It is almost noon. In the Lin Mansion's training ground, Lin Xue and Allen are sparring like usual.
Compared to a few days ago, the heiress of the Lin Clan is doing extremely well as she progressed in raising the number of ether particles and entered the 4-circle realm. It was indeed a feat to achieve such a thing without taking help from external assistance. Yao Ling felt that had she absorbed the energy from spirit/ether crystals, she would have long entered the 5-circle realm by now.
While she has yet to land a strike on Allen, she was no longer the same person she was, two weeks ago, who got toyed by the Android. Several times, she managed to push back Allen. And with the help of the lightning attribute, her speed also considerably increased to match Allen's speed.
But, Mark was indifferent to her progress as his attention lies elsewhere. He was currently absorbing the luck of a maid with more than seven points of luck.
*Ding! 2 points of luck have been completely absorbed.
"Okay, I have five minutes left." Mark appeared a bit anxious as he opened the lottery wheel. It has twenty slots but for now, fifteen of them are empty. Only six of them are present. The items didn't change from the moment he first opened the lottery more than three weeks ago.
The first one was succeeded, giving him a Battle Tank. However, the successive two draws turned to be failures. He lost 600 credits so far. But, he can't do anything considering two points of luck absorption is his limit unless he upgrades the Ring of Luck to Silver grade.
Taking a deep breath, Mark clicked on Go. 300 credits were deducted from his account and the wheel started to spin.
"Anything but blank…" The last time he did it, the luck didn't favor him. So, he was hoping for something good to make up for the lost credits.
After ten seconds, the wheel slowed down. It was passing an empty spot, empty spot, then, the reward, empty spot, empty spot and reward while slowing down further.
Five more seconds later, its speed drastically slowed down as if it can stop at any moment. Mark's face paled upon seeing the arrow mark is now in the midst of five empty space marks, created by the disappeared Battle Tank.
"No… No… No…"
The maids nearby heard his nonstop mumble. They wondered what's wrong with him. With his eyes looking ahead, was he wondering about the sparring? Can't he comprehend the fact that their young miss can go head to head with his servant? The misunderstood maids could only think of such things.
At the last moment, the wheel moved slowly a bit and Mark saw the arrow pass the five empty spots and stop on the image of a mysterious green potion.
*Ding! Congratulations, you won the Peak strength potion.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt*Ding! Peak strength potion is sent to the inventory. Please check the inventory for details.
"Yes…" Mark clenched his fist in happiness, almost cracking the glass and spilling the wine.
The maids were taken aback because of his sudden reaction. They were left confused but didn't question him either as this handsome owner of the weapon store wouldn't give them any answers. They learned it by experience.
Mark was so happy that he isn't in the mood to care about his image and immediately opened the inventory, clicking on the slot with a green-colored potion.
A new window opened with information.
Peak strength Potion (Bound)
Grade: Crystal
Description: A potion that grants the user extraordinary strength. Upon consuming, the host's strength will be boosted to the limits that the host's body can endure. No side-effects.
Note: It is one-time use and the duration of effect is only 5 minutes.
"System, what it meant by limits? Can you explain about this potion?" Mark was naturally on high clouds upon seeing its grade. Even though he didn't understand what it was, he can still sense that it must be a powerful item. So, he felt the need to know about it completely.
The system didn't disappoint him and sent a series of notifications.
*Ding! It's as the description said, the host will receive a massive boost in your strength.
*Ding! In general, the maximum limit of a human body is the 9-circle realm. So, one will gain such strength for a limited time.
*Ding! However, the host is still weak and his body cannot handle the potion's complete effects. To enjoy the full effects of the potion, it is recommended for the host to reach rank-4.
"Rank-4? It will take a while, so, I need to store it."
The last notification calmed down Mark but he never felt safer and invincible even if it only lasts five minutes.
***
Lin Xue abided by the rules of the contract very well. As soon as the time is over, she let Allen and Mark return to the store. The spies in the neighborhood became alert as they saw the appearance of the two.
