Just as Lu Sinian thought he probably wouldn’t be able to open for business today and was pondering with the system if there was any way to advertise, he faintly heard a commotion outside.
“Um, Demon Lord?”
A man dressed in a simple robe stood awkwardly outside the door. He seemed a little nervous and didn’t dare to look up.
Lu Sinian was somewhat surprised. From what he knew, the Abyss was considered a den of tigers and dragons by outsiders. He had been prepared for no one to come today but this was a pleasant surprise.
He quickly put on a standard smile and introduced, “What would you like to buy, sir? Please take your time.”
The man then cautiously glanced at the demon out of the corner of his eye. Sure enough, he was startled by the demon’s handsome, otherworldly face, and quickly lowered his head, not daring to offend this lord. He thought to himself, “Truly worthy of being a demon.”
The relief of surviving a close call gradually welled up in his heart.
These past few days, a rumor had been spreading like wildfire in Vista City.
It was said that deep within the Demon Beast Forest, there was a mysterious shop run by a demon who could bring boundless life and hope.
It sold all sorts of magical potions and magical items that were cheap and with amazing effects.
He was just an ordinary novice warrior stuck at that level for many years, and barely made a living by killing magical beasts.
In recent months, the beast tides had become increasingly ferocious, and his strength was no match for the neighboring Magic Association. He had narrowly escaped death in the Demon Beast Forest each time.
Looking at his young daughter at home, and hearing this rumor, he resolutely came to the Abyss, determined to gamble it all.
As he plummeted to his death filled with despair, he was filled with regret for believing the rumors and daring to venture into the Abyss.
Fortunately, the situation took a dramatic turn. Opening his eyes, he saw the mysterious building before him. Not only was he alive, but he had indeed found the Demon Shop he had been teleported to.
Who would have thought the rumor was true? If he hadn’t been desperate, he wouldn’t have tried searching for it.
Remembering the legendary magic potion, he carefully scanned the area and, sure enough, saw what appeared to be an item within one of the orbs of light.
“Hello… um, how much is that?”
Swallowing hard, the man’s voice was barely audible as he pointed at the orb of light, mumbling.
Lu Sinian glanced over and saw a bottle of cola. He calmly took it, smiling as he promoted his product: “This customer has excellent taste! This cola is exceptionally delicious. You’ll never forget it.”
He handed the cola to the man and quoted a price: “Ten gold coins for a bottle.”
This price was almost exorbitant for a low-level warrior, and he hadn’t saved many gold coins over the years to support his family.
But once he became a mid-level warrior, he could take on higher-level missions, kill more magical beasts, and wouldn’t have to worry about beast tides. Earning money would be much easier.
Ten gold coins for a level up was practically a steal, a clearance sale, especially since you might not even find anyone willing to sell.
The man gritted his teeth and pulled ten gleaming gold coins from his pocket.
He clutched the cola like a precious treasure, cautiously asking, “Sir, may I finish this here before leaving?”
This was a treasure acquired for such a huge sum of money, and he was terrified it would be stolen if he left. If it weren’t for the demon’s displeasure, he would have opened it and drunk it immediately, fearing that delay might lead to unforeseen complications.
Lu Sinian didn’t care at all. It was just a bottle of soda. He waved his hand: “Sure.”
The man carefully opened the cola tab and drank it down in one gulp. Before he could even react to the overwhelmingly refreshing sensation, a surge of magical power forcefully broke through his barriers.
He hadn’t even realized that he had so easily shattered the mid-level barrier that he hadn’t been able to break through for years.
The man immediately wanted to express his gratitude to the demon with tears streaming down his face. He covered his face. If it weren’t all so real, he would have thought he was dreaming.
Lu Sinian glanced at the man, frowning. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination but he always felt these customers were a bit strange.
He thought, “It seems people from this other world aren’t used to the taste of cola. Perhaps it’s too delicious? But this is too much!”
The man carefully tucked the empty bottle into his coat, and clutched it tightly. He already considered this shop his savior.
So what if it’s a demon god? As long as it can help him, even a demon god is a savior.
His attitude became unusually respectful. He immediately decided to side with the demons and betray the God of Light.
Lu Sinian, unaware of the man’s thoughts, saw that he had finished his cola and prepared to take him back.
Then, remembering the shop’s remote location, he asked the man, “How did you find this shop?”
“Well… in Vista City… there are rumors of the Abyss Shop…” the man respectfully explained to Lu Sinian.
Lu Sinian stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, then led the man into the elevator, successfully sending him away.
Before he could catch his breath, the transmission device outside beeped again.
Throughout the day, people came in one after another, mostly to buy cola.
Looking at the steadily increasing energy coins in his system panel, Lu Sinian remembered Abel, who had bought a huge amount of items yesterday.
Maybe Abel had helped him advertise.
He wondered if Abel would come again, he’d definitely thank him when he did.
