Chapter 409 - 408: Give

Chapter 409: Chapter 408: Give

"Of course, it’s a gift for you," Squidward immediately chimed in.

The old man next to him added earnestly, "While this book isn’t one-of-a-kind, it’s still a valuable part of the Stardust Gallery’s private collection and rarely seen on the market. Honored guest, you’ve just dealt with fire. With this book as a foundation, you’ll avoid many pitfalls in the future, both in understanding and using flames."

"Exactly, exactly!" Squidward nodded repeatedly. "We originally sell this book for eight thousand Black Fog Coins a copy. Honored guest, just take it and read it, no payment needed! If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me anytime. I’ll explain it to you personally!"

Seraphina Sinclair lowered her gaze to the heavy book in her hand, then looked up at the two high-level managers, each acting more deferential than the last.

’Does their attitude mean...’

"You must have quite a few... spare books in your restaurant, right?"

’Spare books?’ Squidward was stunned.

’We run a restaurant! Where would we get spare books?’

’No, wait.’

’We run a restaurant! So for a restaurant, books *are* spare items.’

’For this human to ask like that...’

Squidward lowered its head, a flash of pained reluctance in its eyes. ’I shouldn’t have been so greedy for this human’s hundred thousand Black Fog Coins. Now look, not only did I not get the money, I have to throw in a pile of books!’

’But since this human has the Door Key, she’s sure to repay the restaurant a hundred, even a thousand times over in the future.’

’In that case... give them to her!’

Having made up its mind, it turned to see the old man beside it also looking pained. Squidward, who had felt awful just a moment ago, suddenly felt magnanimous. "Yes! Our restaurant has a large collection. When I get back, I’ll have all the books you’re currently able to access sent over."

’How sensible.’

’So very sensible.’

Seraphina Sinclair nodded and glanced at the time on her system page.

This was a clear signal for them to leave. Although this wasn’t Seraphina Sinclair’s territory, they had indeed come here because of her.

The old man had chosen a human appearance, so of course he understood human culture. He signaled for Squidward to open the Lightgate and said politely:

"Since everything is settled, we’ll take our leave. The right to process this dragon belongs to Chef 881. Once the flame has been completely extracted, it will be placed in a vessel for you. At that time, we will visit you with the books and the vessel."

Since they were being so courteous, Seraphina Sinclair certainly wouldn’t be rude in return.

After exchanging some pleasantries and seeing the three chefs off, Seraphina Sinclair turned her head and saw that the waiter was still standing in front of the Dragon Corpse.

Noticing her gaze, the waiter first trembled, then asked with a quavering voice, "Do... do you have any other orders?"

’Great... I’ve scared another one half to death over here.’

Seraphina Sinclair didn’t answer. She frowned, her gaze falling upon the Door Key in her hand.

’This thing... what is its origin?’

Dawn seeped through the canyon crevice. A grayish-white light washed over the rock walls, then a cluster of golden brilliance suddenly erupted, and a myriad of light rays burst forth.

The cold night retreated, and everything was once again bathed in warm colors.

Seraphina Sinclair stared at the round sun rising on the horizon. Just as she was marveling at the magnificent sunrise, a thought shot through her mind like a meteor!

A jolt went through her, and she immediately stood up.

’According to the waiter, isn’t this the "brilliance"?!’

The Sunflower, which had been on a hunger strike for a week, finally had something it could eat again on this Saturday.

Seraphina Sinclair suppressed her excitement and turned her gaze back to the E-level monsters surrounding them. After the sun came out, they acted as if they had encountered something terrifying. However much the sunshine spread, that was how far they retreated.

After the sun rose higher, only a small patch of shadow remained at the base of the stone walls on either side of the crevice.

Countless monsters huddled in those shadows, glaring covetously at the human standing in the sunlight.

It was only seven o’clock, not yet the system-designated daytime.

Seraphina Sinclair concluded internally, ’It seems the sunrise and sunset in some places are still normal and don’t adhere to the system’s rules.’

Once this thought popped up, it couldn’t be suppressed.

’What does this mean?’ Seraphina Sinclair wondered.

If it had been her from a week ago, the only thing she would have thought of was the fractured nature of the world.

But the person she was now had first glimpsed a true corner of this strange and vast world at the auction house, and then learned of the world’s top-tier status, "Demigod," from the waiter.

Now, when she revisited that thought, only one thing came to mind.

’It seems that although the system covers almost everything a survivor can encounter, there are still some omissions.’

Seraphina Sinclair wasted no more time.

She walked briskly back to her mobile cabin and, a moment later, came out carrying the Sunflower.

The pot felt heavy against her waist. The plant, which hadn’t eaten for a week, was sleeping soundly.

Not until Seraphina Sinclair held it up to the first ray of sunshine entering the canyon did the Sunflower’s head shoot up, as if it were an iron filing drawn to a magnet. The entire flower suddenly sprang to life.

Seraphina Sinclair was startled by it. After a moment, she gave a helpless smile and placed the Sunflower on the ground.

It wasn’t safe here; she had to stay with the Sunflower while it soaked up the sun.

A faint, intermittent thought echoed: ’Sooo comfy... I love it...’

Seraphina Sinclair crouched down and reached out to steady the tipping flower pot.

The Sunflower ignored her.

Its entire face was tilted up, its eyes staring unblinkingly at the sun in the sky, a contented whimper coming from its throat.

Seraphina Sinclair sighed, but she felt happy inside.

She could finally move again, finally store up some sunshine.

The Sunflower’s hunger strike had once again served as a wake-up call. It was fine to use sunshine for movement, but she absolutely couldn’t afford to be left with none at all.

If it weren’t for the Mist Beacon, she would have been dead for a week by now.

Seraphina Sinclair pushed aside her chaotic thoughts and took a piece of dried meat from her Silver Moon Earrings. She gnawed on it while contemplating her next move.

Although she had found the "brilliance," it was in the sky. Seraphina Sinclair couldn’t reach it or take it with her.

As long as she moved, the Sunflower would still be unable to produce sunshine.

Seraphina Sinclair sighed, a headache coming on.

’What method can I possibly use to obtain the "brilliance"?’

Seraphina Sinclair thought for a while and finally realized it was pointless to just sit and think.

A small smile touched her lips as she began to check her gains from last night.

The Great Dragon had already been dragged away by the waiter, and everything else had been inventoried. As for the most unexpected gain, it was definitely the E-level monsters that had been glaring at her.

Seraphina Sinclair used Insight on them one by one. Now, there were only three left to unlock in her E-level monster bestiary.

These last three could likely only be unlocked with Illustration Cards.

As eight o’clock approached, Seraphina Sinclair once again carried the Sunflower back to the mobile cabin.

The Sunflower had to go with her into the instance, so it would have to finish sunbathing when they got back.

The Sunflower was reluctant to leave. It secretly cursed Seraphina Sinclair in its heart a few times, ’You villain...’, all of which Seraphina heard.

Seraphina Sinclair glanced at it, only then noticing that the Sunflower was stretching its head out like a giraffe, obviously trying to reach the receding sunshine.