"Don't mention it," Chi Yongqiu said, waving a hand dismissively.

  All he wanted to do now was get back to Glory Academy and defeat Ying Feng to prove his worth. After pooling enough crystals to pay for the [Flame Great-Saber], He Xiao left the shop in a whirlwind of excitement, heading straight for the City Lord’s manor.

  "Manager, your weapons truly are incredible. I’ve never seen quality like this in my life," Chi Yongqiu said, turning back to Kael.

  "I know," Kael replied with a matter-of-fact nod.

  Go ahead and flatter me all you want, he thought, but you're still not getting a discount.

  "However," Chi Yongqiu continued, "your prices are also the highest I've ever seen. They’re nearly impossible to afford."

  "I know," Kael said, continuing his stoic nodding.

  Here we go, the punchline. But a discount? Never. Not in this lifetime.

  "So, I plan to return to the Academy first," Chi Yongqiu said, shifting the conversation in a direction Kael hadn't expected. "I'll apply for a field trial permit and then come back here. Since I was bringing Captain He over today, I figured I’d say my goodbyes."

  "..."

  "Safe travels," Kael said after a long silence.

  So it’s another farewell? And here I thought someone else was eyeing my precious crystals.

  If Kael had known Chi Yongqiu’s inner thoughts, he might have felt differently. Unfortunately, Chi Yongqiu hadn't crossed paths with Ying Feng, who was already out in the Cloud Mist Forest. Unlike Blood Wolf, the Lanye Squad couldn't visit the shop every day; they were a small unit and needed to spend more time hunting to keep their finances afloat.

  "Manager, what's on your mind? I heard from Blood Wolf yesterday that you opened a new section."

  Just as Kael was stroking his chin in what looked like deep contemplation, Tiger Hunt walked in—his first visit in days.

  "Tiger Hunt... are you here for the [Dragon-Pattern Great Axe]?" Kael asked immediately. A Rare-grade weapon meant four thousand Spirit Crystals—a huge step toward his goal.

  "Don't tease me, Boss! Four thousand crystals aren't that easy to scrounge up. I’ve only managed to save two thousand so far," Tiger Hunt laughed heartily, not bothered by his lack of funds.

  "Fair enough. What can I get for you this time?" Kael asked, trying not to look disappointed.

  Tiger Hunt was a solo hunter. He didn't have the vast resources or a specialized gold-farming squad like Blood Wolf.

  "Just restocking on pills, and then I want to check out this new place Blood Wolf recommended," Tiger Hunt said bluntly.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "Pills are on the shelf. The new shop is through that small door right next to you," Kael pointed to the entrance leading to the Training Room. "By the way, Blood Wolf is in there. If you’re not sure how to play, just ask him."

  Since the System wouldn't let him hire an assistant, Kael had to find creative ways to outsource his customer service to other patrons.

  "Got it! Let's see if Blood Wolf’s combat skills have actually improved." Tiger Hunt moved to the shelves, expertly grabbed his usual supplies, left the crystals on the counter, and headed next door.

  Kael watched the door thoughtfully. Sure enough, about two minutes later, Tiger Hunt popped his head back in, dropped another two Spirit Crystals on the counter, and went back to the Training Room.

  "Blood Wolf, you've been cooped up in here for days, haven't you? I ran into your squad several times in the forest, and you were nowhere to be found," Tiger Hunt said, sitting in the booth next to Blood Wolf.

  "Something like that. I felt like I needed to sharpen my combat awareness," Blood Wolf replied. Over the past few days, his greatest gain hadn't been a victory, but a much more stable mindset.

  He was no longer like his subordinates—the newcomers who frequently erupted in curses, mental breakdowns, or cries of despair.

  Inside the crystal ball, the AI Swordsman clasped his hands in a respectful salute, signaling the end of the match. Blood Wolf looked up, his eyes filled with a profound, melancholic weariness. He stared at the ceiling at a 45-degree angle and let out a long, weary sigh. "You... are you here to sharpen your skills too?"

  "Heh, don't you know me? My skills were forged in life-and-death struggles," Tiger Hunt waved a hand dismissively. "I'm just here for the experience. I’m heading back to the forest in a bit."

  Tiger Hunt’s reputation as the "Number One Solo Combatant" in Cloud Mist City wasn't just for show. In a fight without Class-rank skills, even City Lord Qin Ming wouldn't be his match. Even if Qin Ming used Class-rank skills, the odds would still be fifty-fifty. That was why Tiger Hunt had the confidence to hunt Rank-class monsters alone with Kael’s gear. His words weren't born of arrogance, but of absolute self-assurance.

  "I hope you can still say that after you’ve been on the stage," Blood Wolf said with a hollow chuckle.

  "Just watch. My combat techniques aren't something you 'team-reliant' types can compare to." As he spoke, Tiger Hunt placed his hands on the crystal ball’s base.

  [Welcome to the Combat Strength Arena.]

  The emotionless synthesized voice rang in his mind. To Tiger Hunt, it sounded like a call to arms.

  "It’s been a while since I used a great axe; hope I haven't gotten rusty." Tiger Hunt stood on the arena stage and summoned a massive axe. Its heavy, brutal design radiated sheer power.

  "Since I’m picking an opponent, I’ll take one who fights head-on. Who wants to fight a shifty swordsman?"

  Tiger Hunt scanned the four figures below the stage and chose the Lancer.

  Blood Wolf rubbed his eyes and stood up, watching over Tiger Hunt’s shoulder with interest. He wasn't just there to see him fail; he secretly hoped Tiger Hunt would win so he could tell that "useless manager" that he wasn't the only one capable of completing the challenge.

  [Battle Start!]

  "Here he comes." Tiger Hunt’s aura shifted instantly, transforming from jovial to explosively violent. This was the hallmark of a Berserker.

  The Lancer flicked his spear, his body surging forward like a thunderbolt. A cold glint arrives first, then the spear strikes like a dragon!

  Tiger Hunt could clearly see the Lancer’s momentum—it was like a colossal tidal wave, blocking out the sun. This was the Lancer at his most terrifying.

  "Impressive! No wonder you’re hooked, Blood Wolf. This is the kind of fight I crave!" The battle-madness inherent in a Berserker allowed Tiger Hunt to maintain high morale regardless of the situation.

  As a swarm of spear shadows closed in, Tiger Hunt swung his great axe with zero fear.

  The axe’s strike was like a mountain-splitter. A Berserker’s greatest pride was their strength, which was why Tiger Hunt favored heavy weaponry. His explosive power drove the axe downward, and the myriad spear shadows shattered one after another under the raw weight of the blow.