The reverberations rumbling through the seats of the whales. Startled, I blinked away the drowsiness that had enveloped me during the journey.
With a yawn and a stretch, I stepped out of the whales onto solid ground.
As the whales gracefully soared away, it deftly lowered my backpack using its mechanical arm.
Rubbing my eyes, I watched as a bustling scene unfolded around me. Whales zipped to and fro, engaged in a synchronized dance of dropping off and picking up adventurers. The majority seemed to be disembarking, excitement and determination etched across their faces.
Among the array of vehicles, I noted the distinct logos adorning some of them.
These symbols represented various organizations, undoubtedly returning from expeditions to the remote corners of the world that only the boldest adventurers dared to explore.
I retrieved my backpack from where it had landed, hefting it onto my shoulders as I gazed at the impressive building ahead.
Its façade proudly bore the unmistakable emblem of 'Wells,' a name synonymous with excellence in the realm of devil food distribution. The very same provisions that kept Johnsy, my trusty companion, nourished came from this renowned company.
With a determined step, I made my way towards the entrance of the 'Wells' establishment, eager to fulfill my own mission amidst the tapestry of adventurers and whales.
"Sir, how may I be of service?" inquired the captivating lady positioned behind the polished counter.
There was a knowing glint in her eyes as they fell upon my backpack. She addressed me with a courteous smile, her demeanor exuding a sense of readiness. "Kindly arrange your belongings on the counter, please."
With a nod, I began to unpack my backpack, revealing an assortment of items tied to the world of devils. Each object found its place on the counter under the watchful gaze of the lady.
Time ticked by, perhaps a minute or so, until a brilliant beam of light swept across the materials. Starting from the left, it meticulously moved to the right, scanning every item in its path.
After a brief pause, during which the lady glanced discreetly at something concealed behind the counter, she looked up and spoke, her tone unchanged in its politeness. "Our establishment is prepared to extend an offer of thirty-four thousand credits."
"I'm in agreement," I promptly responded, the transaction aligning almost seamlessly with a chiming notification from my Holowatch.
"Thank you for your patronage, Sir," she acknowledged with a gracious nod. A satisfied smile curved my lips as I exited the building, the exchange having left me content.
This marked my inaugural earnings derived from the sale of devil materials. It was no surprise then that most of the adventurers I had encountered donned opulent attire.
The revelation was plain – with just a handful of hunts, they could amass enough resources to acquire even a standard Mark 1 magical artifact.
The sight of Professional Mark Adventurers parading with their impressive collection of Mark 1 magical artifacts was a common occurrence today. But the path they tread wasn't without its share of challenges.
In the bustling backdrop of North blood city, where ten fresh-faced adventurers arrived, only six emerged unscathed. The lurking uncertainty was epitomized by the ever-present threat of encountering a formidable devil at any given moment.
The existence of an adventurer was a dance with the fickle hand of fate. Today, they breathed; tomorrow, they might fall, succumbing to the perils of their daring hunts.
This truth was why many ordinary adventurers opted for a life of peaceful retirement, a reward reaped from their successful exploits that granted them a cocoon of security.
Lost in contemplation, my reverie was disrupted by Johnsy's spirited appearance, her vocal "Chu chu chu!" reverberating with insistence.
A chuckle escaped my lips as I registered her demand, the knowledge that food trucks stood in abundance around us amplifying my amusement.
Her persistence unwavering, Johnsy continued her pleas, her intelligence recognizing my earlier capitulation.
Succumbing to her desire, I relented, my response carrying a hint of laughter. "Alright, alright! A large portion it is," I conceded, acknowledging her escalating appetite.
Locating an unoccupied table by the food trucks, I settled into a seat. The tables were a tapestry of camaraderie, as returning adventurers gathered with companions and friends, their spirits buoyed by shared triumphs and escapades within the forest's depths.
Amongst this vibrant scene, the orchestrated ballet of droids caught my attention. Swift and deft, they seamlessly managed dishes and emptied plates, orchestrating a culinary symphony.
It wasn't long before our order arrived, the arrival heralded by the graceful approach of a droid, bearing the sustenance that Johnsy so eagerly anticipated.
Johnsy wasted no time in diving into her meal with unbridled enthusiasm. Her focus was unwavering, her face never leaving the plate's contents for a single moment.
It was abundantly clear that her affection for food ran deep, a sentiment she wore quite literally on her sleeve – or rather, in her voracious appetite.
