100% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? - Chapter 195

Chapter 195: Chapter 195 – Market
The streets of Aurion pulsed with life.

Lucien and Marie walked side by side through the market district where light itself danced between the stalls. Crystalline lanterns hovered midair. The air carried the scent of ozone, incense and roasted spirit fruits sold by mortal vendors.

Vendors shouted over one another, bartering with both mortals and powerhouses alike. Yet despite the clamor, the city remained peaceful.

The city’s rules were absolute. No fighting and no reckless use of power. Even the fiercest arguments never turned violent, for to break the peace here was to invite expulsion from the Dawnbinder’s domain.

Marie slowed her pace as her eyes darted from one side to another. “Luc, look at all this…”

Lucien followed her gaze. The market was a sea of treasures. He activated INSPECT. He examined every item.

Spirit herbs sealed in crystal jars. Their roots still glowed faintly, proof of their freshness.

Law-infused ores that hummed softly with elemental resonance.

Pure Lotus Essence that could purify corrupted mana vessels.

All manner of elixirs and pills. Ther are even Elixirs of Insight, promising glimpses into the Laws.

Everything imaginable was here.

Marie’s eyes widened at every turn. “Luc… these are incredible.”

Lucien nodded slightly. “And expensive.”

She stopped before a stall lined with hovering brown gemstones engraved with runes. They emitted a slow, rhythmic pulse. Her Law of Earth resonated faintly with them.

“These stones…” she murmured. “They’re perfect for me.”

The vendor, a robed figure with bark-like skin, smiled warmly. “Refined Earth Pulses, young lady. They strengthen your connection to the Law of Earth… for those who can afford them.”

“How much?”

“Ten high-grade Spirit Crystals each,” the vendor replied. His tone was polite but firm.

Marie froze. “High-grade? I could buy a house for that.”

Even Lucien’s lips twitched. Items related to the Laws were indeed always steeply priced.

The vendor shrugged. “Then gaze upon them freely. Knowledge is free, but power rarely is.”

The two soon left.

Lucien scanned the marketplace again. Everything of real value, the kind that could truly aid their training, started at high-grade Spirit Crystals. He and Marie had a little over a thousand mid-grade crystals between them combined from the storage rings of the Nephralis and Varkhaals. A fortune by mortal standards, yet here, it barely counted as pocket change.

He had far more stored within his divine energy core, birthed by the Spirit Mountain he’d planted inside.. but most of those were lowest or low-grade quality. A sigh escaped him.

He made a mental note. He had to find more Spirit Mountains. Back in his small world, he’d been a millionaire… but gold coins were useless here.

He wanted more Spirit Crystal mines. They are veins of endless wealth that can feed their training.

He cast a sidelong glance at Marie. ‘With her Law of Earth, maybe we can extract them directly from the ground.’

They continued through the endless rows of stalls.

After hours of browsing, Marie’s enthusiasm dimmed. “Everything’s too pricey.”

Lucien gave her a nod. “Welcome to reality.”

Then his gaze caught a familiar figure.

A broad-shouldered Bull Beastman stood behind a stall filled with trinkets and materials. His horns gleamed like burnished steel. His deep laughter echoed through the plaza as he bargained with a group of dwarves.

“Brother Bu—” Marie began but Lucien caught her wrist and shook his head.

She blinked, then nodded in understanding. Revealing themselves wasn’t wise. Origin Rewire and the Law of Reflection perfectly concealed their identities. It’s best to keep it that way.

Murak turned just then, noticing them. “Ah! New faces! Wolf brother and sister! Come, come! You look like you’ve fought your share of battles. I can tell! I’ve got items that would suit you perfectly!”

Lucien gave a small nod and approached. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Murak grinned. The kind of grin that came easy to honest traders.

His stall was full of practical items. Behind him, a smaller rack displayed handmade goods clearly sourced from Beastmen communities. Lucien remembered Murak mentioning once that he traded goods from home.

Lucien sensed no deceit in him. Murak was straightforward. A merchant doing fair trade to support his people.

“Do you barter, Brother Bull?” Lucien asked.

Murak chuckled. “Show me the items first.”

Lucien placed a few things on the counter. Some of the loots that had sat in his inventory far too long. Basic alchemical materials, spare weapons, miscellaneous drops… and Slime Plushies.

