Sogen was passing through the Kiang Forest when he suddenly stopped.
"I think I'm at a good distance from the place. Now I should check my rewards. I have almost 60,000 system coins."
"Hey! System, I didn't receive the reward for killing the Ember Serpent."
"Host, really?"
"System, do you not believe me?" Sogen replied with an evil smile on his face.
"Host, do you think I'm a common person trying to scam you, or a video game where you can find a glitch for unlimited money? You should be careful not to try and scam me, or I will really not give you the rewards for other quests."
"System, you are too mean. In my previous life, I read many novels where the systems were amazing and felt like cheats. And here you are, just a dumb shop. Why are you making me do quests? Just give me the rewards! Can't you create a harem for me or provide me with a peaceful life filled with luxury? You even give very few system coins. What is the point of all those powerful items in the system shop if I can't buy them?" Sogen sighed.
"Host, first of all, if you want to unlock more features, you have to become stronger. Secondly, there is an amazing exchange feature for you. You can exchange real money for system coins. It's a 1:100 ratio; 100 gold coins equal 1 system coin. Isn't it a good deal? Now smile and say cheese!"
Sogen fumed with anger. "You trash of a system! Are you a money succubus? Am I a gold mine that you are trying to drain?"
"Host, it's not my problem. If I give you unlimited items, the balance of power will be destroyed. You must make an effort to gain something. However, I can give you a hint: just start your business."
"Not bad, not bad, System. A business sounds like a good idea. But what kind of business should I start? I'm from the modern world, but I don't have much knowledge to start one since, during my school and college years, I was just cramming science. I should have become a chef instead; then I would at least be able to become a millionaire in this world."
"There's a saying: if you can't start a good business, then start a bad one."
"Host, I've never heard that saying before."
"There was a great person who said it."
"Host, what was that great person's name?"
"It was Scroll, I mean Goldiscroll."
"Host, are you sure that's not a made-up name, just combining two item names from the shop?"
"Okay, I made it up. Can't you agree with me sometimes?"
"Now let's head to the workshop; I'll think about the business there."
After some time, Sogen reached the workshop. He entered the shop, where Mr. Rudriger was polishing a new sword he had made.
He looked toward Sogen and said, "Boy, have you completed the work you wanted to finish?"
"Yes, Sir," Sogen replied.
"Hmm, impressive. Even though you killed Vilkan and his team members, you are unscathed."
"Well, Sir, you could say it's luck."
"Boy, luck is also a type of capability. Now go rest for today; almost all the work in the workshop is done."
Sogen didn't deny it because, even though he didn't do much, traveling through the Kiang Forest and using the Dark Shadow Blade and Solar Sword Technique had taken a toll on him. He wanted to ask Mr. Rudriger about the Dark Shadow Blade, but he was too tired. So, he went to his room without checking his rewards and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Blood Phantom Sect...
"You all are worthless! You couldn't even find the culprit who killed my brother. I was so close to becoming a King Realm cultivator. I could have been a core disciple before I reached the age limit and gained access to the sect's treasures. But now I've lost all those privileges, and I lost my brother too," a young, muscular boy said angrily, punching the wall beside him and creating a huge crack.
"Senior Brother Kristin, we have used all our methods to find the culprit who killed your brother, Vilkan, but he was too clever; he didn't leave any traces," one of the boys in the group standing before Kristin said.
Kristin was seething with rage, looking like a mad dog ready to bite anyone who approached him. He controlled his anger and said, "Now, there's only one way." He started heading toward another building.
After some time, he knocked on the door. A person answered it.
"Kristin, what brings you here?" the boy asked.
"Kahir Henista, do you remember when I saved your life from a beast while you were cultivating? You promised me that you would help me once. Do you still remember that promise?"
The Henista Family is a prominent family from Hamar Town. Although it is referred to as a town, Hamar is larger than a city on Earth. The Henista Family gained fame through their perfume business. They are renowned for their innate talent as Smell Describers. The family is quite large, and they possess strong genetic traits that ensure many children in each generation are born with the Innate Talent of Smell Description, though the grade of this ability varies from person to person.
Kahir Henista, born with the same Innate Talent, has a grade of D+, which is considered very good. However, he chose the path of cultivation and became an Inner Disciple of the Blood Phantom Sect thanks to his family's support.
"Kristin, I am not someone who forgets my promises. Tell me how I can help you," Kahir said.
"Someone killed my brother. I want you to find the culprit," Kristin replied.
"Then take me to the location where your brother was murdered."
"Follow me."
After some time, they arrived at Kiang Forest, where Vilkan had been killed. Kahir began his investigation using his Innate Talent.
"Strange, I can't find any trace of the person who killed Vilkan. All I can detect are the scents of Vilkan's people and the mercenaries who were either killed or previously investigated."
Mercenary leader Lasaar was indeed clever. He knew that even if he left the town with his men, Kristin would eventually track them down. So he took a gamble and reported that his brother had been killed. Kristin couldn't go after Lasaar because he was the only one who had seen the face of the killer.
"So, you're saying that even you can't find the person who killed my brother?" Kristin asked, her voice tinged with desperation.
Kahir was surprised as well; he couldn't comprehend why there were no scents left behind. Unbeknownst to him, Sogen's Stealth Suit concealed his presence completely.
"Aaaaah!" Kristin screamed in frustration.
"I will find you and kill you one day with my own hands."