CHAPTER 4

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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Henry carefully poured the F-rank healing potion into a measuring cup, stopping at the 200 ml mark, as advised by Tyler. He glanced at the herbal compound in the cup, a mischievous glint in his eyes, knowing the effects it would have.

Dylan, unable to resist his curiosity, reached for the cup and cautiously sniffed the liquid. To his surprise, a pleasant aroma wafted up, tempting him further. With a daring move, he dipped his finger into the potion and tasted a drop.

A rush of warmth flooded through him, invigorating his body and filling him with newfound energy. Emboldened by the sensation, Dylan poured himself a glass and took a sip, experiencing an even more pronounced effect.

As Dylan revealed in the sensation, he couldn't help but marvel at the shared secret he now shared with Henry. However, his thoughts soon turned to the source of Henry's wealth, his suspicions growing with each passing moment.

"You feel it too, brother, right?" Henry asked, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah, I feel warm and energetic," Dylan replied, still basking in the effects of the potion.

"Okay, just wait for it. Maybe five to ten minutes, you'll be using the bowl too!" Henry teased, his laughter echoing through the room.

As they continued to use the comfort room throughout the day, the effects of the potion became more pronounced, much to the amusement of Henry and Dylan. They couldn't help but marvel at the improvements in their bodies, especially their father's.

The following day, Sunday, they repeated the process, much to the astonishment of Sheinna and Amelia. As the sisters learned about the herbal medicine's effects, they couldn't help but burst into laughter, realizing the lengths their brothers would go to for their father's recovery.

"Looks like we'll be spending a lot of time outside today!" Sheinna exclaimed, her laughter contagious as they all shared in the comedic situation.

And as they spent the day enjoying the outdoors, laughter filling the air, they knew that despite the challenges they faced, they would always find a way to come together as a family, even if it meant enduring a few unexpected bathroom trips along the way.

As for Tyler, he stood amidst the bustling chaos of Wadas City's black market, a sense of determination burning in his veins. He had come here with a singular purpose: to acquire E-rank crystals, as he needed it to increase his power.

E-rank crystals can give significant rise of power compared to 10 F-rank crsytals.

As he weaved through the labyrinth of stalls and vendors, Tyler's eyes alighted upon a display of shimmering crystals, their radiant glow drawing him in like a moth to a flame. He approached the vendor tentatively, his heart pounding with excitement but his face stay calm.

"What can I help you with, young sir?" the vendor asked, his voice tinged with a hint of curiosity.

"I'm looking for E-rank crystals," Tyler replied eagerly. "Do you have any?"

The vendor's eyes lit up at the mention of the crystals, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Indeed I do, but they don't come cheap," he said cryptically. "It's 100 gold coins a piece."

"Why did it seems to increase in price as well? It's only been 90 gold coins in some city." Tyler asked.

"Hey, don't be like this. It is because of the invasion of the beast on the Kailan Region. There is an increase of demand as the king wanted to claim back the region lost from the beast attacks." The vendor said.

"They wanted to increase the number of D-rank warriors?" Tyler exclaimed.

Most of the fighting power of any human kingdom in the continent is composed of D-rank awakened. His mere power of entry level E-rank is insignificant in the battle.

"Yes, that's why the E-rank crsytals increased in price including the salt which is now sold for 5 gold coins a kilogram!"

Tyler's heart sank at the thought of the exorbitant price. However, the good thing about him is the existence of the substation platform where he can trade something valuable to Henry Ramirez, something like salt.

He had traded 1 gold coin for 1 kilogram of salt, a seemingly insignificant deal at the time. However, little did he know that the value of salt had skyrocketed in the black market, now fetching 5 gold coins per kilogram.

A plan began to form in Tyler's mind as he realized the potential of his newfound wealth. Calculating quickly, he realized that he had amassed 123 kilograms of salt from his previous trade. With this much salt, he could surely afford to trade for the E-rank crystals he desired.

Approaching the vendor once more, Tyler made his offer. He proposed to trade 100 kilograms of salt for 5 E-rank crystals, a fair deal considering the current market value of salt.

To his relief, the vendor agreed, recognizing the value of the salt in the current market. With a sense of triumph, Tyler completed the trade, exchanging his salt for the precious crystals that held the promise of ranking up to the peak of E-rank awaken.

He left the black market immediately, though he already learn a basic technique on transformation he used to conceal his identity in the place, he still needed to be cautious.

Particularly the vendor whom he dealt with. The vendors in this market had some connection or group of individuals who acted as their backing. If they knew that a guy like him is wealthy and new. It will be their target.

However, they will be disappointed as Tyler learn practices an B rank breathing technique which give him power to transform his body from his intended self.

"Ten E-rank crystals, by general rule, I needed 20 grams of salt for every gram of an E-rank crystal." Tyler recalls. As for his pursuers earlier, he had already lost them and he was now sitting in the inn he rented out.

"This will take time to be purified…" Tyler decided to rest as the E-rank crystals needed a longer period to be free from impurities.

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Henry Ramirez gazed out of the window, the morning sun painting the neighborhood in a warm golden hue. It marked the beginning of another week, another opportunity for Henry to support his father, Jimmy, on his journey of stroke recovery.

The park, with its tranquil setting and verdant surroundings, awaited them. It was the perfect place for their daily exercise routine, offering a peaceful sanctuary for their efforts.

