CHAPTER 101: VISITING SICK FATHER, HEALING BREAD.

From shopkeeper to auction house proprietor. Career progression continues to get stranger.

"For now," Lola said, returning to her usual customer role, "I’ll take my usual order. I need to maintain energy for tomorrow’s promotional activities."

"Oh, by the way, the maximum limit has increased to two items per person if you would like to buy."

"Really? Then I guess that’s my new order, then." She smiled with obvious satisfaction.

Back to business as usual. Though nothing about this feels usual anymore.

Noah retrieved the double order from his inventory, watching Lola’s expression brighten at the prospect of increasing the purchase limit. Sixty golden coins changed hands, adding to his growing wealth while cementing another satisfied customer relationship.

...

—

Host: Noah Carter

Age: 28

Shop Level: 2

Daily Revenue: $5,000

Current Assets: $180,240.21

Shop Points: 90

Attributes: Strength: 20, Vitality: 4, Intelligence: 20, Agility: 20

Skills: Swordsmanship(Level 6), Mana Control (Level 5), Surviving on Ramen (Level 3), Cooking (Level 2), Programming (Level 2), Gaming (Level 2), Finance (Level 1)

—

[Auto-IceTea Maker]

Level: 3

Production Rate: 2 Iced teas every hour

Max Stock: 48

Progress: 4/200

—

[Auto-Baker]

Level: 3

Production Rate: 4 Loaves every hour

Max Stock: 48

Progress: 4/200

—

Shop points are back to 90 after the upgrade. But the production improvements make it worthwhile.

With two fresh loaves in his inventory, Noah made a decision that filled him with anticipation. Instead of selling them to customers, he carefully transferred both wrapped breads into his storage ring.

Time to test the dimensional item transfer properly.

The magical healing bread disappeared into his storage space with ease. For the first time since discovering his shop, he could bring supernatural benefits directly to the people who mattered most.

Dad’s going to get some good medicine that money can’t buy...well in the earth at least.

Noah placed his closed sign and stepped through the portal, feeling the familiar transition between the magical realm and the mundane reality.

Time to visit Dad.

The storage ring stood on his finger, its contents representing hope in a way that traditional medicine couldn’t match. While healing bread wouldn’t instantly cure everything, thirty percent enhanced natural recovery could make a significant difference for someone fighting a serious illness.

It’ll take more than one loaf since it increases the body’s natural healing by thirty percent, and Dad’s healing rate is low to begin with since he’s a sick human. But it’ll help nonetheless.

The GT-R’s engine purred to life as Noah settled into the driver’s seat.

I’m about to become the only person on Earth with access to magical healing. Probably the only supernatural individual on the entire planet.

The thought was outrageous.

He wasn’t just successful anymore—he was unique in ways that transcended normal human experience.

The hospital’s familiar corridors welcomed him.

Room 412. Dad’s waiting.

Noah knocked gently before entering, finding his father propped against pillows with a book resting open on his lap. Alan’s face brightened with the kind of joy that made all of Noah’s hard work feel worthwhile.

"Noah! Wasn’t expecting you tonight."

"Brought you something special, just before the visiting time ended," Noah replied, settling into the visitor’s chair with excitement.

Time to change everything.

"What’s this?" Alan asked, studying the carefully wrapped bread in Noah’s hand with curiosity.

"Bread from a speciality bakery," Noah explained, keeping his explanation grounded in reality.

"Supposed to have exceptional nutritional properties."

Not entirely false. It does have exceptional properties.

Alan unwrapped the golden loaf with careful attention, immediately noting its unusual warmth and the subtle glow that seemed to emanate from within.

"This looks different from the usual bread. Almost luminescent."

"High-quality ingredients," Noah deflected smoothly.

"Try a piece. I think you’ll find it’s unlike anything you’ve had before."

His father broke off a section and took a cautious bite.

"This is so good," Alan breathed, his voice carrying strength that hadn’t been there moments before.

"I feel... energised. Like my body just remembered how to function properly."

"The nutritional content is supposedly very advanced," Noah replied, watching his father’s transformation with satisfaction that transcended mere filial duty.

Alan continued eating with obvious appreciation, each bite bringing visible improvement to his overall condition. The magical enhancement worked through his system like gentle fire, revitalising cellular processes that had been struggling against illness.

"I haven’t felt this good in months," his father admitted, sitting up straighter than he had since his hospitalisation began.

"Where did you find this bakery?"

"Small speciality shop, it’s far from here. My friend brought me some, and I wanted you to try it. I can ask him for more if you want."

Alan nodded. "That would be great. Thank him for me,"

They spent the next hour talking with energy that had been missing from their recent conversations. Alan’s improved vitality made him more engaged, more present, more like the father Noah remembered from before illness had diminished his strength.

"I should probably save some for tomorrow," Alan said, carefully rewrapping the remaining bread.

"Actually," Noah smiled, producing the second loaf from a bag he had brought with him.

"I brought extra."

His father’s expression shifted to amazement mixed with concern about expense.

"Noah, this must have cost—"

"Dad," Noah interrupted gently, "business has been very good. Let me worry about costs. You focus on getting better."

As visiting hours drew to a close, his father looked better than he had in weeks, and the remaining bread would continue enhancing his recovery.

The drive home passed in contented silence, Noah’s thoughts already turning toward tomorrow’s auction and the continuing expansion of his shop.

...

Inside the city of Esta, two figures could be seen battling each other in a courtyard.

Swish!

Whoosh!

The swords collided against each other in rapid, successive motions that made everyone watching shocked.

Swish!

Valeria’s sword collided with Alissa’s, and the sheer power from the attack sent Alissa skidding back a couple of steps.

Huff! Puff!

Alissa was breathing heavily, sweat glistening on her face, whilst Valeria had a smirk with some laboured breath, although not as much as Alissa.

"Alissa, you’re scaring me. Do you miss him so much that you are improving so quickly?" Valeria teased the cat-girl, whose tail wagged at the mention of Noah.

Despite her obvious embarrassment, she didn’t admit anything and continued the attacks.

’She’s already halfway through the apprentice swordsman rank...this girl is terrifying. She might reach adept in a couple of weeks and become the youngest to ever do so...’ Valeria thought, blocking Alissa’s attacks.