Chapter 82: Prototype Injector
"Sir, you called?" Dexter asked, putting on a deferential smile.
Aiden was waiting for him outside the workshop, along with James. The two seemed to be engrossed in a conversation and hadn’t noticed Dexter first.
Dexter was a bit surprised when he saw Aiden standing there in nothing but gray sweatpants. He had always thought Aiden was a sophisticated man, but it seemed he didn’t care much about appearances.
No wonder Lady Karina fell for him. That body, coupled with his charm, would attract any woman.
Suddenly, Dexter felt bad for the people who were in relationships and were living in the apartment. Perhaps it was a good thing access to the fifteenth floor was restricted, or there would be a shortage of green hats.
"Good, you’re here. Come inside for a moment," Aiden said, walking into the workshop.
James followed suit, excitedly rubbing his hands together. Dexter followed them in, only to see a man wearing a lab coat there. Other than that, there was also a little girl running around with a toy hammer.
"This is Jewell Whitfield," Aiden introduced the doctor. "You might have seen him in the medicare center. Jewell, this is Dexter, leader of the enforcers."
Dexter nodded, even though that wasn’t the case. He had only seen Jewell back in the slum once or twice. As for meeting him in the medicare center, that hadn’t happened yet because he was yet to get injured or need treatment.
"A pleasure," Jewell smiled politely.
After a quick introduction, Aiden got to the point.
"James and Jewell have collaborated to create something useful, and I would like you to be the first recipient of it."
As soon as he said that, James hurried over to a workbench and grabbed an injector. Aiden took it and showed it to Dexter.
"This is a muscle enhancer made in collaboration with our team and Mr. Irwin," Jewell explained. "Theoretically, the injector should permanently enhance anyone’s muscle growth—"
"In simple words, it will enhance your attributes," Aiden cut the explanation short. "It should improve your strength, agility, and endurance. Since it is just a prototype, I assumed you should be the one to receive it. Only if you want, of course."
"Thank you so much, Sir!"
[Tenant: Dexter McCoy’s Faith rose to 21%]
Jewell, after seeing how excited Dexter got, thought they should tell him about the risks involved. After all, they hadn’t tested the injector on anyone.
They had merely informed Aiden about it so they could get a test subject. Jewell thought Aiden would get the wolves to capture a monster for them to do that.
However, he summoned Dexter instead!
"Dexter, I think—"
"Let’s proceed then," Aiden said, interrupting Jewell. "But first, show us your status panel."
"At once, Sir!"
The status panel of the pseudo system was separate from the tenancy panel that Aiden used. Hence, the layout was also different.
+++
Name: Dexter McCoy
Job: Bowman
Role: Strategist
Level: 3
Basic Attributes:
Strength: 2
Agility: 3
Constitution: 3
Perception: 6
Intelligence: 8
+++
Aiden had set the pseudo system such that the average stat of a human was five. Dexter’s stats meant he had higher perceptions and intelligence than a random folk. However, his physical attributes were low.
It kind of checked out. After all, he, like the rest of the people from the slums, had been starving for a year. It would be suspicious if they had high physical attributes.
However, his less than pleasing physical attributes were the exact reason Aiden called for him.
"Already reached level three? That’s impressive," Aiden nodded. "I was right to ask you to volunteer. Now, without any further ado, let’s get it done."
Jewell understood why Aiden was in a hurry and didn’t bother informing Dexter about the risks. After all, his duty as a doctor didn’t triumph over his need for survival, something that totally depended on Aiden’s whims.
"Sit down and roll up your sleeves," Jewell said, loading the injector gun.
Dexter did so and closed his eyes. The gun didn’t have a needle to penetrate, just a small hole at the nozzle. Jewell pressed the trigger, and Dexter felt a strange burn in his upper arm.
James and Jewell waited with bated breath. After all, it was their first product that they had shown to Aiden. Neither of them wanted it to fail, but even after waiting for five minutes, nothing happened.
"Do you feel any different?" Jewell asked, trying to get any information from him that would help him quell Aiden’s questions.
"Um... the upper arm feels a bit stiff," Dexter replied, rolling his shoulders. "Other than that... nothing much?"
"Stats page," Aiden mumbled uninterested.
It was the quickest way to see if the injector worked or not. It was also why he had Dexter check his stats prior to being injected.
"Oh, right!"
+++
Name: Dexter McCoy
Job: Bowman
Role: Strategist
Level: 3
Basic Attributes:
Strength: 3 (↑)
Agility: 4 (↑)
Constitution: 4 (↑)
Perception: 6
Intelligence: 8
+++
"I-It worked!"
James punched the air before high-fiving Jewell. The doctor, too, was amazed. The physical attributes had all increased by a single point, but it was better than nothing!
After all, their stats could only increase with physical work and training. But with the injectors, they could bypass that limit.
However, before they could enjoy it, Aiden bought another injector from the shop, as he had already registered the item when James gave it to him.
"Try another one," he said.
"Sir... we don’t know—"
Jewell was worried because even though the injector worked, they should keep Dexter under observation to see if there were any side effects.
However, Aiden had another way of testing side effects. They could just load someone up with the drug Lily accidentally created with her artefact.
Yes, Lily.
Even though James and Jewell didn’t tell him about it, Aiden knew the miraculous drug could only have been made with Lily’s involvement. The system had only confirmed his doubts upon registering it in the shop.
"Sure, Sir! Let’s try it again."
Dexter eagerly rolled up another sleeve. However, instead of injecting Dexter with it, Aiden turned to James.
"Either you do it," Aiden said, turning towards James. "Or I’ll shove the vial down your throat."
The look he gave James made the man sweat like a waterfall. He knew he had messed up.
Aiden had warned him not to make Lily use the hammer without his permission, and yet he went behind his back to do it either way.
James had thought that as long as it worked, Aiden wouldn’t punish him. Unfortunately for him, that wasn’t the case.
He didn’t care about the result if someone went against his words.