Jake was back in the game world after his real-life responsibilities.
After a series of events in his first dungeon, he was forced to come to Viktor's workplace in the invisible zone. The necklace he'd received from Sin was crucial in his safe return here.
His eyes met with Viktor's.
"You look stronger," Viktor said.
This impression didn't stem from Jake's level-ups in the dungeon. Viktor could tell that something significant had changed within Jake.
It could be a new experience that had shaped him into whoever he was now or something else.
"I've returned with a backpack of experiences, just like I told you I would," Jake chuckled. We have a lot to talk about, but I don't see Master Aaron here. Let's postpone our talk for later. I'll call him here."
Viktor nonchalantly nodded.
He didn't dwell too much on Jake's change and returned to work. He was a little slower than usual, meaning his head wasn't empty of thoughts.
Jake smiled and turned around.
There was an important, impending conversation between him, Viktor, and Aaron. It involved Viktor's attitude and willingness to help Jake with his archery.
'It has to be related to his imperial household,' Jake thought as he left the workplace. He manifested his game system and headed to his friend list.
His friends and sister were online like usual, grinding whenever possible.
Jake also saw that his new friends, Prince and Sin, were also online.
He clicked on Prince's name and messaged him.
[Archer: Are you in the capital? I want to have a talk at the table.]
[Prince: Time's priceless, my dark horse! Our endeavors, however, make our moments more precious than any currency! You need me or us now?]
[Archer: It'd be good to have you two come.]
[Prince: Give us a few minutes. Where you want to talk?]
[Archer: Red Moon Restaurant. I'll be here soon, too.]
Jake closed off his game system and casually headed to Last Night, The Warmonger Empire's Capital.
He didn't let the bounty get to his head.
Not only was he close to the capital, but Jake also believed that unnecessary battles between him and the three guilds vying for The Warmonger Empire's Imperial Family's connections would not favor the latter.
In fact, he was confident it'd work in the opposite way and only trouble the guilds more.
That said, if Jake were to enter a dark alley, no one would come to his aid.
'I've thought about it for a whole night and during lectures,' Jake reminded himself. 'I'm not making any money off this game, and I'm putting in so much time into it that I should at least get some pocket money myself. I must sell Cerberus to Prince. He's the best person I could sell it to.'
After hours of contemplation, Jake had come to the decision that selling Cerberus was the best option for him.
He'd already told himself back on the tutorial island that he could carry up to four summons.
He also had enough money as he had sold the epic skill before.
Jake began the casual talk and then spent his time talking about his experiences after the siblings' sacrifice. He told them that he had managed to steal the legendary boss, commanded Ender to snatch the loot, and that he had entered the golden door.
It was unknown what Ender's darkness had done to Cerberus' loot. It could have been obliterated into nothingness or spat out somewhere around The Condemned Dungeon or inside its corridors.
No one knew.
Damien and Rebecca grinned.
They liked that choice.
"I don't know what that golden door was. It could be a door to Hades' treasury, right? Anyway, I got skills from it, nothing physical, so I can't share them with you guys... but, well, you guys must have realized that I don't have a normal archer class," Jake faintly smiled.
The siblings nodded in sync.
Jake laughed, "Because of my class, I've extracted the fifth summon. I want to sell it to you."
"Sell?" Damien leaned forward and cast his smile at Jake. "You're such a selfish man, my dark horse. The days we've spent together in the corridors of darkness, where we bathed in blood and sweat, mean nothing to you? What about our heartbreaking sacrifice?!"
Sin only side-glanced at her brother and decided not to speak at all.
"It means a lot. I also have smelled Sin's perfume so much that I nearly got a headache," Jake smiled.
Prince dismissively waved his hand, "Get used to them!"
"Yeah, shut up," Jake instantly replied with a broad smile.
Sin chuckled.
Damien sank into his chair and crossed his arms, "You got me here, Jake. I'd not give something as precious as a legendary summon for free, either. How much do you want?"
Jake gulped.
Legendary weapons and skills were already on the market, but they were still new and sold for an astronomical amount of gold coins. If a player converted those gold coins into real money, they'd be able to get two cars or maybe even more!
Jake wasn't sure about it as he didn't have that much experience.
He only saw numbers, and those made him nervous.
"I... I was thinking of twenty-five thousand dollars... but I can give you a discount and lower it to fifteen thousand dollars. I will also share my experience with you," Jake spoke slowly, barely managing to utter those words.
Getting so much money through a game felt unreal to him.
It was also a single summon.
Jake understood how precious Cerberus was, but it was still difficult to talk about those numbers. He hadn't worked a part-time job yet, and all Jake's money came from his parents. He helped them with various tasks and got an allowance from them, but that wasn't even comparable to what true adults had gone through.
"Just twenty-five thousand dollars? Discount? You're looking down on me and yourself, my dark horse! Your experience is definitely not worth ten thousand dollars! Heck it! I will pay your tax for that transaction myself," Damien said.
Hearing this man's words, it felt like all life evaporated from Jake.
He stared at him with fish-like eyes.
Jake was at such a loss of words that he couldn't continue his plan...