"Alright, settle down. Don't startle the prey." Lan Ye lay flat on the grass, her sharp gaze fixed on the dense treeline ahead.

  The young girl, Xiao Ya, stuck her tongue out playfully but immediately fell silent.

  At that moment, a lithe figure dropped silently from a tree branch, sliding an arrow back into the quiver on her back.

  "Any findings, Lan Qing'er?" Lan Ye asked.

  "No magical beasts detected for now. It’s clear to advance." Lan Qing'er slung her longbow over her shoulder.

  "Call the other two over," Lan Ye nodded.

  You Jiu, hidden in the shadows, glided toward the rear without a sound.

  Soon, two more members arrived: a small girl encased in heavy armor carrying a massive tower shield, and a tiny loli clutching a magic staff.

  "Is it time to eat?" the armored girl, Lan Zi'er, asked eagerly.

  "Did we find a monster?" the loli, Na Lan Qinqi, added.

  "We are moving forward," Lan Ye said, a dark line of exasperation crossing her forehead.

  The Lan Ye Squad was considered one of the top-tier mercenary teams in all of Cloud Mist City. Their individual combat prowess was beyond question, but their professionalism... that was another story entirely.

  Teams like theirs—famous, ranked, and highly capable—were currently swarming the Cloud Mist Forest due to the anomaly.

  [System: Congratulations, Host. Sales targets met. Level-up Quest initiated.]

  The sudden voice in his head snapped Kael out of his trance, pulling his gaze back from the window.

  Level up!

  Kael’s heart raced. To him, leveling up meant higher commissions, more stock channels, and potentially even expanding the shop’s facilities.

  "Alright, let's hear it. What's the mission?" Kael stood tall, puffing out his chest as if ready to accept a holy calling.

  [System: Quest generating... Completion successful.]

  [System: Quest—The Manager must not be a lazy weakling waiting for death.]

  What kind of name is that?! Kael almost cursed out loud but bit his tongue just in time. He didn't want to give the System any excuses to mess with him.

  [System: Mission Objective: Pass the Trial of the Trial Room to obtain the 'Brave-rank Mark.' Then, venture into the Cloud Mist Forest to collect sufficient materials to synthesize one item.]

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  [System: Completion Rewards: Manager Level +1, Trial Room Level +1, unlock Superior-grade Alchemy Gacha, and unlock the 'Combat Prowess Training Room.' Additional rewards included.]

  [System: Note: The quality of additional rewards will be determined by the value of the item synthesized by the Host.]

  Kael rubbed his temples. Could he not just be a peaceful shopkeeper? Why did he have to fight? And what was this "Combat Prowess Training Room"? It sounded like something he couldn't even sell for a profit.

  "System, I’m only Level 16. Can I even survive the Trial Room?" Kael's earlier excitement had vanished.

  [System: Do not worry, Host. Upon passing the trial, your level will be boosted to Level 30.]

  "That generous?" Kael narrowed his eyes, wondering where the catch was.

  As if reading his mind, the System replied:

  [System: A portion of the Spirit Crystals harvested by the System is stored to provide energy for the Host’s advancement when the Manager Level increases.]

  Kael blinked. So the System wasn't just "taxing" him for nothing? It was actually saving up for his future?

  Moved to the brink of tears, Kael wasted no time. He promptly flipped the "Closed" sign on the door and walked to the magic circle in the Trial Room. The previously dormant array was now glowing with a faint, ethereal light. In its center, a swirling, dark vortex appeared.

  Taking a deep breath, Kael stepped into the abyss.

  [System: Trial Room activated. Brave-rank Trial Space generating...]

  In the pitch black, a pillar of white light suddenly descended, illuminating the arena.

  Standing in the center of the space was a man wearing simple long robes, holding a slender rapier. He was of medium build with a plain, unremarkable face. However, his eyes... they flickered with a lethal, dangerous spark.

  [System: Defeat the man before you to pass the trial.]

  As the voice faded, two weapon racks rose from the floor beside Kael, filled with every type of cold weapon imaginable.

  Kael didn't know what other people's trials looked like, but surely they weren't this simple?

  "Just a normal guy? This is too easy." Kael sensed no mana or Battle Qi from the man. To all intents and purposes, the man was a commoner.

  SHING!

  Kael snatched a longsword from the rack, pointing it at the man in what he thought was a dashing, swordsman-like stance. "Come on then. Don't hold back!"

  [System: A friendly tip: In the Trial Space, the Host cannot die. However... you will feel the pain.]

  "What?"

  The warning had barely registered when a streak of sword-light flashed before his eyes.

  A cold sensation washed over his neck, and the world plunged into darkness.

  When he "woke up," Kael was back at the starting point of the Trial Space. Standing before him was the same plain-faced man.

  "No way... Did that guy just one-shot me?" Kael’s face turned pale with horror.

  The man’s rapier was still pointed lazily at the ground. He seemed bored, but his gaze was as sharp as the edge of his blade.

  Gulp.

  Kael swallowed hard, grabbed another longsword, and focused. Clearly, the System wouldn't make it this easy.

  "Don't panic. My base stats are higher than his. I'm faster and stronger," Kael hissed to himself. He gripped the hilt, kicked off the ground, and lunged forward.

  Strike first, or lose the half!

  He was Level 16, while the man was just a "commoner." Surely, raw power would win.

  That thought lasted exactly three seconds.

  Another flash of light, and Kael was sent back to the respawn point.

  "Fine! New weapon!"

  The moment his vision cleared, Kael grabbed a spear and thrust forward. Greater length, greater strength!

  SWISH—!

  Another dazzling arc of light, followed by a spray of blood from Kael’s throat. The spear was swatted aside like a twig, clattering to the floor.

  The respawn light flickered again.

  Cursing, Kael grabbed a massive greataxe. He swung it with a roar, the blade whistling through the air as he brought it down toward the man’s head.