Who…? Jasmine was already in a bad mood when she felt someone looking in her direction. A slightly foreign experience—considering her background, there were very few people in the entire Roaring Dragon Settlement who dared to look her in the eyes.
Following the gaze, she spotted a black‑haired young man hurriedly turning his head away.
Seeing this, Jasmine coldly snorted. She hated cowards—and even more the cowards who couldn't own up to their actions.
It was at this time that the black‑robed salesman came back with beads of cold sweat pouring down his face. He stepped a couple of meters away from Jasmine and said while stuttering:
"Respected madam, please come with me. The Guild Master is waiting for you inside."
Hearing those words, a look of hidden joy flashed in her beautiful eyes. Now that she could finally meet the mysterious Guild Master of the Night Phantom Guild, she could care less about some coward like Lukas.
…
"Such superior sense…" Lukas muttered while wiping the bead of sweat that had appeared on his forehead. The moment Jasmine's gaze had turned in his direction, he felt as if someone had placed a poisonous knife on his throat—just one wrong move and his head would roll.
Although he knew someone with five‑star potential was bound to be extraordinary, he had never expected such a difference.
While he was trying to calm down, the man from before returned with a paper slip in his hand.
"Here, respected customer, is the list of Star Monsters with passive skills…"
Lukas robotically nodded his head and asked for the price.
"As for the price: information about the monsters around the Roaring Dragon Settlement is quite widespread. A total of fifty Star Crystals would be a fair price…"
Lukas' expression instantly turned livid.
Fifty Star Crystals? Why not make it sixty and take all my remaining money…
Although his thoughts were like this, on the outside he simply nodded his head and handed over the fifty Star Crystals to the man, who showed not a single change in expression.
From the total hundred Star Crystals he had, he was left with just ten.
Lukas felt a light pain in his heart, but thinking the information was going to be worth it, he could only grit his teeth and ignore the pain.
He didn't immediately look at the list, but instead asked another question. "Do you guys also sell body‑refining methods?"
Lukas had barely finished speaking when the sales guy replied, "Except Star Energy Gathering methods, we sell everything you could think of."
This time he sounded really excited. "Respected customer, would you like to take a look at a few?"
Lukas was silent for a moment. Looking at the guy's excited face, then at his empty money pouch…
He shook his head. "Forget it. I'm in a hurry. I'll browse the body‑refining methods next time."
The sales guy's face instantly deflated like a balloon, whereas the next moment he handed a card to Lukas and said, "Respected customer, this is my card. Use this card at the counter and I will immediately rush out to help you during your next visit."
Lukas looked at the card and saw the picture of the guy pasted on it as well as his name.
Minion? What a strong name…
After thinking for a moment, Lukas simply took his leave, heading toward the exit.
It was then he noticed the pair of iron pillars placed right beside the exit.
A giant board hung above them:
Check Your Strength for Free
Lukas' eyebrows immediately rose up.
Strength‑Checking Pillar! He was slightly familiar with them.
Now that he had the opportunity, why not check it out?
With that thought in mind, he walked up to one of the empty pillars and took the boxing stance, ready to punch with all his strength.
"Huff…" Taking a deep breath, he punched the pillar with as much power as he could muster.
Whoosh!
The surface of the pillar slightly flickered like water being disturbed, then a few digits appeared on it.
110 kg
Lukas looked at the number and sighed. He was still far away from Body Refining Rank 2.
A warrior at Rank 2 could generate 200 kg of force, while his was just 110 kg.
The few people who had lined up to test their strength saw Lukas' result and laughed. A few even burst out loudly.
"Just 110 kg? What are you even doing, young man? Anyone who is simply eating and sleeping here could punch harder than this!"
"Even if I poked it with my pinky, the number would be at least double that!"
The remarks were harsh and brutal. Lukas, for a moment, didn't know how to respond.
Most of the Awakeners here were at Rank 2 or above. No one in their right mind at just Rank 1 would dare to check their strength, afraid of making a joke of themselves.
Lukas had failed to take this into consideration as he simply decided to check his strength on a whim.
Jasmine had also just finished meeting with the Guild Leader and was walking with a wide smile on her face when she noticed the whole guild seemed to be focused on one man.
Soon she also spotted Lukas and the pathetic number on the iron pillar.
For some reason, whatever impression she had of Lukas dropped even lower, to the point that just his existence alone irritated her.
Lukas, however, remained completely unbothered, not really affected.
After listening to his father's "innovative" insults all his life, he had gotten slightly immune to it. Simple crowd remarks couldn't induce a reaction from him.
So, looking completely calm and unbothered, he turned around and walked outside.
Seeing the indifferent look on Lukas' face as he left, the people who were mocking him felt their faces turn slightly ugly. They suddenly felt like clowns jumping around to entertain the crowd and failing when Lukas showed no reaction to their words.
After all, an insult was just words if they couldn't get a reaction from the other party.
Immediately after walking out of the guild, Lukas put the matter to the back of his mind and headed to the street vendors selling a few necessary items. He had already learned his lesson from last time—this time he had no intention of going outside without a few basic supplies.
After shopping for half an hour, Lukas was once again back to being broke.