CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45: THE TYCOON’S MERCHANTS

Chapter 45 – The Tycoon’s Merchants

Kaden now sat quietly on a thick tree branch, high enough to avoid notice from below.

Now that he had finally escaped that cursed forest, he could finally do what he was meant to do from the very beginning—

Take his Evolution Quest.

And for that...

"I need an Evolution Stone," Kaden muttered, voice low, almost thoughtful.

But not just any stone. He wanted a high grade one.

Because just like Origins, like artifacts, like everything else in this world, Evolution Stones had ranks—ranging from Common all the way to Mythic.

And the higher the rank of the stone, the more difficult and unique the quest would become. But on the flip side? The rewards would be incredible. Much more incredible.

The stat boost would be massive. His first Origin Skill would evolve to something far more refined, more monstrous, more his. And the best of all—

He would awaken his second Origin Skill.

And sometimes, you can gain even more if you are lucky.

That was the kind of leap every fighter dreamed of.

Which is why everyone fought like madmen to get a high-rank Evolution Stone.

But...

"The problem is how to get it," Kaden murmured, hand against his chin as his brows creased with thought.

He had no clue.

The only ones who had stones of that level were the great powerhouses—kingdoms, empires... or more specifically, the Celestial Empire.

But there was one other place who can have that level of evolution stone.

A place not built on lineage or politics.

But on business.

The Tycoon’s Merchants.

An organization founded by a coalition of powerful individuals of all races and backgrounds—alchemists, blacksmiths, rune crafters—all of them auxiliary-type Origin wielders.

And because of that...

"They’re filthy rich. Hell, they might even be richer than the Celestial Empire," Kaden said with a smirk.

And the best part was that they were neutral.

Which meant anyone could enter. No faction loyalty. No hidden allegiance. Just money, trade, and access.

Kaden smiled, eyes narrowing.

"Perfect. I needed artifacts too. That situation in the Forest of Eternal Sunshine showed me just how far behind I am in terms of gear."

He had made it out—yes.

But it had been far too close.

And the next time...

He might not be so lucky.

Kaden sighed softly as he looked around.

He was somewhere near the capital of the Celestial Empire now—Asterion. Some run and he will get there. Let’s say two to three days, maybe less if he pushed.

But before he started moving again...

Kaden closed his eyes softly and leaned his head back against the bark of the tree.

He needed to rest—just for a moment.

And so, Kaden drifted off into a light sleep.

...

While Kaden rested just outside the gates of Empire, a girl who had made a deep impression on him—though he barely knew her—was already inside.

Meris Elamin.

Sole heir of the Elamin family, a noble house known for their monstrous elemental abilities.

She was supposed to be training.

Supposed to be preparing.

But instead she was lounging in a VIP room inside one of the capital’s trendiest clothing boutiques, casually sipping tea while wrapped in silk and looking through racks of newly released dresses.

Pure decadence.

Lari stood nearby, her expression strained—it was one of those looks you give when you desperately need to slap someone but can’t because that someone is either your master or your mother.

That pure, unfiltered frustration mixed with fear.

Because Lari knew what was coming.

And she knew who was waiting for news.

The Matriarch.

She might want to hide some things to save her skin.

But the Matriarch always found out.

Always.

The thought alone made Lari’s expression tighten.

Meris caught it instantly—and laughed.

"Haha! Lari, what’s with that face?" she said, her tone half-mocking, half-teasing.

Lari’s hands clenched behind her back. ’She is my master. She is my master. I must not curse her.’

She repeated it like a prayer.

And Meris knew.

She always knew.

She knew Lari was terrified of her mother.

So she smiled.

"Don’t worry. After this, I’ll stop fooling around and get serious. After all... I’ll have everything I need for my eventual date with the Child of Blood."

She sipped her tea, that same mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

Lari sighed in exhausted relief. "Then... why wait, my lady? We’ve already prepared a Unique-grade Evolution Stone for you. You could start your quest right now."

But Meris shook her head instantly in refusal.

"You know Evolution Quests aren’t something you start just like that, especially not when the stone is Unique."

"Besides..."

Her smile curled, more playful now.

"If I take it, I’ll get teleported back to Darklore when I succeed. And sure, I could come back immediately, but you know my mother. She’d lock me in for more training just to be safe. And how could I possibly let that happen before meeting him?"

Lari frowned at her words. "But my lady, we don’t even know where he is. He could’ve spawned in the far east or some unknown territory in Fokay. How could we wait for him?"

Meris nodded in understanding. "That’s why we’ll wait for... let’s say, three months. If I don’t see him in that time, I’ll go take the Evolution Quest."

She turned toward Lari, eyes sparkling.

"That’s reasonable, right?"

Lari looked hesitant. "But... what will I report to the Matriarch for three months? You know I can’t lie. She’ll ask what you’ve been doing..."

Meris paused, thinking. Then her eyes lit up with sudden realization.

"Just tell her I’m learning a profession," she said, standing up with excitement and started walking away.

Lari followed, already flustered. "What profession, my lady?"

Meris chuckled as she walked forward, practically glowing with amusement.

"What kind of profession suits a beautiful and charming girl like me?"

Lari’s lips twitched. She didn’t even get the chance to respond.

"Alchemy, of course," Meris answered herself, laughing freely.

"Buy all the clothes I’ve touched and let’s go, Lari."

She smiled brightly.

"We’re going to the Tycoon’s Merchants."

—End of Chapter 45—