Ying Feng immediately lunged forward, using his knight’s sword to pry the Monster Core from the Darkcloud Spotted Tiger’s skull. A Brave-rank core—the minimum level at which a magical beast could condense such a treasure.

  Ke Minglang and his team watched Ying Feng’s fluid, practiced movements in stunned silence. Their minds raced back to those two small porcelain vials.

  "It’s that variety shop!" Ke Minglang bellowed, leaping up from the ground. He pounded his chest in frustration, his heart heavy with a regret so profound it felt like a physical weight.

  The Shopkeeper had been telling the truth. Compared to those pills, the healing potions they were using were nothing but trash. If they had just been willing to spend a little more, how could they have ended up in such a miserable state?

  By then, the Ying siblings had secured the core and walked over to the group.

  "We thank Young Master Ke for his 'generosity.' You’re welcome to keep the tiger’s carcass," Ying Xue said, her voice laced with feigned magnanimity.

  "Exactly. If you ask me, my sister is just too kind-hearted," Ying Feng added, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

  Ke Minglang felt like he was about to spit out a mouthful of blood from sheer irritation.

  "Since our task is finished, we shall take our leave," Ying Xue said perfunctorily. She led Ying Feng away without a backward glance. The two families had never been on good terms, and she saw no reason to be polite now. While Ke Minglang had wounded the tiger first, without the Ying siblings, they would have all ended up in the beast’s stomach. The core was rightfully theirs.

  "I am such a moron," Ke Minglang hissed, slapping himself across the face in fury.

  Back at the shop, Kael was oblivious to the drama in the forest. He was currently in the warehouse, staring blankly at the reward the System had granted him.

  The water-blue bottle had a sleek texture, wrapped in high-end sky-blue plastic packaging. It was exactly what Kael had imagined!

  Mizone! (Note: A popular vitamin drink brand).

  Which low-budget knockoff manufacturer produced this?! Could you at least get the trademark right before shipping it to me?! Kael suppressed the urge to cough up blood and picked up a bottle to inspect it.

  Mizone Vitamin Functional Drink: Upon consumption, fully restores the user's stamina/energy and permanently increases the user's level. The degree of the level increase depends on the user’s current strength. No usage restrictions. (Note: The permanent level-up effect only occurs once per person.) Rank: Rare.

  It’s actually a Rare-tier item? Kael was slightly taken aback.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  He was now familiar with the System’s item hierarchy: Common, Superior, Rare, Treasure, Epic, and Legendary. He didn't know if there were ranks higher than that.

  "Good stuff," Kael mused. Although the System had installed a defense system in the shop, his personal strength would always be his most reliable asset.

  With that thought, he unscrewed the cap and chugged the bottle. A distinct aroma of wheat instantly exploded in his mouth, lingering on his palate like a haunting melody...

  "So that's why it’s called 'Wheat-Zone' (Maidong)?!" Kael nearly smashed the bottle in a fit of pique.

  But almost immediately, a violent surge of power erupted from his stomach, crashing through his limbs like a tidal wave. Kael spat out a mouthful of blood on the spot. The blood was pitch black and shimmering—a concentrated mass of the impurities that had been purged from his body.

  Level 1, Level 2... Level 5, Level 6... Level 10...

  The power didn't stabilize until it reached Level 16. The energy from the Mizone gradually calmed, melding into his flesh and bones.

  "A single bottle has such miraculous effects?" It took Kael a long time to scramble up from the floor. Feeling the surging power within him, he immediately recapped the remaining bottles with extreme care.

  In this world, despite the variety of combat classes, the fundamental energies were either Battle Qi or Mana—the divide between Warrior and Mage. However, the energy circulating through Kael’s veins felt like a hybrid of both, possessing the strengths of each while discarding their weaknesses.

  "Power feels good. Now I can actually sleep soundly," Kael muttered, clenching his fists and savoring the sensation. He was immeasurably stronger than the ordinary human he had been moments ago.

  "System, the effect of this Mizone is even more incredible than I imagined. How should I price it?"

  [System: This item was a reward. The Host may set the price freely. The System will not take a commission.]

  "There’s a first time for everything!" Kael beamed. He looked at the Mizone in his hand as if it were a literal money tree. But then his gaze fell on the empty bottle he had just finished, and his heart ached.

  "No, I have to make up for the loss of this one bottle through my other sales," he decided firmly. "This Mizone... the price will be 1,000 Spirit Crystals per bottle."

  Restoring all energy regardless of level and a permanent level-up? For that, 1,000 Spirit Crystals was an absolute steal.

  "System, top me up. I’m restocking."

  Although he only had twenty gold coins left, once he sold a single bottle of Mizone, he would be filthy rich. "Put all twenty gold coins in."

  [System: Fee deducted.]

  Kael didn't even bother looking; the gold in the box had vanished.

  "Give me two 'Ten-Pulls'!"

  Qi Recovery Pill, Minor Strength Pill, Mend-and-Join Pill, Healing Pill... Minor Wind-Speed Pill, Minor Strength Pill, Minor Intellect Pill...

  This batch of draws introduced several new varieties.

  Minor Strength Pill: Temporarily increases strength. Common.

  Minor Wind-Speed Pill: Temporarily increases speed. Common.

  Minor Intellect Pill: Temporarily increases mana potency. Common.

  Mend-and-Join Pill: Restores a small amount of vitality and mends physical injuries. Superior.

  Kael scanned the descriptions. As expected, they were basically fantasy versions of Strength, Agility, and Magic Power potions. However, the Mend-and-Join Pill gave him a pleasant surprise.

  "System, explain the difference between 'Vitality' and 'Injuries.' Aren't they the same thing?"

  [System: Host, your IQ is truly concerning.] After the customary insult, the System began to explain.

  [System: Vitality refers to your life force—your 'HP.' Injuries refer to physical damage to the body's structure.]

  Kael understood immediately. To put it simply, a wound was like a "bleeding" debuff. A standard Healing Pill only restored HP. If a man’s hand was chopped off, a Healing Pill would only heal the stump so he wouldn't bleed to death. But a Mend-and-Join Pill could actually reattach the severed hand.

  "Whoa... now that is impressive." Kael’s eyes sparkled. No wonder it was a Superior-rank pill; it was truly extraordinary.