Ah You arrived at Lin Herbal Remedies at exactly 2 PM.
This time, the old woman at the counter didn't even look up. Just gestured toward the stairs with a weathered hand.
Upstairs, Melissa's office had transformed.
The shelves of spirit herbs were covered with black cloth. A lawyer sat in the corner – an Indian woman in her forties with sharp eyes and a tablet. And standing by the window was someone Ah You hadn't expected to see.
Datuk Ismail.
The plantation owner from the consortium. One of Linda's investors.
"Mr. Li," Datuk Ismail greeted him. "Melissa asked me to join this discussion. I have interests in what you're about to negotiate."
Ah You's guard went up immediately. "Linda didn't mention you'd be here."
"Because Linda doesn't know. This conversation stays between us." Melissa gestured to a chair. "Sit. We have much to discuss and limited time."
The lawyer spoke first. "I'm Priya Menon, representing Ms. Chen's business interests. Before we begin negotiations, I need to establish some ground rules. Everything discussed here is confidential. Breaking that confidentiality has severe legal and non-legal consequences. Do you understand?"
The way she said "non-legal consequences" made it clear she wasn't just talking about lawyers.
"I understand," Ah You said.
"Good. Second, you're nineteen. Technically a minor in some legal jurisdictions. Do you have a legal representative present?"
"I'm an adult under Malaysian law. I can sign contracts."
"Noted." Priya made a note on her tablet. "Third, the agreement we're discussing involves activities that operate in gray legal areas. By proceeding, you acknowledge the risks involved. Clear?"
"Crystal."
Melissa pulled out the contract Ah You had seen before, plus several additional pages. "You requested modified terms. Four pills instead of three, two expeditions instead of three, thirty percent profit share, and security for your grandmother. Let's discuss what's actually possible."
She sat across from him, all business now.
"Four pills – no. The Foundation Strengthening Pills are extremely expensive to source. The ingredients include Level 15+ monster cores, century-old spirit herbs, and alchemical processing that costs 30,000 ringgit alone. Three pills is my maximum offer."
"Then I want a different enhancement resource to make up the difference," Ah You countered. "If you're capping the pills at three, give me something else. Training manuals, ability techniques, equipment."
Datuk Ismail spoke up. "I can provide something. I have cultivation methods from my family – traditional techniques for espers to develop their abilities more efficiently. Not as dramatic as pills, but sustainable long-term growth."
Melissa nodded. "Acceptable. Three pills plus Datuk Ismail's cultivation manual. Next – two expeditions. Also no. The risk I'm taking with the pills requires three successful harvests to justify the investment."
"Three expeditions at current terms puts me in debt for years if anything goes wrong. Two expeditions, but I'll increase the minimum harvest value to 150,000 ringgit each instead of 100,000."
Melissa considered this. "Two expeditions, 150,000 minimum each, but you also commit to priority purchasing rights. If you discover any rare specimens beyond the minimum quota, I get first refusal to buy them at market rates before you approach other dealers."
"Market rates determined by independent appraisal, not your assessment."
"Agreed. We'll use the Southeast Asian Esper Commerce Guild's standard appraisers."
Priya was typing rapidly, updating the contract in real-time.
"Profit sharing on excess materials," Melissa continued. "You want thirty percent. That's too high. Most harvesters get ten percent. I'll offer twenty."
"Twenty-five. I'm taking all the physical risk."
"Twenty-two point five. Final offer."
Ah You knew when to stop pushing. "Accepted."
"Now the complicated part," Melissa said. "Security for your grandmother. I can arrange protection, but it's expensive. Professional bodyguards who can handle esper-level threats cost 10,000 ringgit per month. For eighteen months – the contract duration – that's 180,000 ringgit."
"I can't afford that."
"Which is why it would be added to your debt obligation. You'd owe 330,000 total – the pills at 150,000 plus security at 180,000. Complete both expeditions successfully and the debt is cleared. Fail, and you owe the balance."
Ah You's stomach churned. 330,000 ringgit in debt. That was insane.
