Chapter 130 13. It’s so miserable for Mason who was forced to become the king of rags because of his lack of money
When Mason returned to the trading hall on the second floor of Star Castle, it was obviously more lively.
More booths were set up, but the atmosphere was less like a simple transaction and more like a social place. Senior members from different worlds walk here, chatting or discussing matters.
There were even some young men and women dancing to the soft music in the venue.
Those who can be here are all C-level teams.
Since there is at least one C-level personnel in the team, these are the elite (cannon) and brilliant (grey) forces of the Stars Association.
As the name suggests, there are only twelve members of the A-level twelve-member council, 400 B-level members, and nearly 2,000 C-level members. Counting the core members of their respective teams, the total number will not exceed 50,000.
D-class and E-class, which cannot be used much and can only be used tomorrow, as well as the servant army, are not included in the calculation.
Because the combat effectiveness of the servant army has always been low, it is simply synonymous with weak chickens like the puppet army. The elite power of the Society of Stars sounds huge enough, but it is far from enough to face the tasks this organization has to undertake.
Throwing fifty thousand people into the parallel world system of the multiverse is like dropping ink into the ocean. Fortunately, the stars will only be responsible for exploration and development.
There are other "brother agencies" responsible for the subsequent development of the opened world.
"The more I know about it, the more I realize that the organization I am in is really unpredictable."
As Mason walked into the crowd, he complained in his heart:
"It's a little more difficult to leave here than to leave the Penguin Gang."
"That Mr. Hunter didn't tell the truth. Although he answered a lot of questions to you and me, I'm sure he hid more."
The sorting hat on Mason's head said to him:
"Don't like him so easily, Mason, young people are always reckless in this kind of thing. You have to realize that what he does is more important than what he says.
He's sending you on a high-risk cannon fodder mission, and he's not even trying to hide it himself.
He's manipulating people's minds.
And you cannot step into the trap. ”
"I am not so childish, my dear hat."
Mason walked through the crowd and answered in his heart:
"I just confirmed that Mr. Hunter is on our side, which means that it will be easier to implement what you told me, and we don't even need to think about the finishing issue.
You see.
He treated me like cannon fodder and I asked him to help me deal with a little trouble. It was a pretty reasonable deal, right? ”
The Sorting Hat stopped responding and acquiesced to Mason's statement.
The young man did not pay attention to the social colleagues around him, and also declined the requests of several drunken ladies to dance with him. He returned to the booths on the second floor of the hall where transactions were still taking place and continued his "white talk." Prostitution is a big business."
He almost looked at each booth and stopped to inquire about the price when he encountered something he was interested in.
In less than an hour, Mason already had seven alchemy formulas and three engineering drawings in his hand. He also observed some great magic jewelry and obtained the jewelry processing patterns he desperately needed.
However, the trade fair specially prepared for senior members is indeed very valuable. Those high-end items obtained from various worlds are difficult to fully analyze with Mason's current skills and knowledge.
For example, he couldn't even analyze the drawings of the small Ark reactor he had seen before.
After browsing the entire hall, Mason also discovered items such as "Jenova Cell Enhancer", "Perfect G Virus", "Perfect Servant Army T Series", "Piern of Autumn Orbital Landing Module" and even "Seal" "Card surface for fighting suit" and "disposable insect arrow replica" and other things that are so outrageous that it is difficult to even classify them.
There are also several booths selling eggs and larvae of ancient titans. It seems that the business is very good, and Mason has never heard of the various items that B-class personnel use to trade with each other.
This gave Mason, who aspired to become the king of prostitution, a terrible feeling of entering a treasure trove but returning empty-handed.
In fact, he has a lot of good things in his hands.
If you really want to exchange them, you can exchange them for some items you need, such as the Ark reactor, or the orbital airborne power armor you just saw at a certain booth.
But Mason ultimately resisted the temptation.
His path as a craftsman means that he can make these things by himself in the future. What is most urgently needed at this stage is more drawings and knowledge that can be practiced and made.
Knowledge is power!
This sentence is the absolute truth for Mason. Spending a lot of money to buy finished products is completely worth the loss for him, and becoming stronger always has to be done step by step.
He has always been sensible in this regard.
There is no way, poverty makes him rational.
"I want this book."
Ten minutes later, Mason put down the replica of Captain America's round shield with a look of regret on his face, and pointed to the book next to the shield. Under the slightly sarcastic gaze of the dark Sith-dressed stall owner in front of him, Mason took out a Heart of Ice Pearl from his bag, paid for it, and put the thin book into his bag.
Although the Captain America shield that couldn't parse the blueprints was obviously more popular, Mason reluctantly gave up on it.
He looked at the booklet in front of him, and the information label quickly popped up:
Midnight Doctor's First Aid Manual
Item Effect: Learn a variety of covert battlefield first aid techniques suitable for superhumans.
