Purchasing Genome Crystals

Yeshua already thought of what he would buy. What he needed now was a proper Alter Beast. The genome sequence in the mysterious shard could not be used so he had to make the AI construct a level 1 genome sequence to match his soul.

Of course, he would not buy a genome potion. The price of a level 1 genome potion was 100 gold coins and that was the cheapest standard ordinary genome potion. The price differed depending on the type of the genome sequence, its rarity, and its rank.

Yeshua only had around 700 gold coins together with his savings and the money he got from Wendel's house. Alterers also needed to buy gene medicines that would help them in their cultivation so money was important for them.

Yeshua had a different plan and he would be able to get an Alter Beast cheaply but at the same time, not an ordinary rank. It was even possible to have an elite rank Alter Beast.

"What do you want to purchase, sir?" The woman behind the counter was smiling at Yeshua professionally.

"I want to buy level 1 genome crystals of wolf species."

The clerk paused as she did not think that the young man would purchase genome crystals. Usually, genome crystals were sold by hunters. Only, gene artisans and genome scholars would purchase them. Looking at the young man, she did not think that he was a genome scholar but she still proceeded to look at the catalog professionally.

After a while, the clerk turned to Yeshua. "There are only three kinds of wolf species genome crystals available. They are Night Wolf, Forest Wolf, and Wind Wolf genome crystals. Which do you want to purchase and how many?"

"Only three?" Yeshua said without thinking. He was expecting that since it was the Trade Association, they would have more selection of genome crystals.

"Wolf species genome crystals are not common in this city. The Association usually trades resources commonly found in the city. If you want to purchase specific materials, the Association can help you but you have to pay an additional fee and wait for some time before you will get your order."

Yeshua then remembered that every area had definite resource points. Specific spirit beasts and gene materials could be found depending on the abundance of resources in an area. It seemed that wolf species was not common in Red Wood Forest.

After hearing what the clerk said, Yeshua remembered information regarding these wolf species he learned from his father.

Night Wolf: Level 1 – Type: Animal – Sub-type: Mammal – Species: Wolf – Affinity: Dark – Attributes: strong speed, average strength, weak defense

Abilities: Dark Claws, Vicious Bite, Elusive Shadow, Shadow Flash

This spirit beast was usually hunting during the night. Its dark claws and vicious bites could tear through steel. It could also use its shadow flash to travel in the shadows to suddenly increase its speed and dodge attacks. With its elusive shadow, it could move silently and become a dangerous hunter in the night.

Forest Wolf: Level 1 – Type: Animal – Sub-type: Mammal – Species: Wolf – Affinity: Earth – Attributes: Strong defense, average strength, weak speed

Abilities: Stone Claws, Vicious Bite, Hardened Fur, Ground Smash

Forest wolves usually worked as a group while hunting. Though they were slower than most wolf species, their strength and defense gave them an advantage in a prolonged battle. Their brown hardened fur protected their bodies and was not easy to damage. Being encircled by these wolves would force someone to endure a barrage of strong attacks. Their ground smash could crash like a boulder. When these wolves used their ground smash together, it would be like seeing boulders falling from the sky.

Wind Wolf: Level 1 – Type: Animal – Sub-type: Mammal – Species: Wolf – Affinity: Wind – Attributes: high speed, average strength, poor defense

Abilities: Wind Claws, Vicious Bite, Wind Dash, Tornado Blast

With their wind dash, being pursued by these blue wolves was dangerous as their speed was top notch within their level. Their wind claws were not just damaging up close but could also deal damage from a distance. But the strongest attack of the wind wolves was their tornado blast. They could charge the wind within their maws and blast it in a form of a tornado. Receiving this attack was like being in a place full of slashing knives.

Before going to the Association, Yeshua already had a conversation with the AI. He learned that once the AI reconstructed a level 1 genome sequence, he could not change it anymore since it would become the main controller of one of the microorganisms in his cells. So he had to decide what kind of genome sequence he wanted.

Though he could have more than one genome sequence, Yeshua did not want to have mediocre Alter Beasts. They would be his weapons in this dangerous world and he planned to have different types of them.

Yeshua chose to have his first Alter Beast as a wolf species. Wolf Alter Beasts were good hunters and had good fighting abilities. For someone who did not have a clan, Yeshua planned to support his cultivation by becoming a hunter.

At the same time, the memory of his father when he transformed into a wolf was etched on his mind. The ferociousness of a predator beast gave Yeshua a strong impression.

(Also, there is battle instinct. Since I have to first survive this fight with the gang leader, I have to choose an Alter Beast that will give me a chance to fight back. When a human becomes an Alterer, he also inherits the bestial instinct of the beast. I'm only a normal person before this, so I don't know how to fight. Choosing a predator beast will also help me in this battle.)

What Yeshua thought was true. Alterers inherited the bestial instinct of the beast but because of that, they were also affected by its savageness.

Yeshua decided what to buy after all these thoughts passed through his mind. "I'll buy one of each kind. How much it will be?"

The clerk did not care anymore what this young man was going to do and professionally calculated the costs. "The night wolf crystal is 60 gold coins, forest wolf crystal is 50 gold coins and wind wolf crystal is 80 gold coins. The total is 190 gold coins."

Genome crystals had different prices depending on the type and rarity of their genome sequence as well as the demand and supply. Like the wolf species crystals, since they were not common in the Red Wood Forest, their supply was limited that made them more pricy than in other places.

The amount was more than the cheapest genome potion but Yeshua thought that it was alright because what he would get after the AI reconstructed the genome sequence was worth many times more.

Yeshua paid for the genome crystals and the clerk went inside the door behind her to get the crystals. After a while, the clerk went back and gave Yeshua what he purchased.

Yeshua then left the place and rented a room in an inn near the Association since he could not do the evolution in his shack. This was a special room that Alterers used. Alterers' way of cultivation demanded them to have a room that could accommodate their Alter Beast. So, a special room like this could be used so they could cultivate without being disturbed. Yeshua could afford it since he still had gold coins.

"This is it, AI. It's your turn to use your magic. You have to give me the most powerful Alter Beast in this world!" Yeshua said to the AI with a voice full of unbridled imagination!

[...]

But even after waiting for a while, Yeshua did not hear the reply of the AI. "Um, AI, why are you not replying? Are you broken? Hey?"

[User Yeshua's command is invalid. The AI deemed it unnecessary to reply.]

[Reminder: Please, give a command that a normal sane person with a sound mind will give.]

Yeshua felt like kicking this AI out of his soul and beat it!

(What deemed unnecessary to reply? You're just ignoring me, right?! And what is with that reminder? 'Sane' and 'sound mind' have the same meaning! Saying that, are you emphasizing that I'm crazy?! This AI always acts formal and professional but actually, it's quite a ruffian!)

Since he could not pull the AI out of his body and strangle it, Yeshua just ignored it.

Holding the genome crystals, Yeshua willed the AI to scan them.