My attributes are increasing infinitely Chapter 462: The ingredients for the pills arrived

Previously on My attributes are increasing infinitely...
Ethan encounters a passerby who praises the new mayor for swiftly restoring peace to the once-troubled city, sparking his curiosity about the leader's background. Returning to the slum, he obtains recipes from Yumiko for drugs treating humanity's incurable diseases and instructs Drek to gather ingredients while secretly investigating the mayor. The next day, with his physique and spirit surpassing 1.6 tonnes, Ethan reunites with the shocked James, reveals his takeover of the gang, and proposes crafting ancient pills for James's wealthy hidden family in exchange for resources, leaving James skeptical yet intrigued enough to procure the necessary materials.

Within the utter void, absent of both space and time, two beings persisted. Devoid of any bodily shapes, they consisted solely of raw awareness interwoven like filaments in a celestial network. Their aura was immense, and their perception grazed the core structure of existence itself.

"That anomaly is still growing too fast," one declared. Its tone remained steady, manifesting as a wavy vibration that echoed from all places and none simultaneously.

"I tried to probe his existence and untangle the threads of what he is, but I can’t see through whatever veil is hiding him. His core is a complete mystery. That’s the fundamental problem with anomalies. They break the very laws that make us what we are."

A prolonged, contemplative quietude lingered between the pair.

"Do you think his power might be connected to that world? The one our master came from?" the other entity inquired.

"I don’t have a definite answer," the first conceded. A ripple of doubt coursed through its expansive mind. "But it’s possible. The fact that even we can’t perceive his true nature suggests a connection to something equally deep and incomprehensible. Our master’s world was exactly that. It was impossible to understand."

The second being throbbed with subdued mirth. "Are you suggesting we reach out to him? Maybe we could send him to that world and see if he can become stronger there too?"

"No. We shouldn’t rush," the first stated decisively, yet with restraint. "Being impulsive is the enemy of understanding. We should keep watching. We’ll expose him to stronger and stronger worlds, each one a test designed to push his limits. If he survives, if he grows and meets our expectations, then and only then will we approach him."

The second entity appeared to grin, a faint alteration in ethereal vibrations. "You’ve wanted to approach him from the very beginning. This was always your plan."

"Yeah," the first affirmed. Its tone now held an ancient, profound yearning. "I need to understand the world our master came from. I want to see that unimaginable source of physical power, a force so strong that even we, beings who wielded law strands on a primordial scale, can’t compare to its might. It’s a mystery I must unravel."

"Then it’s settled," the second concurred, easing into vigilant observation. "For now, we just observe. We’ll watch and we’ll wait."

---

"Sir, this is the complete list of corrupt officials in the country," Drek stated. His tone was strained, burdened by his perceived shortcomings, as he extended the dossier to Ethan.

"We put together detailed files on their activities, their networks, and the money they’ve stolen. But we couldn’t crack the main information web, the inner circle where the really powerful players operate. These ones here though, they’re still deeply and dangerously corrupt."

Ethan accepted the file deliberately and began examining it. He opened the cover and skimmed the contents at a blistering pace, devouring names, faces, and proofs like a device ingesting information. He offered a subtle, barely noticeable nod.

"You did well," he remarked in a composed, level voice. No overt commendation, no rebuke. He shut the file and directed his piercing stare at Drek. "What did you find on the mayor’s background? Anything useful?"

Drek’s posture sagged even more. He inclined his head in deep apology. "No, sir. I’m really sorry. His background information is sealed behind almost impenetrable security. It’s like a fortress of confidentiality. I couldn’t find a single weak point."

Ethan gestured casually to brush it off. His face remained unchanged. "It doesn’t matter. Don’t dwell on it." He halted briefly, his eyes sharpening a touch. "What about the ingredients I asked for? Any progress on that list?"

Drek recoiled inwardly, recalling his setback. "I only found information on about ten percent of those ingredients, sir," he admitted, his voice sinking further. "The rest are either classified way beyond my reach, or they’re so rare and obscure that they only exist in rumors and legends. Nobody seems to actually know anything about them."

Ethan absorbed the news. A brief crease formed on his forehead as he pondered, then relaxed once more. "I understand," he murmured softly. "Don’t worry about it anymore." He redirected his attention. "Have the leaders started training like I told them to?"

A spark of genuine pride flashed across Drek’s features. He stood a bit taller. "Yes, sir. They’re training with an intensity I’ve never seen before. They’re pushing themselves like their lives depend on every repetition, every brutal hour. I’ve joined them too, sir. I’m pushing just as hard."

"Good," Ethan responded. A single word, yet it conveyed unmistakable endorsement.

Without further speech, he pivoted and continued along the hallway, leaving Drek rooted in place.

"I need to make the medicine myself soon", Ethan mused inwardly, his thoughts already plotting the upcoming actions.

"To do that, I have to find the ingredients myself. That’s going to take a lot of capital, a massive continuous flow of money. But that can wait. First, I’ll see what James can get. His family’s resources should work way better than Drek’s street-level network.

"Sir, please wait!"

Drek’s pressing call resounded through the passage. Ethan halted abruptly and rotated exactly toward his underling.

"What’s wrong?" he queried steadily.

Drek rushed ahead, his countenance marked by concern. "Sir, an emissary from the Harold family is scheduled to visit us tonight. What are your orders? How should we handle this?"

Ethan’s mouth formed a slim, controlled smirk. "They finally noticed that something, eh? They’ve sensed something’s wrong with their puppet organization." He motioned lightly to dismiss it. "It’s not important. Let them come. I’ll meet with them personally."

A clear surge of ease swept over Drek. His frame loosened entirely. He was fully aware of the Harold family’s prowess. They formed the shadowy force directing the Black Bull Gang, a multi-headed beast composed of minor syndicates spanning various cities.

The family’s head was a elite military figure, wielding substantial national sway. The clan also operated a commercial juggernaut, boasting assets worth hundreds of millions without effort. Under ordinary circumstances, they were foes not to be underestimated.

Yet Drek had witnessed Ethan’s feats. At that instant, any dread toward the Harold family paled against his unwavering trust in his leader.

Ethan had silently resolved with cold determination. Should the Harold family prove a hindrance, if they presumed to contest his control, he wouldn’t merely sideline them. He would dismantle their whole framework, seize their enormous fortune, and integrate their influence into his expanding realm. They’d end up as mere fodder for his ascent.

The setting sun spilled vivid hues of orange and scarlet over the heavens, as James made his way back. He bore a custom container, crafted from fabric interlaced with metal filaments and padded with an odd barrier material crafted to safeguard the unstable nature of its cargo.

Ethan, positioned near the pane, detected James’s nearing presence prior to his entry into the structure. A true grin played on his features, as his enhanced awareness already discerned precisely the contents of that satchel.

James marched into the chamber, his look blending intrigue and eagerness. He skipped straight to the point. "Ethan, I have acquired the ingredients you requested, the ones that were written on your list. Now, let us see what you are truly capable of. Let us see whether your claims will hold any water."