I'm a proper student; I only take nine kinds of potions every day.

Chapter 237 With great power comes great responsibility (Seeking monthly votes)

After hearing Armitage's explanation, Ivan was taken aback: "You know the current location of my ancestor?"

Armitage nodded: "She now lives in Arkham, in a rather old building."

"A student from the University of Michigan lived there for a while before, and then died."

The doctor's voice was quite calm, as if the death of a University of Michigan student living in the home of a high-ranking person was a common occurrence!

Then the old man continued, "Don't think of your ancestor as something terrifying or powerful."

"No matter how scary they are, they're just a superior at my level."

"Your future achievements will definitely surpass hers!"

Evan confidently pointed out the window: "Grandma?! Hmph! I'll make sure she doesn't leave alive!"

Armitage laughed heartily: "Yes! That's the spirit!"

After the two finished talking, Ivan withdrew the Fog Brain Plague, and Parker immediately snapped out of his daze.

Then he saw an old man who looked incredibly reliable, looking at him with a kind expression.

Then, after glancing at Evan, who looked like a student to the side, Parker instantly filled in the blanks in his mind.

This is a highly skilled senior professor!

"Doctor! Doctor, I—"

Armitage smiled and patted Parker on the shoulder, speaking with a reliability and composure that only someone his age and tone could convey.

"Mr. Parker, your nephew Arkham told me about your current situation."

"Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with your body. Your mental state may have been affected by the recent dramatic changes."

"Perhaps it's the expectations your fellow workers have for you, or perhaps it's the immense pressure you face when dealing with the police."

"This has given you some unrealistic hallucinations. How are you feeling now?"

After listening to the words of this seemingly reliable old man, Parker touched his chest and found that he was no longer coughing as violently as before.

And it seemed that after this period of unconsciousness, my muddled mind gradually returned to normal!

More importantly, the sensory experience of suddenly receiving a large amount of information seems to have returned to normal.

Although he still felt that his senses had become very sharp, he was now able to control them to some extent.

This made Parker even more convinced that it was the old doctor's miraculous healing skills that saved his life!

This change was certainly not due to any influence of Ivan or Armitage on his body.

However, as time went on, Parker's body gradually accepted this new instinct.

"My God! I feel so much better!"

"I've stopped coughing! The hearing in my ears has also improved a lot! And I feel much better!"

Armitage said with a kind smile, "You have a good nephew. When Arkham brought you here, he gave you detailed pre-arrival care."

"After you got here, I gave you some calming medication and then let you get a good night's sleep."

Upon hearing this, Parker first thanked Armitage, then gratefully said to Ivan, "Thank you, Arkham!"

"You're simply my savior!"

Parker was incredibly grateful and happy.

Nothing much happened after that. The two had a meal together and then headed to Union Station in New Haven.

Only now did Parker realize that Evan had actually brought him all the way from Bolton to New Haven in order to save him!

This made Parker even more grateful to Ivan.

But he didn't say it, because he knew that this level of gratitude was beyond words.

In the afternoon, the two walked on the road to the station.

Parker's leather shoes squeaked on the snow as he keenly observed his surroundings.

His eyes can see facial expressions from over a hundred meters away.

With keen ears, he could clearly hear two people talking in hushed tones forty meters away.

Previously affected by age and the effects of smoking and drinking, his body is now full of energy, and he takes every step firmly and powerfully.

Taking a deep breath of cold air, I didn't feel choked and cough repeatedly like before. Instead, my lungs were filled with a cool and refreshing feeling.

I raised my hand and touched my nose. The rosacea caused by drinking had completely disappeared.

Even my previously rough and loose skin has become much firmer.

The newsboy's voice, puffing out white breath, calling out his wares on the street corner; the somber tolling of church bells in the distance; the rustling sound of snow falling on the eaves—

All of this flooded into his senses with unprecedented clarity, making him feel as if he were seeing the true face of the world for the first time.

"Evan—what medicine did Dr. Armitage just give me? I feel better than ever before!"

Parker is now brimming with confidence, as if he has been given a second life and has entered a completely new world.

Ivan chuckled and patted Parker on the shoulder: "The doctor said that due to overwork, your mind has entered a state of hyperactivity, causing confusion between your mental state and your physical sensations."

"After you took some medicine, the brain regained control over your body."

"The doctor also said that this situation may unleash your potential and make you more powerful."

Parker listened and nodded thoughtfully, then grinned.

"Arkham! I've made up my mind!"

With great power comes great responsibility.

"I now have a brand new life and a strong body, and I should not let down my coworkers' trust and expectations."

Parker clenched his fist, his face resolute: "I shouldn't stand by and watch them continue to be exploited and suffer injustice!"

Upon hearing Parker's words, Ivan turned to look at him in surprise.

"Uncle Parker, why did you suddenly make this decision!?"

Parker sighed, patted Ivan on the shoulder, and said, "You're still young, you don't understand."

"People become very afraid of death as they get older, and they have many worries. When they are about to die, many things will flash through their minds."

As he spoke, Parker looked at the pristine white streetscape ahead, his usually somewhat cloudy eyes now appearing sharp and profound.

"The last time I was on the verge of death, I thought of my wife and children."

"Since then, I have given up drinking, and I feel so happy. That decision was so right."

"And this time, when I was gripped by terror and felt like I was going to die, what lingered in my mind were the burning flames in the eyes of my brothers and fellow workers."

"Seeing those looks in my eyes, I suddenly felt calm and an indescribable sense of pride."

"This is the proudest moment in my 45 years of unremarkable life!"

"Before I die, I will leave my mark and my reputation!"

