Versalon nodded grimly, his fingers tapping the wooden table with a slow, tense rhythm.
"That’s been canceled. All official movent outside the city has been frozen until further notice. Not even the rchant caravans are allowed through the gates anymore. It’s an order passed down directly from the City Council. And because of that, my business also has co to a full stop."
He paused, his tone growing heavier. "Word is... a Golden Dragon was seen flying out of a dungeon."
The room fell into imdiate silence.
Venus’ eyes widened in disbelief, her heart suddenly racing.
’A Golden Dragon? Could it be the Mana Daddy?’ she thought, her mind spinning.
A flicker of excitent lit up inside her chest. The mory of those radiant golden eyes and the protective warmth she had felt surged back like a tide. She wanted to et that dragon again. To thank him properly.
Beside her, Evangeline’s face paled. "Dear, are you certain? That can’t be true. Dragons are supposed to be myths. Just bedti stories and old temple records."
Versalon exhaled deeply, rubbing his temple. "They’re not stories anymore, Eva. I’ve heard rumors from my trade partners across different regions. Whispers of dragon sightings in remote forests, old ruins, even in mountain skies. I didn’t believe them at first. But now... now it’s different. This one was seen flying above a dungeon. That confirms everything."
Evangeline trembled. "Oh God! First it was the Hollow outbreak. Now dragons?" Her voice faltered as a shiver crawled up her spine. "What’s happening to the world? Will there be any descent of a hero to protect us this ti?"
Venus reached across the table and gently grasped her mother’s hand. "Relax, Mom. Not all dragons have to be bad. I an... the one I t... he protected ." She spoke softly, almost whispering the last part, her eyes distant and glimring.
Ryu sat in silence, taking it all in. His thoughts drifted into uncertainty.
’So I’m not the only dragon in this world. Others have appeared. Could my origin truly lie in a realm of dragons? Is that where I ca from? Just what is happening to this world? Why does everything feel like it’s unraveling?’
But amid the whirlwind of thoughts, another detail from Versalon’s words caught his attention.
He straightened slightly and asked, "Business? Sir Landlord... are you a rchant as well?"
Versalon raised an eyebrow, then gave a short nod. "Yes. That’s my main profession. I manage a modest shop in the city. Nothing too grand. We gather rare ores, Mana Crystals, artifacts, and dungeon loot from Evolvers, and resell them to alchemists, blacksmiths, nobles, and guilds for a higher price. It’s hard work, especially since the big guilds and the Hunter Association dominate most of the supply chains. But I’ve managed to survive in the cracks they overlook."
Ryu’s eyes lit up. "Ohh, that’s great. I’ve got so beast cores I picked up from the dungeon. Do you think you’d be interested in taking a look? Maybe we can strike a deal."
Versalon leaned back slightly, a curious glint in his eye. "Depends on the quality of your beast, boy. Bring them to after breakfast. If they’re worthwhile, I might just buy them."
Venus looked intrigued. "Wait, you went into a dungeon already? Didn’t you beca a hunter just two days ago?"
Ryu smirked but said nothing.
His eyes twinkled with mystery.
---
After breakfast, the plates were cleared and the sunlight had shifted slightly through the windows, casting warm rays on the wooden floor. Ryu quietly excused himself and returned upstairs. A few monts later, he ca back down carrying a small leather satchel with a reinforced buckle.
He placed the satchel on the table with care, then unlatched it.
Versalon, curious, leaned in with a practiced eye. Evangeline and Venus sat nearby, observing with interest as Ryu began pulling out the contents.
)
First, he placed four pale blue cores, each glowing faintly with frigid energy.
"Ice Wolf Cores," Ryu said. "Fast little beasts, but they weren’t too hard once I understood their patterns."
Versalon nodded. "Hmm. Common dungeon canines. Grade F, but these are fresh. Still brimming with elental essence."
Next, Ryu produced several gelatinous, orb-like cores that shimred with translucent hues. They almost seed alive, pulsing faintly.
"Sli cores," he explained. "Ice type. I wasn’t sure if they’d be worth anything."
Versalon chuckled, inspecting one with a nod. "They’re not rare, but surprisingly useful for alchemists. Good for low-tier elixirs and stabilizers."
Then ca two long, narrow cores that glinted with a crystalline sheen. Inside each was a frozen swirl, almost like a snowflake caught mid-spin.
"Crystalline Ice Serpents. These were trickier," Ryu said, setting them down. "They attacked our party in groups."
He ntioned "Party" to keep his strength for the ti being. With us, they would imagine a group of friends, a party and wouldn’t suspect him.
Versalon’s eyes glead with interest. "They are from E-Rank beasts. These cores can fetch a good price from weapon smiths. Their mana signature aligns well with frost enchantnts."
Ryu reached in again and brought out a bigger, jagged core. The surface was rough, edged like splintered ice. Cold mist coiled around it faintly.
"It’s from Frosty Dire Wolf," he said, setting it down with a soft thud.
Versalon’s brows rose. "A boss monster’s Core? Now we’re getting sowhere. E-Rank again, but the potency in this core... strong. You didn’t take it alone, did you?"
Ryu smiled and answered, "Of course not. I am not that strong." he lied with a straight face.
And finally, he pulled out the last item. Larger than the others and darker in hue, this core radiated with intense cold. Ice crystals began to form on the wooden surface as it touched the table. Blue veins pulsed within, glowing faintly like a frozen heart.
"Another Boss monster Core," Ryu said calmly. "Elite Ice Giant."
Versalon leaned forward in awe. "That... is rare. This is no ordinary core. Even so C-Ranks struggle against creatures like that. How on earth did you get your hands on this? Was your party so generous to give you this Boss core as well?"
"Haha... They aren’t. It ca at a price," Ryu answered vaguely.
Venus, watching quietly, felt a sudden chill race down her back. She didn’t know whether it was from the core or Ryu’s calm tone.
Versalon finally leaned back and let out a low sigh.
"Brat, You’re either lucky, reckless, or sothing else entirely. These cores, especially the boss one, could go for a small fortune. But if you’re selling to , I won’t cheat you."
He reached into his pocket and brought out a pouch of silver coins.
"There are exactly 300 silver coins inside. My original price is 650, but I deducted half a month’s rent and food accommodation. Do you have any problem with it?"
Hearing thus, Ryu branded him as a sly old fox.
But his innocent face only showed agreent.
"I have no problem, Mr. rchant. It’s a pleasure doing business with you."
Versalon grinned. "Smart lad."
As they shook hands, Venus leaned back with a snort.
"Going on such a big hunt this early... Just make sure you don’t die out there alone," she muttered, arms crossed. "But, well... if you really need another hand, I might consider helping."
Ryu chuckled softly, catching the faint waver in her tone. He had already co to understand her. She was terrible at saying what she truly ant.
"Thanks, Venus. And yes, if I find another dungeon worth diving into... maybe I’ll take you with next ti."
Venus glanced aside, her cheeks tinged a soft pink. "Hmph. I’m not interested in your show-off adventures."
Yet despite her words, the corner of her lips curled upward, betraying the quiet smile she tried to hide.
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