Friendship in the Marketplace      

Rain made his way over to Mr. Taku's shop. There were a decent number of players around, so this was probably a legitimate stall.

Knowing that put Rain at ease.

While standing in line and browsing on his phone, Rain overheard other players talking.

"Whenever I'm in the Spirit Realm, my body just feels so light."

"Idiot, it's because it's your spirit, not your body."

"Our spirit is much stronger and lighter compared to our physical body, so that's why we can defeat beasts there, run twice as fast, and jump twice as high."

"Oh, so that's it . . ." Rain muttered under his breath. No wonder he could jump so high like he was flying. He could even pierce that Lizard's thick skin with his scrawny hands and meager strength.

Knowing that his spirit was twice as strong and twice as fast put Rain at ease . . . somewhat.

At least he wasn't going to get killed easily . . . Rain hoped.

With five healers by his side, he was really hoping he wouldn't get killed.

Ah, Rain missed his troops already. He couldn't wait to get back into the Spirit Realm, even though he had just woken up not long ago.

There was a device that let you sleep anytime you wanted, a Sleeping Head Gear developed by the association, but the cheapest cost $10,000.

Rain simply didn't have that kind of money. His parents would probably fly abroad back to Zone A if he asked for that kind of amount.

Maybe he could take part-time jobs?

"Hey, move it."

Rain was startled by the deep and soothing voice behind him and found that it was the handsome guy from the elevator.

"Oh, sorry." Rain realized he was holding up the line and quickly caught up with the others at the front.

Rain briefly glanced back at the man behind him.

"What?" the handsome guy asked, his face bored and blank but somehow sparkling.

"We go to the same school," said Rain.

The man's eyebrow raised slightly in disinterest. "Is that right."

"My name's Rain, by the way." It would be nice if he could add him to his support group of friends, Rain thought. He badly needed it at this point.

Rain heard a grumble coming from the handsome dude, but maybe he heard it wrong.

When he answered, his voice was close to a grunt. "Len."

Whoa, even his name sounded so pretty, Rain thought, unlike his own, whose parents didn't know any better than to make fun of him by opting for Rain, knowing that their surname was Weathers.

"Are you a newbie too?"

Len frowned. "I'm sorry, but I don't recall us being close."

Rain lowered his head slightly in embarrassment. "Ahahaha. Sorry. I just thought that us newbies should stick together."

Len's frown deepened. "Who said anything about being a newbie?"

"Whoa, so you're already a Novice Lord?"

Len's expression slightly eased, and he said without much care, "I'm already an Apprentice Lord."

Rain was even more amazed. This was the highest title he knew a player to have so far. "So you're already an experienced player."

"That's right. Don't lump me in with you newbies."

Rain hesitated. "Uhm, are you perhaps expanding your territory? Maybe in the far south?"

Len was silent for a moment before the corner of his lips twitched. "Heh. You're one of those newbies that wants to give up their title and territory. The ones that aren't capable enough to handle the responsibility."

"Uhm . . . that's because of my current circumstances."

Len's eyes narrowed. "I hate guys like you the most."

With that, the conversation ended.

With slumped shoulders, Rain opted to focus his attention on Old Man Taku instead.

"That would be 1 mL of Soul Elixirs or $1000 for the skin and claws. Which currency do you want?" Taku said, inspecting the items Rain had handed to him.

"Eh? Is that all?" Rain was expecting at least 2 mL of Souls Elixirs. He had almost died fighting that lizard.

Taku took a deep breath. "They're just common items, kid. Nothing worthy of note. In fact, I would give 0.5 mL of Soul Elixirs for it, but considering that you're a newbie and a first-time customer, I increased the price for you."

Rain was devastated, but he couldn't hold the line since the others were already complaining at the back. "Err . . . Thanks . . ."

"Next."

Rain left the stall, disappointed. He was about to leave when he heard a clamor at Taku's stall.

"Whoa, isn't this the rare Rainbow Colored Horn Tuna?" Taku asked Len.

"That's right. Since you helped me when I was a newbie, I wanted to sell this in your shop."

"Ooh! Len, what a fine young lad you've become. The rich will surely pay a very high price for this."

"I don't need money. I have plenty."

"Egh. I'm afraid my Soul Elixirs aren't enough to pay for something like this."

"That's fine. Is it alright if I just exchange it for one of your items here?"

"That would be great."

There were commotions around them, with players throwing envious stares at Len, and Rain was among the jealous bunch.

So he could smile like that too, Rain thought, noting that small smile on Len's face. Being an Apprentice Lord sure seemed nice. They got access to something rare, like a tuna-something.

Rain bet that Len's territory was near a lake.

Why couldn't his territory be near the lake?

"How envious."

"How envious."

Rain and Bones glanced at each other and both grinned when they realized who it was.

"Oh, Bones. Done with your errand here?"

Bones nodded. "And you?"

"Yeah. I got only a minuscule amount of Soul Elixir though."

Bones laughed, and it sounded like the rasp of a skeleton. "Ohohoho. Don't worry, that's only temporary. As you advance your title and develop your territory, Soul Elixirs won't be a problem as much. Or at least I heard."

"Are you a Novice Lord, Bones?"

Bones nodded. "Yeah, and I'm preparing for my Apprentice Lord title."

Rain felt left out.

"I take it you're only a newbie who's yet to get his Novice Lord title?"

Rain looked down. "Yeah."

Bones chuckled. "I know that feeling. Here, take this."

Bones offered two 1 mL vials of Soul Elixir to Rain.

"Eh? But aren't these precious? Aren't you going to need them for your upcoming Apprentice Lord trial?"

"It's fine. Just take it. I've got everything I need, and I have a little extra to spare. It's not much, but I hope it will help you."

Not much? That was equivalent to $2,000! Two months worth of allowance! That put some tears in Rain's eyes.

"Thank you so much. I'll definitely repay this favor!"

"Ohohohoho. No need. I just want my fellow player to succeed in the Spirit Realm."

Whoa . . . despite his creepy appearance, Bones was really a nice guy inside.

"By the way, where's your territory located?" asked Bones.

". . ." Rain's smile disappeared and his face turned constipated. ". . . somewhere . . . in the Barren Wasteland."

". . ." Bones' laughter dissipated. "You're kidding, right?"

Rain grimaced, and Bones laid his skeletal fingers on his shoulder.

"You have my condolences."