C7 CHAPTER7

Just as Sam had predicted, rumors of the miracle pills were making their rounds in the plebeian district, catching the attention of a local gang member known as Scarface Jack. Although he was merely a pawn in the notorious Black Vultures gang, his influence was unchallenged in this corner of the city.

Typically, Scarface Jack would send his brothers to shake down the local shops for protection money, but today's buzz about a new store piqued his interest in more than just the usual spiritual coins—they were talking about some intriguing merchandise.

Despite the outlandish notion of a medicinal pill that could grant extraordinary abilities, Scarface Jack had seen with his own eyes a man who, after taking one, defeated an adversary of a higher level—a feat previously unheard of.

Meanwhile, Sam was leisurely playing with his War Pet as Cyril gaped at the array of new products on display. Battle pets were a rarity, often acquired through the perilous act of stealing a hatchling from a beast's nest to raise and train.

Yet, here in this shop, there was an abundance of five-star battle pet summon-cards, and astonishingly, even a ten-star summon-card.

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

"Yes, and you should get one too. Pick any you like from the counter," Sam encouraged.

Cyril offered a sheepish grin and shook his head. "I'm broke again... But I'll be back soon. Could you hold onto a battle pet for me, Boss?"

With a final longing glance, he departed to scrape together more coins.

Sam watched as the lion, which could alter its size, shrank to that of a small dog. He then proceeded to open the Level-1 pill supply channel ten times in succession.

"It's heartening to see commerce thrive in my district. If my esteemed merchants are prospering, then so will I," he mused.

Just then, a gaunt man with a ghostly pallor and a scar slicing from the left side of his forehead to the right cheek sauntered into the store. He idly toyed with a saber, but Sam barely spared him a glance, more focused on counting his earnings and strategizing his next move to the city's heart.

"I hear you're stocking top-notch goods," the man began, a hint of menace in his tone. "But as you may know, every item in this district must pass through a 'quality control' of sorts..."

Sam responded with a nonchalant yawn.

"The man continued, "Prices need to be negotiated, profits tallied, and let's not forget the fees for suppliers and protection—my particular area of expertise."

Scarface Jack's eyes gleamed with avarice, his mouth practically watering at the prospect of the treasure trove he'd stumbled upon.

"Do you really carry miracle pills here?" he asked.

"Sure do," Sam responded with ease. "All the medicinal pills are showcased in the display case. Each is labeled with a price and description. Simply pay, and they're yours. We accept spiritual coins and crystal cores."

"Hmm, looks like you've marked up your prices quite a bit. On behalf of The Black Vultures gang, I'll need to confiscate your stock for...evaluation. Then we'll decide your fate."

When Sam remained unfazed, Scarface Jack mistook his calm for fear. Flashing a malicious grin, he reached for a pill.

"Little Lion," he called to his battle pet, "show our 'guest' some manners."

The Fierce Wind Lion, no larger than a dog, snarled and leapt at the intruder. As one thug tried to kick the 'worthless mutt' away, Little Lion swelled in size. With a mighty swipe of his paw, the thug was sent sailing out of the store.

Scarface Jack was taken aback; someone had the audacity to challenge him. "You think you can take on The Black Vultures, you damn salesman?" he roared, brandishing his saber at Sam.

"Uncle Moreels, lend Little Lion a hand in taking out the trash... But first, sever an arm. That'll ensure they don't trouble us again."

The biochemical guard sprang into action. With Little Lion's assistance, he subdued the gang, then methodically began to sever their arms with his sword.

Pinned beneath the lion, Scarface Jack watched in horror as his men were maimed. A spray of blood jolted him back to the grim reality.

"Kid, release me! You wouldn't dare defy The Black Vultures. We'll slaughter your family, torch your shop, and tear you limb from—Arghhh!!"

His threats were silenced by the agonizing slice of the sword through his arm.

As the other merchants watched from a distance, a pale-faced Scarface Jack was hoisted up by his remaining gang members.

As they reached for their weapons, intending to return to the hospital, the Little Lion's growl stopped them in their tracks.

Watching them leave, the neighboring merchants could only envision the grocery store being decimated within hours.

"That store owner's got guts, but the Black Vultures gang will tear them to shreds," one remarked.

"Young folks are so impulsive..." a store manager commented.

The other store managers nearby nodded in agreement, silently writing off the grocery store as a lost cause.

"I need to beef up my strength first; I can't let myself be overpowered in the central area," Sam mused.

"Sure, I've got the little lion and Uncle Moreels to rely on here, but that's not a long-term solution... It doesn't matter how much money you have if it just ends up in someone else's pocket."

With the funds he had left, Sam decided to invest in five level-2 experience pills. Thanks to a 10% discount, they were 9,000 coins each. He swallowed them without a second thought.

"Moving up from a one-star awakened to a three-star awakened."

"From a three-star awakened to a five-star awakened..."

By the time he consumed the fifth level-2 experience pill, Sam had soared to an eight-star awakened status.

"Mmm! This sensation of rapid advancement... it's addictive, though it's a pity the pills cost so much."

Feeling revitalized, he set out to open supply channels to restock the pills he had used.

Besides the pills, he also had 19 war pet summon-cards at his disposal, which included 18 of Black Iron grade and one Bronze grade Snow Leopard summon-card.