Jaune respectfully declined the invitation to the recovery party.
"Thank you for the kind offer, Mr. Quarz, but I have to get back to my shop. I can't leave it unattended for long."
He didn't want to intrude on a private family moment, and more importantly, he desperately needed to get back to the slum and manage his business.
Quarz, understanding the reclusiveness of certain unique businessmen, nodded.
"I understand. We will be in touch, young man. I owe you more than 5,000 Lien. Much more."
Jaune returned to the smog-choked docks. He felt a newfound lightness.
"Ciel, how much cash do I have right now?"
[The Host now has 6,000 Lien as cash and 7 mcc.]
Jaune felt rich. The most money he ever had as a student was barely 100 Lien.
6,000 Lien was a huge sum to him, enough to completely change his previous life.
When he reached the shop, he was surprised to see the leader of the Crimson Dogs waiting for him, clutching a rusted shovel.
"Give me the Red Potion! I have cleaned the surroundings again!"
Dog Leader announced, pointing to the slightly tidier perimeter.
Jaune mentally confirmed with Ciel that the job warranted the payment.
He knew this wasn't about the shop's cleanliness anymore; it was about the potion.
"You are not buying it to use, are you? You are buying it to go and sell it somewhere else, right?"
Jaune asked, seeing right through the thug's flimsy excuse.
The thug stammered.
"That…"
"It's not a problem, though,"
Jaune said, shaking his head.
"The Red Potion is yours to do with as you wish. But next time, simple cleaning isn't going to work. The shop requires higher-value labor. However, I will give you other jobs."
The Dog Leader visibly sagged with relief.
Jaune didn't mind him using the potion for commerce and even promised him more jobs.
To the thug, Jaune was either an eccentric fool or too kind for the slum—either way, he was a massive opportunity.
Jaune gave him the Red Potion.
The leader left instantly to sell it. Jaune realized the thug likely sold the miraculous 1,000 Lien value potion for only 200 Lien, five times lower than the true Lien-exchange price.
However, to the thug, 200 Lien was a huge sum that could let his family live easier for a while.
[Transaction Complete. 1 Red Potion (1 mcc) exchanged for labor. Current Balance: 7 mcc.]
The next day, Jaune opened his shop normally, meticulously wiping down the counter.
He expected a boring, slow day.
Then, he was greeted by someone completely unexpected.
"Hi."
It was Pearl Schnee, and she wasn't alone.
She walked through the door, looking radiant, healthy, and stunning in expensive civilian clothes, flanked by a group of serious, muscular men in tailored suits—high-level, professional bodyguards.
No one in the Lower City Slums would dare mess with her.
"Umm, Hi,"
Jaune replied awkwardly. He didn't know what to say to the young miss he had just saved from death.
Both teenagers seemed momentarily unsure of how to initiate a conversation with the opposite gender outside of a life-or-death scenario.
"Please come inside,"
Jaune invited, opening the main door wide.
The bodyguards remained outside, their eyes sweeping the surroundings with cold, professional scrutiny.
Once inside the strange, warm shop, the noise of the docks was muted.
"What can I do for you today, Ms. Pearl?"
Jaune asked formally.
"Please call me Pearl,"
She insisted, her voice soft but firm.
"You are my benefactor, Jaune. I came to thank you properly. My father paid for the Remedy, but you gave me back my life."
Jaune wanted to say it was alright and that her father already paid. But saying that might ruin the genuine moment of gratitude.
He simply nodded and said,
"It was nothing."
They talked for a while, quickly bonding over the sheer impossibility of the situation.
Pearl was deeply curious about the potion and where it came from.
Jaune was simply glad to have a normal, non-thug conversation.
Slowly, they became tentative friends.
"What is that, Jaune?"
Pearl asked, her gaze sweeping the glittering shelves until it landed on an item of peculiar interest.
The object was a beautiful feather pen, its nib crafted from what looked like polished, iridescent silver, and its body wrapped in a delicate, ethereal feather that seemed to catch the light from within.
Item—Profound Feather Pen
Origin—Against The Gods World
Rank—Silver
Price—1 msc
[This is a pen that has the consciousness of an Earth Profound Realm Cultivator. It features an automatic writing system that can correct grammar and complete complex calculations. And most importantly, when the owner is in danger, the pen will automatically protect the owner with a powerful energy barrier and minor projectile attacks.]
Jaune relayed the details, omitting the jargon about Cultivators and Profound Realms to avoid confusing her.
"It's a very advanced tool, Pearl,"
Jaune explained.
"It can write for you automatically and even correct your mistakes. And if you're ever in danger, the pen will protect you."
Pearl, a student of incredible discipline and intelligence, was fascinated by the unique combination of academic utility and defense.
"How much is it?"
She asked, a genuine desire to own the unique artifact clear in her voice.
"It's priced in Silver Coins,"
Jaune said, trying to gauge her reaction.
"One silver coin."
One silver coin was equal to 100 copper coins which meant the price was 100,000 lien!
"I want it!"
"!!!???"
Pearl said it like she was just buying candy.
How much money she even had!