ch6- The Deal

Several quick-thinking individuals rushed over to Alex Grant, eager to make an offer. 

"Hey, brother! How about selling me that **Awakening Stone** directly? I'll give you 2,000 points for it!"

"Don't listen to him, I'll give you 2,300 points!"

"No way, I'll pay 2,500!"

The crowd erupted into a frenzy, everyone shouting over each other. Alex, growing tired of the commotion, turned back to Quinn Frey and asked, "Can I sell this **Awakening Stone** directly to others?"

Quinn Frey shrugged nonchalantly. "It's your property. How you want to handle it is entirely up to you."

Hearing that, Alex nodded and decided not to sell the **Awakening Stone** to Quinn Frey or anyone else. Instead, he tucked it back into his inventory.

"Come on, sell it to me for 2,500 points! That's a great price!" 

"How's he supposed to use it himself if he sells it to you?" another chimed in.

Seeing that Alex wasn't interested in selling, the others, clearly disappointed, tried asking a few more times before finally giving up.

Alex then carefully reviewed his loot and inquired about their values. He discovered that **Spider Scythe Blood Essence** was the least valuable, with Quinn Frey offering just 100 points per vial. Even the **E-level essence** from the purple Spider Scythe was only worth 300 points. Alex sold all four vials, earning 600 points.

The **Energy Potions** were worth a bit more: 300 points for **F-level** and 500 points for **E-level** potions. Knowing that energy potions would be essential after awakening his deity powers, Alex decided to hold onto them.

Lastly, he showed Quinn Frey the **Purple Scythe**. Quinn's eyes gleamed with interest as he inspected the weapon.

"This scythe is excellent material for crafting a powerful weapon. If you're willing to sell it, I can offer you 20,000 points."

Quinn Frey's voice only echoed in Alex's mind, keeping the scythe's value a secret from the surrounding crowd. Alex was tempted by the offer, but he held back. Considering the difference between buying and selling prices for the **Awakening Stone**, he reasoned that the scythe was likely worth much more than 20,000 points.

Sensing Alex's hesitation, Quinn Frey didn't push him to sell but instead proposed another option. "If you don't wish to sell, I can craft the scythe into a weapon suited for your use. The cost is 10,000 points, but I'll offer you a 40% discount, so it will only be 6,000 points."

Handing the scythe back to Alex, Quinn added, "I strongly recommend you have this weapon made. If you're serious about fighting the invaders, you'll need all the strength you can get."

Alex agreed with Quinn's reasoning, but he currently only had 3,800 points, leaving him 2,200 points short of the 6,000 needed.

While Alex did have two **N-level Awakening Stones**, one **R-level Awakening Stone**, and a **Lucky Stone**, he wasn't willing to sell the latter two. The **N-level stones**, he figured, would be better traded with trusted classmates than sold for the low prices Quinn Frey offered.

As Alex began to walk away, Quinn Frey called out again. "You originally had 3,000 points, correct? If you give me all your points, plus that **Awakening Stone**, I'll craft the weapon for you."

The offer was reasonable—generous, even—so Alex paused for only a moment before turning back and agreeing. He handed over 3,800 points and one **Awakening Stone**.

Quinn Frey gave a silent smile, accepting the scythe. He created a silver barrier, blocking the crowd's view, and began a dazzling display of craftsmanship. Alex watched as the scythe was taken apart and reforged using a variety of metals and materials. After nearly thirty minutes of work, a sleek single-edged blade emerged, glowing with red heat.

The new weapon was over a meter long, the blade a deep purple with only one sharpened edge, resembling a giant single-edged dagger. The blunt side of the blade had four rows of holes, designed to function as a handle, making it perfect for both slashing and thrusting.

**Purple Scythe Blade (N-level):** A sharp blade that increases slashing damage by 30%.

The weapon's description was brief, but Alex was more than satisfied. At least now, when facing off against the Spider Scythes, he wouldn't have to worry about their razor-sharp blades while being forced to punch them with his bare hands.

Storing the blade in his inventory, Alex left the field and quickly made his way back to his classroom, Class 6. On his way, he passed through groups of students and survivors, the campus bustling with activity.

As he neared the classroom, familiar voices reached his ears.

"We all got the quest, right? And we heard the Guardian's warning, too. If we just sit here and wait, we're wasting time! If we don't fight back, we'll all be killed by those invaders!" 

"It's too dangerous out there! What if someone dies? And don't forget, the news online says the military and government are already responding. Help will be here soon!"

The argument was coming from a group of students, led by **Max Wong**, a rich kid known for his impulsive behavior. He wasn't a bad guy, though—just hot-headed. As one of the basketball team's star players, he had a strong presence despite his average looks.

Opposing Max was **Tina Young**, the class's arts and entertainment representative, the most talented and assertive girl in school. She was not only the best student academically but also the most beautiful and popular.

As Alex entered the room, he quickly grasped the situation. Tina wasn't scared for herself—if she didn't want to fight, she could simply stay behind. But her real concern was for the other girls in class.

Specifically, **Hannah Kay** and **April Chin**, whose boyfriends—**Jack Davis** and **Luke Long**—were both close friends with Max. If Max went out to fight, it was a sure bet that Jack and Luke would follow.

"Alex!" 

"You're okay! Thank goodness!"

The sight of Alex back safe and sound sent a wave of relief through the classroom. The monster attack had started just before morning classes, and many students hadn't made it to school yet. Currently, about ten students' desks were still empty.

Word had already spread from **Charlie Lee**, who had narrowly escaped the attack, about Alex's impressive strength. This led to many classmates placing their hopes in him. Seeing him return safely eased much of their anxiety.

Max's eyes lit up when he spotted Alex. "Alex, you're back just in time! Take us on a quest!"