Capítulo 2: Chapter2-Energy Reagent

As the button on the Store interface was pressed, the merchandise refreshed, and Ranch immediately became excited. Luck was decidedly on his side this time.

[Store lv1]

[Energy Reagent: Limited to ten bottles. A concoction made from the blood of giants, it temporarily enhances physical strength, lasting for one hour. Price: 50 gold coins each.]

[Basic Breath Technique of Knight: A common breathing technique. Practicing it can enable one to become a knight trainee, with full comprehension guaranteed upon purchase. Price: 300 gold coins.]

[Diluted Honey: Honey mixed with a large amount of water, carrying a faint sweetness. Price: one gold coin per jar.]

[Current merchandise status: Refreshed.]

[Spend 100 gold coins to refresh the merchandise again, up to three times a day.]

"Energy Reagent and the Breath Technique of Knight, both are valuable items! Too bad the Breath Technique of Knight and similar items like the magic meditation methods can only be used by the buyer and can't be replicated," Ranch mused internally.

He then glanced at his gold coin tally, only four coins remaining.

That meant he couldn't afford the Energy Reagent or the Breath Technique of Knight, only four jars of diluted honey.

But just because he was out of money didn't mean others were.

Ranch turned to Sophia, who was still bound, and with a gentle smile, he untied the ropes around her, warmly saying, "Miss Sophia, are you satisfied with this lace lingerie? If so, perhaps it's time to settle the payment?"

Sophia's fists clenched, the throbbing pain between her legs making it hard to stand straight.

She longed to smash her fist into Ranch's face, but reason told her it was best not to act on that impulse.

"How much?" she asked, suppressing her rage.

Ranch answered with a smile, "Everything!"

Being from House Muir himself, once a noble, Ranch was well aware that despite Hawk's sinister nature, when it came to matters like the treasure of the dragon, he would certainly have provided Sophia with ample funds.

Now, it was time to see how much the elven maiden had left.

Hearing Ranch's demand, Sophia laughed in disbelief, her bosom heaving with intense tremors as she cursed, "Ranch, is this all you can resort to, these vile tactics?!"

"Sorry, but I really need the money."

Ranch didn't bother with pleasantries; perhaps due to his earlier rough treatment, Sophia was visibly exhausted, her body devoid of much strength.

Even if she didn't hand it over willingly, he could easily take it himself.

"Stop right there!" Perceiving Ranch's intent, Sophia's face turned frantic, fearful he might use that strange spray again.

She pulled out a pouch of money from her leather jacket pocket and handed it to Ranch, saying, "This is all I have left, a hundred gold coins."

"Thank you."

While Ranch voiced his thanks, his actions were quite impolite, briskly pouring the gold coins from the pouch into his pocket.

"Top up 100 gold coins," Ranch silently commanded in his mind.

Promptly, the system responded.

[100 gold coins successfully topped up!]

[gold coins: 104]

Without hesitation, Ranch exchanged for two bottles of Energy Reagent and then stepped out of the tent, heading towards the noble residential area of the City of Crimson...

As for the unsold trinkets at the stall, they were no longer worth his time to peddle.

The two bottles of Energy Reagent would surely fetch a good price.

However, just a few steps out, Ranch suddenly stopped, turned to Sophia who was following him, and said, "Why are you following me?"

"I need to see your potential. Otherwise, I'd rather confess everything to Hawk than be defiled by a worthless creature like you, tarnishing the purity of an elf."

Regaining some strength, Sophia's pride had also returned.

Her heart still couldn't accept that Ranch had taken her body, especially since Ranch was a weakling. She revered the strong, particularly those who could aid her.

Ranch paid her no mind, letting Sophia follow along.

...

One leading and the other following, they traversed the impoverished district of the City of Crimson, arriving at the bustling area exclusive to the city's nobility.

Having identified his target, Ranch approached directly but was stopped by the guards at the entrance: "Get lost! This isn't a place for vagrants like you!"

Sophia mocked from the side: "Ranch, is this the extent of your capabilities? Can't even get through someone's gate, and you're scolded like a beggar?"

"Shut up." Ranch's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze intense.

He turned to the two guards, still utterly composed, and commanded, "Sophia, teach them a lesson."

Being valued by someone like Hawk, Sophia's strength was undoubtedly significant.