"Dad! You managed to walk for more than 30 minutes today!" Henry exclaimed, noting the subtle improvements in Jimmy's demeanor. His father seemed more alert, his movements less strained—a promising sign of progress.

"It appears the herbal medicine is working, son. Despite its unpleasant side effects, I'm willing to endure them for the sake of my recovery," Jimmy remarked, displaying his unwavering determination.

As Jimmy continued to consume the herbal potion, Henry couldn't help but marvel at its transformative effects. In just three days, his father's stiff muscles seemed to loosen, a tangible indication of the potion's efficacy.

The F-rank healing potion, shared among Henry, Jimmy, and Dylan, had shown remarkable results. Even after just two days of consumption, Dylan exhibited newfound energy and strength—a testament to the potion's potency.

Henry had also noticed his own physical improvements after incorporating basic exercises into his routine. However, his attempts to contact Tyler, their source of knowledge about the potion, had proven unsuccessful.

Fortunately, Tyler responded just in time, offering valuable insights into their ongoing journey. Despite his own challenges, Tyler shared his expertise, emphasizing the importance of mind-body optimization and the potential for awakening latent abilities.

Tyler's guidance inspired Henry, reaffirming his commitment to the healing journey they had embarked upon. With Tyler's advice in mind, Henry resolved to continue his physical training and explore the possibilities of unlocking his full potential.

As Jimmy completed his walk, a sense of hope filled the air. Henry looked at his father, their eyes meeting with a shared sense of determination and optimism. Together, they would persevere through the challenges, guided by their newfound knowledge and unwavering resolve. setting and verdant surroundings, awaited them. It was the perfect place for their daily exercise routine, offering a peaceful sanctuary for their efforts.

"Dad! You managed to walk for more than 30 minutes today!" Henry exclaimed, noting the subtle improvements in Jimmy's demeanor. His father seemed more alert, his movements less strained—a promising sign of progress.

"It appears the herbal medicine is working, son. Despite its unpleasant side effects, I'm willing to endure them for the sake of my recovery," Jimmy remarked, even for his difficulty of speaking.

As Jimmy continued to consume the herbal potion, Henry couldn't help but marvel on its noticeable effect for his dad. In just three days, his father's stiff muscles seemed to loosen, a tangible indication of the potion's efficacy.

The F-rank healing potion, shared among Henry, Jimmy, and Dylan, had achieve some result. Even after just two days of consumption, Dylan exhibited newfound energy and strength—a testament to the potion's potency.

Henry had also noticed his own physical improvements after incorporating basic exercises into his routine. However, his attempts to contact Tyler, their source of knowledge about the potion, had proven unsuccessful.

"Well, speaking of Tyler," Henry noticed that Tyler saw the message. It was 8 o'clock in the morning and he was watching his father do the walking exercise.

Fortunately, Tyler responded just in time, offering valuable insights into their ongoing journey. Despite his own challenges, Tyler shared his expertise, about the said questions.

"Henry, I received your message, and most of my answers to your questions are affirmative," Tyler responded. He had just utilized ten pieces of E-rank crystals, propelling him to approximately 65% of the peak of that rank.

However, with only 15 gold coins at his disposal and 18 pieces of F-rank healing potions in his inventory, Tyler found himself facing a financial difficulty. While an F-rank healing potion was valued at 30 gold coins, it was insufficient for someone of his awakened status.

Tyler pondered his options, considering a potential trade of his 64 pieces of F-rank crystals to Henry in exchange for salt, which he could then trade for E-rank crystals. Yet, he hesitated, wary of attracting unwanted attention from larger clans.

"Perhaps trading the F-rank healing potion could be a safer option," Tyler contemplated. Despite his newfound power at a high E-rank level, he remained cautious. With Henry's assistance, Tyler saw an opportunity to further elevate his abilities and advance to even greater heights.

[Tyler, are you still there?]

"Yes, I'm here. As I was explaining, when the body is rid of radicals, toxins, and other abnormalities, it becomes optimized. This optimization unleashes the body's natural strength," Tyler elucidated, his words brimming with conviction.

"Your memory will improve with use, as will your cognitive abilities. Engaging in exercises or breathing techniques stimulates the mind and body, leading to awakening, much like my own," he continued, emphasizing the integral connection between mind and body.

"The mind and body form the cornerstone of all undertakings. Once your body is optimized and you desire awakening, energy crystals and the proper breathing method are essential," Tyler emphasized, stressing the importance of these foundational elements.

"I'm uncertain if the breathing methods from my world are applicable, but it's worth a try. However, even solely relying on the healing potion can yield significant results, granting you up to five times the strength of your initial optimized self," Tyler explained, offering insight into the potency of the healing potion.

"To illustrate, imagine an ordinary individual, wealthy and content, consuming around three liters of the potion. If they commit to rigorous training, such as punching and kicking daily for only two weeks, the results would be evident. And remember, the healing potion can alleviate any pain incurred during training," Tyler advised, his tone encouraging.

"I urge you to give it a try, considering you've already begun consuming it. The potion's benefits extend beyond physical healing, paving the way for personal growth and empowerment," Tyler concluded, his words resonating with encouragement.

Tyler wanted to tell that with this platform existing, Henry's growth is even more terrifying than he had first started pursuing his awakened status. However, he didn't as he had also benefited even having the other end of the platform.