Shocking Profit

Proofread By Thomas F. 9th March 2025

Prostitute Lv. 13

Prostitute Lv. 14

[Skill Gained: Fast and Slow]

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Whore Lv. 17

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Strumpet Lv. 19

[Skill Gained: Lustful Walk]

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Harlot Lv. 20

[Conditions Met: Harlot- Madam]

Madam Lv. 21

[Skill Change: Whore's Payment: Gentlemen Always Pays]

[Skill Change: All Night-Restful Slee]

[Skill Change: Harlot's Smile- Charming Smile]

[Skill Gained: Madam's Grace]

[Skill Gained: True Salary]

Assistant Lv. 5

[Skill Gained: Good memory]

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Souteneur Merchant Lv. 3

Souteneur Merchant Lv. 4

Souteneur Merchant Lv. 5

Skill Gained: Shop Open

This was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes, and my eyes went wide immediately. The level-up wasn't surprising; I had expected it.

What is surprising is getting three levels.

It is rare; one had to achieve quite a feat to gain three levels simultaneously. I have not only gained the levels but also a fantastic skill that any merchant would be jealous of.

It is a fucking billboard skill.

Shop Open will make the business more noticeable. It will be like having a big sign that attracts everyone's attention, but how much it will attract depends on my level.

The higher my level will be, the greater effects it will bring.

Class:

Souteneur Merchant Lv. 5

Lawyer Lv. 2

Charisma: 8

Intelligence: 8

Vitality: 5

Skills:

1. Trusty Presence

2. Worthy Goods

3. Contract

4. Shop Open

Attribute Points: 03

I opened my attribute page and looked at three attribute points; I thought for a while before dumping two points into the charm.

Immediately, the powerful effects enveloped me.

After any attribute reaches the 10, it gets a dramatic boost. Surpassing the effects, it gets by addition of two or three attribute points.

This immediately increases the power of skills that run on it—also, my charm and resistance against the other's charm and charm skill.

The last attribute point I added to vitality finally and immediately refreshed my body. Although it only lasted a moment, it made me crave it more.

Class:

Souteneur Merchant Lv. 5

Lawyer Lv. 2

Charisma: 10

Intelligence: 8

Vitality: 6

Skills:

1. Trusty Presence

2. Worthy Goods

3. Contract

4. Shop Open

Attribute Points: 0

After reviewing the interface, I smiled, and for the first time since I had taken the class, I felt true hope.

Things did not seem as bleak as they did a month ago; I could even feel some radiance.

I looked at the attribute page for a few seconds before closing it and getting up; it was already eleven am, so I quickly freshened up and showered before eating breakfast, which was waiting on the hot tray.

When I walked into my office, I found Carla was already there, as usual, looking through the file.

"Haven't you slept?" I asked as I sat down. "I took a nap for about two hours," She replied, putting the file on the table and sliding it toward me.

"That is not sleeping," I said, and a small smile appeared on her face. "I appreciate your concern, Remus, but I have the skills to operate on the minimum rest," she replied, and I was not surprised.

It is said soldiers and whores are two people who have the most endurance-related skills.

"I wish I had such skill. They would have made my life much easier," I said with a sigh.

She gave me a soft smile, before her expression changed and she looked at me deeply.

"Congratulations, Remus. It seemed like you had leveled up," she congratulated, and a surprise couldn't help but appear on my face before understanding flashed in.

"My passive skill," I said, and once again, she smiled.

This made me note a vital point: getting control over passive skills. It is hard; they are called passive skills for a reason, but it could be done, and I will have to do it.

Level and skills are the greatest weapons in this world; the better your controlover them, the more benefits they will bring you.

"How about you?" I asked.

"I have also leveled up, and so have all the girls," she said suddenly, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"All?" I asked in shock, not daring to believe what she had just said. "Yes, all of them," she confirmed. I had expected the girls to level up, but I did not expect all of them to.

This isn't a common occurrence, but it is a welcome one. This development will greatly benefit the establishment.

The clothes and makeup help, but they still pale compared to the help levels and skills provided.

"With this, we now have four girls at Lv. 20 working in the establishment. " Hearing that, a small smile appeared on Carla's face.

"It is six," she corrected, giving me another shock. I only remained in shock for a second before a big smile dawned on my face.

