From what he knew, there were many things he could purchase at the beginning to accrue wealth that would scare any ordinary Lord. But the most profitable ones, Ansel was already on it. Owen searched for them on the market, but as he had expected—Ansel had already wiped them clear.
For now, Owen placed all that he could on the market, flooding it with high quality meat and ingredients and the Summoning Tickets he had just obtained—all of them being Hunters, Warriors, and Builders. It felt a little painful to sell them, but it was a needed investment. He also placed the Skill he had received from the beetle. Once they sold.
The first thing he bought a significant amount of were a herb called Knive’s Lick. It was the main recipe in a potion known for enhancing the sharpness of a blade. For all the Lords out there, it would be a cheap necessity in the future. It would allow them to craft ordinary weapons and enhance them further with the potion. A cheap upgrade. And Owen would control the market.
There was also a downside to them. They spoiled quickly. They had to be stored in a frozen environment, close to other metals. But Owen didn’t have to worry about that. His Plundered Storage kept everything fresh—the herb included.
Swiping them all for a pitiful amount, he swiftly placed them all into his storage. Other than that, he bought a few more things—some of them for Rizael to use now—and some that could be used for the future, spending the vast majority of the money he had just earned. It was worth it.
Owen turned his mind to his new friend Justin. The born assassin. For reasons unknown, he had decided to stay the night. Better yet, it appeared he’d stay for the remaining future. Unless he decided to just up and vanish. Owen wouldn’t put it past him.
For that reason, Owen pushed back the cave exploration for now. All because of one thing: Animal Husbandry (5-Stars)
Smiling at the ticket, he excitedly made his way to Coo and Bubbles pasture. Surprisingly, Pyris was there. She had gotten back last night before the wave struck, resulting in another Level to Owen. But Owen was already in bed by that time.
No one had died. Owen placed the single point he had gained into Dexterity. As expected, upon reaching Level 20, Pyris didn’t gain a Class upgrade. Maybe it was Level 50? The quicker she got there, the more comfortable Owen would feel about leaving his kingdom in her hands.
After all, there would come a time when he had to find a Gateway. For his family. For Earth. But without the confidence of overwhelming might, he’d never leave his people unguarded and unprepared.
“Good morning,” Owen said, walking into the room.
“Our god, Serelune, offers something that no mortal can,” she paused, her fingers stilling as she gathered her thoughts. “Peace. Not just the absence of conflict, but a deeper kind. The kind that silences the doubts, the fear, the loneliness. When everything else feels chaotic or hopeless, Serelune's light reminds us that there's something greater, something constant. A purpose beyond survival.”
Owen tilted his head, still petting Bubbles. "So, it’s comfort, then? A crutch?”
Pyris shook her head, smiling gently. “No, not a crutch. It's more like… guidance. Mortals, we struggle. We want answers. We want to know why things happen, or what comes next. Religion fills that void. It gives us something eternal to look toward when everything else fades or fails.”
Owen considered her words, then let out a low hum. “And you think people look at me that way?”
“Maybe,” she said with a soft smile, her eyes flicking to meet his. “But don’t worry, I’m still very much aware you’re just a man.”
Owen chuckled, shaking his head. “Trying to humble me? Don’t worry, I’m good at doing that myself. Thanks. I feel a little better. I think.”
“You’re doing well, Owen.”
A warmth took hold of him. His smile widened.
***
A few minutes later, he ripped the ticket and out popped an older gentleman with roughed up white hair and a long beard to match. Owen would have thought him to be human, if it were not for sharply pointed fingernails tipped black. Or the line of black scales underneath his eyes… or the fact that his legs were curved—like a cricket. He wore clean overalls that were patched up in certain places. It appeared he didn’t believe in buying new clothes, but repairing the ones he did have. Owen liked that quality.
“Oh, my Lord,” Krixar said, bowing. Then his eyes snapped to Bubbles, his lips curling to a bright smile. “Ah, a youngster!” He exclaimed, heading right for Bubbles. Owen was about to warn him that Coo would have something to say about that. She was mighty defensive about her child.
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As the man neared, Owen smelt a pungent scent of earth and flowers. Strangely, Coo didn’t even bat an eyelid as she continued eating without worry.
What the—
Kirxar joined them and petted Bubbles. He twirled his pointed fingernail around her ear. Bubbles, who was full of energy just before, exhaled a powerful breath—like a dog finding a comfortable position.
