"Sell it? With the Beast Tide looming, property in this city isn't worth much. Are you sure you want this place, Kael?" Uncle Hai looked at Kael, noting the young man’s unnerving composure.

  To Uncle Hai, it felt like Kael was simply looking for a way to help him out—offering a bit of extra travel money for his journey.

  "Yes. I’ve been looking to expand, and your shop is in a prime spot," Kael nodded earnestly.

  "Well, if you're serious, give me twenty Spirit Crystals and it’s yours. Here is the deed." Uncle Hai rummaged through a large trunk for a moment before producing a neatly folded parchment.

  "Deal. Give me a moment." Kael turned back into his shop and returned with the crystals.

  Uncle Hai handed over the deed. "The herbs inside are yours. If you have a use for them, keep them. If not, just toss them."

  Once his belongings were packed, Uncle Hai climbed onto the carriage, sitting beside the driver. He looked back at Kael one last time. "The tide is coming. Are you truly staying?"

  "I'll be fine. Take care of yourself, Uncle Hai. Safe travels," Kael replied with a shake of his head.

  "Sigh... I hope you stay safe as well." Uncle Hai let out a long sigh.

  The driver cracked the whip, and the carriage creaked and groaned as it began its slow journey toward the city gates.

  Kael watched him disappear around the corner before returning to his shop.

  "System, I have the new storefront. Now, how do I activate the Combat Strength Training Room?" Kael asked mentally as he stood before the glowing magic circle.

  [System: Please use the 'Store Renovation Voucher' to convert the newly acquired property into a facility that meets System standards.]

  "..."

  In the end, he hadn't managed to save that voucher after all. He’d spent half the night fuming over this very realization.

  "Fine. Use the Store Renovation Voucher!"

  [System: Combat Strength Training Room initialization sequence initiated. Estimated completion time: Tomorrow.]

  "Good enough. At least it's settled," Kael exhaled. He stepped outside to check the neighbor's door, only to find it magically sealed and impossible to open.

  He’d just have to wait a day.

  With that out of the way, Kael headed out and bought two large bamboo steamers of buns. Buns were infinitely superior to plain mantou—thin skin, generous meat filling, and eighteen perfect pleats. One bite and the savory juices practically overflowed.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  "Boss, we’re back! You’d better still have those weapons!"

  Around noon, just as Kael was yawning and patting his satisfied stomach, the shop door was thrown open. Ke Minglang and his three companions marched in. Having spent the last few days hunting in the forest, they looked worse for wear—dusty, blood-stained, and smelling of battle.

  "I have them. Help yourselves," Kael said, sizing them up.

  Their armor was in tatters, the gashes stained with dried blood. Despite their high spirits, they looked like four refugees. Life for four pure warriors in the Cloud Mist Forest was clearly a struggle.

  "The gear in this shop is the real deal. We’ve had our eyes on these for ages," Ke Minglang said familiarly. He headed straight for the racks.

  The [Ice-Crystal Knight Sword], the [Flame Greatsword], and the [Gale Katana]. He prioritized equipping his teammates first.

  Then, he lined up six Brave-rank Mana Cores on the counter.

  "It seems you’ve had a productive trip," Kael said, sweeping the cores into his register.

  "You have no idea! For some reason, the number of Brave-rank monsters on the outskirts has spiked. If we hadn't come prepared with your pills and that Flame Greatsword, we’d be toast," Ke Minglang grinned, though the expression clearly tugged at his wounds.

  For four students who hadn't even reached Brave-rank themselves to survive the forest on the eve of a Beast Tide was an incredible feat. Most of the credit went to Kael’s pills.

  "It’s good that you returned," Kael nodded, tucking his hands into his sleeves, his tone as flat as ever.

  "Whoa! Boss, you have armor now? If you’d put these out last time, we wouldn't be looking this pathetic!" Ke Minglang suddenly yelped, spotting the new stock.

  "A recent addition. Interested?" Kael asked slowly.

  "Forget it. One look at those price tags tells me I’m out of the running," Ke Minglang waved him off. His remaining two Brave-rank cores were needed to complete his Freshmen Trial. He didn't have the time to head back into the forest for more.

  "Actually, we came to say goodbye. The deadline for the trial is tomorrow. If we don't leave now, we won't make it back to the academy in time," Ke Minglang said seriously.

  "I see. I wish you a safe journey," Kael offered a sincere blessing.

  "Oh, right—any new Body-Forging Pills?" Ke Minglang suddenly remembered. The feeling of gaining raw power without actually leveling up was addictive.

  "Not at the moment," Kael glanced at the shelf. If they had come a day earlier, they might have competed with the Lan Ye Squad for the stock.

  "Sigh... well, we’re off then. See you next time, Boss!" Ke Minglang waved and led his team out of the shop.

  "Take care," Kael watched them go.

  With the Beast Tide imminent, the forest was no place for students. It was becoming a deathtime for anyone below Brave-rank.

  Aside from a few regulars, Kael’s shop remained quiet. Its remote location and "extortionate" prices ensured that only those who knew the true value of his goods would ever step foot inside.

  Mercenary Guild, Mission Hall.

  A new quest had appeared on the board this morning: Monster Cull. Rewards in Mercenary Points based on monster rank.

  Mercenary Points were the lifeblood of a squad. They weren't just for ranking up to take higher-tier jobs; they could be exchanged for rare items within the Guild treasury.

  Normally, such a quest would be seen as a generous welfare program. However, coupled with the City Lord's announcement regarding the Beast Tide, it only served to highlight the gravity of the situation.

  The friction between Lord Qin Ming and the Guild leadership was public knowledge. If they were collaborating, the threat must be monumental. Many weaker squads were already packing their bags, planning to relocate to safer territories.

  "A Beast Tide? Ha! Perfect!"

  Blood Wolf sat in the hall, slamming a large mug of rum onto the table. As he listened to his subordinate’s report, he slapped his thigh in excitement.

  "Captain, what's there to be happy about?" His teammates looked at him, completely bewildered.