two years later ...
Imperial capital - Riverdale Empire
"Mom, hurry up!! The chocolates will go out of stock again!"
A small boy tugged desperately at his mother's sleeve as the two squeezed into a massive line that wrapped around the corner of the bustling market street.
"Wait, you brat!" the mother huffed, half embarrassed, half out of breath. "This is already the fifth time this month you're getting one. Seriously, what do they put in those things to make you crave it like that?!"
She sighed, staring ahead at the modest shop they were slowly approaching.
A tiny wooden storefront which was painted red and white
there were no extravagant murals or any expensive enhancements.
Just a single signboard at the top written in funny writing:
Infinity Choco House
Despite its humble appearance, the line of customers consisted of all ages and all social classes. The line stretched so far it blocked the entrance of three neighboring stores.
The shop had appeared mysteriously two years ago with no prior announcement, no noble backers, and no fanfare.
Yet the desserts it sold had taken the outer ring of the imperial capital by storm. Children cried for it. Adventurers lined up before dawn. Even a few noble daughters were rumored to sneak out at night just for a taste.
It was madness. Delicious, chocolate-coated madness.
As the line shuffled forward, a sudden disturbance cut through the crowd.
A group of broad, heavy-set men stomped toward the shop entrance, thick blades dangling from their belts. Their leader, a bald brute with veins bulging across his neck, radiated the aura of an F-rank warrior.
Gasps rose from the customers.
"This again?"
"Those damned greedy merchants never give up…"
"Picking on a humble kid—pathetic."
Inside the shop, unaware of the commotion outside, a 14-year-old boy worked calmly behind the counter.
Blue swept-back hair brushed his shoulders, framing a face too handsome for his age. His white sleeves were rolled up as he scooped smooth chocolate pudding into small cups, his forearms were lean, toned, and glistening faintly with the cold sheen of frost coming from the chilled counter.
Several young girls inside the shop peeked over their cups, cheeks flushing red as they watched him work.
"Ten coppers a cup of chocolate pudding" Will said with an easy smile, handing over a portion.
Two years earlier, when Will first arrived in the capital chocolate simply did not exist in this world.
This world's atmosphere lacked the nutrient concentration needed for cocoa plants to thrive. No one had even heard of such a thing.
A massive market gap.
And Will had pounced on it like a starving wolf.
Using his monthly free privilege from the system, he had bought one of the most absurdly expensive items in the shop:
The Infinite Chocolate Vending Machine.
A bottle-shaped artifact that drew ambient mana from the air and converted it into endless chocolate syrup.
it was worth billions of SP.
He then spent a significant chunk of his savings to purchase this tiny shop in the outer ring.
And from day one, he crafted the perfect brand image, mysterious origins, exotic flavor, luxurious texture, and a "secret family recipe" story.
And oh, did it work.
The first week saw children screaming for more.
The second week, young ladies flocked to watch him stir chocolate.
By the first month, the shop had become a phenomenon.
But success attracted predators.
Large gourmet merchants especially those backed by nobles felt threatened.
After all, a single teenage boy had managed to overshadow entire dessert businesses.
To stop his growth they got him banned from opening branches in the inner ring using their noble connections.
They even sent lackeys to intimidate him.
But Will never fought back very proactively. He had planned to lay low before the awakening and academy trials.
At first, these constant attacks frustrated him, until something unexpected happened.
Ethan began training.
The chosen one, had started sword training under the guidance of the Sword Saint.
And his improvement… was monstrous.
Every time Ethan swung a sword, Will felt a faint surge of insight resonate in his mind.
Every time Ethan practiced a sword form, Will's own understanding multiplied one hundredfold.
The benefits of their bond were overwhelming.
And Will's growth had been nothing short of terrifying.
He still remembered the notifications he saw last day.
Ding!!
[Ethan has practiced the second form of Tempest Sword Technique a thousand times]
[congratulations on gaining 100X the insight on the second form]
[congratulations! the second form of Tempest Sword Technique has reached 'beginner stage']
A grin had spread across Will's face so wide it startled customers.
He knew Ethan's training pattern from the novel. Ethan always pushed each form of the Tempest Sword Technique to intermediate before advancing to the next.
He trained diligently, very diligently.
In two years,
Ethan had started with intense physical training for a few months. In those months Will too gained enhanced stamina and physique as if he had been training from the day he was born.
His muscles chiseled and a sculpted face appeared making him look like the descendant of a noble.
And when Ethan had reached intermediate mastery of the first step.
Through the binder, Will had instantly soared past him straight to perfection.
And now Ethan had begun the second step… which meant Will's sword mastery would skyrocket again.
[A/N:
Stages of technique mastery:
Newbie → Beginner → Intermediate → Master → Grand Master → Perfection]
Still, this success of his chocolate business came with problems.
The gourmet merchants had become bolder over time.
And today, their goons had arrived again.
Outside, the bald leader smirked at the terrified customers.
"Move aside," he barked. "We're here to talk business with the boy."
No one moved.
People liked Will.
They liked his chocolates.
And some part of them admired the young entrepreneur fighting alone.
But they were powerless.
Inside, Will wiped his hands calmly and sighed.
"System," he muttered, "how many times has this group come this month?"
[three times host. statistically speaking, their persistence is impressive but their intelligence is questionable]
Till now Will never resisted, these goons always gave verbal warning but never acted since there were knights patrolling the area.
Of course those knight had also been bribed but in front of such huge crowd no one could act rashly.
"Should I slice their dicks with my sword this time?"
[hehee.. which sword are you talking about host...]
"System," Will whispered, smile still on his lips, "shut up, before I cut yours"
[please don't. I have dignity]
Will placed the last pudding cup on the counter.
Then he stepped out from behind the table, blue hair glinting under the sunlight filtering through the window.
Two years had passed, and he didn't need to hold back.
poor goons had no idea what they would go through today.