Chapter: 23 Scavenger Hunt

Chapter: 23 Scavenger Hunt

"Michael?, Michael?, Michael!."

While having an interesting conversation with the system about its taste in Music Michael was interrupted by Ana who had been trying to get his attention for a while now.

"Uh? Yes. I'm listening."

"Really?...then what did I say?."

"Hehe."

Being caught in a lie Michael could only laugh dryly.

"Uh huh."

"As I was saying. Let's go over there. They have stone gambling booths over there."

"Last time I came I found a white jade and my dad got it made into a necklace for me."

As she said that Hazel on the side chuckled at Ana's comment.

"Yea, she cried for a whole day and gambled her savings away until her dad got her that jade after only betting once. Hahaha."

"Stop!!! Don't tell him that ..."

After listening to her mom make fun of her Ana began to pout adorably.

Michael could only shake his head and try to hold in his laughter.

But upon hearing about the stone gambling Michael couldn't help but feel curious about it.

Michael had heard about stone gambling before and often saw TV shows about it on TV but Michael had never seen it in real life.

Although Newkingsville had a variety of cultures and industries, something like stone gambling wasn't something overly popularized in the city. Unless someone was from the gambling world or into antiques such a thing was uncommon in New Kingsville.

Now that he was her Michael felt like giving it a try if only for fun so he agreed readily after Ana finished pouting.

It didn't take long for them to get to a gambling booth. When they got there, There was already a huge crowd in front of the booth.

Most of them were just spectators. The rest were people trying to get lucky or were serious stone gamblers but those were in the minority.

The booth wasn't very big. It was about the size of a twin size bed.

Behind the booth was an old man sitting on a small chair taking money and handing over the stones that made a mountain behind him.

When Michael was finally able to see through the crowd he saw a middle aged man who had just purchased a stone.

Old man: " Are you taking it away or do you want it cut?

Middle aged man: " Cut it up for me. From the side to the center.

"Alright give me a second."

Listening to their conversation the previously rowdy crowd began to settle down.

Everything looked intently as the stone was being cut by the old man.

Just as he finished his first cut the atmosphere was already filled with expectation and anxiety and as the old man flipped the stone over to take a look at it the crowd led out a disappointed sigh.

"Ah what a shame. There's nothing."

"Yea, What a shame and it was a good sized stone at that. If he didn't get anything in his first try it's probably a dud."

As the crowd spoke the middle aged man began to feel anxious as well. He had paid a thousand Quiras for that stone. If he didn't make a profit he would really regret it.

Although the middle aged man looked to be pretty well off, paying a thousand Quiras for a lousy stone would make anyone feel regretful.

As Michael turned to look around at the crowd's expressions and was listening to their comments. The old man had already cut half way through the stone.

As the old man fished his last cut and the water that was used to cool the blade was washed away a ray of light reflected on the flat surface of the stone and bright green light glowed upon the old man's hand making him chuckle.

"It's nephrite jade! He-he you're quite lucky I'd say it is about three grams. Congratulations on your investment."

"Hahaha. Few! Old man, you had me sweating buckets right there. Thank you."

Upon seeing the Nephrite jade the crowd began to cheer for the middle aged man. Some even began to shout out bids for the Nephrite but the middle aged man refused politely and said he was going to have it made into some type of jewelry for his wife and swiftly left the scene.

Michael was also excited by the outcome and turned to look at Ana with a meaningful smile.

"Ana, what do you think? Do you wanna try? I'll pay!."

Ana was surprised but soon, surprise turned into excitement.

"Really! Yes, let's pick one out!."

"Okay!."

With that Michael and Ana made their way through the crowd all the way to the front.

After taking a look Michael pointed out three stones from the pile while Ana picked out one.

After paying Both Ana and Michael decided to have it cut on the spot.

The first one to go up was Ana since she only chose one.

The old man skillfully Bagan cutting the stone based on his professional opinion.

The first cut was a dud.

The second cut was a dud.

As the old man continued to cut the stone there was nothing but duds. After cutting half of the stone there were still no signs of jade.

The old man shook his head in disappointment. To make sure he didn't miss out on anything the old man took out a tube Flashlight and shined it on the stone but there was no signs of jade.

"It's a dud. Sorry young miss, better luck next time."

"Aww."

Looking at the results Ana was filled with disappointment. Even her eyes began to turn watery looking like she was about to cry.

Looking at Ana who was almost about to cry Michael couldn't help but pat her on the head as he spoke.

"It's Okay Ana. Let me try. If I get something I'll gift It to you."

Then Michael proceeded to hand over one of the stones to the old man.

"Cut this stone for me. Cut one third of the stone from the start."

"Alright give me a moment sir."

After receiving the stone the old man took a seat on his chair and began to cut the stone according to Michael's instructions.

Unbeknownst to Michael, ripples of energy invisible to the naked eye began to leak out from his body. Then energy slowly began to gather creating some sort of invisible dome in an area of about three feet around Michael.

Then Just as the old man finished cutting through the stone, the dome that surrounded Michael exploded in all directions like ripples in water.

This episode made no commotion and no one noticed,no one except for the system.

Ding!

Congratulations Host! You have acquired an imperial jade worth approximately 9 million Quiras

Luck points +1

New mission Unlocked.

Mission: Scavenger Hunt

Description: Rook park is a place of adventure and opportunities. Find three hidden seals as you explore through the area and discover the truth only known by few.

Reward: Body Refinement Cultivation Manual.

Description: In the ancient times in an era where humans were weak and Cultivation was in its infancy. The first human cultivator created the first complete body refinement method that could nourish the body and transform it to become harder than a mountain. This is not that Cultivation Technique. But it is an upgraded version made by the system without flaws. 100% effective!!

"This?...."