CHAPTER 15

Title: My First Trading Partner is An Awaken

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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[Setting: Manila 2017]

'This enhancement, I don't know if it's a curse or a blessing. However, without it, I might not be able to save the day. Manager Felix might have been toast!'

Henry thought, reflecting on the events that unfolded in the DSH bank.

'But the heck, there are still discrepancies on controlling this strength,' Henry was frustrated with it but he is getting the hang of it.

'After I became an F-rank Awaken, it's pretty difficult to control my strength. This is natural. Since I chose to go this path, I needed to be patient.' Henry thought.

Just like what happened to his room. That punch is still a hole in his room. He just covered it with plaster.

'And the second instance when I forget to control my strength with the first robber that I had 'given a lesson. I believe his leg is totally unrecoverable!'

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Despite his best efforts to keep his secret hidden from his family, the walls have ears as they usually say.

Henry returned home, hoping to bury what happened today, he was welcomed by the topic of robbery of his brother and sisters. Even his father, Jimmy, advises against it.

"The good thing about it is that they didn't know that I had just come from that bank." Henry just stays calm and approaches his father about the adjacent property they like to buy.

It gives him a day or two of peace of mind. He knew how active his siblings are when it comes to this kind of action moves and incidents.

He was thankful that Dylan and his two younger sisters shifted their talks about the land that their older brother intended to purchase.

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Early in the morning, Mister Hernales stood on the weathered porch of his quaint farmhouse, a sense of nostalgia enveloping him as he gazed out at the sprawling expanse of land that he had come to call his own over the years.

It was on this very land that he had raised his children, watched them grow, and forged memories that would linger in his heart for a lifetime.

But now, as the years drifted by and his children grew up and off to pursue their own dreams and aspirations, Mister Hernales found himself at a crossroads, faced with a weighty decision that tugged at his heartstrings.

The dilemma lay in the necessity to sell a portion of his beloved property in order to secure the financial stability needed to alleviate mounting debts that had accrued over time.

A lifelong gambler, Mister Hernales had initially found success in his ventures, leveraging his winnings to acquire lands and investments, including the subdivision in which he now resided.

However, the fickle hand of luck had turned against him in recent months, leaving him grappling with the harsh reality that his gambling habit threatened to unravel the very fabric of his hard-earned prosperity.

As he stood there, contemplating the path forward, a familiar figure approached, breaking the solitude of the morning.

"So it's Jimmy. You still wanted this land?" Mister Hernales inquired, his voice tinged with a mix of apprehension and hope.

"Yes, my son will buy it for me. I wanted to use it as a side hustle as I babysit my two daughters," Jimmy replied earnestly. He had already plan to purchase this property since day one.

"And I am Henry, the oldest in the family," Henry interjected, extending a hand in greeting.

"Good. Good," Mister Hernales nodded, acknowledging Henry's presence.

"You're aware that I am selling it for 5,000 per square meter. The property adjacent to your house is 1,250 square meters. If you are still interested, we can formally close the deal with our lawyers."

"Of course, we are," Jimmy affirmed as Henry nodded in agreement.

With a shared understanding, they proceeded to formalize the purchase of the property.

Amidst the legal formalities and signatures exchanged, there lingered a silent acknowledgment of the significance of this transaction.

"6.55 million pesos along with the different fees," it took them three days to conclude the purchases. In these three days, he also managed to control his strength further.

He also engaged a local construction company renowned for its expertise in erecting greenhouses, which now sprawl across most of the 1,250 square meter property, facilitating their envisioned hydroponic farm.

In anticipation of any potential suspicions, Henry plans to replenish their salt inventory next week, ensuring the warehouse owner remains oblivious to their activities.

Even Mister Alrik, the owner of the DnD warehouse is curious, he knew for a fact that it's not his business.

Having recently amassed 280 tons of salt within the confines of a warehouse leased from the DnD Warehouse Company, Henry secretly used the storage of the Platform even paying of the 5 percent tax of the platform itself.

Meanwhile, Henry's brother, Dylan, continues to hone his physique, inching closer to peak physical condition and to the continuous drinking of the F-rank healing potion.

Henry advises him to consider acquiring proficiency in a martial art, equipping him with the means to defend himself against potential confrontations with bullies.

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Tyler's fortunes took a decisive turn, aligning with the impending need to bolster his arsenal to reach the D-rank awaken.

His ascent from an E-rank novice to a D-rank just a while ago and after establishing his foundation, he knew that he needed more time to be accustomed to his new strength. Just like Henry, Tyler too is adjusting his new strength.

'The substation platform is truly helpful. Without it, I might not have been able to procure the blueprint of making the F-rank bomb. Although it's pretty difficult to make at first, the platform had given me fund to increase my proficiency,'

Tyler recalled what had taken place days ago. He didn't know that he could do it, procuring the infamous F-rank bomb blueprints.

'Although, the only limit is to sell the bombs to the Count herself, I didn't care as I was more focused on increasing my proficiency.'

This is how Tyler thought when he had invested much of his wealth to about 30 percent.

'I needed to, as this is one of the things that could change the war to our favor.' Tyler Thought.

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"Lady Rocca, Tyler Pierce is here," Drew reported, his voice echoing through the halls.

"Greetings, Lady Rocca. I'm here to present the commodity needed, the F-rank bomb," Tyler announces.

"I might say, you seem to have progressed in your proficiency in making such a bomb, you had just purchased the blueprint from me eight days ago," The count said.

As a count for decades, she still recognized talent at first glance. Eight days to achieve the quota for a single purchase is already a feat for someone like Tyler who doesn't seem to have a background or nobility backing him.

"I believe so, Lady Rocca. I had made 300 F-rank bombs to meet your minimum purchase in bulks, and as agreed upon during my purchase of the F-rank bomb blueprints, I wanted to trade it to higher rank crystals," Henry reintegrates.

"Drew, let the logistics check those bombs first. If it passes, we can trade the D-rank crystals to this young man." The count said.

"Yes, lady Rocca. Consider it done," Drew responded immediately.

"So, I was wondering if you can enlighten me with your purchase of the wastewater. I am sure I can find ways on how to deal with the powdery form of the crystals, but the wastewater is far more troublesome," the count said.

'The heck?! Even the wastewater was being discussed here? How should I know?' Tyler thought.

Still, as composed as ever, Tyler tried to reason, "I am not sure why the merchant wanted to buy those green liquids but I could ask when he would haul those things in my courtyard."

"It's good that you tell such a truth. So, just like what we have here, you trade it with a merchant. I'm really intrigued." The Lady of Rocca said.

"If we could get a hold of how he use such waste, I will surely give you a reward." She continued. "D-rank crsytals maybe."

"That's a generous reward, lord!" Tyler exclaimed. "Anyways, the last time I checked, he still used it for growing leafy plants as he called it."

"Yes. It would be very strange if he would use it on others. However, are there new ways on how to grow such without the weed problems?" The count asked and her thought was said out loud.

Tyler also frowns, so he wanted to go back to his villa and try asking Henry about it. He was also intrigued by the possibility of what the count commented.

"Growing leafy plants without the weed problems! That would be profitable!" Tyler exclaimed.

Although he doesn't have issues on food, common people have. Most of the magical beasts are not edible for most people since they were imbued by magical energy. Only awakened can eat those meats from these beasts as they have the proper immunity to such energy.

If one could use wastewater to grow common leafy plants, it would be a great boom to their population. Thus, Tyler is also eager to know it from Henry.