Chapter 154: Ch 154: An Offer to not Refuse – Part 4
The snake hissed and lunged, trying to corner Kyle against the jagged walls of the cave. Its movents were surprisingly fast for sothing so big. But Kyle was faster.
He dodged to the side, avoiding the snapping jaws by a hair’s breadth. The tight space inside the cave made it hard to move properly, though.
Kyle couldn’t dodge forever, and he knew it. Worse, he didn’t have his usual sword with him.
He had grabbed a temporary one before heading out, but he could already tell — it would only survive a single serious strike.
Kyle narrowed his eyes, assessing the situation quickly.
He needed to find a way to deal with the snake without relying too much on movent.
Clenching his fist, Kyle gathered mana and punched the snake’s body when it coiled too close.
Thud!
The blow landed, but it didn’t do much.
The snake’s stone-like scales absorbed most of the force, barely making it flinch. Kyle clicked his tongue in frustration.
“Figures.”
He muttered under his breath.
This thing wasn’t just big — it was built like a fortress.
The snake’s tongue flicked out, tasting the air, and it attacked again, trying to swallow Kyle whole this ti.
Kyle exhaled sharply and steadied himself. Losing his cool wouldn’t help. He had to think.
As the snake struck again, Kyle dodged low and gripped his sword tightly. He had only one good shot with this blade. He needed to make it count.
Focusing mana into the sword, Kyle tid the attack just as the snake lunged at him with its mouth wide open.
He drove the sword upward, straight into the soft flesh of the snake’s gaping head.
The blade pierced through with a sickening crunch, and the mana exploded inside.
Boom!
The snake’s head burst apart in a shower of blood and stone dust.
Kyle staggered back, panting slightly. His sword cracked and crumbled in his hand, useless now. But at least the snake was dead.
Or so he thought.
From deeper inside the cave, he heard a rumbling sound.
The walls trembled again.
Kyle’s sharp eyes spotted movent — more shapes slithering through the shadows.
More snakes.
And they were even bigger than the one he had just killed.
Kyle imdiately judged the situation.
He didn’t have the stamina, weapons, or preparation to deal with more of these monsters right now. If he stayed, he would be throwing his life away for nothing.
With a cold mind, Kyle made his decision.
He turned on his heel and sprinted toward the cave entrance, mana reinforcing his legs. Behind him, angry hisses echoed as the other snakes slithered closer, but Kyle didn’t look back.
Queen screeched loudly outside, circling the entrance as Kyle burst out of the cave.
He didn’t stop until he was several ters away from the rift, where he knew the snakes couldn’t follow easily.
Breathing heavily, Kyle looked back at the narrow opening.
He gritted his teeth but stayed calm.
He would co back. Later.
When he was better prepared.
This wasn’t the end — it was just the beginning.
For now, Kyle needed proof of what he had found.
He walked to the cliff side and broke off a large chunk of the crystal-lined rock. The mana pulsing inside it was strong and vibrant. Any trader or noble would recognize its worth instantly.
Holding the crystal chunk under one arm, Kyle headed back toward the village.
The sun was starting to set in the distance, casting long shadows over the land.
Queen flew low above him, silent as always.
Kyle smiled faintly.
His money problems would be solved soon.
He just had to be patient, gather the right tools, and finish what he started.
And when he did, this village would not only survive — it would thrive.
As Kyle walked back to the village, the crystal piece tucked carefully under his arm, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
This wasn’t his original world.
Just because people back ho would kill for a mana-rich material like this didn’t an it held the sa value here.
He stopped in his tracks for a mont, frowning.
If mana crystals were rare here, that was good. But if they were common or not valued, all his plans would fall apart before they even started.
Kyle resud walking, faster this ti. As soon as he entered the village, he called for Bruce.
Bruce hurried over, wiping his hands on a rag.
“You called, young master?”
Bruce asked.
Kyle handed him the crystal.
“Take this to the auction house. Tell them you have a mana crystal of the highest purity. See what kind of reaction you get.”
He ordered.
Bruce blinked at the crystal in his hands.
“This is a mana crystal? I’ve never heard of such a thing before.”
He asked, confused.
Kyle gave a small nod.
“That’s fine. Just make sure you tell them what I said. Don’t argue with them. Just observe and report back to .”
Bruce bowed slightly and left without asking more questions.
Kyle watched him go and then turned his attention back to the village.
The farrs were still hard at work, and the rcenaries were finishing their drills for the day. Everything was running smoothly for now. But a lot depended on what Bruce would find out.
anwhile, Bruce made his way to the auction house in town.
The building was a large one, with heavy doors and polished marble floors. It slled of old coins and perfu.
Bruce stepped inside and approached the front desk, where a young woman sat flipping through a ledger.
She glanced up as he approached.
“Can I help you?”
She asked, sounding a little bored.
“I’m here to sell sothing. It’s a mana crystal of the highest purity.”
Bruce said, holding out the wrapped crystal piece.
The receptionist froze for a second, then stared at him.
A beat of silence passed before she laughed.
“Don’t joke about sothing like that. Mana crystals are a myth. If you keep making jokes like this, I’ll have to ban you from coming back.”
She said, still chuckling.
Bruce frowned. He wasn’t the joking type.
“I’m serious. Look for yourself.”
He said.
The receptionist sighed, clearly annoyed. She waved him off.
“Fine. Wait here. I’ll call the master.”
She said.
Bruce stood patiently as she sent a ssage through one of the mana stones behind her desk.
A few minutes later, an older man in fine robes appeared from the back. His eyes were sharp, and his movents were quick despite his age.
He glanced at Bruce, then at the package in his hands.
“I hear you’re claiming to have a mana crystal.”
The master said, his voice low and skeptical.
Bruce nodded and unwrapped the crystal, revealing the glowing, vibrant stone inside.
For a long mont, the master just stared at it.
The room felt colder sohow.
The receptionist, seeing the master’s reaction, stopped laughing imdiately. She pressed her lips together and stepped back.
The master reached out with trembling hands and touched the crystal. Mana waves flowed from it instantly, wrapping around his fingers.
“This…This is real?”
He whispered.
Bruce stayed silent, just as Kyle told him.
The master’s eyes glead with excitent and greed.
“Where did you find this?”
He asked sharply.
Bruce gave a polite bow.
“My young master told to bring it here. He wishes to know what it can be sold for.”
The master looked like he wanted to pry further, but he knew better than to push too hard.
Instead, he nodded.
“Wait here.”
He said.
He disappeared into the back with the crystal, leaving Bruce standing at the desk with the now-silent receptionist.
Minutes dragged by slowly.
When the master returned, he looked even more serious than before.
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