In an inn in White River City.
After the Divine Realm had evolved once, the players understood the importance of rest. Constantly grinding monsters not only drained stamina but also mental focus. So, after a day of fighting, players would come to inns to rest, chat, and have a drink.
Players had discovered that resting in places like restaurants, inns, and bars doubled their stamina and mana recovery speed. After resting there for two or three hours, they would feel refreshed and full of energy.
"Have you heard? It seems the Star Mark Commercial Firm is renovating and consolidating, saying they're going to launch new products."
"Who doesn't know that? I heard from some sources that the Star Mark Commercial Firm has hired many alchemists and blacksmiths, and is also recruiting life-class players from the outside. But it seems no player has dared to go yet; they all think it's unreliable. I just wonder what they'll be selling?"
"What could an NPC-run shop have besides common items? They couldn't possibly be selling Bronze Equipment or rare potions, right?"
"True enough."
While the players resting in the inn were chatting, the inn's split-panel doors were suddenly pushed open with a bang, and a male player rushed in, panting heavily.
"Big trouble... the Star Mark Commercial Firm has finished renovating and has officially started business now!" the panting male Ranger exclaimed excitedly to his companions.
"What's the big fuss? It's just a reopening. We're not short on basic Recovery Potions or ordinary equipment right now, and we don't need to resupply," the Shield Warrior team captain replied with a glare, thinking this companion was embarrassing them and making a fool of themselves in front of others.
Just as the Shield Warrior said, everyone else in the inn cast looks of "Are you an idiot?" in their direction. The smiles on their faces were full of mockery.
"Captain, listen... let me finish..." the Ranger said excitedly. "I saw a Whetstone inside. And intermediate Recovery Potions and intermediate Mana Potions. Even the basic Recovery Potions and basic Mana Potions are cheaper than other places."
"What did you say? They have Whetstones?" the Shield Warrior captain was startled.
The entire inn fell silent.
"Let's go. Take us there immediately; we're buying them all!" The Shield Warrior shot up from his seat, used Charge to instantly reach the Ranger, grabbed him by the arm with a large hand, and dragged him out of the inn, heading straight for the Star Mark Commercial Firm.
This left the other players in the inn stunned.
What was going on?
"Oh no, they're going to buy the Whetstones. We have to hurry!"
Even after entering White River City, the demand for Whetstones hadn't decreased; it had actually grown. Competition was fiercer too, especially when fighting high-level monsters, which drained weapon durability much faster.
For all these reasons, Whetstones had become even more popular, completely unable to meet demand.
By the time the others arrived, the front door of the Star Mark Commercial Firm was nearly being trampled to pieces, packed with a sea of people.