Chapter Twenty-Three: Paimon's Best Companion

The experience gained was not much, but Chu Yun collected the coins from everyone and found a considerable number of fire crystals in Hanson's pack—most likely goods recently purchased by Parker. All the fire crystals were of the first grade, totaling twenty pieces, while coins were fewer, only ten in all. Chu Yun’s pack suddenly bulged with newfound wealth.

This was a significant harvest; in Blackstone City, where fire crystals were in high demand, they could be sold for a good price. Chu Yun planned to depart for Blackstone City after returning to Rock Town.

“If you don’t have spatial equipment, you really need a follower. Otherwise, carrying too much stuff will become quite troublesome,” Chu Yun mused as he tossed all the corpses into the mirror space—a method of destroying evidence so flawless that none could ever detect it.

The area was no longer safe. After tidying up the scene, Chu Yun swiftly exited the mirror world.

Traveling in the mirror world was relatively safe, but encountering enemies and detouring cost more time. After some delay, Chu Yun finally made it back to the Carlos camp; everything was normal, and no one seemed to notice him.

He found an inn, settled in, and spent over an hour restoring his mental strength to its full state.

Fortunately, he was a blue-bar mage. Otherwise, after exhausting his daily spell slots, even ample mental strength would not allow him to cast magic. Now, with thirty-two points of mental strength, he no longer felt so constrained when casting spells.

Glancing at his experience points, Chu Yun allocated all his general experience to his class experience—597 out of 700. Soon, he would upgrade again. He was impatient to reach the second tier; second-tier magic was far more powerful than the first, incomparable in every way.

Just as his mental strength was fully restored and Chu Yun was about to leave camp and return to Rock Town, sudden commotion erupted outside his window.

Curious, he approached and saw a female swordswoman clad in red leather armor appear in his view.

“Shivana—she’s truly daring.”

Unlike before, Shivana was accompanied by a brown earth drake, a creature not only suitable as a mount but also adept at traversing mountains—highly useful in mining regions.

Around her, adventurers and professional bounty hunters gathered, restless and eager. In their eyes, Shivana was a walking treasure chest; thirty thousand gold coins would equal most of a lifetime’s hard work.

Even collaborating with others to take her down would yield a handsome reward.

There were always more ways to kill than head-on combat—ambush, assassination, or poison could all achieve a kill beyond one’s rank.

But Shivana gave them little time for hesitation or plotting. Her goal was the high-grade fire crystals deep within the Carlos Mountains; she was only passing through.

While the crowd hesitated, her earth drake barreled down the street unchecked, the camp gate guards powerless to stop her. The truly powerful guards were stationed at the fire crystal warehouse, only appearing in critical moments.

Unwilling to let her go, the crowd followed in hopes of another opportunity, but Chu Yun estimated their chances of failure—and death—were much higher. After all, she was a third-tier half-dragon swordswoman, capable of annihilating a knights’ regiment of dozens.

Leaving the tavern, Chu Yun made his way to the trading market within the camp, intrigued by Shivana’s earth drake.

Compared to ordinary horses, earth drakes were superior in speed, comfort, and combat ability, though their price was much higher as well.

Having just come into some wealth, Chu Yun considered buying an earth drake as his own means of transportation.

The camp’s trading market not only sold red iron ore but also various other goods. Earth drakes, with their great strength, were excellent for transporting heavy loads like red iron ore, and there were many varieties for sale, some even paired with wagons.

The roads outside were treacherous and plagued by monster attacks. Some merchants’ wagons were damaged or lost entirely en route.

Chu Yun entered Dragon Walk, where a youth of about fifteen or sixteen greeted him.

“Sir, how may I serve you?” the boy asked politely.

This world’s common folk lacked nine years of compulsory education and started working young. With enough effort, their bosses would someday live in castles and drive dragon-drawn carriages.

“How are the earth drakes priced?”

The boy explained, “May I ask what grade and attribute of earth drake you require?”

“Zero-grade earth drakes sell for about ten gold coins, with prices varying by attribute. First-grade earth drakes are around one hundred gold coins, including ten days’ worth of feed.”

Chu Yun’s coins were insufficient, but he had plenty of fire crystals. He pressed, “What about second-grade earth drakes?”

“Second-grade earth drakes are harder to tame. If the owner’s strength isn’t enough, the drake might escape or even kill its owner, so binding contracts are necessary. Most merchants don’t buy drakes too high in grade; first grade is sufficient.”

“Our branch mainly serves merchants. If you want a higher-grade earth drake, I suggest purchasing one in Blackstone City. The situation in Rock Town is similar, as Dragon Walk operates there as well.”

Chu Yun considered, then said, “Show me—I need a fast first-grade earth drake.”

“Certainly, please follow me.”

The boy led Chu Yun to the dragon stables at the back. The stables were organized by attribute, not many in number but highly professional.

“In terms of speed, wind-attribute earth drakes are the fastest and easiest to care for. They only require ten kilograms of fodder and three kilograms of meat daily.”

There were three wind-attribute earth drakes in total. Chu Yun approached them, and one cocked its head, curiously studying him.

“These earth drakes have intelligence equivalent to a ten-year-old human. As long as you don’t mistreat them and supply food daily, they will follow you loyally.”

The other two earth drakes were more laid-back, munching on fodder and idly passing their days. Not all creatures yearn for freedom—some prefer a life of daily feeding and comfort.

“You’ll do. Follow me and you won’t be neglected.” Chu Yun patted its head, and the earth drake squinted its eyes in contentment.

“Sir, this earth drake is still young—less powerful, but very swift. It can carry about five hundred kilograms, and with our wagon on flat ground, it can haul up to ten tons. The price is just ninety gold coins,” the attendant said with a smile.

“I’m short on coins. Can I pay with fire crystals?” Chu Yun took out a first-grade fire crystal.

The attendant nodded, “Of course. Please settle at the counter; we’ll exchange at the camp’s fire crystal market rate.”

The attendant led out the earth drake and fitted it with a dragon saddle.

Fire crystal prices varied with their size, but typically a first-grade fire crystal sold for eight to twelve gold coins. Chu Yun’s fire crystals were of decent quality, and he spent eight of them to purchase the earth drake.

As for the wagon, he didn’t need one now; he had no driver, and riding was more convenient.

With fodder gifted by Dragon Walk, Chu Yun excitedly mounted his new steed. He had learned riding techniques, so handling a first-grade earth drake posed no problem.

“Sir, would you like to name your companion? I can craft a pet tag for you,” the boy suggested.

The pet tag served as identification, letting others know the earth drake had an owner.

“Let me think… Patrasche? No, that belongs to the Dragon King’s Son-in-law. I’ll call it Paimon.”

Hearing the name, Paimon let out a joyful roar, then eagerly carried Chu Yun off at a run.

“Stick with me—maybe someday you’ll evolve into a wind drake.”