Beginning

Chapter Four: An Accidental Fortune

Facts soon proved the undeniable profitability of the pharmacy. As Xiaobao quipped, “Boss doesn’t actually have a business mind—he just happens to step in more dogshit than others.” Thanks to an effective early advertising campaign, the news of the grand opening of "Origin Pharmacy"—a name unmistakably bearing Wang Tian’s mischievous touch—was broadcast throughout the entire city via sound transmission arrays. In fact, nearly every player in the entire game heard of it. Few were willing to invest heavily in what merely seemed like a promising game, making this endeavor exceedingly rare, if not wholly unprecedented.

Many players flocked to see it with their own eyes—and naturally took the opportunity to purchase potions needed for leveling up or to sell herbs they had either gathered or looted from monsters. Within just two short days, over 80,000 batches of herbs had been acquired. Though these transactions involved small sums individually, the bulk volume couldn’t be ignored. However, due to production limits and finite storage capacity, the supply of potions clearly lagged behind demand. Producing 900 bottles a day was woefully inadequate for a player base nearing 30,000. Still, refusing purchases or sales would tarnish the store’s reputation.

Wu Qi urgently called a meeting with Wang Tian, Xiaobao, and the others. Despite his calm demeanor, Wu Qi had the instincts of a seasoned gambler. Once everyone had assembled, he declared, “We’ve all seen the store’s performance. This is the time to seize the market—especially now, while the game’s commercial infrastructure remains underdeveloped. Strike now, and we’re sure to profit. But mark my words, once we blaze this trail, imitators will follow, and the window for easy success will close. So I propose we expand into a ‘super store.’ It would lift our staff cap and, based on my research, allow us to operate multiple types of businesses. Below that tier, a player can only open a single-category shop—either pharmacy or weapons. But a super store can manage up to three. We could add a weapon store and an item shop. And best of all, the system currently offers a deal: each super store upgrade comes with two free small shops in other cities, managed by NPCs with merchant credentials.”

Pan Shi quickly calculated, “We need to pay an additional 90,000 gold for the upgrade, but we receive 20,000 gold’s worth of small shops as a bonus. It’s worth it. Based on current output, we can break even within one in-game year. Any longer, and the competition will be intense. I support it.”

Wang Tian frowned. “But I don’t have that kind of money.”

Wu Qi chuckled. “This time, I’m going all in. I’ll cover the lion’s share. I’ll invest 50,000 gold—all of my savings—and the rest, you divide among yourselves.”

“I want to invest more too!” Pan Shi chimed in eagerly—his wealthy father was never stingy with his allowance, and he wasn’t about to miss out on the action.

They quickly reached a consensus. Wu Qi would hold 50% of the shares, Pan Shi 25%, Xiaobao 15%, and Wang Tian 10%. After the formalities, they gathered in front of the newly upgraded “Origin Mall.” The once modest pharmacy now towered three stories high, occupying six times its original footprint. The architecture, elegant and distinctly Chinese, stood proud with two level-100 NPC bodyguards flanking the entrance—system-assigned and salary-free. Two majestic stone lions, like those at Taiyi Bank, guarded the front, exuding grandeur.

With input from the team, Wu Qi assumed overall command and assigned functions to each floor: the first remained a pharmacy; the second, a weapon shop handling both production and ore purchases; the third, an item shop crafting and selling armor and accessories. The inventors hired to craft weapons and items were on par with Taiyi’s blacksmiths. Only if players with the “inventor” class emerged could they potentially create superior gear—after all, only humans possess true creative ingenuity.

Branch pharmacies were established in both Nuwa and Fuxi cities—under the same name, of course. “Since it’s already a mistake,” Wang Tian insisted, “let’s make it a glorious one.”

Just as the setup concluded, a “ding” sounded from Maomao’s interface:

Player: 11111, Class: Resident, Level: 1, Strength: 10, Stamina: 10, Intelligence: 12, Agility: 16, Charm: 16 (+10% weighted), Insight: Hidden, Luck: Hidden, Reputation: 1500.

A prompt followed:

“As the first player in the game to surpass 1000 Reputation, you have been awarded 1 bonus point in Charm and 500 extra Reputation.”