Item description: You can learn it by right-clicking it. What good thing do you want to do? Just keep practicing!
Mason ignored the poor instructions, took the book in his hands, opened it and looked at a few pages.
Then a familiar presence appeared behind her. Barbara Gordon, dressed in a Batgirl costume, was holding a glass of cocktail. She looked like she had just finished dancing, and her whole body exuded a youthful and energetic atmosphere.
"Mason, what did you just do?"
Barbara asked, and the captain shrugged and said warmly:
"Went to meet a friend, what about you? Where are John and Ergong? They better not spend all our team budget."
"John left with a lady who was so charming that she looked like a monster. I saw them hugging and kissing in the elevator as if no one else was around."
Barbara pouted and said:
"Jason went to the hall next to it. It is said that there is a competition field for members to compete. As for Selena and Judy, look, they are there."
Mason looked in the direction Barbara pointed.
I found that in the middle of the dance floor in the hall, Selena, who had changed into an evening dress, was holding Miss Judy, whose cheeks were red, spinning and dancing to the melodious music.
There were many people admiring the elegant dance of the two ladies, and whistles were heard from time to time.
"Well, it looks like you're safe."
Mason whispered to Barbara beside him:
"You may not know it yet, but Judy is"
"I know."
Barbara rolled her eyes at Mason, took a sip of wine and said relaxedly:
"When she took the opportunity to help me and touched my waist in the warehouse, I knew her little secret. But I didn't care about it. In fact, there is such a 'unique person' in the Bat family, but she It’s been a long time since I retired.”
"Batwoman?"
Mason put away the first aid manual in his hand, also took a glass of lemon juice from the elf waiter next to him, added a few drops of joy and refreshment to it, leaned against the stone pillar and said to Barbara:
"I heard that the disobedient Batwoman in Gotham tried to fight against Jason, but her bones were broken by the merciless Ergu?"
"I don't know about this. I haven't contacted her for a long time."
Barbara brushed her fiery red hair and waved to a handsome man next to her who wanted to approach her and invite her to dance.
Indicates that he is not in the mood now.
She admired the dancing of Selena and Judy not far away and whispered:
"Thank you for bringing me here, Mason. I feel a lot better. Maybe I should return to my life in a few days. If I don't go back, my dad and Grayson will go crazy."
"Are you sure?"
Mason took a sip of juice and asked:
"You know, there is no such thing as 'quit' when you join us. Girl, you can return to your life, but you must answer when I call."
"I know, I don't resist these things either."
Bat Girl showed a smile, turned her head and blinked and said to Mason:
"Judy told me and Selena everything she knew about the Society of the Stars, and we are now pretty sure what you want to do if you remain in this organization.
Don't worry, Mason, I'll help you.
Because it's the right thing to do!
All the luxury and fairy-tale richness and beauty here are based on countless suffering worlds. Without you, our world may also become part of this 'trophy'. I think I roughly understand why Bruce trusts you. .
And you said I might find new meaning in this journey.
Now I found it.
That's a far more meaningful goal than assisting Batman or protecting Gotham.
A goal that belongs to you and to Team K. The loss of my Batgirl identity no longer left me feeling lost, I filled it with a new, more powerful identity and career. ”
As she spoke, Barbara brushed her fiery red hair, raised her wine glass, and said to Mason:
"Come and drink to our common cause."
"I actually doubt that you know what I want to do, but since you said so, I am also happy to maintain a good relationship with my team members and my legal adoptive sister.
So, cheers. ”
Mason smiled and clinked the wine glasses in the hands of Juice and Barbara. The two were chatting but were unexpectedly pulled to the dance floor by Selena and Judy who were leaving.
The three girls tonight were completely let go.
Lady Selina even personally taught Mason how to move his steps in time with the music. She placed Mason’s imaginary hand on her waist and said to him:
"You're only 17 years old, Mason! I'm begging you to do something your age should do once in a while."
"I think what I should do most now is go back to the room and complete the recipe for the potion I just learned."
Mason replied with a dull face:
"Instead of wasting time jumping around to the music here. I just got some news, Selena, believe me, after you listen to it, you won't be in a relaxed mood to continue dancing."
"Then let's wait until after the dance!"
Catwoman said decisively.
Then, with laughter, she pulled Mason around and spun around like a puppet, allowing him to complete the first dance in his life under her leadership.
He had a straight face but steady steps, and his gray windbreaker swayed from side to side with Catwoman's hot dance. Then Barbara and Judy joined in, and for a while, whistles flew everywhere and Mason became that The most handsome guy in a moment.
Well, Mason had to admit that it was a good pastime to take a break from work once in a while.
The party lasted until very late.
