Jackson did not realize it, but while he was in his room playing around, more than two hours had passed. Aella, after playing with her favorite stuffed figure, a pink rabbit, had fallen down on the sofa.
Her long black messy hair hung down to the side, and a long trail of saliva leaked down from her open mouth, gathering into a small pool stuck loosely to her cheek.
Jackson looked at the scene in silence. Without even realizing it, a smile appeared on his face. Just watching his little sister sleeping calmly without any worries soothed his nerves, and he was no longer as panicked as before.
He was willing to go to any lengths just so that his young sister could sleep like this without any worries.
While thinking about all this, he gently lifted her up into a princess carry and took her to the bedroom upstairs. After safely tucking her under a blanket, he left, heading outside.
Although the rent of their apartment might be expensive, at least it was quite safe compared to other areas, so Jackson could leave while his ten-year-old sister stayed home alone without any worries.
Contrary to what one might think in this changed world, pills were easily accessible. As long as one was willing to pay, they could have as many pills as they wanted. The disaster hundreds of years ago was great, but the surviving big corporations quickly built up their empires again. Jackson had to admit that as much as he hated the big corporations’ monopolies and their predatory nature, without their relentless research and development, humanity might still be fighting against beasts constantly.
The city in which he lived was no metropolitan area, just a small town, but it still had a fair share of stores selling all the required materials.
Soon, without realizing it, Jackson stood in front of a large glittering store, seemingly made straight from a single piece of glass. As the light filtered through the glass, it revealed its brightly lit interior, filled with clean shelves, people moving to and fro, and discussing in low voices. Looking at the store, it would be difficult to say the world had changed.
Jackson simply shrugged his shoulders and looked at the large brightly lit sign hanging above the store.
Awakeners’ Paradise — a place where everything an awakener would need was available, from techniques to pills and even weapons.
Taking a deep breath, Jackson quickly made his way inside.
Immediately, a staff member of Awakeners’ Paradise, a young girl dressed in a clean and tight suit that highlighted her curves, greeted him. However, upon seeing his shabby robe, her enthusiasm died down.
"Welcome to the store, customer. Before I ask what you want to buy, please tell me one thing."
Jackson heard her question and simply nodded. He was familiar with the process, so he was not surprised.
"Are you a registered hunter? Then please show your ID card. All the discounts and some items will only be displayed after confirming your identity."
He simply shook his head, feeling a slight jealousy toward the registered hunters in his heart. Registered hunters were those awakeners who registered themselves with the hunter organization of the human territory. These were the first in line to respond to any sudden monster incidents. For this service, the government of the human territory gave them many benefits, like heavy discounts and even some free pills.
Registered hunters enjoyed a long list of privileges and benefits.
It was also the reason why Jackson felt so envious every time he heard the mention of hunters.
Growing up, he had also wanted to become a registered hunter, but life could not always go as one planned.
The lady was only asking for the sake of formality. Who knew, a hunter might visit the store dressed in shabby clothes. If she offended one by accident, the consequences would be terrible.
The next moment, the lady’s face turned even colder, seemingly not being interested in entertaining Jackson any further. She moved to the next customer, who was dressed in slightly luxurious clothes.
Jackson watched all of this without a change in expression. He was already used to this treatment. In this changed world, only those with power and talent were treated with respect, while the worthless could be discarded like trash.
Before the change, such behavior would have been enough to enrage the general public, but in this changed world, such behavior was even favored by the government.
Stomaching the displeasure in his stomach, he moved straight to the section where the pills and other cultivation resources were kept.
Seeing all sorts of glittering items, Jackson almost started to breathe like a war drum.
He wanted to purchase everything in sight. To be honest, Jackson had a hard time controlling himself whenever he saw all the glittering items.
It was only when he remembered that Aella was alone at home that some semblance of reason returned to his mind.
Moving to the section where pills that helped spiritual force enhancement and body enhancement fluids were kept, he quickly took two of each and returned to the counter.
The cashier quickly generated a bill for him.
"Respected customer, it will be a total of one hundred mana stones, each item priced at twenty-five mana stones."
Jackson’s hand shook like a twig during a storm. These hundred mana stones were the last amount of money he had left. Once he parted with them, he would have nothing left.
He gritted his teeth and convinced himself.
Money is meant to be spent. After I am admitted into the prestigious academy, there will be many ways to earn it back.
After paying, he hurriedly went back to his home. Once home, he headed straight to his room.
One by one, Jackson placed all four items on the study table. The two pills were tightly sealed in relatively glass casings, while the two body enhancement fluids were tightly secured in containers, revealing the green liquid inside.
Jackson’s gaze was slightly solemn as he stared at them.
Now was the time.
He did not use the golden brush at the store, but now that he was in a safe environment, he could see if anything happened.
Just as he was thinking, one by one two white lines flashed right in front of his eyes.
[Basic Spiritual Force Enhancement Pill]
[Effect - Doubles spiritual force for two hours.]
[Basic Body Enhancement Fluid]
[Effect - Increases strength by 10 kilograms.]
It actually happened!
Jackson almost exclaimed in shock like a little girl. Although he had been hoping for this to happen, when it actually did, he almost jumped up in excitement.
Just as he was about to start dancing in joy, he remembered Aella was sleeping in the adjacent room, so he quickly calmed himself down.
Hmm... I have taken the basic body enhancement fluid before, so this time its effect will not be as effective as before. If I take this, my strength will only increase by a mere five kilograms...
Jackson thought. With repeated use, the effectiveness of these fluids started to decrease. Of course, if it were a rarer grade fluid, one could take as many as they wanted without any worries.
However, this was different for basic spiritual force enhancement.
This was his first time buying this thing.
Okay, let’s not hurry. First I will see how much progress I can make without pills...
With that thought in mind, he sat down cross-legged and started to visualize the twin dragons shaking the earth, following the instructions in the manual closely.
Time passed. He had barely finished visualizing half the dragon, and even that was only a vague outline, when suddenly his head started to ache intensely.
Jackson opened his eyes and rubbed his temples.
He looked at the clock on the wall.
Hmm! With my one point in spiritual force, I can only last for one hour...
This was something he had already expected, but now it was time to check how much progress he could make with the help of the pill. But before that, he had to try something.
Summoning the golden brush in his hand, he brought it over the white text floating above the pills. No one said the brush could only help him copy the talents of others. There might be other things that it could also do.
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