Monster Cores were incredibly versatile. Whether they were used for forging enchanted weapons and staves, crafting reinforced armor, or brewing complex alchemical potions, they remained one of the most vital raw materials in the world. Regardless of their grade, they were precious, and the higher the rank of the core, the more likely it was to be a priceless treasure that money simply couldn't buy.

  "Fine. One hundred Spirit Crystals it is," Ying Xue said, waving a hand as she handed the core to Kael. Her eyes, however, looked as though she wanted to bite him.

  "Sister..."

  "Do as I say."

  Ying Feng puffed out his cheeks in annoyance but remained silent.

  "One Mend-and-Join Pill, one Qi Recovery Pill, and one Healing Pill," Ying Xue said, picking her selections from the shelves. She didn't consider the other buff-type pills for now, except for a single Minor Intellect Pill. In truth, many Mages already knew basic buffing spells, which was why she hadn't paid much attention to the others.

  "Thank you for your patronage. Please come again," Kael said tonelessly, dropping the Monster Core into the collection box and offering the standard customer service pleasantries.

  Ying Feng shot Kael a glare, wanting nothing more than to snap back that he’d never return. But the words died in his throat.

  [System: Congratulations, Host. You have completed the hidden upgrade quest: 'Acquire a Return Customer.']

  "Wait, what?" Kael froze, staring at the retreating figures as they vanished from sight.

  [System: The Shopkeeper System will undergo an upgrade tonight. Host, please be prepared.]

  This time, Kael heard it loud and clear. An upgrade!

  "Those siblings really are my lucky charms," Kael thought happily. He whistled a tune and glanced down at the collection box, only to find that it once again contained nothing but a measly hundred gold coins. His mood soured instantly.

  "Boss! Boss! I need to buy some pills!"

  A young man burst into the shop with three others in tow. Kael straightened his back and looked at the four newcomers with his trademark deadpan expression. They were none other than Ke Minglang and his team, freshly returned from the Cloud Mist Forest.

  Recalling the miraculous effects of the pills the Ying siblings had taken, Ke Minglang was consumed by regret. This time, no matter the cost, he was determined to stock up for emergencies.

  "Oh, it's you," Kael said flatly.

  "It’s me, it’s me! Boss, those pills of yours... they really are incredible!" Ke Minglang said with a wide, fawning smile. Though he was a scion of a major family, Cloud Mist City was a border town of the Aetheron Empire. No matter how much influence his family held, their reach was limited here.

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  "They are indeed good," Kael nodded.

  "So..."

  "Look at the shelves for what you want. This is a small business; no haggling," Kael said, cutting him off before he could start.

  "Boss, I’m planning to buy a lot this time. Can't you give me a small discount?" Ke Minglang tried to play the "big spender" card.

  "No," Kael refused slowly. He looked Ke Minglang in the eye and added with a pointed, deliberate drawl, "After all... this is a 'blackhearted shop,' isn't it?"

  Ke Minglang’s words choked in his throat. He had been the one to shout that insult earlier. Remembering his own behavior, he felt like slapping himself.

  "How could it be? Boss, I was wrong before. You’re a big man; surely you won't hold a grudge over a little misunderstanding?" Ke Minglang laughed awkwardly, trying to bridge the gap.

  "If I held a grudge, I wouldn't have let you through the door today," Kael said, glancing at him.

  "I..." Ke Minglang gritted his teeth, taking a moment to compose himself. "Fine, original price it is."

  In reality, though he was a noble scion, Ke Minglang wasn't a spoiled brat; he took no pleasure in bullying others with his status.

  "Go get the pills," he sighed, walking over to the shelves. "Boss, do you have new types in stock?"

  "Eighty Spirit Crystals?! What kind of pill is this?"

  Since they were paying customers, Kael patiently explained the effects of the new inventory.

  "Three Minor Strength Pills, two Minor Wind-Speed Pills, four Healing Pills, and one Mend-and-Join Pill."

  The group quickly made their selections. Since their team lacked a Mage, buff-type pills were an absolute necessity for them.

  "That will be one hundred and seventy Spirit Crystals."

  "Everyone, get your purses out!" Ke Minglang barked at his teammates. He didn't carry that much cash on him either. His allies were also sons of noble houses; though they didn't have much individually, they managed to scrape together the 170 crystals.

  "It’s just a shame that Lotte won't be coming back from the forest," Ke Minglang muttered as he took the pills, a flash of sorrow crossing his face for their fallen comrade. The Freshman Trials were brutal, and the sudden appearance of the Darkcloud Spotted Tiger had been an unforeseen disaster.

  "But why would a beast from the forest depths show up in the outer perimeter?" Ke Minglang frowned, looking at the pills in his hand. "Brothers, what do you say we head back into the Cloud Mist Forest and finish this trial with a perfect score?"

  "Absolutely!"

  Ke Minglang’s group was the last of the day. Once the shop was closed for the night, the System’s voice finally rang out.

  [System: Shopkeeper System upgrade complete. Shopkeeper Level has increased. The Host's commission has been raised to 5%.]

  [System: Level 1 Combat Training Room is now open. Reward: One 'Supply Channel Draw' has been granted.]

  "A Training Room? What’s that?" Kael asked, following his habit of seeking clarification whenever he was confused.

  [System: The Combat Training Room can open a 'Trial Dimension' where users can undergo 'Trial Battles' to obtain 'Trial Marks.' A Level 1 Training Room allows for the 'Trial of the Brave.']

  "What?! It can facilitate Trial Battles?!" Kael’s eyes widened in shock.

  In this world, every rank up required a Trial Battle. One had to succeed in the challenge to obtain a Trial Mark before they could continue to level up. However, these battles weren't something one could do on a whim. They required entry into a Trial Dimension, which could only be opened by hunting rare "Exotic Beasts" to collect the Crystals within their bodies.

  Furthermore, once a person left the dimension—regardless of success—the dimension would collapse and the crystal would shatter.

  These "Exotic Beasts" were not ordinary magical beasts. They were extremely rare and condensed Crystals instead of Monster Cores. These were divided into Trial Crystals and Skill Crystals.

  Trial Crystals were used to open the dimensions. Skill Crystals were even rarer; they were used to slot into one's Trial Mark to manifest as a "Skill." Unlike Combat Techniques or Magic, a "Skill" was a power empowered by the very Laws of the World.