Starting from Zero

Book 3, Chapter 31

Equivalent Exchange

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"What do I do?" I asked Clark in panic. I spilled tears and blood to get my Artifact outfit, of course I'll panic should it go waste!

"Remember I told you to find a dragon soul in the Dragon's Canyon?"

"Yup."

"That's what you'll need to drive your Dark Dragon Lord set. We didn't have it when repairing, and this is what you see. An Artifact armor without its soul is just a pile of overweight metals."

"So I just need to put a soul in there to make it work?" I see hope!

"That should be it. But we got some problems. First, you haven't find that canyon, no? And, you don't know how to inject a soul, I assume? I'm just a blacksmith, I know how to drill holes or plug gems but I know nothing about souls."

"What can I do then?"

"You still need to find the dragon soul. But that can wait. Let's go to the trading center for now and restore your armor temporarily. Bear in mind that there's no escaping losing some levels."

"Trading center? You said I can use my armor for 10 minutes, we can do it at the trading center?"

"Yup."

"That place is for selling stuff right?"

"The trading center in this city sells wishes. You can wish for anything as long as you can pay the price!"

"...I got a bad feeling. I'm not going to sell my soul to some random devils eh?"

"Well, no. They don't need your soul. They charge exp points. Different wishes will cost you certain exp. To get a soul-less armor running for a short period will only need several levels...I think."

"Let's get to it then!"

Clark led me towards the center (while I pushed him behind), which is not far from the city gate. And sweet lord this place is HUGE! Most constructions in the Lost City looks big and grand, but this Greek style temple-like building still shocked me. There are 18 thick stone pillars at the front. A giant scale shaped embossment is placed in the middle of the 3-meter-high door.

The door opened on itself when we walked up the stairs. The interior is surprisingly bright, which is quite the contrary to the overall style of the city. The moment we went in, dozens of pairs of eyesights locked onto myself, as if I just interrupted someone's important speech. I can also see someone holding a pile of papers standing in the middle of hallway, not moving.

Clark walked in front of me, trying to break the ice. "A friend. He came to trade!"

That was like throwing a rock into silent lake water. The whole center hall went nuts. Everyone began to run and scream, as if the world is about to end for good. The once clean and orderly trade center turned into something like a suburban farmer market!

The turmoil lasted for some minutes before an old man wearing really long beard jumped onto a small platform in the middle and yelled:

"STOOOOP! Document department, collect your files at once! Receptions, prepare some meals. The trading department shall establish some plans now! And execution team, get yourselves ready!"

The staff calmed down under his orders. They formed up two lines at both sides in front of the entrance and shouted: "Welcome!"

I looked at Clark, hoping for an explanation. Though it seems this is his first time as well.

The old man than turned to me. "Come here, young man. I shall be your guide today!"

The place doesn't feel right but this old man seems good enough. I walked over and asked: "Can I trade for a wish?"

"Of course, of course!" His grin grew so wide as if he just won the top lottery prize. "This is my job! Tell me your wish, I will give you the price in turn. See if you can pay it. We can negotiate over the price too if you find it too much, the deal is still A-going as long as we can work it out."

"That's it?" Frankly speaking, I don't really believe it. That sounds too simple!

I took out my Dark Dragon Lord outfit from my bracelet. "This is my equipment."

The old man simply gave it a brief glance. "Artifact? The soul is lost. You want us to restore it?"

Wowee. He sure deserves that beard.

"That's right. What's the price?"

"Wait a moment, if you would." He's no longer carrying that grin. He looks...solemn.

The old man waved at someone. Several wizard-like workers gathered. They ran off after some head-to-head, after which the old man turned to me again.

"We...discussed your matter. It is a bit complicated. Usually no ordinary player is able to afford the cost to repair an Artifact. However, since yours is already physically repaired and only lacks a soul...it will be different."

He paused, and that grin before instantly returned.

"Now I strongly recommend you to purchase our Diamond VIP Card. With this, you enjoy a 50% off! Besides!" He took out a red crystal, "You can use the card to participate our prize draws to win this rare fire gem!"

I interrupted him while pointing at the gem in the helmet. "Already got one."

"That's not a problem! More treasure is always better!" He won't stop. "You can also introduce other customers for us. Each invitation will give you some points, which you can use to exchange for wonderful prizes!"

I'm feeling a headache. I stroke a "pause" gesture under his nose. "How much is the card?"

He stretched five fingers.

"Five crystals pieces?"

He shook his head. "We don't take money! Five levels. At your current level, your pay 5 levels to receive our diamond card!"

"Forget it! That means ALL my companions will drop 5 levels along. Well that's genius of you!"

"You...have companions?" He asked, shocked.

"Well shoot! Why would I even mention it if I don't??"

"You should told me earlier, my friend!" He tried to explain. "You didn't bring any with you so I didn't know!"

"They're all too big for me to summon in the city!"

"In that case, we can consider your companions' exp too. But their exp only serves as 10% of your own. So it takes 10 times of required levels."

"Let me think." I tried to come up with the best possible plan. A player's level raises way slower than companion. But I rely on my companions to fight most of the time, it'll be a disaster if they got nerfed too much.

"Five companions. I pay two levels, take the remaining exp equally among them. How's that sound?"

"Not a problem! We don't mind how you pay it as long as the number is correct." He quickly handed me a transparent crystal card. "This is your Diamond VIP Card. You can't discard it nor trade it. Oh and, remember to show this card first before you make any trades!"

I ignored him and looked at my level. Yup, two down, 261 now.

"What will happen to my armor?"

"Based on our prices...You need to pay 40 levels to repair it back to its full state. 20 levels since you have that card. We can repair it now if you agree."

"What the-- I don't need you to totally repair it. Two chances to use it will be fine. I'll go find a dragon soul afterwards and repair it myself." (Yes, twice. I need another chance to go into the city where I need to get my hidden class)

"Is that so?" He pondered. "That is actually not very cost-efficient. But since you're in a hurry... 4 levels per charge. Two charges will cost you 4 levels."

Before I agree, Clark ran up and dragged me back. "Just let them fully repair it. Those levels shouldn't be a problem for someone like you. You probably won't know how to use the dragon soul even if you find one anyway, let's just finish the job once and for all. You got a full team of companions, won't be too hard on yourself."

That...makes a lot of sense.

"Okay then. 20 levels right? 10 levels off me. The rest on my companions."

"Deal!" The old man carried my armors to somewhere in the back while wearing his signature grinning. How did that old bone manage to hold something so heavy?

I looked my level (251) and my companion's levels (even lower). Ouch. I don't think I will be visiting this place often. It will just drain me up!

"Done! It's done!" He ran back with the armors, even faster than before. "The best quality! Try it on, come on!"

That lifted my spirit. Finally, my precious!

When I fully equipped myself. A strange feeling went through my veins. The old man and Clark stepped back a little.

I moved in front of a mirror someone just prepared for me and noticed why they kept distance. Something looks like...black mist, shaped like a Shinryuu, is floating around me. I first thought Loong'er wandered out on her own, but then realized that Loong'er should be way bigger than this. Besides, this black shape looks, well, scary.

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A small holiday is coming. So...I'll pause for a week. Though I think I already overdid the work this week : /

Also, I'm starting to consider to place my work onto one of the ReadNovelFull sites, to help attract more readers.