The Merchant God

Chapter 4: Pill Pavilion

After what happen, Alexander chose to ignore it for now as he has more important matter to attend to hence he goes back on his route to the central part of the city. After walking for a few minutes, he reached the central plaza of the village and look around for the biggest building there and not for long, he saw a big building which is almost. A skyscraper like building and at the front building a big golden sign that is exuding a red ranking aura which has the writing of ‘Paule Pill Pavilion’. “it appears that the pill pavilion here is being controlled by the Paule family.” Thought to himself. Then he make his way to the pavilion to check it out.

Once inside, he saw that the pavilion is bustling as there are so many people gathering inside selling herbs, asking for help with alchemist and many other businesses. He walks up in the front desk and ask the receptionist “hello, my name is Alexander and I am under Elder Merck. May I ask if you have any apple gel here or panacea bottle?” the receptionist immediately bring out a big book under his desk and check for the required items. “I am sorry sir, it appears that the items that was mentioned was not listed in our menu. Would it be fine for you sir to give us some details on the said items?” Alexander pondered “hmm… This is the most basic item tool that a hunter should have but they don’t have it here at the pavilion” said to himself. “Nevermind it, do you sale herbs here as well and do you do deliveries? I don’t have my money right now but if you can do deliver it by elder Merck’s house, I can definitely pay you.” The receptionist pause for a moment and took a glance on the 2nd floor where a man standing looking at him then nodded. “no problem sir, we can do that for you.” The receptionist smiled. Without thinking “that’s great! Can you help me with 500 grams of goat horn, 100 grams of lavender and sage, and 30 grams of blood orchid.” After saying his order, the receptionist immediately calculated the amount “that would be 10 silver for the goat horn 50 coppers for the sage, another 50 coppers for the lavender and 42 coppers for the blood orchid with a total of 11 silver and 42 coppers. When would you like this to be sent?” Alexander thinks for a while “can you send it before sunset?”, “no problem, we will have this delivered at elder Merck’s house before sunset.” The receptionist bowed and Alexander roam around to check out other stuff.

In the second floor of the pavilion, “are you certain that he ask for an apple gel and order this herbs?” ask by the man done in red and gold robe. “yes manager, I am certain.” The receptionist confirmed. “very good! Call old man Lars to check om this recipe.” The man sips on his tea and a flash of greed can be seen on his eyes “if this herb combination is correct then this will be big money for the Paule family and it will be promotion for me.” The man can’t help but laugh on his plan while day dreaming for his promotion.

After roaming the pill pavilion, Alexander decided to go back at Merck’s house and wait for the packages he order and to borrow some money to him. As Alexander makes his way to the elder’s house, a calm and cool voice from behind can be heard “are you the kid that under that old dog Merck?” when he turns, he saw a beautiful man in white and purple robes and handling a fan. “yes I am. Why?” coolly answered by Alexander. “it appears that youngsters now a days don’t respect their elders.” a gleam of light flashed on the man’s eyes. “First, that old man Merck, then the bald old man at the smith, now this. How many more monster hiding in this village.” Alexander said to himself, even though he chose to ignore it, with his experiences, he can identify an old monster with one look. Although the man in front of him look beautiful, an old monster is hiding on that face. Given the youthful look on the man, he can guess that this man is an alchemist. Given the silent treatment, the man broke the ice “it seems that you already know why I stop you. I will cut to the chase, why did you purchase this herbs?” the man throws a cloth bag to Alexander and upon checking, it is full of herbs and goat horn that he ordered earlier. Alexander still didn’t talk and just walk away ignoring the man. “this young man is too impatient.” The man smiled and just followed Alexander back to Merck’s house.

As Alexander walks up in front of Merck’s house, he saw the bald old man waiting by the door with a cauldron as vig as a basin. “there you are kid, here’s the cauldron that you want and that would be 50 silvers.” Said the bald old man. “thank you. Let me just get the money for you old man.” As Alexander said that he makes his way inside the house and find Merck. “hey elder Merck, let me borrow a 1 gold!” shouted at the main hall. “are ya mad kid!! I don’t have a spare 1 gold at most I can let ya borrow 50 silver but ya will need to return it within 7 days with interest of course!” another shout comes from the 2nd floor. “Deal!” then a pouch of silver was toss towards to Alexander. Then he paid the bald old man as well as the beautiful man and without further ado, he goes to the kitchen.

“I don’t have a ranker fire yet but the normal fire will do.” As he ready the kitchen stove and feed it with wood. Then he place the cauldron on top of the stove. As the temperature keeps on rising, Alexander pours water on the cauldron making it half full. “now, if I remember correctly, I will need 50 grams of goat horn powder, then 10 grams of sage, 10 grams of lavender and 3 grams of blood orchid to make the apple gel potion.” After thinking for a while, Alexander processed the needed materials to make the apple gel potion and after processing “hmm… it appears that I only have 10 portions to make an apple gel potion… but that’s enough for now.” As Alexander tidying things up, he notice some empty vials on the cloth bag. “it appears that old monster really know what’s up huh…” mumbling to himself as he mixed the concoction on the cauldron. After a few minutes of concocting the brew, he picks up a knife and make a small incision in his palm then took a sip of the ‘potion’. As Alexander stares at the wound on his palm, nothing happens. After 2 minutes, still nothing happen, however after the 5th minute struck, the wound on his palm started to close. “when taken, it would take 5 minutes to take effect huh… how about external use.” Alexander made another wound on his palm and this time, it only take seconds for the wound to close up. “it’s more effective when applied externally.” As alexander pondered about it, “how about internal wounds?” before he is able to think of anything, a cold monotone voice was heard in his head, “host, would you like for the system to appraise this product for you?” without thinking, Alexander said ‘yes’. “affirmative! Initializing appraise skill…” after a few minutes, “appraise complete… product name ‘apple gel potion’ usage – can be used to heal external and internal wounds. Note – depending on the power level of the user can affirm its effectiveness. For a mortal, as long as it is not a life threatening wound, it would only take 1 potion foe full recovery. For a yellow ranker, same principle apply but needed 2 potion for full recovery and for blue ranker, it will need 4 potion for full recovery. Not advisable for red ranker to use the potion as it will be ineffective.” After reading the result of the appraise of the system, Alexander laugh “hahaha… this is the beginning of reign!! And this sleeping forest village will be my stepping stone!”, “hey boy!! Shut yer trap!!! I can hear yer mad laughter here at my room!!” Merck shouted. “this damn old man! Ruining my moment. Hmmpt. You’ll see old man, you will kneel down to me in the future!” said to himself then he continue to brew and package his potions in the empty vials.

As time passes, Alexander was able to make 20 vials of potion out of the 4 success that he have on the 10 portion. “this ratio is not bad, if I can sell this apple gel potion for 80 coppers plus if we can improve our success rate, then this will be big money.” Alexander smiles and walks out the kitchen. He went to the dinning hall to get some supper and call it a day as he will be visiting the pill pavilion once again tomorrow.