Mana Star System: Soul Rebirth

Though even if they did find the entry, they would have to know how to open it.

"You could have gotten yourself KILLED you stupid little idiot!" growled Striga.

She lifted her fist off of his head, and Donis quickly came up clutching the back of his head. It felt like a rock had smashed his head with the intent to replace his brain.

"You didn't have to hit me THAT hard Striga, god agh!" moaned Donis, still clutching his head while his feet kicked and fidgeted uncontrollably.

"Yeah I did. You're gonna have some explaining to do later, but right now, go and help Cypher and Rona with the shopping. You've got money right? Put that to use for once, and not your stupid life, you stupid boy," vented Striga, near enough to fumes exiting her ears.

"God I fucking hate men," she screamed while pacing around.

With a sore head, and a slightly wounded pride, Donis headed over to the duo who were currently laughing. Though they were laughing, the glint in their eyes betrayed them. Donis knew that they either were slightly afraid of him, or they were more respectful towards him since what he showed earlier blew everything they knew apart.

No one of his level should be able to do anything of that magnitude. He knew this, and he himself didn't expect to show his trump cards this early.

'Every time I try to hide my secrets, some dumb event happens that makes me unfold every time. I'm not some dumb kid who'd rather die than show his secrets though, so I suppose it's fiiine," mentally sighed Donis.

Striga continued to give out orders, and plans for the new soon-to-be residents of the Grimbay Monster Specialist Headquarters. She found out some were good carpenters, some were good at accounting, and many were good at a plethora of other jobs. This lightened the load for her weary mind, but it didn't eradicate it.

Striga knew she'd have to plough through all of the paperwork in the hopes of finding some solace, something to allow her to at least find some hope in trusting the governing body above her. Everyone knows that power in this world is the absolute, but they also know that it corrupts absolutely.

It was going to be a rough time, and she didn't know who to trust. Her biggest fear was finding names of people she's held close over the years. People she's looked up to. It had to be done though, no matter the price.

After pooling their money together, they realised even with reduced funds, Donis was rich. He had 3,100 Erzi left, and the two women put together only had 800. It gave them a total of 3,900 Erzi, which would be enough to create an entire new wing to the headquarters, where they could house, feed and potentially even employ some of them. Though Donis knew he had some amount of money sent to him from his family business in the Erazari Bank, it still stung to see a large chunk of it disappear once again.

After deciding that they needed to hit up every relevant merchant in Grimbay, the three set out without a moments notice, for fear of angering their captain.

They were still in the swamps, with a nice path directly back to Grimbay already set before them. Someone made this clearing a long time ago, carving a way through the trees and the shrubbery. It was still wet, and disgusting, but at least there was no water to wade through.

Donis began the journey with using [Terrain Augment] to make everyone's lives easier. He could have made the path concrete, or stone, or anything, but he opted to try and make it look as natural as possible and only made the path before them dry and solid. It was quick, and painless this way too, allowing for the spells changes to affect it quickly enough for them to walk and use it without pause.

It did help that Donis was also mostly doing this to help himself level the ability further. He wanted to know what he would gain if he maxed out such an interesting utility skill.

The walk was a little awkward at the beginning. Neither side really knowing how to open the dialogue between the clear divide.

Though unable to hold back any longer, Rona stepped up and stopped the group.

"Look, Donis," she started.

"I'm sorry about what I said about you at the beginning. It was rude of me and I was downright ignorant of someone that was recommended by Striga. You helped us find proof of the injustices caused to those people, and helped fight the master. You showed your value to us all, and I have to be first to apologize," she said as she made a small curtsy.

Before Donis could even properly react to Rona, Cypher also curtsied.

"I'm sorry too. I may not have openly mocked you, or defied the captain, but I still disrespected you, Donis."

"Guy, wow," awkwardly sighed Donis, uncertain of where to place his hands at the moment.

"It's honestly okay, I get it, you found it hard to believe a 15 year old could be useful. Nothing to get your panties twisted about," he smiled.

"Thooough, I do appreciate it. Thanks!" he laughed and continued to walk forward on his constantly developing pathway.

The two women finished their curtsy, and followed behind him. Etheria had popped out once again, and took to Donis's side immediately. She was hungry and bored!

***

At Grimbays Market.

There was an uproar!

"You do NOT expect me to believe you!" screamed one of the merchants.

"Believe what you want to believe you old coot! Just give me your wood!" shouted Cypher.

"Do you even hear yourself woman??" he belted back.

Cypher and a local timber merchant were in a heated battle over the price of the timber he was selling. She wanted it knocked down by 10 Erzi per unit, but he wasn't having any. The uproar had caused half of the market to gather around and watch these two battle it out.

"I am not selling you anything for such an outrageously low sum? I'd be out of business!" spoke the merchant, losing hope that the woman before him will see reason.

"Look, I understand, but I am telling you I will buy all of your wood if you sell it to me that low!" she pleaded.

"Wait, if I knock it down by 3 Erzi I might be willing to sell it to you," he said, twirling his moustache.

"5 Erzi, take it or leave it old man," she spat out, stomping her foot down on a crate before her.

"Fine, sold. Take it all you filthy thief," he said venomously, yet his smile betrayed the tone he used.

Scenes like this were common that day all over the market. With Donis, Cypher, and Rona all pitching in to buy out nearly the entire stock of every relevant merchant there were many altercations. Though fight they did, an entire building worth of materials had been bought, which is exactly what they needed.

"Thanks for your hard work guys, I'm sure Striga will be glad to see nearly the entire stock of the market right in front of her front door!" mocked Donis as he women took out the materials out of their Ring Storage Dimensions.

"Look, we don't know what the plan is, and it's not like any of the townsfolk will care anyway. This place has done far stranger things over the years!" said Cypher as she picked a bed out of her storage space and placed it gently down.

"I guess you're right, but if Striga asks, not my idea," pointed out Donis.

Those words alone sent shivers up the girls spines.

"M-maybe we find a better place to keep these for a while?" asked Rona.