FOURTH, FIFTH, AND SIXTH UPGRADE (3)

"That's 50.5 gold coins, all for mana potions", Alab muttered...

The petite woman at the counter was stunned for a while. Anastasia was no different as her jaws kissed the floor. She couldn't believe that Alab would spend the 50 golds in one go!

"Alab, 50 gold coins? Did I hear it right?", Anastasia doubt her hearing.

'It seems that I need to clean my ears later haha'

"You heard it wrong"

"Woohh, as I thought---"

"It's 50.5 gold coins"

"Wh--?!"

Anastasia found it absurd to spend much gold entirely on mana potions.

'Surely he needs a health potion too, right? Or exhaustion potion? Right?'

Had Alab bought a proportionate of mana, health, and exhaustion recovery potions, it would be fair and justifiable, after all, damage and mental fatigue were inevitable in dungeons.

But, Alab not only bought an irregular amount but much more, he spent 50 gold coins outright!

'No, it's 50.5 gold coins!', Anastasia couldn't come to terms with reality.

The saleswoman however was quick to adopt. In just a short while, she cleared her throat and spoke.

*cough*

"50 gold coins would fetch you about 1,000 potions but I am sorry to inform you that we do not have that much stock left.", the woman sunken her face, wrinkles cropped up beside her eyes.

"Also, I am sorry but we do not sell that many items to non-members. If you want, you can purchase our membership, only then will you be authorized for various exclusive treatments."

The face of the saleswoman brightened up as that idea sparked in her mind. She couldn't possibly let go of this chance to recruit this gallant customer. It was just a few times that a generous customer would visit their stalls.

They either had private alchemist or brewing skills. Not to mention that their commodities had a ceiling of D-rank with a diminutive fix recovery of 1,000 which was rather trivial. The price was even more costly than it should. It was just a matter of time before other towns would be opened up and they would be forced to lower the price at an absurd rate.

They had to earn as much as they could in these early times.

"Our store is the best shop in this town though the price may be hefty the quality is assured by our alchemists", the petite woman uttered, flashing a courteous smile.

She had been in this industry for a while now and she knew she had to lure this customer into their membership.

"You can also get a 10% discount and premium treatment from this shop---"

"I will join"

"You will be prioritized in our sales and be offered ---- wait what?!", the petite woman couldn't believe that it was that easy. She was prepared to throw in ridiculous offers but it seemed that the customer ahead was too generous!

'He didn't even ask anything?! Is he just naive?', the woman pondered.

Alab didn't care about the price. Of course, it mattered but he believed that he could acquire such an amount given enough time. Not to mention that there was a rich and gracious woman beside him.

*shiver!*

Anastasia felt a shiver for a second as her eyes met the indifferent eyes of Alab. Somehow, she felt that he was scheming something...

'What is on his mind?!', Anastasia couldn't read through his enigmatic expression.

Alab then turned his head toward the petite woman who began talking once more.

"If you may, please enter the second floor, and we will discuss the terms of the contract there", the woman was quick on steeling her composure. She then gestured and escorted Alab to the stairs on the corner, leading to the upper floor.

Another saleswoman occupied the counter as she left.

Anastasia trailed behind Alab who didn't bother shaking her off. Not that he had any ulterior motive...

The woman knocked on the timber door three times. There was no response resounding from the inside.

Up close, Alab could now discern the upright back of the woman. Her aura was noble and her appearance was impressive.

She had hazelnut hair and clear eyes. Polka dots red dress adorned her slim body as a red scarf wrapped her neck.

Still, she fell short to the woman on the right side of Alab.

Anastasia was just too beautiful and alluring. Her tight black leggings and red leather cuirass accentuated her beauty.

In pure contrast, Alab wore tattered clothing and a faint scent of graveyard loomed on him.

"Mr. Jaber, are you there?", the petite woman called out. There was silence and the woman waited for a while. Eventually, she pushed open the timber door.

"I will be entering now.", she muttered, feebly opening the door.

The room was decorated with notable items, clinging to the wooden panels in the wall. Office furniture was centralized in one corner whilst concocting tools filled the other half.

The steaming glass enclosing a yellowish fluid bore witness to the recent potion concocting that just occurred.

Alab glanced at the encased cylindrical glass in the corner as the woman directed him and Anastasia to the couch in a corner.

'There were new items in here', Anastasia pondered.

