hadn't expected Ben to spend so much either.
After the deal, Ben asked, "The Westward Expansion made more progress recently. That means Newdal's freedom won't last long. You've got good sources—any interesting intel?"
"Intel costs extra, you know?" Franke instinctively tried to squeeze more money.
But seeing Ben casually twirl the serum vial in his hand—occasionally glancing at his kidney—Franke laughed nervously and said, "But we're friends. No need to talk about money."
He was genuinely afraid Ben might jab him with one of the syringes—especially after selling them all off.
Franke looked around carefully, making sure no one was eavesdropping. Then he leaned in and whispered, "I overheard something while working for a real noble. It's a small rumor, so don't take it as gospel…"
"What rumor?" Ben lowered his voice instinctively.
Franke whispered, "Word is, the Dragon Emperor in the imperial capital has finally lost his patience with the endless uprisings here in the west. He's planning to dispatch the Dragon Guard to crush the rebels once and for all."
"That's not like those local armies. This is serious. You know what kind of guy the Dragon Emperor is—he's the iron-fisted ruler who once wiped out an entire otherworld civilization."
Ben fell silent.
Franke added, "So Newdal's situation may be worse than you thought. When the Dragon Guard comes to suppress rebels, they might just raze this whole place on the side."
Franke looked a bit regretful. "I'm only telling you this. Chances are, we won't see each other again for a while."
"You're leaving?" Ben raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Why do you think I'm unloading all my goods? Gotta cash out fast and get out while I can. Maybe I'll come back when things calm down," Franke said honestly.
Ben clicked his tongue. "Truth is, I'm planning to leave too. The empire's way too complicated. I need to lie low and grow stronger first."
"You're leaving too?" Franke's eyes lit up. "Where? Want to team up?"
"I'm going somewhere you can't follow. Let's just part ways here. Maybe we'll meet again someday." Ben shook his head.
Their relationship wasn't deep enough for trust—especially not to share real secrets.
That's right. Ben had decided to escape into the pirate world—to lay low and develop his strength there.
(End of Chapter)