Noah chuckled, adjusting his shopkeeper demeanour to accommodate Vex’s energy.
"No, I don’t open that early. What do you need? Bread and iced tea?"
The viscount’s head bobbed with enthusiasm that made his delicate flower companion sway precariously.
"Yes, yes! Precious is doing wonderfully, by the way. Your products work miracles."
His shoulders drooped before he could finish. "Although there is the downside of limited supply,"
"Thirty golden coins," Noah extended his hands for the payment.
But instead of reaching for his coin pouch, Vex’s expression changed into a mischievous smile.
His eyes shone with the satisfaction of someone about to deliver unexpected news.
He waved dismissively at the mention of payment. "I got you something more important than golden coins. I got you this beauty."
Uh oh. Demon gift exchange. This could go very badly.
From seemingly nowhere, Vex produced a potted plant.
The specimen resembled a miniature tree with pink leaves that made it very cute, like a sakura tree.
"I must say, you are a lucky one,"
Vex continued, his pride evident in the way he spoke and looked at the plant.
"Many people in this kingdom would kill to get this specimen. It’s called Demonica Moonburgh."
Noah raised an eyebrow, his survival instincts immediately questioning the wisdom of accepting mysterious plants from an enthusiastic, demon-like Vex.
"It doesn’t eat... right?"
Please tell me I’m not about to become plant food.
Vex shook his head with reassuring vigour.
"It’s very tame! It doesn’t eat. But it does drink."
Drinking. That sounds manageable. Water, maybe some plant fertiliser...
Noah’s face froze as a sudden thought emerged. "Wait...Drink what exactly? You wouldn’t manage to bring me an alcoholic plant...right?"
"No!" Vex’s horrified expression suggested Noah had just accused him of a crime.
"It drinks water... or other kinds of drinks."
Other kinds of drinks. That’s refreshingly vague and not at all concerning.
Noah studied the plant with growing curiosity rather than outright suspicion. He didn’t outright reject the plant; perhaps it was useful. Money wasn’t the only useful thing in this world.
System, is this plant worth anything?
[Host can inspect items directly. Simply focus and think ’inspect.’]
Convenient. Let’s see what we’re dealing with.
Noah directed his attention toward the Demonica Moonburgh, mentally commanding the inspection.
Details: A rare cultivation plant that absorbs liquid nutrients and converts them into beneficial aura enhancement for nearby beings. Regular proximity increases physical conditioning, mental clarity, and mana sensitivity. The plant’s effectiveness scales directly with the quality of liquids provided—water maintains sub-basic function, while mana-enhanced beverages exponentially increase beneficial effects.
Estimated Value: 50 Golden Coins
Fifty golden coins. That’s... significantly more than the thirty he owes me.
Noah’s poker face nearly cracked as the plant’s true worth registered.
This wasn’t just a decorative gift, it was a living enhancement system that could accelerate his physical and magical development. It also looked quite beautiful, which made it a nice addition to the shop.
And it gets better with mana drinks. Like my iced tea.
Vex had essentially provided a plant that would thrive on the very products Noah’s shop produced, creating a perfect synergy between the two.
"This is..." Noah began, carefully modulating his response to avoid revealing the plant’s true significance.
"Very thoughtful of you, Vex."
The viscount beamed with pride, clearly pleased by Noah’s acceptance. "Precious insisted you would appreciate quality flora. She has excellent judgment about these things."
Noah accepted the pot with appropriate ceremony.
Noah handed over the bread and iced tea, watching Vex cradle the items like they were his children.
Thirty golden coins worth of product for a fifty-coin plant. Not the worst trade I’ve ever made.
[Daily Income has been updated!]
[Daily Income Stream: $5,000]
[Since the plant has been accepted as payment for both products, the system has split the payment equally. Current income stream: Bread (25 golden coins), Iced-tea (25 golden coins)]
Noah’s eyebrows climbed up.
He had almost forgotten that he could accept payments in forms other than golden coins. As long as their value was higher, it would boost his daily passive income from the previous number to the value of the item.
System, does that mean I can earn a Demonica Moonburgh every day as payment instead of gold coins if I want?
[That is correct, Host. You can receive Demonica Moonburgh as a daily payment, however. That means you will not be receiving golden coins.]
This is it. This is how I break through my current limitations. I will get a few of these plants and keep feeding them iced tea, which will give me thrice the result of having just one plant improving my vitals.
Great! Please proceed with that for the next two days. I want this plant as my payment for the next two payments.
[Request processed. You will receive Demonica Moonburgh for the next two days instead of a monetary equivalent ($5,000 total value).]
Vex departed with his items, completely unaware that his generous gift had just revolutionised Noah’s entire enhancement strategy.
The rare specimen he’d presented as a unique offering would soon become a common plant inside the shop.
Poor guy has no idea that his rare specimen will become as common as water.
Noah gazed at the Demonica Moonburgh with appreciation.
The smile spreading across his face would have scared some customers away.
Three cultivation plants, each one enhancing his physical and magical development, all powered by products he created automatically.
"Let’s see how good your benefits are," Noah muttered, his eyes fixed on the small tree perched innocuously on his counter.
The Demonica Moonburgh sat motionless, its delicate branches swaying slightly in air currents that didn’t seem to affect anything else in the shop. If plants could look expectant, this one managed the feat.
Time for the real test.
Noah approached his shelves, picking a glass bottle.
The cork released with a satisfying sound. immediately filling his shop with the intoxicating aroma.