But the alternative was leaving Ah Ma vulnerable to the Ong family and whoever else wanted to hurt him through her.
"There's another option," Datuk Ismail said. "I have a property in Sibu – a secure plantation compound. Your grandmother could live there under my family's protection. No additional cost to you, and honestly better security than hired guards. My compound has esper-level defenses and my family has no conflict with the Ong clan."
Melissa looked annoyed at losing the security revenue but nodded. "That works. Reduces your debt back to 150,000 for the pills."
"Why are you helping?" Ah You asked Datuk Ismail directly.
"Because I'm investing in you through the consortium. Your success benefits my interests. And frankly, the Ong family's behavior has been disgraceful. They're making enemies across the community. Supporting you is good business and good politics." The older man smiled slightly. "Plus, Melissa and I have a side agreement. If your harvesting expeditions uncover anything suitable for large-scale cultivation, I get first rights to farm it commercially. We all profit."
Everything was connected. Everyone had angles.
"What exactly are these expeditions?" Ah You asked. "You keep saying 'dangerous' but I need specifics."
Melissa pulled up a tablet and showed him photos.
Dense rainforest, almost impenetrable. Rock formations that looked unnatural. Caves glowing with bioluminescent fungi. And scattered throughout – plants that looked alien, surreal, wrong.
"Spirit herb gardens," Melissa explained. "Natural locations where esper energy concentrates and awakens plant life. They form in areas of high ambient energy – ancient battlegrounds, ley line intersections, monster territories. The plants that grow there are extremely valuable but well-protected."
She swiped to the next image – a massive, reptilian creature with scales that looked like tree bark.
"Awakened beasts. Animals that absorbed esper energy and evolved. They're territorial, aggressive, and deadly. Most spirit herb gardens have at least one guardian beast."
Another swipe – a photo of withered, blackened ground.
"Energy corruption. Sometimes the ambient energy becomes toxic. Stay too long and it damages your cultivation base, burns out your abilities, or worse."
"And you want me to go into these places at Level 7?"
"Level 10 minimum, which is why the pills are necessary. You take all three, train intensively for a month, and you'll reach Level 10 or close to it. Then we send you on relatively safe expeditions first – places that have been harvested before, known quantities, minimal beast activity."
"How many harvesters have died doing this?"
Melissa didn't hesitate. "Last year? Across Southeast Asia, approximately forty harvesters died in spirit herb collection operations. Another hundred were seriously injured. It's dangerous work."
"And you're okay with those odds?"
"I'm offering you 150,000 ringgit worth of enhancement resources and a path to serious power. The risk is proportional to the reward." She leaned back. "But I'm not sending you to die. You'll have support – experienced guides, emergency extraction protocols, proper equipment. And you're a Nature-type, which gives you advantages other harvesters don't have. Plants respond to you. You can sense danger through vegetation. You're actually better suited for this than most."
Priya spoke up. "The contract includes liability clauses. Ms. Chen is not responsible for injuries or death during expeditions beyond providing agreed-upon support resources. You assume all personal risk."
Ah You looked at the contract on the screen, then at the three pills sitting in their wooden box on Melissa's desk.
150,000 ringgit in debt. Two potentially lethal expeditions into monster-infested rainforest. Years of his life committed to a criminal enterprise.
For immediate power and protection for Ah Ma.
[CRITICAL DECISION POINT]
[Accept Melissa's Modified Contract?]
[ACCEPT: Gain 3 Foundation Pills, cultivation manual, protection for grandmother, massive power boost, 150K debt, dangerous obligations]
[DECLINE: Maintain independence, slower growth, fewer resources, grandmother remains vulnerable]
"I need guarantees," Ah You said. "About Ah Ma. If she moves to Datuk Ismail's compound, I want to visit her regularly. Video calls at minimum twice per week. And if anything happens to her during the contract period, the debt is voided."
Melissa and Datuk Ismail exchanged glances.
"Reasonable," Datuk Ismail said. "I'll add those terms. Your grandmother will be treated as an honored guest, not a prisoner."
