28 System Shop
Descending from the Vram Trail was much easier than climbing it. Hence, it only took half a day to arrive at the safe zone. Even then, the sun had already set and the moon rose from the skies.
However, instead of a gloomy atmosphere, the safe zone was even more bustling at this time. Bright golden lights coming from street lamps illuminated the area as crowds of adventurers and knights alike window shopped around.
More carriages and transportation monsters arrived. Stalls were already teeming with people while some were just setting their products on the streets. Amidst the constant shouting, a sweet jab of music can be heard in the background.
"It's a night market. People are usually active at this time because monsters often appear at night. Also, you can buy everything here fresh so the night market is usually full of crowds." Duke Kayn said softly with his hand on his back as they strolled down the streets.
Zeus nodded. Occasionally, people would greet the Duke as soon as they passed by. Some just bow as a sign of respect while a few would even go for a handshake.
Even then, despite his high status, the Duke appeared to be loved by the people.
"Do they stay awake all night?" Zeus asked as he picked a free-taste cupcake and stuffed it in his mouth.
"Well, they usually call it a day at midnight. Vendors also need to sleep and buy supplies tomorrow morning to prepare for the night."
"That seemed like an easy money job."
"Not really. Some vendors only get paid a little extra due to the merchant groups hogging all the supplies. Therefore, these vendors had no choice but to buy the product at a slightly higher price. And when they sell it, they only make small profits as the kingdom has suggested prices for these products." Duke Kayn sighed. There's an increasing demand for merchant groups not to hog all the products at various sources.
However, these merchant groups involve high-ranking officials so the King only turns a blind eye to these kinds of complaints. If these continued the vendors would have no choice but to work like a slave for these merchant groups or even became an adventurer to try their luck in the wilderness.
Shortly afterwards, Zeus and the Duke arrived at the house. However, Zeus didn't stay long as he had to fetch Shelly from the pet inn. After asking permission from the Duke, he immediately left the area.
Unlike the smooth path when he was accompanied by the Duke, Zeus experienced being squeezed in between the sweaty large bodies of the crowds.
It took him a good 15 minutes to arrive at the pet inn where in all actuality, it would only take probably 5 minutes to get there.
But, he had one complaint.
'What the fuck was that? Someone grabbed my butt!'
Zeus tried to find who was the culprit but in this endless stream of people, it would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
In the end, Zeus could only curse his luck. Perverts are truly everywhere no matter what world he's in.
"Welcome to the Chenny Inn."
As Zeus opened the door to the pet inn, a woman dressed in a blue robe greeted him. She has a gleaming smile on her face, and her cerulean eyes glittered brightly under the radiant lights. The woman has a gentle presence like water which perhaps is the reason why her hair color resembled an ocean.
"I'm here to get Shelly." Zeus said, giving a card to the woman. It was the proof of ownership.
"Oh, I see…" The woman nodded. "So you're the owner of that raven huh?" Her voice was slightly serious this time.
Hearing her change of tone, Zeus' brows furrowed.
'What could have happened?'
"Sir, by any chance, are you interested in doing business?" The woman asked with a hint of enthusiasm in her tone.
"Business?" Zeus smirked, intrigued about this so-called business.
"Yeah, I'm interested in your pet, and is there any chance you're willing to sell it?"
At that moment, his expression gradually dimmed. The smirk on his face slowly faded.
"No, thanks."
"I could—"
Without waiting for the woman's reply, Zeus hurriedly went to room 3 where Shelly was currently in.
The room was filled with branches and in the middle, there was a bird's nest where a black raven loudly snored.
"Shelly."
Hearing his voice, Shelly's eyes burst open. Zeus rubbed her feathers and took her into his arms.
"How's the experience?"
Caw!
"Really? Did you eat lots of food?"
Shelly nodded in affirmation. She nuzzled her head on Zeus' shoulders while he stroked her feathers.
After a brief greeting, Zeus exited the room followed by Shelly behind. The woman waved her hand from the counter and smiled at him again. However, his mood was already dark.
Asking him to sell his partner which he nurtured for 7 years? Dream!
