Chapter Title: Change Of Currency!
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The blazing sun hung high over the horizon as Kent finally reached the entrance of the Desolate Desert. After days of relentless travel, slipping through hidden paths and avoiding demons, he now stood at the edge of a vast expanse of yellow sand. The desert stretched endlessly before him, an unyielding sea of dunes, shimmering under the harsh sunlight.
He narrowed his eyes, trying to make out any signs of vegetation, but there was nothing—only the barren land, hostile and unwelcoming. The heat radiating from the sand distorted the air, making it seem as though the ground itself was alive and seeping life out of all things.
Kent exhaled. “The Spirit World really bigger than I expected,” he muttered, adjusting his spirit ring. His instincts told him that this desert would be far more dangerous than it appeared.
Contrary to Kent’s expectations, the entrance of the Desolate Desert wasn’t deserted. Instead, it was brimming with life. Thousands of people moved around, setting up stalls, trading goods, and preparing themselves for the journey ahead.
Colorful tents lined the pathway, offering everything from life-saving talismans to enchanted foods that could stave off thirst for weeks. Merchants loudly advertised their wares, their voices blending into a cacophony of shouts and bartering.
Kent’s sharp eyes darted from one stall to another. “So, this is the so-called Spirit World,” he thought. Despite the apparent chaos, he noted the strength of the individuals around him. Many of them radiated powerful auras.
As he walked through the crowded area, his attention was drawn to a signboard hanging above a large, well-lit building. The words “Desert King Inn” were carved in ornate lettering.
“An inn, huh? Might as well see what this world’s food is like.” Kent uttered as his stomach craved for some real fresh food unlike his dry ration in spirit ring. Fortunately, it was also Kent’s first time to enter a Inn in this world.
The Desert King Inn was bustling with activity. Kent stepped inside, the cool interior providing a welcome respite from the scorching heat outside.
The room was filled with adventurers, mercenaries, and traders, each engrossed in their own business.
Kent found a corner table, away from the chatter, and sat down. He observed the room quietly, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. The adventurers didn’t use the familiar superior mana stones for transactions. Instead, they exchanged a strange golden liquid in small flasks.
“What’s that?” Kent muttered under his breath. His thoughts raced as he recalled something from his past exploits. During the Trident Summit, he had looted a massive amount of this same liquid from the ancient war grounds of the gods. Back then, he hadn’t thought much of it, but now, it seemed to hold immense value.
A servant, dressed in white robes with a conical hat, approached Kent’s table, bowing respectfully. “Welcome, esteemed guest. What may I serve you today?”
Kent gestured to the flasks of golden liquid that others were using. “Tell me about that golden liquid. And will you accept superior mana stones as payment?”
The servant’s face crumbled with mild amusement, though he maintained a polite tone.
“Ah, Master, you must be new to the Spirit World. Here, we use soju as currency. It’s not just a medium of trade but also a potent cultivation resource for those of the God Race. As for superior mana stones…” the servant chuckled lightly, “…those are seen as garbage from the lower realms. They hold little value here. If you don’t have soju, we also accept spirit-ranked treasures as payment.”
Kent nodded thoughtfully. “I see. In that case, bring me your best plate of food and your finest wine. How much soju do I need to pay?”
The servant smiled. “For such an order, Master, it would cost you half a glass of soju.”
Kent didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he tapped the spirit ring on his finger, and a golden stream of soju flowed out. He filled half a glass with ease before stopping.
The servant’s eyes widened in astonishment. Many of the other patrons turned to look, their expressions shifting from curiosity to greed. The sheer casualness with which Kent poured soju from his spirit ring marked him as someone with wealth beyond imagination.
The servant recovered quickly, bowing deeply. “Thank you, Master. I will bring your order shortly.”
Within minutes, the servant returned with a steaming plate of food and a finely aged bottle of wine. The aroma of roasted meat, fragrant spices, and sweet fruits filled the air, making Kent’s stomach rumble slightly.
He dug in without hesitation. The flavors were unlike anything he’d ever tasted—rich, bold, and perfectly balanced. The wine was just as exquisite, its sweetness offset by a hint of bitterness that lingered pleasantly on the tongue. Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire
In less than ten minutes, Kent had finished everything on his plate. He leaned back, savoring the lingering taste. “Not bad,” he muttered. Then, waving to the servant, he said, “Another plate. And more wine.”
The servant smiled and bowed. “Right away, Master.”
As Kent enjoyed his second meal, whispers began to spread throughout the inn. A group of rough-looking men seated at a nearby table exchanged glances, their eyes filled with greed.
“That guy must be loaded,” one of them muttered.
“Did you see how much soju he has? Enough to make us all rich!”
Another man grinned wickedly. “Let’s wait for him to leave. Once he’s outside, we’ll relieve him of his wealth.”
Unbeknownst to them, Kent heard every word. He didn’t react outwardly, continuing to eat and drink as though he hadn’t noticed.
After finishing his meal, Kent paid for his food with another half glass of soju and left the inn. The moment he stepped outside, the group of men followed him, surrounding him in the dimly lit area away from people.
The leader of the group, a burly man with a scarred face, stepped forward. “You’ve got a lot of soju on you, friend. Hand it over, and we won’t hurt you.”
Kent’s expression remained calm. “And if I refuse?”
The leader smirked, drawing a spirit rank big mace. “Then we’ll take it by force.”
Kent sighed, his gaze turning cold. “You should have stayed inside.”
Before the men could react, Kent’s Godly Intent surged, an invisible force that felt like the weight of an entire mountain crashing down on them.
The leader and his lackeys froze in place, their faces contorted in terror. In the next moment, a blinding burst of light erupted from Kent’s hand, obliterating them in an instant.
The alley fell silent. The only trace of the would-be robbers was the faint scorch marks on the ground.
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Back inside the inn, the other groups whispered in hushed tones about the mysterious stranger who had casually annihilated a group of supreme wizards who tried to rob. Some were awed, others terrified, but all agreed on one thing: this man was not to be trifled with.
As Kent walked back to his corner table, the innkeeper himself approached, bowing deeply. “Master, I apologize for the disturbance earlier. Please allow me to offer you a private room for your stay, free of charge.”
Kent waved him off. “No need. Just bring me another bottle of that wine.”
The innkeeper hurried away, leaving Kent to sit in peace. He poured himself another glass of wine, his thoughts turning to the challenges that awaited him in the Desolate Desert.
“This world is getting more interesting by the day.” Kent muttered, a faint smile playing on his lips.
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/// A/N- You will get 2 bonus chapters soon respecting donation of @GodTierMechanic and @Coby_Barrett… thank them in comments and stay tuned.