C6 CHAPTER6

The shop had fallen into a hushed silence, punctuated only by bursts of genuine laughter and Cyril's effusive compliments.

Old Ollie's mind was stuck on a loop, replaying the astonishing scene they had just witnessed: a man had taken a pill and leveled up twice in succession...

"Boss, I... I want to buy one of those experience pills too," he stammered.

"Sure thing, it's 10,000 spiritual coins," Sam responded, anticipating a chain reaction of sales.

"Well, I've only got 8,000 coins on me... Would you take Level-1 Zombie Crystal Cores instead?"

"Ding! Crystal Cores are a premium currency. A Level-1 Zombie Crystal Core is valued at 100 Spirit Coins!"

Upon hearing the system alert, Sam promptly said, "Absolutely, we accept Crystal Cores. Each one is worth 100 spiritual coins."

Old Ollie's hands shook as he counted out the crystal cores to cover the cost of the pill. When he finally clutched it in his grasp, his palpable anxiety was felt by everyone in the store.

Forty years had elapsed since he awoke, and he had only managed to reach a six-star awakening. With his limited talent, it seemed unlikely he'd ever level up again in his lifetime.

Observing the old man's tension, Sam could almost taste the impending buzz his product would create, the clinking of coins that would soon flood in.

Without hesitation, Old Ollie downed the pill. Within moments, he was drenched in sweat, his complexion flushed—a mirror image of Cyril's earlier experience.

All eyes were glued to him.

"Pop!" The barrier that had held him captive at six stars for ages shattered.

"Hahaha. I've done it! Seven stars awakened! Just one step shy of eight stars."

Tears streamed down his face, mingling with the sweat, but to him, the significance of leveling up at his age was priceless.

"Cough... there are still two level-2 experience pills remaining..."

"This pill is a miracle—I must have it."

"Loan me your spiritual coins, I'll pay you back double..."

"I'll give you triple for your coins."

A frenzy erupted anew within the store, but this time, the clamor wasn't over price complaints—it was a scramble for the last remaining pills.

While the price tag of 10,000 spiritual coins was steep for everyone, the prospect of leveling up justified the cost, even if it meant selling all their possessions.

Those unable to secure the experience pill had to face the facts, settle for a level-1 pill, and begin saving for a future attempt.

Once the hubbub had died down and the last person departed, Sam exhaled in relief. He'd sold all the level-2 pills, but the system mission loomed unfinished...

"Esteemed customer, we have an extraordinary item here, one that few can afford, but it's undeniably worth every penny," Sam announced, placing a walnut in the still-overjoyed Cyril's palm.

"This walnut is a gem that can enhance your genetic talent... and it's priced at a mere 100,000 spiritual coins."

The temptation was immense, yet the cost daunting. Despite a sizeable reward from his coliseum ordeal, Cyril had planned to purchase a modest home downtown. However, this chance was too golden to ignore.

"I... I'll take the walnut, Boss."

His hands quivering, Cyril produced 1,000 Crystal Cores, the equivalent of 100,000 spiritual coins.

He inspected the walnut, noting every fine detail, then clenched his fist, cracked the shell without wasting a fragment, and consumed the entire nut.

A guttural cry escaped him as he doubled over in pain. Minutes later, Cyril rose, eyes bloodshot and lips quivering, struggling to find his voice.

"Give this a try—measure your genetic talent," Sam suggested, offering a compact genetic measurement device he'd picked up for a few spiritual coins days earlier.

"C-"

The device displayed his new level, a stark leap from his original E+ talent to C-! Cyril's reaction was so intense he let the device slip from his grasp.

Noticing Sam's dismay at the device clattering to the floor, Cyril seized his shoulders, locked eyes with him, and with heartfelt intensity and a shaky voice, declared, "Boss, I love you!"

Sam's skin prickled with goosebumps. He longed to turn back, but the towering six-star awakened man looming over him wouldn't budge. Instead, he offered a smile that was more bone-chilling than reassuring.

"I... I'm not on that team, dear customer, please..."

Once he had squirmed his way to freedom and dabbed the sweat from his forehead, Sam recalled the windfall he'd just secured: 100,000 spiritual coins, all his to keep. The entire sum was his, not merely a fraction, since he owned the walnuts outright.

"Ding! Mission [Increase profit tenfold] completed.

Reward: Lottery ticket."

"Initiate the lottery."

"Divine beast, divine beast, divine beast... divine artifact, divine artifact..."

Sam invoked every deity he could think of, his fingers tightly crossed, yearning for a stroke of luck.

As the roulette wheel slowed, teetering on the brink of the dreaded "try again," Sam's heart withered to the size of a raisin. It seemed so unjust, to invest so much for so little...

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for securing a Level-1 War Pet Supply Channel."

"War pet?"

This was uncharted territory for Sam. Without hesitation, he tapped into the Level-1 war pet supply channel.

"Ding! You've acquired a black iron wolf."

"Species: Earth Wolf."

"Level: Five stars."

"Grade: Black Iron."

"Master: Unbound."

"Note: This war pet, while unremarkable, is nearly indestructible alongside a five-star zombie."

Despite the system's modest appraisal, this kind of pet was a rare find in these parts.

"Activate the Level-1 battle pet supply channel ten times!" Eager to capitalize on his momentum, Sam knew swift action was key—not only to replenish his store's inventory but also to reap further rewards.

"Ding! You've obtained:

Antwolf: Dark Iron grade / Five stars.

Fire-eating Rabbit: Dark Iron grade / Five stars.

...

Fierce Wind Lion: Bronze grade / Ten stars."

By restocking tenfold, he had indeed snagged a Level-2 item.

A black iron grade battle pet equated to a Level-1 item, whereas a bronze grade battle pet was on par with a Level-2 item.

"I'll take this Wind Lion," Sam declared, unable to contain his excitement. Though he had just pocketed a hefty sum, he wasn't sure it would cover the cost. His heart raced at the thought of owning a ten-star war pet...

"A Level 1 item, a Black Iron grade battle pet, goes for 5,000 crystals!"

"A Level 2 item, a Bronze grade battle pet, is priced at 50,000 crystals!"

"Host, you're eligible for a 10% discount! After deducting 45,000 spiritual coins, you'll receive a Bronze grade Fierce Wind Lion summon-card."

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

Suddenly, a Ferocious Lion materialized beside Sam. As Cyril witnessed the beast charging towards what he believed to be his source of miracles, he dashed forward to protect the Boss.

But he was too late. The lion had already pounced at Sam's legs, joyfully nuzzling his massive, furry head against him.

"Could this be a battle pet?" Cyril mused.