[—got a 'soul of a wind drake' from the fight along with being able to learn its breath attack, Nori.]
I read the descriptions of the items, not sure what to think about the fact I got a spell scroll drop from killing something. I also got some money from it, which I put to it being big enough to eat humans whole (including their gold).
After some consideration, I absentmindedly dismissed the Battle Reward popup.
[I have also made amendments to the system. I'm sorry, Nori, I never considered the danger of having windows appear during altercations. They will be relegated to the corner from now on, and auto-dismissed.
[Considering the stress to your brain 'stacking' caused, I have fixed it so you are unable to do it anymore. It is a restricted action.]
I glanced at the MP gauge on the top-left corner. Not like I really needed to stack spells anymore considering the large mana pool I could pull from. I can understand the reason for the patch but it was a little late for it.
215MP.
There were a few level ups during that fight with the giant lizard but I think the second magic bomb I made based on thermobaric principles had a total MP cost of around 300. I was unlikely to use it again, anyway, considering the widespread damage it produced.
I looked around before finding a rather sturdy branch which I settled on. Gingerly leaning against the trunk, I made myself comfortable before pulling out my phone.
Now that I was at a high enough level, it was time to check out the other shops since a physical assessment had to be done after these bruised ribs healed. I was tempted to try out inner mana manipulation to heal myself but it was too risky an area to test an untried technique out. At this point, it was simply a bother, so I was alright with waiting a few days for it to fix itself.
First, I checked out the Mall, finally able to access it myself. It was mostly clothes, food, and toiletries. Though, there was a selection of survival gear mixed in with the clothes and toiletries. As expected, it was filled with items not out of place back home.
Then, I went to the Bazaar and froze when the forest disappeared and I found myself floating in a sterile white space.
"…"
[You're a bit early, Nori.]
Oh, was it not setup yet? I suppose I did jump a lot of levels.
[It is not organized yet for a store-front. What do you wish to find? I will help search.]
I cleared my throat awkwardly. "What is there in the Bazaar?"
[Everything, at some point. It is what the Bazaar is for.]
I hummed, drawing a blank. "Weapons?"
[Please wait a moment.]
When things started appearing in the white space with me, I couldn't help but stare at some of them. Was that a phaser? 'Wow, you weren't kidding about everything, Thirty-Seven.'
[Of course not. Though availability is a concern. Most things in the Bazaar have limited availability, some being unique items.]
"I don't actually have a need for weapons with magic and a bow as a fall-back. How about stuff dealing with magic?"
[There seems to be only one result.]
A necklace appeared with a broken clasp. I used Scan on it.
'Hmm. Am I a villain, Thirty-Seven?'
[Of course not, Nori. At least, I will endeavor to keep you away from that path.]
I rolled my eyes. Right. I forgot the AI I was bonded with was a goody-two-shoes.
"I don't really need it but you mentioned the Bazaar sells unique items? It might not be here the next time I check?"
[That is correct.]
"Is this really the only magical item available?"
[Let me check again.]
I considered the teardrop pendant. It was pretty and about the size of a dime, a clear crystal that was a bit pink instead of completely colorless. At the center of the crystal looked like a shard of gold but I saw the mana flow and figured that was actually the blessing taking visible form.
37 finally returned with his results. [I found something else, Nori. It arrived when I was combing through everything available for sale.]
"Hm?"
Turning to look at the plain leather-bound book, I used Scan on it and was taken aback at the description that appeared.
<20% reduction of mana cost for non-custom spells.>
<+1 Familiar Egg>
<+1 Focus Accessory>
"Um…" I blinked owlishly at the price tag.
The World—
My well-honed self-preservation instincts shuddered as soon as my mind focused on that part of the description, so I forcefully stopped myself from thinking about what or whom 'The World' might be.
[It looks like coding for magic spells. A menu for Magic with a lab tab in addition to a list that can be organized in several ways.] The AI commented, sounding vaguely envious considering he took so much time to create the HUD and revise the GUI of the Terminal.
'Was it safe though?'
[Don't worry, Nori. It's a gift. Consider it a prize for gaining access to the Bazaar so quickly.]
Biting my lip, a flash of a red-painted smile crossed my mind before I closed my eyes and exhaled. "Yeah, okay, let's just grab them both. Take the cost of the necklace from my checking and savings."
My partner hesitated. [Are you sure, Nori? I thought you didn't want to spend that much of your money from Earth.]
"It's fine. That's just the money Misaki-nee gives as an allowance for rent and spending. The rest of my money is being managed by her and they're all in time deposits, a money market account, or invested."
Since I didn't really spend a lot, most of the prize and sponsorship money just racked up interest. I was by no means wealthy but my big sister had planned well enough I could live comfortably even if I retired from athletics.
Five thousand for a magical necklace didn't hurt me too much and I had a feeling my stay in Gaellia might be longer than I originally thought. Might as well not waste a resource I had available to me, though I'll stick to only using my Earth money in the Bazaar and maybe the Mall.
"Come on, let's get this show on the road. I don't want to sleep in the woods tonight."
[Transaction completed. Artifacts placed in your Inventory.]
Reflexively tensing when I found myself straddling a tree branch again, my body's state told me not much time passed in that white space. So, after rolling my neck, I stood up. A few quick swipes on the Terminal and I bought a new hooded cloak (this time in black) since the one I had was left back in the room above the tavern. Throwing the outerwear on top of a new set of clothes bought from the Mall, I kicked off the branch and resumed my journey.
Seriously, out of all the time I spent in Gaellia, I had only managed one night sleeping under a roof (the prison did not count). I'm a city person, I tell you!
Speeding up faster than I ever tried before, I didn't try pushing my limits. Maybe it was the higher evolution but it felt like I could break the sound barrier if I tried.
Soon enough, a large city appeared on the horizon, glistening gold in the setting sun.
'That's Crown City right?'
[Yes.]
'Just making sure.'