Balding Indeed

[Ding! You've received 10,000 skull coins!]

[Ding! You've received 10,000 skull coins!]

[Ding! You've achieved the title: [Master of Fraud]. You earn 500 Experience!]

[Master of Fraud: A special achievement, earned by making a one-time profit of over 300,000 skull coins through the sale of a single type of potion. Permanent bonus acquired: Potion sales income increased by 1%, Intelligence +1, Eloquence +1.]

Inside the store, Lynne bathed in delight (〒▽〒), and sat amidst a pile of coins, counting each skull coin meticulously.

"It feels wrong, taking advantage of them like this. But I swear I never deceived my customers. If the potion can double one's combat abilities, surely it boosts every aspect exponentially. Our Bloodsaw Potion Shop's reputation is top-tier. If hair loss is an issue, I'll concoct a batch of hair growth potions tomorrow, promising affordability! T^T"

...

Meanwhile, on a vast plain in the Dark World, rows of heavily armored dark elves stood in formation, their gaze fixed intently on the looming black fog ahead.

The leading elf, gripping his spear tightly, was ready for battle. This was the fifth day of the elven kingdom's stand against the abyssal insect swarm, a pivotal moment. If they could successfully defend against this ferocious onslaught, reinforcements would soon arrive.

From the shadows, faint roars echoed. Red eyes shimmered in the darkness, watching.

"Has our supply not arrived yet?!" The elven captain turned, a frown creasing his brow, looking at his subordinates behind him. Their situation was dire. All supply routes had been cut off. Their only means now was through Vision World. But the number of [Vision Stones] they had was dwindling. If they couldn't fend off this wave, their defenses would crumble by dawn.

"Captain!" A dark elf rushed over, panting heavily, pausing to catch his breath before saying, "I've established contact with the kingdom via Vision World. The kingdom has urgently sent us some supplies. But due to Vision World's transfer limitations, they've only managed to send a little over a hundred bottles of combat potions urgently procured by the kingdom!"

"Hopefully, they'll aid us!"

He promptly set down a box from his back. Upon lifting the lid, rows of assorted compound potions were neatly arranged inside.

"Half of these are emergency healing potions, two-thirds are auxiliary strength-type potions, and the remaining third consists of a few advanced combat potions urgently bought by the kingdom's supply team."

He picked up a poo brown-colored potion and handed it solemnly to the captain.

"Captain! Here you go!"

The elf captain took the potion with a furrowed brow, observing the murky and revolting liquid inside. "What kind of potion is this? It looks like... urine?"

The elf replied gravely, "The supplies for all our units are running critically low. The kingdom's stockpile is nearly empty. This newly procured potion varies in quality, but word has it that it can nearly double the user's combat strength. It's potent!"

"Double?!"

The surrounding dark elves expressed astonishment upon hearing this. They understood that potions capable of significantly boosting combat abilities in such short durations were exceptionally rare. Those that could amplify abilities by more than double were lifesaving ace potions in dire circumstances!

However, such potions typically come with severe side effects. Some left the user severely weakened for days after consumption. Regardless, the utility of such a potion was undeniable.

"Are there any side effects?"

"We're unsure due to the urgency."

"How many of these potions were sent?"

"Five."

The elf captain, with a grave expression, declared, "Distribute the potions. If they truly can double our strength for a short period, I'm confident we can defeat the aberration!"

Defeating the insect matriarch would substantially alleviate their defensive line's crisis.

At that moment, sharp roars pierced the darkness. Suddenly, the black mist churned, and countless massive insects surged from the ground, their foul mandibles emitting horrifying shrieks.

In the distance, a massive matriarch insect, the cause of their woes, made its appearance.

"It's here!" The elf captain lifted his gaze and roared, "Prepare to defend!"

The swarm, like a tidal wave, commenced its onslaught.

Leading the charge, the captain plunged headfirst into the swarm, brandishing his spear, fiercely tearing through insect after insect. His gaze immediately locked onto the enormous aberration deep within the swarm, orchestrating the attack.

His eyes sharpened. If this potion truly doubles one's combat prowess, He was certain he could navigate through this sea of enemies and slay the aberration plaguing them!

With a twist and a pop, the potion's cork was removed. Gritting his teeth, the captain downed the entirety of the potion in one gulp. In that very instant, a torrential warmth, indescribable, surged from his stomach, flooding every fiber of his being.

His pupils dilated, "This... this power..."

His expression was one of utter astonishment. He felt his strength exponentially rising as if the potion was a potent catalyst that instantly magnified his power to unthinkable levels.

In the very next moment, he let out a thunderous roar. The armor encasing his body burst asunder. To the astounded gazes of the fighting elves, their captain revealed a physique of rippling, bulging muscles that pulsated with fervent energy.

"Captain?!" Their astonishment mingled with elation.

For they too, in that split second, felt the surge in their captain's aura, seemingly becoming much more potent. However, another explosive sound echoed, their captain's luscious, long black hair, much like his armor, exploded away, revealing a glistening, bald scalp.

Ping—

A glint of light reflected off his smooth forehead, momentarily blinding all the onlookers.

The gathered elves exclaimed, "(ΩДΩ)!!"

"So shiny! Why did his hair explode off?!"

Almost simultaneously,

Boom—

Boom—

Explosions resonated in the distance.

The elves, gripped by panic, quickly turned to find that the other four of their ranks who had ingested the potion shared the same fate as their captain. Their clothes had exploded off! And along with the rhythmic pulsations of their exposed muscles, their hair too was blown clean off. Multiple gleaming reflections danced around, turning them into the most dazzling figures on the battlefield.

"They've gone bald too (ΩДΩ)!!"