Khrom eyed Kadyn with a surprised face. He never thought that Kadyn would be daring enough to offer him a job, even after knowing that he was a criminal, trying to hide from his enemies. He thought about something and said, "I need some time to think about it."

Although Kadyn was a little disappointed at his reply, he still respects his decision. He can't force anyone to work for him after all—Khrom was well aware of the workings of the city. He was also proficient in disguise, as he can see. Therefore Kadyn wanted him to collect some intelligence for him about the big shots of the city, especially about Association. So when the time of battle with them arises, he won't be caught off guard.

"It's alright," Kadyn nodded. "Take your time and think about it carefully."

After that he took out two vials of high grade potions and passed them to Khrom. "Here, didn't you come here for these?"

"But I didn't complete the work you asked me to do." Khrom shook his head. "You have already gotten the herb."

"I have asked about the whereabouts of the herb," Kadyn replied, "that you have already told me. Take this."

Kadyn shoved the vials and said. "I'm not giving you for free. You've earned it."

Khrom knew that he was doing this to show his goodwill—he couldn't help but feel that Kadyn was worth his friendship. "Alright," he said, "I won't be courteous then."

"What are your thoughts regarding the Association?" Kadyn asked suddenly. "Why do you think they haven't attacked yet? I'm just a weak shopkeeper. They should have come to destroy me as soon as they heard about the matter regarding the Elder Yel."

Khrom glanced at him and said seriously. "Well, if you haven't given me the potions, I wouldn't have bothered telling you this, but," he looked at him meaningfully, "let me tell you that Elder Yel has already woken up. He told that there is something very powerful inside your shop and they shouldn't make a move recklessly.

"Elder Yel said that your shop protected by powerful formations—that's how he got injured—no ordinary Rank 1 Spell Caster could threaten you inside it."

"As expected of the old fox, he could see that the attack was the work of formation." Kadyn cursed. Now he needs to be more careful and he can't go outside the shop as he pleases. At this moment he understood why Khrom hesitated to accept his offer. He wondered how he knew all this information, but he didn't probe about it. Everyone has their secrets.

"Do you think they would hinder my business to drive me out of the shop?" he asked

"Well it's not impossible," Khrom said and stood up. "Alright, I will take my leave."

Kadyn remained sitting even after Khrom left, deep in thinking. After a while he sighed and walked towards the Potion Hall. He wanted to brew a few potions and wanted to auction them. At first he didn't care about the status and much, he thought he could trample anyone with power. However now he realised that status was also a kind of shield.

That's why he wanted to sell the potions to people with status. Though the Association could stop commoners from coming to his shop, they won't do anything extreme against those influential families. Otherwise who will believe in the Association—they might even rebel against them—so the Association needed to be more careful dealing with them.

——

The entire day, he concocted different types of potions. He was lacking the herbs, and he didn't want to give any chance to the Association to strike back, so he forced himself to stay in the shop, and neither did he send anyone outside.

Due to the lack of herbs, he couldn't brew as many potions as he wanted, but it was enough to drive some people insane. Even Soothing Potion was enough to attract so many people. He refused to believe that so many potions won't cause ripples inside anyone's heart.

[The Shop about to complete its upgrading process… 10… 9… 8… 7…]

At this moment the beeping sound started to ring inside his head. A screen appeared in front of him, and he saw a notification. At first he was bewildered by this sudden sound but then became thrilled. He rushed out of the Potion Hall and looked at the two buildings in front of him. He wanted to know what their purpose was.

[6… 5… 4…]

At every decreasing number, his heartbeat increased. He was eager to know the new things that would appear after the upgrade.

[3… 2… 1… Congratulation the shop has been upgraded to Level 1]

Before he could think about anything, the notifications started to sound inside his head, screen flashing in front of his eyes again and again.

[Level 1 Library has been added]

As the notification sounded, a rush of information appeared inside his head. The one of the new buildings inside the shop was the Library. There were all kinds of books available, Formation, Potion, Artisan, Poison, Herbs, Magic. Furthermore there was a specific section inside where all kinds of spells were available—Elementary to Rank 1 Spell Caster.

Though Kadyn was disappointed when the knowledge inside the library didn't assimilate with him. Now he has to read books like other people if he wants to learn anything. Such a pain in the ass.

[The defensive system has been modified: Owner is the King]

Once more, all kinds of information appeared inside his head. Owner is the King—the ability only Kadyn could use, and he needed to be inside the shop to use that. For Spell Casters and below Rank Magus, the area inside the shop had turned into No Fighting Zone. Only Kadyn and those to whom he had given his permission could fight inside. Only Magus above the Spell Caster could break the defensive system.

Kadyn was thrilled to know that, and sighed in relief. Now no one had the power inside Avibria City who could threaten him. He wondered if the entire Magic Association had anyone above the Spell Caster.