The Verdant Merchant-Chapter 115: i will update

Morning sunlight slipped through the window, laying a warm stripe across the floorboards. Rowen stirred where he had collapsed the night before, still lying on the floor instead of the bed. His body felt heavy with fatigue, every muscle stiff from the strain.

When he turned back, Fern was still asleep in the chair, his head tilted awkwardly, and Shade was curled in a ball on the floor. Rowen nudged them both awake. Shade stretched with a soft mewl, while Fern blinked and rubbed his eyes.

"Come on," Rowen said quietly.

He went to the small stove and set water to boil, tossing in chopped potatoes and a handful of fresh tomatoes. The familiar smell filled the room, simple but comforting. When it was ready, the three of them ate together in silence, the warmth of the soup easing the last of the night's weight.

Afterward, Rowen stood and drew in a slow breath. He focused, opening the portal himself this time. The air shimmered before him, and a portal appeared.

Fern and Shade followed as he stepped through.

The sight made Rowen stop in place.

The apple seed he had planted before was no longer just a sprout. In less than twelve hours, it had grown into a young tree, branches thick and leaves wide. Even more shocking, several round apples already hung from its boughs, their skins glossy under natural sunlight.

Rowen stepped closer, staring at the growth of the apple tree. Before he could reach out, the air flickered, and a familiar blue screen appeared in front of him, hovering just before the tree.

The glowing text shifted across its surface, waiting for him to read.

[Apple Tree] [Fruit Cycle: 6 hours after full harvest]

Rowen stepped closer and reached up, fingers brushing against one of the glossy apples. The skin was smooth, almost warm under his touch. He pulled it free with a soft snap, the branch bouncing lightly.

Holding the fruit in his palm, Rowen focused.

Faint lines of light wrapped around the apple, forming a screen of details before his eyes.

[commen+ Apple]

Status: Ripe

Effect: Restores stamina and body vitality when consumed.

Rowen's eyes widened as he read the effects. His chest tightened with a rush of relief and excitement.

This wasn't just some ordinary fruit. Stamina and vitality those were things knights, porters, and even mages desperately relied on. Hunters drained themselves every day fighting monsters, while laborers needed the strength to endure endless work. These apples would sell faster than he could ever stock them.

A grin tugged at his lips despite himself. "This… this is going to be great."

He could already see the demand. Knights would line up for fruit that restored stamina. Porters who carried monster materials until their backs broke would pay anything for it. Even mages, who often collapsed after overusing their mana, would value vitality recovery.

With this, Rowen now had items that covered both mana recovery and vitality recovery. Between the tomatoes and the apples, he held supplies that could make the difference between life and death in the wilderness.

It wasn't just about profit anymore. In a world crawling with monsters, having food that restored mana and stamina meant survival. Hunters, travelers, and even poor villagers venturing beyond the walls everyone needed that kind of security.

Rowen exhaled slowly, clutching the apple as the thought settled in. For the first time, his little shop wasn't just a place that sold vegetables. It could become a lifeline.

Rowen glanced around and spotted a sharp tool near the wood shade. He picked it up, hesitated for a moment, then pressed it lightly against his fingertip. A thin cut opened, and a bead of blood welled up, running down his finger.

Without waiting, he raised the apple to his mouth and bit into it. The flesh was crisp and sweet, the juice flooding his tongue.

Almost immediately, he felt a pulse through his body. The sting in his finger dulled, and before his eyes the bleeding slowed, then stopped altogether. A faint warmth spread from his chest outward, steady and alive.

Rowen stared at his hand, flexing his fingers. The small cut was already sealing itself.

"This… works," he muttered under his breath, unable to hide the small smile pulling at his face.

Rowen was still staring at his healed finger when a sudden blur of movement startled him. Shade leapt up, paws batting at his hand. With a quick swipe, the cat snatched the half-eaten apple right from his grip and landed a step away, tail flicking eagerly.

"Hey—!" Rowen started, but Shade was already tearing into the fruit, crunching noisily like she hadn't eaten in days.

