Hollow

The tension outside faded as fast as it had appeared. The Outer District had seen worse, and like always, life moved on.

Dion stepped into the exchange shop, the cool air inside a stark contrast to the heat and noise outside. The scent of metal, dust, and something faintly burnt filled the space—a mix of old stone and Nyx residue lingering in the air.

At the center of the shop, a worker crouched on the floor, scrubbing at a dark stain with a damp cloth.

Blood.

Dion barely spared it a glance.

Not long ago, that blood had belonged to someone. Now, it was just another mess to be cleaned up. The worker didn't look disturbed, didn't hesitate in his movements. Just another normal day in RidgeFort.

That was how it was here. People died, and life moved on.

Dion stepped past him, approaching the main counter where a grizzled older man stood behind thick metal bars, sorting through a pile of Nyx Crystals. The counter was reinforced—a necessity, considering the value of what passed through here daily.

Dion reached into his satchel, feeling the cold weight of his own Nyx Crystals.

He wasn't the only one here to exchange. A few other scavengers and low-rank hunters stood off to the side, waiting their turn. Some held small cloth pouches, others had cases lined with protective foam, a sign that their earnings were much more substantial.

Dion approached the counter and set his three dull Nyx Crystals down.

The man behind the bars gave them a quick once-over before pressing his palm to a small metal slab beside him. The cranky machine interface flared to life, scanning the crystals and displaying their value.

[Nyx Exchange Terminal]

Analyzing…

Grimling Nyx Crystal x3

Purity: Low

Total Exchange Value: 22.4 Points

Confirm Exchange? [Yes] / [No]

Dion tapped [Yes], watching as the numbers shifted, his newly acquired 22.4 points added to his balance.

Points.

Unlike Nyx Crystals, points were safer, more convenient. They acted as a virtual currency, stored within the Oracle and usable anywhere in RidgeFort.

Walking around with raw Nyx Crystals was like carrying your own death sentence. The strong didn't need to steal, but the desperate? The hungry? The weak? They'd kill for even a fraction of what a single crystal was worth.

Dion slipped his satchel back over his shoulder, opening his Oracle's status panel.

It had been a while since he checked.

[ Personal Status]

Name: Dion Vareen

Race: Human

Rank: Hollowborn (Unawakened)

NyxFlow Affinity: ???

Aspect: None Detected

Oracle Integration: 64%

Points: 69.2

Oracle Integration: 64%.

He had no idea what that really meant. Most people never questioned it—it was just there, a number that increased as you gained experience, as you interacted more with the Oracle. Some believed that the higher it got, the closer you became to understanding NyxFlow. Others thought it had to do with mental compatibility, the Oracle becoming more attuned to the user over time.

Whatever the case, it didn't change the fact that he was still at the bottom.

Hollowborn. Unawakened.

While others his age were climbing the ranks, mastering their Aspects, and pushing their limits, he was stuck—powerless, with no clear path forward.

His gaze flickered back to his NyxFlow Affinity—still marked as ???.

An Aspect?

He clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening into a fist. He wasn't naive enough to hope for a miracle, but the uncertainty gnawed at him.

And then—

Thud!

A sudden force slammed into his side, breaking his focus. His Oracle interface shattered into fading light, vanishing from view as he stumbled back a step.

Dion caught himself just in time to see a hooded figure dart past him, barely sparing him a glance.

"Watch where you're walking," they muttered, voice sharp, irritated.

Dion turned, catching only a brief glimpse—a slender frame, quick movements, a flash of something metallic tucked beneath their cloak. And then they were gone, disappearing into the crowded streets outside.

He exhaled slowly, shaking his head.

It didn't matter.

His status hadn't changed. His situation hadn't changed.

And for now, that was enough.

With that, he turned and stepped out of the exchange shop.

'If that stubborn old bastard didn't hire me this time, I was going to start charging for my patience.'