Chapter 8: The Violent Demon

Chapter 8: The Violent Demon

The apothecary door closed behind Lin Hanchuan.

Without natural light, the shop didn’t fall into darkness. Magical lamps on the walls activated, bathing the room in warm yellow glow.

At the back door, Lin Hanchuan cast one last glance at the potions displayed on the shelves. The thought that they would all be his soon stirred excitement in his chest.

Stepping through the back door, he entered a dim corridor leading underground to the warehouse. The girl shop assistant walked ahead, her movements swift and precise. Typically, apothecaries built hidden traps into such corridors to deter intruders, but today, the girl’s guidance ensured safe passage. Watching her weave left and right, occasionally hopping lightly or pressing against walls, Lin Hanchuan deduced she possessed a trap-detection ability akin to a rogue’s. He simply mirrored her steps, avoiding any mishaps.

The corridor stretched longer than expected—over thirty meters. At its end lay the warehouse, illuminated by high-quality glowstone. Inside, the shopkeeper was already rummaging through storage chests.

These chests resembled space rings but were bulkier. Though less portable, they offered far more storage compartments and capacity.

“Still haven’t found it?” Lin Hanchuan asked casually, letting his gaze sweep the warehouse. This pharmacy supplied the entire Newbie Village 56—its shelves held only a fraction of what lay in these chests. Riches at last! he mused, suppressing a grin.

The shopkeeper turned, his voice tinged with irritation. “Warehouse is a mess. Haven’t slept well lately—can’t remember where I put the agility potion.” His gaze flickered to the girl assistant, eyes narrowing.

She shouldn’t have brought him here, the shopkeeper thought, fury simmering beneath his calm exterior. Once he leaves, she’ll answer for this.

The girl lowered her head.

Lin Hanchuan shrugged. “Take your time.”

“Right away!” The shopkeeper resumed searching.

The girl subtly glanced at Lin Hanchuan, eyebrows twitching—a signal. Now?

Lin Hanchuan shook his head, pointing at the chests. Wait. The agility and intelligence potions weren’t in hand yet.

Minutes later, the shopkeeper triumphantly held up a vial. “Basic Agility Potion!” He tossed it over. “One Basic Intelligence Potion left!”

Lin Hanchuan examined the agility potion, then watched the shopkeeper scramble. Within two minutes, the intelligence potion joined its counterpart.

“Everything checks out,” Lin Hanchuan said, pocketing the potions. “Time to act.”

Before the shopkeeper could react, Lin Hanchuan darted backward—his 12 agility allowing him to retreat beyond the door in half a second. He hurled an [Identification Potion] at the shopkeeper.

Waste of gold, he thought. He’d already confirmed the shopkeeper’s identity. But the girl was watching—appearances mattered.

The potion exploded on impact, releasing black smoke. The girl stumbled back, horrified.

The shopkeeper’s disguise held, but the black mist confirmed his true nature.

“A harmless prank,” the shopkeeper sighed, brushing off smoke. “You’re a valued customer. I’ll forget this… inconvenience.”

Lin Hanchuan smirked. This demon’s composure dwarfed the ogre disguised as the blackbearded elder. Without his certainty about the potion’s effect, he might’ve doubted himself.

“Let’s head upstairs,” the shopkeeper said, stepping forward.

The girl blocked his path. Tears streamed down her face. “Give me back my father!”

The shopkeeper feigned shock. “Daughter, isn’t that me?”

Silent, the girl withdrew a palm-sized token—its surface etched with intricate runes.

Recognition flashed in the shopkeeper’s eyes. He lunged, snarling, “You—!”

She crushed the token. Fingers pierced the artifact as it shattered.

White flames erupted from the fragments, igniting the warehouse. Red threads materialized—walls, ceiling, floor—converging like a collapsing prison.

The girl slipped through the red lattice to safety. The shopkeeper wasn’t so lucky. Contact with the threads sent electric shocks through him, paralyzing him in a seizure.

As the threads tightened, binding him, the girl spat, “My father… you vile demon! Kill him!” She turned to Lin Hanchuan, voice trembling. “Avenge him! I’ll pay ten gold!”

“No need,” Lin Hanchuan replied, raising his staff. “I hate demons.”

The paralyzed shopkeeper glared at the girl, rage contorting his face. His body refused to obey.

Lin Hanchuan began chanting. Fireball after Fireball slammed into the demon, each strike slower than the last—deliberate, merciless.

Weakling, the shopkeeper sneered internally. Unshackled, I’d crush you. But the betrayal stung worse than the flames.

Minutes later, the shopkeeper’s corpse slumped, revealing his true form: a 5-foot-tall, twisted demon. A system notification chimed:

“Ding! Defeated Level 5 Elite ‘Bao Nue Mo Ren.’ Gained 200 Exp. First Kill bonus +200 Exp. Defeating two levels above you +40 Exp!”

“Ding! Congratulations! Level 4 achieved. +2 base attributes, 4 free points!”

“Ding! Successfully killed a demon disguised as a villager. Gained 1 free attribute!”

Lin Hanchuan observed the weeping girl. He allocated his 5 free points—2 to agility, 3 to intelligence.

“Thank you,” she sobbed. “Back at the apothecary, I’ll pay your reward.”

Lin Hanchuan stepped back, maintaining distance. “Don’t rush. I’ll collect it myself.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end