Detesting The System: Sundering Fate

"Whoa, whoa, whoa… are you serious?" Loki said as she stared at crates of potions that housed a fraction of the work I'd accomplished over the past week or so. Before her were five crates which each housed 100 potions of each of the five types of potions I can currently create. "You want to trade in five crates of each type?" Sweat could be seen sliding down the side of her face, though not because of the quantity of the potions…

"That's right..." Like our first transaction, she could tell I was still improving at a frighteningly fast rate; albeit a bit slower as my stagnation was growing worse. It will keep getting worse until the improvement I saw was next to negligible unless I Leveled Up. Thought that didn't concern me as I would focus on increasing my strength as soon as I got my first companion; perhaps, even before we even took our first trip to the Dungeon together, too.

"I just need a bit of time to transport the crates since I can't carry them all, but I can assure you that in my home, the twenty remaining crates are ready for delivery." I paused, before asking, "Do we have a deal?"

Scoffing in my direction, the red-haired loli goddess said, "Did you forget who you were dealing with? Of course, I wanted all of them! The more the merrier," she smirked…

"Great, I'll have all the crates delivered before noon," I said with a tone much more menacing than I intended to convey. The bags under my eyes along with the green glow of anticipation that shone from my irises made me look like some sort of demon that had crawled out of hell.

"I can send some people to help bring over the crates," Loki offered. However, before I could accept, Finn, who I'd never seen not accompanying her volunteered, "I can take care of that."

"Even better," I commented, "With the help of someone Level 6, we could probably complete the delivery in just one trip."

Just like that, Finn escorted me out of the Loki Familia Estate and followed me over to the ruined church. There he couldn't help but comment, "You really work under these conditions?" Seeing me return a curt nod, he added, "A pity… Someone of your level-"

Before he could finish his words, the sharp aura of trepidation I had start emanating cut him off. Staying reserved in hopes of keeping a cordial relationship with him and his Familia I subtly conveyed my thoughts by saying, "This 'place' is the headquarters of my Familia… Without it, I might still be living as a peasant in the streets."

Taking the hint, he just kept quiet and stopped trying to recruit me. However, just because I wasn't interested in joining his Familia didn't stop him from trying to increase the mutual benefits of our relationship…

"Say, are we the only adventurer Familia you've done business with?" He asked, carrying fourteen crates of potions — seven on each hand — as we walked back to the Twilight Manor.

"That's right... Why... is something the matter?" It took almost all my strength to carry the six remaining crates, so I sounded kind of winded.

"I was just thinking of asking my Goddess to add you to our list of private contractors, then. You know, so we can bring you herbs to make specific potions, instead of waiting for you to deliver them yourself."

"Mhmm…" I couldn't quite tell why I would want that until he explained it.

"As a private contractor, individual adventurers will come to you based on your reputation. If you're famous enough, you'll never have to worry about buying or procuring herbs as adventurers will be lining up for your services. Of course, as a private contractor for the Loki Familia, I'm talking about the bounds within my Familia..."

"And I can only do business with your Familia?" I asked, practically spilling malice.

"No, no… You aren't being contracted to the Familia, you're acting as a private contractor working with the Familia. You'll still be free to do business with anyone else… So long as you don't become contracted to another Adventurer Familia. Of course, by being the first adventurer Familia to extend this offer your way," he flashed me a knowing smile, continuing, "I hope you won't forget us once you become a Master Alchemist."

With my doubts cleared, I accepted Finn's proposition and after returning to the Twilight Manor, as my potions were being verified by the attendants of the Loki Familia, Finn convinced Loki herself to add me to her Familia's list of private contractors. For now, as I was still a relatively no-name alchemist who only delivers general potions with no other redeeming qualities, I might not get many requests from Loki Familia Adventurers. However, with time, as my Level and Skills increased, so too would the quality and rarity of my products.

I could already envision myself standing over a ten-foot-tall mound of 1,000 Vali coins with a never-ending line of adventurers begging to buy my pills and potions. Though that would have to wait, it was almost inevitable considering the circ.u.mstances surrounding me. With my Goldfinger-endowed system and the pressure of the Voidseeker to get stronger, I would have to reach that level I imagined sooner, rather than later…

Eventually, my goods were all finally accounted for and after taking out the 5% fee for being contracted to Miach, I made 11.778 Million Vali. Even after excluding the several hundred thousand Vali I still had stockpiled from my first transaction with the Loki Familia, I had more than enough to by that Level 4 companion; with two days to spare as well!

'Delusional Inclination, huh… What an overpower ability,' I thought to myself as I hefted the money sack I'd been given over my shoulder. With a farewell to both Finn and his Goddess I left. After my next stop, all my hard work will have paid off!