Chương 31: The Night Crystal

Revised Text Arthur stood on the endless pale white expanse, waiting for the notebook to stop its inscription. What is the criteria to visit this place? Every time he touched some kind of a crystal, he was absorbed into this space. First, it was the crystal from the inspection room. Now, strangely, it was the black crystal the size of a bead. What is this strange crystal? Arthur looked at his hand, but he did not see any crystal present.

Perhaps the crystal could not be observed by the notebook, unlike him, who was easily summoned. When he thought about it, he was similar to the skeletons. He was summoned by this notebook in a similar manner to how he summoned the skeletons. While Arthur was entertaining these different thoughts, the notebook finally stopped writing and flipping. A feeling of dread permeated the bottom of his stomach as he gulped heavily. What kind of curse is the book going to put on me this time?

[MAIN QUEST ASSIGNED: GATHERING OF NIGHT CRYSTAL] [QUEST DETAILS: Collect 20 kg of Night Crystal] [Countdown Limit]: 14 Days (two weeks). [Failure Penalty]: Your right eye will lose 50% of its vision and your left eye 100%. [Quest Reward]: Omega Standard Special Affinity Core (Guaranteed Affinity) Arthur stood there, looking at a single word. [Omega] Is this real? Arthur asked himself. Am I seeing this correctly? It actually stated an [Omega] Standard Special Affinity. Such a reward was simply impossible.

Could the notebook be trying to trick him? He did not know, as he had yet to receive any rewards from it. However, seeing as he had obtained his Status screen once he achieved his outstanding debt, he could also believe the notebook would distribute the reward without fail. If he were to obtain an Omega Standard Core, and one with a Special Affinity at that, the changes to his individual growth would be earth-shattering. A person had to observe Cores in order to evolve their Core Layer.

If one was lucky, they would obtain Affinities from observing the core. However, the standard of the Affinity obtained was completely based on the core observed. If one observed an Alpha Standard Core, they would only have a chance to obtain an Alpha Standard Affinity. To Arthur's knowledge, obtaining higher standard cores was very difficult. A majority of the monsters that yielded higher standard cores existed at the Gate, which was a dangerous place to enter.

Hence, even if someone obtained higher standard cores, they would never sell them to others, as they could use the cores themselves. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Now that he was seeing he would receive an Omega Standard Special Affinity Core, which was the highest standard core, he could not help but think it was a scam. However, before he could confirm his doubts, the terrain suddenly changed.

He was once again standing in front of the counter, whereas the old man was currently rummaging in the vase.

"I will buy this if you reduce the price a little," Arthur said, holding the black crystal tightly in his palm. The old man shifted his gaze without moving his head, looking at Arthur. He soon finished checking the vase, his hand coming out empty. He gave the matter some thought before saying, "Give me 14, 000 Credits for both items." Arthur was shocked that the old man actually reduced the price.

Originally, he had only asked for a discount to avoid suspicion, lest he readily agree to pay 5, 000 Credits for an unknown crystal. However, he had somehow managed to obtain a discount. Although he did not know the true value of the Night Crystal, he guessed it must be extremely rare and expensive. After all, the reward for it was an Omega Standard Core. Inwardly, Arthur was delighted at obtaining his first Night Crystal without any issues.

Once the transaction finished, Arthur took both items and safely stored them in his pocket.

"Do you have any more of those black crystal gems for sale?" Arthur asked. The old man tilted his head, looking at Arthur in surprise. The black crystal has lain in that old vase for half a century, and I never had any knowledge of its use. Yet now, a brat is actually asking for more of it. Arthur guessed these were the old man's exact thoughts.

"No, I do not have any. Why do you need more?" the old man asked.

"Nothing much. It just seems like a good material for making ornaments. So, I felt if you had a few more, I could make a profit from it," Arthur explained, constructing a story around his request. The old man gave a doubtful look after hearing Arthur's words. However, he soon returned to checking some materials as usual. Seeing this, Arthur sighed. Currently, he held less than 100 grams of Night Crystal. However, he needed a total of 20 kg within two weeks.

"Any idea where I can get it?" Arthur asked. Currently, he had no idea where he would buy it. Since the old man personally said the crystal's usage was unknown, Arthur doubted he would obtain more in regular material shops.

"I don't know, kid. Now, get out," the old man said without looking. Hearing the answer, Arthur did not press the matter further. He felt he would not obtain any intel about the crystal here. He would try at the Awakening Database site tomorrow. Right now, he had to finish his quest first. Following which, Arthur went to a nearby shop to purchase a few packaging boxes. This way, when the meat was cut, it would be perfectly preserved. Otherwise, it would definitely spoil while traveling.

He also bought a few high-quality floor mats for the skeleton to work on. If blood and other things were to spill on the shop floor, it would become messy. With that, Arthur left the shop and walked towards his house. The contract required 5, 000 Credits. As he did not have such an amount on his person, he had to take the cash from his mother. Suzie opened the door, still wearing her school uniform. She was currently studying at the local school.

This was the place where Arthur and his brother had studied until elementary school. Afterward, they had stopped their studies. Now, however, he could afford the school fees; his sister could pursue higher studies. But, nothing came from formal studying, as the current world was ruled by awakened individuals. The only benefits one obtained from formal schooling were learning to read and calculate, studying the ancient history of their world, and socializing. Other than that, a formal school offered nothing.

Following which, Arthur quickly obtained the 5, 000 Credits from his mother and left the house. While walking, his mind was filled with the Night Crystal and how he was going to manage his two quests. He had to find a solution quickly. Otherwise, he would first go blind, and then he would die from the parasite eating his brain.