Within the past two weeks, all the six noble clans have installed spies nearby to keep their eyes on the movements of Allen and Mark.
But, to date, they have yet to find how Mark receives the shipments. In the end, they concluded with a theory of Mark receiving the weapons through someone possibly in disguise as a customer.
Now, they just need to note down the frequent customers' list to investigate. They were busy on that.
Meanwhile, the store attracted the attention of someone from the palace. More than the weapons, the attention was on Allen. Unfortunately, the intentions weren't good in this case.
This person is none other than the third prince, Shang Wei who was getting uncomfortable every day as he kept hearing of Lin Xue's spar with Allen. It would be a lie if he wasn't jealous of Allen's appearance.
So, on one fine day, he finally decided to enter the streets of commoner districts but without any grand manner.
Like Lin Xue, he sat in a simple horse carriage and even wore an outfit made of linen to disguise his stature. But, his security is also necessary.
Not intending to attract the attention of Royal Knights, he employed a 5-circle-realm fighter from Swordmasters guild to be escorted for one day before leaving for the Hanga District.
It was evening and the streets were bustling with people, especially around the clothing stores and food stalls.
Shang Wei and his bodyguard stepped down from the carriage and walked towards the entrance.
Mark was busy demonstrating the weapons to a customer while Allen is on standby.
"This guy…" The third prince felt threatened as soon as he saw Allen from the entrance.
It was at that moment, the bodyguard he employed suddenly let out a roar. "It's you, bastard."
"Huh?" The third prince almost jumped back in reflex and the customer shivered in fear because of the roar. Everyone turned towards the source.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmMark felt he was familiar but he couldn't put his finger on it. He spoke, "Customer, no disturbance within the store."
The buffed fellow with a huge scar on his right cheek couldn't control his rage, "It's been three weeks but I still didn't forget your face, you scum. You dared to put a curse on me and unleashed bad luck. I won't leave you alive."
It was then Mark finally remembered his Ring of Luck's first victim. He calmly responded, "oh, it's you. The one swindled by Everlasting store."
He's the same Mo Jiang whose luck points were absorbed and later got chased by a Werewolf. After returning to the imperial city, he went to the Church and confirmed with the priest that someone indeed cursed him, unleashing a stroke of temporary bad luck on his fate. Since then, Mo Jiang swore to take his revenge.
He has no idea about who the young man beside him is nor does he have any idea about Mark's adventure into Song Mansion.
Filled with rage, Mo Jiang took out a heavy sword from its sheath and rushed into the store.
"Eek." The customer was terrified and moved back.
However, Allen interrupted him in the middle, not letting Adventurer Mo go forward more than a meter. He caught the sword with bare hands.
A look of surprise appeared on Mo Jiang. "What the hell is going on? Why do I feel my entire strength suppressed by an invisible force?"
Before he gets back to his senses, Mark calmly gave an order, "Kick him out, Allen. And for breaking the rules, confiscate all of his equipment as punishment."
In the next minute, an unconscious Mo Jiang was seen lying in the middle of the street with cotton sleeves and pants.
With Armor, a pair of bracers, a pair of greeves, a rusty ring, and a storage ring, Allen returned to the store, passing a stunned Shang Wei, on the way who was wondering, "what is this daylight robbery?"
After returning the confiscated items to his master, he turned around and walked towards the third prince.
Shang Wei unconsciously took a step back in fear when he saw an expressionless look on Allen, worrying that it is his turn next.
Before he revealed his identity and give a threat, the latter reached the entrance and bowed, "Welcome to Genesis. Please get inside."
"Um, no thanks." The third prince hurriedly waved his hand, "I think I'm at the wrong place. Excuse me."
Turning around, he walked away at a quick pace and got into the carriage before hurrying the coachman to leave. He didn't even bother to take a look at Mo Jiang and fled away from the place.
Allen tilted his head in confusion. "Wrong place?"