"Sir, if you ever change your mind, don't forget to contact me."
"Not interested."
Cling—
Zeus exited the inn and the door closed with a loud thud. Many thoughts lingered in his mind as he recalled the eagerness in the woman's eyes earlier.
Looking at Shelly, he fell into a deafening silence.
'I already knew she's not a normal raven. But for her to be interested this much means only one thing.'
Shelly's mom is a giant bird. Even Sera confirmed that Shelly shouldn't be an ordinary species of a raven. But, as of now, there's nothing really special about her aside from her growing size.
Well, the size wasn't even really special. Shelly might be more intelligent than other birds but that's it. Until now, even Zeus couldn't figure out her true capacity.
'Sigh, this is stressful.'
In the end, Zeus shook his head. For now, he'll just let the water flow naturally. If somehow Shelly is really a special one, that's for the future. What's important right now is the present.
Shortly, Zeus returned to the house and entered his temporary room. As the Duke was the only one here, all rooms were vacant so he got to choose wherever he wanted.
After taking a quick bath, he jumped on the bed and huddled under the sheets. Of course, he didn't forget to check his newly opened system shop.
'Just tap right?' Zeus said inwardly, as he tapped his fingers in the air.
The next moment, the mechanical sound resounded in his head.
< Ding! >
< System Shop (Level 1) >
[ Categories ]
[ 1. SKILL / SPELL / TECHNIQUES.]
[ 2. POTIONS.]
[ ??? ]
[ Current System Points: 1,100.]
[ Next Level Unlock Requirement: Reach Adept Rank.]
'Oh, so my points are for this huh?'
Zeus was not surprised. But initially, he thought those points were for unlocking other system functions and he would use real money for the shop.
'Let's see…'
He tapped for the skill category and the screen flashed in his eyes.
[ 1. Mind's Eye
— Price: 1,000.
2. Water Bomb
— Price: 1,000.
3. Light Footsteps
— Price: 1,500.
4: Basic Breathing Technique
— Price: 2,000.]
'These are all Tier 1 at least right?'
As he scrolled down, his face slowly crumbled looking at the price that was surging at a rapid pace. After checking for a while, Zeus decided not to buy a spell and waste his precious accumulated points.
He already has decent backing. Acquiring a Tier 1 spell or skill should be as easy as breathing. He's going to learn it anyway if he manages to get one.
As such, his attention immediately shifted to the potion category. It only has 2 potions in it but their usefulness made him quite satisfied.
[ 1. Aether Recovery Potion
— Price: 1,000
2. Aether Increase Potion
— Price: 1,500.]
The two were self-explanatory. It recovers aether by a small amount while the other increases the capacity by 1. Although he didn't know how much the limit is, it would certainly have one.
'Tomorrow, we'll go back to the capital and meet the whole Ambrose Family. Will they accept me though?'
Perhaps he had watched too many TV dramas that he was feeling quite nervous. The adopted kid usually gets bullied by the biological children. Hopefully, it won't happen to him.
Feeling his eyes getting heavy, Zeus turned off the lamp and closed the curtains. Then, in just a minute, a loud snoring sound echoed in the room.
…
The following morning, after eating a tasty breakfast, Zeus went to the place where the Duke told him to go. It was at the exit of the safe zone.
As soon as he arrived, he instantly saw the Duke talking to a man wearing farmer's clothes. However, on his hand, a rope connecting to a humongous brown eagle could be seen.
The eagle was big enough to probably fit a house on its back.
"It has always been my honor working with you, Duke Kayn."
After handing the eagle to the Duke, the man left. Duke Kayn shifted his gaze to him after seeing him approach his direction.
"Ready to see my family?"
"Haha." Zeus scratched his head.
He couldn't just say he's not ready right?
Seeing his embarrassment, the Duke burst into laughter. "Hahahahaha, don't worry, they are all good people. I promise you won't be humiliated. I got your back."
Zeus nodded. He'll just decide his next course of action when they get there. Shortly, he jumped on the back of the eagle, followed by Duke Kayn.
Then, in a swift motion, the eagle flapped its wings and before he knew it, they were already hundreds of meters away.