"I'm no longer that insignificant foreman whose death would only cause my family grief!!"

As the voice reached this point, Parker's tone became noticeably more impassioned, and he couldn't help but clench his fists.

"I have a gut feeling that, besides your crucial rescue, what kept me going this time was the trust of these brothers and fellow workers!"

"I don't want to betray their trust!"

Upon hearing these words, Ivan warned, "This is not a smooth road. You will inevitably encounter many dangers and suppressions in the future, and even threats to your life."

Parker grinned and said, "Of course I'm not stupid, I already have other plans!"

Ivan looked at Parker's condition and thought to himself.

"This sudden change in mindset, besides being due to two near-death experiences, should also be influenced by some professional factors —"

"It seems that the profession came first and the side effects followed, but rather the side effects and the effects of the profession appeared simultaneously."

The two chatted together as they boarded the train and returned to Bolton at 8:30 p.m.

As they were saying goodbye, Ivan asked curiously, "Was the boss you had tea with last time the same one?"

When Ivan treated Parker last time, a young man who coveted Parker's position called over a well-dressed middle-aged man.

The man, whom Parker referred to as Manager Mike.

Parker nodded and said, "Yeah, it's Manager Mike. What, you feel there's something wrong with him?"

Ivan stroked his chin and said, "Your condition might be related to the cup of tea he gave you. I'm going to investigate that later."

"Go back and let your aunt know you're safe. You won't be involved in anything that happens afterward."

Parker now vaguely sensed that Ivan had a rather special relationship and ability. He patted Ivan on the shoulder, said "Take care," and quickly disappeared into the snowy night.

Evan took the tram and returned to his home on Guding Street.

Today is January 1, 1911, which is a Sunday.

He took a large piece of rust from under the bed and fed it to the Shadow Cloak.

The cloak, which seemed to have its own life, immediately and impatiently crawled over.

Encased within the rusty bronze containing most of Ivan's face and skull, it continued to emit a series of grating and chilling friction and chewing sounds, just as before.

After the absorption was complete, the Shadow Cloak stood upright as always.

The entire cloak exuded an indescribable state of excitement.

But this time, Ivan discovered that some brass-colored patterns had appeared on the previously pure black cloak.

These patterns form unique designs that gradually spread upwards from the bottom edge of the cloak.

"As expected! By consuming my rust, this thing can indeed evolve in this direction."

Ivan nodded in satisfaction.

The golden cat glanced at the creature standing there, then immediately lowered its body, crept over stealthily, and raised its tiny paws as it got closer—

Instinctively, it unleashed a lightning cat punch at the cloak.

Snapped!

A crisp sound rang out, but the cloak seemed to remain immersed in its reverie, showing no reaction whatsoever.

Seeing that the thing posed no threat, the golden thing lazily stretched its body and climbed up Ivan's clothes to his shoulder.

Evan rubbed his face against the golden beard, then tucked it behind his back and placed it into his rectum.

After a while, the cloak seemed to come to its senses, and its whole body, as if it had taken off many times, lay exhausted on the ground and crawled up Ivan's trouser leg.

"Rust may be good, but don't overindulge!"

Evan grinned, casually draped his cloak over his shoulders, grabbed his cane with a flick of his wrist, and looked at himself in the mirror.

He wore a newsboy cap with alternating dark red and dark blue stripes, a sharp three-piece suit, a silky velvet cape over his shoulders, and a cane in his hand that felt like high-quality ash wood.

Looking at his current attire, Evan felt somewhat dazed.

I remember more than two months ago, my arms were covered with red spots from secondary syphilis when I looked in the mirror.

He was dressed in patched, tattered secondhand clothes, his face was deathly pale, his eyes were sunken, and he looked as if he had crawled out of a coffin.

Now, he is tall and slender with a healthy and handsome appearance.

He wore a four-dollar newsboy cap on his head, paired with a well-fitting suit worth fifty-two dollars.

The cloak, which looks like a luxurious velvet cape, is a level four magic artifact; the gray-white staff in his hand is a sacred artifact from the Holy Son!

"Oh? A shawl, a cane—"

"Isn't this the standard look for a respectable middle-class man these days?!"

As he spoke, he carefully examined himself in the mirror.

His jet-black hair was shiny and had a texture as hard as steel.

Her fair face had sharp, defined features, complemented by jet-black eyes and thick eyebrows—

If you could remove that innocent and naive quality, he would definitely be considered a cool and handsome guy.

"Tsk tsk—without realizing it, I've become this handsome!?"

"No wonder my senior sister was so captivated by me so quickly!"

Ivan's face was full of smugness. He stroked his chin with his fingers and, finally, mimicking those important figures, shook his cane.

pat!

The washroom was too small, and the cane was a full ninety centimeters long.

As the sturdy holy artifact was swung, it punched a hole in the wall next to it.

"Holy crap! My wall!!"

After his attempt to show off failed, Ivan looked pained and quickly left home for the docks.

Despite the heavy snowfall, the dock remained bustling at this time of day, with the dim glow of kerosene lamps combined with the electric lights in the central area, making the place brightly lit.

The dockworkers walking back and forth were not dressed in many clothes, some pushing carts and others carrying bags, and each of them was radiating heat.

Wearing a shadow cloak, Ivan strode across the dock, completely out of the sight of the dockworkers around him.

He arrived at Bryce Transportation Company with practiced ease, where the lobby was bustling with foremen, supervisors, and accountants—

Everyone was busy amidst the hustle and bustle.

Ivan walked past them with ease and grace, making no sound as he descended the muddy stairs to the second floor.

"Found it!"

P.S.: Monthly passes are incredibly useful; they can even be used to repair walls!

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