Chapter 20: Genius? Freak!

Chapter 20: Genius? Freak!

Owen watched Berkeley almost cry, feeling a twitch in his heart.

A middle-aged man, yet so emotionally fragile.

Erin tugged at Owen's hand, whispering, "Master, let's go. It's better to have less contact with such scoundrels. It taints our souls."

Berkeley looked at Erin, his mouth twitching, but ultimately he refrained from cursing.

Owen shook his head slightly and took the initiative to ask, "Enough with the act. Tell me about arcanergy fluid."

Berkeley's tearful expression vanished in an instant, his shrewdness returning to his eyes.

Despite his disheveled and bruised appearance, he quickly reverted to his crafty merchant persona.

It was no wonder that merchants were known for their fickleness and cunning.

Berkeley realized that Owen had shown no interest in his previous story and had easily seen through the falsehood of the blood in his shop.

Owen must be a capable and rational individual.

Now that Owen was asking, there had to be a reason.

This was a business opportunity, and Berkeley was determined to seize it.

"Mr. Owen," Berkeley, unabashedly, suggested, "Shall we talk inside the shop?"

Owen, resigned, shook his head and walked towards Berkeley's rundown shop.

As they walked, he asked, "What is this arcanergy fluid you mentioned?"

"Sir, you don't know about arcanergy fluid? Are you perhaps from abroad?" Berkeley queried.

Given that Novalia Continent comprised five different kingdoms, each with its unique characteristics, his guess wasn't unreasonable. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Owen vaguely sidestepped Berkeley's speculation and encouraged him to continue.

Berkeley then explained, "Arcanergy fluid is a specialty of our country, produced by level 2 arraymancers who use arcanergy arrays to liquify the arcanergy in the air."

"What can it be used for?"

"It has two main effects: first, to enhance the arcanergy in one's body, and second, to increase affinity with various elemental arcanergy."

"That does sound like a valuable item."

Berkeley, with a smug expression, declared, "Otherwise, why would our little shop be stocked with such fine items?"

"Are you referring to those 'advanced race' blood samples?" Erin interjected mockingly from the side.

"Cough cough, that's the added value of the product. You're just a child, you wouldn't understand."

"Hmph, it's just deception," Erin retorted, rolling her eyes.

As they re-entered the shabby shop, Owen curiously asked, "How did that young man discover your blood was fake?"

Berkeley, looking somewhat sheepish, spoke in a subdued tone, "Just bad luck, who knew my buyer would be a genius?"

"Oh? Is there more to this story?"

Erin complied, and Owen, with a sparkle in his eyes, poured the arcanergy fluid over his other arm.

The same transformation occurred in his other arm and hand.

Owen felt a deep craving within his body for more arcanergy fluid.

"More, I need more," he said excitedly to Erin. "You too, absorb more arcanergy fluid."

Erin followed suit. Berkeley, emerging from the backyard, suddenly halted, his gaze fixated ahead.

His eyes fell upon Owen, witnessing the incredible transformation of the familiar figure.

Owen was surrounded by a powerful arcanergy fluctuation, as if an unseen force was altering his form.

His muscles swelled and contracted, emitting deep, rumbling sounds.

"Arcanergy siphoning? Can it be real?" Berkeley stood agape, astonished by the spectacle.

His eyes drifted to the counter where more than a dozen empty jars of arcanergy fluid lay.

He had never witnessed such potent arcanergy force and never imagined Owen could withstand the terrifying phenomenon of arcanergy siphoning.

The arcanergy fluid, which ordinarily takes a normal person three months to absorb completely, was consumed by Owen in mere moments, consuming more than a dozen jars.

This was no longer the realm of genius; it was utterly monstrous.

"You're going to pay for this!" Berkeley approached with a sense of entitlement.

Owen, still relishing the rush of energy, casually agreed, "Of course, at twenty thousand a jar."

"That's more like it," Berkeley said, readjusting his shoulders and retrieving more arcanergy fluid from under the counter.

"Just don't make too much of a scene. If you lose control, my shop will go down with you."

"Pour another jar on me," Owen commanded.

Berkeley, eyeing Erin who had also turned neon-like from the absorption, muttered, "Both of you are freaks."

Although Erin's reaction wasn't as dramatic as Owen's, her body too emitted light, and an arcanergy vortex tore at the violent arcanergy in the air.

Berkeley slowly poured the fluid over Owen's arm.

Suddenly, Berkeley's actions halted, and his demeanor turned unexpectedly serious, a familiar aura emanating from his eyes—murderous intent!

The normally money-obsessed Berkeley now bore a deadly seriousness.

Owen's expression instantly turned grave.

He didn't feel threatened by Berkeley, which meant the murderous intent was directed outward.

He carefully sensed the arcanergy around them.

His eyelids twitched frantically as he felt the surrounding arcanergy being drawn by a mysterious force, wildly weaving through the air.

Owen should have noticed it earlier, but the arcanergy siphoning effect had altered the local arcanergy field, obscuring his perception.

Amidst the chaotic arcanergy field, it was Berkeley who noticed this abrupt change.

"Run!"

Berkeley suddenly pushed Owen and Erin, his expression distorted with urgency.