"What is this?"
Holding the object in his hand, Limon couldn't help but question in his mind.
It was deep green all over, round and smooth in shape. The surface wasn't exactly polished, but touching it lacked the metallic texture he'd expected. Instead, it felt... sticky.
"Candy?"
Impossible. The Mainframe's prompt wouldn't lead him to something so useless.
"A crystal formed from radioactive material, capable of releasing immense energy!"
The moment Limon heard that, he almost dropped the crystal. Radioactive material? Wasn't that just a radiation source?
Thankfully, the Mainframe quickly clarified.
"The crystal structure is in a stable state. All elements are in harmony, unactivated, and it poses no harmful radiation to humans."
"How useful is this to you?"
That was the key. It was the reason Limon had come here, seeking opportunity.
"The Red Alert Empire's Forward Base will receive enough energy to operate at full capacity. Any surplus will be used to generate troops to ensure the master's safety."
"Troops?"
Limon was curious about how the Mainframe would "generate" these troops, but he refrained from asking too much. He knew he'd get his answers soon enough.
"I want this."
Approaching the shopkeeper with the green crystal in hand, Limon presented it to him.
The shopkeeper, a burly man in a tank top, took the round green orb, examining it from every angle. He couldn't figure out what it was.
Even the shopkeeper himself seemed surprised to find such an item in his store.
"Hmm… Look at this it's perfectly spherical, with a smooth surface and a deep, rich color. I'd say it's a relic from a past era."
He spoke as though he were appraising a priceless treasure, his words dripping with exaggerated praise.
"This is a gem!"
The shopkeeper chuckled, clearly not holding back his flowery words.
Limon wasn't fooled. He knew this type of person could turn trash into treasure with their silver tongue. While the crystal truly was valuable, Limon wasn't about to reveal that.
"It's just a decorative trinket. Even in past eras, it wouldn't have been considered valuable. It's just a piece of colored glass."
Limon's raspy voice and indifferent gaze showed no hint of desire for the item in the shopkeeper's hand.
"Is it really just an ordinary piece of glass?"
Seeing Limon's calm demeanor, the shopkeeper hesitated.
After a moment of internal struggle, the shopkeeper made up his mind.
"Alright, maybe it really is junk. So, how much will you pay for this piece of junk? If the price is right, it's yours. If not, even if it's trash, I won't sell it to you! Got it?"
Noticing the shopkeeper's sly expression, Limon frowned slightly.
He must've been spotted rummaging through the junk pile earlier. The shopkeeper wasn't sure if this item was valuable, but he wasn't about to let it go cheaply.
Even if it was garbage, keeping it in the store cost nothing. Who knew? It might turn out to be valuable someday.
After some thought, Limon rasped, "Ten bullet casings."
"Ten bullet casings can't even buy garbage in this store!"
The shopkeeper scanned Limon from head to toe. "If that's all you've got, you should leave. There's nothing here for you."
Limon remained calm, his voice even. "Never say never. Perhaps I'll walk out of here with more than you think. The future is unpredictable, isn't it?"
"Oh, really? I'd love to see how you plan to walk out with anything."
The shopkeeper's laughter was sharp, his eyes filled with hostility, watching closely as if expecting Limon to make a move.
"What's your name?"
Limon's sudden question broke the tense atmosphere.
Though puzzled by the inquiry, the shopkeeper responded, "Everyone in this 'Rust Valley' knows me. Name's Zhang Meng, but folks call me Meng the Brutal!"
The name suited him, given his burly physique—a rarity in these harsh conditions.
Limon nodded faintly. "Fitting name."
"Enough talk!" Zhang Meng waved impatiently. "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let you off easy. Now get lost!"
Even though his shop rarely had business—often selling things for mere bullet casings—Zhang Meng had decided. This green orb wasn't leaving his hands for just ten bullet casings.
"Greed clouds the heart," Limon murmured as he turned away.
Taking a step toward the door, he suddenly paused.
In a flash, his body coiled like a predator, springing toward Zhang Meng with explosive force.
The movement was like the wind swift and silent. In the blink of an eye, Limon reached the counter.
A sharp object appeared in his hand. Without hesitation, he gripped it in reverse and drove it into Zhang Meng's throat.
"Urk… ack… gah…"
Zhang Meng clutched his neck, eyes wide with terror and confusion. He tried to cry out but couldn't make a sound.
It had happened too quickly too suddenly. He couldn't comprehend how he had gone from bartering to dying in an instant.
His final gaze fell on the killer, who stood there silently, watching him struggle. No pity. No fear.
Limon's expression wavered for a moment. "Am I wrong to do this?"
"Cough!"
A violent fit of coughing broke the silence. Limon staggered, his hand coming away from his mouth stained with blood.
"This body… is useless."
He cursed the frailty of his current form. Despite accounting for its weakness, the sheer effort had still caused internal strain.
Taking a deep breath, Limon steadied himself, his chest rising and falling heavily.
Right or wrong, it didn't matter. In this world, survival demanded selfishness.
Limon didn't want to die. His deteriorating body had no room for failure. Survival required decisive action.
And killing? Killing wasn't new to him. In his past life, he had taken lives more than one.
When no one else would act, someone had to.
Limon never hesitated when it was his turn.