Chapter 10: Chapter 10. Shina
Gold: 0 Units
Magic Core: 60,999 Units
---
Nothing beats waking up to more wealth every day.
Ace stretched his body lazily, sunlight streaming through the window of his modest yet functional room. It wasn't the luxury that gave him comfort—it was the knowledge of progress, of growth. His mind wandered back to the recent successes.
The trade with Shina had been a windfall, netting an impressive 50,000 gold coins. Of course, Lucia, ever the planner, had swiftly taken the entire sum to fund the development of Silver Town. Ace didn't mind; he trusted her judgment.
And what a transformation it had been. The once modest settlement now boasted impressive improvements. The town walls, once patchy and vulnerable, were now fortified with sturdy stone, standing tall as a testament to resilience. Cobblestone roads wove through the heart of the town, lined with functional lamp posts that glowed warmly at night, creating a serene ambiance.
Public spaces, once overlooked, were now bustling with life—clean, organized, and full of energy.
The townsfolk themselves seemed happier, their once-weary expressions replaced with smiles of hope. Vendors lined the main street, offering fresh produce, crafted goods, and even trinkets, while children darted through the marketplace, their laughter echoing in the crisp morning air.
A Week Later,
True to her word, Shina returned with another 40,000 gold coins, fulfilling her earlier promise. The trade with her was proving more successful than Ace had anticipated.
Silver Town now had a proper reception area for visiting merchants and dignitaries. Though modest in design, it radiated warmth and hospitality—a sign of the town's aspirations to become a hub of trade and diplomacy.
I haven't been lazy this past week either , my current balance was as follows:
Gold: 0 Units
Magic Core: 154,484 Units
---
Lucia and Shina sat in the newly furnished reception hall, their voices carrying an air of accomplishment as they discussed the details of the trade. Ace leaned against the wall, listening quietly, his curiosity piqued by Shina's resourcefulness.
"How did you pull it off so quickly?" Lucia asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and admiration.
Shina smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Connections," she said simply, her voice carrying a hint of pride. "You'd be surprised how far a little goodwill and a reputation for reliability can take you. The mana potions sold like wildfire. Word spread fast about their effectiveness in restoring energy, and demand exploded overnight."
Lucia raised an eyebrow. "And the caravans? Was it difficult arranging for their safety?"
"Not really," Shina replied with a casual shrug. "I had to pay a little extra to hire seasoned guards, but it was worth it. No one dares cross a convoy with proper protection. Besides, the roads have been quieter lately. I think the bandits are finally realizing that targeting organized merchants isn't worth the risk."
Ace couldn't hold back his curiosity. "It's remarkable how promising those potions turned out to be. Did you face any competition?"
"Some," Shina admitted, her eyes narrowing slightly. "But nothing substantial. Most traders couldn't match the potency of the potions you supplied. Their products were temporary fixes, while ours offered lasting effects. When buyers noticed the difference, they were more than happy to pay a premium."
Lucia leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "You've certainly earned the town's trust—and their affection. It's not every day someone like you comes along, Shina."
Shina grinned, her confidence shining through. "The feeling is mutual. It's good business, but it's also fulfilling to see the townsfolk thriving. Speaking of which, I've taken a few more orders for the next trip. The people here are wonderfully supportive."
Ace nodded, the gears in his mind turning. Shina's success had inspired him to push further. If they could sustain this momentum, Silver Town would be more than just a prosperous settlement—it would be a beacon of trade and opportunity.
Encouraged by the success, Ace turned his attention to the next step. He met with Barns, the town's alchemist, in the bustling alchemy workshop. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and the faint hum of magical energy. Barns greeted Ace with a nod.
"We need another batch," Ace said, his tone direct. "2,000 mana potions. Can you manage it?"
Barns chuckled, wiping his hands on his apron. "You've been keeping me busy lately, Ace. But yes, I have them prepared."
Ace also withdrew another 10,000 magic cores from the system, the shimmering energy swirling in his hands before vanishing into Barns' storage vault.
When Shina arrived to collect the shipment, her excitement was evident. She ran her hands over the crates filled with shimmering blue vials, her eyes alight with anticipation.
"This batch is going to revolutionize the market," she said confidently, her enthusiasm infectious.
The negotiations were brief and smooth. As discussed, she handed over 280,000 gold coins for the potions and magic cores. The trade was mutually beneficial, and it was clear that the last deal had been immensely profitable for her since she could pay upfront now.
Before departing with the caravans, Shina made sure to mingle with the townsfolk, taking notes of their orders and requests. Her cheerful demeanor and reliability had won their hearts, and they waved her off with warm smiles and well wishes.
Watching her leave, Ace couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
---
Later that evening, Ace opened the system interface to review his resources. His eyes widened as a notification popped up.
Limited Sales!
Talent Fragment (Common)
Price: 25,000 magic cores
Quantity: 10,000,000/10,000,000
Description: A fragment of a Demigod rumored to wield power strong enough to set a mortal on the path to immortality.
Special Effect: 30% chance of upgrading your current talent to the next level.
(Note: You can only see the percentage of your grade. Talent grade visibility changes upon upgrading.)
Talent Fragment (Rare)
Price: 50,000 magic cores
Quantity: 1,000/1,000
Description: A fragment of a Demigod rumored to wield power strong enough to set a mortal on the path to immortality.
Special Effect: 50% chance of upgrading your current talent to the next level.
Talent Fragment (Epic)
Price: 100,000 magic cores
Quantity: 1/1
Description: A fragment of a Demigod rumored to wield power strong enough to set a mortal on the path to immortality.
Special Effect: 100% chance of upgrading your current talent to the next level.
[Special note: This only shows the percentage of your talent grade , higher talent grades are shown lower percentage.]
Ace's heart raced as he read the descriptions. The Epic-tier fragment was a rare opportunity, one he couldn't afford to miss. Without hesitation, he spent 100,000 magic cores to purchase it.
A notification immediately appeared in the system's world chat.
[Global Announcement]: Player Ace has purchased the Epic Talent Fragment!
The chat erupted into a frenzy.
[Player1]: What? Epic-tier?!
[Player2]: That's insane! How did he even afford it?
[Player3]: This guy is unstoppable…
Ace ignored the chatter, his focus solely on the fragment in his hand. It shimmered with a divine light, its energy pulsating with raw potential. Without delay, he activated it.
New Talent Acquired!
A surge of power coursed through him as the fragment dissolved into his being.
New Talent: Unyielding Prosperity
Effect: Gain 30% daily turnover from any specified item, capped at 250,000 value. This means the most you can earn per day is 75,000.
Grade: B (A cornerstone of success, but beware the pitfalls of ambition!)
Ace felt a rush of exhilaration as the new talent integrated seamlessly with his system. Though his mana core reserve had dwindled to 54,484 units, he knew the investment was worth it.
Sitting back, Ace couldn't help but smile. This was just the beginning. With Unyielding Prosperity, Silver Town's rise would be unstoppable.
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