Rowen could only sigh, watching Shade devour the apple with obvious delight.

Shade licked the last bit of juice from her whiskers, then trotted right back to Rowen. She sat down, tail swishing, and meowed loudly, pawing at his leg. Another sharp meow followed, almost demanding.

Rowen blinked, taken aback. Shade looked perfectly healthy, her fur sleek and her eyes bright. Why was she so desperate for more?

He hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the tree again. Its branches were still heavy with fruit. "…Alright, alright," he muttered.

Reaching up, Rowen plucked another apple, then another. Shade immediately perked up, eyes fixed on the glowing red fruit in his hands.

Rowen scrolled through the first line of search results and paused at a post titled "The Foundation of Mana Cultivation: Rings of Power."

He tapped it open. The article was plain, likely written by a low-tier mage for beginners, but it was exactly what he needed.

After absorbing mana into the body, the first step for a mage is to condense it into a Mana Ring, the post explained. The Mana Ring forms in the center of the body, acting as the anchor for all further cultivation. The number of rings a person can form determines their level. The more rings, the higher their rank as a mage.

Rowen read slowly, making sure not to miss anything. His brow furrowed. So… first I need to actually form a ring, not just breathe mana in.

He leaned back against the counter, thinking hard.

Suddenly, the shop's bell rang.

Rowen's head jerked up from his screen. He set the phone down on the counter and glanced toward the door, wondering who was disturbing him.

Lyra pushed it open, stepping in first, followed closely by Aria and Calen. The three of them carried the same easy confidence they always had after a hunt. Their clothes were dusty, but their smiles gave away their mood.

"We're back," Lyra called, waving before moving toward the counter.

Rowen noticed right away their mana presence was sharper than before. The air around them carried a faint pressure, nothing dangerous but enough to show they had improved. They weren't hiding it, either; the three of them looked proud.

Calen grinned. "Another clean run. Monsters went down fast this time."

Aria adjusted the strap of her sword. "Our coordination's finally smoothing out. Spells, strikes, everything feels sharper."

Lyra nodded, her eyes bright. "We've all hit the peak of Apprentice. Soon we'll be stepping into the trainee level."

Rowen stayed quiet for a moment, watching them. Compared to his own uncertain path, their steady growth was almost frustrating. Still, he managed a small smile.

"Sounds like things are going well for you three," he said.

Calen wasn't alone. Behind him padded his contracted beast, the dog-like creature he had bonded with after his awakening. It crossed the door of the shop cautiously, instincts sharp despite its growth to peak apprentice level.

The moment it spotted Shade perched on the counter, however, all that strength shrank away. Its ears flattened, and it hesitated, tail lowering.

Shade lifted her head, letting out a soft "meow," nothing threatening, just her way of acknowledging them. Still, the sound was enough to make the beast step sideways, trying to keep distance.

Calen rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "You'd think by now he'd stop being afraid of a cat."

Rowen said nothing. He just reached out, stroking Shade's head once. She leaned into his hand before settling back, eyes half-lidded as though amused by the reaction she caused.

Lyra and Aria both laughed under their breath, clearly entertained.

After buying what they needed, Lyra and Aria said their goodbyes and left together, chatting about their recent hunt.

Calen, however, didn't follow. He lingered near the counter, his beast waiting by the door. His gaze settled on Rowen, serious in a way that felt unusual.

"Rowen," Calen said, "why don't you ever come by my place anymore? Did you forget we're friends or what?"

Rowen blinked, caught off guard.

Calen sighed and shook his head. "My mother and father ask about you too. They miss you. If you've got time, at least come visit once in a while."

Rowen stayed quiet for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Rowen's lips curved into a small smile. "I'll visit, Calen. Just… when I get some free time. I've been too busy these days."

Calen frowned, clearly not satisfied, but he nodded anyway. "Fine. Just don't forget, alright?"

Rowen gave a short nod, and Calen finally turned to leave, his beast padding out behind him.

The shop grew quiet again once the door shut.