"Is... Is this... Crystal Stone?!"
Gu Ning's mouth hung open, and it took her a long moment to close it.
Hidden beneath the floor was a large chest of Crystal Stones. Not a box, a chest. It was about the size of a microwave oven.
"Awoo." Cook panted, looking at Gu Ning. He puffed out his chest, as if asking for praise. When Ningning didn't react, he pawed at her and nudged his head into the crook of her neck.
The nudge made Gu Ning lose her balance. Barto steadied her by the waist, and they both looked at Cook at the same time, asking in unison, "You saved up these Crystal Stones?!"
Cook stopped panting and tilted his head, thinking for a moment before panting again with a grin. "Coo...ok... Kaper..."
Gu Ning understood. He and his brother, Kaper, had saved them together. But Cook was still young and had regressed and been sent to Zone 19 right after coming of age. This chest of Crystal Stones must have been mostly saved by Kaper. Cook probably only contributed a tiny fraction.
