Blaze steps into the back of the line at the outermost door.
He stands there with hands slightly raised, hovering around his waist, always ready to react to so unknown threat.
His upbringing has caused him to be extra careful around people, especially in a crowded place like here, where you can easily be pickpocketed.
A kid runs up to him with a tray of items being strapped onto his chest. On the tray are several particular items: jewelry, small knives, and even so pearls that resemble the Crisis Core.
"Big bro! Do you want to buy so things? I have all sorts of items right here..."
The kid advertises his items passionately. Blaze knows all of what he is saying are lies, but he still humors the kid.
"Your items sound aweso, kid. But I’m broke. Can’t buy any of your fancy items."
The kid pouts imdiately but quickly covers it up with a smile.
"If you have so creds, rember to buy so from !"
Blaze smiles, nodding without giving any actual answers.
The kid goes away in a hurry and tries to find another custor. He must be twelve at most but already has to make ends et.
Blaze wonders what his story is. The reason behind why a child like him runs around in the night to sell so scam items.
Blaze and he are only two wretched fates in this big city. There is a vast sea of similar people out there.
Unfortunately, Blaze can’t save every one of them.
But at least he can make sure these streets beco safer for all.
When it is his turn to enter the Pocket Center, a young man cuts the line and steps in front of Blaze.
He pushes Blaze away and tries to enter first. But in contrast to his anticipation, Blaze doesn’t budge even a bit.
Blaze grabs the guy’s hand and pulls him to the side, throwing him on the ground with one swift motion.
"You?!"
The young man looks over to Blaze. Their gazes et, and they recognize each other.
"Blaze Singer?"
"Taylor Underhill. Hah!"
Taylor, a sixteen-year-old teenager, is Blaze’s forr classmate. He has a lean, almost feminine build and a smooth, pristine white skin tone.
He is the type of guy that has a lot of girls following him around. His feminine traits weren’t an obstacle between him and his manhood.
It only makes him more attractive in front of the girl’s eyes.
"What are you even doing here, trashy?"
Taylor rushes forward, intending to push Blaze away.
What is this idiot even doing?
Blaze shakes his head. He has never understood Taylor and his antics. The guy has very questionable behaviors.
He was always like this.
Blaze holds his breath briefly. A green aura covers him, creating a strong wind blasting everyone nearby.
He raises his hand at an insane speed, causing him to move in a blur.
Blaze uses his index finger to flick Taylor’s forehead, sending him flying away.
All the people around gasp at the unexpected conflict.
Blaze moves forward and steps inside the door of the Pocket Center.
A white light fills the inside of the door, preventing everyone from taking a peek at what’s inside.
When Taylor struggles to get up, Blaze is already gone, leaving him with a giant red spot on his forehead and the curious looks from other passersby.
"You regret this!"
Taylor covers his forehead and quickly runs away from the scene.
Inside the Pocket Center is a white space with no characteristics.
Only when Blaze closes the door does the place slowly materialize into view.
A spacious reception area with one lonely counter in the front.
It looks like an old people’s house with the sll of garlic and trees. The wall is cracked down with molds spreading everywhere.
Blaze looks behind. The white door with red outlines he ca from is now an ancient oak door with a gold handle.
Two windows are on its sides with a view of a peaceful garden and countryside.
Rather than saying that the Pocket Center is within a pocket dinsion, Blaze has a feeling that he walked through a portal much more.
It almost feels like he has been transported to another world.
An old man walks out from behind the door inside the room. He has a large potato nose and silky, pure white, long hair that reaches his shoulder.
He wears a long brown cloak.
It almost seems like he isn’t from Blaze’s world but is a historical figure from a ti long, long ago.
"Looking at your face. It must be the first ti you co to our Pocket Center."
The old man says. His tone is high and sarcastic, almost like a royal clown.
"That’s right."
Blaze approaches the counter and takes out the Diatric Cube.
From it, he takes out the Snake’s Core and puts it on the table.
No one except the Pale Harpy saw the Jade Snake, naturally the origins of this Core should be a mystery, allowing Blaze to hide his cover as the Wraith.
"Oh?"
The old man takes the orb and examines it carefully.
"Its power diminished once, but overall the Core was harvested extrely well. No amount of cracks or damages to the core at all.
I’ve never seen such a perfect core. If it isn’t because of the imperfect energy, this can have twice the value."
The man actually knows what he is talking about. Seems like I ca to the right place.
Blaze speaks internally.
"The extraction of this orb should be quick. Mainly because of the good conditions of this Core. I’ll say it will take around ten minutes.
The commission will be as usual. Thirty percent of the original Extraction.
Any objection?"
The old man looks at Blaze. Normally when he speaks of this price, many young Awakened freak the hell out and demand a better price.
Once they lose their cool, their emotions can be easily manipulated, and the old man can gain the upper edge.
But Blaze keeps his composure, he tilts his head to look around the place.
The old man blinks in surprise but doesn’t say anything.
"Is this still Ranas?"
"Yes. Yes. It is still in whatever city you co from."
"Which city did I co from?"
The old man freezes, having no answer for the question.
"Hmm."
Blaze can already deduce a lot of things from his reaction.
"Listen, kid. Don’t ask too many questions. Just tell if you agree with the price."
The old man tries to change the subject.
"What’s your na?"
"Why are you asking? You just need to know that I am your Conductor."
"Conductor? Conductor of what?"
"I said! No more questions! Either we’re doing business right now or you can leave."
"Alright."
Blaze reaches his hand out to grab the Core but the old man jerks back.
"Are you for real? One simple sentence and you’re already giving up?"
Blaze pauses, letting silence fill the room. Sotis it’s better to say nothing at all just to make the opponent stressed out.
The old man thought that he’s the only one who knew how to manipulate people. Blaze is a rookie, but his re presence alone can intimidate even a veteran deceiver.
A killer and a liar. Between the two, the killer is always the more fearso.
Sweats appear on the old man’s forehead. He’s usually not this agitated. But this boy has an extre aura around him.
The old man can sense a dark, primordial power within the boy.
"Aren’t you going to say anything?"
"I don’t do business with soone whose na I don’t know. Tell your true na, or I’ll try the other doors."
The old man finally admits defeat and lets out a long sigh.
"Fine. My na is Francois."
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