C9 CHAPTER9

"Here, take 10,000 coins," Felipe said nonchalantly.

For him, the sum was trivial, a fair price to verify the authenticity of the pill. Upon receiving the tiny capsule, he examined it intently before swallowing it. Moments later, his eyes fluttered open. While he hadn't ascended a level, he sensed a subtle yet significant boost in his long-dormant power.

"One more, please..." he repeated, each time with growing anticipation.

After nine pills, his strength finally surged. Sam, elated by the cascade of coins yet fretful over the efficacy of his wares, could ill afford a blow to his reputation.

"System, surely you haven't diluted these pills with water, have you?"

"Hmmph! Humble host, I take no shortcuts. My products are top-tier. But to transition from Awakened to Evolved requires a substantial leap in experience—ten pills to shatter that ceiling."

With the tenth pill, energy coursed through Felipe, liberating him from the ten-star plateau. His eyes, now alight with joy and astonishment, bore witness to his transformation.

"I've progressed to a 1-star Evolved... at long last, after all these years."

The cost was a hefty 100,000 Spirit Coins, yet the investment was well worth the outcome. Composed, Felipe faced Sam, gratitude etched across his features.

"Thanks, boss. I'll never forget today's favor. Rest assured, I'll amass more funds and return for your miracle pills."

A genuine smile, long absent, graced Felipe's face. His newfound prowess solidified his rank within the gang. His gaze lingered on the other treasures and the Little Lion at the Boss's feet, igniting a desire to possess it all, including a battle pet of his own.

Sam's delight outshone even Felipe's. With business booming, his dream of a central location for his shop was within reach.

"Thank you for your patronage, dear customer. We eagerly await your return," he said, beaming.

As Felipe stepped outside, his smile had vanished, yet he radiated a commanding presence that set him apart from the rest. Upon spotting him, Scarface charged over.

"Is the shopkeeper dead? Can I torch his corpse now?"

With a sharp "slap," Scarface's face was struck once more.

"Henceforth, the man running this shop is my brother. Harm him, and you harm me. Show him respect, even more so than you show me!" Felipe's voice boomed, addressing not just his underlings but also the onlookers who had been whispering among themselves.

Scarface Jack, sporting a pair of reddened, swollen cheeks, gazed blankly at the store, then back at his boss. Seething with rage, he rose to his feet, casting a final, venomous glance at the shop before storming off with the others.

"I get that you don't want revenge, but slapping me twice, when I'm a member of the gang..." Scarface brooded resentfully.

"Did everyone catch what the third boss, Felipe, said?"

"We'd better tread carefully around this Shop Owner. Best to steer clear of trouble."

The neighboring store owners were taken aback. The Black Vultures gang had shown up twice in one day—first leaving in defeat, and now departing in an eerie calm. The third-in-command had just declared the Grocer as his brother... What on earth was happening in that store?

Sam didn't challenge Felipe's declaration; he understood it as a gesture of goodwill.

With the little lion and Elder Moreels by his side, he wasn't worried about thugs causing trouble. Still, conducting business without disturbances was preferable.

"What the—these prices... have you lost your mind, Boss? Or am I mistaken, and this is the city's central district?"

A new customer had unwittingly wandered in and, upon seeing the pill prices—with the cheapest at 1000 spiritual coins—couldn't restrain from uttering a few expletives.

Blake Vaughn had strolled into the store purely out of curiosity, with no real intention to purchase anything. He was merely exploring the district to pass the time.

The central area offered more activities and finer establishments, albeit at a steeper cost. Yet, in the commoner's district, the scene was quite different. A modest sum could go a long way, even securing a pair of servants to accompany you on your visit.

For Blake, the sense of importance that came with his wealth was gratifying. It was the reason he often visited the district and struck up friendships with several shop owners.

But now, he felt as though he had stepped back into the central district, onto its most opulent avenue. He was astonished to find items priced at 1,000, 10,000, and even 100,000. When had the residents of the plebeian district grown so affluent? And since when were battle pet summon-cards on the market?

Sam quickly pegged the newcomer as affluent, the scent of money practically wafting from the young man's suit.

"Welcome to my store, dear customer. How may I assist you today?"

"I have an interest in battle pets, but..."

"Of course, we offer Black iron quality summon-cards for 5,000 spiritual coins, and the bronze grade for 50,000. Which would you prefer?"

"Are you certain these are battle pets and not merely stray animals? I'm in search of a true combatant."

"Little Lion!"

At the sound of his new moniker, the Fierce Wind Lion's eyes snapped open. Recognizing his master's signal, he stretched and leapt, morphing into a formidable beast.

"Roar!"

The Little Lion's roar sent Blake's accompanying creature into a panic, its tail tucked between its legs as it cowered behind its master, utterly petrified.

"Dark beast, you're a seven-star battle pet with noble blood and exceptional training. How could you..."

Blake was taken aback by his battle pet's reaction; it had never shown fear towards other creatures before. Upon closer inspection, he acknowledged the Little Lion's impressive prowess.

"You've got quite the formidable beast there, Boss."

"This one's a bronze grade too. There's another on the counter if you'd like to take a look. Little Lion, enough showing off—lie down."

Intrigued, Blake approached the display case to examine the summoning card.

"Bronze-grade Snow Leopard... priced at 50,000 spiritual coins." It was steep, but a fair asking price for such a formidable battle pet.

"I'll take it," Blake declared, handing over the 50,000 spiritual coins to Sam, who could hardly contain his excitement over the 5,000-coin commission.

Blake immediately called forth his new pet.

"Roar!"