Ultimate Level 1-Chapter 425: Tokens to Spend

After the trio finally came to grips with what Max had just done, Quilazmore was the first one to focus them back on the original task.

“So this line here shows how much has been earned from the arena and those who entered the tower.”

Max held up a hand and stopped the dark elf before he could continue.

“Wait a second. So you’re telling me that there is a currency earned for what people accomplish in the tower?”

“Apparently. This part wasn’t something I was ever privy to, and since no one ever entered the tower, I don’t know how much will continue to be earned. I know that there is a trio that has made it past the fourteenth floor. Whenever they are in the tower it rises faster than when another person or group is in the lower levels.”

Does this mean we are gaining power like Phaius does?

I’m not certain, but it would be a question worth asking him the next time we meet. Of course I wonder how he might react to such a thing.

“What can we do with those tokens?”

Quilazmore moved his finger sideways a few times, changing what was displayed on the tablet, and then stopped, tapping different items listed with costs beside them.

“It appears there are two different stores one can purchase from. One has set prices that seem exceptionally high but also never change. I can’t read what they are or what they stand for, but Igarra did. The other is more of an auction house of sorts. Someone can list an item, and as you see here, it states how long it will last if there is a reserve and current bids.”

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“We have those on our world except nowhere near as fancy as yours shows,” Everett stated as he looked over the dark elf’s shoulder. “I can’t read the writing, but I’m assuming what is listed is worth acquiring?”

“That I can’t answer. Igarra did make purchases and sold a few things. Usually, it was something gained either through a trade, as a gift, or when she killed someone.”

“Like their items?” Max asked.

“Or their body.”

Both men winced and tsked at the same time.

“People buy… bodies?”

“Oh they buy everything you can imagine. Animals, creatures, shards, potions, elixirs, weapons, armor, it’s all right here but finding something you want and the price for it is the hard part. Often the things listed here change quickly, and sometimes, it might only last a day.”

Perhaps we could sell Kazrak’s body. Surely someone would want it.

You’re wanting to sell a corrupted body? Aren’t you worried about what it might be used for?

No. It’s simply taking up space in your dimensional storage, and I’m not sure how you would dispose of it. Perhaps you could bury it or burn it or even now surround it in metal, but who to say that doesn’t go wrong?

Why not sell it, acquire more tokens, and use them for something you or the others might need?

Sighing, Max considered Bob’s recommendation for a few seconds.

“Quilazmore, would others be interested in Kazrak’s corpse?”

His head moved up and down rapidly and the dark elf grinned.

“Certainly! There would be some active bidding depending on how low you set it and how long of an auction it was listed for. Part of me would be very anxious to see the final outcome.”

“In what way?” Max asked.

Tapping his finger on the table for a moment, the dark elf leaned back in his chair and seemed lost in thought.

“I think I’ve seen maybe two or three corpses sell rather quickly when Igarra listed them. They often did better when the damage to the body was limited, and she typically was able to kill them without mutilating them in the process. I remember one selling for over ten thousand high tokens.”

“And those are the largest ones?”

Shaking his head, Quilazmore pointed at the number from the tower.

“These are a different token, and I don’t know their name, but it’s separate from what we trade-in. The high token is the largest denomination and often used for exceptional things. Once I remember her muttering about something going for over a million high tokens.”

“And how much would that be?”

“Over three times what we have right now in the vaults.”

Frowning Max shook his head.

“How would you have so little?”

Leaning forward, Quilazmore moved the tablet around and pointed at a number near some writing he recognized but couldn’t read.

21,732 tokens. Would you think that’s a lot?

I have no idea. That’s like asking me if I think something is sweet when I can’t taste it.

“Igarra was constantly converting those tokens to these. The ones I can’t spend. Unlike before, when she was alive, they are now locked and unable to be accessed.

“Tap here and see if you can do anything with them.”

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Doing as he was shown, Max tapped the numbers and nothing happened. After a few more tries he gave up.

“Who knows… system things I cannot understand. Still we can sell things, and if you’re willing I can get a listing going on that corpse.”

“Fine… I’ll do that later. I have one last question, and then I need to take care of a few things with my friends.”

Moving back to his chair, Everett took a seat and snorted.

“You seem to have a way of always saving the best for last.”

Grinning, he nodded and pulled out two glass wands the Faction leader had provided him.

