As they returned to town in the late afternoon, the team attracted attention. It wasn't so much because people weren't used to seeing teams enter and leave the bastion, but rather because of their remarkably well-groomed appearance. Except for one member, who was covered in blood but seemed healthy. Although this sight was surprising, the residents quickly resumed their usual activities.
***
"Here are your 250 Bronze coins. Do you want to go hunting again?" the same girl handed over the wolf ears, which served as proof of each wolf kill.
"No, we'll take on another mission tomorrow; it's getting late," Rin took the purse and tossed it to Nikito.
He caught the purse and looked at it intently. "This is the money earned through everyone's efforts... I must become stronger!"
Exiting the guild, they began heading towards the Alley of the Awakened, not far from here. There were countless shops of all kinds, from weapon smiths to apothecaries to consumable vendors.
The team stopped at a tent-like shop under Alliong's guidance: "Here, they sell top-quality monster eggs. It's known for having two sections; the first is the purchase of normal eggs, and the second is devitalized eggs not recognized by the system and essentially a lottery."
After finishing and seeing the three idiots of the group with shining eyes, he added, "90% of these eggs are dead, 9% are of the lowest grade, and 1% are jackpot."
A cold shower fell on Rin, Hayashi, and Nikito, and they all entered the tent in a sulk.
Inside the tent, there was an enchanting atmosphere, enveloping all visitors in a mix of mystery and excitement. The tent's walls were adorned with shimmering tapestries, woven in complex and vibrant patterns, creating a theatrical and magical ambiance.
As visitors advanced, they discovered carefully arranged stalls, each presenting an eclectic range of goods. Monster eggs were neatly lined on shelves, each labeled with elegant calligraphy describing its contents and potential properties. Some were bathed in a mystical glow, evoking promises of power from their contents, while others seemed dark and sinister, hinting at the danger of the creatures within.
The murmur of animated voices filled the air, punctuated by the occasional sound of laughter or an exclamation as customers discovered a rare egg or fervently discussed the merits of different races or abilities.
At the center of the tent, a counter greeted visitors with its imposing appearance, adorned with intricate motifs and mystical symbols. Behind the counter stood a merchant, dressed in an extravagant outfit and sporting a mysterious smile, ready to welcome and guide customers.
The dim lighting added to the magical ambiance, creating plays of shadow and light that danced on the faces of visitors and the displayed merchandise, reinforcing the feeling that every corner of the tent held secrets and endless possibilities.
"Hello, young Master SilverStar and young Master Genryu," the merchant greeted them, a rare gesture that surprised many, drawing particular attention to this group.
"Good day, Mr. Su. I hope you're doing well," Alliong spoke politely.
"I can only be well when two young masters are in my shop. Tell me, what can I do for you?" Mr. Su, with a big smile, emerged from behind the counter, revealing his plump figure dressed in a magnificent red robe adorned with golden flowers.
"We want to find a decent raven egg for my friend here, who has the Raven Patriarch heritage," Alliong stated his needs.
"Very well, follow me," as he accompanied them, he thought inwardly, "I can make a nice profit here... but the son of the Genryu family is not easy..."
After a few seconds, they arrived at a shelf exclusively dedicated to raven eggs, with about a dozen of them.
"As ravens are overwhelmingly nocturnal and in low demand, there's only this," Mr. Su first presented the general situation and then introduced the most interesting ravens.
"Allow me to present the Steel Feathered Raven, a creature of unsuspected power. These ravens, faithful to their masters, are known for their remarkable agility in combat and their ability to slice with precision using their sharp metallic feathers." A beautiful egg with a surface of metallic black was presented on a pedestal with the label {Steel Feathered Raven Egg}.
Before asking questions, the merchant continued by presenting the next egg, whose texture was strangely porous and unattractive, accompanied by the label {Pestilent Raven Egg}: "Here, we have a rather special raven because it is linked to the uncommon attribute of poison. Capable of infecting different organisms with various diseases when it wounds, although it is among the smallest of its species, it remains extremely dangerous. A simple wound can prove fatal."
"It might be interesting; I should get an inheritance like that too in the following ranks; it looks fun," Hayashi intervened, amused by the fighting style of this raven.
"Ahahaha, if Miss Yoson agrees, don't hesitate to visit our shop when the time comes," said the merchant, happy about the potential customer even though it was a young lady from an average family.
"The next egg is also very special; it's our pride here in this corner reserved for nocturnal birds," he announced, approaching a black pedestal holding a completely black egg, from which a little dark smoke escaped through some cracks.
Alliong and Shin, upon seeing the egg, froze and exchanged glances to confirm each other's suspicions.
The merchant stopped next to it and smiled, his eyes shining with excitement. "Allow me to present the Night Shadow egg. It is said to rank in the top 3 of the best ravens for assassination. But it's much more than that. Night Shadow is renowned for its frightening lethality when it moves in darkness. Its feathers are like sharp blades, capable of slicing silently, and its ability to blend into the shadows makes it an elusive predator. But what truly distinguishes it is its remarkable intelligence. It can plan complex attacks and coordinate strategies with its master as if they were one entity."
The merchant paused dramatically, letting his words soak the atmosphere with mystery. "Moreover, Night Shadow has a great chance of reaching the gold rank if it survives long enough. Owning such a raven is a privilege!"
Nikito's eyes sparkled, "I want that!!!"