Chapter 19: Level 2 Shop [Shop Level 2 required for additional product slots.] "What do I need to upgrade my store to level 2?" [The host needs the following requirements:] <5,000 Shop Points> "Damn. That’s a long way ahead." ... Host: Noah Carter Age: 28 Shops: 1 Daily Revenue: $1,300 Current Assets: $300.10 Shop Points: 110 Attributes: Strength: 4, Vitality: 4, Intelligence: 7, Agility: 3 Skills: Programming (Level 2), Finance (Level 1), Surviving on Ramen (Level 3) His current shop points were nowhere near 5,000 shop points. ... [Auto-IceTea Maker Unlocked: Produces 1 iced tea every 4 hours] Max Stock: 12 Progress 0/60 ... [Level 1 Auto-Baker: Sell 60 loaves of bread to upgrade to level 2.] Max Stock: 12 Progress: 10/60 ... His Auto-Baker was 1/6th into the upgrade, while his Auto-IceTea maker hadn’t even started. It’s fine. I’ve already gotten some loyal customers. The royal family will start buying the iced tea and the bread for their mages, while some other customers will pop in every now and then. The bell above the door jingled, drawing Noah’s attention. Instead of one of his regulars, a stranger entered, an older man in modest clothing, perhaps late forties with streaks of silver in his closely-cropped hair. A noticeable limp affected his walk. The man’s eyes landed on the shelves, widening at the sight of golden loaves and bottles. "Hello, young man," he called. "I’ve come on the recommendation of Gil. He told me you sell magical bread that increases regeneration?" Noah straightened behind the counter. "Yes indeed." The golden coin was worth leaving. He got me a new customer. The older man approached, placing three gold coins on the wooden surface. "Three, right?" "Correct." Noah retrieved a loaf from the shelf, handling it with the respect it deserved. As Noah retrieved the bread, the man introduced himself. "Woodrow Tailor. Former knight of House Balfour." "Noah Carter. A shopkeeper." Woodrow’s gaze drifted to the crystal bottles. "And these? I’ve not seen their like before." "Iced Tea," Noah explained, seizing the marketing opportunity. "Increases mana reserves and regeneration by thirty percent for ten minutes. Essential for mages in combat situations." "The price?" Woodrow asked, examining the bottles with interest. "Ten gold coins each." The man’s eyebrows shot up, but he didn’t comment further. He lifted the wrapped bread instead, studying it with the intensity of someone evaluating a weapon. "Might I..." Woodrow gestured to the space. "Would you mind if I tried it here? My journey home is long, and my leg troubles me." Noah glanced at his single stool, hardly better than a crate you would find in first-person shooting games. "Please, sit." Gratitude flickered across Woodrow’s weathered face. "Thank you." He unwrapped the bread with careful movements, broke off a piece, and placed it in his mouth. His eyes closed immediately, savouring the flavour. Then his expression changed to surprise. His free hand went to his right leg—the one he’d been favouring. "By the god," he whispered. Noah watched with fascination as colour returned to Woodrow’s face. "It actually works." The former knight’s voice had dropped to an awed whisper. The bread’s healing properties were working, targeting the injury the man had before, whether it was damaged muscle tissue or weakened bone that had never properly healed. But there were limits. Thirty percent faster regeneration could ease pain, reduce inflammation, and begin repairing damage. It couldn’t instantly heal years-old wounds. Woodrow stood, testing his weight on the injured leg. It wasn’t healed, but the pain clearly wasn’t as severe. "Another," he said, reaching for his coin pouch. "I’ll take another immediately." System, the healing effects don’t stack, right? [Correct. Multiple consumptions will not stack.] Noah hesitated. "Actually, sir, I should tell you—the effects don’t stack." "Eating a second loaf won’t increase healing beyond thirty percent," Noah explained. "It would be a waste of your money." Woodrow stared at him, his expression shifting from disappointment to surprise. "You’re telling me not to buy more of your product?" "I’m telling you how to use it effectively," Noah corrected. "The effect lasts about ten minutes. You’d be better off returning then, for another dose rather than consuming multiple loaves at once." The former knight’s laugh filled the small shop. "An honest merchant! I thought your kind extinct." Noah smiled. "I’d rather have customers who return because my products work as advertised." Woodrow nodded appreciatively. "Then I’ll return in ten minutes for another. And perhaps tomorrow as well." He tested his leg again, still smiling at the reduced pain. "May I ask how you came by such knowledge of healing magic? You’re young for an alchemist." "Family recipe," Noah offered, his standard explanation. Woodrow accepted this with a nod. Woodrow limped toward the door, his movement noticeably smoother than when he’d entered. "I’ll return, as promised. Don’t close the shop and forget me!" "I won’t," Noah smiled. How could I say no to $300. As the door closed behind the former knight, Noah couldn’t help but grin. Word was spreading. The shop was finally getting noticed. ... Ten minutes later, the man returned and bought another one. This time, Woodrow took the bread with him. Once the door closed behind him, Noah checked his status once more. ... Host: Noah Carter Age: 28 Shops: 1 Daily Revenue: $1,300 Current Assets: $900.10 Shop Points: 130 Attributes: Strength: 4, Vitality: 4, Intelligence: 7, Agility: 3 Skills: Programming (Level 2), Finance (Level 1), Surviving on Ramen (Level 3)