Essence of Earth: 62
Essence of Wind: 22
Essence of Darkness: 39
These were the essences piled up in the warehouse.
Some were obtained from Kang-jun’s battles, while others were found in mines, lakes and grasslands.
The essences were used for advanced facilities, upgrades and summoning high level troops at the barracks.
In particular, the Essence of Earth were used to summon golem ratigers and the Essence of Darkness were necessary for the vampire mages. Keirun was collecting the Essence of Earth to create a future golem ratiger army and the Essence of Darkness to summon 100 vampire mages.
In other words, these essences weren’t easy to gather. They were literally rare items.
So he had to make a choice. Either strengthen his wings or strengthen the power of the base.
'Shall I see how much I get first?’
Kang-jun pulled out one Essence of Earth and brought it to his wings.
Then a question immediately appeared.
[Do you want to convert the Essence of Earth to Chaos Power?]
Yes/No]
‘Yes!’
The wings shone with a bright light.
[One point of Chaos Power has been obtained.]
-Chaos Power needed to upgrade to Stage 2: 1/1000
'What? Only one point?’
Kang-jun was dumbfounded. This meant that 1,000 essences were required to upgrade it to Stage 2.
He though that the Essence of Wind or Darkness might give more Chaos Power.
[One point of Chaos Power has been obtained.]
[One point of Chaos Power has been obtained.]
-Chaos Power needed to upgrade to Stage 2: 3/1000
"Each one only gives one point! 1,000 points is required to reach Stage 2 so this isn’t the answer.”
Then Keirun spoke with a confused expression.
"I've never seen the Wings of Chaos, just heard it through rumours. But one essence only gives one point. I don’t think it will be easy to strengthen your wing unless you meet a dimensional merchant.”
"What is a dimensional merchant?”
"You can meet them at the Dimensional Shelter.”
"Dimensional Shelter?”
"A shelter can be created using a Dimensional Piece. When a shelter is created, a dimensional merchant will appear. You can buy various types of essences.”
A merchant selling all types of essences existed. Kang-jun was delighted.
"That's great. By the way, how can I get a Dimensional Piece?”
Keirun scratched his head and said.
"If Lord is lucky then you might find it in an Aok, but it won’t be easy.”
"Aok.”
It meant a prison space. Kang-jun had the Aok Key that could be used three times, but he hadn’t found an Aok yet.
It was at that moment. Naga Queen Melinad spoke with shining eyes.
"I have a Dimensional Piece, Lord.”
“Really?”
Kang-jun was surprised. Keirun’s eyes widened. Melinad just smiled.
"I’ll give it to Lord if you need it.”
"I'm very thankful."
Kang-jun didn’t refuse. A dimensional store wasn’t just good for strengthening his wings. It was possible to summon high level troops in large quantities since he could purchase essences in bulk.
Melinad pulled out a ring that shone with a blue light and pushed it towards Kang-jun.
"Accept it.”
"It is this ring?”
“Yes. A dimensional ring. It was my mother's keepsake. I’ve only received bad luck from this so I hope you get good luck. I had wondered if it was a ring of misfortune. Still, it is nice to know that Lord needs it. My best luck was meeting Lord so I don’t need any more luck.”
Kang-jun’s heart swelled with emotion.
“Thank you. Tell me if you want anything.”
“It’s okay. I am just glad that I can help Lord.”
"Then I'll get you a really good ring.”
“No. Just sometimes...”
“Sometimes?”
Melinad avoided Kang-jun’s gaze like she was embarrassed.
"It would be nice if you could stroke my hair sometimes, but I know that isn’t easy.”
"It is easy. Of course I will do so.”
It was natural to stroke her head if she did something worthy of praise.
Seuk seuk.
Kang-jun immediately stroked Melinad’s head. Melinad laughed brightly like she was in a good mood.
"Thank you."
"I will stroke your head at any time. You deserve it.”
Kang-jun smiled. On his other side, Keirun was staring at the dimensional ring.
"If you have a Dimensional Piece and 10,000 nodes then you can construct a Dimensional Shelter. The jewel in this ring is clearly a Dimensional Piece.”
"Make it right now.”
“Yes, Lord.”
[A shelter is being constructed on the roof of the Yugang building. 1%]
[2%, 3%...100%]
[A Stage 1 shelter has been completed on the roof of the Yugang building.]
Surprisingly, it was completed in seconds. Kang-jun went up to the rooftop with Keirun and Melinad.
Meanwhile, the rooftop door had changed to a portal.
There was a shimmering deep blue light that was like water.
As they passed through, a large square was revealed.
[You have entered the Dimensional Shelter.]
[The Dimensional Shelter is a place for weary strangers wandering the dimensions to rest. This is now a deserted vacant lot and there will be no visitors other than merchants.]
[Two Dimensional Pieces are required to upgrade a shelter to Stage 2. If the shelter is connected to the rest area then more people will find it.]
'Do I need another Dimensional Piece to get it to Stage 2?’
He needed two of them. It was hard to get one so how can I obtain two?
He would be satisfied with Stage 1 for now.
On the other hand, the square was empty.
There was only a large magic circle on one side of the square.
