7 Floating Names (1/2)

Jun had a bitter smile on his face after hearing those words. The first thing that he thought when he started seeing 'things' was that he gained some kind of special ability. It turned out that others can see it too. Disappointment was clearly shown on his face, but it only took a few seconds for him to regain his composure.

”3...2..1...”, Jake counted down. A white flash came from his hand. It didn't even take a second for the flash to vanish and a diamond shaped crystal appeared on his hand.

It was 2-3 inches long and was almost transparent, making him see his magnified palm through it. It seemed to be radiating some unknown power, as a weak pulse can be felt from it.

Jake was holding the crystal when the grandma's body began to decay. The skin dried up at a quick rate, giving it a look of dehydration. Web-like cracks started to appear and spread on every part of the body. A few seconds later, it shattered and turned into dusts. The dust became sparkling particles and disappeared before it could even reach the floor. Leaving nothing on the floor except for some clothes, blood and brain matter.

Jake was staring at the crystal when he unconsciously asked himself, ”What is an essence shard?”

Everyone was looking at him. A dead body just vanished into nothingness and he didn't seem to care. Instead, he spoke of something gibberish and only one person seemed to understand what he said.

”Don't you know how to read?”, Jun said filled with sarcasm. He was sure that everything that they need to know about that essence shard should be on the screen in front of him, but this guy chose to ask them. He took his phone from his pocket and dialed a number. The line won't connect and it just kept ringing.

Jake can only smile wryly seeing that he was being mocked. If it was any other person in this room he might have been able to talk back and win an argument or two. He's a famous baseball player in his university. There's a lot of people who line up just to talk to him. After having first-hand experience of what the streets have to offer, he naturally thought that being inside a building will help him feel safe, it did not.

When they first entered the building, he saw how panicked everyone was. Even the guard on duty was visibly scared as he cautiously moved forward. He even saw the manager, who is the only other male, cowering at the back of some female employees.

Comparing the clueless, and somewhat idiotic expressions of everyone to that man's overbearing aura brimming with confidence, he managed to make a choice.

The only plan he had right now was to suck up to this asshole. He would stick with him until his legs fully healed then ditch him.

He waved the crystal in his hand while saying, ”There's really nothing to read here though.”

Jun turned around after hearing those words. Seeing that he was serious on what he said, he got curious and took the transparent crystal from Jake.

[Essence Shard - Low-tier]

[Description] A fragment shard, use to increase EXP by 1. Combine x50 shards to make an essence stone.

”See! I'm serious! There's nothing else on the screen. It just says essence shard and nothing else!”, Jake said in a raised voice after having the small crystal taken from him.

”That's true.”, Jun lied as he put the small crystal in his pocket, his eyes turning savage.

He seemed to be thinking of something as his eyes darted up and down Jake's head. He made a huge smile then strode forward, stopping in front of Jake. There was something floating on top of Jake's head and everyone inside the bank also has it.

A floating name.

When Jun first saw him inside the car, there was a white-colored question mark above his head. It was a question mark at first but changed to Jake's name after he heard him introduce himself. When he went near the car and found Jake stuck on the drivers seat, it changed to yellow. When he searched the car and took a pack of cigarette, the name changed to black. When he started bossing him inside the office, it turned reddish-black. But now, after taking the crystal, it completely turned red.