Despite having racked his brain for quite a while, Kyle still couldn't figure out the source of restlessness inside his heart. He was so distracted by his thought that it took him a few seconds to register he was already standing on the track field.
When he scanned the surrounding, he discovered some students were patrolling the area. They were seen to be carrying flashlights, acting like security guards.
'But, what are they protecting? The monolith can't leave on its own, nor couldn't it be stolen, isn't it? So, what's the point of guarding it?' Kyle was perplexed but wasn't interested enough to question them.
Utilizing his improved night vision, Kyle silently made his way to the monolith without alarming the patrol. When he reached the spot where he could poke the monolith easily, he raised his left wrist and hovered it against the monolith's surface. Instantly, a system screen appeared.
[Welcome to Aegis Monolith's Market]
[Please select one of the following below options]
[Exchange]
[Register Item]
[Retrieve Item]
[Info]
'Whew, so many options?' He initially wanted to check each menu, but he recalled having gone over the estimated duration; he understood he couldn't afford to waste any more time.
Kyle pressed the exchange option and was instantly greeted by another system screen, but larger.
The system screen loaded with a tremendous amount list of items. However, except for six items placed atop the list, Kyle couldn't read a single piece of information about all the items beneath them.
Therefore, Kyle didn't bother with the rest of the items and concentrated on the first six items he had access to.
[Shadow Aspirer Potion ] (Intermediate Tier, Grade D)
[Ingredients: Darkling's Nucleus ]
[Shadow Aspirer Potion ] (Intermediate Tier, Grade C)
[Ingredients: Darkling's Nucleus, Feather Of Darkness ]
[Special Effect: Enhance the user's movement speed during walking in the darkness ]
[Shadow Aspirer Potion ] (Intermediate Tier, Grade C)
[Ingredients: Darkling's Nucleus, Horn Of Hellish Rhinoceros]
[Special Effect: Grant shadow a corruption ability]
[Shadow Aspirer Potion ] (Intermediate Tier, Grade B)
[Ingredients: Darkling's Nucleus, Feather Of Darkness, Horn Of Hellish Rhinoceros]
[Special Effect: Enhance the user's movement speed during walking in the darkness + Adding corruption characteristic to shadow]
[Boots Of Hunter]
[Ingredients: Goblin's Boots, Feather Of Darkness]
[Special Effect: Temporarily grant the user the movement speed and agility of a goblin]
[Spear Of Enmity]
[Ingredients: Warmonger Spear, Horn Of Hellish Rhinoceros]
[Special Effect: Grant the spear corruption characteristic + additional random skill ]
'This looks more like crafting instead of exchanging. Anyway, what should I choose?' Kyle immediately crossed the last two pieces of equipment out of his box of choice. The reason was that he didn't know when he would be able to find the lacking ingredient. With danger constantly revolving around him, it wasn't wise to detain items that might be a game-changer.
Therefore, the only choice he got was the potion. And the answer to this question was obvious. Of course, the fourth one.
With determination blazing in his eyes, Kyle selected the fourth potion. As the saying goes, never let go of any opportunity. The fourth potion likely has a higher risk, but Kyle knows the bigger the risk, the greater the reward is. If he chooses the weaker potion, his safety is presumably guaranteed, but at the cost of less special effect. And he didn't wish for that.
The world was presently dangerous. What could he do if he did not have sufficient strength to save his family and protect who's dear to him? That's why he was determined to take the most potent potion.
[You wanted to exchange: [Darkling's Nucleus, Feather Of Darkness, Horn Of Hellish Rhinoceros] for [Shadow Aspirer Potion ] (Intermediate Tier, Grade B)]
[Yes or No]
Kyle pressed for yes.
[Are you sure you want to continue with the preceding exchange?]
[Confirm or Cancel]
Kyle confirmed the deal.
[You've successfully complete your transaction]
His Matrix Band suddenly unleashed a white ray, shooting straight toward the monolith.
[You've lost Darkling's Nucleus]
[You've lost Feather Of Darkness]
[You've lost Horn Of Hellish Rhinoceros]
[You may acquire your exchange item from the Retrieve Item option]
Following the guidance, Kyle went to the Retrieve Item option and took the potion.
Just like before, but the opposite. A bright blue ray was launched from the monolith, darting swiftly on Kyle's Matrix Band.
[You've gained [Shadow Aspirer Potion ] (Intermediate Tier, Grade B)]
"Hey, what are you doing there?" Before Kyle had an opportunity to inspect his goods, a patroling student spotted him. His eyes mildly squinted at the sudden invasion of light.
"Me?"
"Yes, you, what are you doing there? Don't you know Bernard has classified this place as a restricted area?"
"Since when?" Kyle bewilderedly asked. He had never heard of this kind of bullsh*t before. Since when did this monolith become private property?
"Since half an hour ago." The student replied and narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "How do you have no idea about this? Where did you come from?"
"Are you my parents? Am I supposed to report to you if I go to the toilet?" Kyle asked in ridicule. He usually had a good temperament, but for an unknown reason, he had this massive desire to beat the man opposite him.
"F*ck! Are you joking with me? You're under arrest!" The student roared with eyes rimmed red and looked like wanting to pull something out of his pockets.
Kyle's eyes also suddenly clouded with unnatural fury as he swiftly seizes the man's arm, twisting it against his back and pressing it slightly.
"Ahh!!" His series of actions succeed in drawing an agony scream from the man.
"Since you want to be a cop so bad, let me act as the criminal. How's that sound, huh?" Kyle whispered in a low, threatening tone. In reality, Kyle didn't pretty much comprehend what was happening. He just followed his nature by instinct.
"Help me! Help me!" The man begs for help as Kyle keeps increasing the pressure.
"Jade, what's wrong with you?" A group of men arrived at kyle's location. They immediately saw the situation and quickly encircled Kyle. "Let him go. Otherwise, this is not gonna end well, bud."
"Whether I release him or not, I believe you guys still intend to thrash me, right?" Kyle raised his head and stared at them with a chilling smile.
"Of course, why do you have to ask such an obvious question?" One of the men answered with the same smile as Kyle flashed.
They ended up glaring at each other, forcing the surrounding area to fall into an uncomfortable silence. Their eyes smiled with a common enmity.
The concept of time had turned vague within their minds. It was only after a soothing voice resounded that they finally snapped out of their abnormal state. "Enough!"
Kyle subconsciously released his tackling and staggeringly backed away. It was as if realization finally dawned over him.
In normal cases, tripping over a stone won't be possible for someone like Kyle, who had his whole stats increased. However, he was so caught off guard by the sudden turn of events that he couldn't regain his balance properly.
He had mechanically closed his eyes, bracing for the impact, when a sweet fragrance wafted to his nose. A gust of wind was blowing in the background.
"Are you okay?" Like a damsel in distress rescued by a knight, Kyle found himself lying in someone's embrace.
"Thank y-" Kyle couldn't finish his sentence as he finally figured out who just assisted him.
It was a freshman's belle, one of the indisputable campus goddesses, Naegi Otsune.