The Merchant God

Chapter 16: The Gathering

In the hidden village town, lone rankers, hunters, sect rankers and aristocrats gathered in the main hall of the treasure pavilion. “thank you for coming here. As you know, a beast tide was reported that may happen tomorrow and we would like to get your opinion on what we should do.” Remarked by Sophie. “although our sect and the blue dragon sect is always at odds, since this is for the sake of the safety of the village, we are willing to help defending this lands.” Said by elder of the Red Crow sect while the blue dragon sect elder is nodding. “though we are not as powerful as the aristocrats of the sleeping forest village, our Salvador family, together with the Frieda and the Creed Family will help defending our village.” Said by ‘Swan Princess’ of the Salvador family. After that, even the lone rankers and hunters voiced there desire to help. “thank you everyone! With all of your help, I believe that we would be able protect everyone in the village. As a token of our gratitude, our treasure pavilion will prepare all the necessary tools and items to help us assure our success in defending the village.” After her remarked, she bows and dismissed everyone for them to prepare.

While all of this is happening, Alexander is taking his sweet time resting in the forest. After a couple of hours resting, he decided to continue to venture deeper in the forest. As Alexander go deeper in the forest, he would occasionally encounter wild beast with yellow or mortal rank. The highest rank he encounter is only a level 5 yellow rank. “hmm… something’s definitely not right. I only encounter a handful of beast in this deep parts.” Alexander ponders for a bit and suddenly his eyes lit up. “Maybe there’s a treasure here ands it’s being protected by the beasts. Yeah! That’s might be it.” Happy and excited, Alexander pick up his pace and dive on the deepest part of the forest.

Upon arriving at the deepest part of the forest, Alexander felt a human presence. He suddenly ready his two remaining javelin and circulate his energy as he slowly walks forward. After a few steps a voice suddenly descended “this area is not for an outsider like you kid can venture.” When Alexander heard it, he stops on his steps and scatter his energy to pinpoint where the voice came from. “don’t even think about it kid. You won’t be able to find me.” Said by the mysterious voice however unfortunately for him, Alexander is also a skilled tracker once in one of his life time. He once track and kill the untraceable assassin of the Dark Hand Sect of the unholy empire which lead him being hunted down by the whole sect. He coldly harrumphed “what a lousy invisibility skill.” He suddenly jumped and grip one of the javelin tightly “Lightning bolt!” Alexander releases the javelin with all of his might to the target. “sh*t!” cursed by the voice. The man suddenly appear and active his life saving skill “life gate!” a giant door wall appear in front of him and blocks the javelin. “hmm… a red ranker.” Alexander frowns. “damn you kid! Your courting death!” the man suddenly circulate his energy on his fist. “take this! Far fist!” the man throws a punch towards Alexander. As the shockwave of the punch, Alexander ready the other javelin and throws another lightning bolt. With the collision of the two skill, a loud bang was heard. “your good kid! But this is the end!” the man once again circulate his energy on both of his fist however before the man was able to execute the skill “blink.” Suddenly Alexander disappear and in the next moment a cold voice rang in the mans ear. “yes, this is the end.” As Alexander said it, a dagger appear on his hand “Coup de Grace.” Suddenly the man felt an unbearable pain on his chest. “Dammit!” the man muttered as he lay flat on the ground.

Alexander sighed in relied. “whew! At least your alone. Alright I hope you make my time worth.” He searched the body of the ranker and found a storage ring and a cloth pouch full of powder. “system, please appraise this powder.” As alexander commands the system “initializing appraise skill… detected a rare powder, the appraisal will take 30 minutes.” Alexander was delighted and decided to take another rest and check out the storage ring. After checking, he only got a several silver coins, some rations, healing agents and a skill book for the far fist. After reading the book, he lost interest in it and plans on selling it. After several minutes “appraisal complete! ‘Beast Powder’ – use to calm a wild beast that is lower than red rank to tame the beast easier. The user only needs to sprinkle a little to the beast for it to be effective.” After reading the description, alexander immediately took off to find some beast to test it.

