After the boss of the dungeon was slain, the party did not stay in Mujad Ruins any longer. Although they were some sub floors there, they weren't really much to see inside. Just more monsters and treasures. However, because of the frequent missions headed there, there were just empty treasure chests to find.
Together with the party, Lock rode the carriage back to the Town, and interacted with the Soul Firefox which was now residing in his mind. He knew that he could summon it at will, and even treat it like a normal pet, but he wouldn't want to create a ruckus right now by revealing that he could tame monsters.
More especially, there was something he needed to test.
With the monster core cradled in his palm, he couldn't help but look at it with puzzlement.
'I had always wanted to touch a monster core, but had never been able to. I saw it many times even when I was a child. I also know that I can only get it from powerful monsters, the stronger the higher the quality, but I had never heard of people eating it.'
Lock was puzzled.
'I think it's cool that I could eat something like this, but what if I turn into a monster once I eat it?'
Lock did not want to risk his life if his chances of living were not sure. In the meantime, all he could do was just inspect the monster core which looked like an expensive stone. He would want to eat it, but anyone seeing that might treat him as a monster, so he had to be patient.
If there was one thing he was sure of: it was how the system would never hurt him. Ever since he was born, his system only wanted to help him. Even if he did not want its help anymore.
While his thoughts were busy, someone suddenly sat next to his spot in the carriage, and had the intention to talk to him. Lock looked at Orean and the others, but for some reason, all of them were asleep. Only the coachman was awake. Otherwise, they would have caused an accident already.
"Boy, you are pretty strong. You even got a monster core, but you seem disappointed."
The one who was talking was the porter of the party. He also asked to be the porter, but he was rejected. This man who looked like he was in his late twenties took his spot instead.
"It's not that I'm disappointed. I'm just confused." Lock said, looking at the monster core.
"About the monster core?"
"Yeah, I'm thinking how I will use this?"
"Why don't you sell it? You could also give it to a blacksmith, and get a weapon, you don't have one after all."
Lock was not really talking about his real worries. He was just stating what the common people would probably be worried about. Naturally, he first thought of giving the monster core to a blacksmith so he could forge a weapon for him. But now, he was leaning more of eating it.
If he ate it, he can't help but feel like he would gain a different power.
After not receiving a reply, the porter nodded his head. But right now, he kept staring at Lock as if he wanted him to speak.
Lock felt pressured by his gaze, and opened his mouth.
"What is it?"
"Hm, how do you like your life?" The porter suddenly asked.
The porter's question was so odd and sudden, but Lock answered after some serious thought, "Not very good."
Going out of the royal palace, and exploring the world was one of his biggest dreams, but he never wanted to take the life of another, nor be weak as hell when he would finally go out to the outside world.
Lock smiled wryly.
"I can't find the words to describe how I feel." Lock said.
But all of a sudden, the porter laughed.
"HAHAHAHAHA!" He laughed without care to the world, or to the people who were sleeping so tightly. Because no one was waking up, Lock even had questioned inwardly if everyone was too tired from that short trip.
The porter then stopped laughing, and looked at Lock with a smile.
At the same time, he groped around the bag, no idea whose bag it was, and pulled out a beautiful sword, "I feel pity for you. This sword belonged to a God. This will be very beneficial for anyone at your level. I can also see your desire to wield a sword. If you have this, you can deal with your problems in the future. Take it, it's a gift from me."
The porter handed him the sword.
But Lock felt reluctant to receive it.
'Is it even yours?' Lock asked inside.
Although the sword was beautiful, it was not good to steal other's belongings.
The porter then shook his head. He could understand the young man's worries and had to prove to him that he was not that kind of person.
"These people don't even have the slightest idea how truly precious this is." He said referring to the mercenaries. "If you're worried about that, don't worry. I'm giving this to you for free for talking to me."
Lock didn't really know what to say. The man seemed to really want to give him the beautiful sword.
Well, Lock already had worries about the sword. It might look beautiful, but to say it belonged to a God was obviously fake.
Lock touched the sword, and as soon as he made contact with it, he heard the system.
< Weapon Equipped >
< Type: Sword >
< ?? > (Your level is not enough to see its name)
< Durability : 50 >
< Attack Power: 70 >
< The sword will get stronger if you get stronger >
"A--re?" Lock raised his head to look at the porter, but when he did, the porter was nowhere to be seen.
Two seconds later, the carriage finally stopped, and voice of the coachman was heard, waking up everyone.
"We've arrived!"