"One more thing," Ah You said. "If I exceed the minimum harvest quota significantly – say I bring back 300,000 ringgit worth of materials instead of 150,000 – I want the excess profit to count toward clearing my debt early."
"That's already covered in the profit share clause," Priya said. "Twenty-two point five percent of excess value goes to you and can be applied to debt reduction. If you're exceptionally successful, you could clear your obligation in one expedition instead of two."
Melissa smiled. "You're learning to read contracts. Good. Anything else?"
Ah You thought hard. Was there anything he was missing? Any trap he wasn't seeing?
"What happens if I die during an expedition?"
"Your debt dies with you. We don't pursue your family for payment. Consider it life insurance." Melissa's expression was neutral. "But obviously, I'd prefer you survive. Dead harvesters don't generate future revenue."
"Comforting."
"I'm a businesswoman, not a therapist. Do we have a deal or not?"
Ah You looked at the pills one more time.
Level 7 to Level 10 in a month. The power to compete in the Shadow Tournament. The ability to protect himself and Ah Ma from the Ong family and worse threats.
The cost was high. The risk was real. But wasn't that always the price of power?
"We have a deal."
[QUEST ACCEPTED: Devil's Bargain]
[Obligation: Complete 2 spirit herb expeditions within 18 months, minimum 150K value each]
[Reward: 150K debt cleared, ongoing business relationship, access to rare resources]
[Failure: 150K debt plus 20% annual interest due immediately]
Priya generated the final contract on her tablet and sent it to a printer. Three copies emerged.
Ah You read through every page carefully this time. Priya had to explain several legal terms, but the core agreement matched what they'd discussed.
He signed all three copies.
Melissa signed. Datuk Ismail witnessed.
Just like that, Ah You owed 150,000 ringgit and was legally obligated to walk into monster-infested death traps twice.
"Excellent," Melissa said, storing one copy in a safe. "Now for the immediate next steps. The pills should be taken one at a time with three days between doses to allow your body to absorb the energy properly. Take the first one tonight. The effects are intense – plan to be completely out of commission for twelve hours."
She handed him the wooden box.
"The cultivation manual will be delivered to you tomorrow," Datuk Ismail said. "It's written in classical Chinese and Malay. Can you read either?"
"Chinese, somewhat. My grandmother taught me."
"Good enough. The principles are straightforward – meditation techniques, energy circulation methods, mental frameworks for ability development. Nothing revolutionary, but solid fundamentals that will amplify your natural growth."
Melissa pulled up another document on her tablet. "Your first expedition won't be for at least a month. But I need you to start preparing now. Physical conditioning, combat training, learning to identify spirit herbs by sight and energy signature. I'm sending you a study guide – two hundred species you need to memorize."
"Two hundred?"
"Basic knowledge for any serious harvester. Most have photographic memory or recording equipment. You have Nature Sense, which is better. But you still need theoretical understanding to know what you're looking at." She sent the file to his phone. "Study hard. Your life will depend on it."
The meeting concluded shortly after. Datuk Ismail left first, promising to make arrangements for Ah Ma's relocation to his compound.
As Ah You was leaving, Melissa called him back.
"One more thing. Off the record." She closed the door behind him. "The Shadow Tournament you've registered for. It's operated by some of the same people I do business with. Very dangerous, very lucrative. Winners often get recruited into high-level operations."
"You want me to throw matches or something?"
"No. I want you to win." Melissa's eyes were sharp. "Or at least make it to the finals. The exposure will be good for both our reputations. And the prizes – enhancement items, rare resources, cash – will help you clear your debt faster."
"You have a lot of confidence in someone you've barely seen fight."
"I have confidence in your potential. But potential means nothing if you don't survive long enough to fulfill it." She handed him a small vial of green liquid. "This is a basic antidote. Covers most common plant toxins and a few animal venoms. Keep it on you during the tournament. Trust me."
Ah You pocketed the vial. "Thanks. I think."
"Don't thank me. Just succeed. I've invested too much in you to have you die stupidly." She opened the door. "Now get out. I have other business to attend to."