Her skills had already reached the novice knight level, ranking her among the strong in the City of Crimson.

Yet, it was odd that she, an elf, chose the path of a knight...

Hearing Ranch's unceremonious command, Sophia initially didn't want to cooperate.

But sensing the threat in Ranch's eyes, especially the lingering pain between her legs, she gritted her teeth and stepped forward.

Damn Ranch, always resorting to such despicable methods!

Sophia unleashed her fury on the two guards.

How could ordinary guards withstand a novice knight?

After getting beaten, they knew they were no match and hastily fled into the manor, meanwhile threatening, "Boy, you'll regret this! Lord Colin is not someone you can afford to offend!"

Ranch ignored the guard's threats, seeing them as nothing more than barking dogs.

He didn't choose to leave either.

Colin Rein, the master of this manor, was his chosen trading target.

The City of Crimson wasn't too large, situated near the Wolf Fang Mountains, where many spellbeasts lived, occasionally attacking the city.

There had even been three lords who met their demise, leading to rumors that the lordship was cursed... whoever took on the role of the city's lord would be the next to die.

Hence, the City of Crimson had no lord.

This led to chaos in the city, but it also allowed some opportunists to amass wealth amidst the turmoil.

Colin Rein was one such individual, having taken control of the city's grain trade.

However, he had his troubles too.

As a man, he couldn't satisfy his wives, and his vanity prevented him from sharing this with others.

Ranch had heard this secret from a servant in Colin's manor while selling those lace lingeries.

Energy Reagent, capable of replenishing physical strength.

This concoction, made from giant's blood, was no ordinary item.

Especially the blood-red glow it emitted made its exceptional nature clear at a glance.

Typically, such a uniquely glowing concoction would only be found in the hands of a pharmacist.

Pharmacists were a rare and revered breed, and according to what Ranch had gathered, there had never been a pharmacist in the City of Crimson, and even the potions available for sale were pitifully scarce.

Colin Rein, being a shrewd businessman, would not miss any opportunity to profit.

Of course, it was more likely that he would use the concoction for himself.

It wasn't long before Colin Rein emerged, followed by several stronger guards.

His gaze was hostile as he glared at Ranch and bellowed, "If you can't provide a satisfactory reason for this intrusion, I'll have you chopped into pieces and fed to those spellbeasts!"

"Does this, a potion I crafted myself, count as a reason?" Ranch raised the vial he was holding.

Colin Rein's expression changed, his voice laced with surprise and suspicion, "You... are a pharmacist?"

In numerous rumors, pharmacists were described as disheveled, so absorbed in concocting potions that they only ventured out when needing to procure some raw materials, and here was this man, with a powerful elf as his attendant.

"Mr. Pharmacist, please, come in."

Colin Rein became exceedingly polite, warmly inviting Ranch and Sophia into the manor.

As a businessman, establishing a connection with a pharmacist was invaluable, and Colin was well aware of the worth of the potions crafted by these pharmacists.

As for those two guards, failing even to watch the door properly, they might as well be fed to the spellbeasts.

Such were the rules in the City of Crimson, where human life was cheap.

Once inside the manor, Colin immediately had a slave test the potion.

The slave, who was on his last breath, was instantly revitalized after taking the potion.

Such a miraculous concoction!

A desire surged in Colin Rein's heart; he looked eagerly at Ranch, his demeanor even friendlier, saying, "Mr. Pharmacist, how many more of these potions do you have... I'll take them all!"

"Five hundred gold coins per bottle, and there are eight bottles in total, including the one used for the test. However, that bottle is a gift from me, free of charge," Ranch replied.

"Five hundred gold coins... that's too expensive!" Colin's face soured, well-established in the City of Crimson, he was no fool unaware of the going rates, where five hundred gold coins could buy potions crafted by master pharmacists.

Ranch remained composed, his demeanor proud, as if confident in the potion he held, stating, "You may choose to buy just one bottle to try for yourself. I believe you will come back to purchase more."

"Then I'll take one bottle first."

Colin, sensing an implication in Ranch's words, pondered for a moment before instructing his butler to bring five hundred gold coins, no small sum, nearly filling a fist-sized pouch.

Ranch accepted the gold coins and left.

Of course, before leaving, he informed Colin of his current place of residence.