CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 89 – EXPLORING THE TOWER (3)

The girls exited the mount room, still talking about what had happened with the lioness merchant. Karely was the first to speak, wearing that mocking smile she always had.

"Wow, Jax... it seems like wherever we go, there are always women who want to devour you," she said in a venomous tone, though her eyes flickered with a hint of jealousy.

Anya clicked her tongue, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, and not just anyone... this one was none other than the queen of a tribe. She sticks really close to you, huh?" she scolded, frowning.

Nara, calmer, took a deep breath and let out a soft giggle.

"Don’t exaggerate. If she got close, it was to close a deal. Jax is attractive, sure, but I know he’s not a man who’s easily bought."

Karely raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at Jax.

"Do you think? I rather think our leader blushes every time a woman breathes in his ear."

The group burst into laughter, even some of the children who had overheard. Jax ran a hand over the back of his neck, visibly uncomfortable, and tried to change the subject.

"Alright, alright... enough of that. The important thing here is the beasts we saw. Which one did you like the most?"

The children’s eyes lit up with excitement.

Orin, holding her hands against her chest, spoke first:

"I loved the Crystal Rainbow Bird! Its feathers looked like jewels, shining with all the colors... I want one like that!"

Kai, who couldn’t stay still, raised his fist as if he was already ready to fight.

"I want the Crimson Fire Wolf, Jax. Imagine! I could run with you and spit flames, no one would mess with me."

Ren, always quieter, murmured while looking at the ground:

"The Celestial Sea Serpent... it was beautiful, it moved like it was dancing in the water. I’d love to explore rivers and seas with it."

Koda, with a serious expression, spoke confidently.

"I want the Obsidian Colossus Gorilla. He’s strong, massive. With him, I could protect everyone else."

The women then shared their choices.

Anya smiled defiantly.

"The Four-Winged Scarlet Dragon. If I ever get one, no one will ever underestimate me again."

Karely, playing with her hair, let out a sigh.

"I’ll take the Silver Moon Panther. Silent, elegant, and deadly... just like me."

Nara, in contrast, spoke gently.

"The Golden Light Deer. It had such a peaceful aura... I think it would be a perfect guardian for the kids."

Everyone finally looked at Jax, who remained silent for a moment before letting out a small smile.

"All excellent choices. And I’ll tell you this now: we won’t be buying them here." He placed a hand over his chest, his gaze burning. "The Magic Forest is in the heart of our guild. That’s where these creatures live, free and wild. I will personally obtain the beasts you want. I won’t rest until each of you has your guardian, your companion, your protector."

The children shouted with excitement, jumping around him.

"Yes! Thank you, Jax! Let’s go to the Magic Forest!"

The girls, though trying to hide it, couldn’t help but smile with pride and tenderness as they saw the determination in his eyes. For the first time, everyone shared the same dream: to earn the friendship of those legendary creatures.

The group excitedly stepped into the elevator to reach the next floor of the tower, eager to see what new mysteries awaited.

The elevator stopped smoothly, and the doors opened, revealing a blinding glow. The group was stunned to see the fifth floor, a place completely different from the previous ones. It wasn’t a common market or exhibition hall: it looked like a sacred temple made of crystal and light. Floating columns held the air, and golden runes slowly rotated around each display case.

In the center of the floor walked the Éthereas, an almost extinct race, known as the Daughters of Lythra. Their appearance was disconcerting: at first glance, their bodies seemed completely naked, female figures of impossible proportions, but when observed closely, it was clear they had no flesh or skin—only condensed energy. Their forms shimmered like a translucent hologram that fluctuated with each movement, emitting blue and silver flashes of light. Their eyes, like fragments of stars, made anyone who looked into them feel seen beyond the physical, penetrating into the soul.

"Are... they human?" Karely whispered, a mix of jealousy and fascination in her voice.

"No," replied the woman who greeted them, an Étherea with white energy-like hair that moved as if floating underwater. "We are descendants of the echoes of primordial magic. Here, only that which has transcended history is traded."

Around them, in reinforced glass display cases, floated impossible treasures:

The Mournel Chalice, a cup that never empties, its liquid capable of curing any disease but simultaneously weakening the spirit of anyone who drinks too much.

The Shackles of Eternal Bond, a black chain that can bind two souls together, sharing pain, strength, and destiny.

The Azhural Codex, a floating grimoire with living pages that reorganize themselves as if breathing.

High above, trapped in a rune sphere, floated a black flame that burned without consuming anything. A golden sign read: Fragment of the Forge of the First World.

The children stared with wide eyes, and even the girls—jealous as they still were—couldn’t help but marvel.

"That book moves by itself!" Kai exclaimed excitedly.

Ren, his voice trembling, asked:

"And that flame? Why doesn’t it go out?"

The Étherea smiled, bowing slightly as if she floated rather than walked.

"Everything here has a price in GRB points... though some of these objects should never be in mortal hands."

Jax observed the energy priestesses and the objects closely. Something inside him reacted violently: his system vibrated, as if recognizing several of those artifacts. The air around him tensed, and for a moment he thought the entire floor was designed to attract him.

Especially an ordinary-looking book in a display case surrounded only by bluish glass.

The Éthereas, noticing his gaze fixed on it, exchanged surprised looks. No one had ever shown interest in this seemingly trivial object. What they didn’t know was that Jax was analyzing it with [Lunar Evaluation], and what surprised him was what his ability revealed:

[?????]

After the demon empress, it was the first time he couldn’t find details about something.