Murak’s thick brows rose. “These are…?” His eyes narrowed curiously.

“What do you think?” Lucien said evenly.

Murak’s laughter boomed. “I like everything… especially these toys! They’re oddly charming. I can sell them to the Fairies for a high price.” He gave one a firm squeeze, nearly melting into the comfort. “Wow… this is fine craftsmanship. My niece will also love them.”

Marie was already holding one, her expression softening. “Luc… I want this one.”

Lucien gave her a flat look. “I just sold those.”

She hugged it tighter. “Not this one.”

Murak laughed again, delighted. “How about this, brother and sister. Care to become my business partners? I promise, I won’t let you lose out. Especially…”

He paused, narrowing his eyes.

“These items…” he murmured. “They carry divine energy. Tell me, brother… are you two perhaps connected to the Celestial Race?”

Lucien’s tone stayed calm. “There’s… some connection.”

Well, it wasn’t a lie.

Murak’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Ah, I see. Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. Truth is, divine-energy artifacts aren’t that rare… but they’re always in high demand. Plenty of buyers would empty their vaults for a single piece.”

Lucien sighed inwardly. ‘So he was just testing me after all. Still, it’s better if they think I’m connected to the Celestial Race.’

Murak grinned wider. “Heh, sorry for prying. But a trader’s job is to be curious. Here… a fair price, plus a little extra for the novelty.”

Lucien accepted the pouch. It was heavier than expected.

Marie smiled. “You’re surprisingly generous for a merchant.”

Murak chuckled, folding his arms. “Honesty pays longer than greed, little sister. Deception may earn riches but it earns enemies too. I’ve got enough horns, not enough headaches. Besides, I like dealing with people who speak straight.”

Lucien gave a rare nod of agreement. “So do I.”

…

Suddenly, the air shifted.

It was subtle at first but in the next instant… everything froze.

The bustling voices, the shimmer of trade, the laughter. They were all gone. The entire market turned deathly silent. Even the light seemed to dim.

Lucien stiffened. His instincts screamed. A pressure like an unseen mountain pressed down on the plaza. It wasn’t killing intent… it was a wave of will.

And then he heard it.

[I apologize in advance for the intrusion. Friends, I urgently require your presence.]

Before he could react, the world folded.

He felt his body dragged by a force beyond comprehension. Space twisted and his vision fractured. He couldn’t resist… not even slightly.

In that instant, Lucien understood. There were beings in this world who could erase him with a single thought. And right now… he was helpless.

When the distortion ceased, Lucien found himself standing in a vast, radiant chamber. Not just him… Marie and Murak had been pulled in as well.

Marie’s breath hitched. Murak’s eyes widened.

“Luc… is it an enemy?” Marie’s voice was sharp. Her playful demeanor vanished, replaced by the fierce warrior ready to strike at any moment.

Their eyes swept the surroundings.

At the far end, surrounded by flowing light, stood a figure Lucien recognized instantly. He had seen him in the books of the continent’s powerhouses.

The Dawnbinder. The Celestial Realm Luminarch. The master of Aurion himself.

Lucien swallowed hard. He wanted to probe him but his instincts screamed don’t use divine sense. One wrong glance, and this being could erase him out of reflex.

Beside him, Murak trembled in reverence. “T-The Dawnbinder himself…”

Lucien stayed silent. His heart pounded but his face remained calm.

He held Marie back… she was already poised to leap.

Then, a soft, amused voice filled the hall.

“Be at ease, friends.”

The Dawnbinder smiled gently. He could sense their wariness.

“I mean you no harm,” he said. “I merely wish to ask for your assistance. Just a few questions… nothing more. And rest assured, I will reward you for your time.”

Lucien met his gaze steadily. He was ready for anything.

But there was no deceit. The Dawnbinder’s aura was calm and his tone was sincere. He was polite even when he had no reason to be.

Murak relaxed first. His instincts were good and seeing his ease made Lucien lower his guard slightly.

Lucien turned his head and noticed another presence behind the Dawnbinder.

There stood a woman, waving elegantly with a smirk.

Eirene.

Marie leaned closer, eyes wide.

“Wow, Luc… that girl’s got massive knockers.”

Lucien’s hand came down on her head with a sharp thwack.