18

Chapter Eighteen - "Standard Space Grid"

Forseti didn't feel the need to explain himself.

Seeing his silence, Peter grew increasingly frustrated. "You're always so stubborn and self-righteous! I thought falling off that tree would teach you some sense!"

"Boom!"

Finally slamming his hand on the table, Peter exclaimed, "Go ahead then, we won't miss one less mouth to feed!"

With that said, he stormed out.

El rose and followed after him. Soon, voices raised outside indicated an argument brewing, with Aunt hurrying over to intervene, only for it to escalate into a full-fledged quarrel among the three, leaving the him restless.

Sighing inwardly, Forseti lost his appetite and retreated to his room.

Lying on his bed, he tried to clear his mind, then decided to hawk his hair restorer to potential customers through the window.

He was determined to earn money quickly to fund the creation of Verrigan's Fist and to pursue his dream of becoming a military doctor.

On the street,

"Sir, in need of hair restorer? Just two runes," Forseti offered to a man with a slightly receding hairline.

"Two runes?" The man looked surprised. "Are you sure it works?"

"Absolutely. I swear by Allfather Cul, it's effective," Forseti assured.

The power of Father Cul held sway in Asgard, and Asgardians swore by his name with utmost solemnity—akin to a binding contract. Before confirming the hair restorer's efficacy, Forseti hadn't dared to invoke Father Cul's name to reassure Boss Taylor.

Hearing this solemn oath, the man's doubts melted away. "Can it restore all my hair?"

Forseti glanced at the man's balding crown. "Most likely, with two bottles at most."

"Alright, I'll take two bottles," the man decided, paying four runes for the purchase.

At two runes per bottle, the price was enticing enough for even those less concerned about their hair to consider buying.

Thus, by mid-morning, Forseti had sold all twelve bottles, raking in twenty-four runes.

Twenty-four runes was no small sum—it marked a significant stride towards his aspirations. Forseti's earlier morning frustrations now seemed a distant memory as he strode into the Brave Hunter Tavern, ordered roast meat, converted two runes into gold coins, and discreetly donated all the coins to the Sanctuary in a secluded corner.

In truth, Forseti's secrecy was unnecessary. Many eccentrics resided in Asgard; none besides him could read the holy deed. To others, stuffing coins into it merely appeared a quirk of spatial magic.

With a donation of 200 large gold coins, Forseti's piety balance surged to [202.74], instantly enriching him.

Without hesitation, he purchased a large quantity of [Gifts of Fate].

Receive [Thank You for Your Patronage], gain [Devotion 0.37], acquire [Judgment (Shard)], receive [Thank You for Your Patronage], obtain [Forging Blueprint, Training Sword], get [Thank You for Your Patronage], secure [Experience Book · Stone Tooth Boar].

Most rewards didn't catch his eye, save for the occasional experience book.

[Experience Book · Stone Tooth Boar]

Stone Tooth Boar

Experience Level: First Class

Victory Reward: Modest piety, chance of loot

Description: Enter the Stone Tooth Boar's experience space to engage in combat. Victory yields rewards, with no penalties for defeat (excluding spell fragments). This experience book vanishes post-victory...

First class?

Let's take a look inside.

Considering briefly, Forseti entered the Stone Tooth Boar's experience space.

The experience space resembled an abandoned farm, with the boar looming not far from Forseti.

"Hmph!"

Upon his appearance, the Stone Tooth Boar charged towards him with a snarl.

Forseti quickly summoned his resolve, confronting the boar head-on.

A novice training monster, lacking formidable strength or refined skills, Forseti swiftly brought it down, delivering a swift blow to the neck.

"Boom!"

The boar's body dispersed into smoke, leaving behind a sheet of paper.

Forseti retrieved it, looking somewhat disappointed.

Acquire [Devotion 1.01].

Exiting the experience space, he resumed purchasing Gifts of Fate.

Receive [Thank You for Your Patronage], gain [Thank You for Your Patronage]... obtain [Standard Space].

Standard Space!

[Standard Space Grid: One cubic decimeter of storage space, unsuitable for storing special items...]

Storage space—practical indeed! Forseti was thrilled.

Like all Sanctuary products, the standard space grid manifested in page form.

Forseti placed a gold coin on the page, and in a flash, its imprint appeared.

He extended his hand through the page as if through water, retrieving the gold coin.

Highly convenient, though lamentably limited to a single cubic decimeter. It accommodated only small items, not weapons.

"Tialfi! Next time, aim for a four-horned goat!"

Forseti was about to continue with his lottery when a commotion erupted.

As Landveti's renowned hunter, Tialfi inevitably stirred up a stir each time he visited the Brave Hunter Tavern.

Forseti stowed away the holy deed and approached from his corner, inquiring, "Any green chips today?"

"None," Tialfi shook his head.

Forseti expected as much; green chips were rare. He nodded in understanding.

Later that evening, after dining at the Brave Hunter Tavern, El sought him out.

"El?"

Taking his hand, El spoke softly, "Forseti, I know you don't get along with my father, but you shouldn't rush into becoming a military doctor. I've never been to the battlefield, but I know it's no place for whimsy."

"Sister," Forseti shook his head, "I want to become a military doctor not to defy Uncle Peter... Though that might be a part of it, it's not my primary motivation."

"Why then?" El asked. "Do you really find battlefields alluring?"

Forseti replied, "Certainly not. If I did, I'd be a warrior, or at least a Boy Scout—not a healer uninvolved in combat."

"I'm cautious. Maybe... I just want to understand the distance between myself and heroes."