Felix's legs burned as he pushed himself forward, sweat dripping down his forehead and soaking his thin tunic. The dirt path leading out of the slums was uneven, scattered with pebbles and roots, but he forced his stride to remain steady.
System Daily Mission: Run 5km – Progress: 4.8km / 5km
The glowing text hovered faintly in his vision, a nagging reminder. He gritted his teeth and sprinted the last stretch. When the faint wooden walls of the outer city came into view, the notification chimed.
Ding! Daily mission completed!
Joy surged through Felix. He quickly moved to a quiet corner beside the city wall to claim his reward. Despite the bustling city around him, he found a spot vacant of people.
With a thought, a blue-framed panel appeared before him, a notification box glowing in the center. Without hesitation, he clicked on it.
Ding!
Reward:
Two stat points
+2 Stamina
"Not bad," Felix murmured. "Gaining two more points… now I have five attribute points."
He immediately added the points to stamina. Almost instantly, his breathing steadied, as if he had been strolling leisurely instead of running his heart out.
"This system is extraordinary… even two points can relieve this much stress."
---
After paying the city entry fee, Felix paused to take in the air. It was still a little turbid, but far better than the slum he called home.
The city wasn't massive, but it had a certain grandeur. The streets were wide enough for people to walk side by side comfortably. Merchants had opened stalls along the roadside, selling and buying resources from passersby.
As Felix walked, he recognized a few familiar faces he had worked with before. Without lingering, he headed straight for the city marketplace, his sack heavy on his back.
A cold, unfeeling voice suddenly echoed in his mind:
"Hey… you have to pay before entering the market."
Though it sounded close, Felix knew it wasn't. Looking to the side, he saw a young man in the city military uniform, spear upright, face fierce and emotionless.
Felix knew this wasn't a simple intimidation tactic. The young man had clearly endured brutal training—and might even be a meta-human.
"I didn't know I had to pay to enter. How much is it?" Felix asked calmly.
"10 copper coins," the man replied without hesitation.
Without bargaining, Felix counted out ten copper coins from his pouch and handed them over.
---
The marketplace buzzed with activity. Merchants shouted:
"Selling rank 3 shadow core! Buy two, get ten percent off!"
"Various equipment for sale! Choose your favorite style with a discount!"
"Buying beast materials at a good price!"
Despite its size, the market was crowded. Compared to the city, it seemed rough and shabby, but it was alive with commerce.
A stall not far from Felix caught his attention. An old man, around fifty, scanned the crowd with narrow, calculating eyes. He looked from one person to another like a cat hunting rats, his gaze so intense it could intimidate anyone who met it.
"Hey… boy, what do you have there?" the man called, his tone unfriendly.
Felix didn't respond with fear. He dropped his sack heavily onto the counter.
"I want to sell these. Give me a price," he said calmly.
Felix could tell the old man had far more experience than the vendor from Abbysal Town. The man opened the sack gently, his eyes widening at the sight of its contents.
"Wh… where did you get this beast core?" the man stammered.
"I dissected it myself. Is there a problem?" Felix replied, curious.
The old man's expression remained stern, hiding both shock and doubt. How could a boy this young dissect a core so perfectly? Even many old monsters wouldn't reach 90% accuracy…
He continued examining the sack and was stunned to find another perfect level 2 beast core.
"Not bad," the old man said, finally praising him.
"For these two cores, I'll pay you 30 silver coins," he offered.
"40 silver coins," Felix bargained silently, thinking, It's still worth 30, but let's try my luck.
He clenched his right fist tightly at his side, a hint of nervousness barely hidden.
"35 silver coins. I can't go higher—I'll need to sell it to an alchemist or another merchant. Deal or no deal?" the man replied.
"Ok, deal," Felix said promptly.
The old man handed him a pouch. Felix counted 47 silver coins and grinned, slipping it into his pocket, which now bulged slightly.
What a lucky kid… the old man muttered.
"If I'd known he had such perfect cores, I would have called him over sooner. Old Wu didn't gain little today".
"Ahh... this is so frustrating why can't I be the one to buy the perfect beast core"
Ignoring the whispers of nearby merchants, Felix walked out steadily.
After awakening the Dragon System, Felix's six senses had reborn. His eyes and ears were sharper than before. With his skill, Piercing Gaze, he could see through things like an eagle spotting prey.
Felix did not leave the market immediately he still has a lot to buy.
He didn't have any good food, even his clothes are of the bad quality, he his currently not a normal human anymore so he needs to gear up.
Walking around the market Felix first buy a storage bag, although it looks small but it inner storage is a bit large and it's easy to carry.
After purchasing the storage bag, Felix checked inside. Surprisingly, it could hold far more than its exterior suggested. This will definitely make carrying my loot easier, he thought, smiling.
Next, he moved to a food stall. He needed nourishment—not just for energy, but to support his growing stamina. Choosing a simple roasted meat skewer and some bread, he spent another few silver coins. The aroma alone lifted his spirits.
As he walked through the marketplace, he noticed other items that might be useful: a sturdy pair of boots, a reinforced tunic, and basic tools for dissecting beasts. Felix mentally calculated what he could afford with his remaining coins. Even after the essential purchases, he still had enough left to invest in something more rare—or perhaps save for an emergency.
The bustling market felt different now. With his Dragon System awakened and his senses heightened, he could notice subtle things: merchants hiding small valuable trinkets, suspicious glances from certain buyers, and even the faint magical aura radiating from rare items.
I need to stay alert, he reminded himself. This city is bigger than the slums, and more dangerous too.
By the time he finished shopping, Felix had a modest but practical set of supplies. Not only did he have a secure storage bag and food, but he also had the beginnings of proper gear to match his growing abilities.
As he walked toward the city gate, he glanced back at the market. Tomorrow, I can start exploring more seriously… maybe even find better deals, or test my skills on higher-ranked beasts.
With renewed confidence, Felix stepped out of the market, ready for the next chapter of his journey.