*
“Hey, George, I heard there’s a new E-rank mission in the mercenary group’s hall. Want to team up?”
The muscular warrior punched George, forcing a comical smile.
George was a very thin man. For the first time, he refused his friend’s request, saying in a deep voice, “No, I want to try a D-rank mission this time.”
“Really? George, don’t be reckless. D-rank missions are not something low-ranking warriors like us can take on. I know you’re short on money but you can’t take such a risk, can you?”
Seeing his friend’s worried look, George smiled and explained, “No, I’m already a mid-rank warrior. I want to try a more difficult mission.”
“…Huh?” His friend stared blankly, unable to resist touching George’s head, murmuring, “You don’t have a fever.”
Laughing, George pushed his friend’s hand away and recounted his extraordinary encounter in detail.
“…I initially thought this rumor was a hoax but I never expected it to actually help me advance! Let’s go together after this mission.”
“This time was too rushed. I want to try some of the Demon Lord’s other magical potions. You can buy some and try them too.”
George’s eyes gleamed: “After becoming a mid-level warrior, at least we’ll have stronger abilities and won’t have to worry about mid-level magical beasts anymore.”
The rumors spread by Abel were brewing in this small city, influencing many people.
They might not easily believe it at first, but as the rumor became more and more believable, someone would be the first to try it.
After witnessing this miraculous power, more people would try it.
Once the seed begins to sprout, it will spread far and wide.
*
Today, the Magic Association welcomed a distinguished guest.
A mysterious figure wearing a hood that concealed his face and dressed simply sat as the honored guest. He was relaxed but the many renowned mages outside treated him with great respect.
The elderly man with a full head of white hair bowed to him, his eyes filled with excitement and surprise. He was Alec Luther, the president of the Vesta City Magic Association, a high-level mage.
“Sir, we have tested the Hidden Spirit Potion you sent. It is absolutely a divine medicine in the eyes of all mages!”
“Although our investigation shows it only works on those below the high-level, if everyone takes it, it will definitely boost Vesta City’s offensive and defensive capabilities to a new level.”
“But I wonder how many pills are available, and how much do you intend to sell them for?”
The mysterious man spoke slowly, holding a bottle of red, metallic beverage in his hand, clearly the cola sold in Lu Sinian’s shop.
“One thousand gold coins a bottle, no bargaining, I have as many as you want.”
The mysterious man’s price was outrageous, increasing it several hundred times with just a few words.
“That’s too expensive! This price is not worth it!”
The expressions of the crowd changed slightly, and a young man with a youthful face couldn’t help but speak up.
Alec reprimanded him, feeling quite awkward. The medicine was indeed important but its limitations were significant. Without mass production, it was useless.
He stroked his beard, exchanged a few glances with his subordinates, looking conflicted: “This… a thousand gold coins isn’t something you can just take. The association needs to discuss it internally.”
The mysterious man stood up abruptly, clearly unwilling to discuss further.
He turned and walked out of the hall, leaving behind a sentence that echoed in the hall: “I won’t change the price. Think it over and come back to me.”
A few minutes after the mysterious man left, the boy who had spoken earlier said, “I heard a rumor circulating in the city recently: someone in the Monster Forest is selling strange magical potions that can increase levels. Guild Master, what do you think…?”
Alec frowned, and pondered for a moment. The price was indeed too high, and mass production was completely unprofitable. However, he was also unwilling to give up this lucrative opportunity.
He waved his hand and said to the young man, “You, go follow that person and see what’s going on.”
“Yes, Guild Master!”
The man turned and hurried off to find the mysterious figure.
The mysterious figure didn’t walk very fast, stopping and starting along the way. By the time the man saw him, he had only walked a few hundred meters.
His gaze was clear. After leaving the city, he resolutely entered the Monster Forest.
The young man didn’t dare to relax for a moment, and stealthily followed the mysterious figure into the forest.
Many monsters in the Monster Forest charged at the mysterious figure but they were all easily killed.
The young man was secretly astonished. This person was probably a high-ranking warrior or higher, killing low-ranking monsters so easily.
After following him to a point very close to the abyss, the figure that had been vaguely visible suddenly disappeared.
The person who had been following him looked bewildered. After searching for a long time and finding nothing, he had no choice but to return in frustration to report.
Behind a large tree, the mysterious figure watched the departing person, then pulled down his hood, revealing his face.
Blonde hair and blue eyes—clearly Abel.
Abel smiled as he examined the cola in his hand.
He had been studying this mysterious drink these past few days. Having drunk it himself, it was no longer useful. He had given several bottles to his men, and he kept this one, intending to use it as bait.
Presumably, those mages wouldn’t let such an obvious clue slip by, and combined with the “rumors” spread by Joseph, they would permeate the message from top to bottom.
Surely, the Demon Lord will soon have new followers.