The air smelled nice, it wasn't the smell but rather the familiarity that wrapped around him like worn leather, warm and reassuring.
Zane was happy to be back in Ashburn. He still couldn't believe Mia had let go of him that easily, dismissing him with the casual indifference of someone discarding yesterday's newspaper.
She had ordered her driver to take him to his apartment as soon as they landed. Zane now lay on his bed, the familiar creak of old springs beneath him. It had only been a single day yet it felt as if it had been forever since he last lay on his bed.
I almost forgot, I still have a skill orb I haven't checked.
He immediately jumped from the bed with excitement, his heart hammering against his ribs. The prospect of getting a new skill made him extremely happy and eager.
Zane summoned the Inventory Grimoire and removed the skill orb from the 2nd page. Immediately information began filling the room.
As Zane peered into its depths, the silky mist started flowing towards him and revolved around his body whilst entering his body through the skin it made contact with. The sensation was cool and tingling, like liquid starlight seeping through his pores.
Information started flooding his mind. Zane started understanding engineering and how to build structures, blueprints materializing in his consciousness with crystalline clarity. He could now build houses with mental commands. He started understanding the different types of structures, placement, materials and construction methods. He learned how to build buildings. Now he could not only build houses but all sorts of structures, from recreational facilities to factories, he now had knowledge beyond comprehension of building. He understood how to build structures both from Earth and some alien worlds.
He observed until, just like the last time, his mind got filled up with knowledge. His brain could not take anymore information. Then the headache struck like a sledgehammer to his skull.
Zane immediately looked away from the orb as his head throbbed like crazy, white-hot pain lancing behind his eyes. His brain was in shambles then the fresh revitalizing nourishment of the spring of vitality washed over his fatigued brain as he consolidated the acquired knowledge. The headache immediately subsided.
He now felt as if he could observe once again, the spring of vitality was truly wondrous. Before he could stare at the skill orb again, system panel appeared.
『New Skill Acquired』
『50 super points have been awarded』
Zane mentally inquired about the skill when the panel flickered.
『Skill Description』
✦Craftsman
「Through sheer force of will, matter bends and flows like liquid starlight, obeying the bearer's mental commands as blueprints ignite within consciousness. Raw materials dance into perfect formation, walls rising, mechanisms breathing to life, structures spanning from humble dwellings to architectures beyond comprehension. Yet this divine gift demands absolute certainty, for what the mind births in that first blazing moment of creation becomes eternal and immutable, forever sealed in the perfection of its original design.」
Zane looked at the orb again but nothing happened. No information flowed towards him. This left Zane surprised.
He then decided to ask Nyx why the orb wasn't working. Nyx had been silent the entire time since Nexus.
"Nyx, why isn't the skill orb functioning? Is there a time limit?"
[You need to increase all your attributes to over 20 to enter the second phase of skill integration. The skill orbs have no time limit, your attributes are currently too low to continue absorption.]
Just then the panel popped before Zane.
『Mission Initiated』
✧Increase all attribute stats to 20. A Divine Trader must be in great condition to face adversities.
『Mission Compensation』
✦Skill orb [1]
✦Privilege token [1]
Zane smiled, the prospect of receiving another skill excited him. He had to quickly increase his attributes then gain the skill orb. Then his face turned grim, shadows creeping across his features.
The system was now giving him missions. Zane now had more questions than ever. Zane had previously inquired how he could obtain skill orbs. Nyx had told him that the system only awarded him when he did anything that moved him closer towards being a Divine Trader. Zane had initially thought that a divine trader was involved with business and trading.
Zane's face dawned with understanding he now understood that a divine trader was more than he ever anticipated.
Why is the system rewarding me for increasing my attributes? A trader never fights, thus attributes like strength, agility and stamina don't matter. The system rewarding me for increasing these stats only means one thing, being a divine trader is dangerous, thus I need to be strong.