“Did you put her to sleep?” Pyris asked?
“Oh, no,” he said. “I don’t have such capabilities. But I can induce the wee ones into a deep relaxation. Helps them grow.”
Kind of like Bimpnottin and his plants? Owen thought. Curiosity got the best of him.
Name: Krixar (★★★★★)
| Race: Zookari
| Level: 1
| Class: Animal Husbandry
Attributes:
| Strength: 23
| Vitality: 17
| Dexterity: 31
| Magic: 52
| Mana: 15
Skills
| Soothing Pheromones: Exudes a calming scent that reduces stress in nearby animals, boosting their health and making them more obedient.
| Vital Bloom: Channels energy into an animal, accelerating healing and temporarily enhancing stamina and endurance.
| Beast Bond: Forms a telepathic link with an animal, improving its growth, health, and resistance to disease.
Awesome, Owen thought as he inspected the addition to the family.
Noticing that Krixar had immediately started taking his role seriously, becoming absorbed with caring for the two animals, Owen brought Pyris away. He explained to her about the plan to cut through the monsters within the cavern that had appeared down in the mine shafts.
Although he didn’t know how strong these monsters were without laying eyes on them, it was important to not take them lightly. Inside was going to be dark and there was no way of knowing what would lay in ambush.
For that reason, Owen intended on bringing Pyris with him along with Gorath, Draed, Justin, and Lome—the might of his fighting force.
He had to have a certain prestige of his people defending his land, but with the orcs hungry for a fight, he was confident in them.
Tasking Pyris to get a hold of everyone, Owen on other hand, met up with the healer: Rizael. He was tending to potions, tinkering around with them, preparing Ingredients.
Owen deposited a large amount of various herbs on the table.
“My Lord, where did you get—”
Owen interrupted him, and said, pointing to the leftmost pile. “I’m sure with your Skill, you’ll know what basic uses they have, right?”
Rizael tilted his head and grabbed one of the leaves. It had ten points and vivid red lines ran through them. If Owen’s memory didn’t fail him, then they were from a rare tree that only grew within graveyards. Eyes lighting up, he nodded.
“Excellent,” Owen said in high spirits, patting the healer’s shoulder. “Mixed with sand and blood of any beast and extracted, will produce a high quality health potion.” he pointed at the other piles. “These are used to temporarily improve the magic output of any that drinks it.”
“My Lord,” Rizael said, tongue almost tied. “How do you know this? By any chance are you a great alchemist?”
Owen shook his head and laughed. “Hardly. I just know things. I’m smart,” he said, pointing to his head.
“Right…”
Owen cleared his throat and said, “Anyway, once you’ve prepared them, don’t use them. Notify me at once. I’m intending on selling them.”
“We won’t be using them?” Rizael asked, hsi mind spinning. “With what you’re suggesting, we could battle more and use them instead.”
Owen knew he meant well, but right now, health potions were incredibly rare. And expensive. Ansel was about to make his move on the market, but so was Owen. he didn’t intend to step on his shoes, and that was why Owen hadn’t made a move on the most profitable items that Ansel was preparing. But Owen was still going to make a fortune.
Honestly, he was a little disappointed. If it wasn’t for that damned orc Lord, he wouldn’t have had to spend his Credits on the limited use crossbow, or explosives. No matter, he wasn’t one to dwell on the past. Not anymore.
“No,” Owen said. “Trust me. We’re selling them. After that, I’ll be buying a lot more things as well. It’s best to keep you busy, get your Class up, and make some money while we’re at it.”
Rizael nodded in high spirits at the mention of a Class up. “You can count on me, my Lord.”
“Likewise, Rizael.”
***
After that was done, he made his way to where five guards stood with weapons in hand down in the mines. Pyris and the others weren’t here yet. They bowed the moment they saw Owen, their eyes widening. He noticed one of them whisper something, probably a prayer.
Yeah, I’m never getting used to this, Owen thought as he raised his hand for them to stand up. The hole in the wall was barricaded up, stuffed with massive boulders that Owen had planted with Unlimited Plunder.
“Any activity?” Owen asked.
“My Lord,” one of them said. “We’ve heard strange, growling-like noises along with scratches at the rocks.”
“None of them trying to escape with force?”
“No, my Lord.”
“Hm, okay.”
Many monsters flashed in Owen’s mind. He hoped it wasn’t what he was thinking. And of course, it was exactly what he was thinking…