As the sun slowly began to dip down, the bustling street lamps started to light up, casting a warm glow on the street path. Nikos and his party stood outside the adventurer building.
Jarek, Marielle, and Liriel looked at him. "Sir, are you thinking of joining the defense of the city?" Liriel asked.
"No," Nikos said, his eyes scanning the faces of his companions. "We're not going to defend the city from the monster waves."
Marielle gripped her healing staff a bit tighter, as she feel conflicted. "But Master, is it okay for us to just stand by and do nothing?" She was torn between following Nikos's order or helping the people of the town. "What about the people who will be hurt or killed if we don't do something?"
Liriel also nodded in agreement with Marielle, but she kept her thoughts to herself, trying to place her trust in Nikos's decision.
Nikos stepped closer to Marielle, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "We have other ways to contribute to the city's defense," he said with a gentle smile. "We'll focus on what we do best – making potions and performing alchemical tasks. Our potions can make a significant difference in the battle and in treating the wounded. We'll make sure the town has enough supplies to last through the siege."
Hearing that, Marielle felt reassured. "You are right, we'll be saving more lives with our potions. I'm sorry, Master, for questioning your decision. I didn't think this through." She bowed her head in apology.
Nikos patted her shoulder. "It's fine. I understand you had no bad intention, and I prefer any of you to express your thoughts to me. I need to hear many perspectives." He then turned to Jarek, wanting to hear his thoughts too.
"I'll follow your decission, Masster. You know what's besht for us," Jarek said, placing his trust in Nikos's decision.
"Let's head back," Nikos decided.
With the decision made, the group left the street and made their way back to the inn. Once inside, Nikos immediately got to work in the small workshop he had set up on the table. He pulled out various ingredients and started crafting potions using his system.
His party members also assisted him, Liriel and Marielle assisted by purchasing additional supplies from the market, while Jarek stood guard by the door, ever vigilant.
After two hours of meticulous work, Nikos finished crafting for the day. He gathered his team. "Let's go. It's time to sell our potions."
"Yes Master(Sir)," Jarek, Marielle, and Liriel answer at the same time.
A month passed, and the party focused intensely on producing as many potions as possible. Nikos set up a modest stall in the market, where they sold their wares. Liriel, Marielle, and Jarek were as indispensable in the marketplace as they were on their quests for the adventurer's guild.
Their sales flourished, and Nikos quickly gained a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy supplier on the street. His potions sold out rapidly and were highly sought after by adventurers. Despite their success, Nikos always kept a reserve of potions for future needs.
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> Main < | Merchant System | Class | Inventory
Nikos Aarav – Lv. 18
Race: Human – Class: Novice Support
Gold: 8775 (↑8236)
System Credit: 102
---- SC Converter
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Meanwhile, the town of Oakheart was busy with preparations for the impending monster wave. Barricades were erected at key points, and watchtowers were manned around the clock. Blacksmiths worked tirelessly, forging weapons and armor. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, but there was a palpable sense of determination and solidarity among the townsfolk.
Outside the town, monster activity began to increase. Creatures that usually stayed deep in the forest or high in the mountains started appearing closer to the town and in some safe area.
There were reports of goblins raiding farms, wolves prowling the outskirts, and even a few sightings of larger, more dangerous beasts. The townspeople grew more anxious with each passing day, but they also grew more resolute in their determination to defend their home.
As the threat of the monster wave loomed larger, Nikos decided it was time to make a significant investment. He purchased a small building on the edge of the market area to serve as their new base of operations in Oakheart.
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| > Main < |
Gold: 7675 (-1100)
System Credit: 102
---- SC Converter
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Other merchants would need to work and save for six months to buy a small building in this town, but Nikos achieved it in only a month, such is the advantage of modern-day business knowledge.
On the day they moved into their new shop, Nikos gathered his party together. They stood in the main room, which still smelled faintly of fresh paint and sawdust.
"Finally we had proper store," Nikos said with a smiles. "This is our place now the first shop, and in the future there will be many more" he add, looking at each of them in turn.
Liriel, Marielle, and Jarek beamed with pride. Their hard work had led to this accomplishment. Although the shop was small, it represented a significant milestone.
Nikos then handed each of them a small pouch filled with coins. "This is your salary for the past month. You've earned it."
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| > Main < |
Gold: 7523 (-152)
System Credit: 102
---- SC Converter
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Marielle opened her pouch, her eyes widening in surprise. "Master Nikos, this is too much," she exclaimed, seeing the 46 gold coins. This was a sum typically earned by members of at least a C-rank party, yet they were only an E-rank party.
Jarek felt the same. He received 46 gold but closed the pouch. "Master, I can't accept this. I'm still in a state of punishment; I don't deserve this."
Nikos shook his head. "You deserve it. Just take it. If you feel unworthy, use it to buy something that will help our team in the future. Besides, we're not just adventurers anymore. We're business owners."
The two were a bit reluctant but eventually kept the coin pouch safe.
As for Liriel, since she had been with Nikos from the start, she received 60 gold for the whole month's earnings.
This amount is really big, I need to save it for my siblings. She nodded with a little smile on her lips and put the pouch on her hip safely under her cloak. "Thank you so much, sir."
Nikos nodded at them. "Now that you all have your salary, let me tell you our next plan," he said.
Meanwhile, across town, in the front store of an alchemist's shop, the exterior walls were weathered wood, and a sign creaked in the breeze. The door, adorned with carvings of herbs and minerals, swung open to reveal a cozy interior.
The air was thick with the scent of herbs and spices, mingling with the faint aroma of brewing potions. Shelves lined with glass jars filled with colorful powders and liquids.
Yet, despite the shop's inviting atmosphere, the front store is currently empty, save for a few scattered customers browsing the shelves. The silence is palpable, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of packaging or the soft clinking of glass jars.
The atmosphere is heavy with the weight of inactivity.
Behind the counter, one staff member and a half-elf manager were bored guarding the empty store. It had been weeks with not many customers coming in.
"You guard the shop; I want to go out for a bit," Lark, the half-elf manager, said to his employee.
"Okay, boss."
Lark went out of the alchemist building. He walked through the night market street gracefully like an elf, under his luxury satin clothes.
The night market atmosphere was relaxing, even though some anxious feelings about the future monster wave lingered. But the cozy feeling was still apparent. The night market's atmosphere was relaxing, a stark contrast to Lark's stressed thoughts. What should I do? There are so few customers lately. Uncle Roger will be furious.
Lark walked past many citizens and adventurers enjoying their evening time. As he walked, he overheard some adventurers talking.
"Hey, let's stock up on potions again. Sir Nikos's stall is offering a new discount if we buy 10 or more batches," said one adventurer.
"Yeah, let's hurry before they're sold out again like last time," his friend replied.
Lark stopped in his tracks upon hearing that conversation. What?! Someone dares to compete with the Alchemist Association!