Kael spent a moment staring at his own hands in the dim light of the shop. "Wait a minute," he mused. "I can use both martial arts and magic. Doesn't that make me more of a Battle Mage than an actual Battle Mage?"

  In a way, Kael surpassed the class definition. A Battle Mage, at their core, was still a mage who learned to fight in close quarters. But the energy within Kael—the unique power granted by the System—could perfectly emulate both Battle Qi and Magic Power at will.

  Time slipped away as Kael immersed himself in round after round of combat.

  With the "Full-Stats" option unlocked, the battles in the arena finally felt exhilarating. It wasn't until Shier walked into the Simulation Room to give him a gentle reminder that Kael finally ended his overnight training session.

  "It’s morning already? Fine. I’ll skip the nap today," Kael said, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs. He stood up slowly, stretching his stiff limbs. The Simulation Room had just been updated, and he needed to observe how the changes would affect his customers.

  "Oh, right. We have some new stock. Let me show you," Kael remembered the accessories. He had been halfway out the door to find breakfast when he suddenly pivoted and walked back to the counter. In his haste to test the arena last night, he’d forgotten to display the new gacha pulls.

  "Oh wow, Manager! This necklace is beautiful!" Shier’s eyes lit up the moment Kael placed the items on the counter.

  The Mirror-Water Necklace was exquisitely crafted, its surface shimmering like sunlight dancing on a pond. Even without knowing its magical properties, its sheer aesthetic was enough to enchant any woman.

  "Do you like it?" Kael asked out of the blue.

  "I love it!" Shier nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with hope.

  "Three hundred Spirit Crystals," Kael said flatly.

  "Manager..." The light in Shier’s eyes died instantly. She stared at him with a look of pure, concentrated resentment. Forget three hundred—she didn't even have three Spirit Crystals to her name.

  "And these others. Memorize their effects and prices," Kael added, completely ignoring her pout. He began arranging the accessories on the shelves with practiced indifference.

  Shier puffed out her cheeks, looking like a disgruntled squirrel. "Yes, Manager," she grumbled.

  With the inventory sorted, Kael prepared to head out for breakfast. He wondered if the snack vending machine would ever stock something substantial, like pastries or biscuits, after the next upgrade.

  Just as he reached the entrance, the door swung inward.

  "Morning, Boss!"

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Blood Wolf greeted him, though he nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Kael standing right there, staring at him with an unblinking gaze.

  Kael watched him for a long, silent moment before speaking. "You almost hit me with the door," he said calmly.

  That single sentence nearly gave Blood Wolf a heart attack. The image of Kael’s overwhelming power from the previous night was still burned into his retinas. While he couldn't be sure if it was Kael himself or some hidden guardian in the shop, he knew one thing: this place housed a terror beyond his comprehension.

  Kael ignored the man’s panic. After a brief pause, he asked, "What do you guys eat for breakfast?"

  "Huh?" Blood Wolf stared blankly. He hadn't expected the conversation to take such a sharp turn into domestic territory.

  "If you're free, could someone show me where to buy breakfast?" Kael looked past him toward the street. Due to the lingering effects of the beast tide, most of the local stalls remained shuttered.

  "Oh! Is that all? Boss, if you're hungry, I actually have some roast meat and wild vegetable pancakes right here," Blood Wolf said, finally catching on.

  "That works. But I'm still not giving you a discount," Kael noted seriously.

  Blood Wolf didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Manager Kael was a man of immense power and mystery, but when it came to his prices, he was as stubborn as a mule.

  "No discount needed. Consider it a thank you for the gear and pills. You saved the lives of many of my brothers," Blood Wolf said respectfully. He gestured to his men behind him. "Do we have any more meat and pancakes? Give a portion to Boss Kael."

  At his command, a squad member stepped forward with a leather pouch. It was filled with steaming roast meat layered over fresh vegetable pancakes. Kael took the pouch without hesitation and gave a sincere nod of thanks.

  "Don't mention it," Blood Wolf waved it off.

  "By the way, you asked about new stock yesterday. It's here," Kael said, taking a bite of his breakfast.

  Usually, Kael didn't bother explaining item stats unless someone specifically asked. This meant even regulars like Blood Wolf were often unaware of half the items in the shop—like the Seven Deadly Sins series. But since he’d just accepted the man’s breakfast, Kael felt like being proactive for once.

  "Really? That’s great! Let’s hear it," Blood Wolf said, his interest piqued. While his squad hadn't fully upgraded to Excellent-tier gear yet, he was always looking for something better for himself.

  Kael placed his breakfast on the counter and nodded to Shier, signaling her to store the rest for his lunch. Kael wasn't a foodie; as long as it was edible, he was satisfied.

  He pointed to the glittering, delicate accessories and began his introduction in a monotonous voice. However, before he could even finish the first item, Blood Wolf started waving his hands dismissively.

  "Boss, maybe show me something else? Those are... well, they're pretty, but wouldn't it look a bit weird for a bunch of rough guys like us to wear jewelry?"

  Kael glanced out the door. The Blood Wolf squad members were all men, standing in disciplined ranks that rivaled regular army units.

  "You really don't want them?" Kael asked.

  "Really don't!" Blood Wolf confirmed.

  "Fine. Then there’s nothing else to introduce," Kael shrugged. He looked toward the Blade of Greed and the Greatsword of Gluttony but decided to keep his mouth shut. If they didn't want the new stuff, he wasn't going to waste his breath on the high-end weapons.

  "Anyway, the Combat Simulation Room next door has been updated. You can now engage in Synchronized Combat," Kael said, shifting the subject as he pointed toward the side door.

  "Synchronized Combat?" Blood Wolf looked at him, completely baffled by the term.

  "Oh. It means you can play together," Kael clarified. He occasionally forgot that his terminology didn't always translate to the locals' world. He took a moment to explain the concept of multiplayer linking.

  Halfway through the explanation, Blood Wolf’s eyes began to glow. By the time Kael finished, the mercenary captain was already rushing toward the Simulation Room.

  Before disappearing through the door, he hollered back to his squad: "Business as usual! Ten men, with me! We’re training together!"