"It seems that Mr. Jaber is off to acquire ingredients again.", the woman uttered and then took a document from the compartment of a cabinet on the side.

Bringing the document toward Alab and Anastasia who sat adjacent to him, the woman took a pen from her inventory and muttered.

"I am sorry for the late introduction. I am Kim, a saleswoman in this shop.", the petite woman introduced.

Fixing her dress as she sat with legs close together, Kim handed the pen and the document toward Alab.

Alab skimmed through the contract and nodded his head as the contents were noteworthy. The terms were inclined to the prosperity of both parties. It was a Win-Win contract.

Anastasia peeked through the contents and nodded her head similarly.

"The exclusive offers are decent. Not to mention the beta testing, it is indeed tempting", Anastasia was satisfied with the contract.

Hearing her words, Kim flashed a proud smile as she stated.

"Our shop is attempting to produce new potions for commerce. Having a membership will offer you a chance to partake in the beta testing of the new commodities", Kim pressed her palm to her chest, a dignified smile etched on her face.

She was beyond proud of being a part of this prominent store. To her, it was a dream come true to work and contribute to its prosperity.

Alab took hold of the pen which was adorned with intricate patterns. It was clear that it was not a normal item.

Alab scanned its detail.

[Pen of Contract (A)

Description: A pen bound to user Mr. Jaber. Any contract signed with this pen will be recorded in the library of heaven.

Effect:

- bound both parties to the contract.

- calls for Heaven's wrath toward the breaching party]

It was the first A-grade item that Alab's eyes had laid upon. It was potent despite its minimal amount of effects.

[Do you want to convert this item into a point?]

A system notice obscured his sight. Of course, Alab was not impulsive to convert the item. He didn't want to anger whoever owns this A-grade item who was certainly an influential individual.

Alab lifted his head as he glanced toward Kim who began another deliberations.

"As you can see in the contract, we are offering three tiers, costing 10, 20, and 30 gold coins respectively. You may choose whatever tier you deemed suitable", Kim deliberated.

"If you have something you want to add or edit in the contract, feel free to tell me---"

"5,000 mana potions a week, I want to add that", Alab blurted out his definite motive.

It was mainly for this reason that he accepted the contract. Gold didn't matter to him anyways as he could just earn enough gold weekly or ask someone for gold...

*shiver!*

Anastasia felt shiver once more.

"Why are you looking at me?!", Anastasia exclaimed. An irking feeling of being dragged into something icky was shaping in her mind.

'Why do I feel like I will be bankrupt soon?', Anastasia pondered.

Kim pondered for a while. Five thousand mana potions a week were not that much but she considered the healthcare of Mr. Jaber and other alchemists. The daily stocking of potions already took a burden on them. Not to mention the ergonomic hazards in their little laboratory.

But, she knew that this membership was crucial for their prospective revenue. She couldn't let it go.

'I will just help and began learning brewing potions!', Kim pledged.

In a short while, she affirmed.

"I will amend the contract as you prefer. Is there anything else you want to add?", Kim muttered as she took the contract. The lines were recurring amendments. In no time, a new statement slithered through the rough surface.

The line turned stiff and a new term was carved.

Kim handed out the amended contract to Alab. Anastasia dilated her eyes with amazement at the sudden change.

"It is good now", Alab nodded

At last, Alab tightened his hold of the pen. Kim's eyes were keen, tracing the tip of the pen of Alab that in a short while, stroked through the document, leaving a trail of black ink as he encircled the 30 gold coins.

'As I thought, he is a scion!', Kim assumed, neglecting the tattered clothing of Alab.

His hands moved further down the document, and with a stroke, his signature was engraved on the document.

Kim held back her excitement as she took the contract. Her smile was gentle, concealing her erupting grin from inside. She was beyond thrilled!

'Now, this shop has gained its third member!'

Kim signed the adjacent part of Alab's signature. As the tip of the pen departed the document, a dazzling light descended on it, shoving it with a holy ambiance. Gradually, the light subsided, and a new intricate sign was carved above their signatures.

"The heaven has signed, now the contract is ratified", Kim described and then stand. Extending her right arm with a feebly opened palm, Kim expressed her gratitude.

"Thank you for purchasing a membership. I am looking forward to more transactions and mutual benefits with you", Kim smiled.

Alab similarly stood and stretched his right arm. Holding the hand of Kim, they shook hands as they finalized their agreement.

"So, when do I get the 5,000 mana potions?", Alab shook quicker.