---
Ah You made two stops before going home.
First, a phone shop. He bought a cheap smartphone specifically for Ah Ma and loaded it with credit. She'd never used a smartphone before but he'd teach her. Video calls were part of the contract and he wasn't leaving that to chance.
Second, a bookstore. He bought a notebook, pens, and highlighters. If he had to memorize two hundred plant species, he was doing it properly.
By the time he got home, it was 5 PM. He had the tournament study materials open on his phone, the contract safely stored, the pills sitting on his small table.
His phone buzzed. Linda.
"I heard you met with Melissa. And Datuk Ismail. Without me."
"It was private business."
"I'm your business partner. There's no such thing as private business." She didn't sound angry, just matter-of-fact. "What did you agree to?"
"Enhancement resources in exchange for future work. Nothing that conflicts with the consortium."
"Mm-hmm. And you're now how deep in debt?"
"How did you—"
"Datuk Ismail called me. He wanted to make sure I knew he was relocating your grandmother to his compound for security reasons. Which means you negotiated protection for her. Which means you took on significant obligations." Linda paused. "How much?"
"One hundred fifty thousand."
Silence.
Then: "Jesus, Ah You. That's serious money."
"I know. But the alternatives were worse."
"I hope you're right. Because if you default on a debt with Melissa's network, it's not just legal consequences. These people have long reach and violent solutions." She sighed. "But what's done is done. Make sure you succeed. The consortium can help – we'll pay you properly for your consulting work, give you bonuses for good results. Every bit helps."
"Thanks, Linda. Really."
"Don't thank me. Just don't die. You're too valuable to waste." She hung up.
Ah You stared at the three pills.
Foundation Strengthening Pills. Each one worth 50,000 ringgit. Each one containing the concentrated power of high-level monsters and century-old spirit herbs.
Each one capable of pushing him closer to the level he needed to survive.
He picked up the first pill. It was heavier than it looked, and warm to the touch. He could almost feel the energy radiating from it.
The instructions Melissa had given him were clear: take it on an empty stomach, in a safe location where he could meditate undisturbed for twelve hours.
Ah You prepared carefully. Locked his door. Put a sign on the outside: "DO NOT DISTURB – SICK." Set an alarm for six hours from now as a safety check. Laid out water bottles and easy food for when he woke up.
Then he sat cross-legged on his bed, the pill in one hand.
[WARNING: Foundation Strengthening Pill detected]
[This item will forcefully enhance your cultivation base and provide massive EXP gain]
[Side effects: Extreme pain, possible temporary paralysis, energy overflow risk]
[Proceed? Y/N]
Ah You selected yes and swallowed the pill.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then the world exploded.
---
Pain.
Searing, overwhelming, absolute pain.
It started in his stomach and radiated outward like liquid fire through every vein, every nerve, every cell of his body.
Ah You tried to scream but couldn't. His muscles locked up. His vision went white.
The system notifications were going insane:
[FOUNDATION STRENGTHENING PILL ABSORBED]
[PROCESSING... PROCESSING...]
[WARNING: ENERGY OVERFLOW]
[CIRCULATING EXCESS ENERGY]
[EXP +500]
[EXP +500]
[EXP +500]
The numbers kept climbing. His body was burning from the inside out, being broken down and rebuilt on a cellular level.
Somewhere in the haze of agony, Ah You felt his Nature Sense activate involuntarily. The cactus on his windowsill, the plants outside, even the wooden furniture in his room – he could sense them all, feel their life energy resonating with the wild power flooding through his system.
The plants began to grow.
Not under his control. Just responding to the energy radiating from him.
The cactus doubled in size. Vines started growing through the cracks around his window. The wooden desk sprouted fresh shoots.
[LEVEL UP!]
[You are now Level 8!]
[LEVEL UP!]
[You are now Level 9!]
[WARNING: Cultivation base expanding rapidly]
[WARNING: Physical body adapting to increased energy capacity]
Ah You's consciousness was slipping. The pain was too much. He could feel himself on the verge of passing out.
