Chapter 302: Seeking to Purchase

Chapter 302: Chapter 302: Seeking to Purchase

The moment Seraphina Sinclair opened the group chat, she saw the latest updates.

"Why is Master Artemis dueling Zane Pierce again?"

"So much action today! One spectacle ends and another one begins!"

"What utterly outrageous thing did Zane Pierce do? For Master Artemis to call him out by name without even catching her breath, right after a tough fight?"

"Do you even have to ask? It’s definitely related to the Seaview incident! Just look at the cowardly way Zane Pierce was begging Master Blacktiger in the chat earlier. He’s obviously up to no good!"

"Tsk, tsk. Is this going to be a real bloodbath? But that guy, Zane Pierce... how many hits can he even take from Master Artemis?"

"Place your bets, place your bets! I’m taking wagers on how many minutes it’ll take Artemis to end this!"

Seraphina Sinclair watched the discussion unfold, her expression calm and unreadable.

Artemis had acted more swiftly and decisively than she’d anticipated.

Whether it was to establish her dominance, consolidate her newly acquired power, or simply for revenge, Zane Pierce was the perfect target.

There was no question how this would end for Zane Pierce.

Seraphina Sinclair didn’t care.

Her focus returned to her own objective.

Aside from the discussion about the duel between Artemis and Zane Pierce, other bits of information were scattered throughout the chat.

Some complained that the price of Expansion Crystals was still being held firm. Others exchanged tips on exploring new Zones. A few tentatively inquired about trading for certain special items.

Even though the group was full of top-tier survivors, an item like the Unsealing Hammer—a reward only obtainable by the person ranked first—had never been mentioned in the chat.

Part of the reason was that most survivors had no use for it, so there was no market for it and no need for discussion.

The other reason, most likely, was its B-level classification.

An item of that caliber, even if it wasn’t particularly useful, would fetch an exorbitant price the moment someone offered it for trade.

Seraphina Sinclair knew this well.

A B-level item, even one with a niche function, still had undeniable rarity and potential value.

That wasn’t even counting the "Rank One Reward" label, which added another layer of symbolic and collectible value.

’To get them, I’ll have to use more discreet and direct channels.’

After a moment of thought, Seraphina Sinclair’s gaze fell on the ID: Chrona.

She had seen the messages in the chat. While she hadn’t been replying, Zane Pierce had been throwing a fit, demanding that Chrona contact her.

And Chrona had simply ignored him.

The fact that she could quickly assemble a small group after the Zones merged, gathering a host of top-tier and near-top-tier survivors, spoke volumes. Maintaining the semblance of information exchange and a fragile sense of community demonstrated her considerable organizational skills and social acuity.

Chrona understood boundaries. She knew when to be active and when to stay silent. More importantly, she knew which troubled waters to avoid and how to handle different kinds of people.

’Someone like that is the perfect person to make a deal with.’

Seraphina Sinclair opened a private chat with Chrona and, after a moment’s consideration, sent a message.

[Blacktiger Ford]: Chrona, is this a good time to talk? I’d like to ask for your help with something.

Message sent. Seraphina Sinclair waited patiently.

Chrona’s reply arrived quickly, her tone as cautious and polite as ever.

[Chrona]: Master Blacktiger? Please, go ahead.

’No unnecessary pleasantries. Straight to the point, and cooperative.’

Seraphina Sinclair’s fingers tapped on the panel as she carefully chose her words.

[Blacktiger Ford]: I need Unsealing Hammers, more than one. I know they’re rare, so asking for them publicly wouldn’t be appropriate. You’re well-connected and your information is reliable, so I was hoping you could keep an eye out for me. Or... if you find a suitable seller, perhaps you could make an introduction.

She was direct, laying out her request plainly. As for compensation...

’That can be discussed after the deal is done.’

[Chrona]: Unsealing Hammers...?

[Chrona]: Master Blacktiger, you need these? If I recall correctly, they’re the reward for being first in a Zone’s rankings, right? That makes them hard to find. But I happen to have one. If you need it, you can have mine for now.

Immediately after her message, a gift notification popped up.

The gift was identical to the previous two—another Unsealing Hammer. But unlike the first two times, this one felt a little less... warranted.

Seraphina Sinclair looked at the notification, an eyebrow slightly raised.

She certainly needed Unsealing Hammers, but Chrona’s gesture was clearly more than simple altruism.

’This is more like an investment,’ she thought. ’Or a way to open a door.’

[Blacktiger Ford]: You’re too generous. I can’t accept this for nothing. If there’s something I can do for you, or something you’d like in return, please don’t hesitate to say so.

Chrona’s reply came quickly. It was friendly, but still maintained a certain professional distance.

[Chrona]: You’re overthinking it, Master Blacktiger. It’s just a small item I have no use for right now. Think of it as a gesture of friendship. As for keeping an eye out for other Unsealing Hammers, you can count on me. But... they really are in high demand. Even if I find one, the seller’s asking price will likely be steep.

A B-level item, and Chrona was calling it a "small item she had no use for."

It was a favor easily accepted, but it carried a heavy weight.

Since Chrona was willing to act as the broker, Seraphina naturally wouldn’t shortchange her on the profits—or at the very least, a finder’s fee.

Seraphina didn’t refuse again and accepted Chrona’s Unsealing Hammer.

[Blacktiger Ford]: Thank you. I’m prepared for the price. Contact me as soon as you have any leads.

With that message sent, the matter was settled for now.

Night fell, and the roiling black fog outside the mobile cabin grew deeper and darker.

Seraphina Sinclair lit the fireplace, the flames illuminating her face.

Seraphina wasn’t actually living in the mobile cabin anymore, so even if monsters came hunting at night, they wouldn’t affect her.

But in her mind, the mobile cabin had always been synonymous with safety. Letting monsters come and go as they pleased at night felt like leaving an unguarded back door in her own home. It left her unable to rest easy.

Besides, Sunflower was still here. Even if no monsters would attack it, it was good to leave a light on for the little one.

Seraphina stiffly turned her head to glance at it. Sunflower was still slumped on the floor, listless.

Its telepathic voice hadn’t spoken in a long time. Seraphina didn’t truly know what it was feeling now.

But from its wilted posture, its flower head nearly pressed to the floor, Seraphina could sense a profound sadness and bewilderment.

Seraphina was not good at comforting others, let alone an emotional sunflower.

She watched in silence for a moment before finally walking over. She crouched down beside Sunflower and gently touched the edge of one of its slightly curled leaves.

And so, a human and a sunflower sat in silence for half the night, illuminated by the firelight.

As the night grew heavy, both exhausted creatures finally drifted into a deep sleep on the bedding spread across the floor.