Morning in the suite at the Ivory & Silk Residence began with a moment of silence and focus.
Diana was sitting on the living room sofa, observing Rhea, who was looking at the System window floating before her face.
Rhea had reached Level 11 at the end of two weeks of rigorous training, and the Level 10 milestone had opened up the First Official Class panel and attribute spectrum expansion for the hybrid girl.
Rhea looked at Diana, appearing hesitant. "Diana… do you want to choose my class? If you want a scout purely focused on support for your magic style-"
"No." Diana interrupted gently, taking a sip of tea.
Rhea blinked, surprised. "No…?"
"We are partners, Rhea." Diana said, her icy gaze turning genuinely calm and respectful. "Your life and your movements belong to you. I trust your judgment. Choose the class that you feel reflects your true strength."
The hybrid girl felt her chest warm with emotion. Knowing that the incredibly strong human girl, who she now knew was a Candidate for the Deadly Sin, fully trusted her individual choice was the ultimate proof of their friendship.
"Thank you, Diana…" Rhea smiled firmly, turning to the selection panel.
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[CLASS SELECTION PANEL - RHEA]
1. [Deep Shadow Assassin]: Stealth Physical Damage Class. Increases backstab critical damage by 100%.
2. [Silver Wind Scout]: Extreme Speed Class. Focus on dodge and terrain reconnaissance.
3. [Phantom Blade of Greed]: Synergy and Stealth Execution Class. Enables short shadow blink steps and receives an additional +25% damage bonus when under leadership auras.
Rhea didn't hesitate for a single second. She pressed the option [Phantom Blade of Greed].
The silver and emerald-green light of her corrosive daggers wrapped around her body, adjusting her mana channels and unlocking her new attribute spectrum:
[RHEA'S CLASS EVOLUTION COMPLETED!]
- Official Class: [Phantom Blade of Greed - Level 11]
- Expanded Attributes Unlocked: Perception: 10 | Willpower: 6 | Wisdom: 4
- New Class Skill Unlocked:
- [Phantom Step - Level 1]: Active. Enables an instant shadow blink up to 5 meters through shadows, appearing directly behind the target's back. (Cost: 10 MP / Cooldown: 12 Seconds).
Agility 28 combined with the new skill [Phantom Step].
Rhea had become a true invisible executioner on the battlefield.
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While Rhea tested the range of her new shadow blink in the spacious room, Diana leaned back on the sofa, lost in thought.
The revelation of her heritage as a Candidate for the Sin of Greed had altered the scale of her planning.
If I want to claim the Throne of Greed in the Fourth Circle and defeat the other Candidates… Diana reasoned, her dark eyes gleaming with calculated ambition. …individual combat strength won't be enough. To dominate a Circle of Hell, one must control the economy.
Diana looked down at her hand. She already possessed advanced proficiencies in Alchemy, Leatherworking, and Metallurgy, refined through training with Master Volkan.
"We aren't going to sell our consumables to middleman merchants like Malakor." Diana declared, rising from the sofa. "We are going to open our own official commercial establishment in the Second Circle."
Rhea stopped her training, her amber eyes shining. "Our own business…?"
"The Arcane Greed Faction won't be just a hunting party." Diana smiled, a sharp, predatory smile packed with pride. "Starting today, we begin building our brand as the sector's premier elite consumable workshop."
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Chamber of Commerce of the Second Circle - Central Sector
The Chamber of Commerce was the financial center of the Ivory Citadel, a white marble building where nobles and grand guildmasters registered their patents and trademarks.
Diana walked up to the trademark registry counter and deposited five gleaming silver coins onto the commercial inspector's desk.
[COMMERCIAL LICENSE PAYMENT]
- Official Trademark Registration & Commercial Stall License: -5 Silver Coins (500 Bronze).
The inspector stamped the official document with the Chamber's gold seal:
[COMMERCIAL REGISTRATION COMPLETED!]
- Brand Name: [Arcane Greed Workshop & Trade]
- Owner: Diana (Commander of Arcane Greed)
- Authorized Location: Private Commercial Stall No. 14 - Ivory Central Plaza.
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Two hours later, Commercial Stall No. 14 in the Central Plaza boasted an elegant dark wood stand with silver accents beneath the official banner of the Arcane Greed Faction.
Upon the polished counter, Diana organized her first batch of self-produced goods:
- 10x Intermediate Healing Potions (85% Purity - Restores 80 HP).
- 5x Arcane Vigor Elixirs (Restores 30 MP).
- 3x Vials of Concentrated Paralysis Poison.
- 2x Polished Iron Daggers (Forged at Master Volkan's workshop).
The quality of Diana's consumables caused an immediate sensation in the commercial plaza.
While the potions sold by the local Alchemists' Guild had an average purity of 50% and inflated prices, Diana's potions offered 85% purity at competitive market rates.
In under three hours of operation, a line of Level 10 to 15 adventurers formed before the Arcane Greed stall.
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[FIRST DAY SALES RESULTS]
- 10x Intermediate Healing Potions, 20 Bronze each = 2 Silver Coins.
- 5x Vigor Elixirs, 20 Bronze each = 1 Silver Coin.
- 3x Paralysis Poisons, 30 Bronze each = 90 Bronze Coins.
- 2x Polished Iron Daggers, 30 Bronze each = 60 Bronze Coins.
TOTAL EARNED ON FIRST DAY: +4 Silver Coins and 50 Bronze Coins (450 Bronze)!
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[FULL FINANCIAL AUDIT]
Previous Balance: 30 Silver Coins.
Commercial License Cost: -5 Silver Coins.
Subtotal: 25 Silver Coins.
FIRST DAY TRADE EARNINGS: +4 Silver Coins and 50 Bronze Coins.
[NEW ABSOLUTE NET WORTH: 29 SILVER COINS AND 50 BRONZE COINS (2,950 Bronze!)]
Nearly thirty silver coins in the vault.
The name Arcane Greed Workshop spread like wildfire among the central sector's hunter guilds.
Back on the duplex apartment balcony, Diana and Rhea counted the day's profits beneath the Second Circle's silvery sky.
—Unbelievable…
The System's voice echoed in Diana's head, the interface flashing with ironic approval.
—Not only do you hunt like an assassin and forge like a dwarf, but now you've turned into a medicinal trade tycoon. The nobles of the Ivory Citadel are going to have to swallow your name whether they want to or not.
Diana stashed the silver coins into her reinforced pouch, gazing out at the city's horizon.
"This is only the first step." Diana said, her eyes shining with overwhelming ambition. "Tomorrow we begin expeditions into Level 12 to 15 Dungeons. It's time to take the Arcane Greed Faction to the next level."
Rhea smiled beside her, adjusting her corrosive crystal daggers, ready to conquer the world alongside her partner.
Final Notes:
A chill chapter today! A lot of important stuff went down recently, so here's something a bit more relaxed. What are you all thinking so far? Thank you SO much to everyone reading the story, seriously, you guys mean the absolute world to us <3
If you'd like to support us, we're on Patreon! We also give away ten chapters early on Patreon! We plan to add more eventually in the future :3