I, too, joined in, savoring the delectable fare that matched the quality of the meals I'd enjoyed back at the apartment's canteen. As each bite delighted my taste buds, a spark of inspiration ignited within me.
Swiftly, I accessed the online realm to explore the feasibility of my idea, heart racing with anticipation.
"It's viable!" I exclaimed with a thrill, the realization of a possibility setting my spirits alight. My inquiry centered on the potential of having the very same culinary delights delivered to my hometown.
While they promised to deliver devil food to my parents, a distance of eight hours separated my town from the nearest branch located in a class 6 city.
With determination, I orchestrated a plan, ensuring that my parents would receive these nourishing deliveries three days a week, a consistent routine to cater to their needs.
Recent days had enlightened me about the strain the human body endured when bearing the responsibilities of a devil pet's powers.
This provision of sustenance held immense significance, particularly for my mother, who carried an added burden as she navigated the intricacies of pregnancy.
Despite my awareness that pregnancy was a natural course of life, a disquieting mixture of emotions swelled within me, an acceptance tinged with uncertainty.
Regrettably, the compass of change was beyond my reach in this instance. All I could offer was support, ensuring that my parents' needs were met in this new chapter, the nourishment aimed at easing the weight of the responsibilities they bore.
The prospect of the food delivery tugging at my finances with a monthly cost of twelve thousand credits was a clear reminder of the monetary strain I would endure.
But optimism prevailed within me – today's successful haul hinted that if such fruitful ventures persisted, my credit concerns might eventually dissolve into the background.
An observation gleaned from the rhythms of fellow adventurers informed my decision. Much like them, I aimed to venture out into the wilderness twice a week.
This strategy entailed a calculated rhythm: a hunt every three days, allowing me ample time for recuperation, injury healing, and skill advancement.
As the seconds ticked away, I noticed a stark difference in our meal progress. While I still held half of my portion untouched, Johnsy was nearing the completion of her meal, which happened to be twice the size of mine.
Evidently, her eating pace remained unchanged, a testament to her unwavering appetite.
With a contented "Chuuu!" that followed her hearty feast, Johnsy sprawled lazily onto her stomach. The ritual of resting this way post-feast had become ingrained in her habits, a posture she adopted to aid her digestion.
Soon enough, I concluded my meal, the quick consumption bolstered by the impending sense of departure. Rising from my seat, I glanced over at Johnsy, only to find her indolently stationary. A mixture of exasperation and amusement welled up within me.
"Johnsy, let's go!" I implored, but her response was a languid, "Chu chuu.."
"You!" I exclaimed, frustration bubbling to the surface. Her fullness had rendered her lethargic, and now she sought respite in being carried.
Resigned, I scooped her into my arms, her form nestled in my grasp as she maintained her relaxed posture. Summoning a whales, I waited with a mix of patience and humor.
Before long, the whales arrived. Stepping inside with Johnsy still placidly nestled in my hold, I couldn't help but shake my head, bemused by the antics of my companion.
A familiar "Chu-chu" escaped Johnsy's lips, a clear indication of her desire to be raised to the window's height, granting her a view of the world outside.
Her curiosity knew no bounds, an insatiable urge to explore and uncover the mysteries that lay beyond. Yielding to her inquisitive nature, I obliged and lifted her to the window, her eyes absorbing the passing scenery with an eagerness that was endearing.
We traversed the distance until we arrived at our apartment building, the moment signaling a pause as I veered toward the exchange point.
It had slipped my mind to trade in the three Professional-mark devil cores I had acquired after vanquishing as many Professional-stage devils. I carefully deposited the trio of cores into the scanner's embrace, awaiting the machine's efficient processing.
Soon, the display presented the value of the devil crystals, a figure I promptly accepted. The sale of the three Lv. 1 Professional Mark devil cores yielded seventeen thousand credits.
A subtle bonus was awarded due to the elevated quality of the iron rhino's cores, accentuating the monetary gain.
As things stood, my account balance stood at a sum of 49,000 credits. However, the last week had witnessed an expenditure of nearly 50,000 credits.
Despite this considerable outflow, I remained with further acquisitions to be made, a critical need being the procurement of improved training attire. The set I currently sported had weathered its use, rendering it worn beyond its prime.
With priorities demanding my attention, a renewed sense of purpose fueled my next steps as I stood at the precipice of decisions that would shape my journey ahead.