I was not the only one who had leveled up more than once.

"I hope they will listen to my suggestion on attribute point distribution," I said. I had told them your words; whether they listen or not, it is up to them," she replied, and I couldn't help but nod.

I said nothing for a few seconds, just looking at the file before gently picking it up. Then, I did not open the file but turned to Carla.

"So, what is the number?" I asked, and her amethyst eyes turned serious. "You might not believe it if I told you," she replied softly. Even she seemed to be in a little disbelief.

Seeing the clients yesterday, I knew we had earned quite well and even had a number in mind. Her expression made me even more confident about that estimation.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the file in my hand.

At first, everything was as I expected, but after a few lines of numbers, my expressions began to change, and it completely turned to shock on the second page.

I read page after page; each word was meticulous, and the numbers were clear.

When I put down the file, I was in clear shock. I did not dare believe what I had read; the number exceeded our estimate.

"One hundred and thirty-seven thousand crowns," I said softly, putting down the file after a few minutes. "It was quite a shock to me when I tallied the numbers and recalculated three times before daring to believe it," she replied.

"The numbers are truly hard to believe," I said softly, my voice barely louder than a whisper.

I watched the establishment the whole night and estimated we will earn around fifty thousand crowns.

That is quite shocking, but now, looking at the number, I am having quite a problem believing it. However, the numbers don't lie.

We have earned one hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred and thirty-seven crowns. A little over a third had been earned by the girls' hours; the rest through the food and liquor.

It couldn't help but bring a big smile on my face. My business model is working.

Carla hadn't added the gifts and tokens the girls had received in addition; otherwise, the number would have reached even higher.

We charge two hundred crowns per hour, the highest among all six high-class brothels in the city. Only one other brothel charges as much as us.

It might seem high, considering that common people could comfortably live for a week for such an amount, but it is still quite low compared to the prices of a real high-class brothel in the big cities.

We can't compare to the high-class brothels of the big cities. In those, the lowest-level girl is at Lv. 20.

Today, many girls have leveled up. It gives me hope that one day my establishment will also reach that height.

With taxes, the girls' 10% cut, and other expenses, I would still end up with around 50% profit. This is more than I had expected, and it gives me great hope for the future.

"The business is good, but it would be hard to maintain it after the guests leave. It would be a huge deal if we could get half these numbers after a week," Carla said sombrely.

"Yes, there might be a slight lull in a few days, but it won't last long," I replied with a light smile.

"Are you talking about the clients of merchant cities?" she asked, and I smiled. "I don't think they will give us much business, at least initially," she replied, shaking her head.

"You are quite wrong about it," I said with a big smile.

Carla is a very smart, wise woman who knows much more than women of her station should know. It is why my father chose her to run the brothel.

Still, she was limited by knowledge and connections. She did not know how hungry the Empire was for trade to replenish its dwindling coffers, which were caused by constant wars.

There is also a thing about the empire wanting to restore the relations with some enemies before the emperor dies.

Once he does, the empire might not remain unified—at least not for a while. The enemies could use that.

Merchants around the Empire, even in the Renwell region, had big orders ready, knowing there would be a resumption of trade with the merchant states.

One merchant city-state agreed to resume trade. Trade will start to flow in, with Greltheaven being one of the biggest beneficiaries.

"You will see it soon," I added, seeing her not believing me.

The first ships from Meldhorn were scheduled to arrive in the late afternoon, so I planned to go to the port with Carla to watch them.

"I really hope what you said is true," she replied with hopeful eyes. "Don't worry; I am not wrong about this,"

We did not speak for a minute before I focused back on the work.

"Yesterday, our patrons drank a lot; we must replenish our liquor and order more. Given the response, we should buy the liquor from the second list," she stated. I nodded at that.

The second list contains more expensive liquor. We wanted to buy it, but didn't have money. Even now money isn't enough, but we can take the risk given the response.

"Also, the chef for the list of ingredients and let him choose the dishes he wanted to serve," I replied.

"We do not have enough money," she said. "Take it on credit," I replied.

There is a common phrase among the merchants: You need to spend more to earn more.

Carla left a few minutes later with tasks in her hand while I focused on the letter I was writing to my grandfather, the head of the House of Silver.