I am a Tycoon!

The shop stood beside the herbalist hut, a simple structure made of wood and straw. Inside, Lee-oh set up his workstation. The system projected holographic recipes in his vision:

[Basic Healing Potion]

Sunleaf x1

Dewvine x2

Firemoss x1

[Potion Effect: +5 Recovery | Sell Value: 20 pts]

[Craft?]

Lee-oh confirmed.

Light surged from his hands, enveloping the ingredients. The bottle filled with red liquid, swirling and bright.

[Potion created successfully] [+20 pts] [Storage: 1/30]

He spent the next few days brewing potions. Every crafted potion consumed ingredients, emptied his inventory, and filled it with glimmering bottles.

When he had 30 potions ready, the system chimed:

[Total Sell Value (Estimated): 500 pts] [System Upgrade to Level 2: 1000 pts required]

Lee-oh's jaw dropped. "One thousand?! That's..."

Daey-Ib chuckled. "Guess you'll need a bigger market."

The idea struck them both at once.

"The East City," Daey-Ib said.

Lee-oh nodded. "We came from there. If I sell the potions there... I might reach a thousand."

Daey-Ib stood, gripping the sword strapped to his back. "Then let's go together."

Lee-oh smiled. The sword on Daey-Ib's back was modest—nothing like the blades he'd seen in elite cities. But Daey-Ib's resolve made up for it. They were more than companions now.

They were friends.

The villagers gathered at the gate the morning of their departure. Grandmother Salen handed Lee-oh a small talisman.

"For protection. And come back safely."

Lee-oh and Daey-Ib bowed. With their belongings packed and potions secured, they set off toward the East City, following the winding path out of the trees.

The forest opened to rolling plains. Their journey had begun.

As the sun dipped low, they camped near a quiet stream.

"Do you ever think about what's waiting for us in the city?" Lee-oh asked.

Daey-Ib poked at the fire. "I do. I think we'll sell those potions. You'll get your 1,000 points. Then who knows—maybe you'll be a master alchemist."

Lee-oh laughed. "And you?"

Daey-Ib smiled. "A better swordsman. Strong enough to protect those I care about."

They stared into the fire, warmth filling the silence between them. Tomorrow, the East City would test them. But tonight, they dreamed.