The three crazy girls also went to the big bonfire Viking dinner held by the Asgardians outside the castle and played until midnight before returning.
But Mason is destined to be the "champion of staying up" tonight.
He is a champion of staying up late every night.
He spent a lot of time collecting all the drawings that he could parse in the trading floor.
By the time he left, there was even gossip among the shopkeepers on the trading floor about a "stingy kid who only saw and bought."
But Mason didn't go back to rest.
Instead, he left the trade fair hall and came to the more lively market outside the Star Castle that was open to all members.
It took a few minutes to take out a steel folding shelf, a back chair, and alchemy utensils from his luggage and place them on the table. He also took out all the alchemy, engineering, and inscriptions and enchanted items he had just set out on from his pocket. He even propped up a sign he had made before in front of the table.
That's right, he's going to set up a stall here.
The things in the trade fair hall were too high-end, and Mason, who was unwilling to complete all the free prostitution achievements, decided to take advantage of these few days to make another big deal from ordinary members of the Stars Association.
Mason's goal was clear. What he needed were drawings and recipes.
It makes little difference whether the items used for exchange are complete or not. If you encounter items that are not seriously damaged, you can easily repair them and practice your skills.
Besides, for this yuppie guy, letting him waste a night to rest is really more uncomfortable than killing him.
This person will set up a crucible in a quiet corner of the busy market and start throwing various materials into it. While boiling, he will also devote his energy to making some "little cards" that look very wonderful.
That is the "mysterious card" unlocked before the inscription branch.
It is similar to a magic scroll but does not require the help of a spellcaster to produce some wonderful effects. It is very suitable for ordinary people who do not understand magic.
Mason thought this thing would definitely make a lot of money.
"What is this thing? I haven't seen it before."
Soon a customer came over to inquire. It was an old man dressed like Gandalf. He curiously picked up several cards of different colors that Mason had placed in front of the table and held them in his hands.
I found that this thing had patterns on both sides. Although it had magical power, I didn't know how to activate it, so I became interested and asked.
Mason, who was busy brewing a pot of "Thunder" potion, stirred the crucible liquid and explained casually:
"I call it the 'Dark Moon Card'. Guest, this is part of the esoteric system of our world. After each card is unsealed, the face of the card will be displayed, and then you will know its use.
But don't expect too much, this is just a very ordinary magic item that can only release some ordinary magic.
Just you can test your luck. ”
"Luck?"
The old man raised his eyebrows and said with interest:
"What kind of trial method?"
"The first issue of Dark Moon Cards contains four sets of cards, each with 8 cards. If you can collect them all, the magic contained in them can fuse the 8 cards into a mysterious high-level magic accessory."< br>
Mason didn’t hide anything and said frankly:
“Although according to records, the effects of the four decks are very powerful, this thing is like opening a blind box. I really don’t recommend that cash-strapped companions try this.
It's easy to go bankrupt. ”
"Hmm, it does sound like a scammer's trick."
The old mage stroked his beard and said:
"Can you show me the real thing?"
"I think so."
Mason curled his lips and said:
"But I haven't collected them all myself yet. This thing belongs to the category of occultism. Guest, even I, the producer, don't know the specific cards before it is unsealed."
"Then a few more pictures."
The old mage winked, took out his Hermès wallet, and said:
"I'll try my luck."
"No, no money."
Mason capped the boiling potion and sealed it. He turned around and wiped his hands while pointing to the sign on the table and said:
"Barter, guest, here we only need blueprints and formulas, in any field, or some broken things can be exchanged, as long as they contain knowledge, I won't choose."
"Oh, I understand. The garbage picker still said it so nicely and asked for knowledge. Well, I was so shameless when I was young."
The old mage curled his lips, looked at Mason up and down, and said:
"Are you a novice? Many novices who are cash-strapped will use this method to try to find leaks, but listen to my advice, young people, there is no need to bother.
If you want good things, go directly to the Adventure Hall of Star Castle to do bounty missions. If you want to go, join the high-level team as a vassal. If they eat meat, you can also drink soup.
As long as you dare to take risks and are willing to work hard, you will have everything you need after two or three pioneering missions, and you will always get what you need in this magical world.
The world here in Star Castle is declining, and the new arrivals are all smarter than monkeys. It is not easy to get good things out of their hands. ”
Seeing that Mason just maintained a gentle smile and did not answer, the old man immediately snorted. He took out a thumb-sized thing from his bag and threw it to Mason and said:
"Is this enough?"
"This."
Mason took one look and raised his eyebrows.
He opened the desk drawer and took out dozens of mysterious cards he had made before, and said:
"Of course it's enough. Just try it slowly. If it's not enough, come to me and I'll make a card on the spot. I'll make a set for you to make you happy.
But where do you still have this thing?
I want as much as I want. "(End of Chapter)