“These are items from my world that will bind you to me and make it so you cannot tell my secrets. If you try to, great pain will come. If you break a part of it, you die.”

“And I’m assuming you want us to use those?” Quilazmore asked.

“You don’t have to, but if you want to know more about me and how strong I am, you’ll have to. Anything less and I’ll wait for you to leave.”

“It binds us just to not share your secrets?”

“That’s it.”

The elf and rabbit stared at each other, with Jazzjak moving first.

“I’ll give it a shot. I owe you for everything and still need to have you over for dinner, so I’m dead if I don’t make that happen. Keeping a secret is something I’m good at.”

***

After the two had bound themselves, Max explained his skill, surprised that neither of them seemed shocked or scared.

“It’s because of how your world is set up?”

“Yes,” Quilazmore replied. “Basically you have what many in our world would consider the ultimate skill. One could grow to become… well as you are. The world champion.”

“Seems like a cheat.”

The dark elf nodded in agreement with his cohort.

Sighing, Max moved on.

“Okay. If the system says that a skill can be replaced, what does that mean?”

All three men frowned and glanced at each other before returning their gaze to him.

“What do you mean replaced?” Jazzjak asked.

“So… I can replace one of my skills with something of the same name, but I’m unsure what it would do. It’s because I killed Kazrak and could consume two of his skills and then got this option.”

“Can I ask which skill?” Everett asked.

“Let’s say Berserker.”

An appreciative whistle came from Jazzjak.

“You have that ability? That is a strong one, though I never saw you really fight like you have it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well... I’m guessing your Berserker must differ from the one I know. Out here, that ability makes it so you hit harder and move faster, becoming enraged as you get injured. If you’re not below a certain threshold, it doesn’t kick in but as long as you don’t heal, it will stay active.”

“That sounds dangerous,” Everett stated. “Having to be injured and unable to heal for it to be active.”

“Yes and no,” the rabbit explained. “You have to remember most of us don’t carry healing potions or anything like that into the arena. Typically, you don’t have time to use those as the fighting is non-stop. Pulling a potion out and trying to use it invites your opponent to attack.

“Since you’re often in a state of being injured, the natural ability to hit harder and faster helps because, typically, you need that bonus to overpower whoever or whatever it is you’re facing.”

“Is there a delay in its being used?” Max asked.

“That I’m not certain,” Jazzjak answered. “I mean, not many have it as it requires one to allow themselves to get hurt if they want to get the most out of the skill. I think there was one fighter like ten or more years ago who had a habit of getting down to maybe a third of their health or lower. At that point it made them very dangerous, but it was also the reason they died.”

“I’d probably pass,” Everett stated. “You and I know Tanila wouldn’t want you to risk yourself like that.”

Nodding, Max selected no and watched the option he had been waiting on since he acquired it disappear.

“Anything else?”

Shaking his head at the Faction leader, Max rose and waved.

“I appreciate all your help. If you don’t mind, I need to go see everyone else and prepare for the tower.”

“You’re going to go and enter it?” Quilazmore asked. “I mean… you said you would, but why?”

“Why not? I don’t think it will be difficult, and I’m interested to see what a tower on a different world is like. Perhaps we might get something good.”

Laughing, the dark elf rolled his eyes.

“Somehow, I doubt the tower has anything you need.”

***

I can assume then we are also going to turn down Harden Body.

Yeah. I’d prefer not to look all metallic. Besides, I’m already immune to lower-end weapons. Perhaps one day I’ll be immune to something higher as well.

You need to be careful in this tower no matter how easy you think it will be. Remember your friends are new to all this, and we’re still not certain how things will work out. I’m glad you’re listening to those two and not forcing your friends to try and absorb a skill crystal.

It makes sense if they could, but you’re right. I do not want any of them to get attention from the system that they don’t have to have. Every day we find something new, and I have more questions. What are those tokens for? What can we buy with the ones we have? Should I visit the temple and try to summon Phaius again? What about Ockrim?

Besides gaining some knowledge, I doubt they will help us now. It would use supplies that are needed to advance the others. For now, we just need to focus on getting Rakonath safely set up here with Aerthen, explore that tower, and then return home. We need to complete our world’s tower sooner than later. All these side quests are just taking us away from what the gods have told you and what I have said many times.

Sometimes you remind me of my mother… nag nag nag.

And how many times was your mother right?

Grumbling, Max didn’t reply, choosing instead to ignore the smug feeling of Bob being right through their bond.

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