Chapter 9
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Standing outside the seemingly ordinary bookshop , with the word "Scripture Pavilion" boldly and stylishly written on the plaque, Eric walked inside, only to be mind-blown by what he saw inside…
Lined in rows were dim bronze balls, more than a dozen D grade skill crystals on display like merchandise in an ordinary market stall.
Speechless, Eric stared in amazement and fascination. Though he had searched and watched videos about Skill crystals, this was his first time directly seeing one.
But the courage for someone to publicly display such treasures on the street like they were normal items, even though it was enough to incite the greed of True Mystics, was crazy.
But more surprising was the way everyone around here passed and behaved like they didn't see it. Some even avoid passing here, making the shop look desolate.
This was the black market, where all kinds of nasty and unruly people gather. For them to act so decoy and obedient meant only one word…
'Terrifying!'
Ignorance was bliss, he hadn't taken note of this before walking in and thought otherwise, that they had fewer goods to sell.
But then, an old man with gray-white hair appeared as he walked towards him with a welcoming smile, gesturing for Eric to feast his eyes without saying a word.
Looking at the racks of skill crystals , Eric was marveled to discover they weren't only skill crystals, there were also books pertaining to different kinds of profession, containing all kinds of information.
"Mystic Advancement Guide"
Eric pointed at the book, and then the gray-haired man came to remove the book from the rows.
Eric browsed through the skills crystals with labels written beneath them.
Stealth E grade, as the name pertained to a stealth skill.
Fort wall, an E grade skill that was popularly known among low-ranked Mystics .
Shot accuracy, E grade, mostly for Mystics with long range ability.
Dash, for short outburst in speed according to it's name.
High leap , Wind Slash, Wind Blade, Magic sense( mainly used by mystic mages to assist in casting spells), Templars charge, Shadow strike, Defense fortitude, Back stab, Lacerate and many more common popular skills as the list goes on.
Eric was too lazy to continue reading them.
Apart from Skill Crystal, there were also a few Technique Crystal , but Eric knew not, so he simply brushed it off .
Pointing at the skills, Stealth, Dash, Shadow strike, the man also came to bring out what Eric requested for.
The gray man's smile widened a little bit while looking at Eric's boss -like actions.
"That will cost you 4 million for each Skill Crystal…"
" Yes...h..." stopping in his steps "4 million?!".
"Yes" the old man replied with a look of interest as he studied Andrew's expression.
Even with a mask draped over his face, Eric was so ashamed, that he wanted the ground to open and swallow him.
'Face slapping?'
Luckily for him, the shop wasn't crowded. If not, he would have been a laughingstock.
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Standing outside in a daze, the cool winds assaulted his balls, bringing him back to reality.
Remembering how boldly he walked into the shop. Eric touched his nose to hide his embarrassment. The only thing he later bought or the only thing his money could afford was… A book
"Mystic Guide, 70,000 Federation dollars .
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Advancement Ranks...
Awakened
Bronze Mystic Rank
Silver Mystic Rank
Gold Mystic Rank
Diamond Mystic Rank
True Mystic
Earth Mystic
Sky Mystic
And for the highest realm known to humankind, "Ascendant Mystic", It's said that only 9 humans broke through this realm.
Making them humanity's biggest cards against monsters .
Every mystic were at first called Awakened , but for someone to have at least the word "Mystic" added to their rank, they must have at least killed a Monster before, even if it's a low level Wild Monster.
This was so to prevent those pieces of poops who didn't have the guts, after Awakening to step out of their comfort zone protected by the city walls, to have the same glory to the people who battled for their lives battling every day.
"Mystic" was an honor for those who risked their lives every day .
. .stopped .
Secret Realms ( dongueon ), once populating the world and the source of Monsters, had grown sparse to the extent it stopped appearing.
That was all. Eric closed the book, finally getting what he wanted all this while, "at least I am not that clueless anymore" or so he thought.
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'Like seriously'? Eric smacked his palm to his face.
Hit with the sudden realization, that he had a system like attribute panel. The last incident scared him so much , that he forgot such an important matter, the reason for the biggest change in his life.
Summoning his attribute panel that only him could see.
Eric Maxwell
Bloodline: Strongest Dragon Bloodline
Physic: Dragon Body
Rank: Middle Bronze Mystic
Strength: 200
Agility,: 100
Vitality: 150
Skills: Dragon Slash S.S.S
Affinity: Thunder Fire... sealed.
"Wow"
"My strength did improve once again" seeing his increased stats, especially in strength, he became excited.
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Since ancient times, dragons could sleep for hundreds of years and even mightier dragon Lord's slept for thousands of years.
This was because Dragons were children of nature, and they were infinitely blessed by the universe, to the extent that they could grow stronger by just sleeping.
They were also born with two or more elemental affinity of the highest grade.
As if plussing these facts together wasn't enough, they had terrifying control over Mana, like it was their limbs, and their Mana reserve was 3 to 5 times greater than other races.
But the heavens were fair, making them very few in each universe. Rare and treated as Divine Beast.
Eric was like a treasure chest filled with endless treasures, but sadly it was still locked. He had the potential but not the time.
Thanks to his breakthrough, Eric found renewed reason and confidence to step outside the city gates once more.
This time around, Eric wasn't planning to just wander around the city safe zone, but to step into the real wilderness.