"Oh—Kip. I nearly forgot."
Riley snapped his fingers the moment they stepped back into the alchemy workshop. The little wooden door swung open behind him, and Kipp practically choked on a mouthful of excitement when Riley dumped a heavy cloth bundle onto the table.
Material Bundle — Dungeon Clear Rewards
4 Rare Glowroot
2 Ancient Bark
3 Verdant Silk
1 Spirit Moss
Kipp stared as if Riley had just dropped a baby dragon on his table.
"R–Riley… do you KNOW how rare these are?! Ancient Bark can reinforce talismans! Verdant Silk is used in high-tier spirit gear! And Spirit Moss—SPIRIT MOSS—"
Mossling fainted on the floor in awe.
Aria leaned over. "He does this every time, doesn't he?"
Hayley nodded. "Yup."
Kipp scrambled upright, clutching the materials to his chest. "I—I can make so many things—potions, charms, threads—OH! And Verdant Silk will be perfect for the new recipe!"
Riley smiled. "Good. You'll need it."
Kipp froze. "Wh–why?"
Riley pulled out a verdant-green crystal, the size of a walnut, glowing faintly like captured spring sunshine.
Kipp's breath caught.
"Is that—an Essence Crystal?!"
Riley held it out casually. "Two dropped. One went to Bramble. This one's yours."
Kipp nearly died on the spot.
"My… mine?! Are you sure?! You could've used it on Les or—"
Sofia blinked. "Wait, why not Les?"
Riley smiled warmly — vague, diplomatic, careful.
Because Les was temporary. Useful, cute, but not a long-term powerhouse. Sofia would outgrow him soon.
But he'd never say that.
He simply said:
"Kipp deserves it. And Mossling does too."
Mossling immediately revived, flung its leaves up, and victory-danced.
Riley placed the crystal in Kipp's shaking hands.
> ESSENCE CRYSTAL – VERDANT
Feed to a spirit to permanently unlock a secondary Verdant affinity.
Increases regeneration, vitality, nature synergy, growth rate.
Kipp swallowed hard. "Riley… thank you. Truly."
"Just make the potions," Riley teased.
"YES, SIR!"
The group stepped out into Dawnview Square, where glowing lanterns flickered to life overhead. The sky had gone soft violet, lamps casting warm halos over the market stalls.
And they had money.
More money than any early-game players should have:
2 Gold Coins shared from dungeon plus the first clear
40 Silver Coins from lumis luck affinity
16 Silver Coins from boss drop
Misc leftover coppers/small coins
After splitting: about 30 silver coins each, some slightly more after rounding.
Aria vibrated as if powered by lightning.
"WE'RE RICH. WE'RE ACTUALLY RICH. I AM GOING TO BUY SO MANY POTIONS. HAYES, STOP ME."
Hayes sighed. "I can't stop you. Nobody can."
Sofia twirled, cheeks flushed. "I've never had this much… ever."
Kalyani, Jonathan and Rezion looked stunned — the kind of stunned that came from going from broke outcasts to early-game elites overnight.
"W–we can really… shop?" Jonathan whispered.
Aria jumped on his shoulders. "YES, TIGER BOY. YES YOU CAN."
Rezion's husky barked happily.
Kalyani immediately burst into tears.
Riley smiled faintly. "Alright. We buy smart, not flashy. Healing, antidotes, mana dust, utility. Armor next. Weapons if needed."
Aria waved her hand. "Yeah, yeah, basics first. THEN fashion."
Sofia's eyes sparkled. "Colour matching?"
Hayley clasped her hands. "Team colours?"
Riley froze. "Team colours?"
"YES," Aria declared. "We will look PRESEN–TA–BLE."
Hayes facepalmed. "Dear gods."
The shopkeeper nearly fainted when they walked in and dumped piles of silver coins on the counter.
In ten minutes, they purchased:
Health Potions times 40
Mana Petals times 20
Anti-Bleed Balms times 10
Verdant Soothing Wraps times 8
Adrenaline Fruit time 6
Every one decided on their Armor Sets
Everyone except Riley, Hayes, and Sofia got a full rare set:
Aria chose Stormweave Scout Gear (Rare)
Hayley chose Verdant-Leather Warder Set (Rare)
Kalyani picked Flame-Tinted Lightmail (Rare)
Jonathan pickedFangsteel Trainee Set (Rare)
Rezion picked Frostline Coat (Rare)
Looking at the Weapons
None were needed they had the dungeon drops that are all rare.
Sofia held up her staff. "Mine's still perfect."
Hayes tapped his shield proudly. "Mine too."
Aria elbowed Riley. "Your bow is mythical. Try not to brag."
"I'm not bragging, and don't say that out loud I don't want people to know" whispered Riley
Luna chirped smugly from his arms.
Lumi glowed: "He's definitely bragging."
Sofia gasped. "Look! Dye packs! Cheap!"
Aria sprinted over. "TEAM COLOURS. WE NEED A THEME, PEOPLE."
Hayley whispered, "Something gentle… but heroic."
Rezion suggested, "Ice-blue and silver?"
Kalyani: "What about gold?"
Jonathan: "Green? Maybe?"
Hayes: "We should pick something practical."
Aria screamed "FASHION IS PRACTICAL."
Riley looked at Luna.
Luna looked up, shimmering white-gold.
He pointed.
"White, gold, and a soft forest green."
Everyone froze.
Aria squealed.
Sofia clapped her hands.
Hayley nodded.
The boys shrugged — but smiled.
And so the team purchased dye packs, patching and colour-binding their armour until they looked like an actual coordinated squad instead of chaos gremlins.
Aria twirled. "WE LOOK AMAZING."
Hayes reluctantly agreed.
"We… actually do."
Riley led them to the Storage Hall — a marble building with holographic vaults floating above the desks.
He rented a larger unit (with a wince — 5 silver coins), then dumped:
All extra coins
All dungeon materials except those given to Kip
Sofia blinked. "Why store everything?"
Riley locked the vault.
"Because dying in a dungeon drops half your money."
Everyone collectively shuddered.
"Fair," Hayes said.
Aria pointed. "Smart. I approve."
The sky had gone navy. Stars glimmered overhead.
Groups shouted for recruits.
"Need level 6+ tank!"
"Rogues only! High EV build!"
"Buying potions! ANY potions!"
"A healer! PLEASE!"
One group recognized Riley's squad and whispered loudly,
"That's them… the cheaters."
"No way they cleared Hard legitimately."
"What spirits are they even using?"
"They're hacking for sure."
Aria flipped them off politely.
"Your tears sustain me."
Hayes tugged her away. "Stop provoking people."
Rezion looked nervous. Jonathan looked embarrassed. Kalyani clenched her fists — until Riley ruffled her hair gently.
"Don't worry about them. You earned your place."
She flushed. "R-right…"
Riley checked his messages.
Kipp:
> POTIONS SOLD OUT!!!
All 30… gone at 25 silver EACH!!!
What do I do now?!?!
Riley smirked.
Riley messaged Kipp back
> Start making more.