CHAPTER 111: PRICE ISSUE, HEADING TO THE CRIMSON MOUNTAIN.

"Adept-rank and higher," he said, "first-time buyers... 1,000 gold. That’s fair. They know how hard it is to raise attributes at their level. I need to keep the price in the same range as the auction. Otherwise, the prince might think I’ve scammed him, I don’t want trouble knocking on my door."

"For those same buyers, any repeat purchases drop to 50 gold. They’ve already gained the permanent buff, so they’re just coming back for the temporary strength boost. Keep ’em hooked.

50 golden coins is a reasonable price. It’s double the price of my iced tea, and nearly has double the effect."

He paused, then added another tier for the lower ranks—apprentices, novices, those still clawing their way toward adept.

"One hundred gold for them. Still expensive, but they’ll pay it. It’s worth ten times more in attribute growth."

A satisfied smirk tugged at his lips. It was solid. Balanced.

Then the grin faded.

His mind conjured a scene.

Some clever novice strolling in, buys a bar for 50 gold... and flips it to an adept for 500. Or worse, some noble hiring a squad of rankless nobodies to bulk-buy on their behalf.

He sighed and rubbed his temples. "No. Not happening."

After a few minutes of extra thinking, he came up with an extra security step.

"First purchase must be eaten in-store. No exceptions. If they don’t eat it here, they don’t get it."

But an issue remained. Those who needed the temporary strength increase couldn’t eat the bar in the store; otherwise, they would be wasting its effect.

He decided to keep the product on hold for the time being

He’d plug the bigger holes later.

Maybe Lola would have something clever to add; she always did.

But for now, the pricing strategy was in place...for the first timers, and the shop was open.

[Current Assets: $315,240.21]

Staring at his asset value, Noah realised he could afford the second item in the shop slot. The Energy Drink sat there temptingly, offering identical effects to the protein bar except for agility enhancement instead of strength.

Same $300,000 price tag. Same permanent attribute boost.

After contemplating for several seconds, Noah decided against the purchase. There was no need to introduce another premium item when he hadn’t even solved the protein bar’s pricing complications.

"There’s no rushing it. I can buy it another time. It’s not like anyone can spend 1,300 gold coins in my shop right now anyway."

Better to perfect one product line before expanding into others.

He stepped out of his shop, placing the closed sign on his door with satisfaction. The evening’s auction had been exhausting, but the results exceeded every projection.

Time to test out my Wind Manipulation skill.

The Crimson Mountains stood in the distance.

Let’s see what these new abilities can accomplish against real opponents.

What Noah failed to account for was the attention his auction performance had attracted.

Multiple interested parties had been watching his shop since the legendary artefact bidding concluded.

And stepping out without protection after displaying that kind of wealth...It was an amateur’s mistake.

"Target has moved out of his shop. It’s time to move," One of the figures spoke to the others.

Three figures detached themselves from various shadowed positions around the plaza, their movements unseen. They’d been waiting for exactly this opportunity.

The first was a lean demon with scarred arms. His equipment suggested mercenary work; he was clearly an experienced man in the field.

The second figure moved with magical energy that made the air shimmer around his robes. A combat mage, probably Apprentice level, whose presence suggested this wasn’t simple robbery.

They followed at careful distances as Noah made his way toward the city gates.

Noah remained blissfully unaware of his tail as he approached the familiar crimson landscape. His thoughts focused on testing wind magic rather than potential threats lurking behind him.

The mountain paths stretched ahead, offering both privacy for training and, unfortunately, perfect conditions for ambush scenarios.

Once inside the Crimson Mountains proper, Noah spotted an unexpected figure lounging on the grass near a cluster of bouncing blue creatures.

Blop! Blop! Blop!

The slimes hopped around Lola with innocent enthusiasm while she reclined against a boulder, ruby eyes fixed on the evening sky with unusual tranquillity.

What’s a master-level mage doing in beginner hunting grounds?

Noah approached with genuine curiosity. "What are you doing here?"

Lola turned her head, offering him that familiar seductive smile. "I come here every now and then to lie down and watch the sky over the crimson peaks. It’s a nice view."

It’s relaxation time for a succubus, I guess.

Before Noah could respond, her expression shifted. Her head snapped toward the mountain entrance with sudden alertness, smile transforming into something far more dangerous.

"Oh? It seems like we have visitors." Her smirk carried lethal promise.

Visitors? That doesn’t sound good.

Lola’s body vanished like smoke dispersing in wind, leaving only the gentle blop sounds of confused slimes wondering where their observer had gone.

She disappeared. Completely gone.

Noah spun toward the entrance, his eyes finally detecting what Lola’s master-level senses had noticed immediately.

Three figures emerged from the mountain paths with weapons drawn and magic crackling around their forms.

The slimes continued their innocent hopping, completely oblivious to the violence about to unfold in their peaceful territory.

Blop! Blop! Blop!

One moment, the three attackers were advancing with confidence. Next, they found themselves teleported directly in front of Noah with Lola materialising beside them like death incarnate.

Lola didn’t have the ability to teleport, but her speed was so incredibly quick, it made it appear like she teleported.

How did she—what just happened?

The mercenary’s sword arm froze mid-swing as he processed his sudden relocation. The mage’s spell fizzled as concentration shattered.

"Why are you all following him?" Lola’s voice carried silky danger that made grown demons reconsider their life choices. "Don’t tell me you’re planning on robbing our favourite shopkeeper. You wouldn’t dare to hurt him, right?"

Our favourite shopkeeper...