As he walked out that door, Ryan felt grateful beyond what words could express. His entire being thrummed with energy, arson's glow filling him with belief. A new day, a new opportunity after all.

Ryan began his walk to his shop, no haste to get there. He marveled at how easily he'd deviated from a soft, albeit poor, life to one that required him to be alert and working at every moment he could.

Maybe it was because he'd worked his ass off within the previous weeks, having multiple bills to pay, but that experience was one that he'd been sorely lacking. There are things that words can't really explain, but experience can.

The uneven cobblestones didn't even bother Ryan one bit as he went down the path. The urge to begin singing or humming deep, but Ryan would rather listen to the realms' own tunes. Discover the tunes that would make him smile and wave his hand in joy as he began anew.

While the walk itself was pleasant, Ryan himself couldn't wait to step foot in his shop, his entire being already shaking in anticipation of what could be. Whatever he made as profit today would be his to spend. His and his alone.

The opening of his shop or kiosk didn't take too long, but the arranging of his wares was a different matter altogether. Ryan decided to take his time setting up his shop, making sure that the potions would be in the face of any potential customers coming in for the day.

Not a perfectionist by nature, it would've been weird for anyone who knew Ryan to see him taking his time with something that he himself would've said was trivial. After all, the people who made purchases at the eastern gate were people that probably didn't care about how beautiful the items were.

When all that was set, Ryan sat back and relaxed, watching as other vendors were setting up and the general population of Denair went about their regular duties.

As he watched, he smiled. So many potential customers were milling about, going from stall to stall, trying to identify items that they needed. Unfortunately for Ryan, he'd limited himself to the ability to serve but a fraction of that number, seeing as he only had potions and T-stones to offer.

He couldn't wait to make enough to expand his current catalogue. No doubt the addition of more diverse wares to his shop would increase the amount of traffic he got and wares he'd sell.

His eyes picked out a figure that seemed as though it was headed straight for his shop. It was none other than the visage of a troll, and if he was to hazard a guess, he'd say that it was Boreas.

"Mr. Lionheart," the troll said as he finally got to the shop.

Ryan jumped on his feet, praying to whichever god was listening that he wasn't about to enter another circus hours after exiting the last one.

"Yes," Ryan said warily.

"Congratulations," the troll said, holding up a meaty, callused hand to prevent the question that was brimming on Ryan's tongue. "You've been selected to compete for the chance to brew for the Master of Silvers."

Huh, Ryan was lost. Brew for the Master of Silvers, compete for the Master of Silvers' commission?

"W-what...ho-w?" Ryan stuttered, not quite understanding his good fortune and how he was able to get a foot in what could be his most important deal yet.

The Master of Silvers was one of the most influential and wealthy denizens of Denair. Someone that actively hired adventurers in droves to work for him.

The business potential would be unreal.

"We've confirmed that the sample you gave us is pure, even if it was a good bit below standard when it comes to taste," the troll grimaced. "Notwithstanding, we expect your presence in the brew-out that will be taking place at the Master of Silvers' residence in the upper district two days from today. The competition begins when arson hits its peak."

Ryan was shell-shocked. When he'd given the potions to Boreas, he'd done so with the hopes that the troll might choose to patronize him earlier, but this opportunity was way bigger than just the troll. He'd be able to work for one of the most respected personalities in Denair.

"I-ll be there," Ryan managed to say, too lost in his own thoughts to come up with the different questions that were burning up in his head. So many times he'd envisioned himself climbing up the merchanting ladder, but he'd never thought that he'd be able to do it this way.

"Wonderful, we'll be expecting you," the troll said as he turned his back, leaving Ryan alone with his thoughts.

A chance up the ladder. One move at a time, and he'd surely make a difference.

A smile bloomed across his face. He'd finally done something of note, even if he hadn't anticipated it. The best part was that no matter how the brew-out ended, Ryan would've managed to successfully market himself... for free. Which might earn him a few customers here and there, and for someone as little as he was in the marketing sphere, that was all that he could ask for.

With Ryan almost bursting with untold joy, he smiled as he daydreamed about what he could accomplish if he actually won the brew-out. Of course, that would be a very difficult feat if what he feared was true.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Somehow he doubted that he was the only alchemist/merchant approached by the Master of Silvers' representatives to make potions for them. If he was thinking about things right, then they'd have invited the Looter's Heaven themselves and a lot of others.

The main talking point which his mind had pushed to the back as he celebrated what was important to him was the word that the troll had used when talking about his product. The troll had used the word "pure," which Ryan doubted was just a carelessly thrown word. Maybe the Looter's Heaven were really tainting their potions, and then, if they were, what exactly would the Master of Silvers be plotting with this move, especially if they were planning on inviting the Looters Heaven to participate.

The more Ryan thought about it, the less he could understand it. He was trying to understand the moves of a master hustle player where he himself was an amateur when it came to the place.

The troll's retreating figure still loomed in the distance, and unlike the other adventurers that he'd seen who'd so casually disappeared from his line of sight after doing business, Boreas seemed content on taking his time. Whether the troll didn't have the skill to go ahead was something that Ryan couldn't guess. Adventurers were weird that way.

Schemes, always with the fucking schemes, these adventurers, always with a fucking scheme. The good part was that he wouldn't have to wait too long to figure out what would be going on. After all, three days wasn't going to be much of a time gap. It would come and go by in a breeze, and this time all he had to do was wait.

