Chapter 127 - Return (1/2)
”Huaaaa!”
A single tear rolled out of Nik's left eye as he spread his arm and pushed his chest forward while yawning loudly. The information that Brian shared was on a few popular records that many hosts wish to travel and gain the power of while there were many theories about how the existence of record can be present in the homeworld in the form of entertainment sources.
'So, basically, I have to go check on novels and other visual sources of entertainment during this month, huh.'
Nik rubbed his eyes and scratched his chin in annoyance. To him, the system was all about adventuring into the unknown. But now, to reduce that very unknown factor, Nik had to go through many literary works. He could only hope that they are entertaining. Since reading through the adventure and taking part in the said adventure is completely different.
Washing up, Nik gave his timer a look. More than two days left.
Once again, he transported out of the personal space and looked at the wares being presented in the market. Even though he had a lot of System Origin, due to his lack of foundation, his expenditure would also be higher.
But still, buying a few products doesn't harm his intentions and a few particular categories of products were something he needed severely.
'There it is...'
Nik stopped in front of a stall that sold dishes and yet, the prices of dishes were way higher... like weapon tier products high!
[Heal Dumpling (G)
Intake of dumpling will allow the host to recover minor injuries and the healing properties of the body are enhanced by 20% for three minutes.
Price: 3200 SO]
Nik cringed at the price yet tried his hardest to not let anything transpire on his face.
Looking up, he saw the worn out lady returning Nik's look with an impassive expression, but Nik and the lady both understood each other's need and broke into a smile almost simultaneously.
Looking at other wares, Nik selected two products. One was the [Heal Dumpling] and the other was [Medicine Wine] that increased his vitality by 2 points for a whole minute. A green graded wine that was priced at 3300 SO, making it a total of 6500 SO.
Of course, after a bit of desperate haggling and negotiations, the price was finally settled for 6400 SO. It was at that moment, Nik was once again forced to realise that he had much to learn in the ways of selling and purchasing. But he didn't let his sadness get to his head and went towards the Guide's Hall that featured a statue of a wizened old man that held a grimoire in his hands.
The structure of the building was similar to the Hall of Glory. Entering the building, Nik was once again transported in a white room with a blue screen floating in front of his vision.
[Beginner Guide— 1000 SO/hr
Intermediate Guide— 10000 SO/hr
Advance Guide— 30000 SO/hr
***
Beginner Training Ground— 500 SO/hr
Intermediate Training Ground— 5000 SO/hr
Advance Training Ground— 15000 SO/hr]
Taking a deep breath, Nik selected the intermediate guide. Even though there was a sting of losing so much origin points in one go, he was more than aware of his own deficiencies. The world of Avatar was the lowest of lows that only utilised the elements. Using his own enhanced physique, he steamrolled through the previous world, but his future adventures may not be so simple.
He needed proficiency in both short-range and long-range combat. And Brian gave him the name of that very instructor who can be categorised as the best teacher and guide in laying the foundation. Someone, Brian met during his first travel.
[Who would you like to summon as your guide?]
Since Nik still had a tough time pronouncing the name, he entered the name through the holographic keypad.
[Korosensei is being summoned in 3... 2...]
”Oya! This place seems interesting!”
Nik looked up for a moment as he matched gazes with Korosensei. Even though Brian had already described the guide, Nik's lips still twitched as he smiled at the yellow octopus-human garbed in a black scholar's robe with a short black hat on top of his round head. An unnatural, crescent-moon like smile and tiny, beady eyes with tentacles as legs and two thick yellow tentacles extending to similarly disproportionate fingers.
”Through the system, I suppose you are already clear of the basics?”
Nik questioned while Korosensei let out a chuckle.
”This place is certainly wondrous. A collection of consciousness serving as guides... an excellent service.”
He nodded while his yellow tentacle-fingers ran over his round, non-existent chin.
”So? You are Nik Faran, my student for an hour. And if I am lucky, we'll be meeting more than once.”
”If your training is beneficial.”
Nik nodded.
”Alright, then.” Korosensei's wide grin seemed to have grown even wider as he continued. ”Since I will be teaching you and you seem to have seen more things than I did, I will need to understand everything about you.”
As if seeing through Nik's hesitation, Korosensei shook his head and his tone seemed to have grown a bit gentle.
”My existence can never leak anything outside since I am a mere consciousness. And our talk will only be remembered by my consciousness when you specifically pay for the said price to continue the lessons instead of encountering a version of myself that remembers nothing about you.”
Though Nik understood all this, the source of his hesitation was if he should explain his skills to lure female and other non-aggressive stuff. But in the end, he decided to explain everything and even showcased his elemental bending. This alone took him half of the session.
But Nik was prepared for the expenditure. If Korosensei is as good as Brian proclaimed, then Nik was definitely willing to stick together with Korosensei in the future training, too.
***
”This is certainly interesting... but, to actually make the best use of your elementals and enhanced stats, you must first learn how to move your body.”
Korosensei pointed out as Nik waited for his explanation.
”What I mean is, you need to learn how to properly control your own body before we even start setting up foundations.
Through the knowledge of an intermediate guide, I understand that your stats only increase the quality and potential of your body. If your Agility stat is 10, then it does not mean that you are truly that fast.
What the stats represent is the potential your body can achieve after training every single fibre of your body. Although, the feeling of strength after each stat increase is definitely there, the potential of the body will be wasted if you do not tap into it.”
Nik frowned hearing this as Korosensei's tentacle suddenly moved at a speed which Nik couldn't even register and his surprisingly soft palm rested on the top of his head.
”What I mean is kid, I'll show you a basic stretching exercise that you need to perform for at least fifteen days.”
He spoke while ruffling Nik's hair.
”Please stay within your bounds. We do not know each other and there is no need to get so familiar.”
Hearing Nik's dissatisfied words, Korosensei laughed out loud.
”You misunderstood, Nik. I was checking your body's integral structure. I have never even heard of incubus... but I must say, the integrity of your body is definitely sturdier than humans...” Korosensei ruffled through his head one last time before continuing.
”And, I believe that in due time, we can also make use of your strange constitution that releases aphrodisiac pheromones.”
Hearing him, Nik nodded but he couldn't help but voice out his troubles.
”How will you make sure that I learn your stretching exercise? Even if I practice in my own world, there won't be anyone to supervise.”
The moment he spoke up, Nik suddenly felt a shiver in his heart as he looked at Korosensei's tentacles stretching towards him.