Elated, Wu Qi turned to the others. “I’ve hit 1500 Reputation!”

The others checked their stats and found they’d also been granted Reputation boosts. Pan Shi grumbled, “Had I known, I’d have invested more!”

“Whatever the boss gets, we get too!” Xiaobao grinned slyly and winked at Wu Qi.

Only then did Wu Qi realize he hadn't gained a single level amidst all his business strategizing. Upon inquiry, he discovered that the others were already nearing level 30. In just two in-game days, they had skyrocketed in progress through coordinated team leveling.

Wu Qi shook his head in mock frustration. “You bastards didn’t even invite me?!”

“We tried!” Wang Tian protested. “We sent you long-distance messages, but you ignored us!”

Wu Qi recalled vaguely seeing the alerts but had been too engrossed in profits to respond. Now, with operations on stable footing—NPC workers hired, herbs purchased in bulk, and daily potion production reaching 10,000—he could finally focus on leveling. Weapons, items, and armor weren’t as profitable as potions (being non-consumables that could be repaired), but supply now largely met demand. Conservatively, they projected monthly profits at 35,000 gold coins, limited only by raw material supply. The venture could recoup its costs in 4–5 months.

Feeling elated at the thought of becoming a minor magnate, Wu Qi gave a devilish smile. “As punishment for abandoning me, you’re all going to help me level up!”

While this merry band rejoiced, they were unaware that the game’s divine overseers (the GMs) had compiled a detailed report on their activity and submitted it to the top brass at Origin Company. The conclusion read:

“There are significant vulnerabilities in the game’s commercial system. Immediate refinements are necessary.”

Changes were likely coming. What form they’d take—or when—was uncertain. Would Wu Qi’s golden dreams be dashed?

With store affairs delegated to capable NPC shopkeepers—whose AI was remarkably advanced and a major draw of the game—Wu Qi finally had time to play. At the Puppet Boutique, one could buy ordinary servants to assist with chores and bask in the joy of ordering someone around. Occasionally, the Auction House listed rare humanoid dolls—exceedingly lifelike male or female companions with near-human intelligence, or “evolved-type” assistants designed for crafting and management. For instance, a herb-gathering doll could be trained through repetitive actions and eventually evolve into a doctor—though still inferior to human players, who possess imagination and innovation.

At present, Wu Qi and his companions had burned through nearly all their funds. As much as they longed for the refined lifestyle that came with owning high-end dolls, their modest lodgings and astronomical price tags made such luxuries temporarily out of reach.

Under Wang Tian’s guidance, Wu Qi stocked up on potions from his own store and equipped himself with what was, for a level-1 novice, top-tier gear:

Dagger: ATK 5–8, +1 Agility, +1 Strength, Skill: Assassinate. Requirements: Strength 4, Agility 10.

Leather Helm: DEF +2, +1 Agility. Requirements: Strength 4, Agility 8.

Leather Armor: DEF +4, +1 Agility. Requirements: Strength 6, Agility 9.

Leather Pants: DEF +3, +1 Agility. Requirements: Strength 5, Agility 6.

Leather Boots: DEF +2, +1 Agility. Requirements: Strength 3, Agility 7.

Leather Gloves: DEF +2, +1 Agility. Requirements: Strength 2, Agility 5.

This agility-boosting set was ideal for a rogue like Wu Qi—perfect for evasion, especially in group leveling scenarios. Since Wang Tian, Pan Shi, and Xiaobao were all near level 30, and Xiaobao had already reached it, the game’s mechanics demanded they fight monsters matching the highest member’s level to earn full experience. One level lower meant 20% less XP; one level higher earned 20% more.

Although solo grinding yielded similar XP, the advantage of group combat lay in raw power—they could easily defeat stronger monsters, thus leveling faster. Still, monsters generally had twice the attack, defense, and health of players at the same level. Cooperation was vital, and Wu Qi was lucky to have loyal comrades. Yet as the lowest-level member, he would be monsters’ primary target. Whether he could survive and level swiftly—or suffer a humiliating death and start over—remained to be seen.