"Lad, yer should nickname yerself the day dreamer," an annoying voice said, causing Ryan to close his eyes and wince.

While Ryan knew who the voice belonged to, he so desperately wished that it was his mind that was just cooking up the words. Something to just snap him back to the present rather than it just being the bastard who the voice belonged to.

"I wonder how yer haven't been robbed blind yet, seeing as yer like sleeping yer life away, lad," the voice carried on, oblivious to Ryan's facial expression or not caring to stop. "Although now that I look around, there isn't much to rob yer of."

The voice cackled as it continued to mock him. Ryan let out a loud and exaggerated sigh of exasperation as he opened his eyes to see none other than the annoying form of the short and stocky dwarf—Talas.

Ryan didn't voice it outwardly, but if he ever made it big, he'd make a sign barring dwarves, or at the very least this dwarf, the stocky bastard always finds a way to get on his nerves.

"What can I get for you, sir?" Ryan said finally, as he stared straight at the loud-mouthed dwarf, although if he was being truthful, 'stared straight' was him being dishonest, as he actually had to stare down, considering the fact that the dwarf was actually... short. A conclusion that gave Ryan pause and maximum satisfaction, which the dwarf hadn't picked up yet on.

"Gather round ye all, the statue speaks!" The dwarf waved his hands around to nobody as he continued mocking Ryan. "The sleeping statue has awoken, praise be to Yeplan!"

Ryan couldn't help but chuckle at the man's antics. While he couldn't say he was a big fan, he wouldn't necessarily say he was a hater. The thought brought a smile to his face. In many ways, the dwarf seemed like someone who forced a sort of friendship on anyone, and Ryan was the latest subject. The adding of the dwarven god Yeplan to the jest might've been over the top though.

"Okay, okay, you've made your point," Ryan said, raising his hand in mock surrender.

It turns out that those were the magic words needed to shut the loud-mouth up, as the dwarf faced Ryan squarely, and his trademark horrifying grin was on his face as he looked at Ryan straight in the eyes. A touch of madness seemingly glinting in his eyes.

"Yer becoming wiser, lad," the dwarf started. "Anyways, I came to get some of yer potions and also ask you something."

Of course, leave it to a dwarf to complement you and also insult you in the same one.

"And what might that be?" Ryan asked. His entire form regretting the words even as they left his lips, more so when the dwarf's smile seemed to get wider.

"If you'd be going for the brew-out?" The dwarf asked eagerly.

Interesting, so the Master of Silvers had already let word out to the adventurers that a brew-out would be holding.

"Yes, what's it to you?" Ryan asked suspiciously.

"Isn't it obvious, yer bird brain?" the dwarf rolled his eyes. "Potions are going to be handed out for... Freeeeee!"

Ryan could hear the excitement coming from the dwarf's voice, and he could understand the sentiment. Potions weren't that cheap, and to be handed out for cheap on the market like that... well, that was something that would only occur once in a while, and he was sure that adventurers would come in their droves to take advantage of such a rare opportunity.

"That checks out," Ryan said. "So, your usual potions."

Ryan said, referring to his piss-tasting potion if he was to go by Leo's words.

"Actually, I would like to purchase your new potions and improved potions."

Hmm, surprise, surprise. The cheap customer was willing to pay more today. This week had just been full of surprises.

"Why?" Ryan asked, surprised that the dwarf was interested in purchasing more potions even with the knowledge that he'd get a lot of free ones in a couple of days. "Why not wait for the potions that you are going to get for free in three days' time?"

The dwarf didn't even need to ponder the question; he seemed to have been anticipating it even.

"That, lad, is quite simple. I have work ta do," the dwarf said with a glint in his eyes. "Coin to earn and debts ta pay."

Ryan winced at the last part, no doubt the dwarf was still referring to the time he'd bet on Ryan's potion and lost.

"Plus, I believe that brother might've beat sense into yer and made yer brew better potions if what I'm seeing is anything to go by," the dwarf said, eyeing the new potions on the shelf. "Plus, if I can attest to the efficiency of the new potion, I'll be sure to win a lot of gold, especially since what happened last time."

Ryan's mind quickly put two and two together, and it was easy for him to realize that the dwarf was simply seeking a way for him to maximize his gains for when he'd obviously place another bet on Ryan, which Ryan found to be a little heartwarming.

"Really? Well, I'll sell the potions to you at the old price this one time," Ryan said, as he didn't know how to respond to the dwarf's own way of saying he believed in him.

"Now we're talking, lad," the dwarf said with joy. "Keep buttering me up, lad, and I'm sure that I'll have ta become a regular here."

Ryan chuckled at the words as he packaged the new potions. Coin and potion exchanged hands without a fuss.

"Well, I got runs ta do," the dwarf said. "Ya a good lad, I'll be sure to sway as many adventurers as I can yer way. Good luck on the brew-out."

The dwarf left with those parting words, which were nicer than what he'd have normally expected from the dwarf.

The rest of the day was marginally uneventful as he had very little customers, even for the location of his shop. No doubt that most of them were already aware of the brew-out and were making appropriate moves.

As Ursula's light replaced Arson's up in the sky, Ryan's excitement grew. He was bubbly even as he locked up his shop. It was time to meet up and find out the recipe for making sweet- sweet jenkal.