Chapter 38: Eyes on the Prize, Part 2

After a while, I've drawn a conclusion. This is unquestionably a paradise for anyone interested in high-tech. There was no other option but to look at things from that angle. I was fairly certain that people willingly gave up their own limbs in exchange for an augmented one, which is quite shocking now that I think about it. Everyone showed theirs as if they were proud of having discarded their skin, flesh, and bones. 

What stood out was that, despite the technological advancements I've witnessed, no one wore anything resembling an SCO. It would be difficult to tell one from a piece of jewelry, but there should've been at least one hunter in this area. 

If Ethan, whom I assumed was a mercenary, was about to enter the Underworld, there was no reason why a hunter couldn't pay a visit. Deals with SCOs were bound to generate a lot of profit, so I couldn't understand why I hadn't seen one yet.

No, perhaps my hypothesis was incorrect. The government restricted the number of SCOs a hunter could possess, except for someone in Connor's and Reyna's positions. I doubted such restrictions would have much of an impact on them. 

But then another question arose. Is the government aware of the Underworld's existence and is refusing to take action against it? And if so, why? What are the profits they could get by allowing such a place to be in the first place?

Regardless of the clouds in my mind, I managed to find the location I was looking for. With relative ease, I dare add.

There weren't any windows I could peek through, but I knew it was the right place because of the name shining above the entrance. 

"Jacob's..." I muttered, squinting as I read the panel aloud.

Even though I was fairly certain, I clutched the jacket around my chest, where the bracelet should've been. I sighed in relief as I confirmed it was still there.

It irked me I couldn't check whether the object I was looking for was there from outside, but I had no choice. I grabbed the handle and entered, amused by the sound of the bell as the door closed behind me. 

The man, who I assumed to be Jacob, asked, "To whom do I owe the pleasure?"

In a fraction of a second, my eyes scanned the store, and I found it—contained behind glass, lying on top of a purple pillow.

I could see why the elder desired it now. Its blade was adorned with cerulean runes. A stunning weapon. It was undeniably the was he was referring to.

Enough with the ogling, Gray. Or so I told myself, not wanting to look like a simpleton. 

I slid my hand into my inner pocket slowly, which only made the merchant's shoulder quiver as he said, "Stop."

Although I couldn't understand why I did as he ordered.

"Now move a little more slowly."

"Of course." I nodded as I set down the bracelet on the counter. "What are your thoughts on this?"

Jacob pinched his mustache, still frowning as a result of my rude behavior. "It's just a bracelet."

"Take another guess," I said, pushing the SCO with my finger toward him.

"If you are here to play some kind of joke, I suggested you leave," he mumbled, pointing towards the exit with his cleanly shaven jaw.

"Are you really a merchant? There's no way you haven't realized the fact that this is an operator, right?"

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His eyes sparkled when he heard my response to his threat. The previous aura of rejection was replaced by one of interest. Why? Because everyone understood how valuable an operator was.

"Really?" Jacob asked, rolling up his sleeves to reveal a pair of augmented forearms. Mana could be seen pulsing through thin tubs on its surface. Without any doubt, his augmentations were of the highest quality. "Do you mind if I examine it?"

I did it, I cheered in my head. The merchant had already tried to get me to flee by calling the whole thing a joke, but it was too late now. There's no turning back from here. I had to see things through to the end.

"Certainly not," I replied with a faint smile, trying to conceal my emotions. "Examine it all you want."

Because of the circular crystals placed on each of his forearms, I was fairly certain he wouldn't be able to tell whether the SCO was functional or not. He wasn't a hunter who could channel mana, so there was no need to be concerned.

"Then don't mind if I do," he said, picking it up. I knew it was a ruse. "What kind of spell it's encoded with?"

I had absolutely no idea. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't tell him. I had to improvise because neither the elder nor I knew about it.

"Elemental magic, sir," I replied, racking my brain for words I could spit out. "A spell related to... fire."

Spells that weren't related to an element were classified. I've never witnessed it, but something like telekinesis would not be considered elemental magic. Still, I'm certain that I sounded a bit fancier by mentioning that. 

"I could tell that much," the merchant grumbled, flicking the beads away. "What about its rank?"

Think, Gray! I shouldn't aim too high, but rather somewhere in the middle. A realistic answer he'd be satisfied with. 

"It's C rank," I told him, my mouth drying up as I was forced to lie more, "but depending on the circumstances, it can be classified as B rank."

"'Depending on the circumstances,' is it?" he scoffed.

"Yes. The rank may increase depending on the distance between the caster and its target."

Consider a spell that could cause an earthquake. Despite not being designed specifically for combat, if such a spell were to occur in a densely populated area, it would be classified as B or even A rank due to its lethality, whereas its rank under normal circumstances—a flat terrain, used with the intention to throw the target off-balance—would be D.

Reyna's new binding spell, on the other hand, would be categorized as C rank at most. Because it was a spell meant to immobilize others, assigning it a higher rank would have implied that the spell had the potential to hurt others.

Actually, the ranking system was fairly straightforward. Spells graded as D and C are generally used to immobilize people, whilst spells categorized as B and above are often used to harm them. The degree of the injuries and the number of victims produced by the spell, obviously, determined its rank.

Aside from that, I was trying to be as vague as possible when giving my answer, which I was sure Jacob has already noticed by now. 

"Do you mind if we test it then?" he asked, a sly grin on his face. "There should be no problems if this is the real deal."

 

I gulped as I realized things were about to get serious.

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