Chuuuot!
At that time, the magic circle glowed and a person in a grey hood appeared.
He stared into Kang-jun’s eyes but didn’t show any noticeable reaction.
"Hmm, why is the atmosphere so cold? There is no trade. Anyway, I am here so let’s pick a spot.”
He muttered as he trudged across the square and sat down.
Seuk. Suuk.
Something similar to a mat appeared in front of him.
On top of it were all types of sparkling beads of different colours.
‘That?’
They were all essences. They weren’t just the Essence of Earth, Essence of Wind and Essence of Darkness, but other essences as well. There were beads that seemed like fire was blazing or water was swirling.
Keirun smiled.
"Lord, that person is a dimensional merchant. You can’t know their identities, but the job of a merchant is to move around Dimensional Shelters to do business. They sell various types of essences.”
“Then shall I go and find out the price?”
Currently, the base had more than 60,000 nodes. A few nodes were paid as tax, but most of them were the result of Kang-jun’s constant hunting and missions.
‘I can use around 30,000 nodes.’
He was overflowing with money so it wouldn’t be a burden.
Keirun asked the merchant.
"I came to ask the price of the essences.”
The merchant laughed and replied.
“Huhu, customers came as soon as I opened my business so I am happy. Yes. How many moonstones do you have?”
"Why are you asking for moonstones? Do yoy not deal with nodes?”
The merchant shrugged at Keirun’s question and replied.
"I guess you don’t know. Who deals with nodes these days? The value of nodes is too bloaded due to Hwanmong. I won’t trade unless it is with moonstones.”
Kang-jun was surprised.
‘Moonstones? Moonstones are used as currency?’
Kang-jun asked.
"I have some moonstones so tell me the price.”
Then the merchant gave him a friendly smile.
"These are the prices.”
Essence of Earth - 2 Moonstones
Essence of Wind - 2 Moonstones
Essence of Fire - 3 Moonstones
Essence of Water - 3 Moonstones
Essence of Abundance - 4 Moonstones
Essence of Enchantment - 4 Moonstones
Essence of Darkness - 5 Moonstones
Essence of Light - 5 Moonstones
There were no Essence of Chaos. But the cheapest Essence of Earth and Essence of Wind were two moonstones each.
In addition, Essence of Darkness was going for five moonstones.
Of course, the standard was for the small size.
Keirun frowned and whispered to Kang-jun.
'It sounds like ridiculous prices. Wait a bit and see. Usually the prices will decrease when more merchants arrive.’
Kang-jun also thought like that.
Currently, he had approximately 1,800 small moonstones. If that was the case, he could buy 900 Essence of Earth from the merchant.
When combined with the essences at his base, the 1,000 Chaos Power required to upgrade his wings would be fulfilled. However, the value of the moonstones couldn’t be lowered.
"Then I’ll come next time.”
“Huhu, don’t think that it is expensive. Who else besides me will come to such a sad place? Anyway, you can get a small discount if you buy it in bulk so think carefully.”
The merchant waved his hands.
Kang-jun exited the shelter with Keirun.
In the meantime, one scroll had arrived.
It was from Heksia.
[Lucan, I no longer have the right to command you now that you have become a captain. We are in equal positions.
Wouldn’t it be a good idea to visit headquarters to say hello?
Give us a chance to celebrate.
-439th commander Heksia.]
‘Yes. It will be good to talk to her.’
He hadn’t heard anything yet so he decided to go and meet Heksia.
After a while, the 439th Army Headquarters.
However, Heksia couldn’t be seen when he arrived. Only the sovereigns were there.
His allies, including Avia and Haniel, stared at Kang-jun.
"Lucan! Welcome back. Congratulations on becoming a commander.”
"Welcome. "I've heard about it. You have become the first ranking commander among the sovereigns. Congratulations.”
The other sovereigns were also staring at Kang-jun.
Some of them belonged to Hardis’ alliance that opposed Kang-jun, and the ones who weren’t close to him didn’t congratulate him.
They just returned to their work.
"How about 20 million per moonstone?”
"I can’t afford to give away my moonstones.”
"Then 30 million? Please sell me one.”
“Ah, let’s see. I can’t sell it. I want to sell but I can’t. Although you are giving 30 million per piece, I only have a few pieces.”
Everyone was eager to buy moonstones. Kang-jun asked what was going on and Avia replied.
"Heksia said it would be the evaluation when she comes back. The people with less than 100 achievement points are eager to buy moonstones. However, moonstones are in short supply so no one is selling.”
“I see.”
Kang-jun nodded. The rate of moonstones dropping was quite low, so it was quite difficult to find some even when hunting evil spirits.
Therefore, it wasn’t easy to find someone who could spare their moonstones.
Who would sell it in this situation?
At that time, a sovereign carefully approached Kang-jun.
"Lucan! I am Sovereign Ruel.”
It was a female voice. She wasn’t one of the sovereigns in Hardis’ alliance and had never had a conversation with Kang-jun.
She just suddenly walked over and greeted him.
“What is it?”
"This might be presumptuous, but can you please sell me three moonstones? I think that you have quite a lot of moonstones. I’ll buy one at 30 million won per piece.”