C7 CHAPTER7

As Sam had anticipated, word of the miracle pills had started to spread throughout the neighborhood, reaching the ears of one of the local gang members, Scarface Jack. Scarface Jack was a member of the gang known as The Black Vultures. Although his power wasn't significant, no one in the area dared to challenge him.

He usually sent his crew to collect protection fees from the stores, but today he heard about a new shop, and now he was interested not only in the money but also in the merchandise. As improbable as the idea of a medicinal pill sounded, he had seen someone take one and then defeat an opponent who was a level above—a feat he had never witnessed before.

While Sam played with his War Pet, Cyril stared in disbelief at the new products; battle pets were something almost no one had. Usually, you had to sneak into a beast's nest and steal a hatchling to train it from a young age. However, this store had many five-star battle pet summon-cards, and even a ten-star summon-card.

"Boss, is that lion your battle pet?" Cyril asked.

"Yes, you should get one too. Pick the one you want from the counter," Sam replied.

With an embarrassed smile, Cyril shook his head. "I'm broke again... I'll be back soon, though, so please, Boss, save me a battle pet."

After one last look, he left to earn more money. Seeing the lion, now the size of a small dog since it could change its size, Sam opened the Level-1 pill supply channel ten times.

"I'm glad to see business thriving in my district. If my dear merchants make good money, then I will too," said a skinny man with a pale complexion, sporting a scar that ran from the left side of his forehead to the lower part of his right cheek, as he entered the store.

Sam didn't pay much attention to the man playing with a saber in his hands. For him, it was more important to count his money and plan his next move to reach the city center.

"I've heard you have top-quality merchandise. However, as you should know, all merchandise in this district needs to go through quality control," the man said.

Sam yawned.

"Then prices must be adjusted, profits calculated, and supplier and protection payments sorted out... that last one is my specialty," the man added.

Scarface Jack's eyes gleamed with greed, practically drooling at the sight of the gold mine he'd stumbled upon.

"Is it true you have some miracle pills in this store?"

"Yep, the medicinal pills are all in the display case. Each has a price and description. You can take them after paying; we accept cash and credit," Sam replied casually.

"Oh, it seems your prices are steep. I'm going to have to confiscate your merchandise on behalf of our gang, The Black Vultures. After we evaluate the goods, you'll have our answer..."

Seeing no reaction from Sam, Scarface Jack thought he'd managed to intimidate him. With a sneer, he reached for one of the pills.

"Little Lion," he called his battle pet, "teach our client some manners."

The Fierce Wind Lion, about the size of a large dog, growled at the intruder and leaped at him. When one of the thugs tried to kick the lion, Little Lion unexpectedly grew larger and, with a simple swipe of his massive paw, sent the ruffian flying out of the store.

Scarface Jack was stunned. Someone had dared to oppose him. "You, lousy salesman, think you can take on our gang?" He swung his saber, aiming to strike Sam.

"Uncle Moreels, please help Little Lion take out the trash... but first, cut off one of their arms. That should keep them from bothering us again."

The biochemical guard immediately attacked. With Little Lion's help, he immobilized the thugs and began cutting off their arms with his sword.

Pinned under the lion's paws, Scarface Jack watched in horror as his companions' arms were severed. When blood splattered on his face, terror snapped him back to reality.

"Let me go, you brat! Don't you dare defy The Black Vultures! We'll kill your whole family, burn your store, and finally dismember you while you're... Arghhh!!"

The sudden pain of the sword slicing his arm silenced him.

In full view of the other merchants watching from a distance, Scarface Jack, pale-faced, got up with the help of his fellow gang members.

As they considered picking up their weapons to return to the hospital, they heard the growl of the Little Lion. Watching them leave, the other shopkeepers imagined the grocery store would be destroyed within a few hours.

"The owner of this store has guts, but The Black Vultures gang is going to tear him apart."

"Young people are reckless..." one of the store owners remarked. The surrounding shopkeepers shook their heads, already convinced the grocery store was doomed.

"First of all, I need to increase my strength. I can't reach the central area and be overpowered by others," Sam thought. "Here, I can still rely on the Little Lion and Uncle Moreels, but that won't last long... No matter how much money you have, it won't help if it ends up in someone else's pocket."

With the money he had left, he decided to buy five level-2 experience pills. With a 10% discount, they cost 9,000 coins each. Without hesitation, he consumed them.

"Advancing from a one-star awakened to a three-star awakened."

"Advancing from a three-star awakened to a five-star awakened..."

After taking the fifth level-2 experience pill, Sam jumped straight to eight stars awakened.

"Mmm! This feeling of cheating... it's intoxicating. It's a shame the pills are so expensive."

With the energizing sensation coursing through his body, he decided to start opening supply channels to replenish the pills he had used. In addition to the pills, there were also 19 war pet summon-cards, including 18 Black Iron grade war pet summon-cards and one Bronze grade Snow Leopard summon-card.