But some instinct – maybe from his bloodline, maybe from Datuk Ismail's cultivation manual he'd glanced at, maybe just survival instinct – made him try to direct the energy instead of just enduring it.
He focused on his Nature Sense. Tried to channel the excess power into strengthening his connection to plant life instead of letting it run wild.
Into the ability. Strengthen the core. Build the foundation.
The runaway energy found a direction. Instead of just destroying and rebuilding randomly, it flowed into his Nature Sense ability, expanding it, deepening it, making it more sophisticated.
[ADVANCED TECHNIQUE DETECTED: Energy Cultivation]
[Skill developing: Essence Channeling]
[Your control over the pill's energy is exceptional]
[Additional bonuses calculating...]
The pain began to recede. Not gone, but manageable. Ah You could breathe again.
He fell back on his bed, body soaked in sweat, muscles twitching from the strain.
The notifications kept coming:
[LEVEL UP!]
[You are now Level 10!]
[MAJOR THRESHOLD REACHED]
[New features unlocking...]
[NATURE SENSE upgraded to LV3]
[Range increased to 30 meters]
[Can now sense animal life and their conditions]
[Plant communication improved significantly]
[New Passive Ability: Energy Cultivation LV1]
[New Title: Foundation Builder]
[All stats increased significantly]
Ah You lay there, unable to move, barely able to think.
Level 10.
One pill had taken him from Level 7 to Level 10.
And he still had two more.
His phone's alarm went off – the six-hour safety check he'd set. He fumbled for it, shut it off.
12:47 AM. He'd been unconscious for nearly eight hours.
Slowly, carefully, Ah You sat up.
His body felt different. Stronger, denser, more alive. Even his senses seemed sharper – he could hear Mrs. Lim's cats moving around next door, smell the night-blooming flowers outside, feel the vibrations of traffic on the street.
He pulled up his system interface:
[SARAWAK ESPER SYSTEM]
[HOST: Li Ah You]
[LEVEL: 10 (47/3000 EXP to Level 11)]
[BLOODLINE: Rainforest Guardian (108th Generation) - Awakening Progress: 15%]
[HP: 200/200]
[MP: 120/120]
[ATTRIBUTES:]
- Strength: 18 (+6)
- Agility: 16 (+5)
- Intelligence: 25 (+7)
- Perception: 30 (+8)
[ABILITIES:]
- Nature Sense LV3 UPGRADED
- Basic Combat Awareness LV1
- Nature's Resilience (Passive)
- Energy Cultivation LV1 NEW
[ESPER POINTS: 460]
His stats had skyrocketed. Perception was at 30 – that had to be exceptional for Level 10.
And there was something new: Bloodline Awakening Progress at 15%.
He clicked on it:
[RAINFOREST GUARDIAN BLOODLINE]
[Awakening Progress: 15%]
[Description: Your connection to the ancient Guardian lineage is slowly awakening. As your power grows and you fulfill certain conditions, the bloodline will reveal its true potential.]
[Current Unlocks: Enhanced plant affinity, improved Nature Sense range]
[Next Unlock at 25%: ???]
[Conditions for advancement: Reach Level 15, Visit the Old Temple, Complete a Guardian Trial]
So there were conditions. Specific things he needed to do to unlock his bloodline's full power.
Ah You stood up shakily and looked around his apartment.
The cactus had grown so large it had cracked its pot. Vines had forced their way through the window frame and were growing across the walls. His wooden desk had sprouted leaves.
"Shit," he muttered.
Mrs. Lim was going to complain about the vines growing into her apartment.
But that was a problem for tomorrow.
Right now, Ah You just wanted to shower, eat something, and sleep for real this time.
He had two more pills to take over the next week.
Then three weeks to prepare for a tournament that could make or break his future.
And somewhere in there, he needed to visit an ancient temple in the mountains to unlock the secrets of his bloodline.
No rest for the wicked.
Or in his case, no rest for the desperately ambitious.
---
[To Be Continued]