To put it simply, if a Skill and a Magic spell produced the exact same effect and were pitted against each other, the Skill would achieve an absolute, crushing victory every time.

  It was a power that sat on a higher plane of existence than Combat Techniques or Magic. This was why those without a Mark stood no chance against those who possessed one. Every additional Mark represented an additional Skill.

  The fact that the Shopkeeper System’s newly upgraded Combat Training Room could directly open a Trial Dimension was something that should have been impossible in this world. Even if it was currently limited to the lowest-tier "Trial of the Brave," it was still a reality-shattering revelation.

  "System, I need to know: what are the requirements to use the Training Room?" Kael asked once he had calmed down. He didn't believe for a second that this stingy System would give him such a massive benefit for free.

  [System: Please do not judge the System’s noble intentions with your petty suspicions. To use the Training Room, one only needs to pay in Spirit Crystals.]

  Spirit Crystals? That was manageable.

  One had to understand that Trial Crystals were legendary items that money couldn't buy. Even a Brave-rank Trial Crystal had a value that was difficult to measure in mere currency.

  [System: Would the Host like to draw a new supply channel?]

  "Yes!"

  CLANG—!

  Another thunderous roar echoed as a massive slot machine slammed down beside Kael, nearly making his hair stand on end.

  "Could you make a little less noise next time?!" Kael nearly roared in frustration.

  [System: Host, please draw the supply channel.]

  Kael rubbed his chest, soothing his racing heart, and pulled the lever with a hard yank. The machine erupted into a frantic whirring of mechanical gears and flashing lights. He watched the icons flicker by: Weapons, Armor, Firearms, Pills, Battle Pets...

  This selection didn't seem quite as high-end as the first draw, but he watched intently as the cursor slowed to a stop.

  [System: Weapon supply channel unlocked. Based on Shopkeeper Level, 'Common' and 'Superior' Weapon Gacha Pools are now open.]

  "Weapons... that works," Kael consoled himself. Actually, it was more than just "fine"—a good weapon could provide a massive boost to one's combat effectiveness. And knowing the System’s track record, anything pulled from these pools wouldn't be ordinary.

  "Open the Weapon Gacha."

  In his mind, two altars appeared: a Common Weapon Altar and a Superior Weapon Altar. The rules were the same as the pills, except the Superior Altar guaranteed a Rare-rank weapon every ten pulls.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  However, the cost for the Superior Weapon Gacha was... 50 Gold Coins per pull!

  "Why?!" Kael demanded. The Superior pool was fifty times more expensive than the Common one!

  [System: High value for a fair price. Guaranteed quality for all.] [System: System products are guaranteed to be of superior quality!]

  Fine. I’ll endure it.

  Kael let out a long breath and pulled up his status panel.

  Host: Kael Shopkeeper Level: 2 Shops Owned: 1 Supply Channels: Alchemical Pill Gacha (Common), Weapon Gacha (Common, Superior) Shop Facilities: Combat Training Room (Level 1) Evaluation: A Somewhat Developed Novice Shopkeeper. (A rookie who has only been open for a few days, slightly better than a complete beginner.)

  The evaluation was a headache, but picking a fight with the System was a losing battle. He decided to inspect the Training Room instead. It was located on the left wall behind the counter—a complex magic circle engraved into the stone, serving as the gateway to the Trial Dimension.

  However, Kael was only Level 16, which meant he didn't meet the Level 20 requirement for the Trial of the Brave yet. He could only admire the runework for now.

  Reaching into his pocket, he felt his remaining 170 gold coins.

  "System, top up 110 gold coins." He purposely left himself 60 gold. After living on nothing but steamed buns for days, he was determined to treat himself to a little luxury.

  [System: Fee deducted.]

  "Two pulls on the Superior Weapon Gacha! Go!"

  Kael hummed a random tune to distract himself from the "heartache" of spending the money and pressed the button. Fifty gold a pop... please don't let me down.

  [Frost Staff] [Flame Greatsword]

  Frost Staff: Provides a minor boost to the user’s magic power and mana capacity. Added Effect: Slightly increases the potency of Ice-element magic.

  Flame Greatsword: Provides a minor boost to the user’s destructive power. Added Effect: Inflicts a minor burn/scorch effect on hit.

  Both were Superior-rank weapons. It seemed Kael’s luck wasn't quite legendary enough to pull a Rare item in just two tries.

  "I can't tell... is this good or bad?" Kael mused. Since he wasn't originally from this world, he understood the descriptions, but he lacked a frame of reference for how these compared to local gear.

  "System, how much do these sell for?"

  [System: 200 Spirit Crystals each.]

  "Well, the price certainly matches the investment," Kael nodded. "Now, give me a ten-pull on the Common Weapon Gacha."

  Sharp Greatsword, Common Staff, Sharp Knight’s Sword, Common Staff...

  And then: [Ice-Crystal Knight’s Sword].

  Ice-Crystal Knight’s Sword: Slightly increases the user’s defense. Added Effect: Small chance to slow the target's movement speed upon hit.

  "Incredible!" Kael understood this one immediately. A "Slow" effect in a warrior’s duel—especially between opponents of the same level—was absolutely lethal.

  As for the common weapons, their effects were... underwhelming. He picked up a "Sharp Greatsword."

  Sharp Greatsword: Negligible increase to destructive power.

  "I’m a fool for trying to compare these to the pills," Kael sighed, shaking his head as he moved the weapons from the warehouse to the display shelves.

  He looked at the price tags. Common weapons, like the pills, were 10 Spirit Crystals. No wonder the Superior weapons were so much better; they cost 200 crystals compared to the Superior pills’ 80.

  The small bed provided by the System next to the warehouse seemed to have stamina-recovery properties. Despite going to bed late, Kael woke up early feeling refreshed. With 60 gold in his pocket, he headed out and indulged in a bowl of rich meat soup noodles.

  Returning to the shop with a satisfied, oily grin, he found the Ying siblings waiting for him again.

  "Good morning, Manager," Ying Xue said with a beaming smile. Her smile, however, made Kael’s skin crawl slightly.

  "You're here. Come in and take a look," Kael said, maintaining his professional composure as he opened the door. Whatever happened, he had to maintain the dignity of a Shopkeeper.

  "Manager, any new pills today?" Ying Feng followed behind, chattering away as usual.