Despite the odds, the Archmage was exceptionally formidable in single combat. His endless variety of spells made him an unpredictable and elusive opponent.
"I don't believe it! I was so close to beating him. I’m going again!" Nalan Qinqi ground her teeth, her competitive fire burning bright.
"I think I finally understand why Sister Leaf ended up like that," Fei Xue noted, glancing over at Lanye’s booth.
"What do we do now?" You Jiu asked helplessly.
"How about we give it a try too?" Lan Qing'er suggested. Watching someone else play a game was never as satisfying as getting your own hands on the controls. If given the chance, one simply had to jump into the fray.
Kael usually didn't play games when customers were in the shop. After setting up the crystal balls for the curious girls, he could only sigh. Another group of young ladies destined for a gaming addiction.
Everyone has a competitive streak, especially in a space like this where one could challenge an opponent over and over. It was a place to hone skills, find a sense of achievement... or, more accurately for most, a place to vent their growing frustration.
Regardless, to Kael, they were simply sources of Spirit Crystals.
Just as Kael was contemplating his next move, the System’s voice echoed in his mind.
[System: Congratulations, Host, on selling your first Rare-grade item. Quest Activated: The First Pot of Gold.]
Kael lay in his lounge chair, his voice flat. "System, not only is your reaction time lagging, but your taste in names is getting worse."
[System: Does the Host wish to accept the quest?]
"Yes." Kael might disagree with the System's naming sense, but he never turned down a quest.
[System Quest: The First Pot of Gold.] [Objective: Achieve a total sales volume of 10,000 Spirit Crystals within three days.] [Reward: An expansion of the Host’s current supply pool. Additionally, the System will officially recognize the shop’s popularity, allowing the Host to recruit one shop assistant.]
"So this is what you were waiting for?" Kael nearly bolted upright.
Fortunately, he remembered to maintain his professional "Manager" persona in front of his customers and suppressed the urge. Looking at the rewards, he confirmed his earlier suspicion: his current supply pool was indeed incomplete, which explained the limited variety of goods.
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Knowing the System’s track record, Kael was certain that even after this expansion, the pool still wouldn't be fully unlocked. Nevertheless, he had to take the quest. He truly wanted that shop assistant reward—mostly because he was fundamentally lazy.
Ten thousand crystals in three days... You really think I’m some kind of black-hearted merchant, don't you? Kael calculated in his head. That was over three thousand crystals a day. This was going to be a tough one.
Looks like I’ll have to man the general store tomorrow, Kael thought, glancing at the shop next door. Weapons, armor, and pills were the primary sources of big income. The Training Room was a steady, long-term stream, but it wouldn't hit the target on its own.
While the Lanye Squad struggled to sharpen their skills in the Arena, Kael plotted his business strategy.
Four hours passed quickly. The seven girls, their spirits dazed from the constant "slaughter," stood up, bid Kael goodbye, and left. As night fell, Kael closed the shop doors and headed to the warehouse to restock the shelves.
In a remote corner on the edge of the Cloud Mist Forest, several Orcs with elongated, pointed ears and tusks protruding past their lips peered into the dense woods.
Behind them stood an exceptionally tall Orc, leaning on a massive spiked mace. He appeared to be their leader.
"Nage, what’s the situation?" the leader grunted.
"Commander, the Catalyst Divine Stones we planted in the forest are starting to take effect. This coming Beast Tide will drive the humans to despair," the Orc named Nage reported with certainty.
"Good. We have waited many years for this. This time, we will take Cloud Mist City. It shall be our first front in the invasion of the Desolate Yuan Empire," the leader nodded.
Another Orc hesitated before reporting, "Commander, the number of humans entering the forest during this pre-tide period is significantly higher than in previous years."
"Is that so? It seems they have lived in comfort for too long," the leader sneered. "They’ve forgotten to fear the tide. Continue activating the stones. Let’s make this Beast Tide even more ferocious."
"Understood!"
The night passed swiftly, the dark secrets of the forest remaining hidden from the world.
Kael woke up early, pulled in his "Help Wanted" sign, and opened the general store's doors. His shop wasn't a breakfast joint, so there was no crowd waiting outside. After finishing his own breakfast, he took his usual spot behind the counter.
The first to arrive was Blood Wolf, still brooding over his losses in the Arena. Today, however, he brought twenty members of his squad with him.
"Manager, why do you keep switching which door you open?" Blood Wolf asked immediately.
"I open whichever one I feel like," Kael replied tonelessly.
"...Spoken like a true boss," Blood Wolf choked on the response but didn't press further. He turned to his men. "Ten of you, pack up the pills and weapons we need for today. The other ten, come with me to hone your skills."
At his command, the squad split into two neat lines. One headed for the shelves; the other marched straight toward the Training Room.
"Once you get back, remember to rotate ten more men here in four hours to take over," Blood Wolf instructed the group buying supplies.
"Yes, Captain!"
They moved with practiced efficiency. Though the Blood Wolf Squad appeared laid-back, their discipline during an operation was on par with the regular army. The whole process was swift and orderly. Blood Wolf stood by the counter with his coin pouch, waiting for Kael to tally the total.
Kael watched this and nodded inwardly. If every customer were like Blood Wolf, my life would be so much easier.