Zane had expected the danger part since he'd be going into unknown realms, but he never expected it to be connected to the mysterious divine trader.
I thought I could escape through realm traveler, thus fighting would be avoided.
Then he flushed these thoughts away.
I don't really know what sort of upgrades my skills will undergo. It might need high attributes for that.
Zane couldn't test his new skill now since he required all materials to start. A structure couldn't be reconstructed or reorganized, it was fixed. Creating a small structure for testing would be uneconomical.
Zane had to see his father before going out to another realm. He looked at his watch, it was 2pm. If it was a normal day, Zane would be looking for gigs in the neighborhood, but now he had the system. He no longer needed to look for gigs, thus Zane decided to visit his dad.
Zane took a quick shower and dressed before heading out. He had gotten used to removing the bag from under his bed before heading out. This is when Zane remembered he'd left it at Aetherial Haven.
I don't need it anymore since I have the Inventory Grimoire.
Zane thought when he contemplated having to ask Mia for the bag, he'd rather let it go altogether.
As Zane walked down Ironclad Street, he couldn't help but look around. Zane was wondering where the coin had fallen from. Nyx had mentioned not being aware of how Zane became the host. There was nothing but empty alleys, it wasn't time yet for the gangsters to emerge.
Ironclad Street was located in northeastern Ashburn, a neutral zone where poor lads like him resided. Just to its exact south lay the Monroe family mansion that separated Zane's neighborhood from gangland. During evenings, gangsters would appear in the northern parts of Ashburn to mark unclaimed territory with graffiti before the police could arrive to catch them.
A police officer was standing guard in front of a flower shop, waiting for the owner like a vulture circling carrion. The poor guy probably hadn't paid his protection fee and was going to be framed and arrested. The police were the biggest gang of them all. They only protected businesses that paid protection fees, the rest would be set up for gangsters to steal and loot.
Those who failed to pay simply had 2 options: get arrested on false accusations or have their business destroyed by gangsters.
Zane contemplated as he passed by the police officer wearing navy blue from top to bottom. He could tell he was a sergeant from the single stripe on his shoulder. He avoided eye contact, he could get arrested just for looking.
The hospital was located in North Ashburn just beyond Ironclad Street. It wasn't far from where Zane stayed. He arrived after only walking for around 15 minutes.
"How are you Gina?"
Zane said as he waved at the cashier at the hospital counter. Zane was a common visitor and thus had gotten accustomed to greeting her whenever he visited.
"Hi," Gina said as she let out a soft giggle that sent chills down Zane's spine.
Why does she always laugh like that? It reminds me of high school.
Zane thought as he climbed the stairs to the 1st floor where his father was admitted. He then entered the room he had gotten so accustomed to.
There was a single bed with a stand that contained a drip connected to the frail hollow man that was sleeping undisturbed on the bed. A table lay beside the bed, a vase with tulips sat on the table, their bright petals a defiant splash of color in the sterile white room. Lana, his father's nurse, always replaced the flowers.
Zane sat on the bed beside his father. A lone tear fell from his face, hot and salty on his cheek. He held onto his father's hand, the skin paper-thin and cool.
"Hi dad, it has been a while since I last visited. Life has been going just fine for me, but without you it's not the same."
Zane rubbed the tear away as he smiled a little.
"Yesterday, I somehow got a system called the Super Trading System. You probably wouldn't know what a system is. What I can tell you is that it's going to help me get lots of money. Then... then I'll be able to pay for a better doctor, dad. I still have hope that you can be healed. I haven't earned enough money yet, but I promise you I'll get the money for your treatment."
Zane said as his face turned more determined. He still had doubts about visiting other realms, but now he was resolute on going. He could make paintings, but he knew that would take a lot of time and would attract attention towards himself. He could only go to realms and see if he could earn money.
After 30 minutes of silence and staring at his father, Zane finally got up. He left the hospital without saying anything until he arrived at his apartment.