Chapter 15 : The Alchemist’s Gambit

The Eastern Market buzzed with energy. Merchants shouted their wares, travelers haggled for goods, and adventurers exchanged stories of beasts slain beyond the jungles. Amidst this lively atmosphere, Lee-oh's stall had grown into a two-tent operation, complete with potion racks, reinforced leatherwear, and glistening beginner-tier weapons. A small team—comprised of Daey-ib and two new helpers he hired—managed the inventory, handled customers, and accepted material trades from hunters and cultivators alike.

Lee-oh stood in the back, cross-legged on a mat inside a hidden tent, surrounded by vials, herbs, and animal bones. His hands moved with practiced ease, pouring, grinding, and combining ingredients under precise heat. The faint green hue of a brewing stamina potion shimmered in a cauldron. His system interface blinked softly in his peripheral vision.

System Alert: Potion batch complete. Quality: High. +150 Points

He let out a short breath. "That's the fourth high-quality batch today."

The steady rhythm of work, selling, and cultivating had made him sharper. Stronger. The once-naïve novice now bore the aura of someone used to responsibility. His cultivation rank had climbed to Beginner III, and his control over spiritual energy while crafting had improved, resulting in higher-tier outputs. The demand for his potions had risen as a result—and so had his influence.

Outside the stall, Daey-ib intercepted a tall figure approaching. "Can I help—" he paused. "Oh, it's you again."

The Alchemist.

He'd become a regular visitor over the past month, always watching from a distance. But today, he stepped closer, eyes no longer curious but purposeful.

"Tell your master I want to speak," the man said.

Daey-ib grimaced. "Lee-oh doesn't take meetings without appointments—"

"It's about a refining technique that could triple his potion yield."

That did the trick. Minutes later, the two sat across from each other in the back tent, steam wafting from a fresh brew between them.

"You've been watching me for weeks," Lee-oh said calmly. "Now you want to work together?"

The older man nodded. "Name's Hwal. I was once a ranked alchemist in the north. Banished. Politics. Now I seek a way to rise again. I see potential in you—and the money to support a lab."

Lee-oh crossed his arms. "Why should I believe you?"

Hwal produced a thin scroll from his robe and unrolled it. A formula glimmered with runic marks and alchemical shorthand.

"This is a forgotten technique for cold-brewing elixirs using lunar energy. It preserves more spiritual essence in every batch, even from low-quality ingredients."

Lee-oh's eyes narrowed as he read through it. The logic checked out—and his system confirmed the possibility of integrating it. If this were true...

"I'll give you a lab and access to ingredients," Lee-oh said slowly. "In exchange, you help me develop exclusive potion types. We'll build a monopoly."

Hwal smiled faintly. "Done."

By the end of the week, a new tent—the "Refining Pavilion"—had emerged beside Lee-oh's stalls. Hwal oversaw research while Lee-oh experimented with system-guided batches. The duo worked in tandem, and soon, the "Flameburst Potion" was born—a concoction that temporarily increased internal energy output, allowing cultivators to release stronger strikes.

It sold out within hours of launch.

System Notification: You have gained 2,000 points.

Shop upgrade progress: 17,000 / 30,000

Meanwhile, Lee-oh had quietly begun building a map of the Eastern Region's resources and animal habitats. He wanted more than business—he wanted control.

During a meeting with Daey-ib and Hwal, he unfurled the map.

"I'm planning to set up outposts near beast-dense areas. Hunters can sell materials on-site, and we refine and ship back here. We cut transport time and increase supply."

Daey-ib looked impressed. "That's ambitious."

Hwal nodded. "It's smart. You'll need guards."

"I'll hire beginner and apprentice-level cultivators. Offer them potions and weapons in exchange for service."

Thus, Lee-oh's influence began stretching outside the marketplace. People started referring to him not just as a merchant—but as a rising lord of commerce and cultivation.

Two weeks later, Lee-oh stood atop a small hill outside the Eastern Market. A leather-clad woman approached him—one of his hired scouts.

"There's news," she said. "Kang Joon-oh is returning to the East."

The words struck like a thunderclap.

"Alone?" Lee-oh asked.

"No. He's been training with the Crimson Fangs—some desert sect from the South. Word is, he's ranked Master I now."

Lee-oh's hands clenched at his sides. He'd grown strong. But was it enough?

System Alert: Milestone Complete. 30,000 Points Accumulated. Shop Upgrade Available.

Upgrade Shop to Level 4? Y/N

Lee-oh stared at the notification. He took a deep breath—and pressed Yes.

Shop Level 4 Unlocked

System Storage Increased: 0/600

You may now craft mid-tier weapons and armors.

You may unlock specialization branches in Alchemy, Crafting, and Blacksmithing.

New Profession Tier Unlocked: High-Tier Alchemist.

Next Upgrade: 75,000 Points

It was time.

If Kang Joon-oh was returning, Lee-oh wouldn't be caught unprepared.

He would rise from the Eastern Market as not just a merchant or cultivator—but a force that the Murim world would remember.

And with a grin on his face, he whispered:

"Let him come."