As he walks around the forest, he saw something incredible. “oh my god! There’s so many beasts here! It should around 300 to 500 beast! Holy sh*t! I hit the jackpot!” Alexander saw a gathering of beast which most are mortal and yellow rank beast. He roams his eye to check if there is any blue rank beast and after a few moments, he saw 4 blue rank beast. “hmm… should I put all of them in my secret land? As he ponders for his future plans if he keep all of this beast, in the pill pavilion, the manager calls on the receptionist. “how’s the preparation?” “as per his last report, all of the 500 beast are ready and just waiting for your command sir.” Reported by the receptionist. “very good! Send a message to ready the beasts to siege the village at midnight!” a sinister smile appears on the manager and the receptionist nodded and took his leave.

In the hidden forest village, Sophie was taking a rest after the preparation, suddenly a running scout came “re-reporting to the young lady!” Sophie raise her brow and look at the exhausted scout. “what is it?” “one of our spy in the pill pavilion accidentally heard that the attack of the beasts will be at midnight!” when the scout finished his report, Sophie suddenly stand up, panic-stricken “i-immediately informed all of the rankers, sects and aristocrats! HURRY!!” Sophie immediately instructed the scout as she hurriedly walks towards the main hall where the preparation is being done.

In the forest, Alexander is still thinking his future plans. After a few more minutes, “alright, I’ll keep all of you.” Alexander smiles and walks towards to the beasts. He immediately scatter the beast powder and speak another gibberish language. As soon as he speak this, the beasts are in daze and slowly walks towards him, even 4 blue ranker beasts walks towards him. Satisfied, Alexander immediately open his secret land and guide the beasts inside. “detected 10 wild boars, perfect for gourmet products… detected 5 blueberry bear, perfect for gourmet products…” as the beasts enter in the secret land, the system at the same time, identifying them on what would be the best use for each beast. As the last four blue ranking beast, “detected an infant white tiger, perfect for being a tamed beast… detected an infant red bird, perfect for being a tamed beast… detected an infant silver snake, perfect for being a tamed beast… detected an infant black tortoise, perfect for being a tamed beast.” After reading each of a description, he can’t help but to smile brightly. “I totally hit the jackpot!” “Third Quest: Subjugate a Blue Ranker Beast. Rewarding Mission Board System.” As he receive the completion of the third quest, Alexander beamed with happiness.

“Notice to host, as the living beast increase in the secret land, the gourmet beasts and the medicine beasts needs to be reared.” Alexander pondered. “since the system can automatically harvest each products, can the system also automatically rear them? Ask by Alexander. After waiting a few minutes, he got his answer. “it is possible however, the system will deduct 100 gold every 30 days. Would the host like to proceed?” Alexander immediately agreed. “initializing auto rearing and auto herding… initializing complete! Deducting 100 gold from the host…” suddenly Alexander felt that his elemental energy weakens. He immediately open his status panel.

[Status]              [Mission Board]

Name: Alexander F*cking Mcdowell

Age: 16

Occupation: Merchant(Apprentice)

Money: 113 Gold (30 days before deduction)

Power Level: 1690(Blue Ranker 1)

Strength: 295                       Intelligence: 175

Charisma: 180                     Wisdom: 183

Endurance: 314                    Luck: 225

Agility: 318

Skills:

Hide(Mastery)                Tracking(Mastery)

Appraise(Mastery)         Apothecary (Intermediate)

Smithing(Beginner)       Haggle(Beginner)

Secret Land(Beginner)

Titles:

‘The one reincarnated for the 100th time’

‘Chosen of the Elements’

‘Sole Survivor’

Upon checking his status panel, there was some added text. Also he notice that his rank level goes down but the power level was not affected. “notice to host, though your rank level down, it will not affect your power level, however you will not receive any points once you level up back to level 2.” As they say, there is no free lunch. Though he lost 100 gold, he can be assured that the beasts will get the best hence they will yield high quality product as well. He also notice a new function on the panel which is the ‘Mission Board’ but he chose to ignore it for now.

“Ding! Fourth Quest: Accumulate 1000 Gold and reach Red Rank. Rewards: Market Menu System.” As Alexander heard his next quest, he already had a plan in mind hence he was not worried at all. After taking a rest, he was already to go when he heard the system again. “notice to host, there is a precious ingredient in the cave. Please retrieve it.” Alexander was confused as to why the system seems too talkative ever since the upgrade but he just let it slide and didn’t think that much and proceed in the cave.